The Wrinkly Rappers Showcase Two Original Songs at Newington Day Centre

Paul Kane, Project Manager and Music and Older People’s Manager at Oh Yeah has become a very familiar face at Newington Day Centre, having held many previous workshops and live music events for the ‘cared for’. Paul said,

‘‘We had clear goals to create new music but we also listened to what direction we should be taking things from people directly involved. We worked closely with Chip Bailey, musician and producer, and created two fabulous songs which reflect the diversity and creativity of these talented women’’.

A listening party which took place on 16th August at Newington allowed these women to come together and celebrate the music that they had created. The Wrinkly Rappers sat down for a quick catch-up up while project co-ordinators Paul Kane and Chip Bailey set up the equipment to provide an audio-visual presentation which allowed the ladies to reminisce and reflect on each step of the project. This included drum workshops, local music history, song deconstruction as well as song writing. The women unanimously agreed that the weekly workshops gave them all something special to look forward to and helped to take away the stresses of everyday life.

Margaret McCrudden, Manager at Newington said;

‘‘These type of projects are welcome at the centre as they challenge Carers to step out of their comfort zone and introduce them to new skills. Whilst learning new skills they bonded as a group supporting each other and remaining friends.’’

After the ladies listened to and discussed sound clips from each aspect of the songwriting process, the mastered tracks for Technology and Forced Exodus which were recorded in Start Together Studio in the Oh Yeah Music Centre were played. The Wrinkly Rappers quietly sang along as they proudly listened to the music they had created. One of the women commented how it was ‘‘like a miracle’’ how the songs had come into existence over the course of the project.

A final discussion from the Wrinkly Rappers and the staff at Newington Day Centre sparked from listening to the song Technology, a rebellious yet comical rap about refusing technological advancements. It was strongly felt by the women at Newington that although recently popularised software such as Zoom has its benefits, interactive and creative face-to-face collaboration is desperately needed in the current post-lockdown climate.

As Paul and Chip were packing their equipment away, Wrinkly Rapper Jean handed them a heartfelt handwritten ‘thank you’ card with a ten pound note inside so they could treat themselves to a couple of pints.

Keep on the Sunnyside was a very exciting and unique 16 week long project managed by Oh Yeah Music Centre and funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Public Health Agency and the Baring Foundation.

Lorraine Calderwood, Arts Programmes Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented,

“We know that taking part in arts activities can raise self-esteem, boost confidence and motivation, as well as help to relieve stress, loneliness worries and pain. The Arts and Older People Programme aims to increase opportunities for older people to engage in the arts and more recently, has focused on delivering arts activity within care home settings, working with residents living with dementia and their carers.”

There was an amazing enthusiasm and energy from the participants and once the door to creativity was opened ideas flowed which shaped the nature of these songs.

Charlotte Dryden, CEO of Oh Yeah, said

‘‘It never ceases to amaze me what comes out of these creative sessions with our older participants. They have life experience and a view on the world that is incredibly powerful at times. The songs that came out of this project have reflected some of the current issues that so many of us have been trying to process. ’’

Original tracks Technology and Forced Exodus by The Wrinkly Rappers are available to listen to now on Soundcloud - https://on.soundcloud.com/WYXz