Making Tracks was one of the most exciting purveyors of international music in the UK in recent years. Founded in 2010 by Katarina Pavlakis, the organisation arranged 30 UK tours with established and respected artists from 29 countries, who also gave workshops, lectures and outreach sessions, providing valuable context to the music performed in concert. It was a real shame when, due to funding cuts, Making Tracks announced that their 2018 season would be their last.
But luckily, flashing forward a year, Making Tracks is now reborn and ready to continue its impact – albeit in a slightly different shape. In its new form, the organisation put a focus on new talent, encouraging cross-cultural exchange among young and emerging artists from around the world. For this first year of its new model, Making Tracks invites eight inaugural ‘fellows’ – representing a wide range of traditions and styles from across the UK, Kenya, Armenia, Estonia, France, Spain, the Czech Republic and Turkey – to take part in a ten-day residency in Snowdonia before setting off on a two-week UK tour. The programme will culminate in a performance at Kings Place as part of the London Jazz Festival on November 17.
The collaborations aren’t just musical. When artistic director Merlyn Driver talks about Making Tracks, it is within an all-encompassing, holistic worldview. “What I love most about music,” he explains, “is the way it can be a window to society, nature, politics, history – pretty much anything. The music industry is a lot more fun when you find ways to connect music to all the things it arises from.” In this spirit, the residency will be a musical meeting, but also a place for the fellows to discuss and develop ways in which music can impact society and the environment for the better. “Encounters between the ‘strange’ and the ‘familiar’ have the power to foster greater empathy, tolerance and understanding across social, cultural and geographical divides,” says Driver. “Given the current political climate, it’s vital to have a UK-based project that’s open to musicians from everywhere. We also want to address the void within music-making with regards to environmental engagement. As young people mobilise and climate discourse becomes increasingly mainstream, music has an important role to play.”
For the musicians, the opportunity to work with cultures – and audiences – that may previously have been out-of-reach goes hand-in-hand with the broader considerations. Luna Silva, French-Spanish ukulele player, singer and Making Tracks fellow, says, “I'm really excited about meeting other musicians from completely different backgrounds and sharing our common experiences. My role as a musician is often on my mind, our role in society and how environmentally conscious we can be. Music is an incredible driving force for that. There is something universal about sound and emotion which is really exciting to play with.”
By focusing on the next generation of musicians moving and playing within the international scene, the new-look Making Tracks is promoting the sustainability of world music in the UK – musically, socially and environmentally. The music these fellows make will hopefully echo for a long time to come.