Local band Halfway to Nowhere – made up of pupils from Pates and Archway - have made it to the national finals of Music for Youth, the world’s largest music competition for young people. Megan Betterton, a student at High School for Girls, Demark Road, found out more …

Halfway to Nowhere are an up and coming rock band from Cheltenham who are one of nine bands to have made it to the national finals of the world’s largest music competition for young people,Music for Youth. Over time they have built up support through their gigs at 2Pigs in Cheltenham and other venues such as Subtone. They competed in Birmingham in March at the regional heats which included 40,000 musicians nationwide and on the 11th of July are going to compete in the national finals. Here, George McNulty, the bands lead guitarist, talks about competing in the regional heats, the band’s song writing inspirations, the kind of musical support offered in Gloucestershire and more.

Halfway to Nowhere are:
Pat Hession-Young – Lead Vocal
George McNulty – Lead Guitar
Fintan Gleeson – Bass Guitar
Joe Lumley - Drums

1) How old are you?

I’m 15. We are all 15 in the band.

2) Where do you all go to school?

Myself, Patrick and Joe all go to Pates Grammar School, Fintan goes to Archway School

3) How would you describe your music?

Our music is a blend of contemporary and classic rock. We write hard hitting guitar riffs mixing with clean stripped down verses. We try to capture a crowd with a memorable chorus.

4) What made you want to be in a band?

I always wanted to be a musician – I think we all did. The prospect of playing to ten thousand people is our equivalent of the dream of becoming a footballer. Like becoming a footballer, it will take a huge amount of determination and effort to actually fulfil that dream – it’s not something that will happen overnight.

5) What bands or musicians inspired you or inspire you now?

We take inspiration from our current favourite bands such as ‘Lower Than Atlantis’ and ‘Arcane Roots’. I think rock music is in the process of undergoing some dramatic changes, and we want to be a part of that movement.

6) Do you write your own songs? If so how do you get inspiration?

Our current set contains about eight original songs and two covers – which we give our own spin. Usually inspiration will come from a guitar riff or chord sequence and then we can build a song around that, vocal melodies and lyrics are usually written last. Lyrics can be inspired by what’s annoying us most at the moment!

7) How did you learn music? (In and/or out of school?)

Although I play guitar in the band, my first instrument was the drums. I was given a toy drumkit at 2, teaching myself until I had lessons from about age 10, taking Grade 8 Rockschool in 2014. I learned violin in school and am currently studying for my Grade 8 ABRSM (out of school). I taught myself guitar from about 7 and am now having guitar lessons (again out of school). I like to try different instruments and can play a bit of bass guitar and find my way around a piano if needed!

8) Is there anything you wish you were told when you were younger that might have helped you get further today in your music?

I feel very blessed with the opportunities I have had to pursue music, but I do feel that a big factor reiterated by parents and teachers is to “have a plan B”. I wish I was told to pursue a career as a musician and die trying.

9) What’s the most enjoyable and least enjoyable part of being in a band?

Live shows are great for us, the buzz when being on stage seeing people sing your own lyrics back to you is surreal. Band politics can be a bit painful! Decisions have to be made and arguments happen, but that’s part of being in a band and the ability to get through that is the test of how well the band glues together – like a marriage really.

10) How did you end up entering the regional heat in Birmingham

I knew Music For Youth from my experience as part of Pates Orchestra (who entered last year) and GYJO (Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra) who entered this year (and have also reached the national finals). We noticed a rock pop and urban category on the MFY website and thought it would be a good experience for us, so we entered online.

11) Did you know there was a regional heat in Cheltenham? If so why did you decide to go to Birmingham?

Unlike the Orchestra and Jazz categories, which have a heat in Cheltenham, the Rock Pop and Urban (RPU) category has only 5 heats around the country. We chose Birmingham as it was closest, and travelled up on the day. We all really enjoyed the experience though – and I think you can claim travel expenses if you are struggling to afford to get there.

12) Do you feel that music helped or hindered you through school?

At my school the focus is very much on academics although the music department itself is fantastic and has helped me very much with music recordings, exams and practice. For example, they bought a Mac with Logic for the school music studio, which was great.

13) What’s been most valuable to you in the whole of your music education?

Definitely the opportunity to play with great musicians – in my school orchestras and jazz bands, and also in GYJO – it constantly raises your game.

14) Is there anything missing from music education in Gloucestershire today?

I think there is great support for classical and jazz music, but it would be nice to see a bit more support for rock. I can’t help but notice that the people who are supporting under 18’s rock music in Gloucestershire are pubs and clubs like Subtone and 2Pigs who have been brilliant with us. Maybe there should be a battle of the bands at the Gloucester Guildhall?

Find Halfway to Nowhere on Facebook.
We wish the band all the best for the competition.

Interview by Megan Betterton, a student at High School for Girls, Denmark Road - as part of her work experience with Make Music Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire Music.