MA Commercial Songwriting and Production student Eileen Nash has signed her first publishing deal with friend of Tileyard Education’s, Saint in The City Records.
Congratulations on the deal, could you tell us how it came about?
Thank you so much! It came about in stages – I first worked with Ed Heaton (one of the founders of Saint in The City Records) at the songwriting camp in Yorkshire last August. After that, Ed reached out with an opportunity to write together again. I was lucky enough to get Ed as my mentor through the MA Songwriting program, and he’s been absolutely incredible with his advice, and been so generous with his time. We started speaking about the potential of signing a couple songs during that time, and once the contract came through, Ed took me through the entire thing step by step so I knew exactly what the terms were and what I was signing.
Had you of Saint in The City before studying at Tileyard?
I hadn’t, but I’ve learned so much about them since – they are an international record label who represent artists over the world, and recently hit 100 million streams for the artists on Spotify! I’ve been lucky enough to speak to some of their artists and I’m consistently floored by the quality of songs they release.
Can you tell us a bit about your project and your story before Tileyard?
I was trained in classical singing and musical theatre as a child and then moved into acting by getting my BA at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Singing and creating was something that I did consistently, but I didn’t know how it could realistically turn into a career. I’d heard of Tileyard Studios, but didn’t know about the Masters program that was offered. I was feeling pretty lost during lockdown, and decided to go on the public songwriting camp for Yorkshire as a little mental health break, because I figured being surrounded by music would be good for me. It was there that I met the wonderful Harry Leckstein, who told us all about the MA program and it was like a light bulb went off. Since coming to Tileyard, it feels like everything has aligned. I am exactly where I should be, and doing exactly what I’m meant to be doing. I’m beyond grateful for every opportunity we’ve been given and for the absolutely incredible class of 2022, who may just be the best group of people I’ve ever met in my life.
How do you feel your time at Tileyard Education afforded you this opportunity?
Without trying to sound dramatic (so of course, this will sound dramatic) Tileyard completely changed my life. I wouldn’t have known about the possibility of building a career as a songwriter without Tileyard, their lecturers, their curriculum and students. The public camp in August was my first exposure to the idea – then, getting Ed as my mentor through the MA gave me an incredible opportunity to keep in touch with him and speak about deals like this. Without the Tileyard camps and program (and of course Ed Heaton!), I don’t know where I’d be.
Do you have any advice for students present and future?
Collaborate with everyone, and celebrate each other’s wins. We just got back from our final songwriting camp and I was astounded by the calibre of talent in our year. I can’t believe it took me this long to work with some of my peers, but now that we have there are so many future projects and ideas in the works. It’s really exciting. Existing in a community of musicians is a rare and beautiful thing, so get everything out of it that you can.
Are there any future projects you want to plug?
I’m going to be releasing my first album under my artist alias ‘Oakley Riot’ this year. Oakley Riot is a rebrand I’ve created with the support of my mentor, and pulls inspiration from the ‘Riot Grrrl’ movement in the eighties, as well as paying homage to the Stonewall riots in ’69 (and specifically the play ‘Riot Act’ by Alexis Gregory.) I’m also thrilled to be joining Saint in The City Records as an A&R representative, so I’ll be focusing on that exciting venture next! I’m so grateful to Ed Heaton and Dan Pearson for the amazing opportunity.
