Chris Maitland

Singer/songwriter/bassist from Ballymena, N. Ireland. I am 18 with many aims and aspirations but with a main aim to become heavily involved in the professional music business.

I take inspiration from a number of artists such as Geddy Lee of "Rush", Stanley Clarke, Led Zeppelin and Feeder. Overall I have quite a wide range of influences and I show some of these influences in the way that I play and sometimes these are reflected in the songs I write.

Contrary to some of the named influences however, I like to keep my interests wide and open. I currently play in a funk/pop band based just outside Belfast. With this four-piece I will soon be recording an EP and we are currently gigging in different areas around the country.

Other things I have done this year include being the Music Director of a schools theatrical production. This was a successful project as the show was asked to perform at the Waterfront Hall. I became involved in this, as I had been in the schools previous production in which I played bass and wrote most of the material. The production was performed in the Europa Hotel and I received an award for my achievement and contribution.

I used to be in an indie pop/rock band called "Lovechild". I took part in a lot of gigging and studio work with this four-piece. From this I gained a lot of valuable experience and also learned a lot about web design. A number of tracks were played on national radio in Canada and South Africa.

I spend time at home writing my own material, although I would be interested in joining a song-writing club or possibly starting one in Ballymena. I have aspirations to improve the local music scene. I have spent some time standing in for a few local bands and have also worked in "Trevor Keys", a local music store.

Daniel Bell

Daniel Bell, a guitarist/vocalist, originally from Manchester, England now located in Coleraine, N. Ireland.

Playing for around 8 years since the age of 10. Has been influenced by many bands including Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, Metallic and R.A.T.M. but mainly influenced by Alice in Chains, which has made hard rock/soft rock guitarist of himself. Also a songwriter who has taken influence from people such as Jerry Cantrell and Richard Ashcroft.

 The Making Music Workshop has enabled me to make recordings and to learn about the music industry. Learning about recording with "pro tools" has given an insight into making a self produced CD.

The way forward, personally, is to make a self produced home recording which is extremely accessible using "pro tools" and then to try and market the CD/EP for financial gain in anything from commercials to soundtracks.

At present writing material is my main objective and to then have the material recorded.

At the workshop I played on versions of Robbie Williams "Angels", Van Morison's "Have I Told You Lately" and Lynard Skynards "Sweet Home Alabama". I also wrote and played lead acoustic with backing vocals on an original song called "Wake Up".

Paul Bluemel and Dan Sharkey

Paul Bluemel: Guitarist/Bassist/Vocalist, originally from England, now located in Carnlough, N.Ireland.

Dan Sharkey: Drummer, located in Cushendun, N. Ireland.

Playing for about 5 years. Originally influenced by the ways of "Waynes World" and the sounds of Led Zeppelin and Queen, Paul is now a strong follower of punk. Now influenced by Refused, AFI and bands that are creatively different.

Drummer Dan Sharkey started playing at the age of 13, listening to rock bands such as Foo Fighters and Linkin Park. Now aged 17, he became involved with Paul Bluemel about a year ago, playing Blink 182 covers and writing original material.

Dan and Paul now have a variety of original and cover numbers and are strongly influenced by lesser known bands such as Thrice, No Use For a Name and Matchbook Romance. Dan also plays in two other bands playing metal in one and grunge in the other. He is also involved in a country/folk project for which he occasionally plays drums at larger gigs such as weddings.

Dan and Paul have formed a two-piece band known as Resonance and have recorded Paul's songs. They also perform live as a 3 or 4 piece band. Resonance have recorded two songs with the Making Music Workshop recently and have also recorded with guest guitarists from local bands. Resonance are trying to add darker riffs, alternative tunings and vocals (that aren't all based on love) to punk. This creates a style similar to Refused and can only be described as "Nu Punk". Their individual website can be found at www.nupunk.tk.

Resonance have played around 20 gigs in and around the North Antrim area and have also performed in Londonderry and Cookstown. The gigs have ranged from small acoustic situations in small pubs to larger venues such as the Burnavon Theatre and The Nucleus.

Richard Murray.

Guitar, Bass, Drums, Harmonica, Mandolin and Percussion.

I have been playing guitar for 12 years and over the last year have picked up several other instruments. I have gained a Btec and BA degree in popular music. I have worked in many different bands from the age of 15, playing an assortment of different instruments. I have made 4 studio demos – two with bands recording original material and two featuring my own songs. I am presently working with a rock covers band, "The Fuse", and also working on a new project with country singer John McNicholl in the capacity of MD/Guitarist. I am also studying part-time for an MA in Humanities with a focus on music history and have recently completed my grade 8 exam for guitar.

Sean Mulholland: Bass Guitar

Played with Nu punk band "Resonance" for 11/2 years and also with Belfast based pop/funk band "Sexual Heat"

Have recorded a few live tracks with "Resonance and, with two guest guitarists, a song called "Dream" at the Making Music Workshop.

Gigs with "Resonance" have included local pubs and venues in Derry. "Sexual Heat" is preparing to tour Europe at the end of the summer after a few warm-up gigs in Belfast.

I intend to gig and tour with "Sexual Heat" and to continue working on new material with the aim of getting a recording/publishing deal. I also intend to work on my ability to be a studio engineer as I am very interested in the recording/sound engineering side of the industry. I would also like to work as a session musician in the future as it would be a very exciting occupation to work with new people writing music. As a band we intend to write catchy, funky pop songs that are accessible to an audience. Currently a three-piece band we are looking for keyboard player/guitarist. I met Peter Guy (vocalist) at a 16 week course by Making Music Workshop, who mentioned that he needed a bass player and having been between bands for a few weeks I jumped at the chance.

"Resonance" are a nu-punk band that write original material and find the stagnancy current music culture boring and unchallenging. I left the band for personal reasons but the band still play gigs with a new bassist.

My influences include punk bands such as Rancid, Refused, NOFX and The Bronx, also lots of other genre like funk, 70's pop, jazz and ska, i.e. Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Primus, JJ72, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Weather Report and Mars Volta and some great bass players such as Marcus Millar, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke etc, and the best bass player ever; the guy who wrote the bass for Grease the movie.

Stephanie Hill

I started singing many years ago in choirs both in school and in community Choral Societies, however, it is only in the last 5 years that I have become interested in being a professional musician. This began with the encouragement of my music teacher Dick Glasgow and his Memorial Music Group for Jim McGill, a local musical hero. I then joined Dicks Creation – Diamond Ceile Bandits. This group of young musicians includes singers, and players of violins, flutes, guitars, harps, banjos and mandolins. As a member of the group I have been lucky to enjoy travelling to play in Scotland at the Port Patrick Folk Festival held over St Patrick's holiday in 2002 and 2003, (also played in Donaghadee). I have also played at numerous charity events for Coleraine Council, including promotional gigs at The Lodge Hotel.

Playing as a member of this band enabled me to record 16 tracks (The Diamond Ceili Band, featuring Liz Wear, storyteller). Also solo as a singer in the band, 'Black is the Colour', who are the house band at the folk club. The Ceili bandits have also performed on Downtown Radio and for an Arts Council video.

This has been a stepping-stone for me giving me the experience and opportunity to play in local pubs and at weddings. I have also gigged with 'Scad the Beggar', with Dick and Sabine Glasgow, Greg Calf and other musicians. I have been lucky enough to attend workshops with flautist Deirdre Harkin and Marcus O'Murchu.

Lately I have become interested in being a serious musician; this workshop has given me the confidence and opportunity to use my talents in 'cover' tracks- 'Have I Told You Lately', 'Angels' and 'Sweet Home Alabama'. It has also been a springboard of experience, helping me to co-write and play on original tracks: 'Hypnotised', 'Stephanie's Inappropriate Blues', 'Sun On The Rise' and 'Mystery' (during a previous workshop, funded by Orange Mobile Technologies). I also had the opportunity to sing backing vocals on a 'rock'-style recording: Resonance's 'Cells' track (Dan Sharkey, drums, and Paul Bluemel, guitar).

I am originally a singer in choirs, musicals and as a solo singer I sing in pubs at a Feis/Fleadhs, where a very different style is needed. In the past I have sung at weddings and festivals and I am interested in all types of music and am open to all opportunities. I am willing to adapt to gain optimum experience, and am willing to meet up with anyone interested in playing. My e-mail is: stephdoll78@hotmail.com.