ASPIRING musicians are being given a chance to have their live performances recorded and filmed for free by students at a college specialising in the creative industries.

SAE Oxford is calling for the city's local bands, musicians and singer-songwriters to sign up to perform in one of its new 'Live Lounge' sessions.

The college, based in Littlemore, which offers degrees and short courses in audio, film, the music business and web development, is introducing the sessions after the success of a similar initiative in its Liverpool campus.

Musicians of any genre are welcome to put themselves forward to record and mix their live performances in SAE's world-class studios, where legends of the music industry including Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich honed their craft.

The projects are professionally put together and recorded and filmed to a high standard by students studying audio production.

Videos from the performances are uploaded online and bands receive a free copy to use to promote themselves.

Mike Hill, audio production lecturer for SAE Oxford, said Live Lounge will give musicians an opportunity to use SAE’s facilities and get further exposure for their work through various channels.

He added: “The Live Lounge offers local artists the chance to record their music in a way that genuinely represents the live performance.

"They can share the session with their fans and even send it to music promoters to help secure their next gig.

"The Live Lounge provides SAE students with an opportunity to develop their skills, work as a part of a team, meet local creatives and develop a showreel of high quality content.”

Live Lounge began at SAE's Liverpool campus two years ago and since then has seen a host of talented musicians from the city perform.

Performances from bands such as Xander and the Peace Pirates and the Lowlanders have been viewed thousands of times online.

A five piece indie band from Oxford called Lightspill is the first artist confirmed for the Oxford sessions.

Pip Rule, SAE's marketing and communications officer, said the performers would usually be working with the college's degree level students who study a condensed programme for two years.

The institute was founded in 1976 in Sydney, Australia, and was the first college anywhere in the world to offer practical audio education.

The Oxford campus is now one of 54 across 27 countries, with three others in the UK based in London, Liverpool and Glasgow.

To express an interest in performing in a Live Lounge session, email Dani Bonventre at d.bonventre@sae.edu, including some links to your work.

Sessions can be watched on the SAE Institute Youtube channel.