News May 21, 2018

APRA AMCOS’ holding SongHubs at London’s RAK Studios

A number of Australian and New Zealand songwriters will today meet at London’s RAK Studios for three days of collaboration with producers and writers from the UK and Europe, as part of APRA AMCOS’ SongHubs program.

The seven-strong Australian contingent includes Alex the Astronaut, electronic producer Mookhi, Alexander Biggs and Claire Nakazawa of Haiku Hands.

They were chosen either because they are based in London, or visiting the UK to attend the Great Escape in Brighton this week.

Milly Petriella, APRA AMCOS director of member relations, said “The iconic RAK Studios is steeped in history. You are immediately surrounded by a sense of greatness as you enter the front doors and we are so thrilled that it’s become the APRA AMCOS London home for both songwriting and desk space.

“We are excited to host a SongHubs within these walls and to have such an incredible roster of international writers working with our members for our first ever SongHubs at RAK Studios.”

RAK was set up in 1976 by famed British producer Mickie Most in a one-time Victorian school and church hall.

Among the best known hits cut there were Kim Wilde’s ‘Kids In America’, Suzi Quatro’s ‘Can The Can’, Ultravox’s ‘Vienna’, Smokie’s ‘Living Next Door to Alice’ and Hot Chocolate’s ‘You Sexy Thing’ as well as albums by Adele, Midnight Oil, Al Green, Pink Floyd, Radiohead and the Arctic Monkeys.

RAK’s general manager Andy Leese is curating SongHubs London.

He will match the ANZ writers with guests over the three days to come up with new, commercially viable works.

Leese has invited the production duo of Edd Holloway and Nick Atkinson, who co-wrote the Dean Lewis global hit ‘Waves’; UK producer/writer Jonathan Quarmby whose credits include Benjamin Clementine’s Mercury Prize-winning album; Berlin-based Australian producer/engineer/composer Jane Arnison; producer/mixer Steph Marziano, who has worked with Radiohead and Mumford & Sons; up-and-coming UK artist Laura Bettinson (aka FEMME) and Dutch singer-songwriter Christof van der Ven.

The RAK sessions are the first since APRA AMCOS announced earlier this year it has organised professional workspaces in Los Angeles, Nashville and London to cater for their globe-trotting songwriting members and their managers, and with plans for Berlin.