Blast

On Thursday 9, October 2008, Dragon Hall in central Norwich will see its third installment of the musical night, Something Good.

The night is a unique collaboration of concrete (electro-acoustic), shoegaze (alt rock) and lyrical music. Its main aim is to celebrate new music in an atmospheric setting. Grace Denton, 20 is one of the key organisers of the event.

Edmund Cottam at the Dragon Hall

Q: Something Good is often described as a cabaret musical, how would you describe it? 

A: I'm not sure I would describe the nights I run as cabaret, because this seems to place them in too much of a niche. I think what I am aiming for with each event I put on is a cohesive night of live music which is quite eclectic, but where each band harmonises with the rest. I guess I'm trying to mix up different things in one night so that people will be exposed to (and may end up liking) music they may not be aware of. Of course there are mixed reactions to some bands, but I think it's important to step away from what is expected in these situations.

Q: Why is Dragon Hall a good venue for the nights?

A: The reason I think dragon Hall is so successful is partly due to the acoustics of the large main hall, and partly because it is a slightly unusual place to put on live music (But I say this in the hope that other people may start to use it more frequently for such things). The fact it is first and foremost a museum makes people curious. However, I chose it for the atmosphere you can create in the space, a feeling of being cosy in such a majestic space is quite special.

Jam on Bread, Manchester band

Q: How did you set up a theme night at Dragon Hall?

A: The idea of putting on live music events in norwich was first forced upon me by my friend Matthew who runs nights in Manchester (www.myspace.com/carefullyplanned). I saw what he was doing and found it amazing that it seemed so easy to create something that brings together so many people and forms a space in time that they can share and remember. I learnt from him that you have to put thought into the whole process, which I think a lot of music 'promoters' just don't do. This is partly why I am not calling myself a music promoter. This process is not about me, it is about the music and the event. Once I worked out how I wanted things to happen I teamed up with Dave Guttridge - DJ78 - and we worked together to hire out Dragon Hall and set the whole thing on its feet.

Q: How long have you been organising these events, and when is the next one?

A: So far there have been two events that me and Dave have organised. One in June and one in August of 2008. The next will be on the 9th October at Dragon Hall, and there will be one in November. I post developments on the myspace page
(www.myspace.com/youknowthatsomethinggoodisgoingtohappen) including details of which bands will be playing at which events, photos from past events, etc...

Sam Hill, songwriter

Q: What do you enjoy most about the nights, have you always been passionate about music?

A: I grew up in the folk world surrounded by morris dancers and people sharing their knowledge and passion for music by singing and playing in pubs and at festivals. I guess I always loved that feeling of being involved in something so close-knit and thought that the same intimate environment could be translated to other places and genres of modern music, rather than just being about the musical tradition.

Q: What are you looking to do in the future?

In the future I want to make Something Good into a collective which can make things happen anywhere, involving any form of art. I don't want to become precious about this and I think that it can evolve to include many people and many different ideas. The name says it all really, as long as my events are always something which someone thinks is good, then I will be happy.

The Middle Ones, Norwich band

Q: What advice would you give young people looking to do similar projects?

I think anyone of any age can make things like this happen. The only thing to remember is that there aren't really any limits, and if you just forget the doubts and surround yourself with people to help and support you, nothing can ever go too wrong.

For more information, contact Grace Denton at seek.and.find@hotmail.com

Photography by Ian Rees (iandrees@gmail.com)