Scottish whiskey brand Monkey Shoulder has partnered with Worldwide FM, founded by DJ Gilles Peterson, to support UK grassroots music communities. One UK community, collective or organisation with a pioneering project will be awarded a £10,000 grant. Studio Monkey Shoulder, developed by Worldwide FM and Gilles Peterson, aims to discover and support innovative music projects that spotlight the UK’s many small, independent grassroots venues, radio stations, record stores and clubs, with the chosen project to be developed in collaboration with Worldwide FM; a series of films and radio broadcasts produced in collaboration with the initiative will also centre on its winning project. Applicants can apply through the Studio Monkey Shoulder website.
“This is exactly why I started Worldwide FM radio, and there are so many other incredible community driven projects out there I want to uncover, which is what excites me about Studio Monkey Shoulder,” said Gilles Peterson. “We have no idea where this is going to take us but can’t wait to see and hear it.” The Studio Monkey Shoulder fund will go towards supporting grassroots collectives, and by “discovering new talent, unearthing and telling their stories and collectively stirring things up a little,” also aims to serve as a long-term supporter of these emerging arts scenes, said Ieuan Morgan, Global Brand Manager for Monkey Shoulder.
The £10,000 grant on offer is intended to provide a launchpad for new music projects in this space. “For a small independent organisation, having funding means they can continue doing what they love: to provide a space for young talent to develop their craft with like-minded peers whilst connecting to new audiences locally and internationally,” said Lex Blondin, founder of Total Refreshment Centre in East London. Applications to Studio Monkey Shoulder are open now.
Monkey’s initiative adds to the growing roster of established companies looking to nurture emerging and independent musicians in response to the impact of the pandemic. Earlier this year, the PRS Foundation
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