PhD student seeks to find everyone's 'inner song' in new research

James Holt, who is undertaking his PhD in Music at Salford, has been working with a group of carers at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre.

Using the power of songwriting, James works with participants to create an individual song for each that helps express their feelings.  

He said: “There’s a disconnect in the world at the moment, and I think projects like this help people understand each other.

“My research is all based around the idea that everyone has a song within them - a personal experience they want to express in a new way through music.”

This idea came to fruition after former Salford lecturer, Dr Robin Dewhurst, showed him research which investigated the positive effect of music and songs on dementia patients.

Since then, James knew he wanted to conduct his own workshops to give back to vulnerable groups in a way he feels passionately about.

Every week James meets with the group at the theatre to discuss their recent experiences as a carer and allows them to take control of the session by writing and singing their own song.

He said: “I can provide and be someone to listen to them, and the biggest thing I've found so far is that they don’t set time for themselves.

“Their time is always in aid of someone else, so the whole thing has been really touching to be part of.”

Since starting his workshops, James found it benefited the carers more than he expected with participants thoroughly enjoying the two-hour sessions as a break from their usual responsibilities as carers.

James, whose own music is inspired by The Beatles, shares his wide music knowledge with the group to help produce meaningful verses and accommodate for all vocal abilities.

The members come together every Tuesday and reflect on the difficulties of the week, acknowledging and relating to each other's experiences before putting it into words and verses.

He added: “It’s been quite moving actually, to hear them share their stories and a piece of themselves.”

James has been a student at the University of Salford since his undergraduate degree in BA Music, which he finished in 2014. He then continued his studies with a master's in music composition in 2017 and then returned to Salford in 2024 to begin his PhD.

During his studies, James found a shift in ambitions and moved away from originally wanting to be a composer after his lecturer Professor Alan Williams listened to his music and encouraged him to pursue songwriting instead.

“I was never a singer-songwriter, I’d written songs but didn’t see myself as that. From that point I would have never imagined that I’d be here doing a PhD.”

As a self-sufficient artist, he performs all instruments himself, aside from the drums, edits his music videos, designs his covers, and self-releases his music which has since amassed three million streams.

He has gained a loyal gig following and performed across the country, including at festivals such as on the main stage at Kendal Calling in 2022.

James hopes to continue his work in the community alongside his studies exploring new groups who may benefit from self-expression in music.