Bristol Live Magazine: September 2014

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BRISTOL LIVE MAGAZINE & LIVE LISTINGS

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SEP'14

V A N C E J O Y • N E W R E L E A S E S

T H E B R O N Z E M E D A L

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BIMM THE UK & IRELAND’S BEST CONNECTED MUSIC COLLEGE

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Oh god.

Live calendar busying. Sense of wonderment increasing. Resisting urge to wet self with excitement — too much?

After lurking around this summer like melancholic 80s teens without a youth centre, we finally roll into the fall, which brings with it the steady flow of tours and local big-hitters we hold so dear.

Gracing our cover this month are Bath’s The Bronze Medal, who, after much adoration from us over the years have finally completed their debut album. “But wait, there’s more.” Our Rhys had a nice chat with Vance Joy ahead of his Bristol date this month and, gee whiz, we’ve done you the solid of printing it. Sharing thoughts on writing, uni life and his worldwide runaway ‘Riptide’, it’s a nice little read.

So grab a cuppa, or a double-triple-turbo-something-bomb and celebrate the start of both touring season and the academic year in style.

SEP ISSSUE #3208 WRITERS’ PICKS

12 THE BRONZE MEDAL

18 VANCE JOY

26 THOUGHTS: What

Makes A Successful Artist?

32 LEND ME YOUR EARS

29 PRACTICE LISTINGS

33 LIVE LISTINGS

26 WIN TICKETS!

EDITOR / SALES: Loki [email protected]

ONLINE EDITOR: Rhys [email protected]

PR / ENQUIRIES:[email protected]

CONTRIBUTORS: Harriet Taylor, Ben Edwards, Joe Talbot, Sammy Jones, Mustafa Mirreh, Grant Bailey, Louise Brady & many more.

w w w . b r i s t o l l i v e m a g a z i n e . c o m

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Going to: Honeyblood

Honeyblood have kindled something truly original within Glasgow’s bustling music scene. Despite

being somewhat stripped back, this duo are murky and uncompromising, driven by an irking sense of girls being

left out in the music industry. The Louisiana, 22nd.

Listening to:‘Annabel Dream Reader’

As we roll into the grey side of the year, I’ve been spinning The Wytches’ debut. You’ll fall in love while listening to ‘Wide At Midnight’ at full whack by candlelight. Surf doom, get in my belly.

Band of the Month Goan Dogs

It’s been a fruitful summer for Goan Dogs and now we’re excited as there’s talk of the five-piece treating London to some of their desert-style rhythms. They also sold me a t-shirt for three quid; heavy cotton bargains are the best. Rhys Buchanan

WRITERS’ PICKS

Going to: Woods

This Brooklyn band have played Bristol a few times now and I have never once hesitated about seeing them. They eclipsed Kurt Vile when they supported him at the Fleece

a few years ago, which pretty much says it all. Lantern, 22nd. Listening to: ‘After The End’ My relationship with Merchandise has been fraught ever since their cancelled Fleece show, but I’m remaining optimistic about their upcoming LP. Vocalist Carson Cox bears the crooning vocals of a psychedelic Morrissey, laid upon foundations of timeless post-punk riffs. Fantastic. Band of the Month: This Will Destroy You Post-rock is a genre swamped by names of no real import. To stand out, the music needs to do the talking. This Will Destroy You are giants in the genre and their calling at this year’s ATG was nothing short of exhilarating. Harriet Taylor

WOODSHONEYBLOOD

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Going to: Anathema

With nearly 25 years of material to choose from, predicting the setlist we’ll get from these prog legends

is a near-impossible task. However, we certainly can predict that the Liverpudlians’ set will be thoroughly haunting

and totally captivating. Thekla, 27th.

Listening to: ‘Siren Charms’

How are In Flames still killing it, eleven albums in? By evolving, I suppose. Their 2011 album was practically unrecognisable for people who had only heard their early work. It was still awesome however, and this new one’s a belter too.

Band of the Month: Xerath

I seem to be in an epic mood this month. As the years have passed, I’ve realised that about 90% of tech or prog metal is just pointless noodling. Not Xerath however, who welcome bombast, but always keep it tight as hell. Benedict Edwards

Going to: Armchair Committee

One of Bristol’s most exciting prospects. They’re loud and their riffs are just super; you’d be weird to not enjoy their live show. Support comes in the form of the equally impressive Eighteen Nightmares At

The Lux. Louisiana, 15th.

Listening to: Alvvays

A band I wouldn’t normally dig but I do. They’ve seamlessly captured the usual female-led inoffensive pop in wistful vignettes of love that make them feel new and bold. If you like lo-fi indie sentimentalism wrapped up in reverb (or Best Coast) then you’ll dig.

Band of the Month: FKA Twigs

Obviously! She’s innovative and infectious in her writing, production, imagery and videos. Her debut, ‘LP1’ has everything that makes her better than everything else this month. Her work could be described as progressive RnB, but no further — it’s best you make your own mind up. Joe Talbot

IN FLAMES FKA TWIGS

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11September • 2014

O2 Academy BristolFrogmore StreetBristolBS1 5NA

o2academybristol.co.uk

Venue box office opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 4pm No boooking fee on cash transactionsticketweb.co.uk • seetickets.com gigantic • ticketmaster.co.uk

Fri 5th Sept • £11 advGuns2Roses & Metallica ReloadedThu 11th Sept • £20 advThe Queen ExtravaganzaFri 12th Sept • £10 advThe Doors AliveSat 20th Sept • £20 adv10pm - 4am • over 18s onlyJaguar SkillsMatrix & Futurebound + Icicle b2b Spectrasoul + more

Mon 29th Sept • £17.50 advSBTRKTWed 1st Oct • £16.50 advThe HorrorsSat 4th Oct • £20 adv10pm - 4am • over 18s onlyRaveology Mampi Swift + Sub Zero, New Breed, Brockie + many more

Wed 6th Oct • £13.50 advHopsinFri 10th Oct • £21.50 adv

OpethSat 11th Oct • £15 adv10pm - 4am • over 18s onlyGarage NationDJ Luck & MC Neat + more tbc

Mon 13th Oct • £13 advElla Eyre Sat 18th Oct • £24.50 advHolly JohnsonUnleashed From The Pleasuredome

Tue 21st Oct • SOLD OUTGeorge EzraWed 22nd Oct • £16 advThe Hold Steady

Thu 23rd Oct • £15 advClean BanditFri 24th Oct • SOLD OUTKaty BTue 28th Oct • £17.50 advLambWed 29th Oct • £25 advBoomtown RatsThu 30th Oct • £19.50 advJamie TTue 4th Nov • £16.50 advAsking AlexandriaThu 6th Nov • £16.50 advThe War On DrugsFri 7th Nov • £25 advThe WailersPerforming Legend in its entirety

Sat 8th Nov • SOLD OUTUB40Mon 10th Nov • £17.50 advLa RouxTue 11th Nov • £16.50 advBand Of Skulls + Bo Ningen

Wed 12th Nov • £22.50 advLevellersFri 14th Nov • £22.50 advHeaven 17 + Blancmange Sat 15th Nov • SOLD OUTPassenger Sun 16th Nov • £13 advThe Temperance MovementWed 19th Nov • £19.50 advLittle Dragon

Sun 23rd Nov • £17.50 adv

The Pretty RecklessTue 25th Nov • £18.50 adv

New Found Glory + The Story So Far + Candy Hearts

Sat 29th Nov • £16.50 adv

Sham 69Jimmy Pursey’s 1977 Line Up

Sun 30th Nov • £26 adv

Saxon Warriors Of The Road 35th Anniversay Tour

Mon 1st Dec • £25 adv

Basement JaxxTue 2nd Dec • £22.50 adv

MastodonThu 4th Dec • £20 adv

The Enemy & The TwangMon 8th Dec • £18.50 adv

Taking Back SundayTue 9th Dec • £18.50 adv

Professor GreenWed 10th Dec • £25 adv

MachineheadFri 12th Dec • £20 adv

Angus & Julia StoneTue 16th Dec • £18.50 adv

Parkway Drive+ Heaven Shall Burn + Northlane

Wed 17th Dec • £22.50 adv

Arch Enemy & KreatorFri 19th Dec • £22.50 adv

Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock

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T H EB R O N Z EM E D A L

After much waiting we’re finally blessed with a debut album from the gorgeous Bronze Medal. I

spoke with the band’s Chris Hillier about their slow-burning process and Iceland calling.

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It feels great that after much fawning we finally get to hear an album from you guys – what’s it been like getting to this stage as a band? Well, in the past we’ve always just happened upon having enough songs recorded to squash them together and release them. It felt a bit like we hadn’t actually been trying to put together ‘a release’ before working on the album. For the EP, songs had just been recorded together and then put out, even though that wasn’t necessarily the intention — it came from an ambiguous recording session, demos really. The album went through a more deliberate process; we set out to do something guided by a certain aesthetic, something more cohesive. I’d like to say the long-game was intentional, but it’s the only game we know how to play — we just work slowly.

You’ve in fact been strewn across a few different places over the years, has that been a challenge or just made you write in a different way? Yeah, that’s true, until recently we could very rarely all be together. But we’ve

never been a ‘jam and see what happens’ band. I write song ideas on my own and so does Robin, then we share those ideas with each other, finish a draft between us and then bring what is usually a nearly completed song to the rehearsal room and knock the dents out of it. So there’s a lot of back and forth before it becomes a real song, because as a pair we work independently but then hijacking or finishing each other’s ideas along the way. Then, everyone else weighs in and we shout at each other until we think it’s working. That’s always been the way it works.

And ‘Darlings’ was put together over in Iceland with Valgeir Sigurðsson [Brian Eno, Sigur Ros, Feist], how did that come about? Was it important to have him on side to get the sound you wanted? I don’t think I could say it was integral but it was definitely what we wanted. Valgeir and Greenhouse Studios were two ideas that got mentioned in the first conversations we had about where to record and who with. We discussed recording in a house ourselves and self-producing because we wanted it to sound more natural and exposed — but

“ I ’d l i ke to say the l ong-game was

in ten t iona l , bu t i t ’s the on ly game we

know how to p lay ”

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Greenhouse has a history of recording music that straddles the genres we were playing with and a lot of it has this great balance between the scored and the improvised; and we were interested in that.

We didn’t want to hide behind a wall of sound; we didn’t want to do loads of quiet-loud, big climax songs. For a long time we were obsessed with swells, drones and harmonising everything, the crux of which was an obsession with organs. Then in writing for the album we got obsessed with rhythm, minimalism and the piano;

this idea of hocketing arrangements so the instruments play around each other instead of on top of one another. Also, the second and third Sam Amidon records were recorded at Greenhouse and they were really formative albums for me. Those were the records that sent us to Iceland; Greenhouse became this mythical place where that beautiful music came from.

We’ve been teased with lead track ‘Tunnel’. Is that representative of the album?

I think the album has a lot of different stuff on it. If I choose one song, I usually play the first or last track because they can both stand alone in the sense that they were intended to be played first or followed by nothing. But we sequenced it to be listened to as a whole; there are a few songs that I don’t like to think of people pulling out from where they’ve nestled into the album. Hopefully it takes you to a few different places.

We enjoyed having Mont at our recent issue party, how do you manage juggling side-projects? It’s easy actually, Mont is obviously a very different beast, but it’s like having two very different friends; you enjoy their differences, there’s a totally different dynamic, but it’s just as engaging and one refreshes or enhances the other. Bryn [of Mont] is actually pretty involved in the band anyway — he recorded the pre-production demos for the album and some of those home-recorded parts made it onto the record. He’s been playing live with us too… he’s just a super-talented, versatile musician so he ends up involved in everything; the ghost member.

So with album in hand, where are you guys going from here? We’re gonna go play the album live and possibly not wait as long to record something new...

‘Darlings’ is released on 6th October, launched with a show at Bristol’s Thekla on the 3rd.

Loki LillistonePhotos by Alex Rawson

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“ We d idn ’ t want to h ide beh ind a

wa l l o f sound.”

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S L O VV C L U B

Rhys Buchanan

VANCE JOY

THE ALBUM CHARTS MY WRITING FROM

THE FIRST SONGS I EVER WROTE TO THE

ONES THAT I’M WRITING RIGHT NOW

”“

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You only release a debut album once (kind of), excited much?

Yeah it’s awesome. My arrows were all pointed inwards, concentrating on getting it done. Now it’s done I just feel like I’m freed up. When I was on the road last year I was thinking about the album the whole time and trying to write songs. Now it’s a bit more relaxed and I’m enjoying touring with my band. It feels good to be putting an album out all around the world at the same time, so that everyone can get their hands on my new songs simultaneously.

Since your first EP the sound has been pretty consistent in terms of style, anything new with the album?

I think it was consistent within the EP, but there’s probably a little more polish to the album. On the whole it’s consistent in terms of its intimate aura, the way that the vocals are delivered and in the way we’ve balanced them with the instruments. There are some songs on there that are different-sounding, and hopefully it reflects an evolution in my songwriting. I think the album charts my writing well from the first songs I ever wrote to the ones that I’m writing right now.

And it was recorded in a few different places, would you call it a multi-cultural record?

Yeah totally, because we were on tour we had to make the most of the gaps we had, sometimes you just don’t have the luxury of time. We mostly recorded in Seattle but I did one song in London and also spent half a day in Vienna finishing the songs. It’s exciting going in with a short amount of time to get a song done, exhilarating. When it comes out well you feel so good at the end of the day.

You weren’t always set on being a musician, what made you take that creative plunge?

It was really writing my first few songs that I thought were decent. Once I’d written a song that I was proud of it kind of put this little dream in my heart doing music. I kept feeding that little flame over the next few years and by the time I finished university I had about three or four tracks that I was really proud of. So I just took the plunge for a year and went down the music path — and I’m glad I did.

Vance Joy and his runaway indie-folk hit ‘Riptide’ have together garnered worldwide attention. Now, on the

advent of his debut full-length ‘Dream Your Life Away’, the Australian football-player (look it up) turned crackling singer-songwriter comes to Bristol. Our Rhys Buchanan spoke with him ahead of time.

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So despite not pursuing your studies, university turned out to be a productive time for you?

I reckon university is awesome for just finding yourself and exploring ideas. I got a lot out of it just by putting myself out of my comfort zone, it’s a good thing for young people to do. I’m sure it had an impact in terms of filling my brain up with experiences that helped my songwriting, but more than anything it’s that little gap in time to be free and not take on too much responsibility.

‘Riptide’ was written early on, that must have been a real door-opener for you?

Absolutely yeah, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without that song. I’d be writing songs but it wouldn’t have been on this scale. I started writing ‘Riptide’ in 2008 but then stopped because I thought it was too simple, it didn’t demand to be finished at that time. About four years later I was playing on the ukulele and it just resurfaced. I didn’t expect it to have the life it’s had, after a while of playing it you get disconnected from that first experience of writing it. It’s funny to think that at one point I made those words up out of nowhere.

Would you say it still represents your musical intentions?

Definitely, you stand by all of the songs you’ve written. Early on I just treated it like every other song but I guess it’s just the way people reacted to it that makes it bigger and more of a focal point. I think it’s representative of me in that it’s quirky but it’s also got a bit of melancholy in it.

You’re coming back to Bristol this month…

Yeah. It seems like there’re a lot of young people in Bristol, it’s a cool place. I’m looking forward to coming back, last time I played a solo show at The Louisiana but now I get to bring my band with me. The show is more powerful with the whole band so it’ll be good to play again to those who were there the first time. I’ll also be playing a bunch of new songs of course!

Vance Joy plays Anson Rooms on 19th September, with ‘Dream Your Life Away’ out on 15th via Atlantic.

I STARTED WRITING ‘RIPTIDE’ IN 2008

BUT STOPPED BECAUSE I THOUGHT

IT WAS TOO SIMPLE… I

DIDN’T EXPECT IT TO HAVE

THE LIFE IT’S HAD

Rhys Buchanan

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NEW RELEASES

The Trans-Antarctic ExpeditionSelf-TitledSelf Release | 29.09

When you take a group of music students and hand them some recording facilities, the result could wind up in any direction;

but that element of surprise is something beautiful. The Trans-Antarctic Expedition are exactly that. Hailing from UWE, their debut EP is the culmination of many fresh minds bringing exciting ideas, both new and old, to the table. Led proudly by vocalist Dom Brown, the seven-piece are striving for something contemporary by means of quite traditional instrumentation.

‘The Onion Twins’ not so much kicks things off, as rolls in with lazy trumpets, setting a reclined tempo from which things can only hasten. With the listener in an easy state of mind, things then take a brighter turn as ‘The Octopus’ introduces some surrealism, “the octopus in all of us raises its weary head”, sings Brown with a dandy charm.

There’s an overall positivity to this release that makes you wonder if the songs were written while slinking around during the summer months. These musicians should be proud having plunged into university and embraced what’s at hand — already a strong contender on the folk circuit, this release is sure to amplify their intentions. Rhys Buchanan

TTAE

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Allison’s debut album ‘Just Another Girl’ is an album full of soulful contemplation, finely in tune with Bristol’s contemporary country scene, which showcases

her exceptional vocal capability over ten Americana-drenched ditties. Certainly influences such as Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and the freewheelin’ Bob Dylan are apparent, but the album as a whole reaches further afield, bearing closer similarities to artists like Drive-By Truckers, The Decemberists, and First Aid Kit.

It’s a clean and polished country gem hidden amidst the city smog, but one which ultimately traces a similar path to the artists that came before. Harriet Taylor

Three Kings HighNothing Left To LoseSelf Release | 08.09

Jane AllisonJust Another GirlSelf Release | 06.09

Ben CoolingBreathe AgainCircus City | 08.09

Ben Cooling is a talent both charming and full of strength, but listening to his latest single ‘Breathe Again’ gives the feeling that you’ve walked in on an intimate conversation.

Opening with a delicate acoustic guitar, it’s not until Cooling’s vocals come in that his true sense of individuality shines through. A song about disregarding the opinion of others and sticking to your values, these are notions which aptly lie beside his dreamy melodies.

Helped along by its squeaky clean production, it’s another striking output from the Circus City artist who grows wiser with every release. Rhys Buchanan

Three Kings High are in every way explosive, riff-heavy and electrifying.

Backed-up by a history of local festival main stages, as well as supports with the likes of Huey Morgan, Smoove & Turrell and The Apples, this Bristol six-piece are going full swing with new single ‘Nothing Left To Lose’. Fans of Arctic Monkeys, RHCP and Jungle will enjoy their surging energy, while their neo-soul, punk rock waves and shimmering melodies hit all the right notes.

One listen to this and you’ll be firmly grasped in all that’s ahead for Three Kings High. Mustafa Mirreh

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Tuesday 9th September

DARK HORSES THE LOUSIANAFriday 12th September

KATE MILLER HEIDKE THE LOUISIANASunday 14th September

JESUS JONES THE FLEECE

PETE MOLINARI THE LOUISIANA

RAE MORRIS THE LANTERN, COLSTON HALLMonday 15th September

LUKE SITAL-SINGH THE LANTERN, COLSTON HALLThursday 18th September

ME VS HERO + SYREN CITY + TUSKENS EXCHANGEFriday 19th September

NOTHING BUT THIEVES + CURSOR MAJOR THE BIRDCAGEMonday 22nd September

LEWIS WATSON + AMBER RUN + ANDREAS MOE TRINITY CENTRETuesday 23rd September

THROWING MUSES TRINITY CENTRE FAMY THE LOUISIANAThursday 25th September

EXIT CALM THE LOUISIANAFriday 26th September

MAX JURY THE BIRDCAGE

Monday 29th September

SBTRKT O2 ACADEMY

VANCE JOY + EZRA VINE ANSON ROOMSSaturday 4th October

SOUTHERN THE BIRDCAGESunday 5th October

GHOULS + AXIAL VIEW + HIGHLIVES THE LOUISIANAMonday 6th October

TYCHO TRINITY CENTRE

STRAND OF OAKS THE LOUISIANAWednesday 8th October

KESTON COBBLERS’ CLUB EXCHANGE NATALIE HOLMES THE BIRDCAGESaturday 11th October

THE HISTORY OF APPLE PIE THE LOUISIANASunday 12th October

WILLE & THE BANDITS THE LOUISIANATuesday 14th October

LAURA VEIRS THE LANTERN, COLSTON HALLSaturday 18th October

GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV THE LOUISIANAWednesday 22nd October

DAWN LANDES THE LOUISIANA

BRISTOL

FL gigsbristol • Tickets available from: alt-tickets.co.uk • gigantic.com • 0844 871 8819 • Bristol Ticket Shop

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BRISTOLTuesday 23rd September THE DOWNLOAD FREEZES OVER TOUR

KING 810Thursday 25th September

WILL & THE PEOPLEFriday 26th September

DARLIA + GENGAHRSaturday 27th September

ANATHEMA Sunday 28th September

WHEATUSSaturday 4th October

DRAGONFORCEMonday 6th October

KING CREOSOTEWednesday 8th October

AVI BUFFALOThursday 9th October

GRANT LEE PHILLIPS & HOWE GELBFriday 10th October

THE MAINE + LYDIA + NICK SANTINOSaturday 11th October

THE LAWRENCE ARMSMonday 13th October

BIPOLAR SUNSHINETuesday 14th October

THE DIRTY YOUTH + I DIVIDEWednesday 15th October

GLASS ANIMALSThursday 16th October

KISHI BASHI

Saturday 18th October

YOUNGBLOOD BRASS BANDSunday 19th October

PATENT PENDINGThursday 23rd October

JESS GLYNNEThursday 30th October

KYLA LA GRANGEFriday 31st October

KLAXONSSaturday 1st November

HEATHER PEACESunday 2nd November

DEATHSTARSTuesday 4th November

BAKERMATWednesday 5th November

INDIANAThursday 6th November

CULTURE SHOCKFriday 7th November

THE SHIRES & WARD THOMASSaturday 8th November

MOULETTES + LOTTE MULLAN + HEG & THE WOLG CHORUSSunday 9th November

TESSERACT + ANIMALS AS LEADERSWednesday 12th November

WILD CHILDThursday 13th November

CIRCA WAVESThekla The Grove East Mud Dock Bristol BS1 4RB • 0117 929 3301 • theklabristol.co.uk • FL theklabristol • I theklabrisTickets available from: alt-tickets.co.uk • gigantic.com • 0844 871 8819 • Bristol Ticket Shop

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THOUGHTS

WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST?

It’s a big question and you could say that I’m in a unique position to shed some light on it, having both played in bands and spent many years working in the industry...

The truth of it is however, that I don’t have a magic wand, or even some incredible piece of advice that will propel you or your band straight into the stratosphere. The music industry is way too complex and fickle an animal for that. All I can do is offer my honest opinion, having glimpsed things

from both sides of the musical fence.So what exactly is the definition of success? Well, it depends on what you want from your musical career. You may well be happy creating music by yourself in your room, or rehearsing and writing with your mates, purely for fun and with no intention of ever playing a gig, releasing an album or getting on Jools Holland. If this is the case then great – more power to you and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the journey every bit as much (probably more!) but for the purposes of this article, let’s assume that we’re talking about commercial success.

I’ve been in bands where we’ve dreamt of stardom but felt like we were caught in

by Sol Curry @ Factory Studios

ARENA TOUR: WHAT’S YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?

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a music industry riptide, totally unable to fathom why the entire human race weren’t throwing their knickers at us. Surely our songs were going to change the world and, just like Bill and Ted, alter the course of history altogether.

The harsh reality of course is that a modicum of talent and a few great songs are not going to get you noticed amidst the huge shoal of hopefuls who, by the way, are convinced that they too have written music that will eventually lead them to world domination. That’s not to say that self-belief isn’t a vital ingredient for success — it is. It’s just that there’s a whole lot of other stuff that you need to do as well…

First things first — If you want to be commercially successful you have to start seeing your band as a business. It isn’t the most romantic of notions, but it’s the truth. With this in mind you need to treat it like a business and this means applying some very basic business principles. Your music is your product, your fans are your customers, and just like any business you need a marketing strategy to get your product out there.

So to start with you need a fantastic product. Your songs have to be well-written, beautifully constructed with great lyrical content and you need to be able to perform them flawlessly in your sleep. The simple key to this is practice - rehearse as regularly as you can, once a week is not enough. If you can commit to six or more times a month it will quickly pay dividends. Of course this can be expensive so ask the practice studio to cut you a deal – most will if you commit to practicing regularly during off-peak times.

Just like a business it’s no good having an amazing product if nobody knows about it, so you need a marketing strategy. Decide

on your band identity first; this should tie in with the type of music you play. In this way you can identify who will make up your fanbase and therefore who you need to reach. Next, consider your brand - how should you come across on stage; what do you wear, do you stare moodily at your shoes, or stage dive into the crowd? Always relate these decisions back to your music and your potential fanbase and be consistent with your brand.

Make sure you have a great media pack to send out to promoters, labels and other industry types. Make it digital, with photos, a brief biog, no more than a couple of your best songs and keep it simple – music professionals have a short attention span.

And lastly, go out and network with people in the industry and on your local scene; randomly sending demos out rarely works. No matter how good your music is people still like to have human contact with the people who made it.

Now get out there and enjoy it, if you’re not already. And good luck — you’ll need quite a bit of that as well…

Sol Curry

The harsh reality of course is that a

modicum of talent and a few great songs are not going to get you

noticed amidst the huge shoal of hopefuls

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Student special offer:£5 per hour weekdays 10-6Plus free backline50% off weekend rehearsals

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REHEARSAL LISTINGS

Firebird Studiosfirebirdstudios.co.uk • [email protected] 972 1830 • 21-23 Emery Rd, BS4 5PF

Run by musicians for musicians. Friendly, helpful staff, six affordable rooms, lots of onsite parking and food & drink available. Book by phone or online.

Maverick Studiosmaverickstudios.co.uk • [email protected] 951 0131 • Office Tower, Foundry Lane, BS5 7UZ

Rehearsal and recording (both audio & video). Large 30’ stage as well as dedicated sound-booth and control room available. All rooms with PA and drum kit

RS Studiosrs-studios.co.uk • [email protected] 0117 971 1495 • 47-57 Feeder Road, BS2 0SE

The largest independent rehearsal and recording Studio complex in the Southwest, consisting of 18 individual, custom designed & built sound-proof studios.

Wilder Studioswilderstudios.co.uk • [email protected] 252 2723 • 470 Bath Road, BS4 3HG

Acoustically treated rooms with complete backline, free wifi and off-road parking. On-site storage available and live recording studio with vocal booth. Daytime discounts.

AT PRACTICE: CASIMIR

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Tracks from Bristol and beyond you’ll be hearing this month.

LEND ME YOUR EARS

Elder Island — What It’s WorthWe raved about this back in June; now’s your first chance to hear it live as Elder Island play the next Chiverin Showcase, with Rebecca Clements in tow. Loui, 20th.

Liberto Wolf — The PalaceCracking lead track from one of BIMM’s many fine outputs. We welcome their punchy, post-rock-cradled indie at our Sep issue party. Start The Bus, 12th.

Coasts — OceansThe title track from their latest collection of songs and a firm fan favourite it is too. Feeling shimmery guitar pop? Report to The Fleece on the 20th.

Evie Woods — Someone ElseEvie at her sweetest here. Catch her supporting Rue Royale at the September instalment of Electric Harmony’s Basement Sessions. Louisiana, 28th.

Max Jury — Christian EyesFlawless alt-country from Iowa’s most exciting export. He opened for Lana Del Rey this year, but now comes to the intimate Birdcage, 26th.

Manchester Orchestra — Top NotchPriceless ‘American indie’ at play here. Witness this utter tune and more at Anson Rooms on 27th.

Sleep Party People — I’m Not Human At AllHands down our favourite band that dress as rabbits on stage. Dream pop meets post-rock in one melancholic Danish explosion. Exchange, 26th.

JAWS — Think Too Much, Feel Too LittleA lovely bit of bittersweet indie pop to mark the transition from summer to autumn. They hit our own Exchange on 16th.

FROM BEYOND: MAX JURY

Start The Bus 7-9 Baldwin Street, BS1 1RU

Thekla The Grove, BS1 4RB

The Thunderbolt124 Bath Road, BS4 3ED

Trinity Centre Trinity Road, BS2 0NW

The TunnelsLower Station Aprch, BS1 6QS

Anson Rooms105 Queens Road, BS8 1LN

Arnolfini16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA

The Birdcage28 Clare Street, BS1 1YE

The Canteen80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY

Colston HallColston Hall, BS1 5AR

Exchange72-73 Old Market, BS2 OEJ

FiddlersWillway Street, BS3 4BG

The Fleece12 St. Thomas Sreet, BS1 6JJ

Kingsdown Wine Vaults31 Kingsdown Parade, BS6 5UE

The Lanes22 Nelson Street, BS1 2LE

The LouisianaWapping Road, BS1 6UA

Mother’s Ruin7-9 St. Nicholas Srreet, BS1 1UE

O2 Academy1-2 Frogmore Street, BS1 5NA

The Stag & Hounds74 Old Market, BS2 0EJ

LIVE LISTINGS

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LIVE LISTINGS We pull together live music listings for the best venues in Bristol.

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For extra reviews, previews, interviews and all of our back issues, visit:

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FOR TICKETS CALL 0117 929 9008 • ONLINE AT BRISTOLTICKETSHOP.CO.UK


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September

Jaws + Fickle FriendsExchange, 16th

CoastsThe Fleece, 20th

Chiverin Showcase:Elder Island + Rebecca ClementsThe Louisiana, 20th

HoneybloodThe Louisiana, 22nd

Manchester OrchestraAnson Rooms, 27th

SBTRKTO2 Academy, 29th

October

Jim Jones RevueTrinity Centre, 1st

HONEYBLOOD

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TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM GIGSANDTOURS.COM BRISTOLTICKETSHOP.CO.UK / 0117 929 9008 / VENUE BOX OFFICE

THE GOASTT(SEAN LENNON & CHARLOTTE KEMP MUHL)

04 SEPTEMBERBRISTOL EXCHANGE

GRUFF RHYS11 SEPTEMBER

BRISTOL WOODLANDS CHURCH

FKA TWIGS09 OCTOBER

BRISTOL TRINITY CENTRE

KWABS12 OCTOBER

BRISTOL EXCHANGE

THE SUNSHINE UNDERGROUND14 OCTOBER

BRISTOL FLEECE

LAMB28 OCTOBER

BRISTOL O2 ACADEMY

JUNGLE04 NOVEMBER

BRISTOL UNIVERSITY ANSON ROOMS

SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA13 NOVEMBER

BRISTOL TRINITY CENTRE

LITTLE DRAGON19 NOVEMBER

BRISTOL O2 ACADEMY

BELLOWHEAD26 NOVEMBER

CARDIFF ST DAVIDS HALL

BASEMENT JAXX01 DECEMBER

BRISTOL O2 ACADEMY

Documents

Bristol Live Magazine: September 2014