CPWM chats to our pal Hang Linton — a successful recipient of PRS’s Open Fund for 2024 — about his experience of applying for art funding, and his plans for the forthcoming year.
WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT DO YOU DO?
My name is Hang Linton. I am a self-taught, interdisciplinary artist, researcher and curator. My practice explores otherness through sound, non-linear time practices, accessibility and alternative methods of care, community and public art. Collaboration is key. Sharing knowledge, resources, and skills in a supportive environment allows for more exciting work than if I'm alone! I enjoy planting ideas and giving them space to evolve.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO APPLY TO PRS? WHY NOW AT THIS POINT OF YOUR CAREER?
I wanted to apply to PRS to record a full-length project with a producer. I mostly work out of a home studio in my basement, producing, recording and mixing my music myself with collaborations happening remotely. Support from PRS will give me the financial ability and esteem to access a studio and collaborations outside of what is personally possible. It also felt like the right industry validation after a successful 18 months of performing live across the UK and releasing music. It will allow me to level up my career and be considered an established music artist.
DID ANYTHING SURPRISE YOU ABOUT THE PROCESS OF APPLYING?
Funnily enough, I’ve applied multiple times before being successful, so I wasn't surprised by the process. But I was surprised by how much easier the process became when I stuck to a simple project proposal. I had a previous habit of over-complicating proposal ideas by saying that I was going to do everything possible with a small amount of money. The application felt much more manageable and easy to complete when I kept my ideas concise.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MADE YOUR APPLICATION STAND OUT?
I believe that I applied with the best music I’ve ever made, which justified my proposal to write and record a full-length project. I selected my favourite tracks and put my best foot forward. My advice for those making an application would be to keep it short, simple and hammer home your idea with clarity in as few words as possible.
WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU, YOUR SITUATION AND THE IMPACT THE PROJECT WILL HAVE ON YOUR CAREER MOVING FORWARD?
Don’t be afraid to big yourself up, talk of your achievements and what makes you unique. Also, make sure you’re paying yourself and collaborators properly with the budget available. The process of applications and funding is a roll of the dice, so once it's sent, it's out of your control. An unsuccessful application is never personal, it just didn't fit at that moment. Keep working on your plan and apply again in the future — I was successful after three attempts at different PRS funding opportunities.
BEFORE MAKING AN APPLICATION, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARTISTS CAN DO TO HELP MAKE THEIR CASE?
I had an impactful yet disappointing realisation when moving back to the UK and starting to hustle in the arts for the first time here. These industries do function off of validation — Opportunities are more likely to come if you’ve worked in the right place, got a renowned team around you or have been written about in a known publication. I now understand that, and know that I have to work hard to create that buzz and try my best to work with opportunities that grow my career. Some proactive tips for how to manufacture hype: reaching out to artists I admire and not taking it personally if they don’t respond. Most of the time people are happy to connect, going to gigs and supporting other artists’ music and creative journeys. I also try to be a mentor to anyone that reaches out to me, to be selective with gig and booking opportunities, and to remember to record snippets of gigs I do with photos and video to share online. Above all, be kind and respectful to everyone you’re working with from venue staff to other artists — everyone is there for the love of the industry.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ARTISTS LOOKING FOR FUNDING MORE GENERALLY? HAS ANYTHING ELSE WORKED WELL FOR YOU IN THE PAST?
I would really recommend reading the previous applications that are available on The White Pube’s Successful Funding Library. Understanding how successful applications are written is a good starting point. I’m happy to share my successful application to The Open Fund by PRS, and I have previously been supported by Help Musicians, which was a smaller cash pot but allowed me to make the music that I applied to PRS with.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE THIS FUNDING WILL ENABLE YOU TO DO? WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT ACHIEVING/PURSUING IN THE UPCOMING YEAR?
After releasing a string of singles in 2023, I hope to work on the writing and releasing a complete project. The grant will allow me the opportunity to work with established collaborators, in professional environments and create the most experimental and exciting music of my career to date. I am excited about releasing more music, reaching new audiences, gigging across the UK and establishing my presence as the UK’s most exciting punk performer. 2024, here we go…
Follow @hang_linton on Instagram
