Very pleased to finally share the news… my new studio at our home in Dumfries & Galloway is up and running and open for business! In a way, it’s been a lifetime’s work to get here. A space with everything ready to go when inspiration strikes, where I can let rip, experiment, whoop and holler and yodel to my heart’s content. I’ve been to all kinds of studios over the years – and enjoyed every minute – but I’ve often felt the pressure of the time ticking away and the costs totting up. Having my own space takes that pressure away and being detached from the house gives Bev a break when I bust out the banjo 😉
The studio and creative space is at the heart of my new business venture…
Toppet Hill – Studio, Label, Events and more
I’ve been through the process of bringing music to life. I’ve experienced many of the challenges firsthand. Some are practical or logistical, like finding the time and money. Some are technical, especially in today’s world of digital platforms and social media. Some of the most daunting are very personal, relating to confidence, motivation and self-doubt. Toppet Hill aims to provide a supportive and creative environment to overcome all those hurdles.
It’s not Abbey Road! It’s a small, purpose built set-up, with a flexible configuration ideal for songwriting, recording, and mixing. The main space is around 4m x 5m (45m3 in volume) and acoustically treated. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned musician looking for a change of scene, it’s got everything you need for personal expression, artistic exploration, or just sharing in the sheer joy of creating music.
When it comes to getting your music out into the wider world, there are so many options these days. I created Toppet Hill Records back in 2002 as a DIY label to self-release my first album of home recordings. It’s still the home of the latest How Askew and Kurlew releases. Maybe that’s another option as an incubator label for emerging local artists.Â
In time, the aim is to start hosting events – concerts, workshops, talks, etc. Starting to look around for venues now.
The ‘and more’ bit is a work in progress. It’s a tough time for creative industries – a pernicious cycle with the comfort and convenience of online experiences, exploited by a few all-powerful platforms, alongside the loss of many grass roots venues, the long term effects of COVID lockdowns and Brexit, and topped off with the explosion of AI tools.Â
I’m thinking about ways to build community without falling into the trap of the ‘attention economy’ – churning out content to appease algorithms – and without being beholden to one of the monolithic platform providers. Bear with.
If any of that sounds interesting – using the studio, releasing music, organising an event at your venue, joining me to put on a show or exploring alternatives to facebook, instagram, etc. – head over to toppet-hill.co.uk and send me a message.
