ESEA Music launches Sesame mentorship scheme for Asian artists: "Our collective ‘asian-ness’ is impossibly broad"

ESEA Music, a community led by and for UK-based East and Southeast Asian music industry professionals and artists, has announced the official launch of the Sesame Mentorship Scheme, a mentorship initiative created specifically for East and South East Asian artists and professionals within the UK music industry.

Sesame aims to facilitate support systems within the music industry that promote communication and positivity, leading to better mental and creative health, and to further equality within the industry, protecting paths to sustainable careers for under-represented groups.

Sesame’s objective is to provide a safe and inclusive platform for individuals to engage in forward-looking conversations and develop their careers in a nurturing environment.

Each round of Sesame will span a three-month period, with the inaugural round commencing in August 2023.

Sesame will utilise a portion of ESEA Music's Community Grant from WeTransfer's Supporting Act Foundation to provide initial mentors with access to Wishfish, a coaching and development service which will offer mentors comprehensive support in meeting the challenges of mentorship.

The Sesame Mentorship Scheme Team is led by Lucinda Tse Hall (BMG) and Rob Chung (FUGA), with thanks to out-going member Emma-Lee Moss (the songwriter formerly known as Emmy the Great), and welcoming Hide Whone (Theory Management) to assist with our next stage.

Testimonials from Participants of the trial Sesame mentorship scheme:

Matt Tong, Artist (Mentor): “When my career as a musician began, the expectation was that you got your head down, made the most of whatever opportunities came your way and didn’t question the demands that the industry placed on you. As a mentor, the trial Sesame Mentorship Scheme gives me the opportunity to help steer younger musicians away from some of the traps I fell into, and to offer a little solace for what, at times, can be alienating and overwhelming work.

“That the scheme exists within the ESEA network is important to me. Our collective ‘asian-ness’ is impossibly broad: the potential to explore this through the scheme is also an opportunity to recognise our collective diversity, to respect celebrate and elevate our differences and to discover a solidarity that better aids us to be strong allies to the myriad other racial, cultural and sexual identities that exist within the UK as we continue to face new struggles together.”

Kyra, NinjaTune (Mentee): “Mentorship only came later in my career, but I'm a huge believer in the power of it - so when the trial Sesame mentorship scheme launched I jumped on it. My mentor throughout the scheme was very supportive, always willing to listen and gave me a fresh perspective on many of the topics we discussed around the music industry and life in general. I found a surprising number of similarities in our experiences and it was reassuring to know that I wasn't alone. I always left our chats feeling uplifted, refreshed and motivated!”

Emma, FUGA (Mentor): “I know first hand how tough it can be to navigate the music industry, especially as a woman. I wanted to be able to lend support to the next generation of leaders, and champion ESEA youth to advocate for themselves in the industry. The trial Sesame mentorship scheme has been an amazing initiative. As a mentor, I’ve learnt so much from my mentee and the connection, friendship and support we’ve been able to give each other has been invaluable and longstanding.”

Mantawoman, Artist (Mentee): “The trial Sesame mentorship scheme enabled me to learn directly from an artist I admired. Even after just one session I felt deeply validated and inspired to trust my instincts in my career. My mentor’s wisdom runs deep and was gently shared.”

Interested individuals are invited to become a member of ESEA Music here. (Please note, to become a member and apply for this opportunity, ESEA Music is open to all who identify as East Asian, Southeast Asian or both and are working as an artist or a professional in the UK Music Industry.) You must be over the age of 18 to join this group.

Applicant guidelines for Sesame are here.  

Once you are a member please contact sesamementorship@gmail.com for information on how to apply. The application process will remain open for three weeks until July 16 2023.