Instagram story viewer> @up2stndrd> Posts

UP2STNDRD

@up2stndrd

7K

followers

1086

following

The Latest in Scotland’s Rising Music Culture 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Studio Services - ‘BOOK NOW’ ⬇️

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

How do you build a career in music that lasts?

Kenny Barber joins us for a conversation about longevity, adaptability and making a life in music.

Free to attend. Register via link in bio.

Kenny has spent 15+ years across songwriting, artist development, publishing and rights.

We’ll hear what moving between those worlds has taught him about building a sustainable career.

Your career doesn’t have to follow one straight path.

We’re talking transferable skills, understanding the business and staying adaptable as your career develops.

Could your song work in a film, TV show or advert? 🎬

Michelle Allman-Esdaille joins us to break down how the world of sync actually works.

Free to attend. Register via link in bio.

Michelle works across sync, catalogue development and international opportunities at The HOOK Sync Group.

A chance to hear directly from someone working on the other side of the pitch.

What makes a song sync-ready?

We’ll get into the creative and practical things that can help your music get considered and why good songs sometimes get passed over.

What actually happens inside a great studio session? 🎛️

Show N Prove joins us to talk about what makes collaboration in the studio really work.

Free to attend. Register via link in bio.

Show N Prove has spent years in rooms with artists across hip-hop, grime, R&B and pop, Afro beats & more.

This one is about what he’s learned from actually making records.

Good sessions are about more than technical ability.

We’re talking preparation, trust, chemistry, developing ideas and getting through the moments when creativity stalls.

Ready to take your music beyond Scotland? 🌍

Amber Oosthuyzen joins us to talk international collaboration and how relationships across different music scenes actually begin.

Free to attend. Register via link in bio.

Amber is co-founder of Beatcave, bringing artists, songwriters and producers together through writing camps and creative exchange.

We’ll hear what she’s learned from building those connections across borders.

Going international is about more than getting on a plane.

We’re talking genuine relationships, writing camps, entering new markets and understandin by @up2stndrd

24

7

17 days ago

What happens before the breakthrough?

The writing sessions. The creative risks. The connections, collaborations and spaces that give artists room to develop.

We spoke to creative producer, artist manager and festival booker @mobo_aji about building creative communities, genuine artist development and creating opportunities that connect artists, writers and producers across scenes, cities and countries.

From @up2stndrd to @pitchscotland, Mobo shares why the future of music isn’t just about where the industry is now, it’s about where culture is moving next.

🎧 Read the full conversation on our blog. taken in Glasgow, United Kingdom by @up2stndrd

192

76

2 months ago

You don’t need to have a deal on the table to start understanding deals. 👀

Our next The Shift guest is music lawyer Nick Ezefula, Partner at Simkins LLP.

Thursday 20 August | 6PM | Online | FREE
🔗 Register via the link in bio.

Whether record, publishing, management and distribution agreements. Nick is experienced in helping artists, writers, managers and music businesses understand and negotiate the deals in front of them.

Thursday 20 August | 6PM | Online | FREE
🔗 Register via the link in bio.

Even if this doesn’t feel relevant yet, come listen. Lawyers don’t just step in when things go wrong. They can help shape deals and understand what opportunities exist at different stages of a career.

Thursday 20 August | 6PM | Online | FREE
🔗 Register via the link in bio.

Good music is the start. What are you building around it? 👀

Our next The Shift guest is artist manager Denise Allan, Director of 677 Media Management.

Monday 7th September | 6PM | Online | FREE
🔗 Register via the link in bio.

Denise has over 20 years of experience in artist development and management, from helping guide Glasvegas from their early stages to international success to working with emerging Scottish artists today.

Monday 7th September | 6PM | Online | FREE
🔗 Register via the link in bio.

Still figuring out what your artist identity actually is? Perfect.
You don’t need to arrive with everything worked out.

Monday 7th September | 6PM | Online | FREE
🔗 Register via the link in bio.

One opportunity is great. How do you turn it into momentum? 📈

Our next The Shift guest is music strategist and consultant Yaw Owusu.

Thursday 17 September | 6PM | Online | FREE
🔗 Register via the link in bio.

Yaw’s work centres on creating long-term development pathways for artists and music professionals, including work across POWER UP, LIMF Academy and BLK SCL.

Thursday 17 September | 6PM | Online | FREE
🔗 Register via the link in bio.

You don’t need a perfect five-year plan. Come with where you’re at and leave with a clearer idea of what you could be building towards.

Thursday 17 September | 6PM | Online | FREE by @up2stndrd

13

0

2 months ago

The first three guests are here. 👀

We’re kicking off The Shift with conversations on A&R, songwriting and publishing, featuring professionals working across Warner Chappell Music, Hen Hoose and Rightsbridge.

Real experience. Practical advice. Space to ask questions.

Free to attend.

🔗 Register via the link in bio. 📈 by @up2stndrd

37

1

3 months ago

The full programme is here. 📅

Register for the full series or join the sessions that matter most to you.

🔗 Link in bio. by @up2stndrd

18

3

3 months ago

Introducing THE SHIFT ↔️ 12 free online workshops.

For artists, producers, songwriters, managers and music practitioners across Scotland & beyond.

First session coming soon.

🔗 Register via the link in bio.

Delivered by UP2STNDRD - Supported through @creativescots & @youthmusicuk by @up2stndrd

46

1

3 months ago

Applications are now open for the first songwriting camp within our new programme of activity, Black Music Beyond Borders.

In collaboration with Up2Stndrd, Generator will support North East-based artists working in Black music to attend a songwriting camp in Glasgow from 18–20 August.

Apply by 24 July at generator.org.uk by @up2stndrd

82

3

3 months ago

Scotland’s music scene is full of talent
… but talent needs infrastructure to grow.

Meet Sami Omar 🤝

In our interview with Sami, founder & creative director of @up2stndrd, he shares how they’re building routes for emerging artists through studio access, artist development, writing camps, sync opportunities, radio exposure and publishing support.

From breaking down regional silos to creating writing camp links across Toronto, Paris and Scotland, UP2STNDRD is focused on helping artists build careers without having to leave Scotland to succeed.

Check out the interview via our bio, to learn more about all the important work Sami and the team are doing ⛓️‍💥 taken in Glasgow, United Kingdom by @up2stndrd

84

7

5 months ago

🚨 UP2 OPEN SESSIONS 🚨

We’re opening up the studio.

Bringing together producers , singers, songwriters, rappers & instrumentalists to create new music together.

💡 Meet new collaborators
🤝 Build genuine creative relationships
🎶 Create something entirely new
🚀 Explore future sync & placement opportunities

Wether you’ve been creating solo or collaboratively — we want to hear from you.

Open to all genres.

Let’s elevate, together. 📈

🔗 Apply via the link in bio by @up2stndrd

3

11

4 months ago

UP2STNDRD x SUNNY GOVAN x 644 STUDIOS – SCOTTISH HIP HOP BURSARY 2026 🔥

UP2STNDRD, in partnership with Sunny Govan, 644 Studios, and Creative Scotland, is bringing back the Scottish Hip Hop Bursary for 2026.

We’re offering grants of up to £1,500 to support Scottish Hip Hop artists, producers, DJs, dancers, writers, beatboxers, filmmakers, photographers, designers, organisers, and culture-builders who are putting real work into the scene.

Applications open soon – full details and guidance drop Monday 11 May 2026 at www.sunnyg.org

We’ll also be running open support sessions for anyone who wants to find out more or get help with their application:
📍 Breakin’ Convention – Saturday 23 May
📍 Sunny Govan – the following week
Keep your eyes on UP2STNDRD, Sunny Govan, 644 Studios, and partner channels for updates. 👀 by @up2stndrd

86

1

5 months ago

You CAN build a thriving creative career without leaving Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

On 24th April in Aberdeen, we’re bringing creatives together for “Making It Where You Are”.

The event will feature a special panel, focusing on building sustainable careers locally.

Here is the incredible group of panelists:
🔸SAMI OMAR - UP2STNDRD @up2stndrd
🔸ANA-MARIA GHEORGHE - Jazz Scotland
🔸ADEDEJI EKUNDAYO @wolfofaberdeen - Raven AfriKulture @ravenafrikulture
🔸COLLIN HILLS - Panel Moderator, Be United’s Creative Director

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your creative practice, this is a space to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and connect with others building their careers right here.

📍 Aberdeen, Lime Reserve @the_lime_reserve
📅 24th April
🎟️ Click the link in our bio to get your FREE ticket! They are selling fast!

Check out our website for more information!

#AberdeenCreatives #CreativeCareers #ScotlandCreatives #CreativeCommunity taken in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK by @up2stndrd

107

6

6 months ago

UP2LIVE S1 E8 – AjForty7⁠
⁠
Part 2- TAKEOVER⁠
⁠
OUT NOW🌟⁠
⁠
This isn't just Rap. This is culture, live.⁠
-⁠
-⁠
#ScottishHiphop #ajforty7⁠
#livebandmusic #UP2STNDRD #UP2LIVE #Glasgow #ScottishRap #LiveRendition⁠ by @up2stndrd

95

12

10 months ago