Local Creators - 24th August 2020
Hello and welcome to a new section of the blog where I will be sharing the projects of some of my favourite creators, giving a brief rundown of what they do and where to find them. While the majority of my blog is dedicated to music and musicians, with this post I instead want to take a look at the hard workers who work around the spotlight, who often get overlooked. All of the creators featured today make a wide variety of content, some music-related, some not. Either way, they make up the foundations of what our culture and arts lay on and will help to determine their future.
From A To G Podcast with Michael Trotter
Followers of my social media will likely have seen me sharing Michael’s podcast episodes regularly. As a friend and housemate, I get to see the effort that goes into each episode from behind the scenes. Whether it’s finding and entertaining his specialised and prestigious list of guests, or pouring over hours of audio in an attempt to bring you the spiciest bits, From A To G features conversations with industry professionals and creative musicians to spread the good word of hard work and perseverance in an effort to help you better understand the trials and tribulations involved in chasing the ultimate dream of becoming a professional musician. Michael does a humbling job of combining friendly humour with vital factual and intellectual discussion. While his guests are usually from the local scene, he recently featured Eddie Hudson, who talked at length about his experiences with teaching in both England and Canada. All episodes of From A To G are available for listening on Spotify.
Manchester Wanderer
City centres aren’t always the most attractive places. As someone who is used to fields and trees and generally more greenery than a high street has to offer, it is hard to compare the views that my own eyes produce. So, instead we turn to social media, where people can paint the world in different ways for other people to view and the Manchester Wanderer is easily my favourite local photographer. I don’t know whether he gets paid to do it, or simply does it for fun, but his work stands out to me above all others because of the way he explores well-known, not particularly glamourous areas, yet makes them look like something straight out of a 70s story book. Social media can be a bit dull and depressing at the best of times, but whether it’s a Northern Quarter street bathed in golden, early morning sunlight, or just a very high resolution pint of craft beer, it is always refreshing to see the Wanderer portray my favourite city in such a beautiful way. His work is available to view on Instagram or on his personal website, where he sells prints.
Bathwater
Is it cheating to include another of my close friends? Maybe, but I can’t do these spotlights without mentioning how much Ellie Campbell, aka Bathwater, has helped me with her artistry over the past few years. Not only is she the creator of the Straightforward logo, worked with a small number of musicians, and regularly produces her own unique, cute but creepy feminine art and merchandise, but she has donated a large portion of her profits towards the SARI and Women’s Aid To Support Women Experiencing Domestic Abuse charities. Or as she describes it, “drawing ‘bobs’ and aggravating cis straight, white men”, including myself. A particular piece to note is her account of the Manchester Black Rights Matter protests, which raised £180, 100% of which was donated. Her work can be found on Etsy for purchase and she is also available for commission.
Bathwater's Black Lives Matter charity prints
