Sparksite logo

Prog Band Vienna Circle on the Way Up

It's a dream many young musicians have - record your music, release it, get articles in national press and earn a few quid while you're at it.

And while some might think this dream is unrealistic, one band from the rural village of Pewsey are proving it really can be done from home.

Vienna Circle are Paul and Jack Davis, whose interest in music began at a lunch club in The Shak, the Pewsey youth centre. With a free rehearsal room available, young people took on any instrument they could to qualify for a role in a rock band. Paul, the elder of the two, took up guitar and formed Eighth Fret, who recorded several EPs and were given opportunities to perform as far as Exeter, thanks to the guidance of youth centre staff.

"It was great the rehearsal room was available. We were fortunate to have staff who could guide us. We might not have had the opportunity without large sums of money and traveling. We were just so lucky."

Jack made similar progress with a band of friends, and when these groups separated when members left for university, Paul and Jack began writing in the style they know best: Progressive Rock. "Living in the same house, we were always playing music together. We always had the same view on what we wanted to do with the music."

The duo found a local producer to develop their recordings, got some artwork, and released their album 'White Clouds' as a CD and download. National press followed, including a full page article in Classic Rock magazine, and orders began coming from around the globe. "To see orders from places like Brazil is an incredible feeling. The most exciting part is, we could do another album. We sold enough to make it viable to do it again and again. It's sustainable."

Fortunately for young people in Wiltshire, the music opportunities are now better than ever. Not only can you put together a band and rehearse for free, you can get a free recording with a qualified engineer, learn how to make a website and share your music, and have a shot of making a career of your own.

If you want to take part in the best youth music community in the country, you can soon sign up to Spark Music who can link you with other musicians to start a band, refer you to the nearest rehearsal or recording space, and even release your music on the Spark Music record label. Everything from artwork to radio play can be arranged making your journey in music as simple as possible, so you can focus on the songwriting. Even better is working for Spark Music yourself, getting real music industry experience.

Look out for the launch of Spark Music in September to get involved. 

You can find out more about Vienna Circle at their website. 

Date Posted: Wednesday 24 November 10