Hannah Laing launches community DJ and production project in Dundee

Dundee-born DJ and producer Hannah Laing has launched a new community DJ and production hub in her hometown.

Named after Laing's record label and festival, doof Studios will offer DJ lessons, workshops, and other programmes to young people and others facing homelessness, poverty, and mental health struggles, in collaboration with Scottish charity Turn The Tables.

With support from Creative Scotland's Youth Music Initiative, Dundee City Council's Wish Portal, and Robertson Construction Tayside, doof Studios is built within a former Street Soccer changing room at Dundee's Change Centre.

Street Soccer, a Scottish charity that provides football sessions for at-risk and socially disadvantaged people, will also offer workshops as part of doof Studios' programme.

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doof Studios has already hosted a series of structured DJ lessons for young people in Dundee ahead of its launch, with music tech manufacturer AlphaTheta having donated equipment to the studio to get the project off the ground.

“I’m truly proud to help bring doof Studios to life," says Hannah Laing. "Dundee has given me so much, and giving back in a meaningful way has always been close to my heart." 

"This studio isn’t just about music, it’s about opportunity," she continues. "It puts world-class facilities in reach for people right here at home, something I would have loved when I was coming up and travelling hours just to access.”

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Turn The Tables founder Robbie Tolson adds: “This project represents everything Turn The Tables stands for. It started with music on the sidelines of the Homeless World Cup and has grown into a permanent community music hub for Dundee."

"Having Hannah involved, giving back to her hometown, and seeing the wider Dundee business community step up, especially Robertson Tayside delivering the build pro bono through the Wish Portal, as well as Andy Prior from Priority care stepping up with extremely generous donations to help establish Turn The Tables in Dundee,” he continues.

For more information on doof Studios, click here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter