Hiiiii, welcome to Spring xx

March was pretty busy huh?

International Women’s Day, Brexit MAYhem, The Social in central London looking doomed to be sold, but then saved by the #savethesocial crowdfunder campaign, yay! … not to mention #PianoDay, which our wonderful Nick Howiantz celebrated in ALL the style >> https://twitter.com/BRXTNHILLSTUDIO/status/1111693942024781824

• 

• 

More staff shenanigans in March included the boss’s alter ego Stephen Evens and co playing at the first Unfold at the Sunfold minifest in Weston Super Mare (at Steve Morricone from Scaramanga Six‘s B&B) along with BXHS alumni Kate Arnold, Keith Adams and labelmate Crayola Lectern. Later that week Stephen and Caroline’s rock troupe Hot Sauce Pony played a blinder at Ace And Eights in Tufnell Park which got this top trumps review from The Zine *warning, one of them took their top off.

Meanwhile Nick’s band Ham Legion played Reading and are putting new drummer (another Nick) through his paces as they ready themselves for a European tour with Dog Of Man (who have recorded here). Also, I reunited with The Hoodrats to back South London legend Jim Bob from Carter USM at Shepherds Bush Empire and we very much enjoyed our production rehearsal here in Studio 1.

Our ex-colleague Maxie Gedge drums in Graceland and I went to see them at the Sebright Arms, they were fantastic, come with us next time yeah? You will NOT regret it.

• 

• 

As for releases in March, Dinosaur Pile Up got Rockest Record on the BBC Rock Show with Thrash Metal Cassette, Japan Review released the Juno EP on Reckless Yes Records (we were swooning outside the door over the sweet shoegazey/multilayered sounds emanating from Studio 4 when they were in). Also, after pre-production rehearsals here, Henry White released lead single Weary from his forthcoming ep.

• 

• 

Looking ahead, some of the BXHS regulars have special releases for Record Store Day on April 13th including Madonnatron ft Meatraffle/Meatraffle ft. Madonnatron – Brigante Se Mor/Bella Ciao and Art Brut X We Are Scientists – WASABI 12″. Sadly we won’t be holding an event to celebrate Record Store Day this year, but there’s lots going on, check the RSD website for details.

Many highlights await us in April, including City Slang signed Canadian songwriter Dan Mangan making a flying visit to Studio 2 to prepare for some UK dates, with support from the gorgeous and wonderful Steven Adams. Plus Death And The Penguin will be in, readying themselves for Washed Out Festival which Frauds are also playing, after they’ve played new South London festival in Croydon, Cro Cro Land and before their mini tour with one of our faves Rat The Magnificent at the end of the month,

Right then, that appears to be about it. I’m off to sip wine and listen to Scott Walker.

Here are some gigs:

• 

• 

APR 2 – Scud FM, The Windmill, Brixton
APR 4 – Dan Mangan w/ Steven Adams starts UK, Brudenell, Leeds
APR 5 – Hot Sauce Pony, Paperdress Vintage, Hackney
APR 6 – Ham Legion start European tour with Dog Of Man
APR 6 – Frauds, Cro Cro Land Festival, Croydon
APR 11 – Starsha Lee, Five Bells, New Cross (supporting Material Girls)
APR 10 – M F Robots, The Jazz Cafe
APR 12 – Death and the Penguin/Frauds, Washed Out Festival, Brighton
APR 13 – Big Joanie, Rough Trade East, E1 (Record Store Day)
APR 16 – Mice On Mars, The Windmill, Brixton

• 

• 

APR 18 – Ut, The Islington, N1
APR 20 – Tommy And Mary, Le Truskel. Paris
APR 20 – Ye Nuns, NUNFEST, Various Venues, SE15
APR 21 – Dog Race, Notting Hill Arts Club
APR 26/27/28 – Rat The Maginificent/Frauds, Birmingham/Portsmouth/Margate
APR 27 – Madonnatron/Bug Prentice, Are You Listening Festival, Reading

If you rehearse/have rehearsed at Brixton Hill Studios and have a gig/release you want us to feature on the site, please get in touch – hello@brixtonhillstudios.co.uk or message us on twitter @BRXTNHILLSTUDIO

Photo of Graceland courtesy of Charley Stone