Neil is in a band with his 77 year old grandad Ken - Ken and Neil McDonnell. Playing 50s and 60s rock and roll. They’ve already made three albums in their first two years. Ken is a tough creative lead and has a clear vision of how he wants audio, image etc. for the band. He is motivated to be productive while he ‘still has his faculties’. Ken gave Neil his first guitar when he was 10, and ever since they’ve been jamming at family gatherings. There is a band with a parrot singer called Hatebeak. Chat about ALL the Black Sabbath covers bands - Mac Sabbath, Bat Sabbath, Zakk Sabbath. The joy of playing music together and bonding with your family. Big up Card Trick Music. Ken loves sending ideas for songs over WhatsApp, he doesn’t stop thinking about music and lyrics. Ken does not eat Werther’s Original, he still has too much to do in his life. Neil also plays ice hockey, for Chelmsford Reapers, but is a very gentle soul. Ken is also a very chilled guy. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles chat. Batman chat. Will Ken and Neil ever play a gig? Probably not. Ken has mostly been playing music for himself his whole life, apart from one song at Butlins. Nick has a good story about Stephen Mulhern. We talk about Take That, Clacton Butlins, Chelmsford Spectacular, Eurovision, Pitbull. Creating a digital record of older generations, recording songs and stories to listen to in the future. Neil’s Mum is deaf, and he loves that she can feel the vibrations of bass when he plays. Adelle’s picture has been on Lorraine for the Trans Is Human campaign - we're not worthy!

Ken and Neil on Instagram
Ken and Neil on Spotify

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Thanks to NGDA for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

What does an art director do? They make things look nice! Having visual ideas, organising photoshoots, video, social media, layouts, typography, Ben even designed the HEAT Magazine logo…. Ooooo! Telling the story visually is essential. The features editor will assign a celebrity and a small time frame to shoot images for the magazine. The art director has to have ideas, and arrange the photography shoot. A creative director will lead people on their team to come up with great ideas. How do you ask celebrities to do crazy things for photos on set? Working with Alan Carr and making silly photos. Finding a way to visually achieve things on a small budget - the DIY attitude - learned from skateboarding. Constraints make the best work. What do you do when a celebrity turns up and says NO to the ideas? How do you get 30 celebrities in the same picture at the National Television Awards? Ben thrives from pressure and short deadlines. Fixing photoshoots that didn’t go so well. Ben loves AI, any tool that allows him to create and experiment. Working with Katie Price is always fun. Navigating selects and approvals for photos on set. Ben wanted to be a musician and his band Elemental Child supported Oasis at Chelmsford Army & Navy! WOW! His school didn’t really encourage art, but he heard about Art College and did a Foundation Course. A great creative time in his life - the art foundation opens up opportunities to learn about all creative and arts disciplines - its a sandbox. A great place to meet other artists and creatives. Putting a giant Monster Munch in formaldehyde for art. Dealing with impostor syndrome as you progress in your career. Back-filling your artistic reasons for making something that looks good. Creatively hacking a final dissertation to do less work. Stick a horse on it! Being told ‘go create’ is the most amazing thing. Having self-belief but staying humble. Challenging yourself and thinking your best work is still ahead of you. Embracing AI in creativity. Nick and Ben LOVE AI! Using AI to make pottery. Being lied to by AI.

Ben on Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos

Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

Furniture maker. Cabinet maker. Just don’t call him a carpenter! What does it all mean? Jim started out making cabinets next to Liam Howlett from The Prodigy’s house… that’s like Essex’s answer to Buckingham Palace surely! Jim started his creative journey polishing furniture, and then learned more about how to make it. When do you know you are ready to set up on your own and become self-employed? Applying craft, skills and unique materials to create bespoke cabinets on massive budgets for wealthy people. Jim also makes art from wood. Usually by identifying potential in knotted wood offcuts. He makes skulls from black walnut. Finding faces in ‘hairy’ wood. Jim built the bars at Hot Box and Radio City Social in Chelmsford, and even made beer pump handles from old skateboards. Jim made some hardwood skateboards at school. He went to art college for a bit, but it wasn’t for him. He made skateboard ramps and half pipes growing up. Jim’s favourite wood is Black Walnut. He loves the smell of Cedar - proving that he is not a moth. Celebrity trees from classic paintings. Growing interesting patterns in wood grain with mycelium. AND Sangita won a Panic Award for community spirit! Big up Queen Sangita!

Jim Rands on Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos

Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK