In this instalment of our Featured Alumni series, we catch up with Guitar graduate Lawrie Pattison!
Lawrie completed a Degree in Guitar at ACM Guildford in 2012. Since then, he’s been touring with his punk rock band, Miss Vincent.
Hi Lawrie! Tell us a bit about your background, and why you wanted to work in the music industry?
I was always into the more arty stuff at school. At college I studied drama, photography and, of course, music. About the age of 17 I decided music was the route I wanted to go down. I absolutely idolised all the members of my favourite bands and I just wanted to do what they were doing. To write, create and perform.
Tell us about what you’ve been involved with since leaving ACM?
I’ve done some studio session work with Simon Ellis (Britney Spears, S Club 7, Spice Girls) which I really enjoyed, but currently my life is split between two things – my band Miss Vincent and teaching. The majority of my teaching work is the typical private, 1-on-1 lessons, and the rest is in secondary schools. It can be difficult at times but also very rewarding (a student of mine just got 95% on her Grade exam!) Teaching provides me with the flexibility and the money I need to support my band, which is my main focus.
Miss Vincent’s first ever tour started the same day I handed in my dissertation at ACM. Over the last few years we’ve been fortunate enough to play with some great bands like Bayside, As It Is, FVK, Plague Vendor, Sorority Noise… This summer we’ll be heading out on tour with Energy, who supported our friends in Creeper on their UK headline tour earlier this year. We’ve just released our third EP ‘Somewhere Else’ on Uncle M Records, an amazing independent German label. We’re also endorsed by Victory Amps, which is very cool.
What are your aspirations for the future?
I’d love to play Warped Tour; I think that’s a dream for anyone in a punk rock band. There are some venues I’d love to play too – Southampton Guildhall, Brixton Academy. Ultimately I’d like the band to be able to sustain itself so we can keep doing this for as long as possible.
How did your course prepare you for life in the music industry?
It made me realise how much competition there is and how hard you have to work if you want to get somewhere.
Do you have any advice for those looking to get into the industry?
Make friends, talk to other bands and musicians, send emails and make phone calls. I think there are a lot of great musicians who never make it past their local venues because they basically wait around for success to come to them.
What motivated you to come and study at ACM?
The tutors are some of the most incredible musicians I’ve ever met. That and it’s next door to a Wetherspoons.
What was the best part about studying at ACM?
I quite literally wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t come to ACM. I wouldn’t have my band and I wouldn’t be working as a teacher. Not to mention the lifelong friends I’ve made.
Connect with Lawrie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a student at ACM to kickstart your career in the music industry like Lawrie Pattison, please call our Admissions Team on 01483 500 841 or visit www.acm.ac.uk/open-days/ to book a place on an ACM Open Day today.
