Artist facilitators

MIRI’s music has garnered support from Gemma Cairney at BBC 6 Music, Clash Magazine, London In Stereo, and BBC Introducing. She has spoken to BBC Radio London and Fubar Radio about her music, mental health, and LGBTQ+ issues and has performed her music in male prisons. MIRI has curated, hosted, and performed for various venues and causes including the Southbank Centre for Raze Collective, and has music featured in film and documentaries. She has performed extensively across the UK & Europe – highlights include; Trafalgar Square for Million Women Rise (a rally and protest to end violence against women), The 100 Club for the Official Bob Marley Birthday Celebration, and Sofar Sounds (UK & Europe). She is on the BEAT Board for the Featured Artist Coalition and is an Ambassador for The F-List founded by Vick Bain with Anoushka Shankar as inaugural president. 

Outside of performing, MIRI works with mental health awareness charities and community projects as a music mentor, facilitator and workshop leader. This work has included running music sessions in mental health units and participating on the wellbeing team for Girls Rock London. For five years MIRI coordinated the music mentoring scheme for youth music charity School Ground Sounds, which included mentoring young people supporting their musical development. 

MIRI runs one-to-one and group vocal and songwriting workshops called ‘Find Your Voice’. She worked as a music mentor and tutor for Raw Material between 1999-2002, returning to this role in 2020.

David Henry is a music producer and DJ who goes by the artist name, Double O. He has been releasing jungle and drum & bass music since 1992 and has had over 40 releases to date and DJed internationally. In 2006 he set up his own record label and club night called Rupture with his partner DJ Mantra (rupturelondon.com). 

David has been a youth worker for 17 years and has worked at Raw Material for over 7 years. He facilities music production & DJ sessions and also works in the recording studio with participants. Through his youth work, David has witnessed the positive impact music can have on human beings and the power it has to bring people together. He currently runs the weekly podcast sessions every Thursday, alongside Dave Pickering.

“Peace people, everyone calls me FLO & I’m a creative artist. I sing, write, do theatre & I love performing! 

Being involved in The Arts has helped me through a lot and I know it can be useful for everyone, whether you want a career or just to learn some new skills. I’ve had the pleasure of performing in many places across the world, from tiny gigs to stages in front of thousands of people, both just as scary & fun as the other! I started out by coming along to classes just like the ones at Raw, so I could learn, meet musicians and build my confidence. I love that I can now share my experiences and support others in being creative and expressing themselves too! 

My workshops are about trying things out, learning together, and having a bit of fun. I look forward to welcoming you to a class!”

Joe Cribbin is a performer and music tutor, playing in various bands from 14 years of age. He has written and recorded albums with bands such as The November Five taking duties on lead vocals and bass. Later he fronted the band 300 Bombers on vocals and lead guitar. He is currently playing bass and performing backing vocals with legendary Punk three-piece ’Black Rooster’. He’s also working on a solo project called ‘War on Stupid’.

A child of the late 80’s acid house boom and the Madchester era that followed, 

“Music is the glue that has held my life together from practicing in freezing damp rehearsal rooms in Manchester to stepping out on stage in front of thousands, it has always helped me through.’ It has allowed me to see a world full of possibilities where there’s always something new to learn and share.”

Joe Cribbin has been a music teacher for over 10 years working chiefly in community music and mental health projects.

“When I was younger I was given a chance to get together with other musicians in a local community centre run by volunteers. The music was awful and we couldn’t play but the support we received was genuine and it allowed us the chance to fail and grow.”

James comes from a musical family, playing and listening to a wide range of music from an early age. This is reflected in his musical taste and style; from Bach to Bhangra, Hendrix to Hawaiian. James is influenced by artists that express a genuine message or feeling. 

A studious multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, James is a long-standing tutor at Raw Material, using his musical practice to enhance his life and that of others. He believes passionately in the socialisation and expression of music and dance.

“I have seen Raw Material go through six years of changes which has been a great thing in my life, helping me to form ideas, be creative with inspiring people and grow as a person. I know the organisation does this for many and hope that Raw’s ethos and influence continues for many years to come.”

Louise has been part of the Raw Sounds mental health and music programme running DJ and Logic sessions as the lead Tutor since 2012, working with younger and older adults with mental health challenges. Louise is also a practicing professional DJ and events promoter and shares her enthusiasm for dance music with participants.

In addition, Louise co-tutors the Inreach project which takes place on psychiatric wards within the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation. The primary focus of Inreach is to support patients’ recovery, communication, and mental health by helping them engage with music.