UPCOMING EVENT: BONNIE FREECHYLD LIVE @ MONTO WATER RATS, 6 MAY

Once Upon A Long, Long Time Ago...a vivacious young lady by the name of Bonnie Freechyld set this blog alight with her energy and one of a kind talents, as one of the artists opening for US NeoSoul Star, Leela James. 

Now working on her next solo project, she will be performing a devastatingly addictive set LIVE at Monto Water Rats on Grays Inn Road one week today. Read on for a special invitation - straight from the little Vixen herself:

"Welcome to 2013!!

End your bank holiday weekend with a 'strum'?

I am doing a live acoustic set at the famous Monto Water Rats!! Courtesy of Symptomatic @ The Water Rats, it will be an International set ;)

Please email me for the lovely concession £3 guest list; it's a large venue so feel free to bring your friends!"

Advance tickets are available here.

ES ;)

IRON MAN 3: #ESPspotlight Review

 

The third instalment in the +Marvel Entertainment Comic Book series sees the lovable rogue that is +RobertDowneyJr return, in a plotline that honestly fits the man behind the iron mask to a T.

First of all, DO NOT SEE THIS FILM if you have not seen Avengers Assemble, or you will not fully grasp the new level of emotional instability and vulnerability that Downey has added to the character, and think he's washed up for no reason. There's a reason people, and it's a good-un! If you have only caught parts 1 and 2 in the trilogy you will still be able to follow what's happening, but it will be a bit like eating a cake without the icing or flavoured filling; buns without burgers, that type of thing...Is it nearly dinnertime?

Anywhoo, Tony Stark barely has time to deal with the psychological aftermath of the Avengers' epic end, before his newest foe makes an appearance. 'The Mandarin' - a hilariously camp and nutty Sir Ben Kingsley is out for the usual world domination. If you enjoyed his Entourage cameo once upon a time, then you'll love him in this. In a nice plot twist that sees Guy Pearce a long way from Ramsay Street; revenge is a dish best served hot by this despicable, but equally brainy mad scientist. In the most extreme example of the old adage, 'Be careful how you treat people on the way up' since Simon sacked Cheryl; Stark's playboy past catches up with him twofold, to create havoc that just won't die fairly, at his weakest point personally, in all the chapters so far.

The usual players return for team support; Don Cheadle as Colonel Rhodes, Jon Favreau as the loyal Happy Hogan and +PEOPLE Magazine's pick for World's Sexiest Woman, Gwyneth Paltrow as my selection for the worst character name in the history of film, Ms. Pepper Potts (I hear it and think of Bill and Ben, those Flowerpot Men who predate my existence). Mrs Chris Martin has become stronger in her own right since the first part of the saga. Not a fan of her personally, the fact I'm driven to admit that I do think that she worked the evolution of the role to perfection is a testament to her newfound command of the spotlight that she hadn't earned before; so much so, that my heart was in my mouth more than once as I feared for her safety. Like Downey Jr., Paltrow is so believable, that you soon feel as though you're glimpsing the real personalities behind the Hollywood names you know so well. Funnyman Favreau is another example, as it is truly impossible for the man to hide his natural humour. Cheadle's most likeable character to date, my British Pride has yet to forgive him for the atrocious accent in, well any of the Oceans' films.

Aside from the usual, edge-of-your-seat stunts and special effects - literally out of this world in 3D - the best thing about this instalment, is that you spend about 97% of it reminding yourself that Tony Stark has to survive for IM4, and so that Iron Man can Assemble with the rest of the Avengers once again - his control of his life, the events and environment surrounding him, and even his own body and psyche, is that precarious. Stark and Sherlock Holmes are Robert Downey Jr's masterpieces for this very reason. Both are so boastful and overrun by ego, that when these villains knock them down a peg or two, serving to remind that they are in fact, mere flawed humans, as mediocre as everybody else, their difficulty to assimilate the possibility, whilst maintaining the impossible bravado that repeatedly puts the world in danger, is magnetic. When Stark calls Killian (Guy Pearce) "a maniac", you almost laugh at the 'takes one to know one' irony.

Another great offering, this time under the Direction of Shane Black (+DoctorWHO); this is a blockbuster well worth the #1 spot it will undoubtedly have worldwide, before the weekend is out.

Rated 12A, +IronMan3 gets 5 Stars and then some from Yours Truly for being the best instalment yet.

ES ;)

UPCOMING EVENT: NEW MUSIC - Mariah.Is 'Beautiful' (and She's Baaaaack), 6 May, VEVO

If you're a regular reader, then you'll know that it goes without saying that I'm beyond excited for 6th May! In less than 3 weeks 'The New Era Begins' for every fan of REAL Voices, REAL Music and Natural born, honest TALENT!

Ladies and Gentleman, Music is about to be #Beautiful again...

Ms. +Mariah Carey and Miguel - I, for One, Cannot WAIT!

ES ;)

UPCOMING EVENT: London Jewellery Week, 7-16 June

Offering the Nation a 10-Day-Long Celebration of JEWELLERY 

What a glorious way to celebrate jewellery than an entire week devoted to the creation, design and craftsmanship of beautiful jewels! 

For 10 glittering days in June, covering two weekends for the first time this year, the UK jewellery industry is joining forces to present a host of inspirational events including catwalk shows with the focus on jewellery, major stars of the British industry sharing their expertise, first-hand, behind-the- scenes workshops, educational demonstrations and giving a platform to the best young talent around right now, the emerging young British jewellery designers. 

'Our jewellery industry is a true litmus test of the health of the luxury climate right now and Jewellery Week continues to celebrate the great and the good in the jewellery world'. 

Della Tinsley, Jewellery Week 

Commencing on 7th June, with a sparkling return at our favourite landmark in the Capital, Somerset House, the 10-day event takes pride of place in the city for the sixth year running; Jewellery Week, The Jewellery Show and Treasure while around the country, the best-dressed windows will enter the High Street Gems competition covering independent boutiques, retailers, multiple retailers and department stores up and down the country. 

The talented designers exhibiting at Treasure (Somerset House) is always a fabulous show and this year will be prove to be even more vibrant and bursting with extraordinary hot, new talent. 

The East of the Capital continues to shine for Jewel East, partnering with Time Out magazine with an exclusive Reader Event taking place on the evening of Friday 7th June. Jewellery workshops will be held throughout the week, enticing new young talent across the city. We are heading south to Greenwich for the jewellery pop-up's and a glittering Treasure Trail scheduled bursting with bejewelled prizes. 

Members of public are going to be invited behind the scenes with open workshops at various industry spaces including Crafts Central, Cockpit Arts and Southgate Open Studios. 

The official partners include Retail Jeweller, Fashion Monitor and The Mayfair Hotel. Stephen Webster, GIA, Somerset House, Greenwich Hospital, i2i Jewellery Show London, Caprice Holdings, Old Spitalfields Market, Frobishers Juice, Swarovski Elements, Presman Mastermelt, Radisson Blu Edwardian, The Ivy Club, British Jewellery Association, Bellore. 

Please see attached Diary Listings for all events and there will be events to be announced over the Spring.

UPCOMING EVENT: Made In Shoreditch Presents: The Shoreditch Fashion Show 2013, Hoxton Docks, 27 April

This Saturday evening sees London's trendiest area put Fashion on the map.

Set to be the highlight of OffBeat Live, the festival dedicated to fashion, art, live music and pop-ups shines a spotlight on Made In Shoreditch Presents: The Shoreditch Fashion Show 2013 from 8PM, when 2 Finalists will showcase their portfolio of work in stage spots won for the savviest use of social media marketing and promotional initiative (think a Like / Share and Retweet fest to the death). Collections will be judged by panellists Mischa Barton (yes, Miss Orange County herself), singer Eliza Doolittle and Sergio DeNimes fashion founder / Made In Chelsea regular, +Oliver Proudlock.

For first-timers like myself, expect fashion illustrations, projection, photography, installations and designs from worldwide fashion college elite to a mix of live music and DJ setlists. The pop-up shops feeding you will team with a host of brands watering you; including Redbull, who will launch their new 'Additions' range at the event. Tiger Beer and Vita Coco will also be out in support; as will Polaroid, there to help you capture those memories for posterity.

Limited Tickets are still available; though be sure to stay tuned to the Made In Shoreditch website, where you can also find the latest pre-event news, including clues as to who their mystery event headliner will be...Be sure to follow Yours Truly on Twitter for up to the minute live event tweets and, if you're attending in person, be sure to make good use of the #ESPatMISP hashtag, so that I can 'search and snap' you for the event photo album!

See you there!

ES ;)

UPCOMING EVENTS: Win tickets to Jackmaster, Simian Mobile Disco, Boys Noize, The Magician + more in May...

Ticket Box Office

We’ve been looking forward to unveiling our May schedule for a long while now… 

With a programme that covers the entire breadth of dance music, you’ll no doubt see what our excitement was for.

As always kicking off the month comes Benji B and his Deviation crew. This has got to be one of the biggest Deviation’s yet as both Omar S and Jackmaster top the billing.

Our second XOYO Loves event takes place the next day. We’re met by the full Futureboogie roster as we take the party to Dalston’s rooftops. Although day tickets are sold out there’s some left for the night time do. Crazy P, Maxxi Soundsystem and Waifs & Strays all reach.

Signing off a huge bank holiday, Dillon Francis and Flosstradamus take Sunday 5th May. 

Disco returns with Yuksek and recent Daft Punk collaborator DJ Falcon on the 10th.
The mighty Boys Noize headlines Bugged Out’s latest instalment the following week. 

Recovered from their NYE spot with us, Simian Moblie Disco return on the 18th with a techno led line-up boasting both Martyn and John Heckle.

Friday 24th May sees Machinedrum, Dark Sky and Maribou State as they lead in our eyes one of our most interesting billings to date.

Joakim and Kindness head Durrr’s next party with a live set from Night Works on Saturday 25th. Finally closing the month comes one of our all-time disco faves The Magician.

Tickets are selling fast for the whole of the month, make sure you’re with us.

XOYO Tickets | Facebook Competition

UPCOMING EVENT: Supa Dupa Fly, Jazz Cafe, 10 May

Supa Dupa Fly

90s & Early 2000s Hiphop R&B!

 Djs: Big Ted | Emily Rawson | Matchstick

Live: Kings Of The City | Franko Fraize

Jazz Café - Friday 10th May

 Now from 8pm-3am!

£6 Concessions lists itssupadupafly@gmail.com

SDF has quickly become the monthly necessity in any 90s hip-hop lovers diary. Since launching in March 2011, the events have gone from strength to strength, receiving press features from the likes of The Guardian Guide, The Evening Standard, Time Out, The Metro, SB.TV and hosting acts including Jazzy Jeff, ATCQ’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Dj Yoda, EZ, Rita Ora, Conor Maynard, Rizzle Kicks, Stooshe, Josh Osho, Cleo Sol & loads more!

Expect 90s & early 2000’s Hip-hop from the likes from Dr Dre, Snoop Dog, Nas, Bigge, Tupac & A Tribe Called Quest, DMX, Luda,  & RnB from TLC, Montell Jordon, 112, SWV, Salt N Pepa, Destiny’s Child & A LOT more!

DJs 

DJ Big ‘Teddy’ Ted he IS Hip Hop! Supa Dupa Fly’s champion crowd pleaser and deck ripper like no other! His now legendary 10-year stint on Kiss 100 was home to a show that featured hip hop greats from Run DMC to Missy Elliot to Jay Z! He was recently on Radio 1 alongside Doc Brown as part of Dong. www.mixcloud.com/teddy-ted  

DJ Emily Rawson is one of the UK’s most in demand Djs and promoters. She has recently dj’d and curated stages at festivals including BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, The Camden Crawl, Streetfest and Lovebox. She has done guest mixes for BBC Radio 1Xtra, been featured in Time Out as ‘Meet The Resident’ and played in New York alongside legend Rich Medina as well curating and dj-ing an event at The Box NYC with Underground shoes. She was recently invited onto a the BBC World Service to speak about Women in Hiphop and in March 2013 Dj’d at a private show for hiphop legend Eve at Shoreditch House.  www.mixcloud.com/djemilyrawson

Live

Rock/Hip Hop fusion band Kings Of The City return to Supa Dupa Fly for their first London show of the year. The band are launching their new single 'Please Tell Me' (out May 13th), which was recently spun on Radio One by Zane Lowe and called 'timeless music' www.KINGSOFTHECITY.co.uk

Off the back of a promising year last year which included support from Radio 1 and 1xtra Franko Fraize has already started 2013 with a bang. Turning many a head with his 'everyday man' persona and bags of character, franko fraize always seems to leave a mark where ever he goes. www.youtube.com/frankofraize

Selected drinks just £2.40! 

Queue jump advance tickets: limited £6 from www.rockthebelles.com  (guaranteed queue jump entry before 11pm)

Concessions: £6 before 9pm / £8 after via itssupadupafly@gmail.com / £8 on the door  all night (1st come 1st served)

Tables: Available to book for groups of 10+ (arrival by 9pm)

Time: 8pm-3am – early arrival is a must 

Address: The Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PG

Transport: Camden Tube

Contact: Twitter / Facebook 

UPCOMING EVENT: Supa DupaFly, Bad Boy vs Def Jam w/ CJ Beatz, Plan B, 4th May

Supa Dupa Fly

1990-2005 Hiphop R&B Garage

Bad Boy vs Def Jam Special

CJ Beatz (1Xtra) | Emily Rawson

Hosted by Shadez The Misfit

Saturday 4th May @ Plan B, Brixton

£5 queue jump tickets www.rockthebelles.com

SDF has quickly become the monthly necessity in any 90s Hiphop, RnB and Garage lovers diary… Highlights include features from the likes of The Guardian Guide, The Evening Standard, Time Out, The Metro, SB.TV and hosting shows for ATCQ’s Ali Shaheed, Jazzy Jeff, Rita Ora, Conor Maynard, Rizzle Kicks, Stooshe, & EZ Dj Yoda.

May sees us hitting you with the first of our label specials… Bad Boy vs Def Jam. Weather it’s Biggie, 112 or Mace on Bad Boy, through to LL Cool J, Jay-Z or Luda on Def Jam – we’ve got it covered! Our guest on the decks is BBC Radio 1Xtra’s R&B show host, CJ Beatz. We can’t wait!

In the main room, expect to hear all the 1990-2005 Hiphop & R&B you all LOVE from the likes from Dre, Snoop, Nas, Bigge, Tupac, A Tribe Called Quest, DMX, Luda, TLC, 112, SWV, Salt N Pepa and Destiny’s Child AND MORE! In the basement, expect THE Garage JAMS from ‘Little Man’ ‘My Desire’ ‘Lovebug’ ‘Boo’ from the late 90s & early 2000s

Line up

CJ Beatz is fast becoming the BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ to watch out for. Holding down the ‘The RnB Show’ on Monday’s. You can also hear him on BBC Radio 1 for two hours hosting ‘The 1Xtra M1X’ every 6 weeks. CJ started as Hip-hop Dj for DMC, and always KILLS IT at SDF! www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s5l1k

DJ Emily Rawson is one of the UK’s most in demand Djs and promoters. She has recently dj’d and curated stages at festivals including BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, The Camden Crawl and Lovebox. 2012 has seen guest mixes for BBC Radio 1Xtra, a feature in Time Out as ‘Meet The Resident’ and playing in New York alongside legend Rich Medina as well curating and dj-ing an event at The Box NYC with Underground shoes. She was recently invited onto a the BBC World Service to speak about Women in Hiphop.  She has just dj’d for in invite only show for Grammy Award winner rapper Eve at Shoreditch House. www.mixcloud.com/djemilyrawson

The night will be hosted by Shadez The Misfit. His recent release of his mixtape Misfit Maximus II features Josh Osho & production from the likes of Toddla T & recent performances for the G-Shock sessions where he is host, Shadez is beginning to get noticed by the likes of Dazed & Confused, Stupid Dope & MTV Wrap up. www.facebook.com/Shadezthemisfit

Dj’s Fearney, Cronikal & Sharpey will also be on the decks.

Priority entry tickets: £5 via www.rockthebelles.com

Concessions lists: £5 before 10pm / £7 after via itssupadupafly@gmail.com / More on door

Tables: Free to book in advance itssupadupafly@gmail.com for 10+

Times: 9pm-4am

Address: 418 Brixton Road, London, SW9

Transport: Brixton Tube 1 min walk / Stockwell Tube 8 min walk

Info: twitter.com/itssupadupafly / www.rockthebelles.com

UPCOMING EVENT: On Point, Plan B, 3 May

On Point launches every Friday at Plan B, Brixton from Friday 3rd May! HUGE Dj sets from Kayper, MK, Martelo, Dixon Brothers, Yasmin and AtWar, all in the first month! Please can you consider for features? We're happy to arrange press passes & tickets for competition winners. 

On Point

Hip Hop | House | Bass | R&B

At Plan B, Brixton | Every Friday from 3rd May

Kayper | MK | Martelo | Yasmin | AtWar | Dixon Brothers

Nikki Beatnik | Emily Rawson | Jimmy Napes

£5 Queue Jump Tickets ONPOINTLDN.COM

On Point is A new Friday night shake down to kick start your weekend south London-style. Expect the hottest guest DJs spinning hip hop, house, bass and R&B and everything in between, plus live performances by the names on everyone’s lips. Party vibes and an on point music policy come as standard. The rest is up to you.

DJs

DJ Kayper has played at the Cannes Film Festival, Coachella, Sundance Festival and SXSW, and DJ'd for Pete Rock, Pharaohe Monch, Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan), Guru (Gangstarr) and Common. She had her own show on the BBC Asian Network for more than five years, interviewing the likes of Drake, Nas, Will.i.Am, Nelly Furtado and Nicki Minaj in the process. It’s clear why Jazzy Jeff called her, “The best female DJ I have seen in my life” ― her sets are legendary! djkayper.co.uk

DJ MK co-presents a weekly hip hop show on Kiss with Shortee Blitz, and is the official tour DJ for Roots Manuva and Dizzee Rascal. djmksworld.blogspot.com

Yasmin is a DJ, singer & model who has toured with N.E.R.D  & had 3 top 40 singles. She is one of the few singers who is actually an incredible dj, but not only that, she’s beautiful, nice, and her style is On Point! Check her here www.soundcloud.com/itsyasmin 

Martelo has opened twice for Jay-Z, taken part in the ‘End of the World’ tour with Toddla T and Oneman, and is Santigold’s international tour DJ, on Diplo’s recommendation. He’s played festivals all over the planet, from Coachella to Glasto, mashing up hip hop, R&B, garage, grime, dubstep, house and bass mixcloud.com/martelo

With three consecutive DMC titles under his belt, plus tour DJ duties for Willy Moon and RoxXxan, DJ Cable is one busy DJ! His mixtapes have gained global recognition, earning him spots producing guest mixes for stations such as BBC 1Xtra, Kiss FM, BBC Asian Network and Rinse FM. djcable.com

DJ@War has a wealth of experience on the global DJ circuit, having entertained some of the world’s biggest celebrities, such as Rihanna and Jay-Z (2010 Brits after party), not to mention his corporate resumé, which includes parties for Smirnoff in Kenya, Moët & Chandon  in Switzerland, and Adidas in the UK. Most recently he released seven tracks on the Ministry of Sound album ‘Jaguar Skills & His Amazing Friends’, which peaked at number two in the UK iTunes Dance Chart. A US DMC DJ finalist, he’s just come off a 12-date UK tour with Jaguar Skills (BBC Radio 1), with an EP collaboration between the two following soon. djatwar.com

DJ Nikki Beatnik is a DJ and producer, who has played for everyone from Jay-Z to Vogue. Tour DJ for both Kelis and Nicola Roberts, she won Best DJ at the Urban Music Awards. As one half of electronic duo BEATNIK, she’s currently producing records for artists in the UK and USA that fuse her bass-driven influences. Described by Time Out as, “Easily the best female DJ”. djnikkibeatnik.com

Dixon Brothers have an open format turntable style guaranteed to rock any crowd whether industry or in-da-streets!! With a popular weekly show on London's Kiss FM these brothers are locking down the airwaves as well as dance floors worldwide with a selection of hiphop, dubstep, bashment and assorted hotness. dixonbrothers.com

DJ Emily Rawson is one of the UK’s most in demand Djs and promoters. She has recently dj’d and curated stages at festivals including BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, The Camden Crawl and Lovebox. She has done guest mixes for BBC Radio 1Xtra, been featured in Time Out as ‘Meet The Resident’ and played in New York alongside legend Rich Medina as well curating and dj-ing an event at The Box NYC with Underground shoes. She was recently invited onto a the BBC World Service to speak about Women in Hiphop and in March 2013 Dj’d at a private show for hiphop legend Eve at Shoreditch House.  www.mixcloud.com/djemilyrawson

Jimmy Napes has worked with everyone from Sticky to Eliza Doolittle and most recently wrote Disclosure smash singles 'Latch' featuring Sam Smith and ‘White Noise’ featuring Aluna George. As a DJ he has brought his garage-influenced sound to parties around the world, including Pacha in Ibiza and Lovebox Festival.

Times: 9pm-4am

Address: 418 Brixton Road, London, SW9

Transport: Brixton Tube 1 min walk / Stockwell Tube 8 min walk

Guestlists:  £5 before 10pm / £7 via guestlist@OnPointLDN.com / queue jump tickets £5 via onpontldn.com / more on the door

Tables available for groups of 10+

Twitter: @OnPointLDN

Facebook: OnPointLDN

UPCOMING EVENT: Not Another - Queen Of Hoxton, 2nd May

‘Not Another’
Industry Showcase

@ Queen Of Hoxton, Shoreditch (Basement)
  
Thursday 4th April
(1st Thursday of the month)
7pm-12am

Hosted by 1Xtra’s CJ Beatz

£5 concessions notanother@rockthebelles.com

Not Another is a live music sound clash featuring the most current, fresh and exciting UK acts and musicians as you have never seen them before live on stage at Queen Of Hoxton. Hip-Hop MC’s, jazz musicians, turntablists, vocalists and many more explosive one-off performances! Be blown away by the hybrid of genres on stage that you won't see at any other live music night.

Line-up

Live

Cameron SBV www.youtube.com/user/CameronSVB

Alex Phillips www.facebook.com/AlexRVPhillips

Cyko Logic www.soundcloud.com/cyko-logic

Jay Prince www.jayprince.bandcamp.com

Laughta www.soundcloud.com/laughta 

DJ Emily Rawson will be on the decks. She is one of the UK’s most in demand Djs and promoters. She has recently dj’d and curated stages at festivals including BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, The Camden Crawl and Lovebox. 2012 has seen guest mixes for BBC Radio 1Xtra, a feature in Time Out as ‘Meet The Resident’ and playing in New York alongside legend Rich Medina as well curating and dj-ing an event at The Box NYC with Underground shoes. She was recently invited onto a the BBC World Service to speak about Women in Hiphop.  She has just dj’d for in invite only show for Grammy award winning Eve at Shoreditch House. www.mixcloud.com/djemilyrawson

Hosted by 1Xtra’s CJ Beatz www.cjbeatz.net

Concessions / advance: £5 notanother@rockthebelles.com / £6 on the door

Times: 7pm-1am

Address: Queen Of Hoxton (basement), 1-5 Curtain Road  London, Greater London EC2A 3JX

Contact: hello@rockthebelles.com / www.rockthebelles.com / www.twitter.com/notanotherldn

UPCOMING EVENT: Rock The Belles X Underground Shoes - Bedroom Bar, 27 April

Rock The Belles
X
Underground Shoes

@ Bedroom Bar, Shoreditch
Saturday 27th April
(Last Saturday of every month)

Rock the Belles brings together the hottest female DJs, bands & creatives for a genre-defying celebration of the girls who are making their mark in music. Now a monthly collaboration with on-trend Underground Shoes, the brand behind Creepers.

After an incredible few months, including hosting events at The Box New York and a show at Shoreditch House for Arlissa, Rock The Belles are back in East London with an incredible line-up…

Acts

DJ Emily Rawson is one of the UK’s most in demand Djs and promoters. She has recently dj’d and curated stages at festivals including BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, The Camden Crawl and Lovebox. 2012 has seen guest mixes for BBC Radio 1Xtra, a feature in Time Out as ‘Meet The Resident’ and playing in New York alongside legend Rich Medina as well curating and dj-ing an event at The Box NYC with Underground shoes. She was recently invited onto a the BBC World Service to speak about Women in Hiphop. She has just Dj’d a secret show for Eve. www.mixcloud.com/djemilyrawson

DJ San Gabriel will be the first male dj to eve grace the decks at Rock The Belles! Occasionally, we like to deviate from our all-female ethos, so we’re making him play his set in full drag! No not really, but he will be playing a set of all female artists! From Berlin, he represents an eclectic music philosophy which has matured over the last 24 years. His long-lasting career enables him to draw from a massive reservoir abundant with manifold styles. On his turntables, you’ll find the best from HipHop, Reggae, Dancehall, Latin, RareGroove, Disco, Funk, House, Garage, Electro, Grime, Bashment, Dubstep, Drum & Bass.

DJ Fearney has her own show on Deja Vu FM where she has interviewed everyone from Wiz Kalifa to Example. She regularly DJs at a whole host of high profile events and festivals including Lovebox and Empire Awards parties. She is genuinely one of the hottest female dj’s in the country. djfearney.podomatic.com 

Miss Mini is a hackney based singer songwriter playing piano and accompanied with acoustic guitar, telling soulful tales of life with roots in blues, soul with accents of country. www.youtube.com/user/missminiofficial

The incredible Ki Yoshi www.yoshi-xo.tumblr.com is live too, and Lisa T will be on the decks early on www.mixcloud.com/lisat  

Underground are the brand behind the phenomenon that are Creepers. Inspired by the ferocity of punk and founded in its febrile aftermath, Underground’s original creepers were first worn by new romantics, goths and new wavers in Camden, North London, during the late1980s. More recently Underground has been adopted by designers at the bleeding edge of couture fashion, whose collections have been inspired by the company’s uncompromising style; with strong female visionaries Azaelia Banks, Eve, Angel Haze and LadyGaga choosing Underground creepers as their footwear of choice.  www.underground-england.co.uk  

Time: 8pm-3am

Entry: £5 in advance from www.rockthebelles.com / £5 concessions list before 10pm / £7 after via hello@rockthebelles.com // Door £8 all night Tables: FREE to book hello@rockthebelles.com

Info: hello@rockthebelles.com // rockthebelles.com // facebook.com/rockthebelles  // twitter.com/irockthebelles

Address: Bedroom Bar (ground floor) 62 Rivington Street

Shoreditch, London EC2A 3AY

UPCOMING EVENT: Supa Dupa Fly 90s Hiphop Karaoke N Quiz, Bedroom Bar, 25th April

Supa Dupa Fly 90s Hiphop Karaoke N Quiz - Bedroom Bar - Guestlist Here

Yes, it's BACK! After a HUGE launch, the FLYEST 90s Hiphop night in London is going monthly with the the most fun you can have on a school night, the Supa Dupa Fly 90s Hiphop Quiz & Karaoke! It kicks off next Thursday 25th April at Bedroom Bar, Shoreditch from 7pm-12am...

"If you know Hip Hop then you know that K.R.S.O.N.E. means......?" Are you partial to spitting a few verses in the shower? or maybe you’re even an actual REAL MC or singer that wants your moment to shine? 

There will be some BIG prizes for the best ‘spitter’ in the Karaoke & for the winning team of the quiz! All you need to do for the Karaoke is turn up early to sign up on a 1st come 1st served basis. For the quiz teams can be anything from 2-5 people (but no more because that's just not fair!) and just show up on the night.

Reply for FREE before 8pm / £5 after guestlists. Check the facebook event here & the website www.rockthebelles.com

#MusicMonday Advice Courtesy of Eric Bellinger...

Good Monday to you all!

One of the topics I didn't get to cover during the final week of March's Music Month series, was what not to do when it comes to Public Relations and your career. I felt the need to throwback this morning; after a recent encounter brought the issue to life.

Eric Bellinger (Photo Courtesy of  Rolling Soul Brasil)

I first contacted Singer-Songwriter Eric Bellinger's Manager for an interview back in February, when I reviewed his mixtape 'Born II Sing, Volume II' for my '7 Days, 7 Mixtapes To Set The Valentine Mood' series. As both review and attempts to contact through email and social media went without response, I moved on to endless stream of other projects that my regular readers will know that I engage in. In all honesty, I'd plain forgotten about it until last weekend, when I received a friendly note apologising for the delay in replying; stating that the Inbox had been deactivated for a period, but was up and running again now.

Bellinger's latest mixtape, 'Born II Sing, Vol. III' was released a week ago today, my interview request was accepted and so began communiqué that resulted in a booked interview for 2:30PM in the US (West Coast), 10:30PM here in the UK, last night. I had noticed that the exchange with who I took to be Manager Nieman Johnson were quite clipped, bordering on rude in manner from the second message onward but, with all the tragedies going on in the Country last week, for all I knew, the man could have been a Bostonian, or had family or friends affected by the incident. I wouldn't be feeling too polite either, and so I ignored the tone, even providing another positive review for the new project.

(Photo Courtesy of peacemagazine.com)

All week, my gut told me that this one wouldn't be smooth sailing and as it turned out, I was proved right. Mr Manager woke up to a confirmation email from me yesterday morning, which only received a reply to push back by 3 hours...40 minutes before our booked time. Fine and fair enough, this is the Music Business after all, it wouldn't be the first time an interview was pushed back with short notice. When 1AM rolled around and there was no contact however, and my subsequent emails asking for updates went ignored over the course of the next 35 minutes, that's when I really started to get irked. An hour later I gave up waiting and lo and behold, out both came from the Social Media woodwork, where they had a merry time for the rest of the night, whilst my Inbox remained empty.

Now I can't say that I'm particularly surprised at this behaviour from an Artist - again, unreliability is far from unheard of - ask...well, anyone who's ever tried to book Wiley. But for a Manager to be aware of, and even complicit in it to this extent is a first, even for me. Had the request been refused from the start, I would have thought nothing of it. Had it been rescheduled for another time, I would have thought no more of it. Heck, had they cancelled even, I would have had a natural "Them's the Breaks" reaction, shrugged my shoulders and moved on with today's To-Do list. But to accept, confirm a slot, move that slot to a less convenient, yet still accommodated time, pull a no-show and not have the slightest iota of common decency about you, to even contact the person you put out and apologise? That is utterly despicable, unprofessional and just plain disgusting behaviour.

Artists and Managers take note: Reputation is everything; especially in markets that are unfamiliar with your name. Your goal should always be to leave audiences (of whom the media who help spread your name belong to) wanting more of you. Negative reports spread faster than wildfire, and whilst sometimes what you're tagged with is unjustified, when you earn every word of it, the onus really is on you to engage in some form of damage control and put right your error. Or at the very least, just display the plain old good manners that you've lacked thus far.

ES