Meeting Tim Rice-Oxley at Battle

A young musician has spoken of her amazing experience being mentored by Keane star Tim Rice-Oxley.
24/10/14- Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley gives advice and guidance to Will Pollard- part of Battle Festival.  Will Pollard is the grandson of popular local man Derek Norcross. SUS-141024-13120900124/10/14- Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley gives advice and guidance to Will Pollard- part of Battle Festival.  Will Pollard is the grandson of popular local man Derek Norcross. SUS-141024-131209001
24/10/14- Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley gives advice and guidance to Will Pollard- part of Battle Festival. Will Pollard is the grandson of popular local man Derek Norcross. SUS-141024-131209001

Elise Brontosaurus was one of eight acts to be chosen by Tim for an hour long mentoring session as part of Battle Arts Festival.

The one-to-ones took place at the Almonry in Battle High Street last Friday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Elise, writing on her blog, spoke of how Keane were a huge influence on her decision to play the piano.

She said: “When Tim advertised a contest for young songwriters—the prize being an hour-long mentoring session with him—it would have been a crime not to try for it.

“When I found out I’d been selected… I had to lie face-down on the carpet for a while before I could explain to my friend why I was having a spontaneous meltdown. It was too surreal.

The hour went by very quickly. Tim is incredibly good looking and even more so in person. I was nervous—I can’t even think of any other event in my life wherein I was even in the neighbourhood of how anxious I felt this morning.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I received honest criticism about my work (its full potential is undermined by it being under-produced and under-worked).

“He had two pages of notes on my song. He is the sweetest.

“I just want to lie in my bed and sob. My feet might not touch the ground for days. My ego is basically Hindenburg pre-explosion.

Later in the evening, there was a Q & A session with promoters (Melting Vinyl and BBC Introducing). They explained how to make it as a starting musician/band in this day and age—that is, an era where everything is done via Internet and music is expected to be free.

“They gave some pretty solid advice for bands who already have an established fan base (not me). Still, there was a good takeaway message: get out and play. Play, and make sure to really connect with those who want to listen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I went back to see Tim after the Q & A to thank him. He wished me luck and told me to send him my new stuff. He told me Keane likely wouldn’t be touring for a while… but that with any luck Mt. Desolation, his other band, might be playing a few shows soon. I mostly nodded my head like an idiot while drowning in those scintillating blue eyes.”

Related topics: