- Communion (music)
-
Communion is an artist led organisation that combines elements of live promotion, publishing, records and production to create a hub for songwriters and musicians to develop and flourish in an increasingly competitive industry environment. The organisation was formed in London in 2006 by Ben Lovett (Mumford and Sons), former Cherbourg bassist Kevin Jones, and producer Ian Grimble.[1]
Communion has played a role in the development of a diverse range of artists and the organisation's label has released records by Marcus Foster, Matthew and the Atlas, Pete Roe, Michael Kiwanuka, Ben Howard, Matt Corby, Nathaniel Rateliff and Daughter along with two of its own recorded compilation albums.[2]
Communion launched a US division in 2011.[3][4]
Contents
History
- Communion began in 2006 as collaboration between friends who started a monthly Club Night at West London's Notting Hill Arts Club. The event aimed to provide support and exposure for local emerging artists. Since then, the organisation has expanded to host Club Nights to venues in Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, Oxford, Manchester, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Truro and internationally to New York City and San Francisco, and featured a range of artists including Mumford and Sons, Jay Jay Pistolet (of The Vaccines), Anna Calvi, Laura Marling, Peggy Sue and Noah and the Whale. The organisation has also expanded its scope, incorporating a record label and hosting annual festivals such as Bushstock, a summer festival in London's Shepherds Bush, and Communion in the Redwoods, a three day celebration in Big Sur. It also runs smaller stages at major festivals such as The Great Escape, Camden Crawl, SXSW, Bestival.
Communion Records
- In 2010, Communion Records was founded. The label has released compilation records as well as EPs and full length albums, often produced by founders Ian, Kevin and Ben themselves. Artists include Marcus Foster, Matthew and the Atlas, Pete Roe, Michael Kiwanuka, Ben Howard, Matt Corby, Nathaniel Rateliff and Daughter. [5]
- Communion Compilations
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- Compilation One
- The label’s debut compilation record was released in April 2010 on limited edition gatefold vinyl, and features previously unreleased recordings by Mumford and Sons, Johnny Flynn, Alessi’s Ark, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, JJ Pistolet (now of The Vaccines), and others.[6]
- Compilation One
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- Compilation Two: The Flowerpot Sessions
- The Flowerpot Sessions[7], released 30 May 2011, was the product of a week long collaboration between 23 artists. The compilation was recorded at The Flowerpot, a North London pub (now closed). Communion took over the venue entirely for one week and encouraged artists to collaborate on each other's recordings and to write together. Artists included Angus and Julia Stone, Damien Rice, Kyla La Grange, Mt. Desolation, Lissie, Marcus Foster, and Matthew and the Atlas.
- Compilation Two: The Flowerpot Sessions
Releases
2010
- Matthew and the Atlas - To The North (March 2010)
- Communion Compilation (April 2010)
- Pete Roe - The Merry Go Round EP (June 2010)
- Philadelphia Grand Jury - Going to the Casino single (July 2010)
- Matthew and the Atlas - Kingdom of your Own EP (November 2010)
2011
- Three Blind Wolves - Sound of the Storm EP (February 2011)
- The Flowerpot Sessions - Communion Compilation (May 2011) [8]
- Nathaniel Rateliff - The Communion / Daytrotter Barnstormer Live EP (April 2011)
- Treetop Flyers - Things Will Change Single (May 2011)
- Ben Howard - Old Pine EP (May 2011) [9]
- To Kill a King - Fictional State Single (May 2011) [10]
- Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me a Tale, The Isle of Wight Sessions EP (June 2011) [11]
- Treetop Flyers - It's About Time (September 2011) [12]
- Michael Kiwanuka - I’m getting Ready EP (September 2011) [13]
Club Nights
- Communion Club Nights are hosted regularly at venues in Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Truro and internationally in New York City and San Francisco. The format includes 5-6 live bands plus DJ sets.
- The original London Club Night is still hosted the first Sunday of each month at the Notting Hill Arts Club.[14]
Bushstock
- Bushstock is an annual spring music festival hosted by Communion. It is held in London's Shepherds Bush and features multiple artists across multiple venues.[15]
- The 2011 event line up included 4 venues and the following artists; Guillemots, Peggy Sue, Fink, Foy Vance, Cloud Control, Sarah Blasko, Goldheart Assembly, Treetop Flyers, Lucy Rose, Kill It Kid, Marques Toliver, Flashguns, Crowns, The Staves, Tom Williams and the Boat, Three Blind Wolves, Daughter, King Charles, To Kill a King, Dark Moon, The Welcome Committee, The Riff Raff, Michael Kiwanuka, Laki Mera, Jarle Bernhoft, Islander, Greenwich Tea Party, Cattle and Cane, Louise and the Pins + DJ Sets by: Propaganda, Chess Club and TV Nights.[16]
- The 2012 event will be held June 2, 2012 and will expand to five venues in Shepherds Bush.
Communion in the Redwoods
- Communion hosts Communion in the Redwoods, an annual 3 day celebration in Big Sur, California.
- The 2011 event will be held Oct. 21-23rd and will feature Jackie Greene, The Secret Sisters, John Vanderslice, Forrest Day, Matthew & the Atlas, The David Mayfield Parade, Lauren Shera, Nathaniel Ratleif, Everest, Infantree, and Themes [17].
References
- ^ Stubbs, Dan. "Communion." Mojo Music Magazine. July 2011. 74-81.
- ^ http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/interviews/now-thats-what-i-call-communion#.TozSmZynDZI
- ^ http://www.sacksco.com/pr/communion.html
- ^ http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-01-07/entertainment/27086679_1_uk-band-musicians
- ^ http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/interviews/now-thats-what-i-call-communion#.TozSmZynDZI
- ^ http://www.nme.com/news/mumford-and-sons/49372
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/wz28
- ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/communion-spread-the-word-with-the-flowerpot-sessions-2276045.html
- ^ http://www.aaamusic.co.uk/2011/03/30/ben-howard-the-old-pine-ep-april-uk/
- ^ http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/14593/
- ^ http://soundcloud.com/stayloose/michael-kiwanuka-tell-me-a
- ^ http://soundcloud.com/stayloose/treetop-flyers-its-about
- ^ http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/michael-kiwanuka-im-getting-ready
- ^ http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/2011/06/it%E2%80%99s-open-source-music-in-conversation-with-communion-records/
- ^ http://www.addictmusic.co.uk/news/communion-records-launch-bushstock-festival/
- ^ http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4142861-in-photos--bushstock-festival-london
- ^ http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/09/ben-lovetts-promotion-team-coming-to-us.html
External Links
Categories:- Record labels based in London
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