The music world is witnessing an unprecedented crisis as independent music venues struggle to stay afloat due to increasing costs. In response, a unique compilation album, A Hideous Collection, has been announced to raise money for the Music Venue Trust and the UK Touring Artists Fund. This artist-led initiative, arranged by English post-punk group Opus Kink, aims to support independent music venues and the artists who tour them. The compilation features 24 tracks from 24 different artists, including Wunderhorse, Matt Maltese, English Teacher, Katy J Pearson, Lambrini Girls, and more. The artists involved in the project are passionate about preserving grassroots live music culture. As Opus Kink stated, “Touring independent music venues is like this: the most passionate organisers are the ones who do it on a shoestring and are often one bad season away from crumbling.” This highlights the immense challenges faced by these venues and the artists who support them.
- Independent music venues are a vital part of the music ecosystem, providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents.
- The costs of touring and maintaining these venues are increasing, making it difficult for artists to sustain themselves.
- The Music Venue Trust and the UK Touring Artists Fund are crucial in supporting these venues and artists.
The compilation album will feature a diverse range of tracks, including never-before-heard original songs, unreleased live recordings, demos, covers, and more. A foreword from BBC 6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq adds to the project’s credibility, emphasizing the importance of supporting independent music venues and the artists who tour them.
“Touring independent music venues is like this: the most passionate organisers are the ones who do it on a shoestring and are often one bad season away from crumbling. Support for these venues and humans is starting to glimmer in the ashes through donations and awareness and the work of groups like MVT [Music Venue Trust], but as always, unfortunately, it must also take wresting a more fundamental and top-down offering from the industry to really stay the decimation of grassroots live music culture in this country. In the meantime, please enjoy the sounds of some of the artists who help to keep alive the places that birthed them and please buy this record so you can do that too.”
A Hideous Collection is set to be released on September 5 via Hideous Mink Records in partnership with SO Recordings. The album will be available exclusively on vinyl and CD, providing a unique listening experience for fans. It is available for pre-order now on the Hideous Records online store. The tracklist for the album is as follows:
| VINYL 1 | TRACKLIST |
|---|---|
| 1A | Steve Lamacq – A Foreword From Steve Lamacq |
| 2A | BIG SPECIAL – COOKED FISH |
| 3A | Katy J Pearson – Tonight |
| 4A | LUVCAT – He’s My Man (live in Cologne) |
| 5A | Honeyglaze – Turn Out Right |
| 6A | Matt Maltese – Please Don’t Kill Me |
| 7B | Opus Kink – Thank You Satan |
| 8B | Lambrini Girls – Big Dick Energy (live in Seattle) |
| 9B | Warmduscher – YAKUZA |
| 10B | TTSSFU – Upstairs |
| 11B | Hamish Hawk – Burning Up |
| 12B | Wunderhorse – Rain (live) |
The album will be a valuable resource for fans, providing a unique listening experience and supporting the preservation of grassroots live music culture. By pre-ordering the album, fans can contribute to the cause and help ensure the long-term survival of independent music venues. In conclusion, A Hideous Collection is a commendable initiative that aims to support independent music venues and the artists who tour them. The compilation album, featuring tracks from 24 different artists, will be a valuable resource for fans and a crucial step in preserving grassroots live music culture. By supporting this project, fans can make a positive impact on the music industry and the artists who make it thrive.
