VAULTS’s Neighborhood

Hello,

Any of you who are familiar with London music venues, or having a good night out in West London will be familiar with the venue Ginglik.

Formally an underground gents toilet, the local government seems to have other plans for the site.

For all you Facebookers out there who are interested in saving this important venue there is this group you can join:

http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=532554330#/group.php?gid=35587928336

It gvies you email addresses to send messages of support and such, plus a couple of events to save the venue.

I wrote to the coucil folk stated in the group and put my best grown up voice on. Don't send some ranty message, just something stating why you think it's important for the venue to stay:

Hello council folk,

Apologies if these messages are becoming a pain, however I thought it would be important to highlight the importance of the Ginglik venue from both a music industry and local community perspective.

Working as a talent scout for a major label gets me to pretty much every venue in London. The Ginglik's accessibility to both emerging acts and promoters makes this an invaluable resource of new music to the local population and music industry. Also, it's placing means that many people from areas such as Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush have easy access to a solid grass-roots multicultural music venue. I do not no of one A&R person or artist who does not know the venue well. I also have many friends and colleagues who live in the surrounding area who are very concerned that the venue is under threat.

To remove this as a venue would further fence off live music to the areas of central, north and east London, remove yet another accessible venue for new and out of town acts and also remove a valuable asset that forms part of the area's cultural image. In the years I have lived in London I have seen local governments efforts to tidy up Shepherds Bush green and surrounding areas which have been noticed. However removing this important cultural centrepiece of Shepherds Bush Green would have a detrimental effect to both the area's image and micro economy.

kind regards

So be sure to join the group and let's see if we can save the venue! :-)

Hope all is well with you.

IB

Hello,

Apologies that I haven't been around for a while. I've been swamped in sorting out my new place and worrying about Visa's n such. All quite complicated but I think it's all heading in the right direction now.

I finally moved the rest of my stuff into the new place. Which is a huge load off my mind, and my brother's van. He volunteered to help me move again. Which I think is increadable after the last move. All involved, including bystanders, were left emotionally scarred by that experience.

The highlights of the move involved getting a punchbag set up and getting a sofa onto a roof, up a fire escape and having to take a door (and part of the frame) off. Luckily my brother is a joiner so he made a very quick job of it. Although my brother's first words on seeing what needed to be done was "I hate you" in his most deadpan voice, he still went through with it and carried shteloads. He explained afterwards that he's saving all these favours up for later on in life to ask one huge favour. I dread what it's going to be.

I'm now in the process of gradually whittling down my stuff as I have tonnes. But the room is useable, just.

Music highlights of the past couple of weeks included seeing the Cold War Kids. I've never had much interest in seeing them live but my girlfriend is a big fan and bribed a bouncer to get us in which I was well impressed with. I've also just found out that I'm heading to the Connect Festival which I'm really looking forward to. Mainly because Amplifico and Sparrow and the Workshop are playing. Both of whome are amazing.

Spent last night watching Richard Prior do standup with gf and friend who is visiting from the states. I'm quickly becoming a fan.

Anyhoo, apologies for the non-correspondence. If you've sent an email and had no response I am trying to get through them all. I have 500+ messages still to get through with more landing each day. Please don't send the "Hey, check me out messages" as that's what the A&R group is for. All it does is fill my messagebox.

Anyhow, I hope all is well with you and I will continue with regular posts again. Let me know what you're up to.

IB

Was having din din outside one of those lovely pubs near the Dublin Castle and heard my name being shouted from the corner.

Normally I try and hide at that point anticipating an ear-bashing from some disgruntled artist who, though my comment of "Nice, still early days, maybe more rehearsals?", wants to make it clear how pointless a human being I am. That actually happened once.

But no! It was Chris from the Lost Levels. They'd just played a set at the Dublin Castle which I'd unforgiveably forgotten about, even after my girlfriend reminded me, twice. I was too busy doing manly DIY things such as putting up shelves and errecting my punch bag. Luckily I had already agreed to go to the 93 Feet East gig which everyone should attend. Every time I see them their set develops another shiny coat of lushness. Visit their myspace now, make friends now and get their newly released single, er now.

Hope all is well in gigland.

IB

Hello,

How is things out there then?

I will finally be getting properly moved in the new place over the next week as the room is now free. Getting in there tonight to do a proper 'Changing Rooms' job on it. Without the masses of MDF or 'feature wall', or raving crazy person in crushed velvet jacket. There's a load of stuff I need to get rid of in there too. Such as:

One stack of pub bench cushions (about six foot long)
Several pairs of high heels (it was a guy that lived there?)
Two Gargoyles (don't ask)
One horrific red wardrobe.
Bars on the windows (handy in a fire?)
A smell (that needs to go first)

This time around I'm going to move in two shifts. Get a 'man with van' to move the essentials this weekend, clothes, PC etc. Then my brother is bringing his van down the week after for the move proper. I have to be a little more organised this time as my brother turned up and I was still packing stuff away. He's quite an understanding chap but the whole experience was quite wearing on all involved I think. Hopefully when he arrives it will be a simple case of, 'here's some boxes, lets move them from A to B'.

I must be becoming middle aged (I'm 28) as I really capitalise on any chance for a bit of DIY (and I use words like capitalise). Already I've decided that I'm going to fit shelves by the chimney breast, fit new locks and raise the bed off the ground so I can have storage underneath. Loser.

Went to the gym last night. Since I've moved I'm now really close to one, but it's a bit crap in comparison to the one I used to go to. No pool or anything. Nearly dropped a kettlebell on my face which was fun. Especially after a acted like a stroppy teenager when asked by a member of staff if I knew what I was doing beforehand.

I can always tell when I'm generally happy as I put on weight. I must be reeeeeealllly happy right now. Half a stone over two months happy to be precise. Plus I want to do another competition before the year is out so need to get into shape. Thing is, Snickers are just so good.

Was meant to have my work experience guy start today, except he's been offered a job at another major. Bastard. At least it shows I'm picking the right ones I guess. He's got a month before he starts so I may have him onboard for a while but not take him into the higher level meetings.

It's a bit scarey as I'm going to be passing on some of the techinques I use for 'Digital A&R'. The concept being I use research of acts and trends of what people are listening to in identifying new acts. I've never had to put any structure to it before. I just use different tools as I see necessary. Now I actually have to think about how I do my job. I;ve never done that before. Scarey.

I really am talking crap and just typing now, so it's time to move on and do something constructive.

Hope all is well with you.

IB

Hello,

It seems I'm starting every post with an apology of lack of content. I'm still in the process of moving house stuff and sorting my office move out. It's been tough.

I also got surrounded by armed police this weekend, that was great fun. I was on a friend's roof when police appeared everywhere all of a sudden. Every roof top, including the one I was on. "Did you see a bloke run up and down this passage?!?"
"No" We replied.
"Can you see a white bag up there"
"Yep"
"Don't touch it!!! You got a ladder?"
"Yep".

The bag turned out to be some kind of firearm discarded by a nogooder chased down the passage sometime earlier. All exciting stuff.

I've been wandering around the venues near my flat and found that I'm starting to become an inverted snob as regards the clientelle.

I was at a gig recently where there was a stunningly brilliant band playing. I can't say which as it will give away where it was. But no one moved, everyone was immaculately dressed in the latest scenester fashion and at any one time, one third of the crowd wasn't watching the gig. They were looking around to see who else was there. The one person who did start dancing stopped periodically to make sure others were watching. I don't want to sound like some pureist w**ker but I was getting all high and mighty about it. My friend summed it up with "Well it's a room full of +1's innit?". Yep, all guestlist and no enthusiasm. I wont be going back to that one anytime soon. Really sad as it used to be a really good night.

Anyways, moving on. I woke this morning with a ringing in my ears, Tinitus. Again.

I had it for a couple of years when I was in a band and thought it was girly to wear earplugs until my hearing started to suffer and I had to go to a specialist about it. Luckily it went away and my hearing was left uneffected. I had to do wierd tests of pushing buttons when I could or couldn't hear different pitches. Was relived to hear there was no damage after a couple of months.

The Tinitus was because I went to the loudest gig I have been to in years last night. It was at the Rock n Roll Caberet night at The Dublin Castle. I went there to see Bang Bangs, not Kitty Bang Bang who was on the same bill. Very confusing. Rock n Roll Caberet is quickly establishing itself as a little pocket of top talent on a Sunday.

On the initial hearing, before my ears started to bleed, I was getting a real late 60's garage rock feel to what was going on. There was enough gain and top end to the guitars for me to feel like I was in a washing machine full of broken glass. As the set developed it went really post-punk with delay on the vocals and a performance-art feel to the set. I really enjoyed Matt Smith going angrily mental whilst singing. Veins popping out on the forehead and everything. As a front man he sits somewhere between Edward Tudor-Pole (in his prime, sorry Ed) and Alan Donohoe as I find it a bit theatrical rather than a genuine hissyfit. But a great spectacle nonetheless.

It would be really unfair for me to give a detailed appraisal of the songs as I really couldn't hear what was going on after a while. So I've turned to the myspace to recap and found a much neater, not-what-I-expected-on-the-myspace, sound. 'In Arms' is my personal highlight and I'd like to see it at a larger venue or somewhere my eyes don't feel like they're going to fall out due to the hemorage-inducing volume of the PA.

Have to mention this band simply because of the name TITS OF DEATH. Even writing the name now I'm giggling childishly to myself. I don't think they're any good, just love the name. Well. That's mean I guess. It's not my thing, see what you think. Discuss. 'Iron Nipples' is particularly good.

Hope all is well with you.

IB

Helloo,

Yep, I dissappeared for a while. I'm in the process of moving both office and home at the moment, I think I'm a glutton for punishment.

Someone else is organising storage space around the office so I've had to be very creative with stuff under my desk. I never liked putting my feet under the desk anyway.

High Street Kensington seems like a nice enough place, lots of shops and the like. Plenty of eateries which is all I care about.

My new work phone scares me as it resembles a car dashboard with satnav. Luckily I don't use the landline very often, only to accept calls and I think I've worked that out. Hopefully.

The new house I've moved to is a mouse-infested dive, poorly mainted and a bit smelly but I love it as it's in the centre of Camden and I can know get anyway in a short amount of time. I'm in the process of making it proper nice, painting, disinfecting etc etc.

Music-wise there's been so much going on I can't really keep track of what I've done. Caught up with The Chapman Family last week. They'd just finished recording a Radio1 session at Maida Vale. Momentum is really building for them now and I need to decide on what my stance is as regards what they're doing. I think it's fantastic and love what I see live, but I wonder if it's too left of centre for a major?

It's an annoying fact but worth considering, if I love a band for whatever reason I have to think of they're capacity to generate revenue. 40k units for a major wouldn't be considered a hit but if a smaller label shifted that amount it would be considered a big success by them.

Currently I like what they've got recorded as I know how it turns out live, so I have a pre conception when listening to their music. However, someone who knows nothing about the band, having a listen may not win them over as it could be a bit inaccessable. Saying that, I've heard some new mixes of existing material which I hope will edge them further towards the mainstream.

I came accross Cats and Cats and Cats last week through the myspace page (soon to be developed and intergrated into the existing platform). I always like listening to something a bit different in the way of 'band-based' music. Ie, not something that sounds like a low-calorie Libertines or 8bit Killers. The first act that springs to mind on listening to is 70's prog-rockers The Nice, except they don't have an organ, or Keith Emmerson. But apart from that, they're very similar...?....:-s

I think it's Ben George's vocal that feeds that idea into my head. I like the fact they can create a large, grandiose sound without cliche reverb and bizarre extended intro's. A very English-upbeat Sigur Ros or Arcade Fire perhaps? Hypnotic layers of melody and the relentless stopstart drums from Doug Jenkins make for quite emmersive and engaging tracks. I'm really interested to see what they're like live. Once I get a night going again maybe I can get a booking out of them.

Other than that all is pretty good in the world over here. Let me know what's happening with you.

Hope all is well with you.

IB

Nope, Broken Hand isn't a new band. Though I do think it's a good band name.

I manage to royally mess up my hand playing djembes in a jam session last night. Went a bit drumcrazy and attempted some kind of pseudo-latino thing and manage to acheive stupido-fracturedhando instead. Kinda hurt at the time but my mate Chalky took me out for a few medicinal beers before coming home to a rather amazing lasagne. This morning was a different story, could barely grip my muffin.

(that's not slang, I had breakfast muffins this morning)

Anyhow, damaged body parts aside. I went to see Josh Weller playing upstairs at the Lock whilst medicating myself. I'd forgotten how much I like his quirky stylings, observant lyrics n such. He played a favourite of mine 'What Would My Girlfriend Say'. At least I think that's what it's called. It's not on the myspace at the moment. I had a brief chat with him after whilst he was surrounded by young pretty scenester girls (I really miss gigging). He seems to be developing well as an artist and taking it all in his stride. What does suprise me is the lack of deal. I would have thought an indie would have got an EP out of him at the very least by now. Last time I heard he was touring with Lightspeed Champion, he mentioned another peachy support coming up but I can't remember what he said. Think that was the medicine kicking in.

Anyhow, I have to do desk tidying in preparation for moving offices and also I will be getting a work experience assistant. THis is something I'm really looking forward to as it means I can spread the load a little and start exploring new avenues as regards talent tracking both in here and further affield. I'm talking to the digital creative guys about the changes being made to the pages today too. So that should be good fun.

Ran into one of the guys from Melody Nelson last night too. Great band well worth seeing if you like balls out retro riff driven rock. He did ask if I ever check my Vox which probably means there's a message unanswered for some time in my mail box. I do get quite a lot so it's difficult for me to get through them all. I must admit if it's entitled 'Check This Out' it kind of goes to the bottom of the pile as I will check it out anyway if it's in the A&R group. The tracks are simply added to a queue and I pile through them.

Anyhow, I think I'm waffling now. So I should get on with my tidying and maybe get me a special K bar in the process.

Hope all is well with you.

IB

Made pizza with the gf last night. I decided it would be cheating to buy ready made bases. I stubbornly stuck to my guns after it being explained to me that it might be easier. 3 hours and three failed pizzas later I was in a kebab shop in Camden contemplating the benefits of pizza bases and nostaligically looking back at the recent gigs I had attended (see how I linked that, good eh?)

I went to see Glass Shark the other day. I was completely off my face on legal over-the-counter cold remedies convining myself that I didn't have a cold and it was hayfever. Glass Shark is a punk disco three piece who make much of very little in the way of sound. The drummer is the main vocalist/front man which makes for an interesting stage show. Historically, I've never liked the whole drummer/front man thing as it tends to look crap and be the product of a drummer not being happy at the back of a stage. If you want to be a front man, do it, if you want to be the drummer do that.

Anyhow, for me this group is the exception to the rule. I liked the stage set up too as it seemed they had though about how they were going to be perceived. Their mic stands were decorated with strip lights which gave the them a stark monochrome/80's discoteque feel.

Vocally and sound-wise they remind me a little bit of Lightningtype in places (one of my favourite bands from last year). Also the drummer/singer had a really sparse kit. One snare, Bass, Hat/crash and a couple of small roto toms which played a heavy part in the songs. The guitarist was armed with a couple of cowbells and another tom in addition to his guitar. This let them go a bit crazy with percussion sections in their tunes and there were moments of LCD Soundsystem in there for me (though that may have been the beechams) as well as a more distinct sound they could call their own.

As a unit they were really tight, great backing vocals and really use what they've got to the maximum potential. This doesn't mean firing on all cylinders throughout the set. They use clever arrangements, breakdowns and write disco tunes rather than being a tired indie band playing at it for a new angle.

Falsetto vocals, thumping 4 to the floor drums and tongue in cheek belters are the order of the day for Glass Shark. 'Toni Collette' was one of my personal highlights. Be sure to see them live as the myspace doesn't necessarily do them justice. If you want the full experience be sure to take masses of sudafed, beechams, zinc suppliments and dyorlyte when attending.

The showcase at the studio went really well. It's a great place. There's several studios dotted around the residential streets of the area. The one I put the band in is known as the Cottage. As it has a lounge reminiscent of my nan's attached and a little patio area outside. It was a lovely day so met the band outside with manage and crew (engineer and roadie). Was great to sit in the sun and talk about the various festivals they're involved in an such. Chewed the fat, discussed the set they were going to play then headed back to the office to prepare to take the label head over there.

Whilst at the office I think I was probably more nervous than the band were as I really want them to do well. I was seriously full of cold and everything that came out of my mouth that wasn't a sneeze, was some nonsensical faux muso comment that just made me look like a tit infront of the boss. Damn. Have had several cringeworth recollections of that day since.

They hammered through the set and really blew all in attendance away. Plus they really showed the depth of their material which is important. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of them. Leaving the studio a colleague and I agreed that we've probably got one of the more fun jobs out there.

Think I might head back home as I feel like something has hatched in my head.

Hope all is well with you.

IB

So everyone is Glastonbury-ing.

There's is a lot of really really good stuff this year, but none of it on the main stages which I think is better in a way.

It's interesting to see the difference in ticket buying behaviour this year. After last years' crap sound, crap weather and crap provisions for punters the Dunkirk spirit was replaced by miserable soggy crowds and many leaving early. I stuck it out and left on the last day to face the 11 hour drive home. All a bit crazy really. My highlight that year was seeing Fionn Regan. But overall didn't really like it.

Other than those who have work commitments, I don't know anyone who went last year who's going this year. Many are heading for other UK or European festivals. Which is sad as Glastonbury had become an institution.

Anyway, enough whinging. There's plenty going on which is worth comment.

The Chapman Family are playing for one thing and they are truly great. To date, I've found what they've had recorded a bit lacklustre, but only because I don't think they've been with the right production team to translate what they achieve live into record. I was talking to Kingsley a couple of weeks back and he mentioned the difficulty they'd had getting the sound they wanted. It seems he really likes the chaotic noise elements you'll get from the likes of Sonic Youth and such but wants enough control over it for the music to be accessable rather than too art rock/avent garde. I wouldn't know which tracks to recommend as I keep hearing different versions of everything so just get yourselves to the BBC introducing stage.

Mumford and Sons seem to be playing all over the damn place, good thing too. Their day job is as Laura Marlin's backing band but they have struck out and gone it alone with their M&S project. I saw them a month or two ago and really liked the stripped back, rootsy folk sound they play around with. The strength of their songs rely almost entirely on melody and strong lyrics rather than overly elaborate arrangements, which they could do as they're all fantastic musicians. On record their sound is a little more rounded and deep with lush vocal overdubs and a lot of subtle but

The Fox Cubs, remember them?!? One of our first submission on the Vox platform and how far they've come since then. It seems like only yesterday the were sleeping on my lounge floor surrounded by beer bottles n such after playing an End of Camden night. Really matured as a band and everything about them is very slick as regards presentation. Their newly recorded stuff out of Dave Eringa's studio has really nailed their sound and I'm envious of everyone who will see them today. I think they will come accross really well. I certainly hope some of my colleagues from Columbia or RCA will be there.

There's plenty more but I'm in danger of waffling too much.

Has rapidly turned into one of those weeks.

I'll be going to see the Matthew Bennett Band this Friday at the Water Rats, between now and then I'm in hiding from my housemates.

After living like passing ships in the night for years I think everyone has developed that couldn't give a s**t attitude as our lease is coming to an end. I have one of those note-leaving/text-grievence sending housemates. That's something that gets on my wick a little. But I'm sure I annoy them more I guess.

However, with any luck I may be moving into my mates place in Camden. Currenlty I live near no venues, or civilisation of any kind out in Brentford. So living near most of the venues I end up visiting regularly would be great. Plus there are parts of Camden that are lovely with plenty of parkland to go to. Which is important for me.

Meeting up a with good friend of mine who works for a music law firm as a new business/talent scout. She's lovely and looking forward to a good catch up on what's happening and where. She just got back from India too so no doubt she's got a few tales to tell. I really need a holiday, going to try and make it to Cornwall this weekend. It's my birthday and I fancy seeing my grandparents, plus lazing on a beach or some fishing or something. Cider will probably be involved somewhere along the line too.

Decided to hit the physical submissions today, do my bit for the environment and recycle a load of CD's. The funny thing about demos coming in that way is the cover letters/biogs/naked pics haven't changed since I opened my first demo when I booked acts for the Water Rats. In fact, apart from the format, demo packages probably haven't changed since the late 70's. In fact, some of the packages came in during the 70's and were only opended today by the looks of it. I still get sent cassettes. Can you believe that?

Was training with my new coach last night. My new competition is in a week and a bit and I'm trying to get up to fitness n such so I don't get a beating of an UmpahLumpah again.

Anyhow, going to get some work done. Hope all is rocking with you.

IB