True Intentions Band, a three-man musical group in Anguilla, with membership links with Dominica, launched their new Young Meeterz Lab Recording Studio on Tuesday, June 19.
The launch followed sponsorship assistance of EC$15,000 from Digicel, several weeks ago, to enable the band to purchase needed equipment to set up the studio.
Band Leader, Darius James, whose South Hill residence houses the studio, said it was a place “where musicians and non-musicians can gather, have fun and make some music.” He further explained that: “The whole idea of Young Meeterz Lab is to accommodate a live band which we try to do most of the time. We also do the typical production type stuff. It is different because, as our motto says, it is basically taking the stage to the studio. It means that Exodus, or any other band, can come and set up their equipment and play just how they would normally play on the stage, and I can capture everything on the computer.”
Digicel’s Corporate Sales Manager, Colwayne Pickering, said the telecommunications company had much appreciation for the music of True Intentions Band and had readily undertaken to assist the group in developing their art form. “What they played was like true to every chord, and true to what they actually wanted to do,” he stated. “We therefore decided to help to support the art form while developing the culture in Anguilla…
“This has gone beyond the borders of Anguilla and we are pleased to be associated with True Intentions Band and to have the Young Meeterz Lab in Anguilla. We applaud their professionalism and they are very true to what they believe in. Their passion and heart are in it and that is what companies, like Digicel, would like to see in people. It is not that what they are doing is for their own benefit, but they are trying to develop other people as they go along.”
Pickering added that he was pleased that the band had invited other musicians to be part of the Young Meeters Lab to do their recording there, sample some music and share ideas. “All of that is developing the culture of music here in Anguilla,and taking it to a different dimension. This is good for business, for the island, and for music on a whole.”
Parliamentary Secretary, Haydn Hughes, said the Government had been a partner with Darius and his team from the inception of the band. “We have been supportive as a Government, not only to Darius, but to the arts on a whole,” he stated. “This is because the arts offer an opportunity forAnguillato go on the world stage and to be competitive in the global environment. Good music is good music. It matters not where you are coming from whether a small island like Anguilla, a larger island like Jamaica or the United States of America. People like good music and True Intentions, no doubt, produces good music – and we all know we have a number of talented artistes here in Anguilla.”
Mr. Hughes was very happy that Digicel had undertaken to support the venture. He hoped that the Young Meeterz Lab would become one of the premiere recording studios not only inAnguillabut across the region and the world in general.
Kenroy Herbert, who is associated with True Intentions Band, commended the three musicians. He said they usually stayed long hours in the studio, he was very proud of them, and he thanked Digicel for supporting the band. “These young men are all Caribbean nationals coming together with Anguillians to produce something great,” he added.
In addition to Darius James, Leader, Drummer and Singer of the band, the other two band members are Jonathan and Dennis Warrington. They are being assisted by Shyrone Hughes, Melisa Anderson, LunsleyWebbe and Kenroy Herbert.
