Purple Worm Records in Hull By Michelle Dee

For too long Hull has stood in the shadow of other cities when it comes to getting our voice heard above the throng and clamour of other Northern towns. Through continuous Hull-bashing from the media we are overlooked, ignored and discounted as serious contenders, but the bands in the other cities are no better than ours. You don't suddenly gain more talent just by coming from Leeds or Sheffield!

Now two tutors from the Music Department at Hull College have taken a very big step towards evening the balance. Formed by Mik Newton and Karl Martin, Purple Worm Records is an independent record label based in Hull.

The idea came when the two designed a brief for the second year Music Technology student's major project. Students were to imagine themselves working for an imaginary record label as freelance producers. So they said why not create our own "functioning record label" with real bands and real concerns utilising skills and knowledge that the students are continually learning to affect a real outcome; an in house business where all the skills needed to run the label are being taught in the college.

Everything that is needed can be sourced from within the college; from the musicians in groups playing instruments to the skills for engineering tracks. Students studying media are learning the skills necessary to deal with media agencies, contacting bands in and outside of the college and creating recording schedules.

For the creation of artwork for use on covers and promotional materials they have the art department next door. For the recording of bands they have a specially built recording studio boasting both a digital recording desk and an analogue model. For the legal framework, issues to do with copyrights and ownership of music, you have students studying Music Industry Law in the F.E. department, so that side is covered. There are CD duplicating facilities in house too, so the task of producing a special CD Sampler featuring the chosen local acts can be realised. Then finally, there is the task of organising a special night inviting representatives from the media, the existing music infrastructure and the public to launch the label. That too is being done by the students.

This night is to take place at the popular Attic Club, George Street on Thursday 31st May and will feature live music from three of the artists already signed to PWR and guest DJs from across the genres of indie, breakz, hip-hop, garage, jungle, drum n bass and Dub. They'll be playing a history of Pop through the tunes they play too, from Funk, Soul, Hip-Hop onwards. Anyone can see that Purple Worm Records could be very beneficial to our city. It is already benefiting our bands. Recently I have heard tracks recorded in the college studio, The Landaus recent number We're Not Making Fools of You was done there and I am told by Chris Forward, the new Landaus drummer that the whole process was largely undertaken by the students themselves.

The list of musicians that the students are in contact with is huge and includes some well respected artists and bands. So this is a very serious attempt to put Hull on the map permanently with a view to improving our student's knowledge base and giving them very real experience of the practicalities of working in the Music Industry. It will hopefully give them an edge over their competitors!

It also serves our bands well because they have access to talented young people with experience and understanding who are continually learning and who want to have the best results in order to obtain a high grade at the end of their course. Recording costs can be enormous especially for the bands just starting out. Even the time-served bands of two or three years don't command a very high performance fee, so any way a band can cut down costs will be welcomed. This functioning business model will serve future students and could very well be transposed to work within different sectors.

Purple Worm Records is an inclusive, independent enterprise that supports social music from all cultures and backgrounds. They proudly stand against any negativity from within the industry, the glorification of drug use, the disrespect of others, racism and criminal activities. They are not out to make pots of money - any money made is ploughed back into the business to cover duplication and distribution costs.

The label plans to have longevity and growth that benefits our community, our students, our music, our city, and our name. They urge the record buying public to put their money into independent support where they will get much more for their money and be able to see exactly where the money goes and who it benefits. An end to nameless, faceless, soul bereft corporate bodies growing fat of youthful dreams and desires?

This could be the future and something where we could lead the way and set the standard for others to follow. www.myspace.com/purplewormrecordsuk

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