News 4
Chord. Spring Edition
Maidstone student manages local talent A Maidstone student is now managing a local upcoming teenage band who recently played the 02 academy, Islington. Chris Hutchinson, 20, from Maidstone is studying mystic practioner with independent college group Supajam in Tunbridge Wells and has recently taken over as manager for four piece band Tempests who recently released their first self-titled EP. “Managing them is stressful but good, I push myself as a manager to get the boys where I want them to be,” Chris said. “They have got
the talent and I have got the contacts.” The Tempests formed around six months ago and consist of four band members aged between 17 to 18, Tom, Elliot, Makill and Danny. Previously Elliot managed the band before Chris took over in February. “I like having a manager for the band,” 17-year-old bassist Elliot Morgan said. “It takes the stress off of our backs.” Kent gig review website, GIGgle pics, describes the Tempests as a band that “transports you back to the nineties.” The band describe
for the students that shine as this is the next wave of talent and there are plenty of job opportunities coming through for those that want them.” David co-founded Supajam with Nick Stillwell in 2008. From this year the music collective will be helping to organise the weekly event. Supajam have been supporting emerging bands over the past six years and have partnered with many festivals to showcase new talent such as Hop Farm Festival and Benicassim festival. They also find bands to play the MTV EMAS and in the past, the 2012 London Olympics. The three hour Show Us Yer Guns event showcases four different bands each week for a small entry free of £5. Supajam are bringing the students to the Forum to see how they work in a real environment. Maidstone Supajam student, 19-year-old Kelsey Roche, is working on the event. The forum are con-
5
Ben Russell and The Charmers - Always Summer Somewhere
Ben Russell and The Charmers create original feel-good reggae. Their latest single, Always Summer Somewhere creates a happy, chilled-out vibe and the perfect song to listen to over the next few months to get you in the mood for summer, even if we do not have much sun this year. The catchy chorus will get you singing and make you want to get out those shorts and shades! The band combine their vocal and instrumental talents to create a professional sound proving the Canterbury based band will go on to more successes and continue to transfer their happy vibe everywhere they go. The song gives you an instant buzz and there is no way you can fault it, you will definitely have it on repeat. You also will not be able to get the song out of your head, with its simple lyrics but unique beat it is a song you cannot forget. Always Summer Somewhere is different to anything you will hear in the charts at the moment and also something different to anything other Kent-based bands have produced. Check out our interview with Ben Russell and The Charmers on page 7.
The Tempests have burst onto the Maidstone scene and exploded
their influences as Arctic Monkeys, Oasis and Blink 182 and focus their music on teenage blues such as love, girls and partying. The band have played Maidstone venues Earls, Rafters and Stepping stones. They said they love to play their home town for the crowd and because all of their friends are there. On Valentines day they played the 02 academy in
Islington and now they hope to expand from Maidstone to other Kent towns. “We are going to do a lot more events from Canterbury to Rochester so more people can hear the music and see the band play,” Chris said. “We also might be doing some work with local charities.” The band are now looking to play festivals across the UK and Europe this year. They will be playing Maidstone Fringe Festival this May.
Supajam are helping create music careers for youngsters Local music collective Supajam are helping to boost music careers for young people by giving students the opportunity to organise events at the Tunbridge Wells Forum. Students from the local area who are studying with independent music collective for bands and fans, Supajam, based in Tunbridge Wells, have been given the opportunity to help run a series of live shows at NME awarding winning venue, the Forum, called Show Us Yer Guns. The event showcases Kent’s best musical acts each week and this new project is helping to develop more jobs for young people in Kent. “It is fantastic working with the Forum. The people behind the Forum are some of the nicest in the industry and they are fully behind getting the Supajam students into putting on these events,” said David Court, joint CEO of Supajam “Not only that but we all have one eye out
Reviews
Chord. Spring Edition
Album: Ben Russell and The Charmers
Out of Fashion vs. RoKoKo. 15 March 2014 - The Rafters RoKoKo
Out of Fashion
Each week at Rafters’ Saturday event, Raise the Roof, three bands take to the stage. Maidstone band Youthblood headlined the venue on March 15 and Out of Fashion and RoKoKo supported. Out of Fashion are a five piece rock/indie band from Maidstone and RoKoKo are a three piece rock band from Medway. Out of Fashion took to the stage first at 10pm for their 30 minute set. The audience could tell by front man David Glennon’s shirt that their name, Out of Fashion, probably was based on their fashion sense because his look was well, out of fashion (see page 2) but this did not affect his performance. David had a great stage presence and you could see in his movement he was passionate about the music he was singing yet it failed to get the audience moving. You could see David oozed with confidence and his facial expressions showed how much each song meant to him. Unfortunately the guitar was too loud and the vocals were difficult to hear. This seemed to knock the confidence of the audience as they stood back in the darkness of the venue and watched instead of coming forward and embracing the rock. It was only after a minute into each song the audience were able to identify what song they were playing. An audience favourite appeared to be their song Dreams, their latest single which they recently performed live on KMFM radio show, as then a few heads began to nod and toes started to tap. However, as soon as RoKoKo took to the stage the audience livened up. Maybe this was after a £3 cider or two but their stage presence was undeniably enthusiastic which brightened the audience too, the band and punters bouncing in beat to each track. Starting with a cover of Same Jeans, originally by The View, really pumped up the audience creating an electric atmosphere. The sound also was much more identifiable and every word from a Brit-pop inspired song vocalist Kirk Taylor sang could be heard. Each song was upbeat with a strong bass and this was obvious to the audience as soon after they entered the stage the audience moved nearer towards the front and a group began to dance along. Their performance ended on a high with a standing ovation from those who were too comfortable on the Rafters sofas to get up and dance.
Wonderland Nightclub Maidstone Gig: Rafters
CEOs Nick and David (right) have recently starting teaching at Supajam
tacted by bands who want to perform at the shows and Kelsey is one of the students who reviews the bands and picks who goes forward into the shows. “In all honesty it is amazing being able to work so closely with this great venue, As a member of a band who played here, it is a big thing to get the pleasure of playing the Forum, let alone actually
helps keep the shows going and contributes to the continued success of the venue,” Kelsey said.“For some bands, Show Us Yer Guns could be the break they need.” If your band would like to play at one of the Show Us Yer Guns events send an email to showusyerguns@ gmail.com. The next event will take place on April 3.
Once you have finally passed the three flights of stairs and escalator you will finally reach the world of Wonderland. The pumping music as soon as you enter the venue and the purple enchantedly decorated walls makes you realise this place is like no other, it really is a Wonderland. The bar decorations such as a ‘DRINK ME’ and ‘EAT ME’ ornaments and a dummy model dressed in an blue Alice dress fits the Wonderland theme perfectly. The mirror decorated walls and chandeliers surrounding the dance floor screams elegance making Wonderland the perfect place for a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget as you can grab a bottle of house bubbly for just £10. It depends which day you go but you are sure to find a night to fit your music taste. On a Thursday they run SOAP, a pop, rock night with each week having a different theme. Think free Krispy Kremes, fish and chips and a bucking reindeer. Each week there is something new and crazy for you to experience. Every Friday their Pick n Mix event is aimed at a different audience, one week it could be indie, urban OR house. Saturday nights are the busiest for the venue where they almost fill their 1800 people capacity with two rooms open. Head to the room Yesterday for RnB and kisstory style music or venture into the Today room to be blasted with commercial house music. The nightclub is beautifully decorated and you can sit down and relax in one of the multicoloured booths or dance the night away on the dance floor which hosts one of the best light and sound systems in Kent. Each Saturday the Wonderland team put on a different light show which will blow you away. Chord gives Wonderland Nightclub Maidstone four out of five stars. You lose a star for making our legs ache with all those stairs!. Prices vary per event for Wonderland so it is best to check their Facebook Page: Wonderland Nightclub Maidstone. They offer a variety of cheap drink deals and cloakroom costs £1.50 per item.