stacmusic
Co Labs
The Future is Collaborative
Young people having been through intensive treatment for cancer and/or cardiorespiratory conditions often suffer from acute loneliness, isolation, loss of confidence and lack of motivation, a variety of mental health conditions as well as the serious physical consequences of the illness and the treatment itself. Since 2022 Co Labs has been tackling this head on by engaging young musicians in a structured musical development programme that sets a clear pathway towards a career in the music industry, helping improve well-being and lessen isolation. Co Labs works with participants of 'Vocal Beats' who have experienced treatment at The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust. Vocal Beats is an award nominated music making service that engages young people whilst they are receiving treatment as an inpatient. We offer a two year programme that extends the service beyond hospital stay and gives these young people the skills, experience and connections they need to begin their creative careers. We are delighted that 'rb&hArts' and 'The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity' are giving us their financial backing as well as support in kind. We are now looking for match funding and sponsorship for our project, in order to fully support the young people who are at a disadvantage because of their diagnosis.
“Co Labs gave me something to look forward to at a time where every day was just a drag to get through. It’s helped me to pursue my passions, I’ve worked with so many talented people and it’s really helped me get my life back together, thanks to Co Labs giving me the confidence I needed, I have been accepted onto the Music Performance Degree at Uni in Brighton.” Adam
“As a psychologist at the Royal Marsden it has been incredible to see the impact Co Labs has had on young people’s mental health. It brings young creatives together for a common purpose and supports the transition back to day-to-day life following cancer treatment. The team behind Co Labs are truly amazing and work so hard to help our young people in any way they can.”
Dr Katie Hughes Clinical Psychologist
20-25 Young People aged 16-26 years will participate in a two step program, working together to write and record their own music, which will be released and distributed to all streaming platforms via our partner, Kudos Records Distribution, at the end of each year. The group will be coached from start to finish by Grammy nominated professional musicians through a structured programme of... 1-2-1 music skills and career development sessions A group creative writing retreat One week recording in a professional studio 3 days residential creating and rehearsing the end of year showcase The Album Launch Party with a live showcase at The Roundhouse Mentorship Once our artists have completed year one of the program they will the move onto year two, becoming mentors to new participants while creating 1, 2 & 5 year career goals for themselves with the help of their own mentors. They will also be encouraged to apply for the Mentorship Program that rb&hArts offer, which gives mentees experience working in a range of hospital settings, shadowing Vocal Beats Facilitators and rb&hArts musicians working on the wards. Co Labs is a completely collaborative project offering experience in all aspects of Music Making, Record Label Management and Events Production. The young people are encouraged to choose as much of the programme to participate in as they wish, depending on their own career development desires.
Our Team
Our musicians cover a broad range of musical expertise, from touring session musicians, Grammy and Mercury Prize nominated songwriters, producers and instrumentalists.
The team has worked with artists such as ABBA, Jamie Cullum, Disclosure, Jessie Ware, Gary Barlow, Nao, Jay Sean, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Burnaboy & Seal. They teach at establishments such as Trinity Laban, The Mary Ward Centre, Battersea Arts Centre and are facilitators for Vocal Beats at The Royal Brompton and The Royal Marsden Hospitals.
They have a large repertoire of their own original music releases and have been featured artists for touring musicians as well as performing in the pit for West End musicals, including Hamilton, Dreamgirls and Wicked.