8:48am Friday 8th July 2005
By Lisa Frascarelli
BUDDING musicians could get the chance to lay down some tracks in the same studio as that used by the likes of Bob Marley, Bon Jovi and Blue Merle, with the launch of a new Lancashire-based competition.
As part of Lancaster Music Library's Get it Live in Libraries initiative, the search is on for the next big thing. Open to musicians from all genres and corners of the county, the Battle of the Bands is offering a recording session at Island Records' studios in London as the top prize.
Whether you mix your tracks within the confines of your bedroom on your home PC, Bedingfield-style, or are a regular on the club circuit, the Library is inviting musicians to submit demo tapes of their best material by July 18.
Entries will then be shortlisted to five acts, who will go head-to-head in a Battle of the Bands show to be held on September 1.
The competition is part of an initiative that aims to blow the cobwebs off the dull and dusty library stereotype and reinvent the institution as community hubs where new ideas and experiences are on offer.
If you could give Oasis a run for their money, pop your entries in the post to: Lancaster Music Library, Market Square, Lancaster, LA1 1HY.
l A MOBILE music workshop designed to get kids and their parents penning tunes and striking notes could be rolling into town this summer.
Set up by MusicLinks, in collaboration with Kids Out, the Roving Rural Summer Music School will be holding a number of workshops on wheels.
The pilot project is open to individuals, schools, churches and community groups who would like the opportunity to belt out a good tune and pick up some new skills.
Travelling through South Lakeland and Eden, the Music Bus-based programme of hour-long activities includes a Parents and Kids Singalong, Keyboards for Beginners, Group Drumming and Percussion and Guitar for Beginners. To find out more, contact Andrew Halsey on 01539-735083.
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