Graduation is music to Jack’s ears

Being around a music studio and in the company of musicians is nothing unusual for Teesside University graduate Jack Laidlaw.

Being around a music studio and in the company of musicians is nothing unusual for Teesside University graduate Jack Laidlaw.

As the son of Lindisfarne drummer Ray Laidlaw, Jack was immersed in the music scene from an early age.

He graduates with a first class BSc (Hons) Music Technology, having gained a first for every single module throughout the three year course.

Jack, 28, is already making a name for himself in recording, writing, producing and performing.

He works as an audio producer and engineer and has worked on music by bands including The Castells and Oh My Days. He has recorded live music for regional musical heavyweights The Futureheads and been mastering engineer on a number of projects by Tiny Lights Records.

He recently mixed the track Mr Ben Sir, by The Calico Print, which Jack describes as the best mix job he has done so far. The song has been played on BBC 6Music and BBC Radio Newcastle.

In his own bands, Mos Eisley and The Motorettes, Jack has had his music played on Radio 1 and toured with the likes of Biffy Clyro, Editors and We Are Scientists.

'My experience with the band gave me vital experience in producing, writing, arranging, recording and performing,' said Jack.

Lindisfarne, of which Jack’s dad was the drummer, had a string of hits in the 1970s, including Nicely Out of Tune, Fog On The Tyne and Back and Fourth - and it’s that musical heritage which has left a lasting impression on Jack.

He said: 'I was regularly at gigs with my dad when I was little. He owned a couple of recording studios for a long time and I spent quite a bit of time hanging around in them, so I guess subconsciously I feel comfortable in those surroundings.

'I enjoy it and like doing things that I enjoy so it makes perfect sense to me to try and make a living that involves music at some level.'

Jack says coming to Teesside University was definitely the right choice, having enabled him to further his skills.

He added: 'Music technology was the right degree for me because I already had a lot of composition and performance experience and I wanted the acoustic theory and studio practice to go with it.

'The course was great, the acoustic theory in the first year opened my mind to the way hearing works, and the synthesis and electro acoustic composition modules were a good basis for electronic creativity.' More about graduation at Teesside University

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Find out more about Jack’s work