Features

The hardest thing in music is getting that first crucial step on the ladder and get record companies to sit up and take notice.

With hundreds of bands trying to get the attention of the people who can make or break them, the chance to get your head above the parapet can be a long and grinding road.

Sixteen year old Ollie Winiberg and Mike Bromfield, who is about to turn sixteen, have received financial backing from Southend Council to allow them to create the label and its first compilation CD featuring a number of local bands.

Ollie explains how the idea came about: "I heard that Southend Council were doing a fix-it fund which was giving young people the money and opportunity to fulfil their dreams".

"So I came up with the idea of having a record label for those who didn't have the money to be on a CD themselves".

Mike, who also runs his own promotion company called Southend Live Music, says that the music talent in Essex is vast. "It really is extensive. Everyday I get an e-mail through from a band in just Southend alone, saying can we come and play an event and there really is some great talent in Southend."

The CD contains tracks from seventeen local unsigned bands, and features a mixture of genres such as prog rock, folk, ballads and pop.

Ollie and Mike spoke to Etholle George and John Hayes from the BBC Essex Breakfast Show about their project. Click on the link below to hear the full interview.

For more information about the Hi Fly Music and the CD, click on the link below.

In addition to this project, Ollie and Mike will also spearhead a new programme on BBC Essex, that will introduce new music talent and feature unsigned Essex bands.

The chance to present the programme, which will take to the air this autumn, was offered to the guys by the station's Managing Editor, Gerald Main, live on air.

He says of the new show, "When I heard these guys I thought it was a great opportunity to make some fantastic radio, celebrating emerging musical talent in Essex."

Watch this space for more details of the programme in the coming months.