Nice to meet you.
I’m Sy Peddlesden. I’m a Live Sound Engineer based in the South East of the UK. I live in Kent, but I’m willing to travel. I love a good car journey before and after a gig!
I’m a sociable, approachable Mama Bear who likes to laugh and loves to deliver an exceptional show. I love all genres of music, but there is a special place in my heart for the grass roots local bands that keep the crowd jumping!
A Lifetime of Experience.
I have only been working in Live Sound for two years, but I have been training for the most important part of the job since the day I was born; arguably, even before that. I have spent a lifetime immersed in music. Both of my parents were working musicians. I attended rehearsals, gigs and festivals regularly and studied piano and violin myself, attending schools in the North East of the USA, where high-budget Fine Arts Departments were the norm. I played in orchestras and sang in choirs. My ears, which are the most important part of the job, have been in training since the mid-1970s.
Let’s get Technical.
The technical side of Sound Engineering started for me in 2014, when I was needed to produce a voice-over track for a video game tutorial. During the pandemic, I needed to do this remotely, and became my own director and producer. The first taste had been administered, and pretty soon, one measly vocal track wasn’t enough. I needed more!
I took a taster course for a week in the summer of 2023 at ICMP, the Institute of Contemporary Music Production. Weighing up the pros and cons of working in both studio and live situations, I decided on live. Having dealt with the repetition and endless editing during my time as a voice actor, I decided that I preferred setting up, delivering a top-notch performance and moving on to the next one.
Having decided on Live Sound, I took a course called Live Sound Training, based in Camden. It was all day Sundays at The Fiddler’s Elbow. We covered theory and practical application on the day, and during the week we studied independently to expand our knowledge. We also had the opportunity to shadow the Sound Engineers at The Dublin Castle. I took this opportunity at least once a week for eight months. I met some amazing people who got me started and continue to inspire me.
Paying My Dues.
I shadowed in my local area as well and eventually was called upon to do the occasional gig in Chatham’s Poco Loco, a Mexican Restaurant and Live Music Venue. Word of my availability spread, and it led to work in Folkestone in the Tower Theatre Bar for the World Jazz Live Sessions (PortCaia), where I had the pleasure of working with some amazing artists including Derek Nash and Carmen Souza. I was eventually called upon to do gigs in the Tower Theatre itself, first for a concert called The Story of Swing, and later for a play and a pantomime. I also have provided sound for the Pavement Cabaret Stage at York Rise Street Party two years running. I help out regularly with Cablab Collective, most recently advising on setting up a performance space in Earl’s Court.
Hanging Out.
I love the social aspect of the job. Over my time shadowing and attending gigs, I got to know a lot of musicians and I almost immediately struck up an excellent rapport with all of them. Musicians, in general, are just My People. Chances are, if you’re reading this, that I handed my information to you personally. If not, I look forward to meeting you in the future.
Let’s Chat! Drop me a line at sy@sectorproduction.uk and ask me anything. Well, almost anything.
