Sidewinder Open Mic Night

Sidle up to The Sidewinder on St James’s Street on a typical Tuesday evening and you’ll be treated to an eclectic mix of music from a diverse selection of musicians.

Tuesday night is Open Mic Night, which means the floor of the cozy pub is thrown open to anyone with a desire to perform. Hosted by Robin Coward, who’s been organising music events for several years across Brighton, the nights are always packed with acts keen to show off their skills.

Last Tuesday, the 24th of January, was no exception and the assembled crowd was treated to a wide range of acts. Robin kicks off the nights with a mixture of something familiar and some of his own work before handing over to the musicians who have turned out to perform.

And what a wide mix they are. We began the night with Ungrateful Dave, a guitarist and singer with a comic bent and a penchant for political satire. He was followed by Shane, a regular at The Sidewinder, who always performs his own, skilfully crafted and emotive songs.

Will, a regular at Sidewinder Open Mic, delights the crowd.

Will is another regular fixture at Sidey open mic nights, a Dylan and Cohen enthusiast who spiced up his set this week with the addition of a harmonica to his guitar based set. Then there was Jed, a frequent  watcher and sometime performer, who gave us a cover and an original on his guitar.

Jonathan is another frequent performer who gives some sterling Hank Marvinesque guitar, complete with his box of tricks at his feet. We then welcomed Danny, who performed a sweet soft rock-folk set on harmonica and guitar, and the passionate David (definitely not Dave).

Another Sidewinder and indeed Brighton open mic stalwart, Tony, proved that age is no limitation and entertained with several short comic songs on the piano, before Robin rounded off the night with a bit of Radiohead.

Every Sidewinder Open Mic is guaranteed to surprise and delight, with something to suit all musical tastes. Anyone is welcome, and encouraged to perform, with a guitar and keyboard provided, and professional sound engineering keeping everything sounding just right. The pub serves a good, affordable selection of food until late, and a wide range of wines and beers to keep those vocal chords lubricated.

So if you’re looking for a place to perform, or you just want to hear what Brighton’s musicians have to offer, drop into The Sidewinder from 8pm any Tuesday and say hello to Robin.

Brighton musical review of the year

Hope Rudd singing at the Fountain Head open mic night, run every Monday by Matt Bonner.

Since I moved to Brighton six months ago I have lived and breathed the live, largely acoustic music scene. And I’ve loved every minute. I’ve met many talented musicians and been privileged enough to attend lots of fantastic events organised by people with a real passion for a good tune. I began blogging about music out of love for the sounds I was hearing and wanted to share it with other music fans because I thought these musicians deserved to be heard. I’ve written a piece for the January issue of the Kemptown Rag about my highlights of the Brighton music scene in 2011, and thought I’d post an edited version here. These are my musical highlights of 2011, and who I think you should listen out for in 2012.

Gigs

Martin Rossiter's long awaited comeback was a highlight of 2011.

Among my favourite gigs was Martin Rossiter‘s return at the Unitarian Church in May and the Brighton Ballroom in July. Martin was one of my musical heroes when I was growing up and like many fans from the Gene days I was excited at the prospect of his solo shows. Accompanied by Robin Coward on piano and at the July gig supported by the rocking Sweet Sweet Lies, this was an intimate and emotion-wrenching experience and a sign of great things to look forward to, with a new album promised early in 2012.

I’ve also enjoyed the monthly gigs organised by music promoter Mark Stack, who hosts the monthly, free Live Music Zooberon every third Friday of the month at the Seven Stars on Ship Street, promoting the best of local acts. Here I’ve discovered acts such as The Lanes, Dave Blackwell and Simone Villiers – an eclectic mix.

The Long Goodbye at an Overhead Wires' night.

Organiser of many monthly music nights, Overhead Wires record label (aka Rich and George) plough their heart into putting on live events. They host nights at various pubs, and are responsible for the most original night I’ve encountered, Fractured Toast, a monthly storyteller’s circle where songwriters reveal the stories behind their songs and musical careers. Singers including Chuck SJ Hay, Chris Alex Thom and Alfie Bernardi from The Long Goodbye have all braved the stage to talk about their music – something musicians aren’t always comfortable with! Overhead Wires also host a range of themed nights where you can catch the cream of local talent.

Bands and solo performers

Will, one of the regular performers at the Sidewinder Open Mic nights.

I’ve encountered so many amazing bands that it’s impossible to pick just one favourite. A particular favourite is Paul Diello and Friends – frontman Paul has one of the most beautiful male voices I have ever heard, accompanied by his talented band. Accordion Needed, a quirky female trio, also captured my ears, while the award-winning Fran Classic spliced beatboxing with good tunes.

I’ve also enjoyed the work of The Denizens, a trio who throw some mandolin into the mix for a unique Spanish-country sound, and the rocking Short Horns. Then there’s Call Me Jolene, another Martin Rossiter project, with the sublime Sophie Pointer on vocals. This is one of the bands that I hope to see and hear a lot more of in the months to come.

In terms of solo performers there are so many out there plying their trade just waiting for your ears to discover them. As perviously mentioned, Dave Blackwell has become a particular favourite, along with the talented Ian Mark Burzio and his friend Matt Bonner, and the highly talented Rough Citizen, all producing individual and exciting new sounds. Then there’s the girls, Chuck SJ Hay being one of the most original I have seen, writing catchy, moving, no-nonsense songs and now running her own music nights at The White Rabbit. I’ve also enjoyed the work of Hope Rudd, Kate Williams and Verity Sessions among others.

Open mic

Rough Citizen performing in Hove.

Whether you’re just starting out or are an established artist, open mic nights around Brighton are always welcoming. I’ve become a regular fixture at the Sidewinder‘s Tuesday nights, hosted by Kemptown musician Robin, and have discovered great singers such as Hope Rudd – a passionate performer with a protest style – there; along with regulars who just enjoy the chance to play their songs in public. It’s always fun and professionally run, giving everyone an equal chance to play their songs out, no matter how experienced they are.

Ali-Cats, where you'll catch some good music,

Underground

Picking my favourite event was again no easy task, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for Ali-Cats Acoustic Club. These nights take place at the once legendary but now slightly forgotten Ali-Cats club, beneath The Varisty. Here you’ll hear six hand-selected acts playing a mixture of their own songs and covers, all in a very distinctive atmosphere. The club is a little chilly, a little damp, fragranced with incense and scented candles, and oozing charm. Ali-Cats is taking a break for January but will return with a new, possibly weekly format in the new year.

Favourite act

yourgardenday - quite the performer.

To name one stand-out act is near impossible. Chuck SJ Hay and Hope Rudd are my joint favourite female artists. But looking forward as well as back, my favourite act of 2011 and the one to watch for 2012 is yourgardenday, a unique piano and vocal based act with a distinct, moving sound that has been knocking around Brighton for several years but will, with any luck, shine in 2012.

So if you make one resolution this year, be sure that it’s to go out and enjoy some live music in Brighton. Whatever your taste, you’re sure to find something that makes your feet tap and raises a smile.

My full music review of the year is available in the Kemptown Rag, which is available in many pubs across Kemptown from early January.

Happy 2012, and thanks for reading.

Something in the music. . . Musical musings with Robin Coward

Robin at Sidewinder, where he runs weekly acoustic open mic nights. Just turn up and give us a song or two!

Robin Coward is a 32-year-old singer, songwriter, musician and organiser of regular acoustic evenings in his home town of Brighton. I joined him for coffee and cake in the tasty surroundings of Spinellis coffee shop in Kemp Town to talk about the ever-changing face of the acoustic music scene. . .

“I held my first open mic night at the Bath Arms in 2003,” Robin says. “It was a really good night, always packed, on a Monday night, and ran until the pub changed hands. Why did I start it? As a musician I was looking for ways to make money as well, and as I had a PA and stuff I thought I’d offer my services to a venue.”

The nights proved a big success and have attracted some famous names over the years.

“One of the guys from the Maccabees played a couple of times, and Peggy Sue And The Pirates [Now known as Peggy Sue]. Oh, and Emiliana Torrini, she sang Tainted Love with me.”

Since those early days the acoustic nights have continued to bring plenty of musicians and punters alike through the doors as Robin has moved around various venues, although he admits: “I don’t think they’re as hectic as they used to be, with the economy and things I don’t think people have as much money to go out. But we always fill the nights.”

These days Robin can be found at The Sidewinder every Tuesday night from 8pm, where he runs an open mic night with a guitar and piano provided if necessary, and to which he is keen to encourage musicians to come and take part. He also runs the fortnightly Ali-Cats Acoustic Nights, where a handfull of hand-picked musicians play.

Robin is an avid user of social media to promote his events. “I used to do email lists, but now Facebook is the way I do it. It’s effective when the acts are good but relatively unknown, it’s hard to promote outside their friends. [With Facebook] they can invite more people. It’s more environmentally friendly, too, not constantly printing new flyers.”

Robin opens and closes the acoustic nights, and performs under the name yourgardenday.

A thoroughly affable and approachable chap, Robin finds the acoustic open mic nights a nice way of promoting some of his own music, too (he performs as yourgardenday, generally excellent and uplifting music with wide-ranging vocals and lush piano/guitar, plus that all-too-rare quality – intelligent lyrics).

“The acoustic nights are a good showcase for my stuff,” he says. “Generally I like to start and end the nights, act as a bridge. I often do more covers then my own, because it gives the performers for space to do their own thing, and provides familiar things for general punters.”

He adds: “I’ve got a lot of gigs out of it.”

One great thing about open mic nights is the element of surprise. “You never know what you’re going to get,” says Robin. “I never know by the way someone looks or talks what their music is going to be like. You get a mix of acts that are good and acts that are entertaining. You always get variety.

“There’s also a real sense of community about these nights. Everyone is equal and levelled, whether they’re just starting out or an established artist. I think there can be snobbery at open mic nights and I don’t think it’s really in the name.”

So is it easier or harder, with the explosion of the internet as a medium for music, to make it as a musician these days?

Robin admits: “I think it’s easier in some ways and harder in others. WIth the internet you can record and don’t need to pay loads, but at the same time it’s easier for anyone and everyone so it’s a saturated market, particularly in a place like Brighton that has a reputation for being musicy and arty. So it’s hard to stick your head above the water. Finding stuff you like is harder, too.”

There’s change afoot for live music too: “There’s not as many venues for live music as there used to be,” Robin muses. “A lot of well-known mid-sized venues, such as Pressure Point, have closed down. There’s a lot of change in Brighton. . . ”

One thing he thinks has had a negative effect on events such as the open mic nights is the smoking ban, as people who would have been in the pub are often to be found in the garden.

So what does he think of such modern phenomena as The X-Factor? Perhaps not surprisingly – for Robin is nothing if not a showman – he doesn’t mind it. “It’s good entertainment,” he quips. “But not the same as making your own music. Britain’s Got Talent is entertaining because it’s like an old-time variety show.”

Something in the music? I certainly think so. . .

These are busy times for young Robin, with the open mic nights running at The Sidewinder every Tuesday and the next Ali-Cats Acoustic Night on 8th July. He’s also working on a yourgardenday album, playing a gig for Mark Stack Music Events on 15th July, and providing the PA and singing at the Sidewinder relaunch party on 14th July (with some “very special guests”). Not to mention finding a space in his diary to drink coffee and eat more pain au chocolat at Spinellis. . .

Do catch him singing if you can, and drop in to one of the acoustic nights soon. You won’t leave disappointed.

Robin has also been playing piano for Martin Rossiter, of Gene fame, on his recent tour, and will be appearing at Martin’s only gig of the summer at Proud Brighton Ballroom on 21st July. Click here for tickets.

An Acoustic Night At Sidewinder

Will.

Every Tuesday evening is acoustic open mic night at Sidewinder in St James’ Street, Brighton. Last week I dodged storms and went to see what the nights had to offer.

Sidewinder is a friendly, cozy pub with good food served until late and a large, comfortable, dog-friendly beer garden.

The acoustic nights are a well-established feature and the beauty of such evenings is you never know who is going to turn up – you’re guaranteed a real mix of music. Guitar, keyboards and PA system are all provided if you need them.

Robin the organiser usually opens and closes the nights and on Tuesday performed a few covers to start with, including the Eurythmics classic Here Comes The Rain Again. Like most Brightonians after the tempestuous day we’d had, the weather was on his mind.

The stage was then thrown open to the acts and up first was Will, a Dylanesque singer looking perfectly at home perched atop a stool, performing a mixture of covers (including a nice rendition of his favourite Bob Dylan piece, Visions Of Johanna) and his own songs.

Marcus.

He was followed by Marcus, a slightly nervous keyboard player with a sore finger who claimed he sings ‘Happy songs or ridiculously weird ones’. He didn’t let the finger or the pre-performance nerves get in the way and looked quite at home on the borrowed keyboard, his songs including a very passionate rendition of Radiohead’s High and Dry.

Jonathan, a rather impressive Hank Marviny guitarist, was up next and he performed several songs with great, long guitar instrumentals. He also sang a song he had written that very day, including the lyrics “you are the eye of my hurricane” – he admitted afterwards he too was somewhat influenced by the day’s weather!

Will played another couple of songs, including a cover of I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine, before the first and indeed only trio of the night took to the stage. A band that claimed to be nameless, to be christened ‘JoJo’s Cosmic Band’ by the host, they were a keyboard/guitar/percussion combo with some strong vocals and a song called Dark Road, which, so they said, was about the A24. . .

Jonathan.

The final performer of the evening was Jimbo, a young man with a guitar, who played a couple of covers – nice versions of Colin Hay’s Beautiful World and Bright Eyes’ First Day Of My Life.

Robin then rounded off the night with one of his own songs and another cover, and so another acoustic evening came to an end.

If you’re down near St James’ Street on a Tuesday I’d thoroughly recommend the open mic nights, whether you’re a musician or a music fan (musicians are welcomed and encourage to turn up and play). And I’d thoroughly recommend the Sidewinder for the giant onion rings alone.

As yet unnamed/JoJo's Cosmic Band.

 

Jimbo.