Turn It Up is a new development opportunity for musicians from Southampton and SO postcodes, launched by University of Southampton music venue, Turner Sims, earlier this year in association with SoCo Music Project.
Supported by funding from Arts Council England, the programme aims to help local musicians turn up the volume on their creative projects.
Pegasuses blew the selection panel away with an acoustic performance to secure their place as this year’s Turn It Up artists.
The Indie-Folk duo will benefit from industry mentoring, funding, and a headline slot at Turner Sims’ Summer Festival in June.
Vocalist Laura said: ‘Being awarded the Turn It Up grant means so much – it’s a huge validation for us. It confirms there is a place for our music, and that others are not only interested in what we have to say, but that they want to support us in our development as artists. Having expert advice and guidance will help us better understand an industry that can so often feel inaccessible.’
Through Turn It Up, Pegasuses are scaling up their usual duo to a full band featuring fellow Sotonians, including Russell Marsden (Band of Skulls), who they have spent the past two years recording their debut album with in his Southampton studio. The band will perform the album in full for the first time at Turner Sims’ Summer Festival on Friday 28 June 2024 before embarking on a small tour, which will take them beyond their usual Southampton stomping ground.
Laura continued: ‘This opportunity presents a real chance for us to develop as musicians. It means we can dedicate more time and resources to our practice and build on what we’ve spent the past few years refining.’
Pegasuses describe their music as folk-based with various influences from folk, Americana and alternative genres.
Kevin Appleby, from Turner Sims, said: ‘Pegasuses’ passion and readiness to take the next step in their music career stood out in the application process. They had a clear idea of where they wanted to get to and it was evident how our support and contacts could help them reach a national platform. When they performed one of their original songs for us, we knew we’d found our first Turn It Up artists.’
More information about their festival performance can be found at turnersims.co.uk/events/summer-festival-pegasuses-turn-it-up/
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