College record label making waves

0 - 0 • Published 19 Nov 2003 09:00

AN independent record label, funded by James Watt College in Greenock, is making waves in the music world.

Player Muzik has been started by lecturer Roddy McKenna, who, while working in the industry, discovered acts such as the Stone Roses and Sade.

The label, which aims to offer stepping stone record releases for up-and-coming bands with short, artist-friendly contracts, has received interest from London companies.

Now, on the eve of their first showcase in Glasgow tomorrow, they are appealing for more acts to come forward with material.

Roddy said: 'Most youngsters finish music courses and wonder what they are going to do next, and who is going to give them a job.

'With this label they already have real-world experience dealing with all the business aspects of the industry.'

When a band is signed to Player Muzik they are given a 50-50 deal, and are allowed to free themselves from the contract should a major label want to sign them.

Roddy added: 'We just ask for a small financial thank you from any bands that are signed when they leave, to help next year"s students.

'The bands are given a professional outlet for their music and experience of dealing with a record label, and the students can say they have worked for a label.

'We are a proper label releasing tracks and we work as a professional label would work.'

Tomorrow's event in Glasgow"s Q Club will showcase Babygod, and Permafrost, both of whom have been signed to Player Muzik.

The label has also signed a band called Point Blank.

This event - and others - which are planned each month, will let more bands know about the label,

Roddy said: 'James Watt College will soon have a state-of-the-art studio complex with eight full studios - and Player Muzik will be the icing on the cake.

'Chris Bradley, the head of the music department, has been really great to us with finance, and that has helped us to make this a professional operation.

'There has been some interest from London, and we are making sure the press have copies of the CDs we are producing.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 19 Nov 03

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