Nitelife March 2020

M A R 2020 . I S S U E : 146 . F RE E DOCUMENTING BRISTOL’S NIGHTLIFE CULTURE SINCE 2007

9 - 12 JULY 2020 | SHEPTON MALLET, NR. BRISTOL, UK

A FOUR DAY FESTIVAL OF MUSIC, STREET ART, SKATE + BMX FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

CHASE & STATUS | | THE STREETS LILY ALLEN RTRN II JUNGL E DJ SET STEFFLON DON | OCTAVIAN | PUBLIC ENEMY

ANDY C | ANNIE MAC | HOLY GOOF | HYBRID MINDS | SHY FX | SOLARDO LIVE SETS FROM

OCEAN WISDOM | MAHALIA | KURUPT FM | JAY1 | JEREMY LOOPS | ROYCE 5'9" | EASY LIFE | JAYKAE GENTLEMAN'S DUB CLUB | MS BANKS | D DOUBLE E | GREENTEA PENG | MIRAA MAY | HEARTLESS CREW | NADIA ROSE HOUSE OF PHARAOHS | ARLO PARKS | MUNGO'S HIFI WITH EVA LAZARUS | HOLLIE COOK | PA SALIEU | BIG ZUU DIZRAELI | GOLDIE LOOKIN CHAIN | THE BAREFOOT BANDIT | ZACH SAID | NOISY | THE TRIBE A-Z DJ’S

ALIX PEREZ 140 SET | CLIPZ | CRITICAL SOUND SYSTEM | DARKZY & WINDOW KID | DIMENSION DJ SET | DJ GUV DJ TARGET | FRICTION | LTJ BUKEM | MACKY GEE | MEFJUS | SHADOW DEMON COALITION VS TNA TIFFANY CALVER | WATCH THE RIDE PLUS 30 YEARS OF MICKY FINN & APHRODITE | A.M.C | B-LIVE | BARELY LEGAL | BASSLAYERZ | BENNY L B2B BLADERUNNER BLACK SUN EMPIRE | CHARLIE TEE | CRISSY CRISS | DJ FLIGHT | DJ Q B2B JAMIE DUGGAN | DJ RAP | DLR EMERALD B2B JAGUAR B2B ALEXISITRY | GRAFIX | GROOVERIDER | K MOTIONZ | KANINE | KENNY KEN | KOVEN KYRIST | JUBEI | JOSSY MITSU | LOWQUI | MAKOTO | MILLENIUM DUBS [ROYAL T & CHAMPION] | MR TRAUMATIK NATHAN DAWE | NU:LOGIC | PHIBES | ROSKA | RUDE KID | SAMMY VIRJI | SEBA | SERUM B2B BOU | SICARIA SOUND TEMPA T | THE UPBEATS | ZACH SAID | ZED BIAS MC’S CARASEL | CATALYST | CRISIS MC | DESIGNATE | DREAD MC | DYNAMITE MC | ESKMAN | EVIL B | FATMAN D FELON | GUSTO | IC3 | INJA | JAKES | KLIMAX | STARZ & DEEZA | TEMPZA | TONN PIPER

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STREET ART INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS & TOP LOCAL TALENT LIVE & CURATED ART | SHOWCASED ACROSS RAMPS, RAILS, VEHICLES & WALLS | WORKSHOPS | + MORE TBA

11 STAGES | MUSIC UNTIL 3AM | DJ & MC WORKSHOPS | SILENT DISCOS | VIP & GLAMPING | DRINK & DRAW STREETWEAR + HARDWARE POP-UPS | BRING YOUR BIKE OR BOARD | + MORE

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C O L S T O N

H A L L

P R E S E N T S

with very special guests

Thu 16 Jul, 6pm The Amphitheatre, Bristol Harbourside Tickets on sale Fri 28 Feb, 10am • 0117 203 4040 • colstonhall.org

ISSUE 146

march 20

wych elm 24 I think I’ve always been obsessed with death.

HIGHLIGHTS Our top gigs and clubnights this month 20-23

WORDS

Submotion Orchestra 28 When dubstep became a dirty word, we had to reinvent ourselves.

wych elm 24 Submotion Orchestra 28 The HU 32 Win: DJ at NASS 2020 35 Collective 36 A-Bee 40 Waldo’s Gift 42 Drinks: A spirit guide 66

LIVE & CLUB LISTINGS

Full event listings this month 46-64

DRINKS GUIDE

Bristol’s favourite watering holes 68-72

Collective

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We’re a family in this scene, so it’s only right to offer support to each other.

Creative Director Carlos Javier | Editor Rachel Morris | Commercial Manager Jodie Guichard | Head of Photography Dominika Scheibinger | Design Manager Steve Hughes Live Photography Dominika Scheibinger, Paul Lippiatt, Alesha Hickmans Rigo Luchi and Mark ‘bub’ Watts nitelifeonline.com | @nitelifebristol | info@nitelifeonline.com

Cover image: Rigo Luchi

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STEAM DOWN

E ASY L I F E SKINNY LIVING

ALEXANDRA SAVIOR

CHARTREUSE DRUG STORE ROMEOS GRACEY TAYLOR JANZEN AARON SMITH SPACEY JANE PIST IDIOTS P L U S M A N Y M O R E S T I L L T O B E A N N O U N C E D A C R O S S M U LT I P L E S TA G E S M A N C H E ST E R F R I D AY 2 2 N D M AY

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N OT T I N G H A M S U N D AY 2 4 T H M AY

F B . C O M / D O T T O D O T F E S T I VA L • # D 2 D F E S T • D O T T O D O T F E S T I VA L . C O . U K • A LT T I C K E T S . C O M

March Highlights Words: Brad Penhaligon

Alfa Mist An East London talent who infuses jazz and hip hop to brilliant results, he has enjoyed an impressive claim to fame after teaming up with other established artists such as Tom Misch and Jordan Rakei.

5 March // 7pm – 11pm // £14 // SWX

Example Example dominated the UK charts throughout the early 2010’s, and heads to Bristol for a special appearance. Expect to hear some of your old favourites such as Changed the Way You Kiss Me and Kickstarts.

5 March // 7pm – 10pm // £18.50 // O2 Academy

Housewives + Support A London based group that defy all genres and experiment with different electronics and percussions to create a truly mesmeric sound. They’re growing a big reputation across Europe and Bristol gets the chance to see why.

5 March // 7:30pm – 11pm // £8 // Rough Trade

Bristol Re:sound An evening of workshops, installations, and performances that showcase Bristol’s rich music heritage, reimagined. With virtual reality and audio-visual performances from James Cottrell and Dmango, it promises to be a unique experience.

6 March // 3pm – 12am // Free // Colston Hall

Gürl + Support Uplifting and empowering performances with excellently made music videos, Gürl bring their unique blend of neo soul, hip hop and rock to Mr Wolf’s this month. Catch them showcase some of their popular tracks such as YUMM and Heavy Heart, and watch as this refreshing trio prove why music deserves to be far more than background noise.

6 March // 9pm – 12am // £3 // Mr Wolf’s

The Dark Side IV: Anastasia Kristensen The first instalment of 2020 following the success of their previous three events, The Dark Side bring techno star Anastasia Kristensen to Bristol for an International Women’s Day weekend to remember. Joined by a group of fine selectors including Helena Markos, Luce, IRENE and Dani Whylie.

6 March // 10pm - 4am // £10 - £14 // The Island

Dr Meaker Following a huge performance at The Fleece back in March last year, the legendary dance outfit Dr Meaker take the stage once again with support from Sledgehead and Sir Peter D Rose.

7 March // 7pm – 10:30pm // £12.50 // The Fleece

International Women’s Day A lineup of talented females to fire up a big celebration of women’s achievements throughout the years, with the likes of Queen Bee, Lorna King, Kala Chng and Sasha Steppa providing a feast of feminine fury.

7 March // 8:30pm – 2am // £4 // Full Moon & Attic Bar

Hands of the Heron The Bristol based group promise a special set of original, unheard material for International Women’s Day as well as some tracks from their upcoming second album, with beautiful harmonies and amazing storytelling to be guaranteed.

8 March // 4pm – 7pm // Free // The Canteen

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Insect Ark + Support A terrifying twosome who have delivered gruesome psychedelic doom with daunting soundscapes since 2011, they are joined by local groups ANTA and Disastermind for a night of eardrum punishment.

11 March // 7pm – 11pm // £8 // The Lanes

Count Bobo A local rocksteady, roots, reggae and ska group who love to bring the feel-good factor.

Celebrating the re-press of their previously sold out record, the band will be partying in style with Bristol DJs Steve Rice and Frankie Downbeat.

13 March // 8pm – 12am // £3 - £5 // The Jam Jar

AFT RAPS : Klashnekoff A night of gritty UK hip hop as scene legend Klashnekoff takes the stage following the release of the highly rated album Iona, with support from Nutty P, Black Smith and Frenic for a night of intricate lyricism.

14 March // 8:30pm – 2am // £4 // Full Moon & Attic Bar

DJ Marky & Friends The drum and bass legend brings a gang of legendary DJs along with him for a night of some of the genre’s finest performances, with the likes of Calibre, LSB, and Pola & Bryson in attendance.

14 March // 10pm – 6am // £14 - £18.50 // Motion

Tungz Talented local group who blend funky disco grooves with new era pop with a heartwarming feel, their self-produced debut in 2018 was an instant hit and earnt radio plays off the bat.

14 March // 7:30pm – 11pm // £8 // Rough Trade

Dystopian Future Movies A blend of harsh, unsettling tones with delicate, atmospheric melodies. The Notts group join the bold and dark London band Grave Lines and Bristol’s Age Decay for a night of grinding riffs and heavy choruses.

15 March // 7pm – 11pm // £8 - £10 // Exchange

JAY SOM + LAZY DAY With shy, delicate vocals that put your mind and soul at ease, Melina Duterte and her talented band head to Bristol for a dream pop showcase with an indie-rock sparkle that tickles the heart.

17 March // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £13 // The Fleece

Velvet Magnetic Velvet Magnetic’s sets are an exploration into rhythm and vibrations across decades and continents. Selected from an eclectic vinyl collection, they seek to connect mind and body, bringing good vibes and fluid movement for all those ready to go deep on the dance floor.

19 March // 10pm – 3am // Free // No. 51s

LOWKEY 003: YAKUL Arriving for their Bristol debut, Yakul, whose track Blossoming received a Gilles Peterson Worldwide Award nomination for Track of the Year, hit the stage and show us why their live performances have gained an even better reputation than their music.

19 March // 8pm – 11pm // £5 - £7 // The Jam Jar

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March Highlights Words: Brad Penhaligon

The Subways A buzz of excitement surrounds this event as the energetic group return to Bristol to honor the 15th anniversary of their debut album. The rock trio are no strangers to pleasing a big crowd and you can guarantee an explosive performance.

20 March // 6:30pm – 10pm // £22 // O2 Academy

S.P.Y presents Dubplate Style The Dubplate Style tour is as refreshing as it is entertaining, as S.P.Y brings his tour to Bristol yet again for a night that encourages original, unheard production to go with the heavy hitting tracks.

20 March // 10pm – 4am // £11.30 - £17.50 // Thekla

Symmetry Recordings Another giant drum and bass lineup at the Trinity Centre as Symmetry Recordings invite DJs Break, Lenzman, and Dub Phizix, along with MC’s GQ, Fox and Strategy for a sound system banger.

20 March // 10pm – 4am // £10 - £18 // Trinity Centre

Category Is… Dystopia Nothing but suave and sassiness to be expected as the Category is… group invite a wealth of amazing drag queens to play along with the post-apocalyptic dystopia theme. With Alyssa Van Delle, Skyla Versai and Vineger Strokes in attendance it promises to be a wild one.

21 March // 10pm – 2am // £10 - £15 // Old Market Assembly

Colston Hall Presents: Princess Nokia The New Yorker represents those that feel they aren’t represented, with high energy performances and music that touches on issues from intersectional feminism to growing up in foster care, her rise has been huge, and it shows no signs of stopping.

21 March // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £19 // Marble Factory

Disco Social Club The DSC residents take over To The Moon for a night of expertly selected boogie and groove alongside a warm and social atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Expect italo, disco, house and edits from the likes of Boy Corduroy, Reboote and Dillon C. 21 March // 8pm – 12am // Free // To The Moon

Tuff Life // dBridge Tuff Life welcome Exit Records head huncho dBridge, a pioneer of drum and bass, to Bristol along with exciting DJs including bass driven atmospheric artist SYNKRO, and eccentric electronica DJ Loraine James.

21 March // 10pm – 4am // £12 - £14 // The Loco Klub

Wilkinson The drum and bass chart topper keeps up his incredible rate of live performances with another Bristol showcase. Expect the roof to cave in as soon as you hear hit single Afterglow.

21 March // 10:30pm – 4am // £6 - £10 // SWX

Tamasene Tamasene return for another Gallimaufry performance. Combining psychedelic soulful folk songs with a charmful simplicity, this project creates a platform and outlet for their songs to breathe. For fans of: Andy Shauf, Connan Mockasin, Nick Drake & Whitney.

24 March // 9pm – 11pm // Free // The Gallimaufry

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WORRY A group who harness their raw emotions and partner them with heavy riffs to create a powerful sound that gets under your skin. They are joined by York punk scene favourites Rotting Monarchs.

25 March // 7:30pm – 11pm // £4 // Exchange

Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival A three day showcase with a wealth of gigs and music workshops lined up, including performances from Pee Wee Ellis, Chris Corcoran Sextet, China Moses, and many more to leave you spoilt for choice.

26 – 29 March // £18 - £26 // various venues

ILHB: 8th Birthday I Love Hard Beats celebrate their 8th birthday in style with a huge list of high tempo, happy hardcore heads. With an 80s theme, dust off your retro gear and head down for an old school rave headlined by Jungletek queen Mandidextrous.

27 March // 10pm – 4am // £8 - £10 // Basement 45

Teachings in Dub Head down to the Trinity Centre for an epic celebration of 30 years of the legendary Aba Shanti-I soundsystem. With a strictly 90’s policy for the music, expect Aba to be picking out some of his finest dubplates for a special set.

27 March // 10pm – 5am // £16 // Trinity Centre

Cassels + Support Crafting their sound through sheer boredom in the Oxfordshire countryside, Cassels dance between genres with punk infected vocals and everchanging instrumentation. They are joined in support by Cagework and Repo Man. 28 March // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £8 // Crofters Rights

Fishstock 2020 All day punk chaos at Exchange as both stages will be filled with talented DIY punk acts, including The JB Conspiracy, Grand Collapse, Babar Luck, Redeemon, Sunliner, Nervous Rex and more.

28 March // 2pm – 11pm // £10 // Exchange

Melange Owain K & friends dig deep into their vinyl vaults to bring you an evening of cosmic grooves, bubbling beats and lounged out house for anther groovy disco special at Old Market’s best kept secret.

28 March // 8pm – 12am // Free // To The Moon

Spring DnB Fest It started off as a drum and bass Facebook fan page, but now DnB all stars are hosting events up and down the country with some of the genres biggest producers, its strictly jump up this time with the likes of SaSaSaS, Critical Impact and Black Sun Empire in attendance.

28 March // 10pm – 6am // £22.50 - £24.50 // Motion

Ritual Union New to Bristol and a seasoned favourite in Oxford, this one-day festival is sure to make its mark in our city, with a lineup that is packed with indie and alternative goodness.

Artists include Marika Hackman, Wych Elm, Warmduscher, Dream Wife, Rozi Plain, Squid and more.

28 March // 11am – 10:30pm // £25 - £30 // The Lanes, Rough Trade, SWX

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WYCH ELM local talent

90S GRUNGE MEETS FOLKLORE IN BRISTOL’S FAST-RISING PUNK ROCK BAND.

‘I think I’ve always been obsessed with death’ says Caitlin Elliman, wych elm’s creator and frontperson. The young, noisy four-piece have charmed and intrigued the local scene and beyond over the past year, dealing heavily in themes of folklore and the macabre.

Released a year ago, their debut EP Rat Blanket delivers a nostalgic grunge apathy and heavy sonic influence, letting way to riot grrrl rage, to melody, to singalong. It was passionately backed by Post Mortem Records co-founders Adrian Dutt (Howling Owl Records / Spectres) and Marie Dufrénoy, who released the seven-track vinyl EP as their first pressing. The first 50 copies sold out under ‘Jane Doe’ and were delivered in hand-stitched cadaver bags – after that, the rest followed suit.

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Story and True Detective, or simply check their half a million streams on Spotify and you’ll find there are, in fact, plenty who agree.

‘Death used to be a very taboo subject, but I think it’s too interesting to ignore the things that people can do. You hear these wild stories like Susan Smith, who killed her children, and I couldn’t ignore it. There was another case with Andrea Yates and that was the one I was really fixated on, because it seemed like she really had postpartum depression. Then there’s Susan Smith whose case is known as a postpartum depression case, but if you look into it, it’s not. She’s racist, she wanted to kill her children because she was having an affair, and it seems like she gets more sympathy than this other woman, and I find that really interesting.’

Caitlin continues: ‘Death is something I think about a lot, so it comes up in the lyrics. I know it sounds so weird, but I think I was eight years old when I found dead birds in my grandmother’s garden and being like “why are they dead?” Then my mum said that the weak ones get pushed out of the nest. It’s stories like that, or stories about how parents can kill their children; how the human mind works, in a way – I find it all really awesome and inspiring. Lots of people find it disrespectful, but there are people who can appreciate it as an art form and see it as that.’

Though evidently a talented vocalist, the EP’s closing track Susan Smith sees Caitlin distort her voice into something almost unpleasant, nodding to the louder, angrier direction she wants to take wych elm with the new material they promise is coming soon.

Walk around the Paris Catacombs, delve through the rich vaults of true crime on Netflix or series like American Horror

‘I think it makes the song when someone can tell how you’re feeling behind the words. Words can be all over the place

‘It’s supposed to be emotional, it’s supposed to sound angry and upset. I want to sound angry, because they are angry songs. Being a good singer is about the more you can experiment with your voice, how much you can push it.

sometimes, or not easily interpreted.’

As well as the macabre, wych elm’s other conceptual concern is folklore. Having grown up in Weston-super-Mare, near the home of occultist Aleister Crowley, ‘The Great Beast 666’, Caitlin’s imagination was captured by the creepy stories and myths surrounding their hometown. Taxidermied polecats (second-hand, they assure ) and a slasher filmready hand scythe are the props for our photoshoot, though the concept of folklore truly comes into play in wych elm’s storytelling.

Narrative-driven lyrics cast Caitlin as the protagonist, even if that’s not immediately obvious. Susan Smith, for example, explores her fears around motherhood with a history of depression. School Shooter is a clap back at people saying she looked like a school shooter because she dressed differently.

Like the best folklore, its power is in its openness to interpretation. It’s up to the listener to derive their own meaning, says Caitlin, who has received messages from listeners around the world who have found comfort in their own connection to the songs.

Growing out of a solo project by Caitlin and through various lineups and name changes, wych elm is Caitlin on vocals and guitar, guitarist Jack Hitchins, drummer Joe Frost and bassist James Brocklesby. They came together – somewhat

local talent

Death used to be a very taboo subject, but I think it’s too interesting to ignore

SPONSORED BY

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local talent

‘I was 16’ says Joe. ‘The community is so accommodating and there’s room for everyone, and it works off: if you get along with people, you get along with people. We made friends pretty quickly.’

‘We had so many gigs and we’d been working so hard, we got to meet loads of great people and strike up really good friendships’ says Caitlin. ‘Possibly also because it’s quite 90s and 80s inspired, that probably hit the nostalgia cord for a lot of people. And the emotions behind it, as well. I feel like our music’s quite honest, so it’s easily relatable if you’re going through the same stuff.’

Honesty seems an appropriate word and something that’s bubbling at the core of the best new music spilling out of Bristol, like a mentos in cola. Until fairly recently, Bristol’s underground was grouped together in pockets by genre.

But now, there seems to be a tight knit community linking wych elm with the likes of Pet Shimmers, Giant Swan, Lynkks Africa and Mouse, who share very little in terms of sound – but are tied together instead by friendship and a punkish attitude to how they create. And with no trending sound, there’s no room for agenda in music.

‘We’re all really good friends and we all get along so well that when we do these gigs together, we have such a good time. Music that people enjoy is so broad nowadays that it doesn’t matter that we’re so different, because they might like us all.’

Outside of Bristol too, they’re selling out headline shows in London and shipping records out to Spain, Tokyo and America. Although what we’ve heard so far is only the

appropriately – for a gig on Halloween 2017. Despite meeting as a group for the first time that night and by their own account playing a terrible show, something fell into place.

‘That was a good gig, it was a memorable gig’ says Jack. ‘We had pumpkins.’

‘Yeah, we carved wych elm into pumpkins. We really tried hard’ Caitlin remembers. ‘We threw sweets into the crowd. We gave away a cassette. We sounded horrible. We’ve got videos and it sounds like we’re all playing different songs.’

‘I think it was good jumping straight into gigging and getting on the radar straight away. We did 52 gigs in 10 months’ says Jack.

‘It got our name out there, because it was like, who is this band who is just gigging so much?’ says Caitlin.

In a polished social media age, where first uploads are mastered and campaigns carefully managed, it’s refreshing to see a young band dive in and learn on the job – huge successes like IDLES will attest that’s how they did it – though it’s also hard to ignore the raw talent Caitlin possesses and imagine what we’re yet to see from wych elm as a unit.

Most of the songs on Rat Blanket were written when she was 16 and 17, and weren’t released for another year while she recovered from heart surgery; yet they garnered huge support from the local music community. As well as the support from Post Mortem, local musician and record producer Dom Mitchison (who has worked with Heavy Lungs and Lice) recorded Rat Blanket in his Malthouse Studios and they’ve scored huge support slots. As a city, Bristol is lucky to be rich in great bands, which means there’s something about wych elm that struck a chord with people, who were ready to get behind them and open up opportunities.

‘I think because we were so young when we started, everyone saw us as little baby dogs’ says Caitlin.

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We were so young when we started, everyone saw us as little baby dogs

local talent

‘This is the first thing me and Joe have actually worked on with Caitlin and Jack’ says James. ‘Before we joined everything was already written.

It’s definitely got Joe’s drums and it’s definitely got my bass.’

‘There’s a lot more personality’ says Caitlin. ‘In terms of sound, it will still be really distorted. It’s a lot darker and moodier.’

‘It’s a lot angrier’ says James. ‘All this new stuff, to me, has a stronger meaning than the older stuff. It’s like Caitlin has finally found how to do what she wants and get out what she’s trying to say.’

‘Before, all the songs were limited to just my experience and my feelings’ says Caitlin. ‘Now, there are more about other people’s. One of the songs is about the abortion laws in Alabama. I’ve written about some more brutal true crime cases. It’s darker and it’s more political.

‘There are going to be a few things I think the listeners will notice has changed. I think the biggest thing they’ll notice is, these kids are older now; they’re adults now.’

Words: Rachel Morris Photos: Dominika Scheibinger wych elm: 27 March – Ritual Union Festival wychelm.co.uk SPONSORED BY

Words: Rachel Morris Photos: Dominika Scheibinger Pet Shimmers: 14 February, Thekla // 28 March, Ritual Union petshimmers.bandcamp.com @petshimmers

beginning, with a debut album well underway that will show a much more matured wych elm as they’ve grown together as a band.

‘Being in a band allows me to be more emotional and get my message across better. It gives me the confidence to scream and growl and shout’ says Caitlin.

‘She’s pretty inspiring as well, as a musician’ says Joe. ‘It’s almost like musical brain training – when Caitlin will say she has an idea and then she sings the melody, I want to get it first time and it to be perfect. You want to carry it through and you want to play it with the emotion and the style.

‘It’s a self-imposed pressure to do it justice, because I mean, we’re all in the band for a reason, not just because we want to be in a band. It’s not just cause we want to rock out with friends...’

‘I think I did find the three most mentally ill boys I could find!’ says Caitlin.

‘Our instruments are our language’ Joe elaborates. ‘It’s nice to be able to interpret what Caitlin’s saying, because she’s got a very vocal way of expressing things. It’s nice to use that for ourselves and tap in to someone so vocal on sensitive subjects.’

‘Rat Blanket was our first time in the studio together and I feel like it’s a really good start to us figuring things out, but by the time the songs came out, I lost my connection to them. This next one is going to be really on the ball.

It’s going to come out really soon. We’ve got seven tracks and it’s going to be a better representation. It’s going to be a more mature representation. It’s going to be a well rehearsed representation.

‘I’m ready for this now. I feel like this really represents how I feel right now about current issues, about myself. I’m ready to record it and get it out.’

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THE SUPREMELY TALENTED JAZZ KEYBOARDIST ON HIS NEW ALBUM, GOING SOLO AND CONNECTING THE WORLDS OF DUB AND JAZZ.

submotion orchestra SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA RINGLEADER TOMMY EVANS ON A DECADE OF EVOLUTIONARY DANCE MUSIC.

We were the first to play dubstep live Following a short year-long hiatus, electronica production connoisseurs Submotion Orchestra return armed with new music, a headline UK tour and fresh musical inspiration.

Playing out from small venue Hukaz in Leeds for beer and curry, the genre-defying collective formed in 2009, melting together influences from soulful electronica, dubstep and jazz to create a truly unique live performance.

The seven-piece have since gone on to sell out Royal Albert Hall, headline Pula Amphitheatre at Outlook Festival and play to over 35,000 people at a one-day festival in Moscow, plus many more stages across the world.

In an era of extraordinarily highly-paid DJs and hugely successful artists performing with backing tracks, Submotion Orchestra have retained a passionate commitment to the art of live music.

Submotion Orchestra composer and drummer Tommy Evans tells us: ‘The thing most true to us is the stuff where we’re all playing without click and without track.

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‘It’s just seven people playing live on stage with a connection, energy and mistakes being made as well. That’s what people pay money to see, they don’t want to see people miming. It’s good for the soul.’

Initially labelled as dubstep, the unique Submotion Orchestra sounds coming out of Leeds faced opposition by association, with the rise of electronic dance music redefining the genre.

‘The thing we battled with in the first three or four years was that dubstep was kind of cool and interesting, but then that disappeared quickly with EDM bastardising a lot of it.

‘We were the first to play dubstep live, particularly in that way, and we were labelled as live dubstep, so then when it became a dirty word we had to reinvent ourselves.

‘It’s come full circle now in that no one gives a fuck what you play, and you can call it whatever you want. We just do what we want using electronica elements and acoustic elements, it’s cool.’

The atmospheric party blend of jazz, house, soul, electronica and more draws on a number of inspirations, from across the full spectrum of music. The diverse list of inspirations emulated within Submotion Orchestra are what sets it apart as a unique live experience, whilst still ringing home with that familiar tried and tested sound.

‘I was inspired a lot by Mala. I was doing a jazz degree, but outside of that I was going to SubDub in Leeds and so it was a question of fusing inspirations together. It’s not like our inspirations were Cinematic Orchestra and Bonobo, it was people in complete different worlds and we found a way to bridge that gap. As it happens, the way it came out it sounded a bit like Massive Attack and Portishead and Bonobo.’

After gathering enough support, Submotion Orchestra’s first album dropped in 2011 with Finest Hour, released on the label Exceptional Blue. The track All Yours was sampled by popular US rapper and singer Bryson Tiller in his 2015 track Right My Wrongs, as the group began to get serious global recognition.

PREVIEW

It was joined by four more album instalments before fifth album titled Kites came in March 2018, signalling the beginning of a short musical hiatus; but for the members, the break was essential to prepare them for what’s coming next.

Now, Submotion Orchestra are set to return to the stage as well, bringing a brand-new live show to life with a headline UK tour, spanning six dates. Among those six dates lies a return trip to Trinity, marking the third time the group will have assembled on the Bristol stage.

‘We basically had a year off, keeping our heads down. It was for a lot of reasons, some of the members in the band had just had kids and all that sort of stuff, life admin. We’ve been going for over ten years, so it was good to take a moment and regroup.’

‘We played Trinity about three or four years ago, we’ve played there twice before and it’s sold out twice, it sums up Bristol in a way for me - it’s a cool vibe and a nice size.

Once the time was right, Submotion Orchestra returned in style with something unique once again, this time releasing their first track cover. Released on the internal SMO Recordings, the re-work of legendary Robin S banger Show Me Love explored something completely new for the band.

Dropping in December, the track coincided with the 10th anniversary of the group.

‘Ruby and I were in the studio and at the end of the session, we said it would be really cool to do a cover and Show Me Love was on my radar as something to do. I asked her if she remembered the tune and she literally tracked the vocal and laid it down in the studio perfectly, in one take.

The whole vocal tracking took about 15 minutes and it just sounds great. It was good to try something different and it paves the way to do more.’

‘It’s always an open-minded crowd in Bristol, which is true in a lot of places, but Bristol definitely leads the way on that front, so we’re looking forward to coming back.’

The show will see Submotion Orchestra explore the limits of their discography, as well as brand new music, reworks and the promise of surprises throughout.

‘It’s hard with these kind of projects with a lot of electronic elements. We try and keep it as acoustic as possible, so it still sounds tight and has that electronic vibe but is played live, because that’s what people want to see.

‘There are some tunes where that works really well and some tunes where it doesn’t. There’s no right or wrong answer and we’re always learning and trying things out.

We’ve gone through everything from live improvised jazz music right through to playing with loads of stuff on track, and everything in-between. The live show that we now have is a bit of everything.’

We’re going to be releasing a series of singles As well as the live shows, there’s more good news for fans Tommy revealing that the band are set for a steady stream of releases for the rest of 2020 and beyond.

‘We’re going to be releasing a series of singles. Releasing albums is becoming a thing of the past really, which is a bit of a shame, as I think most musicians love albums and I think music fans love albums. But the way Spotify works is actually a much more cost effective and time effective way of releasing music.

‘We’re excited to try and do a track every six or eight weeks throughout the year and see how that goes, as well as handful of festivals in the summer, of course.’

Words: Alfie House Submotion Orchestra: 2 April, Trinity submotion.co.uk @submotionorchestra

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Crofters Rights - Bristol A Gravy Train & BLG presentation, by arrangement with Swamp Booking.

Tickets available from headfirstbristol.co.uk / gravytrainrecordings.co.uk

interview

THE HU COMBINING MONGOLIAN THROAT SINGING AND HEAVY METAL, THE HU ARE A SPELLBINDING FIRST ON THE WORLD STAGE. Metal bands are known for channelling their inner Viking but what kind of music do you listen to if you want to channel your inner Hun? Enter The HU, a Mongolian metal band, formed in 2016 who rocketed to fame when their songs Wolf Totem and Yuve Yuve Yu went viral, gaining 30 million views in a year. The HU’s unique sound creates a cross roads where East meets West, the traditional with the new by pioneering a combination of Tuvan throat singing and traditional Mongolian instruments with Western metal.

It feels like a treat of modernity for such a band to exist. A natural step in the ever-increasing interconnectedness of humanity, it seems apt that HU means human in Mongolian.

Bristol was blessed with a visit from The HU last month, where they played a stellar set at the O2 Academy touring their debut album The Gereg.

The four members are all highly-trained musicians who met in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar in the Music and Dance Conservatory. The band is made up of Gala, Jaya, Enkush and Temka collectively playing the Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle), Tuvshuur (Mongolian guitar), Tumur Khuur (the Jaw Harp) and Tsuur (a mongolian harp). All of this is backed with the punchiness of rock music’s drums, electric guitar and bass. All members can impressively throat sing, a guttural multi-layered wave that resonates the core and takes years to learn.

The singer creates a fundamental pitch and then layers one or more other pitches over the top using precise movements of the lips, tongue, jaw, velum and larynx, whilst using a form of circular breathing. Throat singing mimics the sound of animals and natural phenomena such as thunder and mountains. It was originally outlawed by communism but traditional uses were revived after the dissolution of communist governments in Russia and Mongolia in the early 1990s. Some of throat singing’s uses have been to lure wild and semidomesticated animals, help gain the favour of local spirits and to summon shamanic spirits and Buddhist gods.

If you’ve been impressed by their recordings, witnessing The HU live takes things to another plane. Resembling warriors, the band confidently command the stage as they opened their set. Dressed all in black leather featuring traditional Mongolian designs, the four stood wide-stanced, looking straight into the horizon, their instruments resembling weapons. Their war cries shout to action (it’s not surprising to learn that they call their music Hunnu rock, after the fearsome Huns led by Ghenghis Khan). Their precise vocal and instrumental attacks hit us like a punch in the face.

Throat singing is guttural and deep, resonating in your core and stirring something deep. It goes perfectly with the Morin Khuur’s dramatic wails. With the added sound of metal, the music is elevated to something higher, a new stage in our evolution as humans.

The HU had a host of labels competing for them before they decided to go with the Better Noise Music, the same label who signed Papa Roach and Mötley Crüe.

Having planned to meet across the road at The Hatchett before their sold-out show, the legions of fans gathering early around the O2 Academy meant a chat on The HU’s tour bus instead.

In November you received The Order of Genghis Khan for promoting Mongolian culture around the world, was that something you set out do deliberately with The HU? Yes, we started out just sharing our culture, the world and our history. We sing about all the positive things our ancestors brought to this world. For example, The Gereg was the first diplomatic passport introduced to the world by our ancestors and so we decided to name our album The Gereg so that this album becomes our diplomatic passport to the world, where we can travel freely and share our music.

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Mongolia was under communist rule till 1992, how much has the country’s music scene changed since then?

Democracy gave us the freedom of choosing to listen to whichever bands you want to, but even before that, under the communist regime our parents and the older generation would secretly listen to the Beatles and other Western artists. After the change, all genres of music and bands started performing all around the country – everything was out in the open.

Your fusion of Mongolian instruments, throat singing and metal is unique in the world, what is it that you love about metal music and why did you want to combine two very different styles to make something new?

The idea was born with our producer Dashka. He got the idea about nine years ago, when he was travelling to his father’s birthplace – the birthplace of throat singing.

He thought that combining throat singing with rock music would go well because of the way it sounds. So the four of us and Dashka gathered together and started working on our first few songs. By recording and arranging those songs, we found the sound we were looking for and we called this unique sound Hunnu rock.

Throat singing layers different sounds and mimics nature, can you talk us through the learning process?

I’ve been doing this for over 20 years and I’ve taught so many people, including kids.

The first thing that anybody has to learn is to understand what throat singing is, how it started, why it’s there and who does it. First you’ve got to find somebody that makes this beautiful noise so you can copy it. Then visualise it in your mind, this understanding and picturing it in your mind is 50 percent of the work. And of course, it takes many years of hard work and dedication. It takes the average person about a year to make the first sound and to be able to visualise and make double notes.

Are you thinking of different natural things when you’re making different sounds, for example, is there a specific sound for a waterfall?

Any music or instrument, when you play, you’ve got to have some kind of visual adjacent. You have to know what you’re trying to deliver to the audience. When you

see it, you can picture this high mountain with clouds overhead and when you combine your heart with your sound, that’s where real music starts. It’s now alive, you know, it’s not just empty notes. The most important thing in music is having this life essence.

The traditional Mongolian instruments that you use lend a heavy folk element to your style. Have you been embraced by the folk music world, as well as the metal community?

Traditional music playing wasn’t a very popular thing back in the day, but now every young kid wants to play these instruments. Even professionals are waking up now and they’re trying something different. Even in the way we play, because the Morin Khuur is designed to be played in sitting position. We got these straps and we’re playing it standing, and now there are so many other professionals doing this, just within the last year – it’s popping off!

People feel like they can be more creative?

Yeah, it’s not that they have to stay within the rigid traditional structure – I want to note something, we didn’t just invent something new. There were steps taken before by other artists experimenting with different sounds. We’re building upon what our ancestors built upon. There are generations of people and musicians paving the road. It’s like teamwork, everyone from all around the world working together.

You sing in Mongolian, though you have millions of fans around the globe. In what other ways do you convey the messages behind your music, besides the lyrics?

Our music has a lot of deep messages and scores of our fans don’t understand what we’re singing, but music is a universal language. It transcends any existing language, because music has feeling.

Human beings can connect through feelings more. If it comes from our heart, the message can travel. Our message is about the importance of respecting and loving our ancestors, parents, respecting women and protecting nature. Through our music, we want to wake up the inner warriors that everyone has inside, so that we can get strong and unite together to stand against injustice in the world and to take care of this world.

Mongolians are traditionally a nomadic people, with 30% of the population still living a nomadic existence. In recent years, the younger generation are moving more and more away from a nomadic lifestyle and into cities.

It’s happening all over the world. Do you think it’s important for people to continue living a nomadic lifestyle?

We have to keep old cultures and the nomadic lifestyle safe. Progressive thinking and technology in the city is good, but keeping old cultures and being close to nature is more important than technology.

As human beings, we are part of this earth and when we are close to nature everything is better, because we’re living in this world.

There are so many other cultures all around the world, these differences make us beautiful in our own way, so everybody should keep their culture and be proud of it.

In the last year, you’ve spent a large portion of your time tour, away from Mongolia. With the idea of home being important in your music, has it been unusual being away from your home for so long? And have you collected any new musical influences on your travels that we might hear on future records?

Being on tour isn’t easy; months and months away from our families, but we’ve got something. We’re on a mission and we’re willing to pay our dues and keep working. We’re travelling around the world seeing so many cultures and music, but our style is based on Mongolian traditional music – we want to dig in as much as possible into the bones of that and go back thousands of years.

Words: Charise Clarke Photos: Dominika Scheibinger thehuofficial.com @thehuofficial

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Win a DJ set at NASS Festival 2020 Play alongside The Streets • Chase & Status • Andy C • Shy FX & more NASS Festival returns for July 2020 and with headliners announced so far including The Streets and Chase & Status with their infamous RTRN II Jungle. This year’s instalment of NASS is shaping up to be the most memorable yet.

However, there’s one more slot left on the bill that will make history for one talented DJ. We’re once again teaming up with NASS to find a DJ talent deserving of a slot on one of their main stages. Last year’s winner, 17-year-old DJ and producer DJ VU warmed up for the likes of Hannah Wants and Redlight at The Hangar.

If you’d like to be up there this time with some of the biggest names in the industry, upload an original 20-minute mix to SoundCloud by 23 March.

The winner will be decided by a round of public voting between 23 – 27 March, with the most popular mixes going through to a panel of judges made up from the NASS booking team, NASS artists and Nitelife.

NASS Festival returns to Shepton Mallet between 9-12 July 2020. For more information or tickets, visit nassfestival.com.

ENTER online

For a chance to win, head to nitelifeonline.com/win/nassdjcomp2020

collective

SOME OF THE BEST PRODUCERS IN DRUM AND BASS ARE BEHIND A NIGHT BORN TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER. Nothing symbolises Bristol better than a huge soundsystem in a tiny room and a sweaty session in Stokes Croft. Those in agreement have been circling the second Thursday of the month on their calendars for the past four years, for not many clubnights do it better than Collective.

Collective consists of residents Break, Kyo, DLR, Hydro, Total Science, MC Gusto, Onset and Mako, and their monthly sessions at Crofters Rights have welcomed some very special guests over the years, including the likes of Calyx & Teebee, Doc Scott, Randall, T>I, Jubei and Villem & Mcleod – and is highly regarded as arguably the best night in Bristol for drum and bass fans.

Charging just £5 on the door, you get to witness some of the best in the scene go back to back and soak up the warming atmosphere that comes with it.

Before their fourth birthday blowout last month, Nitelife sat down with Break, DLR, Hydro, Kyo and Onset to wish them a happy birthday and chat about how Collective came together – and the group agreed it was a very natural process.

together,’ Onset added ‘so it started off very naturally on a common ground between everyone.’

The group are passionate about doing something that is purely for the music community, avoiding the claws of competitiveness and just enjoying the music. The door cover is always the same no matter who is behind the decks and since last autumn, the lineup has been announced on the night. ‘Everything is way too competitive – it’s all about the names, or the amount of them and that shit really doesn’t represent what we’re about’ says DLR. Bristol arguably boasts the strongest drum and bass scene in the country, which may explain how a night run by some of the best producers in drum and bass has managed to keep a relatively low profile, though the atmosphere and lack of ego that comes with that makes it one of the city’s best kept secrets for those in the know.

‘Historically, Bristol has always had a soundsystem culture because of the Afro-Carribean communities, that in turn has led to new generations and styles of music, and turned the city into a melting pot.

‘I’d been in Bristol for about a year and after talking a lot with Charlie (Break) and other people when I’d been out, I realised that I’m not really immersed in the scene and a few of the others here felt that way as well’ DLR explains.

‘When I was younger, I used to go to Bristol and London when I was at uni in Plymouth, and back then I thought that London just edged it in terms of the amount of drum and bass, but now I’d say Bristol definitely has the crown.’

‘We started talking about starting a group to run an event.

We were told about Crofters and when we came to check it out and heard the rig, in particular, we knew that this was the place. It really just went from there. The focus was a night for the community to bring everyone together’.

‘I used to live in Leeds and the idea of doing something like this up there would be impossible, no one would care at all’ says Onset.

‘It started off as an idea for one of us to put on a night, but everyone wanted to get involved and we agreed on doing it

‘Things get embraced here, Bristol has become synonymous with graffiti and drum and bass, because people do it really well here. It reminds me of an advert I saw the other day on my road about Bristol not accepting iffy graffiti, and I think

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if you’ve got something good, people will recognise it

that represents Bristol well – because if you’re going to do something here, do it properly’ Hydro says.

music and they like it, and they tell their friends – that’s the best promo you can get’.

And Collective certainly do it properly when it comes to putting on a good night. Crofters Rights fills to the brim every month with eager fans, excited to see what’s in store for them on the night.

After so many years filling the dancefloor and charging a minimal amount for entry, one would think that the obvious decision would be to expand to a bigger capacity venue and increase the ticket price, but for the Collective crew, they are adamant about sticking to their roots.

The crew have recently adopted the tactic of withholding the lineup until people arrive on the night, and while you may think it was in order to build excitement or avoid certain traps – it was actually a mixture of things, according to Break.

‘We don’t offer big fees to DJs, it’s more a night where they want to come and play to a super receptive crowd with a small, intimate vibe. But if it clashes with a bigger booking at a bigger venue, it can be difficult for us, so by not having to announce who’s coming, we can be more flexible.

‘Also, it was getting to a point where it was rammed every time, so we thought maybe that would ease it off a little, as we knew we already had a strong base of people that would come regardless’.

Kyo says, ‘from doing the door, I noticed that once we started withholding the lineup, people were still turning up anyway, and as soon as they realise who we have on, they’re telling their friends “you’ll never guess who is on tonight!”

So it shows that we’ve got a good thing going on, as people keep coming.

DLR added that ‘it proves the point that if you’ve got something good, people will recognise it. You don’t have to constantly be claiming you’re the best, like “hey, look at my new promo video, it’s fucking sick”. If people hear your

they like and give them a platform to build their fanbase.

For Break, it’s the opportunity to experience the night from a promoter’s perspective – ‘to book an artist that I like and put on an entire night that people enjoy, as opposed to just playing at one.’

For DLR, it’s simple: ‘I played a fucking three hour back to back with Doc Scott’ he says, sitting rather smug.

‘It’s been mentioned to us a lot, but I don’t feel we’ve ever really considered it, weighing up the pros and cons,’ Break answers.

And for Kyo, it was very recently, when they teamed up for a fundraiser with the Marcus Intalex Music Foundation; ‘having ST Files here was amazing, he is one of my heroes’.

‘For me, when I think about legendary nights that we used to go to, such as Movement at Bar Rumba in London, you associate the night with the venue; I’d always refer to it as Bar Rumba even though the club night was Movement.

The Marcus Intalex Music Foundation is a Manchester-based project that offers a platform to support talented artists around music development and the culture that surrounds it, in memory of Marcus – a legend in the drum and bass scene, who sadly passed in 2017.

‘I feel like it’s the same thing here, people just call it Crofters. We could easily move to a bigger venue, but then it becomes more of a business and that’s not what we’re about. We enjoy it here and we work well within our budget, and it’s a wicked spot, why lose it?’

‘We only just got to the point last year where we were able to pay the people who perform and take part, as we give a large part of our profits to charity. It just so much better to be doing this for a good cause and it really gives this meaning’ DLR says passionately.

After four years, the group have been left with plenty of personal highlights to reflect on. For Onset, it was going back to back with the whole group following Jubei, who the group consider as one of the greats.

Hydro says it’s the opportunity to support other artists that

Teaming up with them was something that felt very right to the group. ‘Marcus’ death touched us all, there have been many tragedies within the scene, so we always want to do our bit to show our support’ DLR says.

‘It can be a selfish career being a musician, so it’s super cool to be involved with doing stuff together. I can’t say I know many other nights run by established artists who do that, but it’s why we do this.

‘It’s a part of the vibe, isn’t it? We’re a family in this scene, so it’s only right to offer support to each other’.

Words: Brad Penhaligion Photos: Paul Lippiatt @collectivebristol

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behind the scenes with

A-BEE

DJ, LABEL HEAD AND PROMOTER A-BEE IS HELPING BRING THE UNDERGROUND’S BUBBLING GARAGE SCENE THROUGH. A-Bee is one of the key figures behind the resurging underground garage scene. Getting behind the decks just five years ago, Abby Gray AKA A-Bee is now an in-demand DJ with a residency on Rinse FM, head of her own label Mangoes + Melons and a producer the making.

apprenticeship in live events and promotion, which again, was so lucky - right place, right time.’

Although Abby had decided against the production route, her apprenticeship project manager convinced her to give it another chance – given a lengthy background in guitar from her previous love of rock music, and an unmistakable passion for electronic beats.

A lot of this, she attributes to being in the right place at the right time, but you don’t have to look too closely to see that she worked hard to put herself there.

Abby ended up doing a short Producer Uncovered course at Colston Hall, but after learning the basics of Ableton and mucking around on a few tunes, production got pushed to the side again.

Where DJing and events had clicked instinctively, production was more of a slow burner. So due to a lack of time, patience or access to software – running an old netbook at the time that couldn’t load Ableton – A-Bee redirected her full gaze on DJing and events.

Although she had been interested in mixing since discovering garage as a teen, the opportunity presented itself after signing up to an urban arts course in her hometown of Bath. The course advertised arts like photography and graffiti, though when she got there, Abby found a set of decks at her disposal.

After eight weeks, the course closed due to a lack of funding, but after seeing how inspired she was – making new CDs to bring in and practice mixing each week – her course leaders moved Abby over to a UCAS-certified Gold Arts Award, which required students to run a series of creative events. While most focused on drama or other arts, Abby chose to study DJing as her artform and her popular Function 16 nights were born.

Though once she started working at Bop DJ a few years ago, Abby couldn’t put it off any longer: ‘I was around all this music production equipment and we had Ableton coming in, Pioneer, Korg, Roland...

And part of my job was to know how everything works, so I got a lot of free tuition doing it, which was was great. Then I got a free copy of Ableton, free copies of all these plug ins. It was like right, I have no excuse now, I actually have to do it.

At same time, she took up DJ lessons in Bristol with jungle legend DJ Dazee, who really helped set Abby on her way with one-on-one sessions and some solid advice. This was before brilliant organisations such as Mix Nights, Saffron Records and Sisu (where A-Bee now teaches herself) had began making their impact on the local music landscape, offering a route into DJing for womxn.

‘At that time, it was really the only DJ tuition that we could find, even in Bristol. I always wanted to do it, but didn’t know how to get into it. Nowadays, it’s a huge industry.’

people in the room to about five hundred in 15 minutes.

But, because at that point you’re running on adrenaline, the whole set went really, really well.

However, the biggest hurdle for Abby was a lack of access to equipment. So after only eight sessions sharing decks at her Urban Arts Award class and five sessions with DJ Dazee, she undertook a baptism of fire and began honing her skills by playing out.

‘Actually, playing sets to a few people is so much harder than playing in front of loads of people, because when there’s loads of people, you’re in the moment and just doing it. But when there’s not, you think: Was that right? Did that sound terrible? Why’s no one in here, is it because they don’t like it? You get all this stress and anxiety and that’s what makes the set go bad.

A-Bee’s first two sets were at Bristol’s now-closed, but never forgotten Timbuk2 with the Take Off crew, who invited her to play after she tagged them in some SoundCloud mixes.

She was playing a room in Lakota by her fifth set, and her tenth was at Bath’s Komedia, warming up for My Nu Leng.

‘I learned a lot from just playing out, which was obviously not great, because I was shit and making lots of mistakes, but being in a scenario where I was in front of people pushed me a lot more. It tested me.’

A-Bee took every opportunity she could get to practice.

During daytimes off work, she would head to the club where she ran Function 16 and practice on their decks, then borrowing a friend’s old CDJ-400s, ‘which are quite old and quite difficult to use, but they make you work harder’ she explains. ‘I only actually bought my first set up, I think it was four years into DJing.

‘Warming up for My Nu Leng, it went from being about ten 40

‘I think everyone has the ability to do a brilliant set, but when you’ve got that anxiety, it blocks the brilliant set from happening. That’s a big hurdle to get over and playing out in these things at quite an early point helped me deal with that.’

Some of the earliest conversations A-Bee had when she took up DJing helped her choose which path she wanted to take in the music industry. Though now she’s more established, those paths may soon cross.

‘My school when I was doing my A-levels, were like: uni, uni, uni. But I just did not want to go. I didn’t want to pay all that money. I wanted to get into the music industry and a conversation I had with Dazee at the time was: I really want to do this for a job. She said, “well, you either want to make beats or you want to run nights.’ At that point, I didn’t really want to make beats. I like organising things, so I started an

She’s been brushing up her skills in the background ever since and is nearly ready to put out some original music. True to her sets, A-Bee has been ‘making a bit of everything – garage, house, techno, speed garage, jungle, hip hop... I’ve got a few things that I’m feeling like are nearly ready, but I’ve not wanted to rush anything.’

Understandably, having built up a following as a DJ, there is a lot more pressure on her first release. The fact that I’m even asking whether production is on the horizon is a sign of all the expectant eyes turned her way. Though if her previous career timelines are anything to go by, we can believe her when she says tracks are coming soon.

While A-Bee loves all things garage and house, her true music soul mate is speed garage, which she discovered after looking into Sheffield nightclub Niche – immortalised as the birthplace of 00s bassline, the child of 90s speed garage.

‘You know, when you get that moment? The basslines were really dark, drums were super skippy, loads of nice organs and pads and stabs. I knew it’s what I’d been looking for. All those other things I’d been listening to and playing up till then are all influenced from speed garage.’

By working within a relatively niche sound profile, A-Bee is by nature strangling her reach in terms of numbers. She could have used her platform on Rinse FM to increase her profile with more centred, mass-appeal music, however, she stays honest to the sounds she truly cares about. Recent Rinse shows include a 100% Vinyl Speed Garage special, 4x4 Garage, Flavours of House and a Decade Special – combining her favourites across house, garage and techno from the past ten years.

It’s going to be full throttle ‘I’ve got to do what I love and what I think is right, because that’s when I get good results. If I’m doing something for the sake of getting a bigger following, it’s not going to work.

If your heart isn’t really in it, you get the stress and anxiety thing I was talking about earlier and it blocks you. Whereas if you’re really enjoying it and just doing it because you love it, then that’s when all of a sudden you’ve got, “hey, can you come and do a set here?”.

‘It has definitely helped me stand out as a DJ, and my label and nights as as well. Things are really exciting for speed garage at the moment. There are lots of big DJs who are starting to play stuff and make speed garage-influenced stuff. I think this year is going to be a really big year for

underground garage. There are so many cool labels popping up and cool producers and DJs. It’s going to be full throttle.’

interesting to see where they’re going to go with the next release, or what party they’re going to do next, or maybe what genre they’re going to help be creating next...

One of those exciting labels, of course, is her own Mangoes + Melons, which has so far hosted six releases and grown into a destination party for garage and house fans from around the country. As a vinyl fanatic herself, A-Bee is also looking forward to the label’s first vinyl release coming out this year – a repress of four 90s garage tracks.

‘They’re so important for lots of different genres and scenes of music to grow. Or even to start to get up and running, or have a resurgence again – a lot of this garage resurgence we’re seeing is down to people setting up small, DIY garage labels.’

‘Small, DIY labels are definitely the way forward. They’re the ones I’ve always bought my music from anyway. They’re creating their own thing that’s interesting to follow – it’s

Words: Rachel Morris Photos: Martin Thompson @thefacecollective mangoesandmelons.bandcamp.com @abeeuk 41

42

20 questions

20 questions

with

waldo’s gift Intricately fusing the defining elements of modern jazz with hints of math, groove and the many variables of improvisation, Waldo’s Gift have established themselves as the city’s favourite musical experimenters. Born out of Gloucester Road’s trusty muso hub The Gallimaufry, the three-piece showcase an authentically forwardthinking - and captivatingly exciting brand of UK jazz.

Shooting to the forefront of the national scene with the 2019 release of their debut seven-track EP Improvisations, Waldo’s Gift have become known for creating thunderously complex sounds - despite a surprisingly small core set-up. The band, consisting of Alun Elliot-Williams on guitar, Harry Stoneham on bass and James Vine on drums, recorded the EP live and in single takes, avoiding overdubs and samples in order to capture the essence of their seemingly-telepathic sonic connections.

Improvisations guide listeners through delicacy-drenched soundscapes, hypnotic in their melodic expanses, into beat-driven moments of cacophonous energy with an expert fluidity that only concretes the band’s virtuosic grounding.

Though the three piece are clearly bound by an unbreakable dynamic, they also radiate an all-welcoming ethos of collaboration. Pioneering Bristol’s Wednesday nights, Waldo’s Gift invite an impressive array of artists to play their Waldo’s Weekly shows at the Galli, and always encourage audience participation. Here, the band also developed their Rework series, taking on albums by some of the biggest global names around and gifting their elaborately curated interpretations think Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, Bjork, Justin Timberlake and even ABBA… all jazzed up.

Who are your top three acts right now?

Carrying their well-renowned energy into the new decade, Waldo’s Gift are set to release a new EP this May, and to pre-celebrate will be playing the Bristol Jazz Fest as part of Worm Disco Club’s label launch party at The Fiddlers on 27 March. If you’re yet to catch the band, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Waldo’s Gift will be joined by fellow Bristolian jazz powerhouses Snazzback and Run Logan Run, amongst a whole host of great artists playing the three day event. They’ve also been hand-selected to support Alfa Mist at his SWX show, signalling big things to come for this trio.

Most recent?

Floating Points, Oliver Coates, Jon Hopkins.

Which song by another artist most inspires you?

Entertain Me - Tigran Hamasyan.

First piece of music you bought?

Alun: Puff Daddy – No Way Out. Jim: Gorrilaz. Harry: One of The Offspring’s albums.

Spirit animal?

A possum.

Tea or coffee?

COFFEEEEEE. Festivals: big or boutique?

Boutique (apart from Glasto).

Pet peeve?

Harry hates barking dogs.

Are you organised or a procrastinator?

Procrastinator.

Jim: Shadows EP – Floating Points. Alun: 24 Preludes – York Bowen. Harry: James Last Plays Abba.

Favourite quality in a person?

Who is or was the most underrated artist, in your opinion?

Do you have any secret skills?

Van Gogh.

Jim is the best Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 player in the South West.

It’s 2am and the party is dying down, what track do you play to get everyone going again?

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Eve & Gwen Stefani - Let Me Blow Ya Mind.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?

Alun wanted to be an author.

Favourite book?

Jim: The Master and Margarita – Mikhail Bulgakov. Alun: Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky. Harry: The Duel – Anton Chekhov.

Most recent binge watch?

Confidence and/or wisdom.

The key to weight loss is the control of insulin levels and not calories in/calories out as recommended by the USDA in 1979.

What is your oldest possession?

Jim has a weird jingly bell thing someone gave him when he was born. Alun has an old skateboard that belonged to Tony Hawks’ grandad. Harry owns a small portion of Chew Valley Lake.

What are you doing tomorrow?

Recording some music.

Harry smashes anything Star Trek. Big time.

Life motto?

Live and let live.

Words: Ciara Bains Photos: @thefotomatic Waldo’s Gift: 5 March – w/ Alfa Mist, SWX // 27 March – Bristol Jazz Fest, The Fiddlers @waldosgift

43

YOUR LOCAL DJ STORE...

Brunel Rooms, Unity St, Bristol, BS2 0JP | 0117 950 4189

DJ - PRODUCTION - LIGHTING - PA HANDS ON SHOWROOM - TRADE IN - 0% FINANCE

LIVE GUIDE VENUES

51 STOKES CROFT 46 O2 ACADEMY 47 BAMBALAN 48 THE CANTEEN 49 COLSTON HALL 50 THE CROFTERS RIGHTS 51 EXCHANGE 52 THE FLEECE 53 FULL MOON & ATTIC BAR 54 THE GALLIMAUFRY 55 THE JAM JAR 56 THE LANES 57 MR WOLF’S 58 THE OLD MARKET ASSEMBLY 59 ROUGH TRADE 60 SWX 61 THEKLA 62 TO THE MOON 63 TRINITY 64

45

51 stokes croft Instagram @51stokescroft // facebook.com/51stokescroft 51 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3QP // 01179 148 048 // 51stokescroft.com

From the same team behind Mr Wolfs, No.51s showcases a funkier genre, with disco, house, techno, breakbeat and general rhythms that lead to the dancefloor taking the bulk of their events. That’s not to say you won’t find the occasional live offering or open mic night.

No.51s hides a very decent beer garden out back and regularly makes use of it with day and night parties through the year. They’ve also earned a reputation as one of the best pizza spots in town, with a wood-fired pizza oven on site and a creative kitchen team. A great spot all week for drinks, dancing and good vibes.

March Highlights

VELVET MAGNETIC

ASIAN HAWK

19 March // 10pm – 3am // Free

27 March // 10pm – 3am // £3 - £4

Velvet Magnetic’s sets are an exploration into rhythm and vibrations across decades and continents. Selected from an eclectic vinyl collection, they seek to connect mind and body, bringing good vibes and fluid movement for all those ready to go deep on the dance floor.

46

A No. 51s favourite takes the reigns all night long yet again, supplying all of your most beloved tracks across genres such as hip hop, funk, soul and disco to keep you dancing till dawn.

02 academy

Instagram @o2academybris // facebook.com/o2academybristol Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA // 0117 927 9227 // o2academybristol.co.uk

A classic live venue, O2 Academy Bristol is designed entirely around what’s happening on stage. They recently refitted their sound desk to ensure perfect acoustics whether you’re in the mosh pit or the balcony – they even offer double pints at the bar, so you won’t need to return during a gig.

As well hosting major touring acts, the venue is a key stop off point for artists on their way up, with early shows from the likes of Kings of Leon and Kendrick Lamar.

After curfew, the venue can transform into a club, hosting regular student nights, as well as special one-offs, such as Kisstory or grime epic Eskimo Dance.

March Highlights

EXAMPLE

THE SUBWAYS

5 March // 7pm – 10pm // £18.50

20 March // 6:30pm – 10pm // £22

Example dominated the UK charts throughout the early 2010’s, and heads to Bristol for a special appearance. Expect to hear some of your old favourites such as Changed the Way You Kiss Me and Kickstarts.

A buzz of excitement surrounds this event as the energetic group return to Bristol to honor the 15th anniversary of their debut album. The rock trio are no strangers to pleasing a big crowd and you can guarantee an explosive performance.

facebook.com/o2academybristol twitter.com/o2academybris instagram.com/o2academybris facebook.com/o2academybristol youtube.com/o2academytv twitter.com/o2academybris instagram.com/o2academybris youtube.com/o2academytv

Tue 3rd Mar

Sun 5th Apr • 4pm

Thur 14th May • SOLD OUT

Thur 8th Oct

Testament

RAP MANIA

Sam Fender

Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern Juke Box

Thur 5th Mar

ft EPMD, Onyx, MOP,

Fri 15th May • 6.30pm

Example

Lords Of The Underground, Jeru Da Damaja & Rodney P

Fri 6th Mar • SOLD OUT

Mon 6th Apr

Toots and the Maytals

Oh Wonder

Caribou

Mon 18th May • SOLD OUT

Sat 11th Apr • 10pm

BROCKHAMPTON

Spice

Tue 19th May

+ A.A. Williams

Wed 15th Apr

Scotty McCreery

Thur 12th Mar

Rak-Su

Thur 21st May

Stiff Little Fingers

Fri 17th Apr • 6.30pm

Brian Fallon & The Chats The Howling Weather

+ Dizzy Sun 8th Mar • SOLD OUT

Sisters Of Mercy

+ TV Smith + The Professionals Fri 13th Mar • SOLD OUT

NF Sat 14th Mar • SOLD OUT

Lioness ...

A.K.A The Amy Winehouse Experience

Sat 23rd May • 2pm

Dot To Dot Festival 2020

The Dualers

Tue 21st Apr • SOLD OUT

Mon 25th May

Lamb of God

Morgan Heritage

Thur 19th Mar

+ Kreator + Power Trip

Lightning Seeds

Thur 23rd Apr

Fri 20th Mar • 6pm

Feeder

The Subways + Art Brut Mon 23rd Mar

Cigarettes After Sex Tue 24th Mar

Ash Fri 27th Mar

James Bond – in concert Sat 28th Mar • SOLD OUT

I Prevail

Fri 24th Apr • 6.30pm

The White Buffalo Sat 25th Apr • 10pm

Logan D & Majistrate

Wed 3rd Jun

Ella Eyre Mon 8th Jun

Lupe Fiasco Wed 10th Jun

Bad Religion + U.K Subs Wed 17th Jun • 5.30pm

Mon 27th Apr

Volbeat

The Fratellis

Fri 11th Sep • 6.30pm

Sun 3rd May

CASH

Steel Pulse

Sat 12th Sep • 6.30pm

Tue 5th May

Fri 9th Oct • 6.30pm

The Smyths Meat Is Murder 35th Anniversary Tue 13th Oct

Black Stone Cherry Sun 18th Oct

Wed 21st Oct

Heels of Hell Fri 23rd Oct • 6.30pm

The Stranglers + Ruts DC Fri 6th Nov • 6.30pm

Soul II Soul Fri 27th Nov • 6pm

Becky Hill Fri 4th Dec • 6.30pm

Heaven 17 Sun 6th Dec

Skunk Anansie

Sleeper & The Bluetones

+ Dream State

The Mission

Thur 2nd Apr • 6pm

Thur 7th May • 10pm

Tue 15th Sep

Roachford

INVADERZ

Mudhoney

Sat 4th Apr • 10pm

Fri 8th May • 6.30pm

Fri 18th Sep • 7.30pm

Hybrid Minds

The Shires

Rend Collective

O2 Academy Bristol

ticketmaster.co.uk

Frogmore Street, Bristol BS1 5NA • Doors 7pm unless stated Venue box office opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 4pm

ticketmaster.co.uk • seetickets.com • gigantic.com

o2academybristol.co.uk

March • 2020

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Bambalan

Instagram @bambalanbristol // facebook.com/bambalanbristol Podium Level, Colston Tower, Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 4XE // @bambalanbristol // 0117 922 1880 // bambalan.co.uk

Arguably the best roof terrace in Bristol, Bambalan boasts amazing views over the city with resident DJs regularly pumping out tunes from the rooftop DJ booth.

Bambalan’s music policy is funk, soul, house and disco – which matches their upbeat, good time attitude.

As well as a delicious North African kitchen menu, Bambalan’s bar stocks a selection craft beers, ciders and happy hour cocktails, and is probably the best place in Bristol to get an Aperol Spritz. Bambalan boasts plenty of inside and outside space, plus table football and table tennis on the balcony.

March Highlights

TERRACE SESSIONS

JAZZ BRUNCH

Every Weekend // 5pm – 10pm // Free

29 March // 10am - 1pm // £25

The cities favourite rooftop party is the perfect choice for your weekend with the weather set to improve after this stormy month. Bambalan residents dish out a feast of funk, disco, house and soul.

s n o i s s e S e c a Terr

BAMBALAN TERRACE SESSIONS ARE BACK!

FRIDAY, 10th april FRIDAY, 8TH MAY SUNDAY, 24TH MAY SUNDAY, 30th aUG SUNDAY, 20TH SEPT

JOEY NEGRO DJ SPOONY THE ALLERGIES ANDY SMITH NORMAN JAY

GET YOUR TICKETS AT BAMBALAN.CO.UK 48

In partnership with the Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival, Bambalan are hosting a Sunday brunch to remember. Eat, drink and relax accompanied by the musical delights of some of the festivals featured artists, before heading on over to Colston Hall for the rest of your jazz-packed Sunday.

the canteen

Instagram @canteenbristol // facebook.com/thecanteenbristol Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY // 0117 923 2017 // canteenbristol.co.uk

The Canteen emerged out of the creative inspiration and collective efforts of a bunch of Stokes Croft and Bristol brilliants. One of the only spaces in Bristol offering live, free music every day of the week, The Canteen offers a varied program of live music and DJs lovingly curated by the Ear Trumpet Music crew.

Expect folk, jazz and acapella ensembles during the week, with things ramping up from Thursday to Saturday, when you should come prepared to sweat it out on the dancefloor. Alongside a great bar selection, the kitchen offers a range of locally sourced food, with vegetarian, gluten free and vegan options.

March Highlights

RAISE THE DISCO

HANDS OF THE HERON

7 March // 10pm – 1am // £3

8 March // 4pm – 7pm // Free

Back for their 7th event, the charity focused party throwers RTD plan to celebrate International Women’s Day in style with residents Monkey Wrench and an extra special guest that’s yet to be announced. Keep your eyes peeled, because knowing this bunch it’s bound to be a banger of an artist.

The Bristol based group promise a special set of original, unheard material for International Women’s Day as well as some tracks from their upcoming second album, with beautiful harmonies and amazing storytelling to be guaranteed.

Sun 1

Broken Bones Matilda

Thur 12

Mon 23

Canteen Jazz Session

Fri 13

Slim’s Blues & Roots Session

Pattern Pusher

Tue 3

Sat 14

Lewis Clark

Wed 4

Sun 15

Mon 2

Paul John Bailey Ibou Tall & The Jazz Mates Thur 5

Desperate Measures Fri 6

Age of Glass

Dance Guru

Skeltr

Orphic

Mon 16

Canteen Latin Session Tue 17

TRU

Wed 18

Sat 7

Kevin Figes

Sun 8

Bristol Community Big Band

Raise The Disco Hands of the Heron Mon 9

DeCyphers Hip Hop Session Tue 10

Thur 19

Wed 25

Laimu

Thur 26

Joshua Blackmore SIZE Fri 27

Hallouminati Sat 28

Necktr

Sun 29

Counters Creek Mon 30

Fri 20

Snazzback Party Bag

Sat 21

Holly Carter & Bill Frampton

Downbeat Melody Sound

Dan Everett

Brass Junkies

Wed 11

Sun 22

Stanlaey

Tue 24

Tue 31

Mishra

canteenbristol.co.uk * The Canteen, 80 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY

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Colston hall Presents Instagram @colstonhall // facebook.com/ColstonHall Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR // 0117 203 4040 // colstonhall.org

While Colston Hall undergoes a £50m major redevelopment to transform the 150-yearold hall into a world class venue, the Colston Hall Presents series sees Bristol’s largest concert venue take flight across the city.

Making use of a multitude of independent venues and spaces, Colston Hall are continuing to deliver a diverse programme of events from classical music to alternative rock. From the biggest names in the business to the most obscure, the Colston Hall team aim to push boundaries and keep us on our toes, with something on offer almost every night of the week.

March Highlights PRINCESS NOKIA @ THE MARBLE FACTORY The New Yorker represents those that feel they aren’t represented, with high energy performances and music that touches on issues from intersectional feminism to growing up in foster care, her rise has been huge, and it shows no signs of stopping.

21 March // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £20

P

R

E

S

E

N

Colston Hall loudly and proudly presents great shows in venues across Bristol Thu 5 Mar

Thu 19 Mar

Fri 27 Mar

Blanck Mass

Kedr Livanskiy

Loco Klub

Journeys of Sound #2: Union

Fri 6 Mar

Colston Hall Foyer

Sun 29 Mar

Bristol Re:sound

Fri 20 Mar

Richard Dawson

Colston Hall Foyer

Ziggy Alberts

Trinity

Sat 7 Mar

SWX

Thu 2 Apr

Andreya Triana

Sat 21 Mar

SOLD OUT

SEED Ensemble

Princess Nokia + Tkay Maidza

Colston Hall Foyer

Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman

Marble Factory

Calan

Sat 21 Mar

Bristol Folk House

Andy Shauf

Bristol Folk House

Fiddlers

Wed 15 Apr

Sat 14 Mar

Sun 22 Mar

Exchange Sun 8 Mar

Sat 11 Apr

Devon Welsh Exchange

Wargirl

Fly Pan Am

The Crofters Rights

Colston Hall Foyer

Ashley Henry Colston Hall Foyer

Sun 15 Mar

Mon 23 Mar

Yorkston Thorne Khan

Stalley The Louisiana

Bristol Folk House

Tue 24 Mar

Thu 19 Mar

David Liebe Hart + GFOTY

Gigi Masin presents ‘Calypso’ Arnolfini

Tue 21 Apr

Wed 22 Apr

Journeys of Sound #3: Multiplicity Colston Hall Foyer

Jam Jar

Fri 24 Apr

Fri 27 Mar

Nathan Fake

Pictish Trail

Loco Klub

The Louisiana

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The Crofters Rights

Moscow’s Kedr Livanskiy is known for her electro-pop influenced by 90s dance music. Her latest album Your Need comes from a place of melancholy and sadness, drawing inspiration from deep house and dub.

27 March // 8pm – 11pm // £12

book

0117 203 4040 colstonhall.org

KEDR LIVANSKIY @ CROFTERS RIGHTS

T

S

the crofters rights Instagram @Crofters_Rights // facebook.com/croftersrights 117-119 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3RW // 0117 2310 079 // croftersrights.co.uk

Situated in the heart of Stokes Croft, Crofters’ back room hosts everything from punk gigs to storytelling, comedy to experimental noise. Their music programme veers towards the underground and obscure, and hosts regular takeovers from some of Bristol’s best promoters.

Open late every Friday and Saturday, the separate bar area boasts an ever changing list of 17 keg and cask, draught beers and ciders. You can expect anything from tropical dance music to heavier house, techno, drum and bass and grime events, and their giant mirror ball attracts a good few disco nights too.

March Highlights

CASSELS + SUPPORT

ISOLATED YOUTH + GUESTS

28 March // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £8

30 March // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £7

Crafting their sound through sheer boredom in the Oxfordshire countryside, Cassels dance between genres with punk infected vocals and everchanging instrumentation.

They are joined in support by Cagework and Repo Man.

A Swedish group who only released their debut EP last year, and its reviews have shot them up to recognition in a short matter of time. They head to Bristol for the very first time to show you what all of the hype is about.

51

exchange

Instagram @exchangebristol // facebook.com/exchangebristol 72 - 73 Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0EJ // 0117 930 4538 // exchangebristol.com

A versatile 250 capacity space offering an adventurous music programme up to seven nights a week. As well as hosting performances from internationally-revered artists, this venue is a key incubator of local talent.

At the start of 2019, Exchange became Bristol’s first community-owned venue, run by its members. During the daytime, the space is open as a coffee shop, vegan kitchen and record shop (owned and operated by Specialist Subject Records).

Exchange has a punk spirit at its core and delivers one of Bristol’s most diverse music programmes, bringing in some of the best boundary-pushing music across all genres.

March Highlights

HERE LIES TITANIA

WORRY

8 March // 7pm – 10pm // £5

25 March // 7:30pm – 11pm // £4

Gear up for a huge mosh in the Exchange basement, as Reading based metalcore outfit Here Lies Titania take over.

Their hard-hitting style has won over metal fans across the country, with hundreds of thousands of streams already achieved on Spotify.

A group who harness their raw emotions and partners them with heavy riffs to create a powerful sound that gets under your skin. They are joined by York punk scene favourites Rotting Monarchs.

THe fleece

Instagram @fleecebristol // facebook.com/fleecebristol 12 St. Thomas Street, Bristol, BS1 6JJ // 0117 945 0996 // thefleece.co.uk

Steeped in local history, The Fleece has been a vital part of Bristol’s music scene since 1982. The grade II listed building has hosted many music legends on its stage, including Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Oasis, Muse, Amy Winehouse, Queens Of The Stone Age and Ed Sheeran.

The Fleece offers music seven nights a week, with live gigs from major touring artists as well as up-and-comings, a range of tribute acts, and regular clubnights.

The 450-capacity venue has one of the best stage views around, whether you prefer to stand at the back or at the barrier; as well as a perfect dancefloor for clubnights.

March Highlights

DR MEAKER

JAY SOM + LAZY DAY

7 March // 7pm – 10:30pm // £12.50

17 March // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £13

Following a huge performance at The Fleece back in March last year, the legendary dance outfit Dr Meaker take the stage once again with support from Sledgehead and Sir Peter D Rose.

With shy, delicate vocals that put your mind and soul at ease, Melina Duterte and her talented band head to Bristol for a dream pop showcase with an indie-rock sparkle that tickles the heart.

THE FULL MOON & ATTIC BAR Instagram - @thefullmoonbristol // facebook.com/thefullmoonandatticbar 1 North Street, Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3PR // 01179 245 007 // fmbristol.co.uk

This Stokes Croft hub presents a triplepronged attack, with a pop-up outdoor stage, DJs in the Full Moon pub and live action in Attic Bar. Musically, you’ll find a slight bias towards more sun-soaked sounds like dub and reggae, though you never know what you’ll find when you walk through Attic Bar’s doors.

As well as curating their own impressive music calendar, Attic Bar also hosts regular takeovers from the likes of Tun Up! and AFT Records. Their annual Yard Party is one of the first and best events in the summer calendar, making great use of their huge courtyard.

March Highlights

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

AFT RAPS : KLASHNEKOFF

7 March // 8:30pm – 1am // £4

14 March // 8pm – 2am // £4

A lineup of talented females to fire up a big celebration of women’s achievements throughout the years, with the likes of Queen Bee, Lorna King, Kala Chng and Sasha Steppa providing a feast of feminine fury.

VP PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

2020

DESIGN: INKIE.CO.UK

54

A night of gritty UK hip hop as a scene legend Klashnekoff takes the stage following the release of the highly rated album Iona, with support from Nutty P, Black Smith and Frenic for a night of intricate lyricism.

the gallimaufry

Instagram @thegallibristol // facebook.com/TheGallimaufryBristol 26-28 The Promenade, Gloucester Road, BS7 8AL // 01179 42 7 319 // thegallimaufry.co.uk

Gloucester Road’s unofficial hub for innovative jazz, The Galli hosts weeknight residencies from two brilliant jazzorientated, technically-gifted improv groups: Waldo’s Gift Trio and Snazzback.

Between them, they offer a combination of hip hop, afro funk, jazz, math and electronica.

Friday and Saturday nights bring a selection of DJs and dancing until 1am, while the rest of week is reserved for wide range of carefully-considered live music in a relaxed setting. Entry is always free and you’ll find art and installations from Bristol creatives to enjoy throughout the venue.

March Highlights

8TH BIRTHDAY W/CHRIS FARRELL

TAMASENE

21 March // 9pm – 2am // Free

24 March // 9pm – 11pm // Free

The Gallimaufry turns eight years old and to celebrate they’ve one of Bristol’s lynch pins in the form of Idle Hands boss man Chris Farrell. Joining him will be Downbeat Melody’s Frankie Downbeat and Satta Lites residents Amos and Withdrawn.

Tamasene return for another Gallimaufry performance.

Combining psychedelic soulful folk songs with a charmful simplicity, this project creates a platform and outlet for their songs to breathe. For fans of: Andy Shauf, Connan Mockasin, Nick Drake & Whitney.

MARCH thegallimaufry.co.uk

every single night

MONDAY

FRIDAY

Hosted by Mike Dennis

Hosted by Manami & Neathway 6th Yussh (Pressure Dome / Eminent) 13th Admin (Slix Disco) 22nd Chivv & Hunn Grr 27th Iowen (Noods / Embilical Chords)

Open Mic TUESDAY

Galli Live

3rd Lewis Creaven’s Dharma Blues presents Led Zeppelin 1 10th The Matt Woosey Band 17th Seedling Sessions w/ Ember and Sentient Sound & Jack Louis Cooper 24th Tamasene 31st TBC

WEDNESDAY

Waldo’s Weekly

Hip-hop, math, jazz & electronica 4th Open Collaboration 11th Reworks: Floating Points - Crush 18th Synesthesia 25th presents Colossal Squid

THURSDAY

Snazzback

Afro-funk & psych-jazz 5th Global Groove Experiment: South Africa 12th Chamber Collective: Open Stage 19th presents STANLÆY 26th Beat Tape ft. Guest MC

DJS

Feel Flows

SATURDAY

DJS

Satta Lites

Withdrawn, VMO$ & guests play beats, bumps & bass 7th Mont’s Mosaic (Centre For Better Grooves) 14th Jiinx (Noods) 21st

GALLI 8TH

2am licence

BIRTHDAY

Chris Farrell (Idle Hands) Frankie Downbeat Amos & Withdrawn

28th Lemzyldale

(Pearly Whites / Sector 7)

SUNDAY

1st Sydney Sessions 8th Simiah (Live) 15th Charlatan Jazz w/ RY-GUY + Joe Probert & Fruit Machine (DJ) + Gabriel Gifford (DJ) 24th The Pocket Sessions Hosted by Ruth Royall

29th TBC

55

THE Jam JAR

Instagram @thejamjar_bristol // facebook.com/thejamjarbristol 4a The Old Malt House, Little Ann Street, Bristol, BS2 9EB // 07773 467795 // thejamjarbristol.com

Born out the drive, passion and sheer optimism of a collective of likeminded volunteers in 2014, The Jam Jar opened as a full time live music venue in September – and they’ve got big plans up their sleeve for their off-the-beaten-track corner of St Judes.

By day, a creative studio space and by night, a fully operational music venue, The Jam Jar is close to the hearts of those who work, play and party there. Known for its friendly atmosphere, creativity, good music and top quality production, you can expect to hear sounds on the groovier side of the spectrum, from experimental jazz and folk, to tropical world music and ska.

March Highlights

COUNT BOBO

YAKUL

13 March // 8pm – 12am // £3 - £5

19 March // 8pm – 11pm // £5 - £7

A local rocksteady, roots, reggae and ska group who love to bring the feel-good factor. Celebrating the re-press of their previously sold out record, the band will be partying in style with Bristol DJs Steve Rice and Frankie Downbeat.

56

Arriving for their Bristol debut, Yakul, whose track Blossoming received a Gilles Peterson Worldwide Award nomination for Track of the Year, hit the stage and show us why their live performances have gained an even better reputation than their music.

the lanes

Instagram @thelanesbristol // facebook.com/lanes.bristol 22 Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2LE // 01173 251 979 // thelanesbristol.co.uk

Set within a ten-pin bowling lane, The Lanes is a popular club night venue – particularly for those with an emo streak, as the home of Fat Lip clubnights and festival.

Bands also regularly grace The Lanes stage and the venue works closely with a number of great local promoters, including BLG and Gravy Train.

The Lanes’ Saturday night Department S events offer a gig-to-club experience, with live music from local and touring bands precursing a night of indie, rock and roll, and soul from John the Mod. Not forgetting round the clock bowling, karaoke and pool tables.

March Highlights

INSECT ARK + SUPPORT

BEACH RIOT + SUPPORT

11 March // 7pm – 11pm // £8

25 March // 7:30pm – 11pm // Free

A terrifying twosome who have delivered gruesome psychedelic doom with daunting soundscapes since 2011, they are joined by local groups ANTA and Disastermind for a night of eardrum punishment.

Building their reputation along the South Coast with tireless performances, the quartet are really making a name for themselves with a debut EP on the horizon. They are joined by talented support from INDIGOs and HAAL.

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mr wolf’s

Instagram @mrwolfsbristol // facebook.com/MrWolfs 32 St Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1TG // 0117 923 2565 // mrwolfs.com

Open seven nights a week, Mr Wolf’s has one of the sweatiest dancefloors in town.

With closing hours ranging from 2.30am up to 4am on weekends, Mr Wolf’s packs in a huge number of live music, open mic nights, live jams and DJs. An avid supporter of local talent, as well as from further afield, Mr Wolf’s is a great place to discover new bands and artists of every genre. The big brother of 51 Stokes Croft, this family-run venue has a dedicated team behind it, who are committed to furthering the local music scene.

March Highlights

GÜRL + SUPPORT

JELLY CLEAVER + PAHLA

6 March // 9pm – 12am // £3

28 March // 9pm – 12am // £3

Gürl bring their unique blend of neo soul, hip hop and rock to Mr Wolf’s this month. Catch them showcase some of their popular tracks such as YUMM and Heavy Heart, and watch as this refreshing trio prove why music deserves to be far more than background noise.

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Dubbed as ‘the next artist to make an impact on the UKs Jazz scene’ by Supreme Standards, she carries a strong reputation.

The guitairist, producer and singer/songwriter heads to Bristol as part of her band The Dream Jazz Collective’s tour.

the old market assembly

Instagram @oldmarketassembly // facebook.com/oldmarketassembly 25 West Street, Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0DF // 0117 373 8199 // oldmarketassembly.co.uk

Situated in the heart of one of Bristol’s most up-and-coming nightlife hubs, The Old Market Assembly is an independent arts venue and restaurant hosting everything from local bands to wild parties with touring artists.

Proudly associated with the LGBTQ+ scene, Old Market Assembly was the first venue in Bristol to sign up for the ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign, committing to provide a safe, respectful space for anyone and everyone.

With live music, DJs and cabaret every week, you can look to Old Market Assembly for some of the best in world music, hip hop and funk, ska, drag shows and more.

March Highlights

FRIENDLY FIRE BAND

CATEGORY IS… DYSTOPIA

7 March // 10pm – 2am // £8

21 March // 10pm – 2am // £10 - £15

Chai Wallahs present one of the UK’s most active reggae and dancehall acts, the Friendly Fire Band. Hailing from Birmingham, they have a huge amount of high energy roots music, with support from Chai Wallahs and Diplomats of Sound DJs.

Nothing but suave and sassiness to be expected as the Category is… group invite a wealth of amazing drag queens to play along with the post-apocalyptic dystopia theme.

With Alyssa Van Delle, Skyla Versai and Vineger Strokes in attendance it promises to be a wild one.

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rough trade

Instagram @roughtradebristol // facebook.com/roughtradebristol 3 New Bridewell, Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2DQ // 0117 929 0383 // roughtrade.com

Though part of the much-adored record store brand – with perks including in-store signings from some of the most in-demand touring artists on the circuit – Rough Trade Bristol also operates as a fully functioning, independent live music venue.

Delivered by Adrian Dutt, a prominent figure in Bristol’s DIY music scene for almost a decade, the live programme favours artists with something to say – whether that’s fresh faced up-and-comings or longtime favourites with a new release. With a truly eclectic mix of live music up to seven nights a week, you’re almost certain to witness some future big names in an intimate setting.

March Highlights

HOUSEWIVES + SUPPORT

TUNGZ

5 March // 7:30pm – 11pm // £8

14 March // 7:30pm – 11pm // £8

A London based group that defy all genres and experiment with different electronics and percussions to create a truly mesmeric sound. They’re growing a big reputation across Europe and Bristol gets the chance to see why.

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Talented local group who blend funky disco grooves with new era pop with a heartwarming feel, their self-produced debut in 2018 was an instant hit and earnt radio plays off the bat.

SWX

Instagram @swxbristol // facebook.com/swxbristol 15 Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2JY // 0117 945 0325 // swxbristol.com

SWX is Bristol’s largest city centre venue and hosts many of the biggest names coming through the city, from black metal bands to US rappers. With a state of the art sound and lighting system, the venue lives up to the high calibre of artists gracing its stage. SWX features an enclosed dancefloor for the more committed audience members, as well as raised platforms for those preferring a view over proximity.

SWX is also home to two of the biggest student nights in Bristol. Codec and Farfetched integrate live performance from some of the industry’s biggest artists with three rooms of music and drinks deals.

March Highlights

WILKINSON

BECKY HILL

21 March // 10:30pm – 4am // £6 - £10

4 April // 10.30pm - 4am // £10.13

The drum and bass chart topper keeps up his incredible rate of live performances with another Bristol showcase. Expect the roof to cave in as soon as you hear hit single Afterglow.

Although the live show has already sold out, you can still catch Becky Hill headline CODEC. After making a name for herself on the The Voice, UK, Becky’s powerful voice has become an iconic match for dance music tracks, making her an ideal choice for this popular weekly club night.

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thekla

Instagram @theklabris // facebook.com/theklabristol The Grove, Bristol, BS1 4RB // 0117 929 3301 // theklabristol.co.uk

Located on board a converted German cargo ship, Thekla is an award-winning live music and club space. From live toetapping Americana to hard-hitting house and techno, Thekla delivers an eclectic music programme covering all bases.

As well as hosting major touring acts, Thekla is a champion of up and coming talent and has a knack for catching on to a good thing; with early shows from the likes of Mumford and Sons and Calvin Harris.

With passionate crew members looking after both the live and club side of things, Thekla continues to be one of Bristol’s favourite venues, for nearly every genre.

March Highlights

S.P.Y PRESENTS DUBPLATE STYLE

DIGDAT

20 March // 10pm – 4am // £11.30 - £17.50

25 March // 7pm – 10pm // £11

The Dubplate Style tour is as refreshing as it is entertaining, as S.P.Y brings his tour to Bristol yet again for a night that encourages original, unheard production to go with the heavy hitting tracks.

07.03.20

27.03.20

16.04.20

02.05.20

11.03.20

28.03.20

17.04.20

04.05.20

18.04.20

09.05.20

WIKI

RAT BOY

GEORGIA 12.03.20

THE ICICLE WORKS

ANAMANAGUCHI 13.03.20

WOLF PARADE 14.02.20

HANDS OFF GRETEL 16.03.20

SHAWN JAMES 17.03.20

KORPIKLAANI 18.03.20

MR IRISH BASTARD 19.03.20

DANKO JONES 21.03.20

SONS OF LIBERTY

29.03.20

DARCY OAKE 30.03.20

THE SLOW READERS CLUB 31.03.20

LOW HOUSE 01.04.20

KOJEY RADICAL 04.04.20

WILLE & THE BANDITS 10.04.20

THE MILK 11.04.20

SPACE 12.04.20

IQ

25.03.20

14.04.20

26.03.20

15.04.20

DIGDAT LEAF DOG

BISHOP NEHRU LARKINS

THE GROVE EAST MUD DOCK BRISTOL BS1 4RB

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THEKLABRISTOL.CO.UK THEKLA.CLUB FT THEKLABRISTOL IY THEKLABRIS

THE HARA TOSKA PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS 20.04.20

THE ACACIA STRAIN 21.04.20

JOESEF 24.04.20

DARWIN DEEZ 25.04.20

LANTERNS ON THE LAKE 27.04.20

BEXEY 28.04.20

THE WOODENTOPS 29.04.20

IN FLAMES 01.05.20

WHITECHAPEL

LIME CORDIALE KAWALA L DEVINE 15.05.20

OH MY GOD! IT’S THE CHURCH 26.05.20

PEACH PIT 04.06.20

NERINA PALLOT 14.06.20

TIM BURGESS 05.07.20

LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS 10.07.20

THE BEAT 14.07.20

TIM MONTANA 22.11.20

GONG 05.12.20

THE VAPORS

One of the biggest names in UK drill at the moment, he adds an intricate style of lyricism to the gritty essence of the genre.

He first appeared when he linked up with Headie One to feature on The One Two and hasn’t looked back.

to the moon

Instagram @tothemoonbristol // facebook.com/tothemoonbristol 27-29 Midland Road, Old Market, St Philips, Bristol BS2 0JT // 07845 700194 // tothemoon.cc

To The Moon is a superb little venue that can feel like a friends house with their chilled, friendly atmosphere.

To The Moon takes great care in their drinks offer which includes local beers, classic cocktails and high quality spirits. They now proudly host Grano Kitchen who supply delicious proper Italian food.

With an open-minded approach to music and events, the focus is on creating a fun, safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Events through the month can range from dub to disco and rum tastings to open decks nights.

March Highlights

DISCO SOCIAL CLUB

MELANGE

21 March // 8pm – 12am // Free

28 March // 8pm – 12am // Free

The DSC residents take over To The Moon for a night of expertly selected boogie and groove alongside a warm and social atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Expect italo, disco, house and edits from the likes of Boy Corduroy, Reboote and Dillon C

Owain K & friends dig deep into their vinyl vaults to bring you an evening of cosmic grooves, bubbling beats and lounged out house for anther groovy disco special at Old Market’s best kept secret.

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TRINITY Centre

Instagram @bristoltrinity // facebook.com/trinitybristol Trinity Centre, Trinity Rd, Bristol BS2 0NW // 0117 935 1200 // trinitybristol.org.uk

Penetrating Old Market’s skyline and ear drums, Trinity is home of the soundsystem in Bristol, as the longtime hub of Teachings in Dub, as well some harder sounds on the soundsystem spectrum. The Grade II-listed converted church also provides the perfect natural acoustics for live performances, with a mixture of up-and-coming talent and some of the biggest names on the circuit, across every genre you could think of.

As well as a varied music programme, you can also look out for monthly BUMP roller disco sessions, drum and bass workouts and outdoor events in the summer, including the much-loved Trinity Garden Party.

March Highlights

SYMMETRY RECORDINGS

TEACHINGS IN DUB

20 March // 10pm – 4am // £14 - £18

27 March // 10pm – 5am // £16

Another giant drum and bass lineup at the Trinity Centre as Symmetry Recordings invite DJs Break, Lenzman, and Dub Phizix, along with MC’s GQ, Fox and Strategy for a sound system banger.

mar 07 samantha fish Mar 10 Turnstile mar 14 planet shroom mar 18 jade bird mar 20 symmetry recordings mar 27 teachings in dub Mar 29 Richard Dawson (sold OUt) Apr 02 submotion orchestra apr 03 danny brown apr 12 cosmic vomit & triplicty festival apr 24 mystery jets apr 25 808 state apr 26 jimothy lacoste May 05 shabaka and the ancestors may 20 nubya garcia may 30 area 11

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Head down to the Trinity Centre for an epic celebration of 30 years of the legendary Aba Shanti-I soundsystem, with a strictly 90’s policy for the music, expect Aba to be picking out some of his finest dubplates for a special set.

DRINKS GUIDE VENUES

BAMBALAN 68 THE GALLIMAUFRY 68 THE GRAIN BARGE 69 HYDE & CO 69 LONDON COCKTAIL CLUB 70 LEFT HANDED GIANT 70 THE MILK THISTLE 71 NOCHE NEGRA 71 THE OLD BOOKSHOP 72 SMALL BAR 72

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Navigating the Spirit World: A Non-Paranormal Guide We unravel, debunk and explore some of today’s most iconic products.

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People say that the best things in life are free. This is a misleading sentiment. Some things are free: whistling, children’s laughter and doing a merry jig, to name but three.

Other, arguably better, things aren’t: artisanal spirits and fine cocktails, to name but two. With the growing popularity of the cocktail industry, interest in fine spirits is at a high. So we’re going to take a look at some of the most recognisable in the category, talk about why (and if) they’re excellent and whether or not they could be improved.

Gin Old lady juniper and the fascinating botanical secrets she keeps hidden in her handbag, Gin has long been the bartenders’ best pal. The smoking gun tucked in his handy holster, with its versatility of use, its near-universal appeal, not to mention the sheer number of gins available on the market today (an amount somewhere between ‘colossal’ and ‘a stupid’). The entire category has been subject to one of the most aggressively excellent marketing campaigns in recent years, and the ever expanding range of Bristol-made gin leaves a lot of exploration for (g)interested people.

Gin has a fabulous and storied history, evolving from the Dutch spirit Genever, bubbling away in the alleyways of London during its most ‘adaptable for TV’ era – cobblestones, rippers, gin lanes – before finally settling as the go-to bottle for almost any modern bartender working today, from the humble gin and tonic to the complex world of craft cocktails.

How it could be improved: Make less of it, better. Anyone and their grandmother could (and probably will) make a gin in the next few years. It is a swollen category, with over five hundred gins being produced in the UK alone. A lot of them are great products, while some flounder as little more than gimmicky money spinners.

Scotch Whisky (Islay) Another delicious and much adored product, Islay (pronounced ‘eye-luh’) whisky refers to whisky from the island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. Generally possessed of a smoky, medicinal quality – TCP is a common flavour note (and an excellent disinfectant) – due to its barley being dried over the smoke of peat fires. It’s as close to the rough hewn, nature battling lifestyle you can get without leaving the lazy comfort of your own home.

The world of whisky is not only extremely delicious, but sometimes also extremely judgemental and intimidating. If you are unaware of the finer points of the product, ordering whiskey based on its primary tasting note – in this case, smoky – is a quick and efficient way of demonstrating knowledge of a category, whether real or not. If somebody orders one before lunch, usually they are trying to make a point. Keep a weather eye out for people who convulse once sipped.

Islay whisky remains an almost perfect demonstration of the effect nature can have upon a finished product, with the peat smoke’s imprint on the barley being instantly identifiable on the nose. Flavour wise, it is one of whisky’s most layered and complex flavour profiles. The hardy lads that battle Bible-terrible weather to make this excellent juice are worthy of our admiration.

Midori

Bourbon

As men must cower in the face of God in heaven, so too must other spirit categories weep in abject shame and reverence when they are confronted with this heavenly potion. A Japanese melon liqueur that enjoyed a brief popularity in the 1980s, before being shunned to the annals of history.

Bourbon whiskey (American whiskey is always spelled with an ‘e’) is an iconic product that has been found in the hands of the coolest cats in history. From womanising, duplicitous dick-head Don Draper from Mad Men to womanising, duplicitous spy dick-head James Bond from ‘All the James Bonds’, Bourbon has been...wait, scratch that.

For a bartender, the 1980s were a horrible time. A time full of synthetic products, awful cocktails and the films of Pauly Shore. Only a few products were able to elevate the general spectrum of quality, the most prominent being Midori.

Also, it is a shade of green said to be un-replicable to all but the highest artisans.

Bourbon is the American cousin of Scotch whisky that relies more heavily on the flavour of corn in its construction, as well other other grains like rye, wheat and barley. It is a punchier, sweeter spirit, typically with less variation between brands. The subtlety of bourbon comes from the nuance of its production and the skill of its blenders. Made popular in recent years, largely due to the success of the Old Fashioned, enjoyed by various fictional gits and one of the most popular cocktails in the mainstream today.

Midori is a great example of a product that is nice because it’s not. It’s hard to define, overly sweet, terrible on its own and is eye-rolled at by most bartenders. It evokes a Hollywood vision of the 1980s. The ‘June Bug’ cocktail, an equal parts blend of banana liqueur, Midori, lime juice, pineapple juice and coconut rum; sits on a high plinth for many bartenders, even if that plinth is tucked away out of sight, or the cocktail is about to be taken out into a meadow and shot in the back of the head.

How it could be improved: As a so called disco ingredient, Midori on its own leaves much to be desired. Tinkering with the formula could corrupt its legacy however, so maybe it exists beyond improvement.

Mezcal The rowdy cousin of tequila, mezcal is not as shackled by the varietals of agave that can be used in its production, leading to a broader range of flavour. Its difficulty to place only intensifies the admiration surrounding it. On the one hand, it is a true frontiersman’s product; wild and unbound, with a seemingly limitless potential for flavour and innovation. On the other, it is enjoying a massive popularity that in some cases leads to excessive snootiness and one-upmanship. The likes of which has left me literally speechless under the weight of the lip-curling, eye rolling reaction I received when I dared to opine that I enjoyed tequila more than mezcal, sometimes.

Outside of bars, it’s an easy product to use as a talking point. Worth remembering though, is that mezcal is not only an extremely challenging and intense spirit, but also very expensive, so think twice before ordering a double shot.

Mezcal is a multi-faceted product that is slowly growing into a powerful tool in the hands of the correct bartender.

Its potential is, as yet, fairly unbound, giving the category a lot of room to evolve.

How it could be improved: Popular as it is, an emerging trend in and out of the bar industry is to switch out the base spirit in many popular cocktails for mezcal. This can lead to some pretty unappealing drinks. Mezcal is so packed with intense flavour that using it sparingly is often the best option. Being gung-ho with a spirit without understanding its practical application is a common pitfall of many an aspiring bartender.

How it could be improved: Certainly not an entry-level expression of Scotch whisky, the Islay style doesn’t function too well as an introduction to the category. A little more conversation about other styles of whiskey could open up a lot of people to this delicious and varied spirit.

At its core, though, bourbon is a delicious, cozy old pal that sits fond in the hearts of many. Whether for its iconic nature or the sweet, corny, spice of its flavour, a beer and a bourbon is one of the finest ways to round out a day.

How it could be improved: Give it to nicer people on television and make your Old Fashioned with a little bit less sugar.

Cognac Remember a few paragraphs ago, and all that hilarious nonsense about Midori? Well, I actually mean it with sincerity about Cognac. French-made and highly exquisite, it is a true delight, and not something to be ignored. Its best examples command ludicrous prices, with common tasting notes of spice and fruit and leather and luxury. Certainly as complex as the finest whiskey, and possible more so if certain people (the French) are to be believed.

Alas, cognac is the first on this list that isn’t generally held in much regard by anyone but bartenders or the French.

However, cognac is not only delicious on its own, but is a key component in some of the most highly-regarded cocktails of all time. Take the Sidecar, for example, essentially a cognac Margarita and one of the most uplifting and revivifying drinks ever made. Order one.

How it could be improved: Hard to answer. Making it cheaper would sully its flavour and making it cooler would mean that no one would be able to afford it – an enigma worthy of the liquid itself. Its apparent connection to a much older generation doesn’t help its efforts to seem relevant to the modern drinker, though many cognac brands are working to readdress this balance.

Tequila Finally, we will appraise lovely, delicious, faultless tequila.

A premium Mexican liquor made from the agave plant. If mezcal was rough and ready, then tequila is all finesse and poetry. A winner for the ages, responsible for all the best drinks and all the best parties.

Oddly, however, tequila is divisive, and there’s every chance you have some dreadful memory of it. Ask yourself this question: Does your hatred of tequila stem from a time in your teens or your twenties when you drank too much of it, and now the smell of it makes you sick? If the answer is yes, then its almost certain that the tequila in question was an example of the poorly and cheaply made swill that still occupies the back bar in some nightclubs. If nothing else reaches you in this piece, please, please, give tequila another chance, because nothing is better than an enormous, properly mixed ‘rita.

How it could be improved: With bad tequila, it could be improved by fading out of existence and never darkening the doorstep of my palette again. With good tequila, it cannot be improved. To do so is, with all probability, impossible. To attempt it is folly.

Words: Michael Sharpe

As close to the rough hewn, nature battling lifestyle you can get without leaving the lazy comfort of your own home

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Bambalan

The Gallimaufry

Instagram @bambalanbristol // facebook.com/bambalanbristol Podium Level, Colston Tower, Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 4XE // 0117 922 1880 // bambalan.co.uk

One of the newer strings to the bow of Bristol’s legendary Hyde and Co group, Bambalan almost needs no introduction.

Perfectly placed just off of the fountains, Bambalan really does have it all. Stunning vista’s over Bristol’s central walk match perfectly with delicious sharing drinks and exquisite food offerings.

From private hire and brunches, to effortlessly effective post work facilities, it really does take some determined effort to deny it’s clear relevance.

draught

1/2 pint / 2/3 pint / Jug

Accommodating staff and a slew of options for private hire make this unsung hero one of the must see stops of the city.

It shines in summer, but their offering is potent enough to satisfy the needs of even the most discerning winter guest.

FIZZ Pere Ventura Tresor Brut 5.5 / 28

A L W AY S

WHITE

Artolas White 3.9 / 7.25 / 14.5 / 21.5

Smooth, American pale session lager made by VICE | 350ml can | 5% abv

Mancura Etnia Sauvignon Blanc 4.25 / 8 / 16 / 23

Fresh, zesty, aromatic pale ale from West Coast of the USA | 330ml can | 4.5% abv

Vinho Verde 4.5 / 8.5 / 16 / 24.5

Roasted malt, dark chocolate & sweet sweet marshmallow | 330ml can | 5.2% abv

Rioja Blanco Conde Valdemar 30

Pacifico 4.5

Old Blue Last 4.5

Five Points Pale Ale 5.25

Tiny Rebel Stay Puffed Marshmallow Stout 5.75

Estrella Free Damm 3.5

Premium alcohol free beer. You’d never know it was 0%! | 330ml can | 0% abv

by the glass 125ml / 250ml / 500ml carafe / bottle

Vidigal, Portugal. Lush fruits & citrus, zingy lemony finish

Valle Central, Chile. Tantalising tropical fruit, clean, refreshing

Rioja, Spain. Fruit bomb of apples & pears. One for the terrace

Orchard Pig Reveller 4

ROSe

Norcott’s Raspberry & Orange Cider 5.5

Delicious and fruity. No artificial flavourings or sweeteners | 500ml bottle | 4% abv

Pieno Sud Rosata 3.75 / 7.25 / 14.5 / 21.5

Puglia, Italy. Refreshing rosé, red fruits, orange blossom, dry but full of flavour

Cornish Orchard Blush 5.5

Rosé Silicia 4.95 / 9.5 / 19 / 28

Crooked Alcoholic Sodas 5.5

Blood orange & Passion fruit | Peach & Pomegranate | 330ml can | 4.7% abv

MULLED CIDER £4

by the glass 125ml / 250ml / 500ml carafe / bottle

Planeta, Sicily. Like a pink Sicilian sunset! Beautifully light & fresh

RED

by the glass 125ml / 250ml / 500ml carafe / bottle

Artolas Red 3.9 / 7.25 / 14.5 / 21.5

Cornish Orchard Wassail mulled cider, spiced up with Mount Gay Rum, cinnamon, clove, orange

Vidigal, Portugal. Elegant spiciness, lush fruits & citrus, zingy lemony finish

Baluarte Roble 4.5 / 8.5 / 16 / 24

Navarra, Spain. Absolutely cracking wine from Ribera del Duero.

Cloof Inkspot 4.75 / 8.75 / 16.5 / 25

Darling, South Africa. Rich plum & cassis aromas. Super juicy & delicious

by the glass / jug

Conde Valdemar Rioja Crianza 34

Save The Bees 8.5

Rioja, Spain. Ripe black berries, warm vanilla, subtle spice. Excellent

Avallen calvados, apple juice, ginger beer

*50p of every bottle sold goes to bee conservation

Chocolate Espresso Martini 9

SPIRITS

Wyborowa vodka, Fair cacao, espresso, sugar

Down In Mexico 8.5

El Jimador tequila, Ancho Reyes, maraschino cherry liquor, lemon juice, grapefruit soda & salt

Jaffa Fizz 9

Blood orange Cointreau, Fair cacao, cava, orange zest

Flower Power 8.5/29

2 4 10 Greenalls blueberry gin, Boe violet gin, lemon juice, lavender syrup & soda water

Honeycomb Old Fashioned 8.5

2 4 10 Buffalo trace bourbon, Dubliner honeycomb whisky liquor & bitters

Orange, Spice & All Things Nice 8.5/29

2 4 10 Boe spiced orange gin, fresh lemon juice, ginger ale & orange bitters

Cherry Good 8/28

2 4 10 Cherry infused Wyborowa vodka, Lazaronni amaretto, cranberry & apple juice

Rum Is The Reason 8.5/29

2 4 10 House-spiced Mount Gay rum, Bristol Syrup Co. falernum, fresh lime juice, apple & pear juice, soda 2 4 10

Cocktail HOUR

2 4 10

Enjoy 2 cocktails for £10, every day from 4pm - 9pm

Offer applies to the same cocktail only.

+ Award-winning South West ciders

Quinta de Lixa, Portugal. Lip-smackingly fresh, effervescent & aromatic

Medium-sweet, gently sparking cider | 440ml can | 4% abv

Lightly sparkling fruity cider. The perfect sunshine drink | 500ml bottle | 4% abv

Every day from 4-7pm

AP NT

Local cask and keg ales

Pere Ventura Tresor Rosé 32

Golden, refreshing Mexican lager served with fresh lime | 355ml bottle | 4.5% abv

Aperol, sparkling shiraz, soda, blood orange

Whilst serving a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, The Gallimaufry also serve Clifton’s Coffee EQ blend and a great selection of British food with a curious twist.

Fresh, elegant flavours of strawberry, raspberry & cherries

Corona 4

Aperol Spritz-Winter Edition 8.5

Praised as one of Gloucester Roads most cherished bars, The Gallimaufry serve a wide assortment of locally sourced

beers, both bottled and on tap, whilst keeping a selection of beers on rotation each week. Their wine list is filled with premium flavours that will quench your thirst, along with their selection of locally distilled gin.

by the glass 125ml / bottle

Premium golden lager from Mexico | 330ml bottle | 4.5% abv

Cocktails

Step inside The Galli and prepare to be dazzled by the colourful paper shapes framing the venue and its welcoming bar as soon as you walk through the door. This independent establishment is not only one of the most understated, picturesque bars in Bristol, but its drinks, food and live music selection are also top of the league.

Top quality Champagne method cava

BEER & CIDER

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Simple, local dining has never been easier, tastier or more well situated.

Ever evolving cocktail lists are sure to please any palate and the cheery service compliments the food style perfectly.

O

Freedom Pilsner 4.4% abv 3.5 / 4 / 14 Freedom Pale Ale 4.2% abv 3.5 / 4 / 14

Instagram @thegallibristol // facebook.com/TheGallimaufryBristol 26-28 The Promenade, Gloucester Road, BS7 8AL // 01179 42 7 319 // thegallimaufry.co.uk

25ml / 50ml

Beefeater Gin 40% abv 4 / 6.5 Botanist Gin 46% abv 4.5 / 7 Wyborowa Vodka 40% abv 4 / 6.5 Havana 3yr Rum 40% abv 4.5 / 7 Mount Gay Black Barrel 43% abv 4.75 / 7.5 OVD Demerara Rum 40% abv 4.5 / 7 El Jimador Tequila 40% abv 4.5 / 7 El Jimador Respasado Tequila 40% abv 4.75 / 7.5 Chivas Regal 12yo Blended Scotch Whisky 40% abv 4.5 / 7 Monkey Shoulder Whisky 40% abv 4.5 / 7 Jameson Irish Whiskey 40% abv 4 / 6.5 Buffalo Trace Bourbon 40% abv 4.5 / 7 Martel V.S. Cognac 40% abv 4.5 / 7

Cocktails £5 Elderflower Collins

Gin, elderflower, lemon & soda

Aperol Spritz

Aperol, Prosecco & soda

Jamaican Mule

Rum, bitters, lime & ginger beer

La Paloma

Tequila, lime, grapefruit bitters & Ting

Horse’s Neck

Bourbon, bitters & ginger ale

White wine 175ml £4 Red wine 175ml £4 Prosecco 125ml

£4.25 thegallimaufrybristol @thegallibristol

grain barge

Hyde & CO

Instagram @grainbarge // facebook.com/grainbarge Hotwell Rd, Bristol, BS8 4RU // 0117 929 9347 // grainbarge.com

Bristol’s love for a boat knows no bounds and Grain Barge feeds that thirst dutifully. Moored at Hotwells, the large converted barge offers views of the harbour from an open-air top deck, a main bar with panoramic windows, a below decks event space, and a great selection of food and drink – sourcing much of their menu from South West suppliers.

The main bar serves a wide range of delicious drinks, including beers from sister company Bristol Beer Factory, as well as an everrotating roster of guest taps from around

Instagram @hydecobristol // facebook.com/hydeandcobristol The Basement, 2 Upper Byron Pl, Bristol, BS8 1JY // 0117 929 7007 // hydeand.co

the world; plus plenty of tasty top-shelf spirits. There are a number of special nights throughout the week, including Wednesday Pie & Pint, Thursday Steak night and the newly introduced Curry & Quiz every Monday.

The intimate Hold Bar downstairs hosts live music across a variety of genres, as well as open mic nights, poetry, exhibitions and one-off food and drinks specials, such as beer and cheese evenings or tap takeovers, and is a great space for private parties.

Hyde & Co has been a massive presence in the Bristol cocktail scene since its opening nearly a decade ago. It stands as one of the original speakeasy bars in Bristol and has been delivering consistent ambience, service and innovation.

Hidden in plain sight, as it is, Hyde & Co has always been a well-kept secret. This allows autonomy and creative freedom for its bartenders, who experiment with mind bending flavour combinations

for their always impressive conceptual menus.

The décor and aesthetic are highly reminiscent of the idea of the speakeasy.

Low lit with sumptuous furniture and darkly dressed staff, it really is a place to escape the trappings of the world outside.

It’s small, so call ahead and tumble back to a simpler time, where the bartender was a true hero and the guests all shone like stars.

Floating bar & restaurant with three decks & panoramic views of the harbour from every table.

Great choice of craft beers Seasonally inspired menu Sunday Roasts Hold Bar with Live Music and more Curry & Quiz Night every Monday

Hire our hold bar for your party, event or wedding

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LONDON COCKTAIL CLUB Instagram @londoncocktailclub // facebook.com/London-cocktail-club-bristol 37 Triangle West , Bristol, BS8 1ER // 020 7580 196 // londoncocktailclub.co.uk

One of the newer venues from the powerhouse of the cocktail industry that is London Cocktail Club, and the first one outside of the capital. Located on the former site of Bristol’s fan favourite late night bar Manos, LCC is absolutely a worthy successor to that local legacy.

Not the place to visit if you’re looking for a sedate cocktail, LCC prides itself on its ability to keep the party going

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long after other bars have closed their doors, with offers like 2-4-1 running consistently. Dancing on the bar is acceptable, for patrons and staff alike, and the eclectic music choice is sure to keep you interested. Somewhere between a house party (serving excellent cocktails) you never want to leave and a place to unwind after a hard week, LCC is set to continue its positive influence on the Bristol bar scene for a long time yet.

Left Handed Giant

Instagram @lefthandedgiantbrewing // facebook.com/lefthandedgiant Wadehurst Industrial Park, St Philips Rd, Bristol, BS2 0JE // 0117 318 2102 // lefthandedgiant.co.uk

Bristol has given birth to some of the most varied and delicious beers in recent memory, gaining traction and interest nationwide. Of these beers, Left Handed Giant has been consistent in both the quality of its beers and its incredible artwork and design.

The site is located in Finzels Reach, which has its own history with breweries and other forms of production. The ideas being touted at LHG, however, are anything but old fashioned, with their artisan pizza focused on vegan and vegetarian options.

Much to the delight of anybody who enjoys truly excellent beer, LHG opened the doors to one of their most exciting new offering, the Brewpub.

Brewery tours are also available, with few venues in the city giving you the option to have a full insight into their production methods.

the milk thistle

Instagram @themilkthistlebristol // facebook.com/themilkthistle Quay Head House, Colston Ave, Bristol BS1 1EB // 0117 929 4429 // milkthistlebristol.com

Part of the Hyde & Co family, prohibitionstyle bar The Milk Thistle is hidden in plain site on Colston Avenue. Set within a historic building, the four-story cocktail bar, lounge and private function rooms can be found behind unmarked, double black doors.

With an opulent, art deco style interior throughout and plenty of space for sitting or dancing, The Milk Thistle is open till 1am Monday through to

Thursday, with late night parties on weekends.

Serving up the classics as well as their own creative concoctions; an experienced bar team and a wellstocked bar, including top shelf spirits and liquors, means customers are also welcome to order off menu. The top scoring bar in Bristol, Milk Thistle was recently voted number 16 in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list.

noche negra

Instagram @patanegrabristol // facebook.com/patanegrabristol 30 Clare Street, Bristol, BS1 1YH // 0117 927 6762 // patanegrabristol.com

Twinkling just out of mind above the bustling crowds of Bristol’s Corn Street you’ll find Noche Negra, one of the best kept secrets the city has to offer.

One floor above the immaculately presented and delicious tasting tapas of Pata Negra, Noche slumbers in anticipation. Effortlessly flirting the line between Pata Negra’s relaxed confidence and the out and out vibrance of the cities biggest clubs, it exists to impress.

Impeccable design paired with a slew of local talent, from DJ’s and chefs to ‘tenders and tearaways, Noche Negra stands as a beacon of undeniable quality in a sea of uncertainty. To top it off, private hire and event hosting is available in both Noche Negra and in the building’s elusive second floor haunt of Privada. Uncompromising music and uncompromising service. Come for the food, stay for the party. Savour.

NOCHE NEGRA ABSINTHE PINA COLADA - £9

P I N E A P P L E , C O C O N U T , M O U N T G AY E C L I P S E R U M , P E R N O D A B S I N T H E

SHERRY COBLER - £9 M A N G O , S H E R R Y , B E E F E AT E R G I N

PICK-ME-UP - £9

LILLET BLANC, ST GERMAIN, SUZE, TONIC

BUBBLE TROUBLE - £9

G R A P E F R U I T , L E M O N , B E E F E AT E R G I N , A P E R O L , C AV A

CLOVER CLUB - £9

R AS P B E R R Y , L E M O N , P LY M O U T H G I N , D R Y V E R M O U T H , E G G W H I T E

TOP NOCHE - £9

P A D R O N P E P P E R , A G AV E , L I M E , E L J I M A D O R T E Q U I L A , D E L M A G U E Y V I D A M E Z C A L

TORO BRAVO - £9

Y E L L O W P E P P E R , A P R I C OT , L I M E , E L J I M A D O R T E Q U I L A , L I L L E T B L A N C

CARAJILLO - £9

E S P R E S S O , M O U N T G AY E C L I P S E R U M , L I C O R 4 3

SMOKEY COKEY - £9

C H E R R Y , C O K E , C H I V AS 1 2 , L A P H R O A I G 1 0

PROSPECTOR - £9

HONEY, LEMON, VIOLET, BUFFALO TRACE BOURBON

JAZZ HANDS - £9

C U C U M B E R , S T R AW B E R R Y , L E M O N , B E E F E AT E R G I N , S W E E T V E R M O U T H

OLD MEXICO - £9

E L J I M A D O R T E Q U I L A , D E L M A G U E Y V I D A M E Z C A L , S H E R R Y , C H O C O L AT E

MAMACITA - £9

ORANGE, LIME, BLOOD ORANGE COINTREAU, EL JIMADOR TEQUILA

RASCAL - £9

M E TA X A , S H E R R Y , L A P H R O A I G 1 0 , B A N A N A

PLEASE TELL YOUR SERVER IF YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES.

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The Old Bookshop

Instagram @the0ldbookshop // facebook.com/theoldbookshop 65 North St, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1ES // 0117 953 5222 // theoldbookshop.co.uk

It’s hard to miss The Old Bookshop on Bedminster’s North Street. With its colourfully inviting signage and windows, this cosy bar with vintage décor stands proud as being one of Bedminster’s humble treasures.

The Old Bookshop offers a quirky atmosphere and friendly staff with a superb selection of drinks, from cocktails,

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pints and spirits that can be enjoyed in the company of taxidermy creatures and curious trinkets that decorate the entire bar and walls.

With its ever-evolving kitchen, award winning roast dinners and a unique selection of live entertainment. This bar is a feast for all the senses and is one of Bristol’s best family ran establishments.

Small Bar

Instagram @smallbar_bristol // facebook.com/smallbarbristol 31 King Street, Bristol BS1 4DZ // bristol@smallbar.co.uk // smallbar.co.uk

Based on Bristol’s famous strip of bars on Kings Street, Small Bar is one of Bristol’s hidden gems that deserve your attention. Grab yourself a pint of one of the finest craft ales Small Bar have to offer, and enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere that’ll give you a relaxing drinking experience where you can enjoy the quality of each sip.

Ran by passionate bar staff who are on a mission to find the perfect beer, Small

Bar proudly represent the breweries nationwide, with particular support for the South West local ale trade. With the staff’s knowledge and beer expertise, they’re always keen to have the best of the best on tap.

So, take a seat outside, or grab a chair and sit at one of the many barrel tables scattered around the rustic wooden finished bar and enjoy Small Bar’s executive collection of good quality beer.

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