Our bi-monthly listicle highlighting who’s been Brixton Hill Studios recently and what they are up to musically. BXHSers, let us know if there’s a gig or project you are working towards that you’d like us to mention:
A big welcome back to Benedict Cork, and the Honeymoon Trio, who gave an impromptu performance of Something Kinda Strange in Studio 1, as they rehearsed for upcoming album preview shows in the US & Europe. This song has gone on a bit of a journey, having been ripped off and put on Spotify by an AI imposter! You can read more about what happened in the article in TIME Magazine.
We’ve not seen Benedict since he invited us to his awesome show at Bush Hall a couple of years ago, we hope to catch him in the UK soon, and if you’re a fan of heartfelt soulful pop, sung by one of the sweetest voices out there, you should too!
Seren has been busy rehearsing here with her band, and has just released the glorious Something True single, which caught the attention of BBC Introducing.
Regular visitor Beth Rettig, AKA Where We Sleep released their incendiary album The Arsonist this month. With contributions by local guitar hero Debbie Smith, and bassist Jo Gate-Eastley, our good friends at Joyzine describe the album as “Immersive, thoughtful and beautifully constructed” – read the rest of the review here.
Meanwhile, getting ready for the Sures Festival (June 18-21) in Cadiz, Kit Sebastian were in honing their eclectic mix of Anatolian Psychedelia, Brazilian Tropicalia, 60’s European pop and American jazz. If you watched the hit Apple TV show Pluribus, you may well have heard their Turkish version of People Are Strange on the soundtrack.
Bar Italia play Harry Styles' Meltdown
Kit Sebastian play Sures Festival
OTHER GIGS:
American Country artist, Alyssa Bonagura took some time in Studio 2 to get ready for the UK leg of her American Backroads tour, whilst British R&B stalwarts, Loose Ends took over Studio 1 to ready themselves for a spectacular two nights of shows at The Jazz Cafe in June.
And should you find yourself at a, ahem, ‘loose end’ this Friday (19th June), then our favourite ABBA tribute band, A Star is Bjorn are playing at Broomfields Bromley FC – Bottomles Brunch starts at 8.30pm – Mamma Mia!!
A new bimonthly listicle highlighting who’s been in the studio and what they are up to. BXHSers, let us know if there’s a gig or project you are working towards that you’d like us to mention:
We have had a couple of acts in getting ‘beach ready’ for the 25th Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona which is talking place on the first week June; regulars NewDad returned from their US travels and will play the festival on Friday, before they hotfoot their alt-rock/dream-pop sounds to Dublin to open for David Byrne, yes, you heard us right, DAVID BYRNE!!, plus we had a visit from the excellent, politically charged, punk duo Lambrini Girls, who play on the Saturday, ahead of dates in the US and Europe.
Phoebe Lambrini receives BXHS Excellence Award from Charley Stone
Sadly, on the Saturday, Lambrini Girls clash with My Bloody Valentine, who our Jen Macro plays keys/guitar with, so she won’t get to see them. This will be the second time Jen has played Primavera with MBV, having joined them in 2013. Jen has also been busy playing with Jim Bob (from Carter USM) and finishing off her band Hurtling’s 2nd album, which has just been confirmed for release with Onomatopoeia Records. To complete the fiesta, bossman Stephen will also be out in Barcelona with prog superstars, Cardiacs, at Primavera a la Ciutat.
Jen Macro - at Primavera with My Bloody Valentine
NewDad - opening for David Byrne
Earlier in May, legendary vocalist Sarah Brown came in to rehearse for a special Sing Gospel! event at Liverpool Olympia on May 19th. Sarah has sung with Dave Gilmour, Stevie Wonder, Simple Minds and George Michael, and cites Sister Rosetta Tharpe as an early inspiration, who, fittingly, she pays homage to in the show. Filmed for the BBC, you can catch her performance on Songs of Praise on BBC One, Sunday June 7th, or catch up on BBC iPlayer.
Sarah Brown - BBC Songs of Praise
Forest Blakk - Debut UK shows
Studioo 1 & 2 were packed out with production rehearsals during May. We cleared out our gear so heavy rockers Deaf Havana and their team could take over Studio 1 in preparation for upcoming festivals. They will also tour in Oct/Nov celebrating 15 years of their album Fools and Worthless Liars.
Meanwhile,Studio 2 played host to million(s) selling, Canadian indie folk-pop vocalist and songwriter, Forest Blakk, ahead of his debut UK shows. The Lower Third in London and Manchester Deaf Institute quickly sold out, so we hope he’ll return soon for more dates.
Demae - plays Cross The Tracks
Seren - supporting Ruby Roberts
BRIT School alumnus Seren is an upcoming songwriter and singer with pop/soul/folk influences. She was in preparing for her show at Rough Trade Bristol opening for rising alt-pop artist Ruby Roberts on May 27th, and was hugely excited about the gig.
The Best New R&B act at the 2025 Notion New Music Awards, Demae came in to warm up for their set at London’s no.1 Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival, Cross The Tracks in Brockwell Park over the Spring Bank Holiday.
We also saw the lads from The Rizz return to the studios, getting ready for their shows supporting From the Jam (Jam hits ft original member, Bruce Foxton) in Norwich in May and Islington Assembly Hall on June 6th. The shows follow the release of their single ‘Fishing in a Wishing Well’ (May 22nd) much of which was recorded here with our very own Alessio Costa. If you’d like to record here with Alessio, or Nick Howiantz or Stephen Gilchrist, just give us a call or send us an email.
The Rizz - new single
That’s it for now, back in a few weeks. If you’d like to be included in a one of these round up type things, get in touch.
We pick a dozen of the hard working bands who rehearse at the studio that all have wonderful wares to sell this Bandcamp Friday!
This month’s Bandcamp Friday is sponsored by Roland and you can get your mits on a free exclusive Roland Ultimate Studio Suite. Sweet! In celebration, we thought we’d highlight some of the awesome bands who rehearse here and hook you up with their Bandcamp sites…
Julie Dawson – Lead singer from studio sweethearts NewDad just released a beautiful solo record Bottom of the Pool.
BERRIES – Pick of the bunch! BERRIES are on tour in Oct when they release their follow up to How We Function, which is out Oct 18th – see their link tree for tix and to pre-save Jagged Routine.
Benedict Cork – Wonderful singer/songwriter released his debut album Notes on a Hopeless Romance this year, and the live EP of his show at Bush Hall is heartbreaking and joyful all at the same time.
Kugelschreiber – Wonky popsters led by Sharron Fortnam (North Sea Radio Orchestra/Cardiacs) who recently visited the studio to rehearse when they added our Jen to the live line up. Debut album Cheerleaders is out now and it’s brilliant.
Holy Springs – We’re so intrigued by this shoegaze/electronic unit. They recently supported the glorious Film School at the Moth Club. Keep an eye out for more dates from this lot.
I, Doris – It is always a delight to see the Doris’s at the studio. Mixed by the boss Stephen ‘Doris’ Gilchrist and featuring Chumbawamba frontman and indie legend Dunstan Bruce, Not Done Yet was released in June this year. Catch I,Doris at Loudwomen’s 9th Birthday Party on Oct 12th.
Joyzine – The studio’s very favourite zine has released not one, not two, but THREE volumes of JOY to celebrate their 20th anniversary and raise money for Hope Not Hate. Get a 3-Volume bundle to hear exclusive tracks from Brixton Hill Studios regulars including Colossus, Dead Patrons, The Fades, Hot Sauce Pony, Hurtling, I,Doris, Stuffy/theFuses and Subliminal Girls.
That’s ya lot, for now – see you at the studios or a gig soon.
Team BXHS x
PS – Don’t forget our End of Summer Sale – 20% off all weeknight 9pm-12am slots booked online through JAMMED. Offer ends 01.11.24.
Due to a larger than anticipated rent increase at the end of our 10 yr lease, it means we can no longer afford to stay at the premises at 126 Brixton Hill.
We broke the news to everyone on June 5th, 2023. Since then we have been totally overwhelmed with well wishes, offers of help, social media sharing, petition signing and shouting about the cause. Patrons, friends, local residents, local councillors and supporters of the arts have really got behind us, and we feel very wanted here! Thankyou x
We have been working with lots of helpful people and trying to get the landlord to negotiate, as yet however, nothing has been resolved, but we remain hopeful that although we may not be able to get the landlord to reduce his rental price, we might be able to extend our lease for enough time as to find other premises in the area.
Here’s a quick round up of what’s gone on so far…
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
Spurred on by one of our loyal customers who kindly wrote a template letter, many people wrote to our local MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy. Bell has taken a keen interest in our situation, visiting the studio along with Councillor Olga Fitzroy and writing to the landlord directly on behalf of us and concerned local residents.
Petition
Jimi Smith started a Change.org petition on Jun 6th which ran for 10 days and garnered 5,800 names in just 10 days. Support came from people who rely on the studio, bands who come here to rehearse such as Black Midi, Shame, Berries, Dinosaur Pile Up, The Dust Coda and Big Joanie, to Brixton residents and and organisations such a the Brixton Soup Kitchen and our favourite local venue, The Windmill.
Along with food critic and jazz musician Jay Rayner who rehearses here, we also had signatures from industry friends Graham Coxon (Blur), Charlotte Hatherley, Jim Bob (Carter USM) and legendary Bowie producer Tony Visconti.
Radio DJs also got involved including three who are hugely influential in promoting new music and often play bands who rehearse here – John Kennedy at Radio X and Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson from BBC 6Music.
Press
We’ve had a quite a bit of interest from the media, from BBC Radio London to the Evening Standard, South London Press to Brixton Buzz, we are grateful to the journalists who listened and got the story out to the wider audience. Here are links to some of the articles:
Our friend Aggie Branner from the band Balamuc made this short fly on the wall film about the studio > #savebrixtonhillstudios Definitely worth a watch if you haven’t already.
Social Media
Amazing to see so many of you get involved, we appreciate all the shares, likes and comments on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It has also been lovely to see some of you posting memories of good times here at the studios, or sharing videos of your rehearsals, or taking your pic in front of our iconic shutter.
Our patrons are the best! We appreciate you so much, and we will do our best to make sure we continue to offer a space for you to make music in Brixton.
It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I write to you confirming that South London’s favourite “playground” for adults is being threatened with closure at the end of the Summer. We just about made it to 10 years but more astoundingly we managed to navigate a pandemic and multiple lockdowns (and not without your considerable support and the financial input from the Arts Council of Great Britain). We managed to survive when many of our brothers and sisters in the industry didn’t. Unfortunately the one thing we can not compete with is an astronomical rent rise.
Yep, that’s right we are being priced out of our home.
It’s been a rocky road to recovery but in recent months we’ve seen the studio reaching full capacity as everyone from the pros, weekend warriors and the rising rockstars of tomorrow have been eager to create again. We are proud that from the very first day we opened our doors we’ve experienced a diverse range of artists, bands and performers, all from differing backgrounds and influences. Many of you have also become friends and comrades too. There are multiple associations and partnerships we’ve made including our favourite venue, The Windmill and local music charity Grounded Sounds who do essential work educating and engineering music related opportunities for the local youth population. BXHS is more than an industrial unit with some amps and drums stuck inside it, we’ve become a part of the community, a community it has been a pleasure to serve and support for the last 10 years.
As well as rehearsals we have made some fantastic records here, not only on tape and digital but there was also the time someone insisted we mixed their songs on to cassette. We’ve put on some unforgettable all dayers, Christmas parties and put out a few records of your awesome tunes. We held open days and band merch markets. We’ve housed music teachers and their aspiring students from the get go, making sure everyone has somewhere to make noise. Some of us remember the opening night party where we received a surprise visit from Pixies’s Black Francis. For many of us this place has been a constant in our lives since the days it was a single room studio at the back of Unit 2.
So what are we going to do now?
We are doing everything we can to keep BXHS running. If not here then at a new site. Even if we have to shut down for a little while we shall let you know with as much notice as possible so you can make alternative arrangements. It’s a big old job to dismantle and rebuild somewhere else. We only have 4 months in which to find somewhere suitable that is also within budget and sustainable for the next 10-20 years.
But this is something we need, right?
The few people we have shared this information with have already asked “is there anything we can do”? For now you can sign up to our mailing list (see below) and join the Brixton Hill Studios Preservation Society on FB. All progress will be posted there before the wider socials.
In the meantime if you would like to share some pictures and stories of your times here at BXHS please do so on our socials or tag us in in your stories and posts. All the emotional support given to us helps us to fight the good fight and, in every sense, go into battle.
We are beyond delighted to share the exciting news that we are one of the 588 cultural and creative organisations receiving a Culture Recovery Fund grant from Arts Council England on behalf of the DCMS and HM Treasury.
The funding is a lifeline that will mean not only are we able to keep operating, but we can also upgrade and enhance our services to keep up with the changing landscape of the music industry.
We thank our loyal customers for their support over the last few months, we are so pleased we can continue to provide you with a place to create and hone your craft. We hope to encourage more musicians from the local scene to come and make the most of our rehearsal and recording facilities and we embrace the opportunity to remain a supportive hub for the live music community as it recovers.
We’re also busy working on plans to engage a wider audience of music consumers, supporters and enthusiasts over the coming months.
Hello all, it’s Stephen here., alleged chief cook and bottle washer at BXHS. I’m here to tell you about a benefit show we are hosting with our pals Jo Spratley (from Spratley’s Japs) & The Windmill in Brixton this month in aid of the legendary percussionist Tim Quy who played with Cardiacs throughout the 80s.
There are a number of BXHS stars in attendance, the line up including Redbus Noface, Ham Legion, Familiar Action and, my lot, The Stephen Evens Band. Other acts on board are Vonhorn, Crayola Lecturn, Wryneck and a special secret performance from a yet unrevealed act featuring members of Knifeworld, Lost Crowns and some ex-Cardiacs members. There is also going to be an auction of some rare Cardiacs related treats not to mention a full on Cardiacs disco at the end.
A BIT ABOUT CARDIACS
Cardiacs are one of those bands that can be filed under the “music’s best kept secret” category. A band that some might describe as pure marmite. You either find them unpalatable or you cannot resist chomping down on their sonic delights at any given opportunity. Like the legendary Velvet Underground, Cardiacs did not sell a great number of records during their time but pretty much everyone who bought one formed a band. Their influences can be detected in bands as diverse as Blur & Radiohead and artists such as Mike Patton of Faith No More and er….Steve Davis (he’s not just about snooker, y’know, Steve knows his psychedelia. Check out his band The Utopia Strong).
Tim has been fighting cancer of the mouth, tongue and jawbone the past 2 years. Despite receiving first class treatment from the NHS for his condition, being unable to work has left him in somewhat of a financial hole. Therefore a small number of friends, family and devoted fans have been organising fundraisers to help Tim with his ever amounting costs to soften his financial stress so he can get on with the important business of recovery.
A BIT ABOUT TIM
Tim’s contribution to Cardiacs sound was the pure fairy dust upon which they separated themselves from many of their contemporaries. The mixture of xylophone, catchy cowbell rhythms, big bass drums and china cymbals held aloft, Tim’s percussive acrobatics brought to mind the skills of Ruth Underwood or Ed Marimba (aka Art Tripp III) of Zappa and Beefheart’s bands respectively. More like a small orchestra than a rock band, the classic era of Cardiacs were utterly unique and Tim’s place in it utterly essential.
Cardiacs have been my Elvis, Beethoven and Captain Beefheart, all rolled in to one for as long as I can remember. The first time I heard the opening bars of their song “To Go Off & Things” being played at me (when I wandered into their gig by mistake aged 14) my first thought was “I didn’t know we were allowed to do this?” It was the first time I witnessed the rule book being given the 2 fingers, an attitude that has stuck with me to this day.
Not every band’s success can or should be measured in record sales, venue capacities and award ceremonies. Whatever one may think about the musicians life it is rare that is accompanied by much in the way of financial reward. Which is why something like this is important. There is no safety net for those artists who’ve not made it to the big time, should they fall foul of life’s cruel fates. So this is one reason why we are behind this event 100%. If there is even a minuscule amount we can do to support those people who have inspired us, entertained us and kept our hearts full of love for music, then count us in. We are a music community and we support each other because we know that there are things more important than money….that said, please give generously and come along on the 15th.
Due to the ever increasing costs of being situated in a popular London borough, coupled with an imminent rent rise, a price review is essential to our survival.
We have not increased our prices in Studios 1 & 2 since February 2016 and in Studios 3, 4 & 5 since March 2017. We will endeavour to keep our prices as reasonable as possible whilst being able to continue to deliver the high level of service you expect from us.
VOX AC 15 VRs for hire @£5 per session
We have published the prices on the rates page and we’ve posted them up around the studio, as you might have already seen. We are still offering full backline in our premium studios (1&2) but are now only able to offer 1 guitar amp in our standard studios (3, 4 & 5). However we are only charging £5 for a standard amp per session if you need to double up.
There is some good news. We’ve managed to make some savings on the weekend evenings meaning that you can try our premium studios at knocked down prices or get a 3 hour session in one of our smaller rooms for the price of a round!
We thank you for your understanding & look forward to serving you for many years to come & continuing to make this a hub for our local music scene.
Welcome to another round up of what some of the lovely bands who frequent our rehearsal rooms are up to.
Firstly we’d like to send our condolences to those in our community who have been affected by the untimely passing of Jack Medley. Beth from Madonnatron has been integral in setting up a gofundme campaign to help with Jack’s funeral costs, and also posthumously releasing his album, Charlotte from Madonnatron also created the wonderful artwork pictured below that was on display in The Windmill for his memorial gig on Sunday May 26. Amazing to think this painting was just a piece of wood in our car park a few days ago!
Also on May 26, our wonderful boss held the first of his monthly residencies at The Betsey Trotwood. ‘The Curates Egg’ beheld an afternoon of cracking talent including music and comedy from Kate Arnold, Benjamin Louche, Andrew O’Neal, The Stephen Evens Band and Terre de Lune who, as I write, is recording songs with Stephen and Nick in the studio. Next one is June 30th when the pub will again open especially on a Sunday for your listening and laughing pleasure.
Releases-wise we look forward to June 7 when Dinosaur Pile-Up’s ‘Celebrity Mansions’ album is unleashed on an unsuspecting public, they recently announced a few small shows to mark the launch before they play at Download Festival. Go. See. Hear. Love,
Also in your record shops is the new Madonnatron album ‘Musica alla Puttanesca’. We were very touched to have a thank you mention in the sleeve notes, plus our very own Alex plays trumpet on the album!
We raise a glass to lead singer of Les Futiles and regular visitor to these hallowed halls, Paul Killengray, in honour of his upcoming wedding in June, we wish you love, luck and happiness on your special day, and all the special days to follow with the lovely Lou xx
And if you’re OK with it, I’d like to raise a personal glass to my dear Dad who passed recently. He was a big fan of music, and mischief – in healthier times he was always up for a natter over a whisky (or three) with me and my bandmates.
He woulda loved you lot, almost as much as we do x
SOME GIGS:
MAY 29 – JOHN, The Lexington, Angel 30 – Les Futiles, Amersham Arms 31 – Dog Race, Old Blue Last, Shoreditch
JUNE 01 – Screaming Toenail/Big Joanie, Poly Styrene Weekender, 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning, Herne Hill 02 – The Good Tenants, Camden Rocks Festival, Brewdog, Camden 02 – Rat The Magnificent, Windmill, Brixton 05 – Rachel Chinouriri, Moth Club, Hackney 07-11 – Dinosaur Pile-Up, various Record stores across UK 08 – Penya, Visionary OddBall Festival, The Isis River Farmhouse, Oxford 09 – Death And The Penguin, Portals Festival, The Dome, Tufnell Park 10 – Big Joanie (supporting Bikini Kill), O2 Forum, Kentish Town 13 – Ham Legion/Hot Sauce Pony/Dog Of Man, Windmill, Brixton 14 – Moreish Idols, Off The Cuff, Herne Hill 14 & 15 – Tippa Irie, Hideaway, Streatham 15 – Lion, Bushstock, Sheperd’s Bush 16 – Dinosaur Pile Up, Download Festival 16 – Eugene Coyne, The Windmill, Brixton 17-21 – Madonnatron tour, including Moth Club, London 21/6 19 – Black Midi, EartH, Dalston 20/21 – Lion (supporting Band Of Horses), Oxford Academy/O2 Forum, Kentish Town 21 – Light Emitting Dinosaurs, Rose And Crown, Bishops Stortford
Many wonderful bands have crossed the threshold here at Brixton Hill Studios, and we love them, so we thought we’d let you know when and where you can see them play live:
JAN 30 – Fat White Family, The Lexington FEB 01 – Madonnatron, Shacklewell Arms, Dalston FEB 01 – Hot Sauce Pony, New Cross Inn, New Cross FEB 02 – PREGOBLIN, The Windmill, Brixton (IVW19) FEB 02 – Madonnatron, Komedia, Brighton (IVW19) FEB 03 – Dog Race, The Fiddler’s Elbow, Camden
