{"id":25678,"date":"2014-12-12T12:48:27","date_gmt":"2014-12-12T12:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=25678"},"modified":"2014-12-12T12:48:27","modified_gmt":"2014-12-12T12:48:27","slug":"in-depth-welsh-music-funding-under-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2014\/12\/12\/in-depth-welsh-music-funding-under-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"In depth: Music funding under fire"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just weeks after the Welsh Music Prize 2014 announced its winner, alt.Cardiff asks is contemporary Welsh music funding stuck in the past?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Super Furry Animals. High Contrast. Funeral For a Friend. Duffy. An incredibly diverse list of musical talent you wouldn\u2019t group together? In fact, they all have one thing in common. They all hail from Wales.<\/p>\n

\"Lleucu

Undoubtedly, this country has seen a multitude of musicians enter the limelight, over the years, from global superstars like Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey, to British cult icons like the Manic Street Preachers.<\/p>\n

However, some say not enough is being done to cultivate and nourish young artists in the Welsh arena. In fact, over the past few years this backward-looking movement has reversed and there is a much greater emphasis in the music sphere on contemporary artists. Lleucu Siencyn, chief executive of Literature Wales, at an Index On Censorship<\/span><\/a> Free Speech Hearing on 27 November said, \u201cIf we loosen up and connect ourselves with the world through the next generation, that\u2019s where we will eventually enable the real grassroots, true side of arts engagement.”<\/p>\n

Is history being repeated?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It has been suggested by a consultant for the Arts Council of Wales (ACW)<\/span><\/a> that the problem lies in prioritising the past, rather than the future of the arts in Wales. Richard Higlett said, \u201cThe relationship between Wales and discovery of itself and its identity means that primarily, heritage has been the focus of funding.\u201d<\/p>\n

He believes that, while heritage is important, some Welsh artists want to define themselves in the present and identify with contemporary context. While the focus of funding is on heritage, this is difficult. It could also stunt progression. Higlett added, \u201cHeritage is there, it doesn\u2019t move; heritage doesn\u2019t necessarily evolve. Contemporary practise is a statement in the now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s to looking forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

When asked about the apparent focus of funding on heritage, John Rostron, known for initiating S<\/span>\u0175n festival<\/span><\/a>, said, \u201cThat was true, historically, but is less true now.\u201d He held Cate Le Bon and the Samoans up as examples of artists who benefitted directly from the Music Industry Development fund, saying \u201cThey\u2019re the kind of artists that very likely wouldn\u2019t have been supported by the arts council before.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Music industry Development\u00a0programme is the ACW\u2019s specialist contemporary music fund. They are also funding partners in Horizons with the BBC, supporting 12 acts a year, out of a total 112 applicants.<\/p>\n

\"Gabrielle

Among these is Gabrielle Murphy<\/a> \u2013 just 17 years old \u2013 from Treherbert in the Rhondda Valleys. The youngster certainly stands out in the crowd, for all the right reasons. Her voice is matched only by her outstanding style and poise.<\/p>\n

Gabrielle expressed her immense gratitude to Horizon for allowing her to further her career and fulfil her potential, even recording at Maida Vale studios, adding her name to a list of recording artists including Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. The songstress almost seemed giddy when she told us, \u201cI got to use the microphone used by Beyonce\u2026 Wow.\u201d<\/p>\n

She is waiting to hear whether she has gained further from the Launchpad, that awards 25 grants worth \u00a32000 to young musicians. \u201cThis funding will make it possible for me to produce my second EP next year. I have my fingers, toes and everything else crossed,\u201d Gabrielle enthused, adding, \u201cWish me luck!\u201d<\/p>\n

More established musicians like 9Bach also feel nurtured and supported by private organisations, according to the band\u2019s front-woman, Lisa Jen. Despite this, Jen alleged \u2013 during an ArtFreedomWales online hangout<\/span><\/a> – that there are problems with the complex language of music grant applications: She said that without an extensive understanding of the applications you\u2019d have no chance of applying successfully.<\/p>\n

However, Lisa Matthews, the portfolio manager at the ACW, confirmed that evidence from all artists applying for grants is needed because it is ultimately, public money being spent. She defended the application process, saying that with this Launchpad fund, \u201cWe target new musicians through the BBC and also create a scheme that offers smaller funding amounts so we can simplify the application process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch Gaby’s debut music video, Bad<\/em>, here:<\/p>\n