yes, that’s right – we’ve all seen it haven’t we – at least if we’re about in Bristol & Bath we have. Because Venue Magazine is THE go-to publication to peruse if you are looking for What’s On in Bristol & Bath. Apparently. Readers of said magazine will all be aware that  music venues in Bristol / Bath consist of none other than The Colston Hall, The Cooler, The Croft, The Prom, Moles and The Louisiana. All purveyors of fine entertainment to be sure. And the ONLY ones. Apparently. And it goes without saying that of course any local person putting something on they want people to know about in Bristol & Bath (or what would be the point?) should make the provision of contacting THE go-to publication for What’s On in plenty of time with as much detail and helpful info / images as possible to assure themselves of meeting the deadline of going to print. Well, it does – doesn’t it?

Lo! Well then something must be wrong. There must have been some critical malfunction amongst the droids who make up the THE Unquestionable and Informed Committee of Whats On in Bristol & Bath. Because if we are to believe them then I don’t really do any gigs around here at all. I am especially not playing at The Thunderbolt this Wednesday. I am not part of a band. I’ve never released any EP’s. I am not releasing an album this year. I am not part of any other musical side-projects and in fact I don’t exist. We know this must be true because (despite the stacks of cd’s, reems of biogs and press clippings, j-pegs and listings correspondance that no doubt litter the Editors desk) none of this has ever appeared in THE go-to publication for What’s On in Bristol & Bath.  

 I wonder how many other independent singers, poets, intrumentalists and performers local to this area are also experiencing this same disconcerting rift in the fabric of space-time and are being called to question their very existence amidst the apparent futility of all their artistic efforts? More than just a handful, I would think. You see we can’t all be John Power or Martyn Joseph. And John and Martyn didn’t get to be who they are without first having to be someone else amongst the ranks of the nameless. And they wouldn’t have got there at all without any sodding press coverage and a bit of frigging help with making sure people knew who they were and where they could be found!

Here’s a tip that should be of equal value to both gig-goers and music journalists alike : Bristol & Bath has a vibrant music scene today – yes. But for tomorrows music scene to flourish you need to shine a little light underground where it’s roots are. And nourish it.