Music Journalism Workshop - Merthyr Rock

On Saturday I had the fantastic opportunity to help run a music journalism workshop put on by Merthyr Rock. The workshop invited youngsters from around Merthyr to learn about the tricks of the trade and put their own skills in music journalism to the test. 

The workshop offered perspectives from two individuals at different stages in their career and working on different types of music journalism. The session was run by Rhys Milsom, music editor and sub-editor for various review sites in the online world, and he was joined by Arts Correspondent for Media Wales and Wales Online, David Owens. 

With participants ranging from 14 to 21, the workshop got them thinking about the sort of music career they'd like to go into, the music they enjoy followed by a hands on section which saw them writing about music that many had not heard previously. Rhys Milsom offered some great techniques for getting them to think about how you can write about the different elements of music and how to put it together into a review. 

Milsom and Owens offered valuable insights into their own career paths and how they got into the industry, along with some encouraging words for the group to inspire them to pursue their dreams. 

It was an excellent opportunity for aspiring music industry professionals and a worthwhile way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

On a personal note it was great to see people getting stuck in and getting over their initial nerves to take part in something productive and fun. I'd love to see more of these workshops about, I would have loved to get involved in something similar when I was younger. It's excellent to be a part of a festival that does much more than just put on some great music but gets people involved in so many ways! 

If you're heading to Merthyr Rock this weekend then make sure you check out the workshops and other opportunities they have on offer. Get involved, you won't regret it! 

Have you ever been to or helped out at a similar workshop?
How did you find it? I would recommend getting involved with something so worthwhile and interesting either helping out or attending!

Merthyr Rock - Kids in Glass Houses Interview

The countdown to the Merthyr Rock weekend has well and truly begun!

I've loved being involved with Merthyr Rock again this year as their blogger and had some great fun re-doing the blog and jazzing it up for the second year of the festival. If you've been following or checking up on the blog (I hope you have!) there's being a variety of news, updates, competitions and great music being posted and creating more excitement for the big event. 

But I also have some really exciting news about an upcoming piece I will be doing on the blog...

an interview with Welsh rockers, Kids in Glass Houses! 

Not only will this be a great piece for the fans following welovemerthyrrock but it is a fantastic opportunity for me to test my interview writing skills. Although my interviews have been very varied throughout the past with the likes of popular fashion bloggers, lecturers, campaigners and more, I haven't done as much work as I'd like to with bands... and where better to start than with one of my own personal favourites and Merthyr Rock's Saturday headliners? 

It's made even better by the fact that we want KIGH's fans to get involved too, so if you fall into this large bracket or even if you just have an interesting question then we'd love to hear it!

Check out the blog post here! 

MRock want YOU to message us (on the Tumblr) with the questions you've always wanted to ask Kids in Glass Houses or if you think you've got an interesting question that they'll never have been asked before then ask away! I'll be picking some of the best to go alongside my own interview with the boys.

Please check out the interview once it's posted up on the blog!