Un-Signed & Un-Noticed?
Abby Kedwell Reports: anything out of it except the loyalty of the
bands and the fact he is helping people do
I was casually doing research something that he has tried so hard to achieve.
on ideas for my next article
when I stumbled across a few What they needed and like so many other bands
websites that targeted out there need is an independent live music
un-signed bands. All of them venue that nurtures up and coming bands.
asked for demos and most of Designed and built by musicians for musicians.
them said “we’ll get back to A venue where all Kent based bands could come
you as soon as we can”. together and support each other. There would
Knowing how stressful and soul be advice on tap by professionals, rehearsal
destroying it can be waiting for any news on rooms, use of instruments, recording studio
you’re future dreams, I began to feel sorry for facilities and much more; a musicians dream!
those hopeful, talented people. Sending in
demo after demo, waiting to hear something, The further I researched this fantastic music
anything! heaven it looked as though these venues did
exist but further a field than Kent and even then
It made me wonder whether there was they are few and far between. For a small town
somewhere un-signed bands could physically go that has plenty of talented people there should
to hand in their demos in the Kent area. Also be somewhere they can vent their gifts within
somewhere they could practise, get advice and music. Even a few of these venues spread
support with their music and obtain the throughout the towns of Kent? For starters
exposure they need to get started on th think of the prospects of having a central venue
in you’re town. Just imagine every month
talent scouts coming from all over Kent
attending a monthly showing of all new bands.
If one of those bands were to be selected to
progress further and they made it big they
wouldn’t forget in a hurry where that all
happened.
after venu?
e
lengthy path to success.

After a good two hours of searching I found
even more websites that were offering their
services on-line. Don’t get me wrong some of
which were designed and run by people that
were more than passionate about music but I
wanted more! I found venue e that
specialised in showing live acts but again there So thumbs up to the idea of a venue that gives
was nothing pulling them from the rest, they it all b ack to the people that will someday make
didn’t offer advice, support, rehearsing rooms something of themselves within the
and somewhere for talented musicians to hang unpredictable world of music. To all those
out with like minded people. bands that have slogged their guts out trying to
get noticed but just haven’t met the right
I wondered whether a place like this actually people and to all those that have made it on
existed in Kent so I picked up the phone and their own, good on ya. I hope you will support
asked one of my musically focused friends to the fact the Kent needs something with a WOW
get some answers. He explained that he knew a factor to give our young, talented musicians a
fair few astoundingly good bands that had spent helping hand.
a lot effort, money and many years gigging at
pubs to get exposure but to this day are still I do apologise if there is a venue of this
un-signed? They too have said on numerous description out there somewhere, all due
occasions, if only there was somewhere to respect for what you are doing but shout louder
practise, get support, a place to chill out and as the un-signed bands of Kent can’t hear you.
learn what’s out there. For starters they would
have the knowledge they needed to pursue their Please feel free to send all comments good or
dreams with confidence and they wouldn’t be bad to musicaturfingertips@yahoo.co.uk
penniless either. The strange thing was, he also
said he’s always wanted to develop on this Good luck to all xx
concept and build a community for bands to
progress within and if he ever won the lottery
the money would fund it. He wouldn’t want
The Gig Guide | September/October | p37
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