Local studios for local musicians
Thursday, 17th December 2009
Based in Shalesmoor in Sheffield, Bigfoot Studios offers recording and rehearsal space to local musicians and bands.
Set up by two graduates of Leeds Metropolitan University, Bigfoot Studios is all set to open for business in February 2010, with plans for a website launch around the same time.
Abdullah al-Wali graduated in July 2009 with a BSc in Music Technology and his business partner Luke Valerio-Depledge finished his BSc in Creative Technology and Sound in the same year.
The pair received £1000 from the Graduate Entrepreneurship Proof of Concept fund, which was used to help with start-up costs, such as registering the business name and setting up the studios.
Abdullah says: “We’ve found that it’s really expensive even just getting your business off the ground so help and support of this kind is vital in these early stages. We are really excited about going into business after working on some of our University projects together, but as this is something new for us it is good to know there are organisations like the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project out there.”
Having spent almost two years planning and setting up their business whilst studying for their degrees, the pair is now really looking forward to opening to the public.
Abdullah says: “We have worked together on several projects so we know that we have the right dynamic to make our business plan work. So far we have been working mainly for friends and on our own recording projects and this means that we have built up our skills base and have a range of experience that we can put into Bigfoot and hopefully ultimately pass onto others.”
In addition to the support from the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project, Bigfoot Studios has been given advice by the Sheffield Enterprise Agency SENTA and has been helped practically by their new landlord One Moment in Time (OMIT). They are planning to give back some of their time to some of the organisations that have helped them, for example by offering training to young disadvantaged people via a series of music technology workshops.
"Our advice to anybody who wants to work in the field of music technology whether it's setting up your own business or working for an employer is to remain 100% committed, focused and gain as much experience as possible. This could be anything from doing DIY recordings in your basement to shadowing a sound engineer in a live music venue as the theory you learn at university is invaluable but without being able to put this to practice effectively then you're going to be a step behind everyone else. The music industry is very quick-paced and innovative so make sure you're able to adapt and make use of new technologies, be open to other people’s opinions and suggestions when seeking advice but don't let any failures discourage you!"
Abdullah al-Wali can be contacted on 07950 483096 or by email at bigfootstudiosheffield@gmail.com
