Cornish Underground’s 14th Birthday
We’re celebrating 14 years of Cornish Underground this Allantide, a splendid achievement acknowledged by the stability and reach of the business throughout our networks. In previous years, our marketing had to go out frequently to fill the yearly schedule, now regular work comes in without our need to advertise. Word of mouth and work done seem to advertise the business alone, keeping us at the forefront of Cornish music all year round.
So, 14 years young, what has happened with Cornish Underground this year? It’s been a big year, once more raising the bar for work completed and another highest year for the business turnover. Late 2022 and early on in 2023 saw a really busy time in the studio. Since the studio upgrade around the time of OBTV we’ve just not looked back, seeing a handful of albums and a whole host of EP’s leaving the studio before festival season. Regulars like Kerensa Wright and Henavek, finishing albums, alongside the release of the studio album project ‘Hitching Ships’ by Fools Rock. Plus EP’s by Morvran, The Electric Timothy, Fire and the Brain, Animal I and the excellent young musician Finley Bray. Projects including Die Spangle and new band Funk Soul Other, plus exciting studio remixes by Fools Rock are all current, listen out for our first remix track dropping just before Xmas. The live work has kept coming in too, with often 2 – 3 gigs per weekend, then with 3 days in the studio and a days admin, filling weekly schedules repeatedly weekly, monthly and yearly. The Old Bakery continues to provide high quality artists and shows with its reputation rocketing amongst the touring bands and audiences we have in there. I never take it for granted at the Old Bakery, I really enjoy working there as part of the team that pleases such a wide audience. I’ve also been lucky enough to cover a few gigs at the Watering Hole, Cornish Bank, Regal Cinema, Chintz and St Ives Guildhall this year, which again have been much fun!
The summer’s festivals have yet again been awesome, with all my regular events coming in and having a blast as standard! Thanks to the Scilly Folk Festival, Fire in the Mountain, Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, Tropical Pressure, Wanderfal and more…
One thing that has really shone out this year is the acknowledgement and reinvigoration of the Cornish Nos Lowen scene. Popularity and support has come about through promoter ‘Big Nos’ and particularly through the Klub Nos Lowen events at the Cornish Bank in Falmouth. With a massive new wave of youngsters getting involved, plus a glowing Guardian newspaper write up, Cornish music & dance has never been more popular! Nurturing acts like Bagas Fellyon, the band springing from the Fools Rock project and a handful of other new artists, it’s now more than ever that Cornish Underground sits right in the epicenter of this movement. I’ve already been involved in the Cornish Nos Lowen scene since its inception (2001 ish), though as Neil Davey (Dalla / Skillywidden) put it, ‘It’s taken 20 years to become an overnight success’. It’s good to see that the originators are still in full force, bringing a depth of knowledge and pedigree to the scene. Exciting new collaborations and creative projects are blooming right now and Cornwall is doing what it does best, theatrical, flamboyant and thought provoking showcases. It’s a good time to be in Cornwall right now!
Interesting developments are afoot with a new organization, Trevow Music Management who are championing Cornish music and have encouraged collaboration with Cornish Underground. My engagement with Trevow is to bring a record label concept to my studio and live sound. Certain artists are currently being contacted with offers to sign up to studio recording deals at Cornish Underground, with an array of deals on offer. Trevow and Cornish Underground will work together to assist artists from Cornwall with their professional development, networking and potential to open up markets in Cornwall as well as for artists to tour the UK.
Thank you to all the venues, promoters, bands and gig going public for your ongoing support for Cornish Underground and the music scene. We are always bowled over by your efforts and commitment to supporting music in Cornwall and beyond. A big round of applause to you and you have our resounding promise to make the music vibe and bounce for you all! Big thanks go to my crew, CJ Gadget, Rash, Flip & others who’ve helped this year.
Here’s looking forward to the year ahead and to fun, lively, sweaty gigs & festivals! See you out there!
Brendan McGreal (Cornish Underground)
30th Oct 2023
