The Music Service has had the privilege of working with many accomplished young musicians from Luton over the years. We asked some of them to share with you their experience learning and playing music and how it has helped them in their careers.
Nick Pugh – Freelance Bassist / Producer / Engineer
What did you study with Luton Music Service?
Double Bass
What were your highlights?
The Service offered me my first opportunity to study with energised teachers and play with a pretty much full sized orchestra for a few years. Also several tours both as a student and as a teacher/coach, my favourite being an orchestral tour near Lake Garda. Great atmosphere/energy on that tour both musically and socially!
Where has music taken you?
I have been a full time professional musician since leaving LMS. I graduated from Brunel University in 2003 after completing the BA Music Course with First Class Honours. Since then I have worked as a freelance musician, sound engineer and producer throughout the UK and Europe.
Instrumentally I specialise in both double bass and bass guitar, working extensively on and national touring/West End stage shows, big bands, jazz ensembles, cabarets, pop acts and studio sessions.
I run the production company Session Corner with our own recording studio where I produce albums and prepare music for TV and radio, cruise lines and theatre shows, in addition to mixing and designing live sound on various tours and shows. Recent work includesBBC (Michael McIntryres’ Christmas Special), London Concert Orchestra, RSC, audio preparation for acts/artists for Britain’s Got Talent (ITV), Production Tracks for Peter Andre, Sheridan Smith, P and O and Cunard Cruise lines, Brendan Cole’s 2013-2019 UK Tours (bass, click tracks and sound design), The Jack Pack, mixing for Leona Lewis videos and corporate music for Butlins.
What advice would you give our students?
Listen to as much music as you can and then get out and play at every opportunity. Any style of music is great -– as long as it well played and produced. Sight reading is a skill that I use all the time – if you can both read and play/busk ‘by-ear’ you have so many more gig open to you! And most importantly – just enjoy it!!!
