The Bands

Marvel (photo: Matt Hotton)

Nick Baxter of Marvel was working with the online team for a day so we got him to tell us what he thought the difference was between gigging here and in the UK.

JERSEY to UK. Is it all that it is cooked up to be?

My name is nick and I play in the band marvel. We are a jersey based band but we decided to hit the big, eye opening UK. The band has been together for roughly four years and we have played the circuit in Jersey and done what we set out to do.

Jersey is a fantastic place for starting up a band. People are willing to listen to anything at least once, so if you’re in a band don’t complain about Jersey, use it to find your feet.

Jersey provided us a period where we were able to refine, create our music and be encouraged to take the big leap and jump into the UK.

If you’re a band like us and wanting more people to see and listen to your music, it is very easy to get frustrated about the fact you can go no where in Jersey as it is not very well connected.

Jersey makes you get out there and if you’re a well gigged and known band in Jersey, you might think that you could make a name for yourself so it encourages you to try and do it.

Last year, marvel decided that it was time to try and pick up pace by playing in the UK. If you want to play in the UK, make sure you are there for the right reasons.

If you want to be in a band that comes from the channel islands and you want to play a few shows in the UK just for fun then that’s great but stop reading because I am writing this for the people who think they have what it takes and want to go onto great things.

Playing in the UK

I am not a guru in the music industry, in fact I am far from that, but I am writing as a beginner to the UK scene and basing my opinion on my own experience and talking to fellow musicians.

Every band can move to the UK from the Channel Islands and slave way but only play ‘toilet gigs’. By this I mean, gigs which have no real importance and more importantly no punters or music industry.

I am not saying don’t play gigs which don’t sound worthwhile. As a band we believe we should play every gig we can and play it as our last, and plus you never know who might be in the crowd.

However like my band we are from Jersey so we don’t want to spend our time continuously playing these gigs, as the possibility for success becomes a lot harder.

Support and radio

Support slots is what we are aiming for and more radio play. We are not wasting time and travelling is expensive.

Reason for playing support slots is because the headliners normally bring most of the crowd to the shows that will be into similar music that you are playing. From here you can hopefully grab the attention of the fans and if so they catch on.

We are going to be releasing another single around Easter time. We are hopefully going to be supporting a tour which leads up the single launch.

For more details regularly visit our myspace for information: www.myspace.com/marveljersey (make sure you have one of these).

'adopt a DIY attitude'

Here in Jersey, bands are looked after when they are asked to play. In the UK, one needs to adopt a DIY attitude. You need to get your name to promoters, venues and managers, as rarely do they come to you.

Organising kit share can be found very difficult and money burning because to get your equipment over is expensive. Stick it out and it will pay off.

Support slots in my eyes is the fasted way to get involved with music industry, a booking agent is something that every band will need, if this is their plan. We are currently sorting one out.

More than just Moyles

I will encourage every band to go to the UK, because it shows how many bands there are out there trying to do the same thing as you, and if you ask your band, why should we be played on radio 1 and no one else? (Remember Radio 1 is not just Chris Moyles)

If you can answer this question and prove it and you believe you can do it then what is stopping you? Stand out, make sure you are not wasting your time and go for it.

Also keep an address book because being successful can heavily depend on who you know, which is disappointing but true. Let’s dance!