Pillar Box Records is the brainchild of Ben Ablewhite and his web-based venture will offer artists an alternative to commercial mainstream in their quest to help raise their profiles. Ablewhite can certainly speak from experience – he’s been the vocalist and guitarist in Kingtide for over two years and his talents have certainly not gone unnoticed by us – we’ve previously featured them in our band of the month series. Kingtide are the first of three acts that have been signed to PBR – Oswald 24 and the Soft Verges complete the initial trio.
 | | Wayne Hill from Oswald 24 |
The label is holding a launch party on Tuesday, 11 October and all three from the PBR stable will be playing at Cox’s Yard in Stratford. PBR will offer a free MP3 download option which allows signed bands another platform to get their music heard by a wider audience. Although most bands offer access to their tunes by way of individual websites, the attraction of being adopted by a label and placed more centrally in the consciousness of an ever expanding industry is appealing. Although such ventures are likely to become the norm in the future, a passion in music is needed to get a label up and running and Ablewhite has that in spades. He said: “There’s a huge amount of talent in the Leamington area alone. Just look at talented, yet unsung artists like Circle3, Post War Years and Wish. “It’s so difficult to get anywhere or get your music heard when regular record labels are more concerned about share price than encouraging young and gifted song-writers.
 | | The Soft Verges |
“The major problem with the music industry at the moment is that the current trend for grabbing profit over music stifles creativity and we’re left with manufactured bands that do nothing to inspire anyone. “The main aim of Pillar Box Records is to create a solid platform from which song-writers can distribute their music for free and to a willing audience, and will only feature artists we believe have exceptional long-term potential. “That’s why I’m looking forward to the launch so much, we’ve got talented artists, great music and a fantastic venue, so it should be one hell of a night”. For more information about PBR log onto their website. If you fancy getting along to the label’s launch party on Tuesday, 11 October at Cox’s Yard doors open at 8pm and the music starts at 8.30pm. Entry is £3 with a flyer or £5 without. Again, go to PBR’s website for more details. | 
