Good Karma, Great Night
Hats off to mega DJ and host, Abbie McCarthy of BBC Introducing who launched a vibrant gig and hang out for music fans, musicians and industry to party together. Good Karma Club happens monthly at The Islington (Angel, London) and stars a hand picked bill featuring some of the most happening live music artists being seen by their followers and scouts, alike. A real social occasion. With no shortage of recognisable faces in the crowd, I was happy to bump into friends old and new.
Sold out days before, this was definitely THE place to be on Thursday 28th January. Not just for fans of guitar bands, but also for something that oozed a sense of community. A big fan of social occasions, we felt right at home. We bumped into The Sherlocks on their way to the venue, they've been having some dream like adventures supporting The Libertines shows, and are about to head out on their own first headline tour, most of which is sold out, so this was perfect timing for London to catch them before they blow up. The whole line up, in fact, as there was evident adoration for headliners, Childcare and some of my previous work mates already had a keen eye and ear on The Bay Rays
who kicked off proceedings like they had just flown in from LA, not driven up from Kent. There's a vintage Americana feel to their very now sound, tinged with a little Iggy n Cramps here and there, that made for a tight show, end to end.
They are so at home and confident on stage, just the right amount of swagger to deliver the songs, and a great interplay of riffs, licks and beats to not sound derivative, but like a band forging their own sound.
Kudos to Good Karma for being so well organised. It's not always humanly possible to make a show run on time, sort out the guests, greet friends, stage manage and keep an eye on the artists, but Abbie managed to not only do that but also host and DJ. It's an exciting time for young music professionals to steer the next industry. This lady means rock n roll business, and was having such a good time doing so, that it's infectious. Between the bands, a helluva lotta laughing was going on as people popped out for a fag or natter...
Friendly lovely people everywhere. We came away with some new mates and/or favourite bands, and some happy memories.
Next on were The Sherlocks from the environs of Sheffield, who were at school when Arctic Monkeys hit stardom. What a great influence on what was to follow. They may be young still but these are canny artists with their eye, firmly on the prize as they develop into a band that can inspire in the playgrounds of 2016.
It was definitely worth getting down the front to catch their catchy show at close range, and you just know that it's gonna go off for them, big time. That probably won't be possible for long. For now though, well done them, they're off to SXSW 2016!
The 'guitar bands are dead' naysayers, flog their dreary, wrong, mantra annually, but they might as well shut it for 2016 as The Sherlocks, and many more, will prove them wrong. Tiny pin pricks on a world map, maybe, but if there's one thing these tiny islands of Britain and Ireland do well on a global scale, it's bands. See history and future for further details.
Everybody was laughing and smiling so much and so often that if the club didn't already have a name they'd HAVE to call it Good Karma!
Punktastic! Spotted musicians from two articulate faves; Isaac Holman of Slaves and Daniel Connolly of Sisteray. Both have got a frick of a lot to say that is empathetic to NOW, so it makes sense that they are both here tonight in support of what Abbie is doing.
There's a new fanzine starting tonight, too. WHAT a year 2016 is for the British music scene before the first month has ended. Immersed in that are headliners, Childcare, who bring energetic sex, fuelled through a confidently exhibited alt rock performance. Loudly. In and out of the crowd, with intensity. They've some impressive shows already under their belt and their multi layered sound, looks set to get them to the next level, soon.
Basically, the entire live bill and Good Karma Club as an event with potential to make as much of a name for itself, as for the artists it supports, are total winners, as is Abbie McCarthy who has obviously put a lot of hard work, professional experience and above all, musical passion into creating this event. Respect.
Above; Abbie photographed by Mark Roe. All other snapshots (and report) by Caffy St Luce for TheZineUK.
Left; After show chilling; Anthus Davis of The Bay Rays with Ben Dodd of TheZineUK.
It's probably a good idea to follow Good Karma Club, if you're not already for news of the next events (incidentally, that is 24th February with LYGER, The Bulletproof Bomb and EASTERN BARBERS), plus tickets, photos etc. Facebook + Twitter
(don't just take my word for it, the feedback from those who attended this launch is VERY positive, also!)
More images will be in the next chapter of TheZineUK Music Movement story picture book which is due mid February and weaves all these adventures into the very real and credible independent music scene growing right now.