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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"The Perfect Bar"
Bar Music Hall Review
Picture this, you get a large warehouse space, plonk a giant spaceship-sized bar in the centre of it, fill it with wonderful types of continental booze, furnish it with cosy booths and stools on stilts. Voila, you have Bar Music Hall in Shoreditch, but that’s just the layout. Add to the mix a really good line-up of live bands (yes it also has a stage at one end) club nights & DJ sets and we have the perfect bar. The atmosphere is a really nice mix of fashionista meets ‘just left work, need a drink’ and there’s quite a nice menu if you’re in need of grazing. I really like this place and it’s a winner for a night out with a big group of friends.
If you can secure a booth which seats up to about 8 then you can relax in comfort whilst surveying the night life. Did I mention the arthouse screenings?
Claire Quinn
www.hellshoreditch.com
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| The New Black Light Machine |
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The New Black Light Machine produce daring, dark, and driven post-punk/indie. Mates from college, the band begun in 2006 as a three-piece and completed their line up last March with Matthew Lane on keys. The synth soundscape is essential to The New Black Light Machine as it exists today. Theirs is a particular brand of NOISE. The pent-up angst of Joy Division meets the New-Wave experimentalism of bands like Nick Cave’s The Birthday Party. The band describe their playing style as ‘fast and loose’ and gigs focus on intense energy above technical perfection. ‘We’d rather play a good song loosely than a bad song tight’ remarks vocalist Russell McNally. It is Russell that provides the raw edge to the band’s live performances, delivering his self-penned heart-felt lyrics with a monotone intensity that recalls Mark E. Smith of The Fall. New Black Light Machine are a daring outfit with direction. So where are they hoping to take their sound? The band have established a definite face on the East London circuit and are now looking to break out into a wider London-based scene. Reaching out to those fans unable to catch their live gigs, the band have arranged their second studio session next month. They are hoping to experiment with production and recording techniques that will help them stay true to the immediacy of their live soundscape. New Black Machine may not deliver air-brushed music but their fast and loose approach is getting them the attention they deserve.
www.myspace.com/newblacklightmachine |
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Columbia Road
Christmas Wednesdays
Tucked away in a small street in the heart of London’s East End, Columbia road is a magical world of charming boutiques, art, fashion, restaurants, vintage, home-wares and a gastro pub in case you need to be fed and watered. The street is famous for its flower market which traditionally opens early on a Sunday morning, packed with exotic flowers and colourful plants. As a special holiday celebration the shops, restaurants and businesses will open their doors between 5-9pm on three festive Wednesdays - 5th 12th & 19th December. If you need to find something unique and can’t face the frenzy of your local highstreet or shopping centre then I highly recommend Columbia road. Here Christmas shopping can be enjoyable and when the presents are bought you can treat yourself to a well earned drink or meal in a relaxed environment. Those choosing to buy gifts at the market will have the added kudos of helping to support independent local artists and businesses. The market is close to both Bethnal Green and Old Street tube stations with an easy walk from Shoreditch. Claire Quinn
www.myspace.com/christmaswednesdays |
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| Lhamea, Social Activist |
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Lhamea, singer/songwriter and social activist spoke out at Labour, Liberal and Conservative conferences last month on the issue of Gun Crime. If only HybridLab could have been there to see the likes of Nick Clegg, Home Affairs Spokesperson for the Lib Dems, in deep debate with this nineteen-year old hip hop diva. Lhamea spoke for the organisation Kids Count, a grass-roots Think Tank that encourages young people to search out practical solutions to their issues and problems. Lhamea’s involvement in social politics is longstanding; she began producing tunes as a way to kick back against being bullied at her secondary school. Since then she has penned and sung music ranging from R&B to reggae, hip hop and soul. Not content with this creative outlet she is using her growing fame to campaign on issues that she witnessed affecting young people around her. Check out www.lhamea.com for more on Lhamea – the songwriter with the voice of an angel and an axe to swing! |
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MySpace featuring
The Gin Riots
Top up your glass and have a nosy at Myspace’s featured artist this week -The Gin Riots – see the new line up and sample their lovably contagious tunes. Claire Quinn
www.myspace.com/theginriots |
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Ben Griffith
New EP
Ben Griffith has launched his new EP, Tea and Sympathy. A four-track folk/indie treat, Tea and Sympathy is an instant heart-warmer. Griffith’s acoustic style is distinctively rich and mellow. His melodies are graced with profound lyrics that remain refreshing and unpretentious. Tea and Sympathy is sure to win a dedicated fan base.
Tea and Sympathy is available exclusive to iTunes.
www.bengriffithsmusic.com |
Bev Lee Harling
Supporting Medieval Baebes
Bev Lee Harling is currently touring with feisty sirens of the alternative scene, the Medieval Baebes. The Medieval Baebes are mistresses of an otherworldly blend of New Age, Classical, Goth, Folk and Celtic influences. Renowned for their provocative and theatrical revivals of ancient text and Medieval song these seven sirens push the boundaries of classical music, giving it a darker and more alternative appeal. Bev Lee Harling’s alluring, husky voice and diverse talents as vocalist, piano player, guitarist and fiddler makes her an obvious choice this tour. You can catch Bev Lee Harling supporting the Medieval Baebes in Bristol Cathedral on the 6th, Birmingham Cathedral on the 8th and Norwich Cathedral on the 14th.
www.myspace.com/bevleeharling |
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The Bad Robots, unstoppable!
The Bad Robots are unstoppable! The four lads have reached the next level of Mobile Act Unsigned. They’re currently touring the North with the three remaining rival bands, The Mentalists, Mancini and the Hijak Oscar. Judge Alex Zane says he wants ‘danger’ from the band, so the Bad Robots will be upping the ante in Newcastle next week! Watch this space! .
www.myspace.com/thebadrobots
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