An EP created by 12 young people from the most culturally mixed city in the UK will be released later this month, celebrating their individuality and musical talents.

ConnectsMusic is excited to share the recent launch of Grosvenor Road Studios’ next generation of music makers and their new ‘Bridging Barriers’ programme! This could not be more exciting news for Birmingham and beyond, especially for all of the young musicians wishing to start their careers in the ever-changing music industry.

Bridging Barriers is a unique and exciting programme for those seeking careers in the music industry to learn skills and gain qualifications in music technology and stagecraft. This Birmingham-based project is backed by Youth Music, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Erdington-grown Ellis Barrett, 23, was encouraged to take part in the project by his mum, after he told her that he wasn’t going to pursue music further.  

The eight-track album was mixed and produced at Birmingham’s oldest independent music studios, Grosvenor Road Studios, famous for having recorded artists and musicians such as Ozzy Osborne, Cliff Richard, The Beat, Steel Pulse, Treyc Cohen, and Jasper Carrot. The music and sound effects for Gerry Anderson’s Thunderbirds and Sting Ray series were also recorded at the iconic studios.  

Jamal Campbell, 23, grew up in Wolverhampton surrounded by a musical family, with session musician Julian Chambers among his family’s friends. “He used to play for Lemar, the RnB singer, and in the early 2000s I’d see him on TV and think ‘‘wow, that’s an option’ in terms of career choice.” 

Last year UK Music revealed the findings of its 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey. In entry-level positions, the number of Black, Asian and diverse ethnicity employees fell from 34.6% in 2020 to 23.6% in 2022.  

The North Birmingham project has hosted workshops from featured vocalist with The Streets Kevin Mark Trail and Grammy nominated Producer/Songwriter Hannah V. Project participants have worked on tour rehearsals for Boyzlife, live performances from Europe’s finest female a cappella quintet Black Voices and recordings for the 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.  

Over the course of 18 months, participants have learned and put into practice the essential creative disciplines in music production including writing, mixing and mastering. The group’s independently released album titled Foundations will be available for streaming on Soundcloud from 15th September. 

For 24-year-old Daniel Senanu Kwasi Tettey, an asylum seeker from Ghana, it’s been about more than just the music. He’s found a safe space in Grosvenor Road Studios.  

For more information about the programme, contact Shereece Storrod: bridgingbarriers23@gmail.com 

Stream/download FOUNDATIONS: https://on.soundcloud.com/HyiFF