Mixtape: Paving the way for young people in the music industry

Meet Granton Youth’s musical initiative

By Amelia Boag McGlynn

Shoreline Sessions (Mixtape Music Club)

The music industry is famed for its unattainability. Young people are often deprived of opportunities to break onto the stage and faced with countless obstacles along the way. However, this doesn't have to always be the case. Meet Granton Youth, an open access, supportive space in Edinburgh that believes in the value of every young person.

Granton Youth was created in consultation with young people in North Edinburgh, seeking to provide a “holistic programme to support local young people and their families, offering practical, emotional and social support through facilitation, empowerment and challenge – across the various projects and services we offer – to increase participation and reduce social isolation.”

Their relaxed, open access environment ensures a safe space for young people aged 11+ to explore relevant health, emotional, social and mental issues. As a group, they offer youth work, street work, informal learning, counselling, mentoring, volunteering, and family work. One of their offered practices is Mixtape, which started as songwriting workshops in 2018, By November 2020, Mixtape had been born, offering “open access introduction to playing, singing, songwriting and performing for young people aged 11+.”

I spoke to Ryan from Granton Youth about what Mixtape entails, and what it can offer to young people keen to venture into the music industry:

“Our ‘Mixtape’ music project brings young people together, creates meaningful connections between themselves and staff, and helps young people become more rounded individuals through a focus on music.

With secured funding and donations, we have been able to source good quality musical instruments and recording equipment, as well as the tutelage from, and guest speaking by, those working within the music industry.”

Kayus Bankole of multiple Mercury Prize winning band Young Fathers recently guest tutored at Mixtape, calling the atmosphere “electrifying”, speaking of “the clear synergy between young people and staff”.

Young artists are constantly offered live experiences within the UK music industry, as well as oppurtunities to create, produce and release their own original work. Ryan explained:

“Some have played major festivals and sold out prestigious venues around the UK, and multiple young people have been featured on BBC Introducing/Radio 1.The project recently concluded its fifth semester at the start of August 2025 with a week’s visit to an industry standard recording studio (Mark Morrow Audio) where they made their fifth compilation album comprising ALL original songs.”

NXNW gig

Ryan shared some of his personal thoughts on Mixtape’s success:

“My favourite thing about Mixtape is seeing how supportive young people are of each other, the more seasoned attendee's always take the time to show new people the ropes and explain how the group runs - and ensure no one is left behind. It is this ethos that is seeping through to the youth music scene in Edinburgh - where the young bands and artists who have come through the project are playing and attending each other's live shows and building a real community of their own.”

He continued, explaining the importance of Mixtape’s accessibility and inclusivity:

“The club is a space for everyone and whilst we have young people making a real success of writing, recording, and playing music - I also have young people who just like the community the group provides, and want to jump about on space-hoppers singing songs about cheese. The club is for both of them, and we would never want it to become some sort of elitist thing.

The fact our entire provision is free and so many young people have now picked up their first instrument, written and recorded their first song, and played their first live show because of us, ALL without having to pay for any of it out of their own pockets is, I think, a pretty beautiful thing.”

Mixtape has produced some stirring new acts in the Edinburgh music scene. I caught up with Silenced Blue (@silenced_blue_band), a six-piece band who formed through GY’s Mixtape initiative. The young group, with members aged 16-21, have released two singles this year, and have an EP on the way, blending genres like indie rock to dreamy pop. I wanted to know what GY meant to them in this exciting era of their career as a band:

“All of our members met through Granton Youth, and not only have they created a multitude of opportunities for us to grow as musicians and as people, but they have also allowed us to share our passion for music with like-minded people in Edinburgh.”

Silenced Blue’s affiliation with GY has opened some impressive doors for them this year, with notable gigs like opening for Alice from Swim School at the Fruitmarket and playing at the Carnegie Hall as part of the Outwith Festival. They also have an upcoming slot at PJ Molloys.

Silenced Blue are going places – and they owe their start to GY. Lead singer Alba had this to say:

“We are eternally grateful for what Granton Youth have done for us, and for all young people who are wanting to adventure into the music industry.”

Abe Olivier (@abemakesmusic) is another Mixtaper of note. At age 16, they have just released their first single “Face Again”, drawing their indie rock inspirations from icons like Lucy Dacus, Weezer and Basement. I talked to them about their experience with Granton Youth:

“I started at Granton Youth last year and since then I’ve become a lot more confident in my songwriting and general musical skill. It’s also helped me an immeasurable amount with getting gigs, studio recording sessions and releasing music. To be totally honest, without GY I would still be playing songs in my room to nobody because I was so scared of putting myself out there. “

Abe also urged other young artists to get involved:

“I can’t recommend Mixtape and Granton Youth as a whole for anyone looking get into music or even just get out of their shell!”

Countless other young people from GY’s Mixtape have made ripples across Edinburgh’s packed music scene through the support, guidance and opportunities provided by GY. Their work continues to uplift musical youth and has created some bright stars of the future. Keep your eyes peeled – who knows where these young people will going next!

More information about Granton Youth and their Mixtape initiative can be accessed via their website.

North Edinburgh Community Festival