Student Successes
Simon Bettison’s a Rascal
Ex-ACM Degree Drummer, Simon Bettison, has been hired to play electronic percussion for UK Grime heavyweight and BRIT Award Winner Dizzee Rascal’s band. Simon will appear at Dizzee’s upcoming festival events, where he will also be working as Production Manager for the live band.
Previous industry experience for Simon includes Glastonbury Festival (2007), BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge (2009), and Later with Jools Holland (2009).
ACM at the BRITS !
Former ACM Vocal and Business student Camilla Kerslake has been nominated for the 2010 Classical BRIT Awards for NS&I Album of the Year and she needs your help to win!. Click here and place your vote now!
Camilla enjoyed a successful year in 2009; being the first official artist to be signed to Gary Barlow’s new label Future Records, her debut album went ‘Silver’ in November, and in December her version of the hymn ‘How Can I Keep from Singing’ featured on the Christmas ad campaign for supermarket giant Waitrose.
The artist has also recently performed at Buckingham Palace for Prince Charles and Camilla at a dinner to support ‘Children in the Arts’.
Also, former Vocal Higher Diploma student, James Craise sang backing vocals for Robbie Williams at the Brits live show. He is currently managed by Clive Black and Trevor Horn and is high up on the industry radar right now. For more info on the night click on the links below.
Camilla Kerslake signs to Gary Barlow's new label
ACM Vocal and Business student and rising star Camilla Kerslake, is set to become a household name after she secured a deal in 2009 with Take That front man Gary Barlow’s new record label, Future Records.
The first act to be signed to the star’s new label, Camilla’s debut album went ‘Silver’, selling in excess of 60,000 copies in November 2009. Produced by Mike Hedges, it features singles ‘She Moved Through the Fair’ and the Take That hit ‘Rule the World’, as well as her own material.
This album has also earned Camilla a nomination for Album of the Year at the Classical BRIT Awards.
Toby Couling is a Mercury Music Award Winner
Big congrats to ACM Drum Higher Diploma graduate Toby Couling in becoming a Barclaycard Mercury Music Award prize winner!Toby, who is the drummer for South London newcomer Speech De Belle secured the award for debut album 'Speech Therapy' at this years awards ceremony held at Grosvenor House Hotel in central London.
Last year Elbow walked away with the award for their album 'The Seldom Seen Kid'. This year however was the turn of one of the UK's most freshest and inspiring acts proving that the UK music scene is paving the way for new music and artists.
Neil Simpson, Business and Artist Development Centre Manager at ACM said; "Toby’s ascent has been fantastic through incredible attitude, personality, musicality he is really getting to an incredible level in the game."
Jon and CSS march on
ACM Drum alumni Jon Harper has been hard at work with Brazilian maestros Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS) who recently released their highly anticipated second album entitled 'Donkey'. After finishing up a very long year on the road at the end of December '08, the band had well earned rest before heading out to Australia to play the Future Music Festival with N.E.R.D, Bassment Jaxx and Grandmaster Flash. Then they jetted off to play All Tomorrows Parties hosted by The Breeders, and then on to the Selector Festival in Krakow with Orbital, Dizzee Rascal and Franz Ferdinand.
The year ahead looks just as busy for the band with shows in Casablanca, and Summersonic Festival in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan to keep them on their toes!
To add to Jon's ever expanding career, Jon is now a fully endorsed artist of cymbal giants Zildjian.
Ben Kennedy working with LadyHawke
Former ACM drum student Ben Kennedy has been busy touring with artist of the hour LadyHawke, who is currently enjoying huge success for 2009 with the single 'Paris is Burning' topping the play lists on all national radio stations.
Supporting US star Katy Perry, the drummer is already looking deep into his diary with LadyHawke as she and the group will be appearing at Glastonbury '09, as well as all the other major festivals featuring this summer.
With all this, including dates in the US and Australia in the future, it seems Ben has a great career ahead of him.
The Sugababes
Signed to Crown Management, The Sugababes, with former vocal student, Amelle Berrabah, have established themselves as one of the driving forces in today's music industry. Now on their fifth studio album, the babes have had no less than five UK number ones, selling over 2 million singles, and 5 million albums on label giants, Island Records.
During her time at ACM Amelle won the co-sponsored ACM and Top Of The Pops Search for a Star competition. As a result she met top songwriting/production team Jiant, who were based at ACM. Through Jiant she came to the attention of the Sugababes’ management and record company and the rest is chart-topping history!
Aquila’s Kiss gives Jamie Oliver a taste of Talent!
ACM guitar graduate Ben Harrison and his band; Aquila’s Kiss have made the grade by achieving a top 5 spot in celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s ‘Unsigned Bands’ Competition that saw thousands of hopefuls compete for the chance to play a special London gig in front of the A & R Exec from Mercury Records; Stephen Ferrera.
Aquila’s Kiss is a 5 piece from West London who have been often described as a band with serious soul. Blending solid rock with R&B and pop.
Lisa Wheeler, taken on Full Time at Extreme!
Music Business student Lisa Wheeler has been lucky enough to land her dream job, working full time for Sony linked production company Extreme Music.
Extremes list of clients are a variable feast of industry giants, spanning every medium including; 20th Century Fox, Amazon, Apple, BBC, Bloomberg, Bravo. BskyB, CNN, Electronic Arts…. well-the whole world really!
Alex gets a placement with One Little Indian
Another successful work experience placement saw Music Business Degree student, Alex Spain start at South West London record label One Little Indian Records.
The label’s current artist roster includes; Alabama 3, Rocket from the Crypt, Skunk Anansie, Sneaker Pimps, Shamen and BjÖrk.
ACM student’s chosen for Jon Harrison line up
Brand new Down Boy Records priority Jon Harrison came to ACM in search of a band – and found one!
The newly formed ensemble, consisting of ACM students; Matt Child, Tom Kenrick, Tom Warner and Yiannis Sachinis have already started rehearsals for the bands forthcoming European tour dates with none other than 80's sensation, Kim Wilde. The guys are set to make huge waves in the music industry as the act are being guided by the same team that look after Polydor priority Bryn Christopher, who also shares an ACM link in band members Luke Higgins and Sam Odiwe.
Nick Benton Hooks up with Larrikin Love’s Ed Larrikin
ACM Music Production student Nick Benton was successfully selected to join Ed Larrikin from Brit rock sensation Larrikin Love in his new project The Pan I Am. Similar to Larrikin Love, The Pan I am project is rooted in Irish folk and bluesgrass but has been injected with a distinctive electronic element.
Managed by Scottish music industry mogul and musician Alan McGee, the band are setting up shop for a string of live dates and recording sessions in the months to come.
Tom’s a Five O’clock Hero
Congratulations to drum student Tom Smith for being chosen to join emerging success story Five O’clock Heroes. Tom auditioned for the job through ACM’s Business and Artist Development Centre.Two parts British and two parts American, the Five O’clock Heroes’ sound, although influenced by, is clearly not limited to the New York rock scene. Tour dates are booked across Europe and you can be sure that these heroes will be making themselves known in the UK.
Rokhsan Heydari
Uber-talented songwriter and performer Rokhsan Heydari is one of ACM’s tips for the top this year. She has had one of her songs (Bubble Bath) chosen and featured on the Aretha Franklin CD on the Sunday Express, of which 2.1 million copies were sold.She also made the finals of the 2007 MBF Songwriting Awards and was selected as a finalist for the BBC 2 New Talent Songwriting Academy, which involved a song-writing masterclass at BBC Marlybone and a chance to win studio time with UK Top Songwriters. More recently, Rokhsan has enjoyed a whirlwind summer, with awesome sets at Beachbreak Live, as well as a highly memorable performance on the BBC Introducing Stage of this year’s Glastonbury ‘08 Festival.
The icing on the cake however is the recent representation by management giants Crown Management, who look after, amongst others, The Sugababes.
Ben King joins The Yardbirds
Congratulations to ACM graduate Ben King for successfully landing his dream job as a fully fledged member of legendary psychedelic outfit, The YardBirds. Ben was chosen from a cast of guitarists to join the band by bassist and singer, John Idan who taught Ben whilst tutoring at ACM.
Bens first task as a Yardbird was to play to a massive, open air concert in Ohio to thousands of adoring fans on his 21st birthday. Not a bad birthday present!
Alice Cooper’s guitarist and ACM tutor Pete Friesen said, “Ben was a great student and a fast learner. I’ve every faith that he is going to be met with huge success in the years to come and would like to wish him the very best”.
Toby Couling and the Noisettes
Former ACM Drum student, Toby Couling, has just landed a gig, touring the UK with the Noisettes (famous for ‘Don’t Upset the Rhythm’ and ‘I’ll Never Forget You’) over February and March 2010, adding to the many industry sessions Toby has landed over the last few years.
Toby is also a recurring session drummer for Mercury Music Award winners Speech Debelle, who will be touring again soon.
Music Production Degree students supply music for 'Heroes; The Greatest War Movies Ever' DVD
Congratulations to first year Music Production Degree students Darren Jerome and Danny Owen for successfully securing a deal to supply top DVD distribution company Revolver Entertainment with the incidental soundtrack, & TV and online idents, for the release of fundraising DVD 'Heroes; The Greatest War Movies Ever'.
The DVD box-set, featuring movies such as Saving Private Ryan and Platoon, is on sale to raise funds to support the military personnel wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. All profits from the DVD sales will go to the charity 'Help for Heroes'.
The deal was set up by ACM affiliate publishing company Platinum Sound and is part of an ongoing agreement to place ACM student music into industry.
To add to the pair's success, the story has been covered by the music industry's leading publication, and ACM sponsor, Music Week.
Ben Kennedy gets Zildjian endorsed while Ladyhawke bag six music awards
Zildjian are delighted to welcome Ben Kennedy to their family of worldwide Artists; former ACM drum student Ben is currently drumming with New Zealand born/UK based pop/dance sensation Ladyhawke.
Ben says "Zildjian for me are incomparable. I'm delighted to be part of the family who have served many great drummers for years."
Ladyhawke, aka Pip Brown, whose debut album has gone gold in the UK, Australia and New Zealand recently swept the board at the New Zealand Music Awards 2009 by taking home six awards including 'Album of the Year' and 'Single of the Year'.
After their Australian/New Zealand tour Ladyhawke are performing at the Aria Awards in Sydney, where they are up for several awards again.
Sally Keeler
Congratulations to Vocal Diploma student Sally Keeler for securing the chance to perform in front of a capacity crowd at the O2 Arena in aid of children in need of adoption.The concert was set up by children's charity Voice in a Million, a new project set up to raise awareness of the need for adoptive parents in the UK, in conjunction with the British Association for Adoption and Fostering.
Sally, who is herself adopted, will be singing her track Golden Child supported by a 4,000-strong children’s choir, representing the 4,000 children waiting to be adopted in the UK today.
The London O2 Arena concert will be held on January 28th from 7.30pm.
Chris set to Quosh the opposition
1st year Degree student Chris Luyendjik has been hard at work with one of the UK's largest dance labels Quosh Records as a session guitarist on a series of forthcoming projects for the dance masters.Quosh, who have released material ranging from happy hardcore to down tempo have been so happy with the results of the sessions that they have already asked Chris to session for them on future projects.
Newton Faulkner
Earning a Brit Awards nomination in the British Male Solo Artist category at The Brits is ACM’s very own graduate Newton Faulkner. Sadly Newton missed out on the award with the top honours going to producer-extraordinaire Mark Ronson.
This recognition reflects what has been an incredible 12 months for Newton. His debut album; Hand Built By Robots reached the top of the charts and became one of the Top 20 selling albums of 2007. He is officially the 3rd biggest UK-signed debut artist of 2007 and has become one of the most talked about and accomplished live performers on the circuit today.
Newton Faulkner's tour dates will only get more intense as 2008 has fast become an astronomically busy year for the virtuoso, with headline sets at Radio One's, 1 Big Weekend 08', and his biggest performance to date at
Newton Faulkner's music has been described as soulful and heartfelt acoustic blues with a pop edge and a distinctively laid-back style.
Vocal Graduate Molly tops the charts with Super producer Sash!
Former Vocal Degree student Molly Smitten-Downes has found herself riding high at the top of the Uk single & album chart by teaming up with German DJ/Producer Sash! to record her version of the 90's chart classic 'Encore Une Fois', entitled 'Raindrops'.
Since the singles release, Molly has not stopped. With appearances on TV channels across the world and tour dates and future recording schedules locked down, the coming year is going to bring more success.
Sash! dominated the dance music scene in the late 1990's with hits including 'Ecuador', 'Stay' and 'Mysterious Times', which have helped to sell over 17 million albums worldwide and earn more than 65 Gold and Platinum awards.
Claire Paxton-Rider joins Warner Music Group
More congratulations are in order. This time – for Music Business student Claire Paxton-Rider who has been offered work experience at Warner Music Group.
WMG became the only stand-alone music company to be publicly traded in the United States. With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Bad Boy, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Lava, Maverick, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire, Warner Bros and Word.
Alex Bewley gets a job at William Morris Agency
ACM are thrilled to announce that former Music Business Degree student Alex Bewley has successfully navigated his way into a full time job with talent and literary specialists William Morris Agency.
The Agency represents clients in all segments of the entertainment industry, including Motion Pictures, Television, Music and Personal Appearances, Broadway Theatre and Theatrical Touring, Book Publishing, Commercial Endorsements, Sports Marketing, Corporate Consulting, Digital Media, and Video Games.
With principal offices in New York, Beverly Hills, Nashville, London, Miami Beach and Shanghai, William Morris Agency is the largest and most diversified business of it’s kind.
Phil makes some noise at Roadrunner Records
Congratulations to ACM Guitar student Phil Birch for his recent work experience placement at legendary hard rock label, Roadrunner Records.
Based in Ealing, West London. Roadrunner have become one of the countries most successful rock labels with acts like Slipknot, Machine Head, Kids in Glass Houses, and Nickelback driving the hard rock and metal industry and leading the way for many.
Bernadette Ryan works with Zebra 1
ACM Vocal student Bernadette Ryan has been busy writing with song Writing/production company Zebra 1. Headed by Tim Hawes, who created hits for Hearsay, Zebra 1 have enjoyed huge success over waters with number ones in various territories across Europe.
ACM get a taste of the Domino Effect.
More Business and Artist Development Centre auditions saw yet more students into industry, this time courtesy of independent London-based creative music business consultancy Domino Effect.
The Domino team held in house auditions for a number of ongoing song writing and development projects, which have resulted in five of ACM’s students being selected for future projects.
This is a very exciting development for ACM/Domino relations and we are looking forward to more placements and relationships as more and more students start to experience success through the Domino Effect!
Kirsten Joy Gill joins forces with the mighty Mike Stock!
Congratulations to ACM Vocal Degree student Kirsten Joy Gill for successfully securing a part in music guru Mike Stock’s brand new children’s TV project The Show 4 Kids. Mike - together with production partners Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman under the banner Stock Aitken Waterman became the most successful songwriter and record producer of all time, winning eight Ivor Novellos among many other awards and producing and writing for artists such as Kylie Minogue, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Cliff Richard and countless more top draw musician’s. The Show 4 Kids is primarily aimed at the under 10’s. Besides Mike, top UK writers will write the script with vast experience in TV and live stage shows.
Marco Susino
ACM Higher Diploma guitar graduate Marco Susino has developed an impressive career as a professional musician since leaving ACM in 2005. Marco's main efforts have been as a session musician for Brighton based outfit 'South Central', touring globally and gaining steady fanbase. Further to this, Marco's guitar style was deployed on commissions for three major label acts under South Central remixes; The Maccabees, Boy Kill Boy and Puppini Sisters.Marcos other remix work with the same band include tracks for Metronomy and ShitDisco, both nominated NME Indie acts of 2007. This has also led to two of South Central's original singles, 'Nothing Can Go Wrong' and 'Castle of Heroes' being released, which have both recieved air play from all major radio stations.
