YMP Records
YMP Records is a not-for-profit record label set up to support the releases of Young Musician Project members.
For some of our members, this support might include helping them to arrange recording sessions, finding photographers and videographers to produce promo material, writing press releases, arranging launch gigs and distributing their music to streaming services.
For other members, they might prefer to do some or all of these things themselves and we provide mentoring and guidance wherever they need it.
Recent Releases
Āvā & The Fates is the latest musical project of Ava Ellis, a 17-year-old multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer.
Ava’s music is experimental, ambitious and full of charm, influenced as much by Greek myth as it is by luminaries such as Kate Bush, Bat for Lashes and The Cocteau Twins.
Āvā & The Fates’ self-produced debut album, Steve, was released through YMP Records in February 2026.
Ava and the Fates: Steve (2026)
Ethan Stayman recorded his stunning debut single Shapeshifter at home on an iPad using Garageband.
The 18-year-old expertly treads the line between majestic balladry and danceable but melancholy pop.
The video for Shapeshifter, filmed with the help of YMP alumni, will be shown as part of Sunderland Shorts Film Festival in May 2026. The single was released in January through YMP Records.
Ethan Stayman: Shapeshifter (2026)
Georgia Ruyi’s debut single, Held by Strings, caused a stir in the YMP community when it received radio play on BBC 6Music, BBC Scotland and BBC Introducing in quick succession.
Georgia’s poised and intricate songwriting is matched by her preternaturally beautiful voice and her skill on both piano and guitar. Held by Strings was released in February 2026 through YMP Records.
Georgia Ruyi: Held By Strings (2026)
Singer-songwriter Izzy Price has been part of the YMP community for several years, so we are delighted that 2026 saw the release of her debut single; the delicate, luminous Silver Gold Green.
Izzy applied to We Make Culture’s Next Steps programme, which provided mentoring and studio time, and then, as part of the 18-25 YMP Collective group, she helped to organise a launch event at Arts Centre Washington. Izzy co-produced the single, which was released through YMP Records in March 2026.
Izzy Price: Silver, Gold, Green (2026)
Gateshead-based twins Small Blazers released their first single, Killing Time, in April 2026 through YMP Records. Arthur and Elliott Gledhill have been making music together since the age of 7 and in recent years have been active members of the Young Musicians Project.
They have enthusiastically contributed to our collaborations with the National Theatre for the acclaimed Public Record at Sunderland’s Fire Station in 2025 and Durham Brass Festival, where the duo performed an original song with a full brass band. To top off a busy summer, they also performed on one of Glastonbury Festival’s open mic stages.
Small Blazers : Killing Time (2026)
Aimee Curtis has been performing as a solo artist for the last two years, as well as playing bass in The Last Time, who are also a cherished part of the YMP community. Aimee’s dramatic, emotive songs show the influence of artists such as Orla Gartland and Paramore, but also contain hints of Aimee’s background in theatre.
In January 2026, Aimee self-released her track Glasshouse with support from the Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust.
Aimee Curtis: Glasshouse (2026)
Over the last two years, The Last Time have firmly established themselves in the North East’s music scene, self-releasing two singles and gigging regularly around the region, including a performance at the Mercury Fringe in 2025.
The Last Time include four members of the Young Musicians Project: singer and guitarist Ollie Regan (recent recipient of the Alan Hull Songwriting Award), singer Scarlett Cullen, bassist Aimee Curtis and drummer Ethan Regan.
The Last Time: Feel it Now?
Singer-songwriter Lydia Harvey has been a member of YMP for two years while also studying popular music at Newcastle College.
She will soon be heading to university to continue her studies, but has also found time to self-release both a single, Too Often, and an EP, Thoughts in Open, in 2026.
Lydia Harvey: Too Often (2026)