A PAIR of young musicians have set up their own non-profit making record label after learning the necessary skills at Swindon's New College.

Alex Bridges, 20, and Sam Bates, 19, both from West Swindon, have formed San Blew Records to promote up and coming bands in the town.

Sam studied for an A-level in music technology at the Walcot sixth form college and says it gave him the skills he needs.

He and Alex say Swindon is full of great bands which are not getting the exposure they deserve. Any profit they make will go back into the business.

San Blew has already launched its first CD, a sampler with a selection of tracks from the 10 bands and artists it has so far signed. The CD came out after a successful launch party at the Zu Bar in West Swindon, where a second gig is planned for July. The label has the facilities to record live from concerts and plans to release new material after every gig.

The pair hope to emulate chart topping dance artist Daniel Bedingfield, who reached number one with the song Gotta Get Thru This, which he created on a PC in his bedroom.

Sam said: "Most of the venues for bands seem to be dominated by punk at the moment because it's popular, and while punk music is fine there is a lot more than that going on in the town that doesn't get a chance.

"The technology is so good now that people are producing music from home that sounds almost as good as professionally produced CDs.

"I think this is going to be the way forward. The technology is out there and once you know how to use it, it's fairly simple."

Merv Carswell, a music technology lecturer at New College, said: "The course that Sam did focused on the production side of music, the process in which music is made.

"Sam is a very talented guy. He's got his own style of music and is really into what he does.

"Many of the students coming on the course know that getting into the music industry is not like having a degree in maths.

"People like Sam make music purely for the love of it and not any other reason. It is people like that who tend to make it and Sam has as much chance as anyone."

If you are a musician or member of a band and would like to find out more about San Blew Records call Sam on 07734 970669.