Jonathan Deamer

So: a quiet Saturday, and nothing to write about. Why don’t I share a bit of music gossip from here in Liverpool? No-one else online seems to have picked up on this yet, and it’s more interesting than most of the Lily Allen trivia that’s been passing for music news the past couple of days. I’m completely sympathetic to her recent loss, but since when is “girl goes shoe-shopping” news-worthy?

Anyways, a recent announcement at the Paul McCartney-founded “fame school” (as us students there hate calling it) Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) confirmed that Travis frontman Fran Healy is going to be teaming up with the Institute to release an EP of his favourite up-and-coming artists currently honing their craft there.

Scheduled to see the light of day this summer, it will be the third edition of the Institute’s yearly digital compilation, which has previously been curated by Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. The 2006 collection showcased an early track from former LIPA students (and now chart stars) The Wombats, so if Healy’s A&R skills are any good the release may be indicative of the next big thing. If by “next big thing” you really mean “next Liverpool act to get played ad nauseum on the Chris Moyles show and feature in a pointless Capital of Culture ceremony“.

Fran’s faves will also play a showcase at another industry event going on in Merseyside later this year. A bit of speculation though: will Travis turn up to gig alongside them, hmmm? They’ll no doubt be gearing up for the release of their sixth album by then, and could probably do with all the press they can get – Selfish Jean didn’t exactly set the world alight, did it?

OK, I know that was mean – I’m just not the biggest Travis fan in the world. But congrats to all the students involved; it’s quite a coup, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed the previous LIPA Records releases.