WRITE. RECORD.
MOVE FORWARD.
A fully funded development programme for 10 emerging independent acts, delivered by CBLV Community CIC and La Vie Studio Ltd. Everything included, and what we ask in return.
ONE COHORT.
MORE CONNECTION.
Each act records and releases one original song, films a live-room performance, writes with established professional songwriters, performs at a filmed and livestreamed showcase, and leaves with an EPK and practical career guidance, in Gloucestershire.
One original song, recorded and mastered
Up to two arranged studio recording days at La Vie Studio to record, produce, mix and master one original song (not an EP or album). Planned deliverables: mastered WAV and MP3, instrumental WAV and MP3, and consolidated multitrack WAVs within the agreed scope.
Up to five performing musicians per session, including the lead artist or singer. You arrange (and pay) any extra players yourself and agree them with us in advance; they must be 18 or over and give their own permissions. Studio staff and supervised engineers don't count towards the five.
Recording dates: To be confirmed.
An in-studio live-room performance
One professionally filmed live performance in La Vie Studio's live room, with the arrangement agreed in advance. It is a professional live session, not a conventional music video, and it goes into your EPK.
Two songwriting workshops
Four collaborative co-writing workshops run across the cohort, with established professional guest songwriters. Each act is represented at two of them. New songs are credited to the people who actually wrote them.
Guest songwriters: To be confirmed. Workshop dates: To be confirmed.
A paid, filmed and livestreamed showcase
Each act performs at one of two public showcases in the Cheltenham area. Both are professionally filmed and livestreamed, and your act receives footage of its own performance for its EPK.
Each act earns a £200 performance fee for actually performing its showcase set. It is paid for performing, not for being selected, and once earned it stays earned.
Showcase dates: To be confirmed.
Your EPK
Professional photographs, artist information, your live-room performance video, your showcase footage and agreed promotional materials, assembled into an electronic press kit for promoters, venues, press and industry contacts.
Industry advice and career guidance
Guided next steps on releasing music, distribution, radio, playlists and press, rights (PRS and PPL), and grants and funding applications, including at least one group advice session with an invited music-industry professional. The programme supports your progress; it can't guarantee funding awards, playlisting, bookings or future paid work.
Listening and networking
A shared listening and networking event brings the cohort together with invited guests. An additional informal listening party may be arranged; if so, it is optional.
A follow-up studio day at 25% off
Once your act completes the programme: one further full studio day at 25% below the standard day rate, bookable within 12 months, subject to availability and excluding extra services.
Taking part and completing the programme
The funded final song, film, EPK and follow-on benefits are delivered once your act reasonably completes the agreed essential activities: onboarding, recording, live-room filming, your two writing workshops, your showcase, the group industry advice session and the main listening and networking event, plus reasonable feedback.
Illness, unavoidable circumstances and access adjustments are considered individually and fairly. Studio recording can sometimes be rescheduled; filmed sessions and public showcases normally can't be rearranged for one act. Missing an unrepeatable activity for a good reason doesn't automatically stop a completed song being delivered.
Accept your place online
If you're offered a place, the act's representative reads the Programme Terms and Conditions and accepts the place online within 30 calendar days, for every member, after checking they all agree. There is no contract to sign, print or upload. Songwriting splits and credits are agreed after the song is recorded and the contributors are known, before final files are released.
Your work and your credits
ACCESS 001 is not a label, publishing or management deal. The programme is designed for your act to own its final master, subject to other contributors' rights. Technical work doesn't create a songwriting share, and real contributions are credited accurately.
Social media is up to you
We'll give you professional photos, video and artwork, and suggested wording if you'd like to acknowledge the programme and its partners. Posting is encouraged, never required: there is no minimum or maximum number of posts, no required tags and no need to keep posts up. Not posting never affects your place, payments or benefits.
Who can apply
Independent musicians aged 18 or over and based in England: solo artists, duos and bands of up to five. Original, human-created music only: no covers and no AI-generated songs, vocals or lyrics. Ordinary recording, editing, tuning, mixing and mastering tools are fine, and concerns are reviewed fairly, never by an automated detector alone. A demo or work in progress is fine.
We particularly encourage artists aged 18 to 30, artists in Gloucestershire and the wider South West, and musicians facing financial or other barriers. These are priorities, not automatic exclusions.
Travel and access
A limited, shared travel budget may reimburse eligible costs you actually incur, with evidence and subject to eligibility, approval and available funds. There is no flat allowance or individual entitlement. Read the Travel Reimbursement Policy.
La Vie Studio's current premises in Bishop's Cleeve are not wheelchair accessible. Talk to us privately and we will explain honestly what we can arrange.
