An Introduction to Molesworth Records
coverpage
introduction
The Blue Mist
Darkness At Noon
The Pleasureheads
Nutmeg
Flowershop The CharlottesThe Nightjars
80's Cambs rock
(c) Andrew Clifton 2000-1
MOLESWORTH RECORDS had an unusual genesis - the East Anglian Examinations Board's CSE English language coursework requirements! Already numerous students at Sawtry Village College (since renamed Sawtry Community College) in Cambridgeshire had been involved in the school's New Leaf Records. If a class of fourth-formers (14-15 years old) took on the role of a record company, they could fulfil all the syllabus's language tasks (such as group debate, advertising, letter writing, form filling...) in a creative manner.
The class chose the name Molesworth after (1) nigel molesworth, the curse of st. custard's, and (2) RAF Molesworth in the college's catchment area. In 1984 RAF Molesworth was regularly hitting the headlines over its use as a cruise nuclear missile base. Simon Laxton designed the label's logo, based on the Willans and Searle original with a hint of Giles.
The Blue Mist, contemporaries in a different class, had already released a single on New Leaf. The class picked them as their act, and devised and signed a contract with them. They chose the best recording and manufacturing deal they could find in the music press, raised sponsorship, booked the studio, designed advertising and promotion, completed the various MCPS, PRS and PPL forms, secured distribution and mailed out the singles with their own promo packs.
The exercise was a success. Most importantly, the students produced some impressive coursework and several were upgraded to a higher qualification. The project was written up as a booklet called "Pop Into Class" for use by other centres. It was also adapted as a Music Industry Simulation for Media Studies.
Whereas New Leaf remained the College groups' label, Molesworth subsequently became a record company for Cambridgeshire indie bands.
Continue