Back to skool

Right, on one hand this is me just lazily copying and pasting a press release, but on the other hand it's well worth it - if you are free and available in Glasgow this Friday during the day. (I will be, so it's probably worth it just to bask in my glorious prescence.) Anyway, without further ado:

Soma Skool 2008

The Arches, Glasgow, 25th April, 12.30 - 4pm, £5/£2 Students
www. somaskool. com

One of Scotland’s leading dance labels Soma Records will be hosting a day of music and software demos, Q&A sessions and panel discussions with industry professionals next month, providing young people from across Scotland with an insight into the workings of the music industry.

Soma Skool will focus on the process of producing a finished piece of music - from demo to finished product, and covers topics such as the design and impact of visual and graphic artwork, filming and editing a video and the development of marketing and business plans.

The event which has been supported by the Scottish Arts Council’s Youth Music Initiative aims to promote the vibrancy of the Scottish creative industries in a compelling way to educate, motivate and inspire young people and present the exciting career options in the sector.Soma has put together eight highly successful day-long Soma Skool events since 2003 which have attracted over 3500 attendees.

While the event primarily targets 16-25 year olds, it attracts a wide range of age groups due to the diverse range of activities and demonstrations.This year’s event features contributions from: Dave Clarke - one of the most respected and idiosyncratic techno DJs and producers of the modern era with a brand of straightahead techno with the ferocity of hardcore, yet the sublime feelings of classic Detroit techno.

Anja Schneider – Label Owner (Mobilee Records), DJ, producer and radio presenter. Despite its short history, Mobilee has grown into one of Berlin’s most closely watched and stimulating labels.

DJ Sneak - One of the second wave of influential Chicago house producers and a legendary member of the vanguard of late-'90s American house producers, Sneak's new sound revolutionised house music with inspirational sounds and rhythms never heard before.

The Black Dog - Highly regarded as one of the most influential figures in the British electronica scene, The Black Dog are synonymous with the rise of electronic music in the UK. Their rhythmic inventiveness coupled with their deep and innovative approach to music made them pioneers of UK techno, heralding a new breed of music.

Vector Lovers - Martin Wheeler’s lovingly crafted output engages the listener with an attention to detail and emotional resonance seldom found in purely synthetic music. From derelict neon soundscapes to future robot funk, Wheeler’s fusion of deep, quirky electro and precise melodic intuition has won popularity beyond the confines of any genre.

Octogen - Pseudonym of acclaimed Glasgow producer Marco Bernardi who has made a name for himself through his association with Rotterdam’s pioneering Clone label. Prior to his association with Clone he released on Tom Churchill’s Emoticon imprint and with Claude Young on former Glasgow label Under the Counter, cementing his credentials as part of the new breed of electro-tech manipulators. He is also an established studio engineer and has worked with Percy X on his recent ‘The Separatists’ project on Soma.

Commenting on this year’s Soma Skool, David McDonald, Youth Music Manager at the Scottish Arts Council said: ‘The Scottish Arts Council’s Youth Music Initiative is delighted to support this year’s Soma Skool event which will provide a wonderful opportunity for young people to engage with the professional music industry and support their progression in independent music making.