Enfield schoolboy,15, through to final stages of major music competition
3:08pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Where I Live By Hermione Wright
A 15-year-old schoolboy who set up a band a month ago is through to the final stages of a major music competition.
Matthew Morrell, of Ordnance Road, in Enfield Lock, formed the rock band, Art of the State, in January with three friends.
The boys, aged 14 to 15, who have been friends for five years, are through to the regional finals of the Live and Unsigned competition, which will be judged on March 11.
Matthew’s mother, Melissa, said: “I couldn’t believe it when they got through - they’ve only been together for a month.
“It is really nice that they are doing something productive rather than getting involved in gangs.”
The band members have written four of their own songs and are currently making their first EP.
Matthew, who is studying for his GCSEs at Enfield Oasis Academy, in Mollison Avenue, has also started teaching bass to young people.
The winner of the Live and Unsigned competition will perform at the Live Fest music festival at The 02 Arena and will receive £20,000 for publicity and investment.
Matthew and his fellow band members, Hayden Miller, Cameron Sanderson and Sam Huntley, from Hertfordshire, will compete against 100 other finalists next month at The Beck Theatre, in Hayes, Middlesex.
