A record company set up by a group of enterprising Teesside University students is going from strength to strength and has more than doubled in size after its initial launch earlier this year.
Coastline Records was set up by five BSc (Hons) Music Technology students to help revitalise the local music scene.
The enterprising students have been working non-stop, signing bands, releasing music and staging gigs in and around the Teesside area.
And since Coastline Records’ official launch night at Teesside University Students’ Union in April, a flurry of students have come forward to work for the label in business, marketing and PR roles.
Co-founder of Coastline Records Andy Surtees, said: “It has been incredibly hard work, but extremely rewarding at the same time.
“We started the record label because of our passion for music and the skills we were learning on our degree course gave us the confidence that we would be able to succeed.
“I have been delighted with the success of Coastline Records so far and the interest that it has generated. It is creating a real buzz and more and more Teesside University students are getting in touch to see if they can join us.”
Along with Andy, Coastline Records was started by James Knott, James Ryan, Jamie Wilson and Takudzwa Chanakira. They have since been joined by Jo Learman Wood, Sarah Mitchell and Simon Buchanan who are adding expertise in social media, marketing, graphic design and branding. A number of other current students have also helped out on projects – boosting the label’s expertise in areas such as video production, business development and finance.
In total, 14 students have now been involved in making, distributing and promoting records for Coastline.
Teesside University still has places available for undergraduate study in a range of courses. More information about how to apply can be found at www.tees.ac.uk/clearing.
Takudzwa said: “The amount of expertise that Coastline now has at its disposal is incredible, and it means we can move much more quickly than before and take on extra challenges. We’re now looking to add one or two web and app developers and, although we’re very happy with how things are progressing, we’re always looking to push things even further.”
Coastline Records has signed three bands so far and released a series of singles and EPs. This summer they have recorded an EP of new material for Darlington indie band Apex, which will be their major release of the autumn. Andy is loving the experience of running the record company and wants to use it to showcase what people can do and provide a platform for local musicians.
He said: “You can learn in theory how to run a recording session, but until you get the musicians in, you never actually know how it is going to go. The experience you get from actually doing it for yourself is so much more real and much more enjoyable.
“Going through all the processes – from the idea that you want to start a record company, putting records out, getting customers through the door and dealing with newspapers and radio stations – there is no other way of experiencing the reality of what that is like other than doing it first-hand.
“One thing I have learnt from starting and running Coastline Records is that whatever your passion is, music, sport, animation, technology, you can put that into creating your own business and build something for yourself to create your own future.”