Fireside Chat & Workshop
Get ready for an energizing in-person event where meaningful dialogue meets collaborative opportunity. Day 2 of Aberdeen Music Week is dedicated to artist growth, sustainable strategies, and real-world funding insights, brought to life through powerful conversations with some of Scotland’s most respected voices in music and culture. Whether you’re an emerging artist, creative professional, or industry advocate, this is your opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the future of music in the North East and beyond.
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Networking
Registration & Networking Coffee
Arrive early, grab a coffee, and meet fellow artists, creatives, and local music professionals in a relaxed setting.
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Lime Reserve, Aberdeen
Fireside Chat: Session One
Dive into strategic approaches to funding, education, and infrastructure for sustainable creative careers.
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Lime Reserve, Aberdeen
- Beth Edwards, Simon Gall & Caroline Sewell
Lunch & Networking
Enjoy a relaxed lunch while continuing conversations and expanding your network.
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Fireside Chat: Session Two
An honest discussion on identity, inclusion, and creating opportunities in Scotland’s music ecosystem.
- 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
- Lime Reserve, Aberdeen
- Jamie Houston, Karin Bezchlebova, Stuart Fleming, Tom Simmond, Aja Garrod-Prance
Speed Networking
This fast-paced networking session is designed to spark new connections, collaborations, and ideas.
- 2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
- Lime Reserve, Aberdeen
- Community Leaders
Wrap-Up & Open Forum
We’ll reflect on the day’s insights and open the floor for final thoughts, feedback, and community input.
- 2:15 PM – 2:30 PM
- Lime Reserve, Aberdeen
- Aberdeen Music Week Team
Workshop
Workshop Welcome
Get settled with a warm welcome and intro to facilitators.
- 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
- RAK Studios, Aberdeen
- Aberdeen Music Week Team
Creative Labs: Production & Songwriting Session
Hands-on session covering beat-making, lyric writing, and demo recording.
- 4:15 PM – 5:45 PM
- RAK Studios, Aberdeen
- Local producers and songwriters
Artist Stories: From Bedroom to Studio
Hear personal stories and lessons from artists who transitioned to professional studios.
- 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM
- RAK Studios, Aberdeen
- Emerging Artists
Break & Transition
Grab a snack and get ready for the jam session.
- 6:45 PM – 7:15 PM
- RAK Studios, Aberdeen
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Collaborative Jam Session
Bring your voice, instrument, or beats for a no-pressure jam session.
- 7:15 PM – Late (TBC)
- RAK Studios, Aberdeen
- Open participation
Guest Speakers
Discover the amazing people bringing Aberdeen Music Week to life
Aja Garrod-Prance (Scottish Music Industry Association)
Aja joined the SMIA in 2024 as General Manager. Their role involves the day-to-day management of the SMIA’s business operations, including overseeing the successful delivery of our annual programme of services, projects and events; supporting the work of the wider executive team. They also work with our partners across SMIA projects and programmes, building effective relationships to support the SMIA’s strategic objectives.
Originally from the South of England, Aja has worked in a number of roles across the creative industries including operations, event programming and production, and funding. For the last four years, their career has focussed on talent development, funding support for grassroots music organisations and emerging music creators through roles at the PRS Foundation and Youth Music. They relocated from London to Glasgow in 2023.
Beth Edwards (Aberdeen Music Services)
Beth Edwards has been the head of Aberdeen City Music Service for a number of years. Beth manages a team of over 30 Aberdeen City Music Service staff, who provide music tuition and performance opportunities to thousands of children in Aberdeen City. Beth grew up in North Wales before studying the clarinet at the Royal Northern College of Music and then becoming a qualified teacher.
Caroline Sewell (Musician’s Union)
Caroline Sewell has been the MU’s Regional Organiser for Scotland and Northern Ireland for nearly a decade, combining her passion for music with a deep commitment to musicians’ rights. A Glasgow native and Commercial Music graduate from Paisley University (now UWS), she began her career immersed in live events, co-promoting a club residency at the iconic Sub Club and working across studios, rehearsals, and event services.
She later joined No Half Measures, contributing to the development of major acts including Wet Wet Wet and Hue and Cry. Her wide-ranging experience spans artist management, live production, and tour logistics.
At the MU, Caroline supports thousands of musicians across performance, education, and recording, championing fair pay, safe working conditions, and sustainable careers. She plays a leading role in advocating for musicians within the Scottish Government’s Fair Work agenda, ensuring creatives are empowered, protected, and respected.
Jamie Houston (Creative Scotland)
Jamie Houston is a Music Officer at Creative Scotland, the national public body that supports the arts, screen, and creative industries across Scotland.
Creative Scotland works on behalf of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Scotland, enabling individuals and organisations to develop and experience the country’s rich cultural life.
The organisation distributes funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery, helping bring bold ideas to life and supporting the creative ambitions of people across the nation.
Karin Bezchlebova (Pitch Scotland)
Karin is a dynamic force in Glasgow’s music scene. As an A&R, project assistant, and DJ, she’s been driving positive change within the industry. Her passion for artist development and inclusivity in the music industry led her to found the “You Wanna DJ Too” workshop she launched in 2023. She is also a resident DJ for Bemz and works as a freelancer across other projects such as UP2STNDRD, M4 or the Bassline Workshops at Radio Buena Vida.
Scott Anderson (DJ HomeAlone)
DJ HomeAlone, 34 year old Scott Anderson from Aberdeen has made a huge mark within the local scene and beyond. He has played shows with the likes of Drake, The Weeknd, Anderson Paak, Goldlink, Jack Harlow, Ja Rule and Lily Allen to name a few alongside festivals such as Wireless, TRNSMT and Belladrum.
He has played esteemed venues and events in the UK such as Wireless Festival, Ministry of Sound nightclub and the 02 Arena in London while also playing internationally in places such as Ibiza and New York City. He frequently appears on Eminem’s Shade 45 radio station as a resident of the World famous “Sway in the Morning” show and on the BBC Radio Network in mix slots while his online routine videos have gained notice from personalities such as Chance the Rapper, Missy Elliot, Mark Ronson and Amelia Dimoldenberg.
He is also the long running residency as DJ of the Madri Lounge at Pittodrie Stadium for Aberdeen Football Club.
Simon Gall (Jazz Scotland | Expressing Scotland)
Simon Gall is the Development Director at Jazz Scotland and Director of Expressing Scotland CIC, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting Scotland’s diverse cultural communities in achieving their creative goals. With extensive experience in fundraising for arts and heritage organisations, Simon has successfully secured a wide range of grants to support both professional and community-led cultural initiatives.
In addition to his fundraising expertise, Simon has served as an assessor and panellist for various funding bodies, including local authorities, higher education institutions, and national organisations, bringing a well-rounded perspective to the funding landscape.
A seasoned musician, Simon has performed for over 16 years with the award-winning band Salsa Celtica, and was the founder of the contemporary trad duo Clype. He continues to perform regularly with Scottish salsa groups, including Son al Son (Glasgow) and Latina Turners (Edinburgh).
Stuart Fleming (PRS For Music)
Stuart Fleming, Senior Manager, Northern Ireland & Scotland at PRS for Music
Stuart is a seasoned music industry professional with a background as a songwriter and producer, combining creative experience with deep industry insight. He has worked across major and independent labels, and later moved into artist management and touring while continuing his own publishing career. He also ran an independent artist development label supporting self-releasing talent. Now serving as Senior Membership Manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland at PRS for Music, Stuart works closely with leading and emerging songwriters and composers. He forges industry partnerships and creates development opportunities, delivering impactful platforms that support songwriting, composition, and music business skills across the region.
Tom Simmond (Captain Toms Studios)
Tom Simmond, Founder Captain Toms Studios
Since opening Captain Toms music studio in 1997, Tom Simmonds has gone on to take a leading role in Aberdeen’s diverse music scene. From starting his own independent record label in 2002, Fat Hippy Records, to promoting hundreds of events all over Aberdeen and Scotland. Taking local artists on tour all over Europe and as far as LA in the USA and helping them get their music heard all over the world.
Folakemi Falana (Entertainment Business Exec)
Folakemi Falana is a seasoned entertainment lawyer, consultant, and an educator with over a decade of experience. She runs F & F Legal Consulting in Lagos and Folke Consulting in London, providing legal and strategic advisory services to musicians, filmmakers, digital creators, startups, and more. Her expertise spans contracts, copyright, trademarks, licensing, royalties, IP litigation, and dispute resolution. With a Master’s in Entertainment Law from the University of Westminster, she equips creatives with the tools to protect their rights and maximize their intellectual property. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, she regularly features at conferences and workshops, sharing insights on entertainment law and emerging industry trends. Through her podcast and social media platforms, she educates creatives on navigating the legal and business sides of the industry. Folakemi splits her time between London and Lagos, bridging global perspectives in the entertainment space.
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