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Local music students' lockdown album hits top spot!


March 08, 2021 - 1091 views

Coleg Llandrillo's Music Technology students have overcome all the odds: not only launching their new album onto the world market during lockdown, but also getting to number 1 in the iTunes chart.

A musical medley of unrelenting determination and pure talent has resulted in their new album 'Unmute' reaching number 1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter chart, beating off stiff competition from legends Barry Gibb, Eva Cassidy, Carole King, Paul Simon and Tracy Chapman to reach top spot!

All of this is all the more remarkable considering that the Music Technology students were all isolated from each other, having to record, mix, edit and produce their tracks from their own homes for the second year running.

As one said defiantly: "We won't be beaten by the pandemic!"

Every year the students get the opportunity to produce an album of original songs. Previous albums created by students at Coleg Llandrillo include 'Mind Palace' and 'Pink Noise'. Those releases peaked highly in the music charts too.

Six months in the making, twelve students were involved in the creation of the new album, with six of them appearing as artists. An eclectic mix of tracks, the album includes original music from the folk, acoustic, indie, singer / songwriter, electronic, dance, house, and EDM genres.

Several of the album's tracks also achieved individual successes in the singles' chart. Max Anglesea from Old Colwyn had two songs in the top 100 including 'Sail Away With Me', which peaked at #13.

Max also live-streamed on Facebook on the day of the release getting a good live viewership, reaching over 400 people in total.

Korey Randall from Rhyl and Noah Spree from Llandudno had two songs in the top 100 including 'Make me a Liar' which peaked at #21.

Last but not least, Toby Corbett from Denbigh's song, 'Is That Okay?' also made it into the top 100 on the singer / songwriter charts.

One of the collective, student Seren Bartley from Henllan, said: "I'm truly so impressed with this album. I've been seeing and hearing my classmates work on their songs for weeks and I'm so excited for the world to finally hear these amazing songs.

"The whole album is so diverse and shows off everyone's unique styles. I genuinely love every track and I know you will too!

Another student, Molly Stubbs-Davies from Deganwy - who also created the album's artwork - added: "Although we've been working on this album for a few months now, this last month in particular has been non-stop on everyone's part.

"We've all worked so hard to create a product we're proud of in spite of the difficulties this year has brought, and I think I speak for everyone involved in this project when I say we have succeeded. Thank you to everyone who had anything to do with this album.

Jon Crowther, programme leader - Level 3 Performing and Production Arts, said: "The students have been highly enthusiastic right through the creation of this album. This has been the course's biggest success, building on that of last year.

"A lot of the promotion of the album has been student-led, and they totally deserve this fantastic success."

Here is a link to all of the outlets where the album is available: https://linktr.ee/gllmmusic