STUDENTS at Edinburgh Napier University have launched a record label, giving Scottish artists a new platform to showcase their talents.
Mirror Glass Records - founded and run by 14 third-year BA (Hons) Popular Music students - unveiled its first four bands and artists on May 10.
The label's first acts include Niamhy Mac, an 18-year-old singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the remote village of Applecross in the Highlands; Edinburgh-based producer Coben; Edinburgh band Ketracel White; and Glasgow-born, Hawaii-raised artist Sacul.
All four will feature on the label’s first showcase EP which will be released later this month.
Mirror Glass Records has been set up as part of the students’ Music Industries and Entrepreneurship business module, but the aims and goals of the label are far-reaching.
The students behind the label want to redefine how a music label operates and aim to give its artists and community the voice they believe they deserve.
From supporting its artists through transparent and fair contracts, to being committed to equality among its staff, artists and events, the label is focused on doing things differently.
Anibal Ravani, a member of the label's development team, said: “Mirror Glass Records is an ethical, eclectic, new artist music label that aims to do things differently from day one.
"Led by a group of musicians and entrepreneurs from all over the world, we are committed to developing and innovating our own and our artists’ musical practice in Edinburgh.
“We’re so excited to launch the label after months of planning and we’re so proud of our four initial bands and artists – we can’t wait to help shine a spotlight on their talent.
“We want to be known as a transparent and ethical record label, involving our artists and staff in the entire process, making it as fair and as equal as we can. This is really the bedrock on which the entire label has been founded upon.
“We have a vision for Mirror Glass Records in that we want to create a community of creative professionals, firstly from within Edinburgh Napier and then further afield.
"The University, through its creative students such as those who study Graphic Design, Journalism and Film, already has this community but we want to harness this even more and help create something that all associated with the University – and hopefully many others – can be proud of.”
Dr Paul Harkins, lecturer in music, added: “I’m very proud of what this group of students have achieved over the last few months. As part of the Entrepreneurship module, we set them a task in January to plan, organise, and release an EP of music by Edinburgh Napier students.
"They have worked with energy and enthusiasm to develop a label for the University based on new and innovative ideas.
“Collaborating with students on other programmes to create a strong visual identity, they have identified some of the most exciting talent on both our undergraduate and postgraduate courses.”
The showcase EP will be released on Friday, and can be pre-saved here.
More details on Mirror Glass Records can be found at www.mirrorglassrecords.co.uk
The launch event and upcoming EP can be viewed on the label's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
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