Energise, the world’s first choir of smart meter experts, releases New Year single, ‘Changes’

 

 

Energise: The Smart Meter Choir, a choir of the men and women bringing smart meters to every home in Britain, have released a single celebrating the transformation coming by 2020 as part of the national rollout of smart meters.  

 

The song, ‘Changes’, was inspired by the experts helping people upgrade to new smart gas and electricity meters.  It has been composed by one of Britain’s best-known choir masters, Tim Rhys Evans of the Aloud Charity, who led Only Men Aloud to victory in prime-time BBC competition Last Choir Standing in 2008, and reached the semi-finals of 2012’s Britain’s Got Talent with Only Boys Aloud.  The producer is James Clarke, who has worked with stars including Rufus Wainwright and Cerys Matthews.

 

Written and recorded in locations across Britain, including the famous Rockfield Studios in Monmouth where Queen produced Bohemian Rhapsody, Coldplay wrote Yellow and Oasis recorded Wonderwall. The music video and a short film of the choir’s journey is available at Smart Energy GB’s You Tube channel and you can download the song from Spotify.

 

The national rollout of smart meters is a vital modernisation of Britain’s energy system, making our nation greener, smarter and fit for the future. Smart meters are being fitted at no extra cost between now and 2020 in every home and small business. They will show us what we’re spending on energy in pounds and pence, helping us all to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint, as well as bringing an end to the era of estimated bills. 

 

Today’s release is the latest national cultural moment to be inspired by Britain’s smart meter rollout.  Smart Energy GB, the voice of the rollout, has also worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, and the godfather of Britain pop art, Sir Peter Blake, on works of music, literature and art to celebrate the energy transformation coming to every home.  

 

 

Choir members from several energy providers across Britain, including British Gas, SSE and E.ON, have been busy rehearsing and recording the song for the last three months.

 

Lewis Grant, who works for British Gas, said: “As well as being on the frontline talking to customers about their smart meters, I’m a part time DJ so I absolutely love music. I was really surprised when we heard the song. It’s got a great beat and I find myself humming along to it in my head when talking to customers.”

 

Myesha Lyle, who works for E.ON, added: “My shower has always been really impressed with my singing but I thought I’d give singing elsewhere a try. It’s been really fun; I’m going to be singing this song for ages.”

 

Grace Le Mercier, who works for SSE, continued: “I think the song conveys a really important, positive message that we should be sharing with our customers; we should be encouraging them to embrace the digital evolution.”

 

Choir master, Tim Rhys Evans, said: “Of all the projects I have been involved in, this is certainly the most unique. I am quite used to putting together choirs but coming up with a song that represents the huge national transformation of energy was a welcome challenge. The effort from everyone involved has been truly inspiring.”

 

Fflur Lawton, Head of Policy and Communication for Wales for Smart Energy GB, added: “A huge effort from all involved is going into the roll out of smart meters to every home in Britain. The strength of the teams hard at work making sure everyone gets their digital upgrade is truly harmonious on this track. I hope this song inspires even more people to get their smart meters fitted in 2017”

 

Watch the Changes music video on Smart Energy GB’s YouTube channel.

 

To find out how you can get a smart meter from your energy supplier, pick up a leaflet from your local Post Office® branch or visit this page.