Ashford is fast becoming a hotspot for live music, a place where young artists take centre stage.
With regular gigs and open mic nights at venues like Coachworks and The Glass House, plus events such as the Create Music Village festival, local musicians, including our students, have plenty of opportunities to perform live.
We visited our onsite recording studio to catch up with two of our Level 3 Music Performance and Production students to hear them play, learn more about their course and check out the facilities that help them grow as musicians.
Luke and Harry met in 2024 when they began the Level 3 Music Performance and Production course. At EKC Ashford College, we encourage students to play together and form bands, helping them build confidence, and even progress into paid gig work. Now regular collaborators, the aspiring producers often perform together, with Luke on drums and Harry on guitar.
Luke Knight | Drummer
Luke has been passionate about music for as long as he can remember, he dreams of working for a live music venue. Throughout his time at school, Luke always had a love for creative subjects. After trying out Sixth Form for a year Luke decided he wanted to specialise in Music Production and joined us at EKC Ashford College.
Quick fire questions
Top artist right now: Radiohead
Favourite song right now: When It Doesn’t Start With A Kiss by Armand Hammer
Dream collaboration: Yeat, his style matches my sound
I wish I wrote this song: Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
One word to scare Music students: Mastering
Headphones or Speakers? Definitely headphones
Studio or Stage? Studio
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
Advice for beginners: Trust your ears!
We asked Luke a few questions about his College experience. Here is what he told us.
What’s your favourite thing about the Music course?
My favourite thing about the course is the access to the recording studio. I think the studio is a really important tool for developing your skills as a musician, especially if you’re interested in recording, mixing, and mastering.
That’s something I’ve developed during my time here. The studio also gives you a lot of creative freedom because you have access to a wide range of instruments. You can practise instruments you’re not as confident with or rehearse and perform with instruments you’re already strong at.
What kind of support do you get to grow as an artist and musician at EKC Ashford College?
There’s a lot of support to help you grow as a musician. You can really build strong foundations in music through rehearsing, recording, and experimenting with your sound.
My lecturers are very helpful and really supportive. If I ever have a problem, they’re quick to step in and help resolve it. They’re always willing to support you and help you move forward.
What equipment do you have access to at EKC Ashford College?
We have access to a wide range of equipment. There are iMac computers where we can produce music using Logic and other DAW software.
We also have a professional recording studio with a control room, which allows us to mix and improve our own music, as well as record live using the instruments in the live room. Having access to both production and recording spaces really helps you develop your skills.
Harry Wodehouse | Guitarist
Dreaming of producing tracks for successful bands, Harry chose Music because it’s where he feels most at home, with an instrument in hand. One of his favourite parts of studying at EKC Ashford College is collaborating with other students and bringing new tracks to life.
Quick fire questions
Top artist right now: Megadeth
Favourite song right now: 5 Minutes Alone by Pantera
Dream collaboration: Metallica, they are my favourite thrash metal band!
I wish I wrote this song: Jeremy by Pearl Jam
One word to scare Music students: Equalisation aka EQ
Headphones or Speakers? Definitely speakers
Studio or Stage? Studio
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
Advice for beginners: Don’t let anyone else tell you what to play
We asked Harry a few questions about his College experience. Here is what he told us.
What’s your favourite thing about your Music course?
My favourite thing about the course is being able to do things I couldn’t do before, like playing with other musicians and creating music together. Having access to an amazing recording studio with a proper console, desk, instruments, amps, and especially a full drum kit is incredible.
It’s also having the time and freedom to work with other students and create music that I’m genuinely proud of. When I did Music GCSE at school, I didn’t feel like I had that freedom. We didn’t have this kind of equipment, and I wasn’t spending all my time on music. Now that I’m here, it feels amazing to finally do what I’ve always wanted to.
What’s something cool you’ve learned on the course?
One of the coolest things I’ve learned is about the technology side of music, which I didn’t know much about before. Things like mixing, EQ, effects, compression, and how they all work in software like Logic, which is what we mainly use here.
It’s really cool to understand the process behind some of my favourite music and see what actually goes into making it sound the way it does.
How does College compare to school?
College is all about freedom. At school, you have to study lots of different subjects and can’t fully focus on the one you really care about. Here, it feels relaxed and creative.
You can work with other people, play with other musicians, and collaborate instead of working on your own all the time. College gives you the chance to really focus on one skill and develop it properly, and that freedom makes a huge difference.
If you know a young musician waiting to be discovered, EKC Ashford College is the place. With our outstanding facilities and lecturers who currently work in the music industry, your young person will be in the right place to thrive.
Join us at our next Open Day to explore the phenomenal recording studio and discover how our students record, produce, and perfect their sound.