Media Students Announce New Line-up

22/03/2012

Media Lecturer Don Allen pictured with The Will Johns Band

Power Blues and Rock quartet 'The Will Johns Band' has become the fourth group to work with Level 3 Media Production Students based at the College's Crawley campus on artwork designs and promotional ideas for their first album, due to launch later this year.

This project marks the beginning of a new and exciting phase for the band, which was established over fifteen years ago. The recently announced four-piece line-up, fronted by blues champion Will Johns, brings together the skilled drum tones of Craig Hudson, the pulsating bass of Chris Scott, and the cosmic Hammond Organ of Lee Spreadbury.

"2012 is going to be an exciting year for us and involving the students in the design of our promo material for our first album is giving us such a buzz," enthused Will. "I want the students to think outside the 'blues box' and to come up with ideas that showcase our music, which is drawn from a broad base of influences. I am also very keen that they think about the opportunities that new communication channels offer bands like ours."

Students will be working on the design and production of a CD sleeve as well as associated promotional items and campaigns. Radio-style interviews will also be produced by the students as pod casts for the band's website. For the students, this project ties in with their Level 3 studies, and also gives them further opportunity to expand their experience of working with professional performers to produce work at industry standard, and build up their personal portfolios.

Chris Beer, Media Co-ordinator at the campus said: "Throughout last year, students had the privilege of working with four professional clients. This year, through the combination of activity by the lecturers and the coverage we have been getting in the local newspapers, it looks as though we may have ten media industry organisations giving the students that all important real-world edge to their work."

Media Lecturer, Don Allen, added: "The professional projects have been a huge success for the department. We're thrilled to be working with the Will John's Band as there is so much energy involved in working with musicians! The production of quality promotional media is vital, so working with people who are so driven by what they do gives the students an insight into the demanding world of music media production."