Parka – Bollocks to Poverty

Since 2005, Broccoli Music has been helping to establish new bands and Djs in the live music scene, with their promotions team putting on monthly band nights around London and occasionally other cities around England.

Not only is Broccoli Music helping bands and Djs through their own events – with some of the unsigned bands that they’ve worked with going on to get record deals – along with Myspace, they’re also actively supporting ActionAid’s Bollocks To Poverty campaign.

I raise a toast to Mikee and Katie for supporting live music – and for taking the time to answer a few questions in this exclusive interview for BandWeblogs.com.

Jenny May: Who is behind Broccoli Music?

Mikee: Broccoli Music is a brother and sister duo, so there’s me, Mikee, the oldest and Katie being the younger, obviously. But there are some great people that have supported us since we began the company so there is a real family feel to the world of Broccoli. Broccoli Music is now a collective of young people wanting to make an impression on the UK music scene.

How and when was Broccoli Music formed?

Katie: Broccoli was started back in 2004, by the age of 22 I was still doing work experience jobs as I had no ‘experience’ so no one would give me a paid job in the music industry, so basically thought f**k it I’ll do something myself. So initially Broccoli was set up as a management company helping bands to get signed to major labels.

Mikee: So when I got back from travelling I had the same problem as Katie, hating the soulless 9-5, so when I got back I was gonna get into selling records but somehow got sucked into Broccoli and we kinda turned the company into more about promoting live events than the management side of things.

What kind of events do you put on?

Mikee: Our events are primarily unsigned/new music nights. We have Indiesexual which has just had its second birthday at Catch in Old Street. This is the gig where we showcase bands, we get to see what they’re all about, I guess you can say we take gambles on bands and see what they’re made of. Indisexual seems to have a great family atmosphere, we get past bands to come back and DJ for a bottle of booze…it’s usually quite a debauched gig that one.

Katie: Xfm Uploaded at the Bullet Bar is probably one of our favourite nights as we can help to get the bands radio airplay, a hell of a lot of exposure on the Uploaded website. Plus bands chosen for this gig get to play other Xfm gigs like the ‘gigloo’ we did at the metro ski and snow show.

Mikee: For us it’s been quite an honour to promote this gig for Xfm, we pinched ourselves, and still do sometimes.

Katie: They are a great company to work for as they really do support unsigned music, and not one of them is a corporate twat and they do love a good drinking session.

Where are they usually, and how often?

Katie: Indisexual is at Catch in Old Street (London), the second Wednesday of every month. Then you got Xfm Uploaded Live at the Bullet Bar this is usually the last Thursday of the month. Ermmmmm Bollocks To Poverty On tour! in association with Myspace at the Borderline that’s a bi monthly gig next one being April 1st, 2008.

Mikee: We go up to Newcastle when the weather’s nice and do the odd alldayer with some promoters up there, that one’s always a laugh and very very messy, the party don’t stop til the money runs out.

Katie: There’s a great music scene up there, and the people are totally lovely, we love going back!

Along with Myspace, how did you get involved with ActionAid?

Katie: We met Action Aid through Xfm, they came down to the Xfm Uploaded nights with badges and flyers n posters, we hit it off with them straight away and loved the concept of Bollocks To Poverty! So we offered to do nights with them as they were looking for ways to keep the buzz about the charity going after the festival season.

LR Rockets – Bollocks to Poverty

When people attend a Bollocks to Poverty show, how are they helping to support ActionAid and their cause?

Mikee: Firstly they can help ActionAid fight some of the conditions that keep people poor – like corporations exploiting poor workers – by taking a few minutes to sign-up to the campaign. Or with those events that are raising money for ActionAid, just by buying a ticket and turning up you’re helping ActionAid to help millions of people fight their way out of poverty.

How else can people get involved with the Bollocks to Poverty campaign?

Katie: By putting on their own Bollocks to Poverty event! Anyone can get involved and put on any kind of event – from a house party with your mates Djing or a club night or gig – whatever they’re into. ActionAid provides all the materials for free, like posters and banners, campaign cards, and stickers and badges to hand out on the night. Plus you get your own web page to advertise your event.

If people don’t want to put on their own event then they can support the tour by turning up to events, taking action online or promoting Bollocks to Poverty on their MySpace profile. All the information about how to get involved is on www.actionaidspace.org

Is Broccoli Music involved with all of the Bollocks to Poverty shows?

Mikee: Nope, the one we do with them is almost like the flagship store, all the action aid team get involved and get really excited about the gig. But we would always be more than willing to help people out that are doing a Bollocks gig for the first time for the charity.

How often are the events?

Mikee: Bi monthly

How long has Bollocks to Poverty been going? Can you list a few bands that have played?

Bollocks to Poverty has been running for about a year now. As well as some great unsigned bands like the Krak, Parka and The Skallywags performing at gigs, bands like Bloc Party and the Twang have also featured Bollocks to Poverty on parts of their tour. Some bands, like the Long Blondes, Noisettes, Klaxons and the Horrors have also supported the tour by giving tips for people thinking of putting on their own Bollocks to Poverty gig.

What was one of the more memorable shows that you’ve put on?

Katie: We put on a gig at The Enterprise September 2006 the floor was literally collapsing – everyone was jumping up and down, Conan and the Mockasins practically ate their microphones, The Draytones, The Delanies, Fear Of Flying, Ok Karaoke, Dante and the Pre Raphaelites.

Mikee: It was just one of those gigs that completely went off, it was rammed all day long.

How do you find unsigned bands and djs to play at Broccoli Music events?

Katie: We search long and hard for that band with something special, Myspace, demos, we get a lot of them through the post now, word of mouth.

Mikee: We’re never short of bands to work with, the London new music scene has so much to offer at the moment it’s really quite exciting.

Have there been any unsigned bands that have worked with you, and then went on to get a record deal? If so, who?

Mikee: The Draytones on 1965 records. The Toy Guns had a single release on EMI. Hatcham Social are working with Tim Burgess making some really special music right now. The Thirst are on Ronnie Wood’s label. The Wallbirds are doing very well, bought their single in HMV the other week which was lovely. Kingsize, The Dash, Kid Coda Sounds, Molloy and probably a fair few more.

What festivals has Broccoli Music been at? Where can we find you this festival season?

Mikee: We haven’t actually participated at any festivals yet, been trashed at a fair few though.

Katie: Well, this year May bank holiday we have our own 1200 capacity Broccoli Music Tent hosting 45 of our favourite bands so far.

Mikee: Basically we were approached by Myfest to book some bands for one of their stages, they really loved the bands we were booking and saw on our website how many cool bands we’ve worked with so offered us a stage.

Katie: This is the first festival of the year, £49 for a three day camping pass, it’s at the end of the central line, cheap booze, cheap food, all your mates in a field plus a classic set from Ocean Colour Scene, about 100 bands plus over the weekend, guest DJs. What more could you ask for????

Broccoli Music upcoming events:

12 March 2008 Indiesexual with The Marla’s/Raven |Beats Crow/The Black Tricks, Catch
23 March 2008 Broccoli music presents: The INDY Music Awards Showcase, Bullet Bar
27 March 2008 XFM Uploaded LIVE – Buster Shuffle / PSA / Playground legend / Arcadian Kicks, Bullet Bar
1 April 2008 Bollocks to Poverty on Tour with The Morning After, The Borderline
9 April 2008 Indiesexual with The Gravity Crisis, Catch
3 May 2008 Broccoli Tent: MyFest 2008, North Weald Airfield
4 May 2008 Broccoli tent: MyFest 2008, North Weald Airfield
5 May 2008 Broccoli Tent: MyFest 2008, North Weald Airfield
3 June 2008 Bollocks to Poverty on Tour, The Borderline

For events, booking enquiries and more, go to:

Broccoli Music on Myspace
Broccoli Music Official Website

ActionAid Official Website
Bollocks to Poverty On Tour
Bollocks to Poverty on Myspace

ActionAid’s Bollocks to Poverty On Tour invites promoters, musicians, and other artists to put on events around the UK to highlight issues of global poverty and inequality.

So far it’s been a massive success – with club nights, comedy shows and high profile gigs right across the country – including the critically acclaimed Chalk in London and the now-famous Bollocks to Poverty Tent at the Reading festival.

Broccoli Music, the live promotions company responsible for electrifying band nights, Indiesexual and XFM Music: Response Live is supporting Bollocks to Poverty On Tour and creating a regular Bollocks to Poverty On Tour live music night in London. Bollocks to Poverty on Tour @ The Borderline in London will pull in some of the UK’s best bands, unsigned talent and special guest DJs to encourage young Londoners to get involved in the tour. All the profits from the night will go to ActionAid.

Bollocks to Poverty On Tour @ The Borderline kicked off on the 25th September with a fantastic line-up of unsigned bands – The Skallywags, Levelload, Chauffeur Driven Aviator and Joana and the Wolf – who performed to a packed out venue. Watch all the action from the night on the gallery section of our website.

Scores of the UK’s finest up-and-coming bands are clamoring to get on the bill…the next gig will involve The Krak, Parka, The Toy Guns and LR Rockets who will perform at Bollocks to Poverty On Tour at the Borderline Tuesday 5th February, 2008 with guest DJ set by The Plain Wrapper Babies…with your help we can make this one of the most exciting, exclusive and talked about live music nights in London.

By getting involved at a Bollocks to Poverty On Tour event you’ll be encouraging hundreds of individuals to get involved and take action against the causes of poverty. You’ll also help raise money for ActionAid at the same time.

For more information on the next gig Tuesday 5th February, 2008 go to:

Broccoli Music Official Website

ActionAid

We have just a handful of bands for you to peruse, here on Band Weblogs. Don’t forget to click on the bands’ website links to learn more about them and to listen to their music.

5 Bands to watch in 2008:

1. The Rushes
The Rushes are Gerard, Dan, Joe and James. Most of them met studying in Leeds. James and Gerard are post-irish, pseudo-catholic-guilt-ridden brothers from Birmingham, Dan is from London and Joe is from Colchester. They like songs more than scenes and are currently near completion of recording their first album for Island Records with producer Victor Van Vugt (Athlete, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey). The Rushes will release the first single from the album, ‘Corners’, in March 2008. Other tracks to watch out for are the brilliant “Will You Won’t You” and “What You Waiting For” – the early demo’s of these songs were released last year and can be heard on the bands myspace.

The Rushes on Myspace
The Rushes Official Website

2. Parka
Hailing from Scotland but now based in East London, Parka have already toured with the likes of Switches, Foals, Boy Kill Boy and The Young Knives this year and amassed more and more supporters along the way. Their recent XFM Scotland session saw the band cover Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” and had the studio rolling about in hysterics by the time they got to the chorus. Parka have also been featured in the Hot New Ones in the NME chart on MTV2 with the angular video for previous single “If You Wanna?”. Parka prepare to release a brand new version of “Disco Dancer” on January 7th, 2008.

Parka on Mypace
Parka Official Website

The three bands below have had a single out in 2007, but we are feeling them for 2008 so have a listen:

3. The Courteeners
Liam Fray was known around the North West prior to the formation of The Courteeners as one of Manchester’s most promising and popular songwriters. Having tired of being unable to make the big sound that he yearned for on his own, he recruited fellow Middleton dwellers, Campbell (drums), Cupello (bass) and Conan (guitar). All known to each other since school days, (Campbell lived next door but one), the transition from solo singer to band was a short and seemingly pre-ordained transition. Early shows at D-Percussion and around the Manchester area saw the band build a fanatical local following in a very short space of time and their shows soon became must attend events in the city.

When the 500 capacity Academy 3 show sold out in July prior to the band signing a record deal or even releasing a note it was clear that they were on the verge of something very special. Tickets for their Academy 2 show (1000) in October sold out as they went on sale. The Courteeners made their first appearance in London in August, playing to another sold out room that saw the mania of their Northern shows translated into a Southern context. That gig saw the music industry fall for the band and “Cavorting” became an NME single of the week whilst mentions in the tabloids and plays on Radio One only served to increase the sense that something important was happening. The next single “What Took You So Long” is set for release January 14th, 2008.

The Courteeners on Myspace

4. The Ghost Frequency
Armed with shards of broken guitar and the acidic crunch of retro analogue synths, The Ghost Frequency came screaming out of North East London like a heart on fire. In a small besmirched bedroom, with a driving fascination with electronic sound and Post-Hardcore, Doran, Murphy, Barney and Ross began piecing ideas together 10 months ago.

An impressive plethora of diverse influences (from At The Drive-In and Dead Kennedy’s, to Dead Boys, Richard Hell and all things New York punk, to the raw driving 80’s synthesis of DAF and The Normal) began to encourage The Ghost Frequency’s fast and unforgiving sound. Coupled with a love for Electro Breakdance from Cybotron plus Spank Rock and MIA and the writings of Haruki Murakami, the amalgamation was set to completion by Doran’s unhealthy preoccupation with Kate Bush, and the arrival of drummer Ben.

The Ghost Frequency are: Doran (vocals / synth), Ross (guitar / synth), Ben (drums), Murphy (guitars) and Barney (synths / computers).

The Ghost Frequency on Myspace
The Ghost Frequency review on Band Weblogs

5. Malakai
Malakai are a two-piece band from Bristol, UK. They comprise of Gee (vocals) and Scott (music). Their sound is a mix of beats and samples, drawing on a wide range of influences from dub to sixties pop, all tied together by Gee’s distinctive voice.

Discovered by Geoff Barrow from the Bristol band Portishead, to date Malakai have released a limited-edition 12″ on Barrow’s Invada label, called ‘Fading World’. ‘Fading World’ was followed up by their debut EP 1 on Island Records in September 2007. The lead track from EP 1, titled “The Battle” was Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe’s “Single of the Week” for w/c 9th July 2007 and The Guardian newspaper featured Malakai as their “New band of the day”.

Malakai on Myspace
Malakai Official Website