HybridLab Who?
Are you a musician/artist/designer? interested in widening your fan base? or hankering after your own career in media?
HybridLab is a unique social enterprise set up by charity IEA (Innovative Enteprise Action). We profile unsigned artists for free. Check out www.hybridlab.org/about for more info, and get in touch!
HybridLab is about promoting you and the work that you do. We are different from other organisations as we focus on the individuals behind their work, giving a more personal approach to promotion. |
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Mental Note @ Pool Bar
The Pool Bar accommodates more than just beer and pool tables. Aside from a few low-key games of pool and a pint, the Pool Bar is a middle-of-the-road, sparsely furnished den for trendy types. While you might have to dig in your pockets for drinks, the bar more than compensates for its hip Hoxton prices with a willingness to host diverse and eclectic upcoming bands on its quieter weeknights. Mental Note, a new night given a trial run on Oct 11 which hopes to carry on expanding, is an example of the bar’s |
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welcoming approach to artists. The night is looking to attract more than the standard indie band, drawing on a diverse music-loving scene from metalheads to funk lovers and electro punkers. Gigs take place in the basement of the bar. Spacious, if a little dingy, the venue has plenty of space for small gigs to get their audience schmoozing, head-banging or pogoing. Although there is no stage provided, the venue provides an intimate atmosphere. Claire Quinn
www.myspace.com/mentalnotepresents |
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"A total breath of fresh air"
The Humanity are a London based Indie/Electronica outfit, and are a total breath of fresh air in an otherwise languid sea of tripe. Having rejigged their line-up the band are now a threesome. Whilst they remain unsigned they have negotiated a deal that see’s them releasing a 7-inch early next year. Exponents of serious music, their darker Cure like influences are evident. My top two tracks are definitely ‘Bass linear’ and ‘Sharks Don’t Sleep’, the latter, a class act with moody yet motivating lyrics. Other tracks are less accessible but still have the potency and wit to carry you on. ‘Buzzy Riff’ has more optimistic guitar sounds with heavy synth bass and mournful vocals. Try and catch this three piece at one of their up and coming London gigs next year. If you can’t quite find a niche amongst all the new wave-lite and general flotsam-pop then The Humanity may speak to you. You can catch the band at the Norwich Arts Centre on 13th December playing with Violet Violet. Claire Quinn
www.myspace.com/thehumanity |
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Fashion Designer Ria Roberts
Designer, Ria Roberts, began her clothes label from her flat, producing bespoke printed t-shirts using a hand held silkscreen and a small sewing machine. The Ria Roberts label now represents much more than hand made chic. Over the last 3 years Ria has travelled extensively in England, South East Asia and now India to source independent companies that meet European standards of fair trade and working conditions. In addition all prints are created using vegetable dyes and 100% cotton. To elevate the label to near saintly status Ria is now in the process of acquiring organic cotton to use in all her lines. Leaving aside the ultra ethical nature of the products, her shirts, pants and dress’ are playful and artistic looking and it’s highly unlikely that you’ll meet anyone with the same garment as each design is only ever given a small run. Her garments are available in a selection of shops, found on her website and can also be purchased online. Claire Quinn
www.ria-roberts.co.uk |
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The Gin Riots
New Drummer |
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The Gin Riots have a new Mr Stix, his name is Jack McGruer, he’s from up North and lets just say very easyon the eyes. Originally from Preston Jack will be joining the boys in their lead to Christmas, playing twice this month and we will see them at |
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Free Album Download of Kai Motta
Download Kai Motta’s new album for free
‘The C Word’
for some acoustic easy listening. Go to
www.kaimotta.com/the-c-word.zip
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Miranda Barber
Top prize winner
Having just returned from Ireland Miranda has one more gig in London before disappearing out of the country until mid January. On her return Miranda will go into the studio and start work on her first album. The album comes as the result of winning top prize in a music comp earlier in the year giving Miranda £15,000 to play with. Motivated by this and sense of process Miranda has also started to record and post a video diary that will chart the progress of her album from beginning to end, the first instalment is now available on youtube. Claire Quinn
www.myspace.com/mirandabarber
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The Bad Robots, Congratulations....
Next Stop Wembley..
Congratulations are surely due to The Bad Robots once again for a stellar performance at the Mobile Act Unsigned this week as they swan through to the final 6. Not to mention the praise dolled out by Roisin Murphy (judge), commenting that the boys ‘wrote great songs’. The band will now be travelling up to Liverpool to play alongside headline act, Athlete, in a bid to make it onto the next leg of the Mobile Act Tour. Claire Quinn
www.myspace.com/thebadrobots
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