The Lock Down continues, and so does Birmingham’s music scene albeit on a much smaller scale without the live venues sadly.
We provide another little round up of some of the city’s original music and it’s a very much condensed May Brumbeat Gig Guide with a focus on live streams, lockdown mixes, and new releases from the region.
For the time-being, this will be the format for our long running Brumbeat Gig Guide, read on, chill out and enjoy! There’s plenty to get your teeth into.
Lives Streams
The Night Owl
The Night Owl are holding regular live stream DJ sets and colourful cool Cocktail Classes online, so keep checking their Facebook page each week for regular updates.
This weekend: Friday 1st May 6pm – The Night Owl Northern Soul Championship Quarter Finals, Seven Days is Too Long by Chuck Wood vs The Night by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.
Saturday 2nd May 4pm – TROPICANDO The Night Owl Free DJ Live Stream Tropicando w Richard Buckley
Sunday 3rd May 4pm – SUNDAY SESSIONS The Night Owl Free DJ Live Stream Sunday Sessions with Mazzy + The Night Owl Northern Soul Championship
SUPPORT THE NIGHT OWL: Crowdfunder – https://bit.ly/3cnYIbT
To buy The Night Owl merchandise email clare@nightowlbirmingham.com
Check out their latest edition of The Night Owl Radio show on Totally Wired Radio here now: https://bit.ly/nightowlradio
Liam Mckeown live on Acid Math
Acid Math Presents: Lysergic Lounge With Liam Mckeown (Stream) Sunday May 3rd at www.facebook.com/theACIDMATHspiral
Liam Mckeown, is centre piece of Brain Food – Birmingham’s psychedelic four piece’.
Isolation Station
Many will know of Dean Sunshine Smith from his Balearic house ‘Great Outdoors‘ events at The Lord Clifden in Hockley. Dean has been DJing and promoting his nights in and around Brum for quite some years. However, not one to rest on his laurels, Dean has set up a Facebook group (here) and created a brand new radio station site named Isolation Station which he aimis to stream 24 / 7 – 7 days a week. Check out the live stream here:
Dean writes:
In times of Isolation I feel music can play a huge part in the mental well being of us all and can keep those creative dots well and truly connected. Using my contacts in the industry I will be asking friends to share mixes, podcasts, playlists and live events from around the globe. I hope that you find pleasure in the streams and you share to like minded friends. Feel free to join this group to keep up to date with all things Isolation Station and the message is simple “KEEP IT TOGETHER” Be safe and be happy all x
The Sunflower Lounge
Started by Snob’s legend Paul Cook all those years ago, it’s great to see Brum’s underground Sunflower Lounge still going strong.
They have been sharing a wealth of live streams from musicians bedrooms and lounges to their Facebook feed – well worth a decko for some acoustic airwaves.
The Victoria’s Quiz & Cocktails
The Victoria’s Quiz is BACK on Sunday May 3rd. but not as you know it, nope they are doing it all from home now online. Grab your tickets now (limited availability) and join them for a night of General Knowledge!
All you need is:
A laptop or device to watch the ZOOM MEETING on
AND An Apple / Android device to play SpeedQuizzing Live on details of how to download the app are here: www.speedquizzing.com/playlive
To download Zoom, visit: https://zoom.us/download
Click ‘Get Tickets’ and after completing the details, You’ll receive an email from your host at around 7:50pm giving you all log in details for the quiz.
The ‘Zoom’ Meeting will open at 8:00pm and the quiz will commence at 8:30pm
Bitters N’ Twisted are also uploading a Cocktail Masterclass video tutorial each week to help you get through these tough times 😅 So here’s their Drinks Development Manager, Tim, teaching you how to make a Tom Collins! 🍹🎉
And keep your 👀 peeled as there’s more on the way here: Date Night Cocktails – Lockdown Style!
www.facebook.com/TheVictoriaBirmingham/
Lock Down Brum
Lock Down Brum has launched on facebook and instagram aiming to lift community spirit
Lock Down Brum is an online community existing across Instagram and Facebook who’s aim is to bring together the people of Birmingham during the COV19 pandemic which has resulted in many residents being forced to work from home. Featuring regular live stream musical performances, virtual weekly quizzes, comedy and more.
Lock Down Brum – www.facebook.com/LockDownBrum + www.instagram.com/lockdownbrum/
Henry’s Virtual Blueshouse no. 6
There’s been a lot of worrying news coming out of Italy over the last couple of months, but Henry’s Blueshouse continue to do something a bit more cheerful to share with you all.
They recentled premiered a specially recorded performance from The Blues Against Youth, recorded in Gianni’s aprtment in Rome. Rumour has it a new live album from his trip to Henry’s back in January is in the works – watch this space for news of that.
Full story here.
Actress & Bishop Quiz – At Home
This is The Actress quiz but at home. Takes place every Monday from 8pm.
Disclaimer – This is in the spirit of the Actress Quiz so you may hear some naughty words. If easily offended then please don’t buy tickets.
Your host will provide you with a Zoom meeting link and a four digit pin number for the SpeedQuizzing Live app. You will need two devices to play.
To watch/listen: One laptop or tablet using the ZOOM meeting app.
To input the answers: An iPhone, iPad or Android tablet with the SpeedQuizzing Live app installed.
More info here.
New Releases
Altern 8
Birmingham’s most iconic label Network Records has long been hailed as a launchpad for many now legendary songs and artists from both Techno and House scenes. Thankfully for us, label head and knowledge base Neil Rushton continues to forge forward with innovative ideas and keeping Birmingham on the international musical map. And now recently announcing a unique campaign to support the medical industry who are hard at work to maintain our health and restoration of health at present.
Iconic masked dance music stars Altern 8 return to the music industry with a driving aim to raise thousands of crucialfunds for NHS staff who are helping patients nationwide fight Covid-19 through a newly completed charity “Isol-8’ version of their biggest chart busting anthem.
The 1991 hit “Activ-8” – which made number 3 in the charts at the height of the Acid House rise, has been remixed with a timely message urging everyone to stay safe at home to protect against coronavirus.
Altern 8’s Mark Archer was stunned when iconic images from the band’s hit album “Full On Mask Hysteria” started appearing on social media sites around the World.
Everyone suddenly started wearing masks because of Covid-19 and loads of people connected it with us having masks as part of our image. I thought let’s try and do something good out of this, and the ‘Top One, Nice One, Get Sorted” hook on the track has been replaced by ‘Top One, Nice One, self Isol-8’. The message is be careful out there and let’s raise money for a good cause – said Mark.
Full story here.
Brum compilation album showcases new electronically influenced artists in aid of charity!
During the pandemic lock down, music has been one of the key things that has helped a lot of us from going completely insane. Having all this time on our hands has allowed us as creatives to write and finish new songs, and as music fans, to rediscover old songs and discover new artists. We want to harness the resistance music has against tragic circumstances to help with the fight against Covid-19.
This compilation album showcases some of the most exciting up and coming electronically influenced artists from Birmingham. It also includes an exclusive release of our new song PSHE, which will not be made available elsewhere. We have put the album up on Bandcamp (link in bio) where you can pay whatever you wish. All money made will be donated to local food banks in Brum run by The Trussell Trust. As a community of music lovers, this is an opportunity for us to come together to support our local music scene and raise as much money as we can to help those in need in our city!
Full story here.
Soul Central to release new stone cold Funk jam!
Spearheading a solid run of releases ahead, here we’ve got a solid mix of Deep Underground numbers, interplayed between a few classic Disco, House and Funk led grooves.
The Exclusive Summer Sampler heralds a welcome return of Birmingham’s Soul Central who are globally recognised act and chart topping artists, alongside Dante Payne who has recently released on the likes of King Street and Kenny Dope’s imprint Dopewax, with Deep City Soul widely revered for delivering cuts that transcend from iconic Garage labels to many notable stalwart House labels.
Each track will be appearing as standalone single releases over the coming months, accompanied by various remixes as we see this fledgling label continue to rise in global stature.
Local musician SAD MAN releases new album Indigenous Mix 3
SAD MAN is Birmingham based electronic music producer Andrew Spackman.
In the past 3 years SAD MAN has release 15 albums and over 150 tracks. This latest offering is a 12 track reworking and remixing of his previously release, The King of Beasts.
This album sees SAD MAN in a more upbeat mode, combining quasi-danceable grooves with world infused soundscapes and his obligatory ‘wonk’ styled electronics. The album is accompanied by 12 separate videos which can be seen on his You Tube channel, making this a full multi visual experience.
The latest album is available to stream here:
sadmanband.bandcamp.com/album/sad-man-indigenous-mix-3
Swampmeat Family Band New Releases
Local hillbilly psych rock band Swampmeat Family Band have new material floating out..
Brand new Swampmeat Family Band band single “Friends in the Floor” is out now!! Listen via Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube etc: smarturl.it/7tvo74
New LP “Muck!” due out on June 5 – grab the pre-order at www.PNKSLM.com/store or swampmeatfamilyband.bandcamp.com/
7 Minutes Of Funk vinyl release by local West Loop on Vong 45
Local Birmingham/Walsall creators West Loop have reworked one of their super cool vinyl funk releases for a fresh push.
Originally recorded in a time when most were merely sampling old funk/soul records – these guys were replaying originals in the studio using authentic gear to get that warm analogue sound. Taken from a series of three 7” singles from the Vong45 record label, here the West Loop collective remake some of their favourite soul, jazz and funk cuts aimed directly at the DJ fraternity.
This release in the series explores New York block party anthem ‘Seven Minutes of Funk’ by Tyrone Thomas as sampled by EPMD, Jay-Z and many more. The timeless hip hop breakbeat favourite sees West Loop using live instrumentation only, including immaculate Fender Rhodes electric piano, driving live drums, bass and guitar but with this version featuring even heavier drums than the 1976 original for some bustling peak-time dancefloor action.
Essential for all funk, breakbeat and 45 collectors.
Pre-order here: www.juno.co.uk/artists/West+Loop+Chicago/