With summer well and truly back on form, and some cool music events taking place, I took advantage of the fine weather and this Satruday (27th July 2024), I set out from Worcester to Birmingham. No sooner had I started out, it started pissing down! Ah well, I’d made the effort now so onwards I travelled.
Chris Rhythm Doctor Vinyl Launch at The Discery
Arriving in Brum, I made a beeline for The Discery, the city’s oldest record shop, where Chris Long aka ‘Chris Rhythm Doctor’ was hosting a launch event to celebrate the second release on his ‘Almost Unknown’ label.
Chris started out DJing in the late 70s and has since been involved in the West Midlands music scene, taking his knowledge and skills to far flung places. It was great to catch up, especially considering Chris now resides in Estonia.
I was lucky enough to hear some of his new 3 track 12” ep featuring music by Armenian, Georgian and Soviet musicians recorded between 1974 and 1979 in the USSR – the highlight being an interpretation of a Fela Kuti song from a Georgian jazz ensemble led by Robert Bardzimashvili, recorded in 1979.
It was reassuring to see people make the effort to welcome one of the city’s music moguls back to B-Town. I’d strongly advise you to Grab a copy of ‘Rare Caucasian Rhythms’ from Love Vinyl London before it sells out!
Read our Q&A with Chris here from 2017 which features one of his mixes.
Desert Island Discs Summer Party at Deadwax
My next rendezvous was with Chris Bridge and Steve Bignell for their summer Desert Island Discs party in Deadwax Digbeth.
These two music heads have been curating a beautiful afternoon/evening selection of eclectic sounds under the Desert Island Discs banner since 2017. In this time, they have showcased a variety of locally notable DJs, producers, and followers of fine electronica with a few nationally known names thrown in for good measure, at venues such as 1000 Trades, The Ruin, Hare & Hounds and now resident at Deadwax. Here’s a link to my last set for their ‘Back To Mine’ pre DID session in April to give you an idea of what’s on offer.
So many familiar friendly faces pop up at these bi-monthly DID events, and with it being a Saturday afternoon, you can drop in, and out and back in again as the night progresses – it’s a fluid affair.
I was there for Steve and Chris’s pre DID warm up, and the full hour of Simon Hale’s Back To Mine Set which was a symphonic seductive set of soulful sounds.
I really wanted to stay for the castaways (Craig Pullen, Alison Madden, Alastair Waite, Ming Nh from Eat Vietnam & Phill Burrows) and Josh Bignell but there just wasn’t enough hours in the day as I had a final appointment with some dumplings and electronica high above the city. So, after a quick catch up with Steve, Chris, Simon, Ming, Pritt Kasli and co.. I set off back to town via a Guinness and Scotch Egg at The Spotted Dog, and, a random meeting with Steve Thornton who was running down the street, ha! Some will know Steve from his music selecting around town, and most notably for his time at The Lord Clifden. We lamented the loss of the venue under Graham Smith and shared some nostalgia of the hedonistic ‘good ol days’ there.
Anyway, kudos to everyone who gets involved in Desert Island Discs, it helps keep Birmingham relevant and vibrant and is welcoming to all.
Blow Water’s Rooftop Edition II at 103 Colmore Row
Arriving at 103 skyscraper on Colmore Row, I made my way up to Birmingham’s highest rooftop bar & private members club @eighteenclubspace for Blow Water’s Dumpling Room Rooftop Edition II.
Gutted to have missed last year’s session, I was keen to take in the high altitude for their 2024 party.
Arriving early, it was great to see attendees gradually fill up rooftop terrace. With spectacular views over the city (my co-working office space in Alpha Tower opposite), and the sun setting over the Worcestershire hills beyond, it was exciting to be a part of this exclusive gathering.
The bar was reasonably priced, no dress code, and just a nice mix of folk, there for the delicious dumplings, and cool vibes.
Vocalist @ayana.homma kicked things off with her haunting vocal skills on the mic. Ayana often performs with @ninanina27 and @taniya_hashimoto to bring some grooves to the crowd. Other names to grace the decks included Al Dobson Jr, Flori, Merry Lamb Lamb + Yum! Laksa (UK / HK), Dee’Cleo @jazzysport.london: (UK / JP) and Nina Yamada Tonydot (Taniya Hashimoto).
The city looked sublime from up here, with sun setting, and a catch-up with organiser Sabrina Fung (Blow Water), artist Foka Wolf, and old pal Christy Lakeman (Cafe Artum founder).
After a hearty dish of pork dumplings, and some healthy music chat, I relaxed into the vibe. Sabrina has something truly unique here and I’d encourage more of this kind of thing for the city. Eclectic, cool, new, and relaxed – It reminded me of a few underground events that I’ve been lucky enough to attend over the years which turned into genre defining brands.
With the trains back to Worcester being cancelled last minute, Christy kindly offered me a lift home as he now resides in nearby Malvern – cheers mate!
In all, days like this make me proud to be from Brum, they frustrate me too, because we just don’t have enough of this for what is the second largest city in the country. However, when planets align, and you know where to find the passion and honour, Birmingham’s underground rises up and shines bright as a beacon on the horizon of cool!
Here’s to my home town and everyone who makes the effort.
Words by Nick Byng for Grapevine Birmingham