This Is The Fire

My life's work has been about bringing people together and finding our voice. Empowerment can come from building community and facilitating an environment where optimism can flourish and where social change can happen. 

My life's passion is music. These two elements combine as the focus for my first album in two decades, a record that is bringing together songs of hope, of inspiration, heart connection and universal love. I am excited that we're putting together an album of community songs, rooted in a hymnal folk tradition that will hopefully work in a variety of settings - the campfire, the community hall, the school or even the football terraces. 

In an age marked by division and disconnection, collective singing is more vital than ever. It reminds us of what it means to be human: to raise our voices in harmony, to listen deeply, to come together around a shared vision. I believe in the power of music to change the way we see the world.



 

As Brian Eno famously said "Singing together is the key to world peace". There is an indefinable quality to the buzz we can all feel when in glorious song with others, each playing our part but creating harmony together. It's a great starting point in imagining the changes we need to be making to find hope and inspiration through connection and through finding our voices, individually and collectively.

"Singing out for change, singing out to empower ourselves, is one of the most important and potent forces at work at the moment."

October 2025 Update

Looking for: DIY video makers who would like to work with me for a visual representation of a couple of the songs which will go on my album. The version of ‘This Is The Fire’ is a demo at the moment and may change significantly once we get going (Oct 2025) 

I have been running a few ideas and questions through my diligent and ever-ready PA (ChatGPT!) and am getting some positive inspiration and information back. So far I’ve only worked in the elementary iMovie programme but for me that’s been adequate for sketching out the sort of feel I’d like to aim for. 

I would like to feature the choreographed movements to the song’s lyrics that emerged at our summer 25 'Sing Out!' session with Helen Yeomans and build on this as a central part of this video.  My aim is to capture the warmth, unity, and immediacy of the song’s message — especially if it feels authentic, hand-held, and rooted in real human connection rather than high production polish. The theme: connection through the flame — in motion, in heart, in spirit. Please get in touch if you have video making skills and would like to help out on this exciting project…  

More details on the album https://tinyurl.com/thisisthefire


Pete Lawrence Track Record

Music has been a central part of my life and it's often described as the universal language. It connects people on an emotional level more effectively than any other means. That's why it has always been so resonant for me. My own journey into music started with playing drums and joining several bands in my hometown of Leamington Spa and also at University. After moving to London and working in record retail and distribution, I set up the Cooking Vinyl label in 1986. The first album I produced was a highly unusual mould-breaker, a spontaneous cassette recording in a field!  This recording featured a private concert (just me listening) from an unknown singer-songwriter made at a festival in the Texas hills around the campfire. It went on to sell around a million copies.

Then followed The Big Chill festival in 1994. In recent years I've been putting my efforts into a voluntary community project - Campfire Convention. My priority has been to put my energy into successfully creating communities of people based around enjoying music as well as looking at reimagining the world we live in and the legacy we leave for the generations after us.

“Pete's ability to predict our cultural and media future were brilliantly manifested by the success of the Big Chill. It is a pleasure to recognise him as the inventor of such a major movement as the chill out scene. His cultural impact has crossed all international borders and is still in style worldwide. Over the years I've always looked to Pete for his profound knowledge of all things cool and elegant. His large fan base of tastemakers also reflects his quiet sense of integrity. Pete has always led the way, and many of us joyously follow him. He is a genuine visionary who has had a colossal impact on us all.” 

Erica Ruben, Former Executive Producer of Central Park Summer Stage, New York

“Pete Lawrence has a knack for being just a few key steps ahead of everyone else. When he started Cooking Vinyl, he didn't follow trends but anticipated them. More so when it came to creating The Big Chill, the event that set the stage for what became an international chillout music movement that lasts to this day. Along with all this is an ethic that works towards collaboration, bringing people together and networking. I am not alone in looking keenly forward to what’s coming next. With such a track record, You can be sure whatever he does will be worthy of interest. And maybe, yet again, emulation.” 

Gerald Seligman, Ex Director of WOMEX and advisor to the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative

“Pete Lawrence is a legend. In addition to his not inconsiderable DJing & producer skills, he has a gift for bringing together lovely people and creating something really special.” 

Mr Scruff, DJ

"Pete and Katrina put their heart and soul into The Big Chill - an event that we all loved and became part of the fabric of British life for many, many years"   

Norman Jay, DJ and broadcaster