UK RECORD STORES & BLACK MUSIC: VOLUNTEERS WANTED TO HELP FIND HIDDEN CULTURAL GEMS

Volunteers are being sought to take part in a truly unique and exciting heritage project. ‘The Record Store & Black Music, A UK History’ starts soon, and will culminate in a celebration as part of Black History Month 2024. It will explore the cultural impact of UK independent record stores that specialised in Black music from 1950 onwards. The project will enable volunteers to research and conduct interviews with artists, DJs, store owners, customers and music fans that shaped this fascinating history.

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The project will see the creation of a film, publication, podcast series and educational resource. Volunteers, who will receive full training, will conduct interviews and research the topic across the Midlands, North, and London and The South.

Vijay Mistry from 2Funky Arts said: “For the Windrush generation and Black diaspora, the early independent UK record store was a music-fuelled vehicle for resistance against systemic racism. Such sites became fertile ground for new music, and cultural eco-systems that shaped society’s relationship with Black music. Black music is a cultural and stylistic term, encompassing genres including soul, disco, reggae, R&B, gospel, Afrobeat and hip hop.

“We can’t wait to welcome enthusiastic volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds to this ambitious project, to help us find hidden gems of culture, history and heritage.”

Volunteers based in/around Leicester, London, Manchester or online can expect:

-Media/heritage training and work experience, September 2023-July 2024

-Expenses allowance and refreshments

-Film making, research and content creation experience & training

-Access needs accommodated

Volunteers must be aged 16+ (Midlands & North) and 18+ (London & The South) and be able to commit to a minimum of eight sessions.

The project, managed by 2Funky Arts, received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund earlier this year, which has set 2Funky Arts and its partners on course to create an impactful range of resources.

To get involved, please contact the following organisations in each region:

2Funky Arts (Midlands) – [email protected]

Brighter Sound (North) – [email protected]

Sound/Image Research Centre University of Greenwich, London (London and south) – [email protected]