The Zhoosh! Brighton Blog
The L-Project, Update and Behind the Scenes footage
Zhoosh has been keeping a close eye on the L-Project since it’s birth last summer. Since then, support for it has grown rapidly, it’s been featured in many magazines (most notably DIVA) and it has become a highly respected and significant project. Created by Georgey Payne from UK lesbian band Greymatter and Sofia Antonia Milone (GeEkgiRL), the project is based around a single to raise awareness and money for charities that work to combat homophobic bullying against young people.
The L Project is gathering growing support from both gay and straight communities across the UK and beyond. “The enthusiasm is amazing!” commented Georgey,”we’re finding that most people know of, or have been affected by this issue, and just want to join in and help in whatever way they can.”
The project was created when Georgey was moved to action by the experiences of a young gay friend: “I noticed one night he was worried about going home after working an evening, and when I asked him what was wrong he told me he was being bullied at school. I then listened while he explained everything that had been happening, and just remember feeling so sad at what he was having to go through. Being a songwriter, the best way I could think of to help raise money and awareness to prevent this kind of thing happening to others was to write a song. I then asked the most talented UK lesbian artists I know for their help by getting together to record it for charity, and they all said yes - without hesitation.”
The single is called ‘It Does Get Better’ and will be released on 11 February 2012 as a digital download. Set to a powerful and catchy melody, the lyrics highlight the challenges of growing up as a gay person, but the central message is one of hope: it gets better. This message is also at the core of one of Stonewall’s charity campaigns “It Gets Better Today” and is also the message that the Diversity Role Models charity is helping spread through their excellent workshops directly with kids in schools they visit. Both of these charities will benefit directly from sales of the single. There will also be a music video to accompany the charity single, with BSL interpreters.
Participating artists who worked on the charity single are: Scottish legend, Horse, Sofia Antonia Milone (GeEkgiRL), Sandra MacBeth, Amber Taylor-Groves (HeadsHearts), Mel Sanson (Kenelis), Nina McCann, Georgey Payne & Emma Kavanagh (Greymatter), O’Hooley & Tidow, Lorna Thomas, Leanna Goring, Juey, Jess Gardham, Amy Sutton (Neon Choir), Nicky Mitchell, and Ella Chambers.
On the weekend of the 21st October 2011 these artists got together at Dean Street Studios in Soho, and recorded the single. The below video’s show behind the scene’s footage of the recording and interviews with the musicians.
Behind the scenes part 1:
Behind the scenes part 2:
Behind the scenes part 3:
“We are all so very happy with the single, the weekend in the studio couldn’t have been any better, it was an emotional yet really fun weekend with everyone working together,” commented Georgey.
To find out more about The L Project you can see photos, further behind the scenes videos and biographies of everyone involved on the Facebook page. Please ‘Like’ the page to show your support. Likewise, the L Project website, Twitter page and Youtube page provide more information on the project and are kept up to date with videos, photos and news.
The song is inspiring, catchy and delivers a powerful yet uplifting message. Highly recommended by Zhoosh, we think EVERYONE should buy this single when it’s released on 11 February.
