We caught up with BRUCH, winner of the Music Performance and Production prize at Origins Creative Arts Festival 2018. BRUCH studied on the Level 3 Diploma & Extended Diploma in Music Performance & Production at Academy of Contemporary Music, Guildford.
How did you find out about Origins Creative Arts Festival?
The head of my course emailed and said he wanted to put me forward for Origins, and asked if he could send examples of my work and performance. A while later, I found out I’d been chosen to perform which was hugely exciting! It’s always amazing to perform in London, and the venue was so beautiful to sing in, surrounded by so much creativity from the other students around the UK.
Tell us about how you were involved in Origins Creative Arts Festival 2018?
As a self-produced singer/songwriter, I performed a solo set of my music, incorporating sampled sounds, live cello and percussion. The performance was in the main atrium of the OXO Tower Bargehouse, and the crowd were so responsive. It was a truly lovely evening.
What did you find most enjoyable about being involved in the Festival?
Viewing the creative work of other students who had been selected to show at the Bargehouse was so interesting. There was an incredible wealth of talent on show, and it was great to network with other creatives about their process.
Tell us the most rewarding thing about being involved in Origins Creative Arts Festival 2018.
Unknown before I arrived, I had been nominated to receive an award for exemplary work in my course and discipline. To be chosen from tens of thousands of students, and be given this recognition was a mind-blowing honour. It was also a huge privilege to be chosen to perform for UAL staff and students in such a prestigious venue.
What would you say to students who are unsure about submitting work to this year’s Festival?
Go for it! The opportunity to show your artwork/creations in such an incredible space is worth the nerves. Prepare your best work, ask a tutor to help with your selection if you’re unsure, and don’t look back…
What are you currently working on at the moment and where?
As well as studying for my degree, I’m still performing regularly around the country, and in my studio creating new music in every spare minute I find. Sometimes it’s frustrating to hold in the creativity when I have to be in a lecture. I’m often finding a quiet corner to record a voice memo, humming a melody, or capturing live sounds in the city which I can include into a composition. Then, I dash home at the end of the day, and the music just bursts out of me, and I have to try and capture it the way I heard it in my head earlier in the day. This year, after receiving a wealth of airplay from them, including Record of the Week last month, I have the huge honour of performing on the BBC Introducing Stage at Winchestival 2019. I’ll also be performing at the Great Escape Festival (Brighton) and sharing my full band set at The Bedford (London), The Backroom (Guildford), and many others around the south of England. You can get all the latest news on upcoming releases and gigs on my social channels/Youtube: @bruchmusic.
What are your educational and professional hopes for the future?
I hope to complete my degree within two years with the highest grade I can achieve, whilst still keeping busy releasing music, performing at festivals around the country, and gigging as much as possible to perfect my craft, and network with other industry people. My dream, at the moment, is to one day perform at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire!
Catch BRUCH taking over our Instagram channel for the day on Sunday 26 May!
Applications are now officially open for Origins Creative Arts Festival 2019! Submit your music applications, and your art, design, creative media and fashion business and retail applications now!
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