Get to know Bond… Will Bond

BBC Blast's Will Bond

Hello! Now that I'm a BBC Blast music reporter for Shropshire, I thought that I would introduce myself to you and also let you know what I'll be getting up to over the summer.

If I had to describe myself I would say I'm a loud party animal!

When I moved from London to leafy Shropshire it didn't take me long to notice the diverse music scene that our county has to offer.

Locally, we are spoilt with bands, DJs, singers, promoters, record labels, and record stores... So many of us adore music.

And whether we're making music or just simply listening, all of us are giving our Shropshire the recognition it deserves.

When I applied to be a BBC Blast reporter, I had all of these positive outcomes in mind and now I just can't wait to build a picture of the talent that Shropshire has to offer.

I'm also a DJ. Local venues like the Buttermarket gave me the confidence and the practice that I needed and now I'm playing gigs beyond my home county. The buzz that comes with playing out to a crowd is just priceless and there's hardly a moment when I'm not listening to music… poor neighbours!

Despite having this strong music scene, many feel that there is not enough support available in the county and not enough venues for artists and bands to showcase their talents.

Shropshire seems to have lost some of the opportunities that were around when I first started out as a DJ and I'm worried that future generations could now be disadvantaged.

I'll be spending my summer talking with local artists and promoters to build a picture of the importance that they have within the community. I would also like to find out more about the future for Shropshire's music scene.

Of course I'll also be going to some fantastic events to share the gossip with you and maybe I'll even be able to introduce you to something new!