Yes. The aquatic theme of sea and ships meets neatly in our new project, plus new podcast and new single from a new artist. It's all new, new, new around here.

Seahouse Records is very pleased to announce details of its first Scholarship Programme. The awards, supported by a grant from BarrowFull’s Boosting Barrow’s Creativity scheme, aim to support young songwriters who are looking to make a start in the music industry.

"We want to encourage creativity in young songwriters, and sometimes financial barriers can prevent young people from making steps into the industry," says Seahouse Director Jonny Swift. "Our scholarship gives the successful artist studio time to record a release-ready song, a year’s subscription to Seahouse Records, which covers distribution fees, and a personalised PR campaign to promote the song.”

Matt Kassell, who runs Digital Man Recording Studio in Barrow, will work with the recipients on producing their song, as well as giving music technology tuition to another young person as part of the project. “Music technology and sound recording are important skills for musicians to have as the industry is becoming increasingly DIY. It’s great to be able to offer tuition in this as part of a real life project, knowing the work done will get an official release into the world”.

The first recipients of the Scholarship are Olivia Dacre and Finn Blake. Olivia, who is already a Seahouse Records artist, has just finished her GCSEs and as such has had her recording career on hold while she prioritised her education. “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity proposed to me to be the first recipient of the Seahouse Scholarship”, says Olivia. “This opportunity will provide me with tools I require to further progress my music career, make new connections, and most importantly do what I love most. I am excited for what is to come with Seahouse Records and I can’t wait to get started!”

Finn Blake will be working with Olivia as part of his learning experience at Digital Man Recording Studio, and is excited for the opportunity: “This is a brilliant means for new emerging musicians to learn the release process without making a financial commitment, which may be the thing stopping so many brilliant voices and minds from leaving their mark.”

“We are grateful to BarrowFull for their assistance with this project, and we hope to be able to offer further assistance for young music writers and artists in the future” said Jonny.

If you are a young songwriter and are interested in this scheme, or to see what else Seahouse Records can offer, please visit www.seahouserecords.com

Those of you with a liking for people talking about pizza, kids and beer when they're meant to be talking about music might be interested in the latest Podcast we made. Jonny Swift discusses his (brilliant) 2021 album Story Of Luna with Jamie Bosanko, while Emker Cel tries to record it and get the odd word in. A bit like recording the album, really.

Listen here

(Stick with it, it gets better).

It's new release time for our latest artist Jordan Gaffney. Barrow boy Jordan started out on the Furness scene, playing solo acoustic shows and gigging with his band Freshman, with whom he also made an album. After relocating to Manchester, he is again concentrating on his solo career, and also hosts a show on Salford City Radio.

Only Friend is his first single and it's out on Seahouse on Saturday 8th July!

Studio goss: Grant Curnow is recording new material this month for a new EP....Insula have completed five new songs for release (we've heard the first completed master of the first single and, naturally, it rocks)....Emker Cel is "only two vocals" away from finishing his new album (but he's been saying that for months now)....Fizzy Milk are doing something experimental (there's a shock)....what have you heard? Write in and tell us about it.

Live events coming up soon:

The AeroBees at The Station as part of Morecambe Music festival (3pm Sunday 9th July);

Insula at Woodfest, Milnthorpe on Saturday 15th July (daytime) AND at Fudstock in Barrow later that evening: Olivia Dacre and The AeroBees also play at Fudstock.

Further afield, Grant Curnow plays at The Green Man Gallery at Buxton Fringe, on Sat 15th and Sun 16th July. See our events page for a full list.

Well, listeners / readers, that's all for now. As ever, thank you for your ongoing support. We hope you are enjoying the things we bring you as much as we enjoy bringing them to you.

Love from all at Seahouse Records xxx