In the spotlight : Shakk

Shakk

Championing Tees Valley’s Music Scene and Building Bridges for Future Creatives

Meet Shakk, a musician, BBC Introducing North East presenter, and passionate advocate for the Tees Valley music scene. In this exclusive interview, Shakk shares his journey as a freelancer, the challenges he’s faced, and the moments that fuel his mission to give back to his community. As someone who’s dedicated to improving the creative infrastructure of the North East, Shakk is playing a pivotal role in shaping the region’s artistic future.

Hi…., let’s introduce you to the network, tell us a bit about you..

Hi, I’m Shakk, a musician and the BBC Introducing North East presenter. I’m all about championing the North East and bringing real insight from the frontline of music creation. I’ve experienced releasing my own music in today’s climate, testing strategies as an artist before advising others. This practical perspective fuels my work, helping me connect artists with the right tools, advice, and community support to navigate the industry effectively. I’m here to build bridges for artists to find better access to resources and thrive in their creative paths.

You are based in Tees Valley, did you grow up here?

Yeah, I’m a Boro lad through and through. I studied in London as a teenager, but I came straight back home because the North East is where my heart is and where I’ve always wanted to make my mark. Being able to represent my region as a presenter for BBC Introducing North East honestly means more to me than a national show on Radio 1—it’s all about giving back to the place that shaped me. 

Can you tell us a bit about your journey into the creative and cultural freelancing world? What sparked your passion in this field?

I’ve always loved where I’m from and never changed who I am or what shaped me no matter where I’ve traveled. Building my career here in Tees Valley has always been the goal. I started as a musician, and I’m proud of every part of our music scene, from the organisations to the promoters, who I genuinely think are some of the finest in the North East. There’s a real sense of community here, people who actually care. I’ve always wanted to use my time to make a real impact. I’m passionate about improving the infrastructure here and creating the opportunities I missed out on growing up, things I saw my friends in London have much easier access to. I made a conscious decision to dedicate my life to this because, for me, creating opportunities in this area is worth fighting for.

What are some key moments or experiences in your life that have influenced your creative work or approach?

 Growing up, I was always drawn to people who made a difference, who left things better than they found them. Now I see how much that’s shaped me. For me, it’s not about recognition. I just want to make a positive impact because it feels like the right thing to do, like it’s part of who I am.

Over the years, I’ve also learned how important it is to immerse myself in art and understand the work of others, to really see what came before. It’s all connected, and it gives me perspective on where we’re at now creatively. Art in every form music, film, visual art—is such a big part of who I am that it’s like my mind just naturally seeks it out. It keeps me inspired and always hungry to keep pushing my own work forward

What does a typical day look like for you as a freelancer? How do you manage the variety of tasks that come with the role?

My day-to-day is all about connecting with people across the music industry. I wear a lot of hats, whether it’s organising festival line-ups, listening to music uploaded to Introducing, prepping for the weekly live show, writing interviews, or planning events. There’s always a lot going on, and each day looks different, but it’s always centred on people, emails, meetings, and keeping the community involved.I’ve had to fully commit, and I’m all in. I honestly don’t have a personality outside of music anymore, but that’s how I like it. I love what I do, so for me, it’s about finding a way to make it all work. Organisation is key. You’ve got to stay prepared because letting things pile up will eventually lead to burnout. If you’re going all out, you have to keep things manageable, and when it starts to feel too much, that’s when it’s time to step back and reassess.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a freelancer, how have you navigated them?

One of the biggest challenges as a freelancer is making a sustainable income each month so that it really feels like a career you can advance in and feel secure in. This isn’t easy, and you might find yourself leaning on a single role or building a network of work within a specific area or organisation just to keep things steady. But if you’re in it for the long term, I think it’s about building a solid reputation and making an impact in whatever you do. That’s what keeps the work coming and helps you grow in a way that feels secure.

How do you stay connected with the creative community? Are there any specific events or networks that have helped you grow professionally?

I’m in a fortunate position to stay updated on what artists are up to each week through BBC Introducing, but I also stay connected through events hosted by Tees Music Alliance, Generator, Musinc, and industry conferences. Social media keeps the music community connected, and Narc magazine is an incredible resource for staying in the loop. We’re lucky to have so many outlets in our region to keep us all plugged in. Our community is all about uplifting each other with support and guidance. We learn from each other, share ideas, collaborate, and really grow and shine together.

Most rewarding part of being a freelancer in the creative and cultural sector?

The most rewarding part for me is giving back to the community, helping artists reach new heights in their careers, and making real change. It’s a powerful feeling to champion talent from our region and see them go on to incredible things, like Finn Forster, Lizzie Esau, and NE-O, who’ve achieved milestones like signing to major labels and playing at festivals like Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds. Being able to have an impact and see ideas come to life, especially when it makes a difference for others, is what makes it all worth it.

If you could work on any dream project or with any collaborator, who would that be and why?

I’m honestly living my dream right now. I get to be part of the music scene in the place I love most, seeing artists grow from the grassroots level to national, even international, success. For me, that’s where it’s at, being part of something real and watching it unfold here. It doesn’t get much better than that.

What are you most looking forward to as a member of Tees Valley Creates: The Freelancer Network?

I’m looking forward to us really pushing forward, identifying the areas that need attention, and putting in the work to make a real difference in the region. It’s about coming together with people who genuinely care, who want to build a foundation so future generations have the infrastructure they need and can access music, no matter their background or economic situation.