Local Bands

The recent resurgence in live music and the desire to be in a band means that record companies spring up to support their endeavours. Brew Records are just such a label. Formed in June 2007 after receiving a grant from the Scarman Trust, their first release is a 16 track compilation featuring some of the best alternative/experimental bands from the Yorkshire area including the likes of Vessels, Jon Gomm, I Concur, The Monsters and Humanfly.

Brew Records Launch flyer

The compilation will be officially released on Monday 10 December 2007 through independent record shops and online and will be limited to 500 copies. The release will also be previewed at the Brew Records Launch at the Brudenell Social Club, Hyde Park on Saturday 8 December 2007 with live performances from Humanfly, These Monsters, The Butterfly, Chickenhawk & Solus Locus. Advanced copies will be available on the night.

The Brew Records main men Simon Glacken and Thomas Bellhouse hope to follow up that initial release with the debut single from Leeds band, I Concur. We talked to the boys about how they got started and why they want to document the experimental and alternative sounds bursting out of Yorkshire:

"It was something I'd been wanting to do for some time, but my studies got in the way" states Thomas. "So it's only now that myself and Simon can put our energies into building the label into a real haven for good music from this region."

I Concur

"I suppose the first release - the sampler - is a toe in the water" adds Simon. "Any money made will go to the artists and towards funding the next release on the label. When your label is this size there's no point in getting ahead of yourself. You've gotta build the foundations. We're under no illusions about making megabucks out of this - it's not the reason why we do it."

"All the artists featured on the compilations are acts that we like personally. We haven't put anyone on there just because we think they might attract interest from various quarters. The only way we can give these bands the push they deserve is if we believe in them. We promote gigs as well and the bands involved have all impressed us on the live scene, which is extremely healthy - everyone's in a band in Leeds, aren't they? Or does it just seem like that?"

"Yeah" say Thomas, "we may be small at the moment but we want this to grow. We've been talking to distributors about national distribution, cos we may be in the download generation but there's plenty of kids who want their music to be accessible via a tangible object. There's nothing quite like holding a physical CD or 7" vinyl with its artwork to complete the package. I know people who buy vinyl but don't own a record player to play it on! - It's a tactile thing, I guess. We're hoping that we can add vinyl to the list of formats for future releases."

"We've been lucky" he adds "in that I managed to obtain the grant from the Scarman Trust to get the ball rolling. I had no idea that they could fund things like this as mainly their money funds community projects. They turned me down a couple of times but I reworked the application form and eventually they agreed to the grant which has been a real boon."

Both Simon and Thomas hope to take Brew Records from strength to strength over the coming months - and years! The idea of being able to quit their day jobs and run the label full time is something the constantly dream about:

"Well, it's what everyone wants isn't it? To throw off the shackles of the day-to-day grind to work on something you're passionate about. Even if it doesn't happen, we're just happy to be bringing good music to people."