Day One 2010

Today’s introductory blog is a collective effort from Rachel, Mark, Heidi and Matt – the SWF volunteers. It’s our job to keep up a running commentary on all the exciting things that are already happening – and to generally help out wherever we can. From today we’ll be walking about campus, armed with cameras, laptops and vast quantities of sheer brazen noisiness. The three of us have been attending the Masters Degree course in Songwriting at BSU this year, so it was great to see so many of our “tribe” in one place!

Sunday night at Burdall’s Yard in Bath gave the songwriters a chance to make introductions – and also to hear some fantastic songs from the tutors. It was wonderful to see so many songwriters all in the same place! Andy White finished off the evening and your friendly bloggers were impressed not only with his songs, but also with his stomp box. We all want one.

After breakfast on Monday everyone trouped into the theatre for a really insightful introductory talk from Joe Bennett on the nature of songwriting – and what to expect from this week. He reminded us that this week is all about supporting songwriters of all styles and types… songwriters of all ranges of experience from the beginner to the more experienced songwriters.

Joe paused for a moment to give everyone a chance to get a little better acquainted by finding out a bit more about each other. The questions included; “Who’s your favourite songwriter? What’s your favourite song? How would you describe your songs? At this point, the buzz in the room rose to a bit of a roar. This seemed an audible sign of just how passionate everyone is about music and songwriting.

It was amazing to learn that 270 songs will be written this week – though as yet, none of us yet know what these will sound like. It sounds like it’s going to be an intensive week, but also be great fun. We were warned that sleep might become a highly prized commodity – because everyone will be so immersed in writing songs and learning new skills.  Joe also asked us to keep in mind that, “a good songwriter is a good song re-writer. The first idea may not be the best, so stay open minded that we are always rewriting until the song cannot be made any better.”

Two of our favourite moments of the morning were (1) when one of the songwriters asked if there would be a bar to oil the wheels for the evening performances? Joe replied, with a sigh, “In our experience, we’ve found that songwriters prefer herbal tea and mineral water.” Which was met by horrified gasps – until everyone realised Joe was just indulging in a mass leg-pull. Then, (2) when everyone was calling out their suggestions for song titles… we were particularly taken by ‘From the Word Go’,  ‘Slamming Doors’ and the intriguing ‘Mini Bongo’.

During the day, while the songwriters got to grips with meeting the tutors in their groups and sharing songs for the first time, we volunteers have been out and about. Our day has consisted of filming the first day and conducting interviews with the small clusters of collaborators, songwriters and tutors – and lone songwritings wherever we found them all over the beautiful BSU grounds. There were people sitting under trees or lying on the lawns with their guitars (and laptops!). Imagine our delight when we came upon two songwriters with a three-quarters finished rendition of the evolving ‘Mini Bongo’. Excellent song, too!

So here we are in the little office (our home from home for the week), pooling our experiences and pulling all of the images and notes we’ve collected through the day. All of the participating songwriters seem to have had a wonderful, creative and insightful day. The feedback from everyone is how much they are enjoying the feedback from the tutors. The words “insightful”, “approachable”, “supportive” – and “hilarious” have all been used.

Coming across the songwriters today in the act of making songs, we can’t help but be impressed with the talent we’ve seen so far…and just how lovely and friendly everyone is. One of the songwriters told us Newton Park campus must be the most creative place on earth this week. She reckons it will glow in the dark. We can’t wait to hear what emerges over the week. The first taste of everyone’s music will come this evening!