Welcome to Central Hob.
Central Hob are a not-for-profit grassroots creative collective. From producing records and hosting events, to leading community music projects and developing accessible technology, our mission is simple: to create a hub of meaningful and accessible creative happenings.
Current Developments
Check out what we've been up to lately!
Frozen Peas Collective
Our in house ensemble have released their debut album - Just a Moment.
We also run regular open mics in Birmingham - seeking to provide performance opportunities to musicians of all genres and all walks of life.
Accessible Tech
We offer workshop-leading services catered to those with a variety of access needs. We also sell affordable handmade gadgets and offer free resources to guide facilitators in making their own sensor instruments. Our goal is to create financially-accessible gateways into the wonderful world of electronic music-making.
Meet the Team
Fynn Courtney
Tom Culling
Stella Vollum
Monty Clark
Olivia Pascoe
Ruaraidh Collar
Pip Thomson
Manager.
Founder.
Workshop leader.
Mix/master engineer.
Producer/multi-instrumentalist.
Community music lead and workshop leader.
Accessible and interactive technology programmer and developer.
Keyboards,compostion and electronic music tutor.
Social media manager.
Events planner.
Promoter.
Record producer.
Events planner.
Event organiser and promoter.
Merchandise coordinator & handmade merchandise maker
Workshop leader.
Choir director.
Philosophy
Central Hob is built on the belief that creativity is a process, first and foremost. We view creativity as an act of exploration, play, collaboration and shared experience.
It is our view that value lies not only in the creative product, but also in the act of making it. When the creative process is meaningful, inclusive, and enjoyable, strong work follows naturally. Connection and curiosity lead to more powerful musical and social outcomes than pressure or perfectionism ever could.
Accessibility is at the heart of our work. Creativity should not be limited by background, prior experience or confidence.
Our member, resident technologist, and workshop leader, Tom Culling, is an enthusiast about the development of interactive and adaptable electronics. Using these predominantly sensor-based technological approaches to collective music-making, we tune our workshops to participant's individual movements, allowing for a person-centred approach and participant-led approach.
Alongside freely available code and setup guides, we aim to break down technical barriers and expand access to music-making by offering training for other facilitators who wish to further their knowledge of using music technology in interactive, accessible workshop settings.
We believe creativity is a shared commons - something we build together.
central hob
centralhobrecords@gmail.com