Self-taught songwriter lands two songs in UK Songwriting Contest final and wins 'Best Song' at Cannes

Self-taught songwriter and leader in the field of AI, Matthew Blakemore has landed two songs in the final of the UK Songwriting Contest, one of the world's longest-running international songwriting competitions, and won Best Song at the Cannes World Film Festival, all in the same year.

Blakemore's tracks Paper Cuts (Adult Contemporary) and Absence of Care (Singer-Songwriter) both reached the final of the 2025 UK Songwriting Contest (UKSC), now in its 24th year with entries from almost 100 countries. Finalists represent the top 1–2% of all entries. 

Two songs in the final from the same writer is a rare achievement. A third song, Why Say Sorry?, won the Best Song award at the Cannes World Film Festival.

Three songs. Three competitions. Two finals and a win.

Blakemore is entirely self-taught as a songwriter, he has never had a songwriting or music lesson outside of school, and has perfected his craft entirely on his own since the age of 16. 

He started writing songs as a teenager at John Henry Newman School in Stevenage, where music teacher Mr Wright selected one of his early compositions to be performed by the school choir. 

He went on to write songs for the charity Teens Unite Fighting Cancer and has received UKSC recognition across multiple years.

"When I was developing my craft, people used to laugh," says Blakemore. "They aren't laughing now."

By day, Blakemore is one of the UK's most prominent AI professionals. He is CEO of AI Caramba!, named AI Solutions Provider of the Year 2025, and serves as European Regional Director at Monarrch, known as 'The AI Royalty Company'. He was named in the Top 100 Influential People in AI (2025), awarded Forty Under 40 UK (2024), and is one of only four global Sub-Editors for ISO/IEC 8183, an international AI standard affecting 165+ countries.

Yet he never uses AI to write his lyrics. Not a single word.

"Every lyric comes from lived experience, the heartbreak, the joy, the frustration. That has to be human," says Blakemore. "What AI can do is help me realise the sound I hear in my head. I use it as a production tool to shape the music around my words, exactly as I envision it. That's empowerment, not replacement."

Blakemore uses AI music tools to iteratively shape and edit productions until they match his precise creative vision, a process far removed from the common misconception of simply typing a prompt and accepting whatever comes out.

His role at Monarrch places him at the centre of one of the biggest debates in the music industry right now: whether AI companies should compensate creators whose work is used to train AI models. Monarrch is developing a patent-pending AI Royalty Operating System (AIR-OS), designed to ensure fair remuneration for creators.

"I'm on the side of the creators," says Blakemore. "Not by blocking AI, but by making sure the people whose creativity feeds these models get their fair share."

This advocacy sits alongside his contributions to the EU AI Office's General-Purpose AI Code of Practice and his standards work through ISO/IEC and BSI, where he helps shape the governance frameworks that will determine how AI interacts with creative industries globally.

aicaramba.co.uk

Cambridge International Publishing Releases SG60 Anthology Featuring Over 500 Students: Now Available on Amazon

In celebration of Singapore’s 60th anniversary (SG60), a landmark literary project titled “Through Young Eyes: Singapore at 60” has been officially released.

The anthology, published by Cambridge International Publishing, features original essays and hand-drawn illustrations over 500 students representing a diverse cross-section of Singapore’s educational landscape, including Government and International schools.

This public welfare initiative was designed to provide a professional platform for the next generation to articulate their vision of the nation. 

Unlike traditional commercial publications, this project was entirely non-profit for the participants, ensuring the creative voices of children from all backgrounds were heard without financial barriers.

The collection is notable for its authenticity. Each essay is accompanied by student-created illustrations, offering a direct and genuine perspective on Singapore’s heritage and future, as seen through the eyes of its youngest citizens.

“Seeing 500 unique perspectives come together in one volume is a testament to the intellectual and creative vitality of Singapore’s youth,” the project lead at Cambridge International Publishing told That's Books and More.

“By publishing this work on global platforms like Amazon and making it available in physical bookstores, we are ensuring that these ‘New Voices’ are archived in the global cultural record.”

To celebrate the launch, a series of commemorative events are currently being held in Singapore. Young authors, accompanied by their families, are invited to collect their published works and certificates of achievement. 

These moments of recognition underscore the project’s mission: to foster a sense of national pride and scholarly accomplishment.

As a bridge between academic excellence and community contribution, this SG60 initiative demonstrates the power of independent publishing to document social milestones and empower emerging talent outside of traditional institutional constraints.

Cambridge International Publishing is an independent academic publisher based in Cambridgeshire, UK. The company focuses on promoting new voices and providing global platforms for intellectual and cultural exchange

https://www.cambridgepublish.com/main

School Library Association and Barrington Stoke launch new Reader of the Year Award in the National Year of Reading

Ahead of World Book Day, and to celebrate the National Year of Reading, the School Library Association (SLA) is launching a brand-new award in collaboration with one of the UK’s most innovative children’s publishers.

The Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award will be the only national award to celebrate young readers, recognising pupils in Year 7 and 8 who have overcome challenge to discover the joy of reading. 

The winner will receive £400 worth of Barrington Stoke books for their school library, a £100 book token for themselves, and a digital subscription to First News for both home and school.

Nominations are now open for the award, which celebrates engagement, enjoyment and determination over academic attainment or reading fluency. Awarded by the SLA, the Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award will also highlight the vital role school libraries and librarians play in getting the right books into the hands of the right pupils, helping every child develop their own positive relationship with reading.

Teachers, headteachers and school librarians from across the UK can nominate Year 7 and 8 pupils (S1 and S2 in Scotland). The closing date for nominations is Friday, 15th May, after which a prestigious judging panel will decide on a shortlist. 

The winner will be announced at the SLA’s Annual Awards Ceremony, taking place on 18th November 2026 in London.

Jane Walker, Sales & Marketing Director at Barrington Stoke, told That's Books and More: “At Barrington Stoke, young people are at the heart of everything we do, and we know that some of them face real challenges on the path to developing a love of reading. 

"We’re therefore thrilled to be working with the School Library Association, sponsoring an award to celebrate those readers, while also recognising the crucial role of the school librarians who support them on that journey.”

The judging panel will include SLA School Librarian of the Year 2025 – Julie Broadbent, author and SLA Patron Tom Palmer and Barrington Stoke author Catherine Johnson, as well as representatives from Barrington Stoke, the School Library Association and children’s newspaper First News, who will join the award as media partner.

Catherine Johnson said: “I am so excited to be a judge for the brand-new Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award! I firmly believe that school libraries and librarians are an integral part of any school community. And I am thrilled to help shine a light on those students – a vital part of those communities – who have found their way into books.”

Victoria Dilly, CEO of the SLA, said: “Launching a brand-new award that celebrates young readers puts children and young people at the heart of our National Year of Reading activity. We are thrilled to be joining forces with Barrington Stoke,  their focus on making books accessible to every reader makes them the perfect partner for an award specifically recognising young people who have had to overcome challenge to discover the joy of reading. 

"The Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award will celebrate the curiosity, empathy and imagination that all children and young people can unlock when they discover the joy of reading.

"With children’s reading for pleasure at an all-time low, and a mandatory Year 8 reading test soon to enter the curriculum, the need to celebrate children’s reading enjoyment has never been so important. We know that school libraries and school librarians help millions of children to develop more positive relationships with reading, and I can’t wait to hear about some of them.”

Nominations for the Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award can be made at: sla.org.uk/reader-of-the-year

https://collins.co.uk/pages/barrington-stoke

“Slough Is Not What You Think” — Town Launches Digital Hub to Power 2028 Culture Bid

A Digital Home for Slough’s Story, Creativity and Collective Voice.

Slough has today launched its official Town of Culture 2028 digital platform, designed to capture the town’s collective voice and showcase the full richness of its varied cultural life.

“This is Slough telling its story in its own words. It is time for the country to see the real Slough,” Vineet Vijh, the director of Viva Slough, the organisation responsible for creating and managing the digital platform told That's Books and More.

Hosted within The Slough Explorer at www.thesloughexplorer.org, the Town of Culture section is more than a campaign page. 

It's a vibrant, living cultural engine, consolidating the town’s creative energy, community voice and cultural activity into one powerful national showcase. 

It brings together residents’ ideas, stories, videos, photos, events and organisations in one accessible, living space.

The new platform has been designed as an interactive and evolving cultural ecosystem, featuring:

A Collective Story

Residents are invited to share what makes Slough special, from hidden gems and heritage to bold ideas for 2028. 

The website gathers public responses to the Town of Culture consultation questions, ensuring the bid is rooted in genuine community voice.

A Cultural Showcase

A curated gallery of videos and photographs highlights Slough’s vibrant present: dance performances, public art, food festivals, faith celebrations, digital innovation, youth creativity and grassroots initiatives.

The aim is simple: to show the country what Slough already knows: that culture here is alive, diverse and forward-thinking.

A Living “What’s On” Directory

The website consolidates arts and cultural listings across the town into a single, regularly updated directory. 

From exhibitions and theatre to sports, music, workshops and community gatherings, residents and visitors can now find everything happening in one place.

Directory of Artists & Organisations

A searchable database of local creatives, cultural organisations and community groups strengthens collaboration and visibility, thus making it easier to commission, connect and celebrate Slough’s talent.

Designed for Residents, Built for the Nation

The website has been designed to serve two audiences:

• Local residents, who want to feel connected and proud of their town

• National audiences, who are curious to discover a modern British town redefining itself through creativity

An early user of the platform, local resident Aniruddha Jamadar, shared: “I had no idea there was so much happening in Slough until I saw everything in one place. 

"It makes you realise how creative this town really is. It is practical, inspiring and genuinely useful.”

A Digital Front Door to a Changing Town

Slough’s bid positions the town as a modern British powerhouse, blending heritage with technology, grassroots creativity with global industries that power the UK economy.

Unlike a static campaign page, the Slough Town of Culture website will continue to evolve throughout the bid process and beyond. 

Slough residents are encouraged to submit photos, videos, ideas and event listings, ensuring the platform grows organically alongside the movement.

Slough is one of the youngest towns in the country, economically dynamic and culturally rich. Through this new digital home, it invites the rest of the United Kingdom to see the reality behind the headlines: a town powered by community, creativity and confidence.

Tarcila Broder, the designer of the platform, said, “The digital hub aims to consolidate information that is often scattered across social media and individual websites, making Slough’s cultural offer more visible both locally and nationally. It uses AI agents to search for and consolidate information, saving significant time on manual updates. It is indeed a platform built for the future”

Get Involved

Residents, artists and organisations can explore the site and contribute at:

www.thesloughexplorer.org

Follow and support the campaign using:

#Slough2028 #UKTownOfCulture2028

Bespoke Manchester Jeweller Lands Role in Award-Winning Experian TV Campaign After Daughter Gets Cast First

Didsbury-based bespoke jeweller Abdulla 'Bud' Mulki almost didn't send his self-tape. Six days later, he was on an international film set in Bulgaria. Then his daughter was asked to compose the music.

Abdulla 'Bud' Mulki, founder of independent bespoke jewellery studio Si Vis Amari, has appeared in Experian's major new "Better Your Story" TV campaign after an unlikely chain of events that began with his daughter landing a role first.

The campaign, created by BBH London and named Ad of the Day by The Drum and one of the Clio Awards' 5 Ads of the Week, reimagines the classic nursery rhyme "There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe."

It follows a family living in a worn-out Converse sneaker who improve their credit score with Experian and upgrade to a spacious cowboy boot.

Mulki's daughter Maissa, a talented composer, musician and actress, was originally cast as one of the children. Maissa is no stranger to major productions, having previously appeared in commercials for Very, Apple and Yamaha Music. 

A gifted musician, she was named Musician of the Year at Xaverian College and was double shortlisted for the BBC Young Composer of the Year award.

The production team then asked the families to send in photos of the dads. They liked the look of Mulki and requested an improv self-tape.

"I nearly didn't bother," says Mulki. "I'm a jeweller, not an actor, and I was busy with work. But I didn't want to spoil it for my daughter, so I sent one in. They loved it, and the next thing I knew I was on a plane to Bulgaria."

What followed was a six-day shoot on a purpose-built set that took months to construct, featuring two life-size shoe builds. 

The commercial was directed by award-winning director Tom Noakes through production company Business Club, with cinematography by James L Brown, who had recently wrapped a Netflix series in Colombia. Mulki was put up in five-star accommodation at the Hilton with all expenses paid.

During filming, Noakes asked Mulki "is this your first gig Bud?". When Mulki confirmed it was, the director told him he was a natural and should pursue more work. The production team nicknamed him "King Bud" and referred to him and Maissa as "the Dream Team" for their chemistry on set with cast and crew.

At the wrap party, Mulki spotted an opportunity to champion his daughter's composing talent and mentioned it to Noakes. The director asked to see her CV. A couple of weeks after post-production, Noakes messaged back saying he was impressed by how gifted she was for her age, and told Mulki to leave it with him.

Shortly after, BBH's production team called to ask Maissa to demo the music for the commercial. She was then contacted by Wake The Town, a music supervision company in London, and was briefed on the project. Maissa composed the music along with three alternate endings. Her work was shortlisted, but the production ultimately chose another composer's piece.

The experience didn't hold her back. Noakes later reached out to Maissa directly with a message that read: "I never got to debrief with you after the agency decided to move forward with another composer. I simply want to express how impressive your piece of music is, which is remarkable considering your age, but equally that nobody else knew that. It was in the running because it was impressive on its own merit. Well done."

Maissa is now preparing to study composition at Leeds Conservatoire next year under Tom Harold, a former winner of the BBC Young Composer of the Year award and notable UK composer.

"The whole experience was surreal," says Mulki. "One minute I'm at my desk in Didsbury designing engagement rings, the next I'm on an international film set being directed by someone who has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. And then my daughter gets asked to compose the music. It all started because Maissa got the part first."

The commercial is now running across TV, cinema, VOD, out-of-home, radio, digital and social channels nationwide, with media handled by PHD.

Taking the director's advice to heart, Mulki has since been signed by Manchester talent agency The Drama Mob, whose roster includes Owen Cooper, the English actor who gained international recognition for his debut role as teenaged murder suspect Jamie Miller in the hit Netflix miniseries Adolescence (2025).

By day, Mulki continues to run Si Vis Amari from two studios in Manchester: a flagship in Didsbury Village and a second in the city centre. Originally Syrian and born in Edinburgh, he designs bespoke engagement and wedding rings using 3D sculpting software originally developed for the animation industry. Every ring is designed personally to tell a story and manufactured in the UK. Si Vis Amari is a member of the National Association of Jewellers and has created bespoke pieces for notable UK celebrities.

Valle Venia presents new song by LPS feat. Lara: Where will it take me

The song describes the challenge of trusting the flow, relying on oneself, following one's own values with confidence.

In a time when everything seems to begin to dissolve, when disorientation prevails more than ever and when one is searching for something to hold on to, certainty can be found in uncertainty.

Lara's authentic interpretation, with her multi-faceted voice, conveys confidence in finding a way for oneself and others.

In the faceless, noisy crowd, where glances are not returned and touches are not felt, one is pulled away by an invisible hand.

You are on your own, but somewhere there is a light and a hope that guides you when the fog lifts and you find yourself in the certainty of meeting someone who “can read my mind and my soul.”

Invisibly connected, across time and space, this path is open.

Multilink: https://valevenia.lnk.to/wherewillittakeme

Youtube: https://youtu.be/0MVTgXO2E_M

Website: www.valle-venia.com

World Poetry Day: Why Words Still Matter

Every year on 21 March, readers, writers and dreamers mark World Poetry Day,a global celebration of rhythm, language and the power of a well-placed line. 

Established by UNESCO in 1999, the day recognises poetry as one of humanity’s most treasured forms of expression.

In a world of scrolling feeds and short attention spans, poetry remains quietly radical. It slows us down. It asks us to notice. And sometimes, it says in ten lines what an essay cannot manage in a thousand words.

A Tradition That Endures

From the Romantic landscapes of William Wordsworth to the powerful civil rights verse of Maya Angelou, poetry has always reflected the spirit of its age.

In Ireland, Seamus Heaney captured rural life with extraordinary clarity, while across the Atlantic Emily Dickinson reshaped the possibilities of form and voice.

Yet poetry is not confined to literary giants. It lives in spoken word nights in local cafés, in classroom anthologies, in lyrics that blur the line between song and sonnet, and in personal notebooks filled with half-finished thoughts.

Why World Poetry Day Still Matters

World Poetry Day is not simply about revisiting the classics. It is about:

Encouraging the reading, writing and teaching of poetry

Supporting small publishers and independent presses

Promoting linguistic diversity

Giving voice to communities often unheard

Poetry thrives in every language. From Welsh cynghanedd to contemporary slam, from haiku to free verse, the form adapts while its purpose remains the same: to express something true.

Poetry and Well-Being

There is also something deeply restorative about poetry. Reading a poem can feel like a moment of stillness in a noisy world. Writing one can help untangle emotions that prose struggles to hold.

Short forms, in particular, are accessible. A haiku written on a walk. A reflective sonnet inspired by a change in season. Even a few carefully chosen lines scribbled in the margins of a diary can offer clarity.

In an age that often prioritises productivity, poetry gently reminds us that reflection is valuable too.

Simple Ways to Celebrate

World Poetry Day does not require grand gestures. You might:

Revisit a favourite poem from school

Share a short verse on social media

Attend a local reading or open-mic night

Support an independent bookshop or small press

Write a poem about something ordinary, the weather, your commute, your morning tea

Poetry begins with attention. And attention is something we can all practise.

Poetry has survived centuries of social upheaval, technological change and shifting tastes. It endures because it speaks to something essential – our need to feel understood and to understand others.

On World Poetry Day, perhaps the simplest celebration is this: pause, read a poem slowly, and let the words do their quiet work.

https://www.unesco.org/en/days/poetry