A COMPANY that helped young people in North Ayrshire with their music skills has benefitted from Scottish Government funding.

Soundsystems Project has helped young people with no musical experience in Largs and the Isle of Arran to develop skills in DJing, MCing, music production, songwriting, branding and marketing.

Through hybrid working of in-person and online sessions and focusing on teamwork, the project builds on young people’s strengths, producing a collaborative live performance which enhances their creativity, collaboration, self-confidence, enthusiasm and skills for life.

The project in Largs, working in partnership with the Kelburn Estate is in its first year and has been a great success .

Over the course, the participants successfully built their own 12v Sound System, recorded a three-track E.P., made a music video, hosted their launch party at the youth centre and performed at the local music festival Kelburn Garden Party.

Throughout the process, the young people designed their branding and named themselves the ‘WAV3Z’ crew in keeping with their coastal hometown.

The company, who received £29,500 through the Scottish Government, has also worked in collaboration with the Arran Youth Foundation since 2021 and has made some great music with the young artists on the island.

They have also created two music videos and as well as running their own event performed at Arran Pride 

Anders Rigg, director of Soundystems Project, said: “The support that the YMI has offered has allowed us to continue our work across Scotland. 

"Working with the young people in these areas, we’ve been able to offer an insight into the alternative possibilities of a musical career within live music and soundsystem cultures of the UK. 

"Many of the young people have had little or no access to music making before and it is a total joy to see them take so well to it within our sessions!” 

The Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative (YMI) has provided over £1.5m of funding to 52 creative community projects engaging young people with music-making activities and opportunities across all of Scotland.  

Designed to address inequality, the activity funded will enable children and young people to access high-quality music-making opportunities ranging from long-standing initiatives to brand-new projects.   

YMI Manager at Creative Scotland, Morag Macdonald said: “The impact the YMI has on children and young people’s lives cannot be understated. 

"Not only is it providing high-quality music opportunities focused on those who wouldn’t normally have the chance to participate, but the community spaces created develop social connection, technical skills, confidence and the ability to express themselves in new ways." 

The latest figures from 2021/22 demonstrate that the initiative reached 362,483 children and young people, training 5,631 people and creating 1,182 education posts.  

Minister for Culture, Christina McKelvie said: “We’re pleased to see the investment in the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) continuing to make a positive difference to young people’s lives across Scotland. 

“Every year, the YMI provides hundreds of thousands of young people with music-making opportunities, and I’ve seen first-hand how impactful the projects are. 

“This continued investment highlights our ongoing commitment to ensure children and young people have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.”