This is an appeal to help Loud n Proud grow out of the ashes of an arson attack and create a music hub for young musicians and music technicians at The Kerr Building in William Street in Paisley.

Please join with Sir Rod Stewart, John McLaughlin, The Bay City Rollers, Hue and Cry, Heaven 17 and other prominent musicians and bands to help make this happen. 

WHAT WE NEED HELP TO DO 

A word from Sir Rod Stewart and John McLaughlin - "We want to help rebuild the vandalised burnt out area in the building and build 5 fully equipped soundproof rooms for teaching, practicing and music production"

John explains "This will get Loud n Proud back to what they are good at, and that is: 

• 'Teaching You How to Play' 
• 'Getting You in a Band' and 
• 'Putting You on a Stage'

"The aim is to provide new opportunities for young emerging music talent and provide a place for musicians and music producers to create new music" 

"Fellow musicians, please tell your friends, family and colleagues to pop on here and give what they can"

SOME QUOTES FROM PEOPLE WE HAVE WORKED WITH

The standard of your young students is amazing. We don’t think we have heard young bands of such a young age play like that before. They have the right attitude and act professionally. It's a fantastic thing - Heaven 17

Your young band that supported us were fantastic. The work you guys put in seems to pay off - Hue and Cry

What you do for young talent is amazing. Giving them the opportunity to support well known acts is invaluable - Midge Ure

More power to you. Its a great thing that you do here - Eddi Reader

The work you do for young musicians is amazing. The opportunities you give them and the shows you put on are astounding - Tom Russell Radio Presenter

THE BACKGROUND 

Loud n Proud moved to its current premises in 2019 at William Street Paisley. We shared a part of the building with Paisley YMCA and EPM Solutions. However, in 2021, the building suffered an arson attack and 1/3 of the building was destroyed and the rest of the building had substantial smoke damage.

On 26 May 2022 the owner of property gifted the building to Loud n Proud which has given Loud n Proud a permanent home that will create a music hub providing a progression route into the music industry for young people. But we have a lot of work to do. 

Loud n Proud has been working in partnership with a collection of music professionals (LnP Promotions, The Bungalow CIC, Gravity Studios, The Rec Room and Buzz Killer Productions) to help kick-start the music hub as a space to help young, new emerging talent with their career in performance or music tech. 

OUR PHILOSOPHY 

“We believe that every child, regardless of race; gender; where they live; their levels of their artistic, musical and creative talent; parental income; whether they have special educational needs or disabilities; and whether they are looked-after children; deserve the very best music experience and education. We believe that music has the power to raise aspirations and have a positive impact upon young people” 

IN SHORT, WE WERE FACED WITH THIS:

WHAT WE NEED

TO DO MORE OF THIS………………

ESTIMATED COSTS ARE £100,000 FOR THE BUILD AND £50,000 FOR EQUIPMENT

Since taking ownership of the building, Loud n Proud has undertaken a programme of interior works to the property with the aim of making it usable. Most of this work was carried by volunteers.    

                 Emily Middlemas, Loud n Proud student and X-Factor contestant

The work carried out so far is:

Phase One / 2022 - completed

Cleaning all surfaces, painting all the walls and ceilings. Replacing carpets and stripping out fire damaged wood and ceiling tiles.

Phase Two / 2023 - completed

We built 5 music tuition studios. The work was done by Clark Environmental through Renfrewshire Council’s Community Benefits Programme.

Phase Three / 2024 - The Final Part - ongoing

The building of five soundproof rooms for music recording and production. 

Estimated Cost £100,000 and Equipment £50.000. Currently we have raised £15,000 mainly from some small grants and loans. This makes the shortfall £85,000

The names of every donor will appear on our 'Wall of Heroes' at the entrance foyer of the studio for all to see!

This will be the final phase required to complete the building. This will enable Loud n Proud to fulfil their vision to create a music hub offering learning and career progression routes into the music industry for young people.  

Core Activities will include: 

• Teaching Music
• Music Performance 
• Music Production
• Song writing
• Music Management
• Music Tech 
• Podcast/Vlogging
• Video Production
• Social Media and Photography. 

All this so that children from all backgrounds will have the opportunity to take part in music. 

16yr old Conar Girvan - now a full time musician and drum tutor at Loud n Proud

LOUD n PROUD’S STORY

Since 2001, many Loud n Proud students have graduated with honours degree in music and several of our pupils have gone on to win NATIONAL titles in their chosen field. Some are touring the world playing in bands while many others just love to make music in a safe and inspiring environment which Loud n Proud provide. 

Past achievements of Loud n Proud alumni include:

Kieran Robertson - Currently touring with American singer Geoff Tate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8WnLNkc1BU

Emily Middlemas - X Factor finalist and platinum songwriter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpTJs3uqEX4

Calum Blair - Winner of Britain’s Young Drummer of the Year

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/talented-calum-wins-young-drummer-

Tom Potter - Winner of Britain’s Young Drummer of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PATyiIdzDdY

Neil Smith – A light designer for working with a number of London theatres

Jay Fitzpatrick opened his own music school in Paisley

https://www.fitzpatrickacademyofmusic.co.uk/

Callum Edwards - Opened his own recording studio in 2023

Luke Cunningham – is a Musical Director for an International Music Company

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tki5EACA1VE

The achievements of Loud n Proud have ha an impact on the confidence, social practice, concentration, creativity, and general outlook on life for many hundreds of students. We want to continue to give young people the confidence and encouragement to achieve their dreams whatever they may be.

Awards – Loud n Proud achievements also include the following awards:

• Best Rock Band Live and Unsigned UK – Winner
• Britain’s Young Drummer of the Year – Winner (Twice)
• Open Mic UK - Finalist
• Paisley Partnership Community Champions Award – Winner
• Police Scotland Chief Constable Award
• Provost’s Certificate of Distinction for Community Work
• Provost Community Award - Winner
• Renfrewshire Quest for Talent - Overall Winners (Twice)
• Roc da Mic UK - Finalist
• University of the West of Scotland Community Music Award – Winner

When asked ‘what Loud n Proud means to you’ starting with ‘is’ our students gave us a one liner.

• …is an exciting place to be. Megan, 16
• … is amazing. Pearse, 17
• … is what I am today. Indie, 16
• … is a place to get all the answers in music. Sam, 14
• … is so friendly and helpful, Eilidh, 11
• … is supportive and a happy place to be, Mirin, 13
• … is a musical magic place, Nathan, 15
• … is full of cool people, Adam, 15
• …is a place that makes you feel good, Becca, 15
• …is a place I love, Karleigh, 16

Shows/Events – Loud n Proud have created, wrote and produced the following shows/events:

I Was There – A musical about the Glasgow Apollo (The Armadillo / 3 runs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDxGsI4kYxo

The Bungalow Story – A musical about The Bungalow punk venue in Paisley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH0Z1rz5iU0

The Two Rivers Rock Festival – A Paisley town centre music festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPxSyxrXM6E 

Paisley Music Week – A music festival held in local music venues across Paisley

Paisley Busking Day – A town centre street festival

Baker Street Day – A celebration of Paisley-born Gerry Rafferty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unR1mnlQ2aE&t=203s

Danny Kyle Night – a celebration of Paisley’s own Scottish Folk singer Danny Kyle,

The Sma’ Shot - Presently filming a musical about the Paisley weavers’ strike in 1856.

A documentary made by William Gordon an ex student as part of his Degree in TV and Film - Hope you enjoy it