'Superstar' by The Tenmours, commissioned by China Global Television Network (CGTN), recently aired in 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics documentary 'One Dream'. A network of Leeds Conservatoire graduates and students were involved in the writing, producing, recording and performance of the track.
We spoke to The Tenmours' Alex Johnston-Seymour (BA Popular Music graduate and current MA Music Student) about this fantastic opportunity, the recording process and the track itself.
Can you tell us a little bit about how the opportunity came about to create a track for a documentary on Chinese TV?
Alex Johnston-Seymour with Chuchu Zou, 2nd left, and her masters student friends in 2018.
When busking, I met so many people who shaped my career and life, including my band manager, my current boss at Strada Music Agency, and a group of students, including Chuchu Zou, who asked me to feature in a busking documentary they were filming for their master's course.
Recently, Chuchu messaged me and explained how she is now working for CGTN and would like me to make some music for 'One Dream', a Chinese Documentary about the 2022 Winter Olympics.
I am currently busy with music teaching, Strada and my MA Music course, but I was keen to take the opportunity!
You had a really quick turnaround - how did your Leeds Conservatoire network help you deliver the track in time?
The CGTN team requested a portfolio of my work, and chose one of the songs which my friend and Leeds Conservatoire Songwriting graduate, Nick Kossifou wrote. They loved the song but asked me to rewrite the lyrics to fit the Winter Olympics theme. It was a VERY tight deadline. I had six days to send over the completed assortment of files, and the show aired two days after!
We recorded the track at Yellow Arch Studios, with producer and MA Music student David Haynes. We also used Leeds Conservatoire graduate Tom Wright's drum studio.
Can you tell us a little bit about the style of the track and how it was adapted to fit the needs of the documentary?
The track uses some relatively advanced musical ideas, yet doesn't sound overly complex. Chuchu very helpfully sent over the documentary footage to inspire the music and lyrics. I kept the tone and mood of the lyrics very positive and optimistic, which helped build an exciting and uplifting feeling in support of the Winter Olympics.
Can you tell us a little bit about your band, The Tenmours? Where did you meet, and what inspires you to keep making music together?
The Tenmours formed at the conservatoire in 2013, with just Ross Tennant (fiddle) and myself (guitar and voice). We played at the Gala Concert, got a minor deal and did a bit of the folk circuit.
We grew, and by 2017 Adam Hopkins (a fellow Leeds Conservatoire graduate) had joined with the Cajon and backing vocals. We were touring with folk Legend Shelagh McDonald, became friends with Jon Gomm and Jonny Walker, supported Maddy Prior, and negotiated a deal with BMG.
Ross left in 2017, and Aninka Rosa is now our fiddle player. Both Adam and I have grown as friends, writers and people, and we have the conservatoire to thank for bringing us together and giving us the tools to be masters of our own lives and profession.
Do you have anything lined up for 2022 that you can share with us?
Unfortunately COVID cancelled our 2020 first European tour supporting Italian rock band, 'Sbandou', but we recently played a comeback concert headlining at the New Skipton Town Hall.
We have become environmental activists, doing an exclusive video on COP26tv (with David Haynes). We are planning a tour in October as well as monthly performances, and welcome any further bookings for the year ahead.
