Josh Weller And The Availables have showcased their talents in front of legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin. The Norfolk-based trio opened the Access To Music awards ceremony at London's home-of-the-stars BAFTA venue on Wednesday 7 December 2005. BBC Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman presented the gongs to top students from Access To Music's 18 education centres across the country including one to Norwich's outstanding student of the year, bass player Kelle Mulcahy. Sir George Martin is patron of the organisation and turned a discerning ear to the band's set as part of the celebration of popular music. Singer and guitarist Josh Weller, from Norwich, said the moment of playing for one of the industry's top figures wasn't lost on the band. "It was bizarre playing in front of George Martin. The room could have been empty and we could have been performing just for him, for all we knew," said Josh. "There was a huge build-up before hand for just three minutes on stage, but I think we pulled it off. "Edith Bowman was very positive about our performance. She said she thought were ‘fantastic’, in her cute Scottish accent,” he added. Hong Kong tour Their awards ceremony performance is a further landmark in a remarkable few months for the group, which includes bassist Remy Mallett, 19, and drummer Geordie Hawdon, 21. In November, Josh and Remy jetted to Hong Kong to play a string of well-received acoustic gigs following an invite from a fellow musician. "Everyone was so positive as it seemed to be a breath of fresh air to get a British band playing there as they are bombarded with American music," said Josh. The pair headed off to China having barely laid down their instruments from the band's special guest slot in front of thousands of industry professionals and musicians at Birmingham's Music Live exhibition. Josh Weller And The Availables, along with local outfit Edith Cavell, were among seven acts picked to play on a stage hosted by Access To Music. Although Josh, Remy and Geordie have only been playing together for a year, they have honed their live performances through their studies at London's British Academy Of New Music. Unusually, the band won a place to study together at the college after auditioning this summer. Band studies The trio commute from their homes in Norwich and Gorleston each week and for Josh and Remy it's a continuation of their studies at Access To Music's Norwich college in King Street where they both completed a year's course. "It's a natural progression of learning," said Josh. "It's nice to be somewhere that's buzzing and nice to be around other people who are challenging. "We've met loads of new friends and have some interesting collaborations planned for next year," added the 19-year-old. While Josh counts classic singer-songwriters such as Elvis Costello, Tom Waites and Jeff Buckley as his influences, Remi listens to reggae and Geordie's passion is for rock. The band members believe that all these influences meld together to form their melodic pop-rock sound. "There is lots of common ground in the music we listen to," said Geordie. "All the song-writing starts with Josh, but then we will jam and it progresses. Me and Remy always work to make sure the sound gels and then what Josh does with his songs goes over the top," he added. In between completing their first term in London and playing a host of high-profile gigs, the band have been working on their debut EP Speakers, which is due out in January and will be distributed across Europe. | 
