Diphthong Sound Club

extract:
Patrick Stacey, who lives off Lower Bristol Road in Bath, also reached the semi-finals of the contest.

The 38-year-old, who has been writing songs most of his life, entered the competition with fellow band member Atman.

Patrick, who has just gained a PhD from the University of Bath, plays in the two-man group called Diphthong.

He said: "I have never entered a contest like this before and getting through to the semi-finals is fantastic – hopefully next year we will make it all the way.

"I have been surrounded by music all my life and my family are all very musical so it has become second nature to me.

"Songwriting gives you the chance to experience something you would not ordinarily experience.

"It is like telling a story but in a very different way."
- Bath Chronicle

Diphthong were featured on BathFM news on Monday 8th September 2008 - BathFM radio

Patrick Stacey, a graduate from the University’s School of Management, has reached the semi-finals of the prestigious UK Song Writing Contest (UKSC) 2008.

Patrick, along with his collaborator, Atman, an award-winning flautist from Singapore who has worked with many popular Asian artists, entered the competition with their track Iota.

The song is an ethnic piece evoking life in the cool lounges of Singapore where the two met and established their band Diphthong.

The duo beat competition from more than 6,200 contest entries. Iota was among the top 15 per cent of song entries but failed to reach the finals.

The winner of the contest has since been signed by music industry guru Simon Cowell.

They are now looking for a publisher who can help them realise their dream of worldwide distribution of their debut album Rok (an allusion to the clay flute Atman sometimes plays), which they hope to complete by the end of 2009.

“Given the awesome profile of the UKSC, we are thrilled to get as far as we did,” said Patrick, who originally studied computer game design and is now working at Imperial College's Business School.

Patrick and Atman hope to continue their winning ways when they enter the US based International Song Writing Competition later this year.

About the UKSC:

The UKSC is now in its seventh year. It was formed in 2002 with The BRIT Trust (of BRIT AWARDS fame) to encourage and promote the art of song writing. The contest is supported by some of the most highly respected names in music including: BBC Radio; Music Aid; the BRIT School; The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers; The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters and many other leading music industry professionals, organisations and companies - Bath University