Chatting About Attempting Something

Skitter on the Friday of last year’s Another Subculture Is 10

Attempting Something is a DIY music weekender that will run from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd November here in South London, with each of the evenings being hosted in Brixton, Bermondsey, and Nunhead respectively.

The series of shows is being co-ordinated by Another Subculture, which has for the past decade been a relentlessly constructive voice in promoting and encouraging DIY music and participation.  It currently takes the form of an online monthly newsletter, which includes a gig listing that is second to none, and also of an always thought provoking, periodically published fanzine, Alternative Strategies.

With the event fast approaching, Ben from Another Subculture very kindly agreed to answer a few questions about the weekend and how it is all being pulled together.  Over to you Ben…

Direct Input – show one at Spanners in Brixton, Thursday 21st November

FV: Another Subculture has always explored many of the ideas and thinking around what it means to be DIY.  This emphasis is also reflected in the Attempting Something moniker for your forthcoming weekender.  Could you perhaps expand a little on the philosophy and principles that are informing how Attempting Something is being organised and run?

AS: I suppose the underlying philosophy for everything I have done under the various ASs is that we should remember that our scenes should be participatory, that everything is worth having a go on, and that there are still ways to make and promote music through independent, autonomous methods. What that looks like can differ from person to person – I know that some of my choices, like thinking a Spotify playlist is useless but that applying for Arts Council funding is broadly acceptable, differ from others, but as long as the goal is the same then I will ultimately be on board. I’m trying to be as transparent as possible too and I am considering doing a Scritti Politti and might publish the cost breakdown after the dust has settled – anything to show others how it can be done.

FV: The line-up is a seriously eclectic one based broadly around three themes – noise and synths (Thursday), hardcore and metallics (Friday), jangle and dancing (Saturday).  What factors shaped the bands that you have approached to play?

AS: I wanted to reflect the sorts of nights I’ve been coming across while putting out the listings – there’s so much overlap within genres and scenes, and my favourite festivals have always taken this to heart: Supersonic in Birmingham and Static Shock Weekend here in London always had a level of variance, so why not attempt something similar? It might mean that the audience may find themselves with a set that they use as an extended cig break, but they might also end up watching something amazing; after all, my highlight of Another Subculture Is 10 had to be Shake Chain scaring the shit out of a few punters…

Loud Night – show two at Avalon Cafe in Bermondsey, Friday 22nd November

FV: The weekend spans three excellent South London venues, namely Spanners in Brixton, Avalon Cafe in Bermondsey, and The Ivy House in Nunhead.  What appeals to you about these particular spaces?

AS: Short answer: they are all in South London. They’re also just great places to hang out – all three have decent bars and everyone who runs them is welcoming and open to new ideas, and you can see that from the heady mixture of events they host.

FV: Attempting Something is a follow-up to Another Subculture Is 10 celebration last year.  Were there any lessons – good or bad! – that emerged and that have influenced your preparations for this year?

AS: There were a couple of hiccups with backlines and running to time, so that has meant I’m doing the emails asking about what gear everyone needs and what their set lengths maybe a little too early. A good lesson, and one to keep in mind for anyone putting on something across a number of days, is to gladly accept any offer of help from friends and well-wishers! DIY is always a slight misnomer, after all: it takes a crew of likeminded freaks to steer this ship.

Afternoon Session – show three at The Ivy House in Nunhead, Saturday 23rd November

FV: All of the profits from the weekender are being donated to Medical Aid For Palestinians and Free Kitchen Gaza.  Can you give a little detail as to why you have selected these two specific organisations?

AS: It goes without saying that the continuing carnage in Gaza and now Lebanon means that so many people are in urgent need of food, medicine and respite from horror.  Last year, I raised a few hundred pounds for Medical Aid For Palestinians and wanted from the get-go to continue; alongside that, we are raising money for Free Kitchen Gaza, a mutual aid organisation run by both the Abu Jamous family in Khan Younis and supported and coordinated in Athens. A dear friend recommended them as they are on the ground feeding people with whatever is available right now, and an opportunity to raise awareness and hopefully a decent amount of cash couldn’t not be seized upon.

FV: Is there anything else you would like to add?

AS: Punk is great, putting on gigs can be a headache but worth the effort. Try it yourself!

Snake Chain causing a stir on the Saturday of Another Subculture Is 10

Tickets for all three shows can be found on WeGotTickets and on the door: wegottickets.com/anothersubculture.

There is also a Buy Music Club playlist where you can listen on Bandcamp to everyone who is playing: click here.

And for further details regarding Another Subculture, check out:

www.anothersubculture.co.uk

@anothersubculture

Also, thanks to Ben for his photos from last year’s shows.

Waiting your turn to make some noise at Another Subculture Is 10