A new platform called BLK SCL (pronounced "Black Scale") has launched that hopes to build an expansive infrastructure to support musicians across the North of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and bring some stability back to the music industry.

A three-pillar organisation, BLK SCL is shooting to be more than just a label, it's about building something that lasts. More than that, it aims to make big moves to help level the playing field for the UK and make the industry a little less London-centric.

It was founded by Yaw Owusu, a key figure responsible for a lot of the MOBOs activity in the north of England, who also works closely with the BRIT Awards and the Mercury Prize as they expand their work across the country.

With backing from EMI North, MusicFutures, Generator, and BLaST, they're launching on three fronts, the BLK SCL! Sound record label, BLK SCL! Connex, and BLK SCL! Atelier. On top of all of that, they're about to announce first BLK SCL! Sound signings, with the label's first release slated for later this month.

The fundamental core of it all is community and infrastructure. Each of three arms is designed to create a sustainable framework for musicians and creatives that can withstand trends and a fickle industry.

With the label, they will help help rising artists get their music out there. BLK SCL! Connex, meanwhile, is building a nationwide community and digital directory to build bridges between regional scenes. The third arm, BLK SCL! Atelier will be a career development programme, fostering the next generation of talent with real-world opportunities.

In Owusu's words: "I've spent years building and directing national and international talent development programmes, and I've seen the same pattern repeat: extraordinary talent outside London, but not enough long-term infrastructure around it. BLK SCL! is a strategic intervention—a closed-loop system which develops talent, then connects them to the right people and systems at the right time, so they can build and scale with cultural integrity."

For more information, head to the BLK SCL site here.