The Music Exchange

Dead By Mono

Blast Off Festival

With these amazing bands
- THE SATELLITERS (Germany)
- THE FOURTUNE-TELLERS (Sweden)
- THEE EVILTONES (UK)
- HANDSOME DICKS (UK)
- WILD EVEL & THE TRASHBONES (Austria)
- THE MOURNING AFTER (UK)
- THE NUNS (UK)
- BAMBI MOLESTERS (Croatia)
- DC FONTANA (UK)
- ELECTRISIXTIES (Argentina)
- EROTIC BILJAN & HIS HERETICS (Croatia)
- EXPLODING RUBBER BAND (Norway)
- GO GO CULT (UK)
- THE SMOGGERS (Spain)
- TUNDRA FUCKS (Sweden)
- THE LEANS (UK)
- TRAXMAN (Soundflat - Germany)
- PHIL ISTINE (Sweet but Deadly - London,UK)
- ANDY ROSEAMAN (Mojo to Go Go - Brighton, UK)
- EL'NINO (Lady Luck - London, UK)
- SCOOT CHARLES (Lucky 7 club - London, UK)
- NEIL 'SICK' SMITH (Stay Sick - Brighton, UK)

Broadway Record Store Celebrations

Broadway was teeming with people basking in the sunshine enjoying a great day at a fantastic venue. The Music Exchange stall was set up a little later than advertised but there were plenty of vinyl exclusives for those after a bargain, Tame Impala, The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, On U Sound &  Lee Scratch Perry,  Dutch Import Jimi Hendrix Lps which were lush and gone in 60 seconds, Beautiful vinyl copies of Wigan, Blackpool, Torch, Twisted Wheel Lps on coloured  vinyl ( If only I had more money ! ) the Djs were Joey Bell and Sue Starstruck who despite technical difficulties with the decks spun some great vinyl all night and visibly had a ball during their set ! The bands began at 7.45 with the Listeners who provided a spell binding set and a beautiful version of  U2’s “where the streets have no name”. Second up were the Daydream Club who released a track on RSD and performed some great acoustic tracks followed by Huw Costin who performed some hauntingly beautiful tracks. Alberto Veto noticeably turned up the tempo with a lively set and were later followed by a soulful set by the Golden Troubadours. The night was caught on camera throughout by David Baird renown live music photographer and Music Exchange Patron. Each photo was uploaded onto a continually flowing sequence of pictures showing his work and the pictures taken of the queues at the Music exchange earlier in the day and the night at Broadway. This is a great venue with a really friendly and mixed crowd , I enjoyed their earlier gigs at the Contemporary Cafe Bar for a different venue in the city but this will take some beating ! well done everyone who helped the day go so well, i know it must have took alot of organising and work.

Hoshi ( By Sheer Pluck Scooter Club)

The Music Exchange are delighted to announce that their first gig of 2011 will be the wonderful Overvibe!

It’s not just Nottingham that is excited about Overvibe. In the last couple of years the band's European fan base has grown massively due to constant airplay on International Prog Radio stations. They have been voted unsigned band of the week on Londons XFM radio and have had interest in the U.S where they were discovered after having over 100,000 songs plays on Myspace leading them to being played across the U.S on college radio.

Described as alternative – their influences are many and vary from electro to progressive rock. With a debut album imminent Overvibe promise to end the January lull in style with this much anticipated set at the wonderful Cafe.Bar.Contemporary.

The Music Exchange will again provide excellent DJ support from Starstruck and Joey Bell.

Black Powder at the contemporary 16^th December

Their set has expanded from when I saw them at the Malt Cross earlier in the year and new drummer antronhy changes the dynamics noticeably lifting their sound further. One of the new  tracks was  R Dean Taylors “Ghost in my house” which was amazing and they also did a great version of “Money”   with the vocalists really performing well, I personally love their version of “ Breaking down the walls of heartache” and “plan B”. I later learnt that Nathan was really ill on the night, however their performance was fantastic, the interaction between Joey Bell and Nathan was captivating. The Dj was the immensely talented 45 king Phil Wilson who I have seen a number of times now at the malt cross and supporting the Small Fakers gig earlier in the year, every time Phil plays he delivers a fantastic set, it was a shame the night had to end, the floor was just warming up as time was called. What a great night ! easily the best xmas party I went to.

 

Sarah Annucci

The Kool Kat @ The Garage Reunion

Upstairs ----Graeme Park - Alister Whitehead                      Nebula 2 - Scully

Downstairs ---Mista Jam - Rebel Alliance - Trish

10th December -10pm til 3am (last entry 12.30am!)

The last one was so successful and enjoyed by so many people, that Danny started work on bringing you another night of classic tunes and catching up straight away.

Nihon (A.K.A. Lizard Lounge/Garage/Kool Kat)                                                                                                                                  41-43 St. Mary's Gate, Lace Market                                                                                                                                             Nottingham, United Kingdom

What an awesome night this was. With new Music Exchange DJ Starstruck setting the tone with some delightful retro classics before Huw Costin took to the stage with a powerful solo set. Those that have heard Huws critically acclaimed album ‘regrets’ will be familiar with the atmospheric powerful songs but stripped back to just a solo set, the ex Earth the California Love Dream front man created a spine tingling atmosphere with a beautiful and emotional half hour. Then it was the turn of Holmfirths very special talent, Napoleon IIIrd. Wow! This was a chance for Nottingham to see first hand why James’s album ‘Christiania’ is being tipped as his magnum opus and has been widely proclaimed as one of the best albums of 2010. James blitzed through some amazing loud and energetic tracks from the album. Music Exchange DJ Joey Bell rounded what was possibly, the most perfect night of music you could have wished for!

Most acts sound checks are dull, not the Strange Attractors a few drum level takes and bass and keyboards then a twenty minute jam…everyone knew this was going to be a great night the sounds were amazing, beautiful swathes of textured anologue synths with a rolling bass and pounding drums ! after sound check Antronhy provided the sounds until the band began again. There was an appreciative crowd and the atmosphere was really relaxed and friendly, the band began their set with white noise slowly building into a heavily laden groove hooking everyone with their sounds. Strange Attractors are masters of the krautrock sound effortlessly making  some of the best sounds I’ve heard in a long time. This venue is really good, it is unlike any other venue and the sounds are really good I look forward to the next Music Exchange gig.

Dime bar Dave

Although plagued with van problems the guys arrived and were sound checked with minutes to spare before the Dj was due to start. A projector showed a mixture of great images on the wall throughout the gig of scooter rallies, Lambretta’s and Vespa’s on ride outs  amid classic 60’s iconic imagery. Phil Wilson did a sterling job spinning a great selection of Northern soul and classic 60’s soul warming the crowd up nicely for the main act. The Small Fakers are a fantastic looking act, it’s like seeing the real Small Faces and the sound was amazing running through all the hits Tin Soldier, Universal, Rene, lazy sunny afternoon to an appreciative crowd. It was over far too soon, everyone wanted more but club night at rescue rooms meant a strict time scale had to be adhered to  and every one made there way into the next room where vinyl jacks S.P.A.M kept the sounds flowing with some brilliant tunes. Well done Music Exchange a memorable gig, hope the rumours that  you will get them back next year are true !

Pete (By Sheer Pluck Scooter Club)

I knew of this band through popping in the Music Exchange and looking through there Gringo Records section and  buying Souvaris/Sincabeza - Clown Jazz split Lp which is really good. I haven’t been to the café bar contemporary before so didn’t know what to expect but have to say that it is really good, the gig had “a later with… “ kinda feeling which worked well. The band sounded awesome a raw soundscape which ripped through you causing the hair on your neck to stand up..we were in the presence of truly masterful craftsmen ! I cant say enough good things about the band or the venue..I feel lucky to have seen them so thanks Music Exchange and I hope your next few gigs go as well as this !

Mick Frantan

The night began with our own Rich Powell on the decks and it wasn't long before people were up on their feet. Then it was the turn of the abrasive but witty Sleaford Mods, a great mix of venomous social commentary and banging rock n roll.

King Claw charged head on into their set, sounding gutsy and heavy but psychedelic at the same time. Their solid 70's style prog esque sounds kept people dancing (and even headbanging!) till it was time to welcome Rich back on the decks to polish the nightoff.                                                                                                                                                                                                    King Claw 7'' single Dragon Liver is in the shop now!

Photo by Ralph Barklam

The Garage / Koolkat pre-dated the ‘super clubs’ of the early 90’s and was the starting point to some of the biggest name DJ’s in the UK. Such was the love for this venue and music, we could have sold this event out 4 times over with people travelling from as far as Australia and Canada to make the event.

The headliners were Graeme Park and Alistair Whitehead who started out in Nottingham, Graeme graduating from working behind the till at Selectadisc to become one of the most popular DJ’s in the world. There was ample support from some of Nottingham’s greatest DJ’s and sound systems including Nebula2, DiY, Rebel Alliance (aka Buddha Bros), Osbourne, Trish, Cas Roc and the Reverend Car Bootleg!

Initially billed as a one off reunion, the success of this night has led to the Music Exchange, Russell Heskey and Danny Derby collaborating again to provide another event in December, check the website for details soon!

Along with the beginning of the summer and some great weather came the debut gig by Nottingham dirt soul supergroup, Black Powder. Northern Soul DJ's kicked off things in style and there was a steady stream of people filing into the beautiful music hall of the Malt Cross, with everyone generously donating CDs, records and cash. After a couple of hours of some great records Black Powder treated us to some revved up soul gems, truly impressive for a first show.

Later on as the sun began to set there was more quality Northern Soul from the DJ's. It's clear now that the best parties over the summer will be Black Powder parties!

Image Right:- Black Powder - photo by Meli

The Music Exchanges Christmas party again saw us link up with DHP to provide an eclectic night of live music. The Other Left gave a funky set with there infamous version of Brittany Spears Toxic getting the crowd on their feet. Hello Thors band Fists gave us a glimpse of why they are being touted as one of the hottest bands in Nottingham after their triumphant year which saw them play Glastonbury and Predator prey rounded the evening off with some amazing rock and drum n bass that saw the Christmas season in with a heavy bang. Again we had excellent DJ support from Gav Belton of the Littlemen/Smokescreen.

 

Image Right: Fists

The first ever Music Exchange benefit gig saw us host three fantastic bands to a packed out Rescue Rooms. The Grave Architects kicked things off, the self styled Coen Brothers of rock providing an energetic set with tracks from their upcoming debut album. Local Ska monkeys A Is For Ape then gave a sublime set showing why they are one of the best live acts in Nottingham at the moment. A great homecoming set by Nottingham born but London based Gold Sounds brought the live music to an end and with DJ support from Black Powder, Alberto Veto and I-Level, this night announced The Music Exchanges arrival in style!

 

Image Right: Gold Sounds