The making of Bristol’s young musicians: In conversation with Nubaya Garcia and Next Level

The Next Level mentorship scheme catalyses the careers of young musicians in Bristol connecting them with Industry professionals and venues. Laura Dia and Ssadcharlie are in the current cohort of artists.

Similarly, Nuybaya Garcia a London-based jazz musician who has performed sell-out shows at Ronnie Scotts went through a similar program in London called Tomorrow’s Warriors, a developmental jazz program which hosts workshops and master classes for promising young talent in London.

When building your career having a community of connections, voices and peers to bounce ideas off, learn and make the most of opportunities is key. This community is what these music mentorship programs seek to create.

We spoke to Nubyaya Garcia, Laura Dia and Ssadcharlie to see the before and after of music mentorship programs.

Laura Dia and Ssadcharlie, along with the rest of the Next Level 2024 cohort, performed a festival tour across the UK, finishing with FORWARDs festival in August.

Nubaya played her set on one of the big stages on the Saturday of FORWARDs  amassing an impressive crowd despite it “literally being 4:15pm.”

Nubia Garcia told us Tomorrow’s Warriors is a “beautiful community” that she is grateful to have been a part of. Being in Bristol also means a lot to her, “Bristolians love music, the gigs always go off and the crowds are amazing.”

When asked about how music venues can help young up-and-coming musicians Nubaya told The Brisol Tab: “Give them a chance, give them a cut of the bar if you’re not sure they’ll sell tickets.” She stressed the importance of this stage in the careers of artists, one that plays “an important part in their journey as an artist.”

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When building their career, musicians need somewhere to play regularly, to see what works and learn from mistakes. It allows them “to build their own communities” and create a “trifecta of support between bands, promoters and venue owners.”

Next Level is a program supporting young artists in building their connections, skills and careers giving them access to festivals across the country and the Bristol music scene.

Laura Dia told us: “Next level allowed me to grow in confidence, giving me the space to feel like I’m supposed to be here.” And “it allowed me to network and meet amazing people, managers, photographers and videographers,” said Ssadcharlie.

Young artists, especially those from minority backgrounds often face barriers in the development of their careers as they overcome unconscious bias and judgement. Laura says “Give more credit to us,” open doors to music spaces and welcome people who don’t have connections in the music industry.

Organisations such as Next Level and Tomorrow’s Warriors open doors, “especially for gay artists like me” said Charlie who emphasised the importance of sticking newer artists on bigger stages allowing their talent to be projected onto more people.

The two Next Level artists told us the best way venues can support young musicians, is to be on the ground looking for talent and booking them. Ssadcharlie said: “Bristol is full of small artists people don’t know about.”

Speaking with both the Next Level artists and Nubaya Garcia is a testament to how developmental youth music programs can elevate already existing talent into the place they belong. It gives insight into the before and after of music mentorship programs.

When asked what they would tell their younger self Laura Dia told us: “Have more faith in yourself and speak to people, you belong here.” Ssadcharlie said: “Trust the process, nothing is meant to happen quickly.”

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