About the workshop
Asher's approach to songwriting involves finding an idea for a song, and completely running with it. Songwriting is storytelling. If you have a story to tell, you can write a song. In this workshop, we will go on a crash course covering everything you need to start writing your own songs. Some of the things include:
Ideas and subject matter
Structure
Mood
Rhythm
Rhyme schemes
Meter
Hooks
Delivery
Music
Production
Whether you're an absolute newbie with no songwriting experience whatsoever, or you've had a bit of a scribble in your notepad a few times, this First Timers workshop aims to impart the knowledge, vibes, and tekkers required to take a song from personal earworm to mixed and mastered mega-hit (well... adjust your expectations on topping the charts just yet).
About Asher
Asher Baker is a punk rock poet and emcee from South East London. He has been a touring musician since 2010, fronting three bands of wildly varying musical genres during that time. He has written and produced several EPs and LPs, and shared studios and stages with acts like Asian Dub Foundation, Sonic Boom Six, The Selecter, Pete Doherty, and Astroid Boys.
What to bring?
Notepad and pen or some kind of laptop or note taking device
Songs or poems you have written or ideas for songs if you have them, no worries if not!
If people want to bring an instrument with them they can, but the instrument should be kind of space-friendly (so guitars, keyboards etc are fine, drums or grand pianos probably not). Bear in mind, people don't NEED to bring instruments with them.
Recorded music on phones etc is generally fine too.
Location
Cavendish Arms, 128 Hartington Rd, London SW8 2HJ
Tickets are £5-10 but no one turned away due to lack of funds - please email dsflfirsttimers@gmail.com if you can't afford a ticket.
What is First Timers Fest?
First Timers fest is an annual series of workshops that ends in a Fest where every band plays its first show! Our aim is to diversify and demystify DIY music.
People of any musical experience and of any identity can attend our workshops, though they are largely aimed at beginners. To play the fest itself your band needs to meet two or more of the following criteria:
One or more people have never been in a band before
One or more people have never performed that role in a band before (e.g if a drummer is having a go at vocals)
One or more people belongs to a marginalised group, for example, they are a woman, a person of colour, LGBTQIA+, disabled, working class, neurodivergent.
Covid Policy
We cannot provide any assurance that this event is a covid-free zone. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged when appropriate, and we encourage attendees to take a lateral flow test within the 48 hours before the workshop. If you’re feeling sick, please stay home – email us if this is the case and we will refund you.
Accessibility
The venue has step-free access and the workshop will be taking place in the back room of the venue.
The smoking area has a very narrow entry point.
There is an accessible toilet in both the back room and the pub itself, and we will be making all toilets gender neutral.
The pub serves food, including vegan food.
Free PA tickets offered get in touch if needed
If you need any more information, please get in touch with us at dsflfirsttimers@gmail.com or by messaging us on social media.
Instagram @firsttimersfest
Facebook @firsttimersLDN
Artwork @wolfe_ripley13