Liverpool singer wins cash to grow overseas profile
A LIVERPOOL singer and songwriter is one of 14 talented UK-signed acts receiving financial help from the government to support international touring and promotion.
Charli Taft is one of a group of musicians who will benefit from the new
Music Export Growth Scheme which has been set-up by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the BPI (British Recorded Music Industry) to help small and medium-sized independent music companies promote their artists overseas.
The aim of the scheme is to build on the overseas success of British artists such as Bastille, Passenger, London Grammar and Alt-J in 2013.
Charli Taft, a graduate of the Paul McCartney Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), said: “I am delighted to have been chosen as a BPI funding recipient. This opportunity will be very important in helping me take the next step in my career, facilitating my various upcoming writing trips to Seoul, Copenhagen, L.A. and New York. I’m very grateful and excited to have the support of the BPI in my endeavours to help create and promote the best of new British music overseas.”
Another recipient s Liverpool based Alastair Goldsmith, manager of artist Lulu James. He said: “As a result of this funding, we expect Lulu James to grow her European fan-base, and are grateful to the BPI for affording us the opportunity to promote some great new music in a Territory outside of the UK.”
Announcing the funding, worth £250,000, tTrade minister Lord Livingston said: “The British music industry is a global success story. From The Beatles to Adele to Mumford & Sons, Britannia rules the airwaves and sells more records around the world than almost any other country.
“This exporting strength brings jobs and economic growth to the UK and the Music Export Growth Scheme lets up-and-coming British artists up the tempo on the international stage.”
The scheme, funded by UKTI, will make up to £2.5 million of grants available over a two and a half year period. It was announced in October 2013 at a Number 10 meeting with music executives chaired by David Cameron.
