I need somebody…

NUH Youth Club have worked with professional music artists, Matt Blick and Kirk Spencer, to develop a song which captured what it is like to be a young person with a long-term health condition and what the Youth Service means to us.  This was showcased at The Broadway Cinema, as part of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations.

This project was commissioned by Inspire Youth Arts and funded by Nottinghamshire Music Hub.

We began by capturing various sound samples such as hitting a wall, potting a snooker ball, and stamping on the floor, which we recorded as videos to potentially include visual elements in the project. These sounds were intended to add a unique texture to the song we aimed to create.

Some of us described our experience to Matt and Kirk as being on the edge of a cliff, facing daily uncertainty. We shared the challenges we encounter, the impact on our lives and our coping mechanisms, highlighting our courage and resilience.

To translate these emotions into music, Kirk developed several guitar ideas while young people created artwork symbolizing the cliff’s edge. We began crafting melody and lyrics around this concept. As our sessions progressed, the song evolved. We developed a pre-chorus based on the melody and were fortunate to have Emily & Eryn contribute their vocal talent, enhancing the song’s emotional depth. We created a powerful chorus that transitioned from negative to more hopeful feelings, emphasising the importance of support during challenging times.

Throughout the process, we recorded each session, which helped us refine the song. We also incorporated additional layers with Ethan on the keyboard and Logan on the drums, enriching the track’s soundscape.

It has been amazing working with Matt & Kirk throughout this project and we didn’t expect to see our song and video on the big screen!

We hope you enjoy the song and visuals.  You can listen and watch here