Bridgwater & Taunton College Level 3 BTEC Music student Becky Cockram (Rowe) has been wowing her fellow students and lecturers for a year now with her haunting, ethereal songs and it appears the music industry is now catching up.
After leaving Michael Eavis speechless with a rendition of his favourite song A Very Good Year by Frank Sinatra last autumn at a tribute to him at The McMillan Theatre, Rowe has started working with Ali Tillett, the head of Cin Cin records and Londons’ iconic Warm Promotions.
Ali discovered the songstress whilst delivering a guest workshop to the Year 2 music group before Christmas. Having built his reputation for discovering and nurturing a string of world famous acts like Dixon, Ame, Azari and 3 and Henrich Schwarz, it appears Rowe is well on her way to being the next name on that impressive list of artists.
Luke Taylor, Becky’s Tutor said,
“From the moment Becky first played a song in my class I knew she was a special and singular talent. It reminded me very much of hearing Bats for Lashes in a uni bar many years ago way before they became mercury prize winners. It's great to see the music world starting to sit up and take notice too.”
Rowes’ first release will be this spring on Bridgwater & Taunton College’s brand new record label BrainWorks Records. A record label run entirely by the students as a platform to get the great and exciting music they are creating out to the world. Based on the model of the best and most esoteric indie labels this country has ever produced such as Factory Records, Mute, Two Tone and Rough Trade. Rowe said,
“Bridgwater & Taunton College's music department has allowed me to discover so much more about music than I ever thought I would have. My fellow students and tutors have encouraged me to find individuality in music and prepare for the industry in the future.”
Next up for Rowe is a recording session with legendary record producer Charlie Francis. Producer of acts such as REM, The High Llamas, Super Furry Animals and Traffic.
Charlie perfectly summed up the appeal of Rowe’s music as,
“Both haunting and comforting, like a mixture of Bon Iver and the Wicker Man soundtrack.”
Becky will then embark on her first shows outside of the South West, playing in London, Cardiff and Berlin later in the year. It looks like a great year ahead for this talented young songwriter, following in the footsteps of that other great female artist from the Southwest, PJ Harvey.
Rowe and the other acts on BrainWorks Records can be seen live at this year’s Bridgwater & Taunton College Music Festival on 24 May in The McMillan Theatre and their own record label launch also at the end of May.
You can find out more info about Rowe by visiting www.facebook.com/rowemusic7 and other Brainworks artists at www.facebook.com/Blue-Moose-Records-1145311755481585/
If you would like more information about studying Music courses at Bridgwater & Taunton College please contact our Information and Guidance team on 01278 441234.
