This year, more than 500 young people submitted entries to Irish charity Kinia’s Creative Tech Fest, with categories this year including the highly competitive Digital Creativity Award. Such was the standard of the entries in this category that instead of nominating a single winner, six young, exceptional artists were given the opportunity to record their music along with an accompanying video at Dublin’s iconic Windmill Lane Studios. Home of recordings by global names from U2 to Lady Gaga, Windmill Lane gave these students the opportunity to experience a first-class, professional studio environment for the first time. 

Uisce Jones, a 17-year-old indie rock artist from Galway, was one such artist. “It was amazing to be given the opportunity to record in Windmill Lane, and to follow the footsteps of many other bands like U2, Sharon Shannon and Ed Sheeran,” Uisce said. “I think it’s really important for young people to have the chance to get to the next level in our careers and to pursue our passions. It’s really exciting to have my music out on release now, along with the other artists who recorded in Windmill Lane with me. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity.’“

Marianne Checkley, CEO of Kinia said, “For this year’s Creative Tech Fest, we really wanted to elevate the experience for young people. Covid-19 has changed the way we run the festival, but hasn’t changed the quality of talent that we celebrate. We were blown away with the quality of entries, and delighted to be able to release an album showcasing a range of voices from around the country. Creativity makes science and technology accessible for all young people, especially those who might not think it’s for them.”

Kinia’s Digital Media programme is one strand of a range of national programmes designed to provide the opportunity for young people to learn skills and aspire to technology-based learning and career opportunities. The Digital Media programme focuses on a range of digital media skills, from mobile filmmaking to audio production, providing a unique platform for technology to align with and release creative expression. 

The album is now available to stream on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, and other leading platforms. All profits will return to Kinia’s youth projects, with 50% going to the young people involved and 50% towards the Kinia Youth Advisory Committee, who advise on all aspects of Kinia youth programmes. 

Young People involved:

McKenzie Lowe – I love You. McKenzie Lowe is based in Dublin and develops and records her music with Finglas Youth Service.

 Seán Heslin – Casadh an tSúgáin. Seán Heslin is a third level student currently studying primary teaching. Seán has a huge interest in music, and believes it has a central role in the classroom.

 Uisce Jones – In Love. From performing on the street corner to recording in the studio, Uisce Jones is a 16-year-old singer/songwriter from the west of Ireland. Uisce’s music combines heartfelt guitar, a raw voice, and words that long for change. Uisce takes his influences from grunge, indie and rock, adding a youthful twist.

Dubal C – Paranoia. Cian Carey is an Irish rapper and musician, best known by his stage name DubalC (pronounced “double see”). A native of Finglas in North Dublin, he started rapping at a young age and released his first track at the age of sixteen (though unreleased tracks were recorded at fifteen). He is perhaps best known for his song ‘Rocket to the Moon’ and his contribution to the COMIX album with Bernard M. He often collaborates with his friend Danny Ruszo; together, they released the album ‘Immature, Not Amateur’.

Áine Ní Ghríofa (Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe) – Fear Níos Fearr. Áine is a native Irish speaker from Gaeltacht Chonamara who has a grá for Billy Elliot music. Áine wrote her own lyrics to one of his songs and had the opportunity to develop it at school and record as part of Kinia Creative Tech Fest 2021

Pobalcholáiste Thraolaigh Mhic Shuibhne – Dóchas. As part of Transition Year students from the pobalcholáiste decided to embark on a mission to write and record their own own rap in a workshop with GMCBeats (who delivers ‘Song-in-a-Day’ workshops in creative songwriting, rapping, singing, recording, beat-making and music technology for schools.