Brighton-based indie record label Goo Records has teamed up with Music Venue Trust (MVT) to create a fundraising live album ‘Alive By The Seaside’. Featuring the cream of the Brighton music scene and raising money for the vibrant grassroots venues on the Brighton scene, the album is available to PRE-ORDER now.
It features ten Brighton-based bands, recorded playing live in a Brighton venue during 2023. Alongside legends like The Wedding Present and Immersion (Colin Newman and Malka Spigel), it also features exciting performances by rising stars such as Hutch, ĠENN and Welly.
Goo Records founders Tony Bartholomew and Dorian Rogers were inspired to pull the album together by what they were seeing in the live music scene in Brighton. Tony Bartholomew explains:
“This compilation album is both a celebration and a snapshot of a period of time that feels special – the Brighton live music scene in 2023. It’s been a real joy to watch such a diverse range of bands growing and thriving around the city – many of them close friends with each other or even playing in each other’s bands. So we wanted to capture what we’ve been seeing this year.”
Dorian Rogers adds:
“The vibrant music culture of Brighton would not exist without all the brilliant live music venues in the city. But we’re constantly seeing threats to the existence of these important cultural hubs and we know that MVT are doing so much great work to stop this happening. So we decided that all the profits from this album should go to MVT who will use the funds to support grassroots music venues in Brighton & Hove.”
Beverley Whitrick, COO of Music Venue Trust is very excited about this project:
“With heartfelt gratitude, we extend our thanks to Goo Records and every artist involved for their unwavering support in bolstering grassroots music venues. Through the sale of this live vinyl, they’ve not just shared beautiful music, but they’ve also illuminated the importance of the advocacy and action that is desperately needed by all to protect these cultural hubs. Their dedication showcases the power of music to unite, uplift, and make a meaningful difference in our communities. Thank you for championing the heartbeat of Brighton & Hove”.
Sally Oakenfold is Creative Director and Booker at one of Brighton’s most loved venues, The Hope & Ruin. She is also Chair of Music Venues Alliance (MVA) Brighton and explains how, despite Brighton’s thriving live scene being made up of a number of grassroots venues, there are still many challenges they face:
“We still have lots of problems to deal with. Money is always tight and bills keep going up and up. Housing developments and the potential for noise complaints are an ever present threat as the recent Planning application next door to The Prince Albert and another application opposite The Hope & Ruin, Rossi Bar and Folklore Rooms have shown.”
MVT is a crucial resource in helping venues understand how to best fight these issues. They offer invaluable help, including advice on Planning and how to navigate the complex system, to writing letters to MPs and helping with campaigns. She adds:
“We have even formed our own alliance, MVA Brighton, which has given us a much louder voice locally and provided us with a unified response to rally our supporters in joining us in speaking up for GMVs. This was more than evident with the thousands of objections submitted against the planning applications mentioned already and local legend Fatboy Slim pitching up to show his support for The Albert.
Without MVT there is a real risk to the future of all GMVs and the local scenes they support. This release is a fantastic opportunity to give something back and hear some awesome bands whilst doing so!”
David Gedge from indie giants The Wedding Present, and a Patron of MVT, explains why he was happy for the band to contribute a song to the project:
“I think it’s fair to say that, as a young band starting up in the 1980s, we were heavily reliant on a network of grassroots live music venues to help us obtain early exposure. And it’s heartening to see that there are still some excellent venues providing a breeding ground for new talent. It’s something we need to look after and nurture, which is why – when Goo Records approached us – we were happy to get involved and contribute a track. MVT – of which I am a patron – does great work.“
Dan Shepherd of Hutch, one of the other nine bands featured on the album, said:
“I’m not sure we would really exist without the live scene here in Brighton. Our following was first built playing live shows all around the city. Places like the Green Door Store really championed us and gave us a springboard. The idea of local solidarity translates to the whole scene really – it’s definitely a very friendly and supportive place to become a band. That’s why we were happy to be a part of this project and to donate a track.”
The album will be distributed on clear blue sea vinyl, on CD and on all digital platforms via Republic Of Music.
Listen to the first single release from the album – TINMAN’s track ‘Aviation’ performed live @ Hope & Ruin in Brighton below:
