Back in July, UK Trade and Investment invited me to take part in their international writing week at Tileyard Studios near Kings Cross in London. Writers, producers and artists from the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Japan were all invited to take part. During the week, we would all meet in the Notes Cafe in the studio complex in the morning and Jason Sharpe would tell us who we were working with for the day. It's always a great experience to work with new people, as well as people who are in entirely different areas of the music industry! On the first day I worked with Alex E, an incredibly talented hip hop producer. We started by looking at each others music and then got on to writing. During the day we were looking at different references; which involved a lot of google-ing and youtube-ing as even though we're the same age, our influences are completely different!
Alex E and Mary-Jess
Here is a little more information about Alex and the other writers I worked with during the week:
Alexander Elliot:
Alex has recently co-produced a song on Ella Eyre’s album and he is currently co-writing with a host of Major label artists such as Big Ali (Warner) and Penelope Austin (Universal). He is a classically trained pianist and also composes music for film.
Le Prince Miiaou:
Le Prince Miiaou is an Indie Rock artist, singer/ songwriter, arranger, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Her last album was produced by Antoine Gaillet (M83, Julien Dore).
Jens Eckhoff aka Jean-Michel Tourette:
Jean-Michel is a musician, writer and producer based in Hannover, Germany. He is part of the successful german group "Wir sind Helden" (several gold and platinum records, 5 Echo-Awards, headliners of the biggest festivals in Germany) and has co- written many of their songs. Recently he has co-written a lot of songs with various upcoming artists in Germany. He has produced the debut album of TAIGA, which will be out in January 2015. He has also written the current single of famous German artist Bela B (singer of Die Aerzte). His musical talents include playing the guitar, keyboard, top-line writing and producing.
Fridolin FREEDO Walcher:
Originally from France, Freedo has recently produced the number 1 single for Cro in Germany and has secured multiple placements in the SEA market place. Freedo is also co-producing Ira May’s forthcoming album (a soul artist signed to Peripherique records in Germany).
Holly Partridge:
As a songwriter, Holly co-wrote Travis’ recent single “Where You Stand” from the album of the same name. Holly was the only non-band member to contribute to an album that was a chart success on both the European and U.S charts. She also recently co-wrote and featured on TCTS’s single “Over” (released on Greco-Roman Records), as well as co-writing and featuring on the Digital Farm Animals track “Bad Idea” alongside producer/writer MNEK. She has also worked with electronica artist Eagles For Hands.
Holly is an accomplished guitar player and has worked with BBC Radio A-list act The Shires (Universal Records), with a track confirmed on their first album. She also has a track on Starsailor frontman James Walsh’s upcoming solo record. Holly is also working with Capital Records UK artist Nenita and has been fortunate enough to work with such writers as Phil Thornalley, Alex Smith (Metrophonic), Jony Rockstar and Ben Humphreys (Rudimental) amongst many others.
UKTI also organise other international writing weeks in different locations throughout the year and I'm thrilled to say that I'll be joining them in Nashville on Sunday 14th September! I can't wait to get writing in the songwriting capital of the world!
M-Jx