NEW £10,000 FUND FOR GRASSROOTS MUSIC COMMUNITIES

Today, Monkey Shoulder Whisky announces a new partnership with the international radio station founded by iconic DJ and broadcaster, Gilles Peterson MBE. 

In collaboration with the globally respected platform, Worldwide FM and its founder, Gilles Peterson, Monkey Shoulder has launched Studio Monkey Shoulder: a new music initiative to empower and celebrate the grassroots communities at the heart of music scenes across the UK. 

From independent record stores, live venues and online radio stations, to DJs, artists and promoters, Studio Monkey Shoulder is designed to recognise and support one community trailblazer to turn their passion project into a reality, via a £10,000 investment.

The grassroots organisation that takes home the prize fund will be hand-picked by DJ, broadcaster and founder of Brownswood Recordings, Gilles Peterson. 

Commenting on the initiative, Gilles states: “This is exactly why I started Worldwide FM radio and there are so many other incredible community driven projects out there I want to uncover, which is what excites me about Studio Monkey Shoulder. We have no idea where this is going to take us but can’t wait to see and hear it”.

The UK-based community, collective, or music organisation who receive the Studio Monkey Shoulder investment will also have the opportunity to create their own event and feature in a series of films and radio broadcasts, all produced in collaboration with Worldwide FM.

Lex Blondin, is the founder of Total Refreshment Centre (TRC), a rehearsal and recording space in East London.  The organisation has become a rich, artistic hub for musicians and creators to collaborate and workshop projects together. TRC formerly operated as a live venue until 2019, showcasing emerging talent, but you can still find local acts recording and shooting visuals inside this Dalston gem. 

                     (Lex Blondin left, Gilles Peterson right – photo courtesy of Monkey Shoulder)

Lex discussed what winning the fund would do for the grassroots community: “For a small independent organisation, having funding means they can continue doing what they love: to provide a space for young talent to develop their craft with like-minded peers, whilst connecting to new audiences locally and internationally.The Studio Monkey Shoulder fund could make a big difference to some of the UK’s grassroots collectives.”

To see Gilles Peterson interviewing Lex from Total Refreshment Centre about the music space, visit this link: https://vimeo.com/923466956?share=copy

Ieuan Morgan, Global Brand Manager for Monkey Shoulder, says: “Monkey Shoulder believes things are better when they are mixed. That applies to our whisky as it also does to music scenes that foster creativity, diversity and new thinking. Our ambition is to serve as a long-term supporter of grassroot music scenes. By partnering with Gilles and Worldwide FM, we look forward to discovering new talent, to unearth and tell their stories and to collectively, stir things up a little.”

Applications to the Studio Monkey Shoulder fund open on Tuesday 2nd April. To find out more and apply, visit the Monkey Shoulder website.