London based music and arts initiative Small Green Shoots has been helping young creative people to grow since 2009.
With an impressive track record for supporting fledging talent, the organisation has worked with and developed the likes of Amplify Dot, Thabo Mkwananzi, King Krule and Emeli Sande over the years.
The initiative is one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations and, along the way, has also partnered with PRS for Music Foundation to offer both established and upcoming UK artists with performing opportunities, enabling many to become mentors and educators in their own right.
Founded by Natalie Wade (pictured above), Small Green Shoots places these young participants centre stage in its projects - offering them challenging experiences alongside the chance to gain new skills and qualifications. This mission has since developed into a fully-fledged Creative Apprenticeship Programme, which will be formally rolled out in 2015.
We spent a few minutes with the team to learn about their eclectic music taste and were reliably informed that, while the Small Green Shoots’ stereo never shuts down, they have a current crop of favourites which are enjoying heavy rotation at the minute. Tune in below...
Bondax - All I See
We listen to a lot of MK & EZ in the office, but Bondax is Tas’s favourite after she saw at Birmingham’s MADE festival. They always seem to have such a great time when they DJ, and Nick, their agent from CODA, says they are great to work with - so they get the vote…
Jazztronik - Samurai
When this amazing Japanese broken beat classic comes on in the office, you know someone has a deadline and is attempting to translate BPM into WPM!
Vic Mensa - Down On My Luck
This is a desktop banger! Once is never enough - to the point where we email 'REPEAT' to whoever is closest to the sound system. The video is brilliant too.
Hot Natured - Reverse Skydiving
An office anthem, and for last year’s work christmas party we saw them perform at the Roundhouse. Top gig.
Foster The People - Best Friend
Indie girl Ashleigh, our apprentice, loves The Family Rain and Crystal Fighters, but this track is one that gets all our heads nodding. Feel good lyrics and wicked bass.
Laura Doggett - Moonshine
Laura played one of our Hall One Sessions in 2013 and has since signed to Sony. These events, which are funded by PRS for Music Foundation, give upcoming acts the opportunity to showcase and perform Kings Place.
Naughty Boy featuring Thabo - Never Been The Same
Thabo and the Real Deal played the latest of our Hall One Sessions. He’s a born star, and has since guested with Professor Green and Naughty Boy. Big things are expected in 2015!
Damian Marley - Welcome To Jamrock
Ruth is bang into her soca and reggae. She’s going to Damien Marley’s reggae cruise next week, so we put this on to get her thunder clapping around the office.
Wankelmut & Emma Louise - My Head Is A Jungle (MK Remix)
This usually comes on on a Wednesday or Friday. These are our deadline days. When someone puts this on, we are usually frantically trying to finish a multitude of tasks - meaning we all empathise with the chorus!
Emeli Sande - Next To Me (Kendrick Lamar Remix)
Small Green Shoots backed Emeli at the start of her career and she’s remained close - giving her support to other artists at our Hall One Sessions.
With an impressive track record for supporting fledging talent, the organisation has worked with and developed the likes of Amplify Dot, Thabo Mkwananzi, King Krule and Emeli Sande over the years.
The initiative is one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations and, along the way, has also partnered with PRS for Music Foundation to offer both established and upcoming UK artists with performing opportunities, enabling many to become mentors and educators in their own right.
Founded by Natalie Wade (pictured above), Small Green Shoots places these young participants centre stage in its projects - offering them challenging experiences alongside the chance to gain new skills and qualifications. This mission has since developed into a fully-fledged Creative Apprenticeship Programme, which will be formally rolled out in 2015.
We spent a few minutes with the team to learn about their eclectic music taste and were reliably informed that, while the Small Green Shoots’ stereo never shuts down, they have a current crop of favourites which are enjoying heavy rotation at the minute. Tune in below...
Bondax - All I See
We listen to a lot of MK & EZ in the office, but Bondax is Tas’s favourite after she saw at Birmingham’s MADE festival. They always seem to have such a great time when they DJ, and Nick, their agent from CODA, says they are great to work with - so they get the vote…
Jazztronik - Samurai
When this amazing Japanese broken beat classic comes on in the office, you know someone has a deadline and is attempting to translate BPM into WPM!
Vic Mensa - Down On My Luck
This is a desktop banger! Once is never enough - to the point where we email 'REPEAT' to whoever is closest to the sound system. The video is brilliant too.
Hot Natured - Reverse Skydiving
An office anthem, and for last year’s work christmas party we saw them perform at the Roundhouse. Top gig.
Foster The People - Best Friend
Indie girl Ashleigh, our apprentice, loves The Family Rain and Crystal Fighters, but this track is one that gets all our heads nodding. Feel good lyrics and wicked bass.
Laura Doggett - Moonshine
Laura played one of our Hall One Sessions in 2013 and has since signed to Sony. These events, which are funded by PRS for Music Foundation, give upcoming acts the opportunity to showcase and perform Kings Place.
Naughty Boy featuring Thabo - Never Been The Same
Thabo and the Real Deal played the latest of our Hall One Sessions. He’s a born star, and has since guested with Professor Green and Naughty Boy. Big things are expected in 2015!
Damian Marley - Welcome To Jamrock
Ruth is bang into her soca and reggae. She’s going to Damien Marley’s reggae cruise next week, so we put this on to get her thunder clapping around the office.
Wankelmut & Emma Louise - My Head Is A Jungle (MK Remix)
This usually comes on on a Wednesday or Friday. These are our deadline days. When someone puts this on, we are usually frantically trying to finish a multitude of tasks - meaning we all empathise with the chorus!
Emeli Sande - Next To Me (Kendrick Lamar Remix)
Small Green Shoots backed Emeli at the start of her career and she’s remained close - giving her support to other artists at our Hall One Sessions.
