Earlier last month I was invited to be part of the BMI Abbey Road 2018 song writing camp. BMI invited me to attend the camp as part of their ongoing support of Music Exchange.
BMI hosted 2 camps in South Africa over the last two years and my job at the camp was to understand and learn about best practice so as to be able to implement these ideas back home.
The camp was held in Abbey Road studio 3 it’s where Pink Floyd recorded Dark Side Of The Moon, Frank Ocean recorded large parts of Blonde and Amy Winehouse recorded her final tracks.
The co-host of the camp Christian Wright will be coming to SA in Sept to host a number of keynote talks and engagements at Music Exchange on 1 September and 2nd September 2018
I spoke to one of the writers from Essex the mutli talented Reece Baker who is 26 from Basildon in Essex, He is Songwriter, Guitar and keyboard player in the band Courts. Reece also writes music for commercials
Currently working with some amazing songwriters and artists: Paul usher, Mary Leay, Blakey, Devon Wright
When are you happiest?
Probable when in the thick of songwriting and everything starts to come together
What does music mean to you?
Hits a universal language that needs no words to speak to your soul. It’s everything.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work ?
Working and writing with new people, feeling the creative energy.
What drives you…. Ego or Humility?
Definitely humility, I’m grateful for everything I have in my life
And the people I’ve met. There’s so much to learn from others I feel having an ego would hinder that.
Your heroes?
Nile Rodgers & Kasif. Two absolutely incredible masters of the craft who know how to write a hit.
Which living person do you admire most and why?Again, Nile Rodgers… so many of his records gave and spoke to me
And moved me.
What is your most treasured possession?
My Yamaha DX7
It’s your round what are you drinking?
Spiced rum and coke
Dream gig to do?
It’s always been Brixton Academy
If you were not a musician what would you do?
Hmm I’d probably be somewhere in the sun selling deck chairs on a beach
5 Desert Island Discs?
Change – The essential Collection
The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac
George Benson – Breezin’
George Michael – Ladies & Gentlemen
Niki & the Dove – Everybody’s Heart is Broken Now
What song changed your life?
Sister Sledge – Lost In Music
Who do you love?
My two brothers Dan & Luke and Luke’s Little baby Luna
Give us some real proper slang and what it means
“ Peng” – it’s nice/good
Top of your bucket list?
Write
What is your fear?
Moving slowly
Happiness is?
Being lost in music
On stage I tend to?
Get a little too rowdy
The best life lesson you have been taught
We’re all the same, we’re all on our own difficult journey
Cherish the ones you love and be kind to compassionate to all.
Where would you like to be right now?
A studio with open French doors, backing on to a beach with palm trees and sun.
Wishes and dreams for 2018?
Just to carry on being able to write music everyday.
Social media links
https://www.youtube.com/user/courtsmusic
I compose music for adverts
IG: @reecebakermusic
Martin Myers 
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