CABLE #4

THIS ISSUE: CONTRIBUTE: Sound of Guns Power Productions Send your news stories to: Elevator Studios Whitewood Studios [email protected] Follow us on Twitter: Ioisis Phasic Labs www.twitter.com/elevatorstudios Claudia Pink Seal Cub Clubbing Club or look for us on Facebook.

SOUND OF GUNS SCORE DEBUT ALBUM SUCCESS

Elevator residents Sound of Guns have reason to cel- ebrate, with their debut album ‘What Came From Fire’ entering the independent album charts at number three in its first week of release.

The album, released at the end of June, also received criti- cal acclaim from titles such as the NME, with the reviewer commenting that “..the Liverpudlians transform all before them into Soccer AM hugeness”, and awarding the groups first offering with a 7.

Radio 1 have been giving the group massive support, with stacks of radio play, while Zane Lowe, a long-time advocate of the band, has continued to shout about them from the rooftops.

‘What Came From Fire’ is available to buy and download now. The band, who recently performed single ‘Alcatraz’ on Channel 5 and in Mallorca, play with Jet at the Shep- herds Bush Empire at the end of July.

For more information visit www.myspace.com/soundofguns

PHASIC LABS LAUNCH HEXIUS

Elevator based Phasic Labs have released their first title for the iPhone.

‘Hexius’ is an action / puzzle game for the iPhone and iPad, created by programmer Paul Ripley and is available in the Apple Apps store now. The application is a must for fans of games such as Bejewelled Blitz.

The game, which took 3 and a half months to complete, was created solely by Ripley, who set up Phasic Lab earlier this year.

“I’m now working on a second iPhone/iPad title, I’ll reveal more details on that when it’s nearer to completion,” ex- plained Ripley. “I’m also discussing some other games with lease. In the meantime, Hot Club will return the studio to an ex-designer from Sony. These new titles will be bigger HOT CLUB DE PARIS IN EUROPE write their third album. projects than one programmer can manage alone, so I’ll be sub-contracting artwork out - not sure who to yet!” For more information go to: www.hotclubdeparis.co.uk Hot Club de Paris will release new album ‘Free the Ptero- Ripley has been a programmer for 7 years, working most dactyl 3’ later this year… but you can’t have one, it’s only recently as a senior programmer for Sony Computer Enter- for the eyes and ears of European guys and gals. tainment on titles such as Wipeout HD (PS3), Formula 1 2006 (PS3), and MotorStorm 2 : Pacific Rift (PS3). The new record will combine the group’s two sold-out 2010 releases ‘With Days Like This as Cheap as Chewing Gum, Why Would Anyone Want to Work?’ and ‘The Rise and In- evitable Fall of the High School Suicide Cluster Band’ into one, handy package, complete with shiny new artwork and everything.

The two 10” EPs saw the Elevator-based trio draw impres- sive plaudits from the likes of NME and Drowned in Sound, with ‘Fuck You, the Truth’ crowning the NME’s top 10 Tracks of the week back in February.

The band, who have just completed another extensive tour of the UK, will tour Europe in October to promote the re-

PAGE 1 INTRODUCING... ELEVATOR STUDIOS

The Coral in the process of turning their music into a physical product at Elevator Studio.

With a back catalogue of clients that reads like a who’s studios had stood out. One was Peter Gabriel’s Real World “Our favourite bands would have to be The Coral and The who of the Liverpool music scene, Elevator Recording which was set in an old Mill in Box, Wiltshire and the other Zutons. With The Coral, it’s been a pleasure to see their de- Studios have long been on the map as harbingers of the was owned by Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz of the Talk- velopment and see them change. They first came in to do cutting edge and the timeless. ing Heads in Connecticut. This was set up in a barn above demos when they were 16; to see them change from a fledg- their house. What was interesting about both is that much ling band to a really great band is amazing. When I hear With albums from the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen, The of the natural character of both buildings had been retained Magic and Medicine it brings back really fond memories. Coral, The Zutons and Clinic all recorded under their A- and the studios had been built around these features. frame roof, and producers such as John Leckie, Ian Broudie “I remember one time when The Subways were in, we had and Gordon Raphael taking advantage of the facilities, the I wanted our studio to feel like that and realised that the MTV playing, and 3 or 4 videos in a row were for songs re- Cheapside studio’s ambience has been breeding creativity warehouse we had in Liverpool could be tweaked and tuned corded here. It’s great when you hear records that were done and originality for the past ten years. into a technically excellent facility that also inspired musi- here on the radio or when you’re out and about cal creativity’. The beginnings of Elevator lay with the band ‘The River “I think the studio offers brilliant value for money, and City People’, a successful Liverpool group who recorded “When our deal with Polygram ended we basically ran out we have a track record of commercial success. We have a two albums for EMI, and featured the talents of brothers of money and so started renting out our studio out to lo- very talented house engineer in Darren Jones who has now Tim and Paul Speed. The band had 5 top 40 hits, with their cal bands, The Bunnymen used it and then when The Coral worked on everything from The Lightning Seeds to The cover of the Mammas and Pappas track ‘California Dream- made the landmark record ‘Magic and Medicine’, people Fall. ing’ being the biggest. started to take notice. “The studio was developed by two musicians and we have The group, like many of their musical contemporaries, re- “We did a lot of Coral demos, pretty much all of the Deltas- loads of instruments lying around and are all available hearsed in the old Ministry of Defence building in the city onic records, Shack’s HMS Fable. We started to get a great when you book Elevator, it’s homely, there’s a kitchen, sit- centre. “Every band rehearsed at the Ministry,” explains rep. At one time, every single band who recorded demos ting area, it helps when you need to get away. It’s also very Tim. “The Farm, The Bunnymen, OMD, Frankie Goes to in the studio got a deal, including Mansun, The Coral, The private, you can shut the door and that’s it. Nobody bothers Hollywood, The Teardrop Explodes, I still have the original Zutons, The Bandits. It was almost like a good luck thing, you unless you want them to.” ledger somewhere.” you did demos in Elevator and you got a deal. For more information contact Elevator Studios on: info@eleva- When the building was sold for redevelopment, much of “A lot of the bands that demoed came back and did albums torstudios.com or call 0151 225 0195 Liverpool’s musical talent was left without a place to re- here. It was 6 years of intense productivity and now we’re hearse. looking for the next thing to come through.

Paul and Tim managed to rent some space in an old ware- house on Cheapside, setting up the studio equipment they had pulled together from their recording deal. “We had to find somewhere new to work and the warehouse on Cheap- side seemed like a great option” said Tim. “We basically set up a studio in the warehouse which, at the time, was quite an unusual setting. The River City People split up and we started work on a new project, working with an American R and B singer called Jill Jones, We wrote for her, signed a new recording deal with Polygram and used the studio to do some of the recording. That was the start of Elevator recording studio.

“The record we did with Jill took us to a lot of different stu- dios. “It was great laugh, we spent a lot of time in New York and London and we went to loads of studios and worked with some brilliant engineers and producers. The experience made me think about how I wanted our studio at Elevator to be different from a lot of the functional, characterless places we had worked in. Many studios of the day had been de- signed by engineers and technicians with little understand- ing of the need to be relaxed and inspired by a space in order to do your best work as a musician. On our travels two Elevator’s control room.

PAGE 2 INTRODUCING... IOSIS

A veritable wet dream. In the gods of Elevator on Parliament Street lies a veri- studios, Ioisis was an obvious choice when the world cham- poles, is difficult. table wet-dream for many of the male inhabitants of the pion pole dancers gathered together. “Felix and Jenyne But- building. Under the A-frame roof silver poles glisten and terfly,” smiled Anna. “Both were brilliant. You should look For more information call 0151 708 9955 or email: info@ioisis- reflect in the mirrored walls, and every day a small army them up on Youtube, if you haven’t already. The world wide poledance.co.uk of women giggle their way up to the fifth floor to bend and pole dance community is relatively small, and very geekish, writhe upon them. to the extent we have wikipole, so when a pole celebrity teaching tour is planned, we hear about it quite early on. Welcome to the world of Ioisis, the dream and reality of We were approached to host the master classes and perfor- Anna Rosser, founder of the country’s first pole dance mances, and said yes instantly. studio, and the reason many of the cities women’s fitness levels and confidence have soared. What advice does Anna give to people who think they’re too shy to have a go? “I founded Ioisis in 2003,” explains Anna. “I sold my mo- torbike to buy four poles, which at the time, had to be cus- “That it’s probably not what they imagine it to be,” she ex- tom made, in the hope that someone would want to learn to plains. “That they should come along for one lesson, and spin around a lot. Although it’s not fashionable to admit it have a look around. There is a ton of different people aged in the pole fitness industry nowadays, I used to work in the 16-60, all different shapes and sizes. Everyone is genuinely clubs,” she continues.”It paid my way through university. I friendly and helpful, but most of the time are so focused travelled around the country, met a lot of different people, on what they’re doing, there’s no reason to feel remotely Ioisis founder Anna Rosser . from many walks of life, and worked in all sorts of places self-conscious. from back street dives, to Stringfellows. After university, I SUMMER IN THE BALTIC continued to dance and perform, doing events, road shows, The studio also houses classes for other disciplines such as random promotion work, before settling on teaching pole. circus skills. “Probably, like a lot of the country, the first The perfect alternative to the Matthew Street Festival time I saw aerial dance was the BBC 2 Ident with the men mayhem, join Elevator Studios for ‘Summer In The Bal- And it would seem if you provide the poles, the women in white cat suits rolling down red ribbon, and ‘I thought tic’, a mammoth bank-holiday extravaganza, taking place will come. After outgrowing her former premises, Anna I want a go of that’,” she says. “Years later I came across at The Orchard on August 28th. moved Ioisis to Elevator. The studio grew in popularity the Circus Space in London, and took myself down for an and reputation as pole dancing, with the help of a few high- aerial course. I was addicted instantly. There were no train- Four must-see bands, DJ’s, and performances from Elevator profile names such as Heather Graham, shook its sleazier ing schools in Liverpool, so I went to a few schools in Bris- residents such as the Ioisis Dance Studio and Giant, as well image, and became an empowering way for women to get tol, Sheffield and Manchester. I then invested in my first as free rides from City Rickshaws. fit, lose their inhibitions and have fun. trapeze, and silks started training. We now run Arial work- shops for adults and children. We’ve been lucky enough to Treat yourself to a spot of exclusive retail therapy from Mi- “People first try pole dancing for a number of different have some amazing aerial guest teachers, including Helen crobrands and the iconic Slazenger Heritage range, as well reasons,” explains Anna. “For some it’s as simple as the Ball, who is currently touring with Cirque Du Soleil. as other cutting-edge independent designers. gym bores them, others want to feel empowered, some are looking for a confidence boost. But when you start, it is “We also accommodate Got Poi, who are a floor based cir- All this plus a hog roast, and The Orchard’s vast array of very addictive. You get a vendetta against a certain move, cus skills swap group. They incorporate juggling, poi and ciders and real ales… the event is open to all. persevere, and get a huge sense of achievement when you acro-balance. get it. The goals are short term as well as long term. This Elevator residents should keep an eye on their inboxes for is how it becomes such effective exercise, and the vast ma- I think Elevator benefits residents because you are- sur an exclusive invite, coming soon, which entitles you to jority of people who get into pole dancing lose weight and rounded by other creatives. You can always find someone some free goodies…. tone up, so they become even more addicted. to drink tea with, and chat about some mad thought up idea. There’s something reassuring about no one expecting you to The event kicks off at 3pm and continues into the night. As the owner of one of the country’s leading and biggest fit in a box. Which when you spend a lot of time bent around

PAGE 3 POWER PRODUCTIONS AIR NEW DOCUMENTARY

Wombles, the former Home Secretary, and a bunch of 80’s Oddly, her work has already brought her in contact with a election. We were making the documentary on May 11th, pop stars in the House of Commons? Despite sounding few familiar faces from the building whilst in other cities. the day Labour were kicked out of power. It was all kick- like a ‘guess the link’ segment on Have I Got News for Her documentary on the Home Secretary focuses on his ing off, but we were in the Houses of Parliament about to You, the above are all in a day’s work for Elevator resident long-term goal to be a rock star, hampered only by his role do this interview with an eighties pop star. It was funny, I Stephanie Power. as one of the most powerful men in the country! He presents am a news journalist, and everyone was on college green the series, talking to people who are or where involved in poncing around saying ‘Alan’s just done an interview with With her first full documentary (a five-part series entitled the music industry. The first people to be interviewed were the BBC, where’s ITV’s? That was my job, I would have Alan Johnson: Failed Rockstar) about to air on Radio 4, The Merseybeats. When the interview took place in Not- been that person, but that day I was like ‘shut up love, we’re Stephanie met with the Elevator Cable to explain the peaks tingham, one face stood out, Elevator resident and former interviewing an 80’s pop star here’! I watched my own job. and the pitfalls of owning your own radio production com- Merseybeat Dave Goldberg. People wanted to know whether Alan was going to stand as pany. Labour Leader, I knew that before anyone else, but he need- “It was funny, as I always see him eating the cafe,” she ed to announce what he was going to do. Instinct kicked in a Founder of Power Productions in 2007, Stephanie is a for- laughs. “Another part of the series focuses on the Riot little, I thought ‘I’ve got this thing that no one else knows’, mer radio news journalist for the BBC. After years honing Girrl movement. When I got back to Elevator I noticed that but for who’s benefit would it be for me to broadcast it?” her craft in London, she made the move to the North to founder of the movement Calvin Johnson is doing a gig here become the managing editor of City Talk. “I was too gobby, on the same day that the programme is aired. It’s a small “It’s progression in your own working life, and so much though,” she laughs, “and they fired me!” world!” more enjoyable than running around trying to get people to do things they don’t want to do. Right now I’m really With her house in London already rented out, Power called With a DIY ethic seeping into most other creative outlets, enjoying the documentary making process and the freedom upon the few friendly faces she knew in the city for help, has Stephanie seen a change in radio? “I’ve been a to a few that comes with it. one of whom was Philip Hayes. She was introduced to Kev- conferences, and met people who’ve had an idea, sent them- in McManus, operations director at ACME, was awarded a selves of to Iraq, after getting a bit of money together. I It would seem that getting fired didn’t end up being such a £500 grant to help with set-up, and her production company don’t know if it’s a good way to go about it. I don’t person- bad thing after all... was born. ally like it when people think they can be radio makers with no background. It’s a craft and you have to learn it, though For more information go to www.powerproductions.org.uk. “I was told to stick to my guns,” she explains. “Even if you I know that sounds mean! I’m still institutionalised I sup- think the work isn’t going to come in, it’s the only way to pose, despite being freelance. I’m proud of the BBC. Where make it happen.” else can you find a programme on the history of the traffic light, and with no adverts? I’m not sure if independent radio After calling her former bosses and introducing the com- making has taken off, or if you can make a living from it. pany to them, Stephanie began to send through ideas for radio stories. “You have to be so pro-active, people hardly “My friend Becky Milliagan, a reporter, also makes excel- ever ring you”, she says. lent political documentaries on topics such as what it was like being a victim of expenses scandal. It’s not confronta- “At the moment, I’m looking for women who were at tional. Radio explores the possibility that maybe issues are Greenham Common 25 years ago to talk to them about how a bit more complicated than you think, it’s more caring.” it ended up influencing their life. The idea came when a friend, who lived on Greenham common for 5 years, posted Does the news journalist in Stephanie conflict with docu- an invite to a Greenham reunion on Facebook. I rang the mentary maker when newsworthy information crops up editor and he was interested. Ideas come from everywhere, within her research? especially when you’re out on other stories, you meet such interesting people. This building is great, it’s a shame “It’s not worth it, she asserts. I’ve experienced that during Alan Johnson having a right old laugh with his Gibson Thunderbird Guitar. I don’t know anyone yet as there must be so many great the Alan Johnson documentary. News came up about the stories.”

Attendees also had the opportunity to win prizes from the WHITEWOOD GET BUSY MORE SUCCESS, VICAR? likes of The London Carriage Works, Clarins Spa, The Wombats, and Slazenger in out mid-evening prize draw. Milky Tea had yet more reason to celebrate last month, as the cross platform project ‘The Well’, a Conker Media ‘Vicky’s Secret’, a play that looks at the issue of pregnancy Production for BBC Switch, won two awards at the crisis, was preceded by an excerpt from ‘Face to Face’, Bannf World Television Awards. which focuses on anorexia and bulimia. The spoken word and physical theatre piece ‘Power’ finished off the perfor- The Elevator based company produced 3D artwork for the mances. game which ran alongside the TV series. The show, which aired at the end of last year is still available to view at The evening closed with a one-off performance from the www.bbc.co.uk/switch/thewell/. Pure Band, who performed tracks from their current album, Kong are noisy and weird and awesome. ‘No Compromise’. Whitewood Studios have had a highly-hectic few months For more information call 0845 003 8159 or go to www.milkytea. com. mixing and recording bands such as Kong, the Delta Fi- All of the proceeds raised at the event will be used to help asco and The Wombats’ Dan Haggis. support the organisation in their ongoing work with young PURE CREATIVE ARTS AT ELEVATOR people. Co-owner Rob Whiteley completed mixing the forthcom- ing Kong track ‘Ribbons’ at the end of June. The Manches- Pure Creative Arts raised funds to continue their theatre ter band will return to the studio later in the year. in education work at the Elevator Café at the start of the month, with an evening of music, merriment and prizes, as June also saw Liverpool veteran Paul Kappa record his third well as a full production of ‘Vicky’s Secret’. album at Whitewood, while the LA-based Delta Fiasco laid down their forthcoming EP at the studio in the midst of their Pure, a multi-faceted Liverpool based company, carries European tour. out work across the UK, and uses theatre and the arts as a means of addressing issues such as self-esteem, body im- Dan Haggis, drummer with The Wombats, has been record- age and sex and relationships. Every production that Pure ing songs from his forthcoming solo effort at the Elevator performs is followed by workshops that allow the young based studio over the past few months. people the opportunity to talk about the issues raised in a more one-to-one setting. Whiteley and partner in crime Daniel Woodward also found the time to launch new website. All this and a new air-con Guests at the event were treated to a complimentary drinks system? You can sleep when you’re dead, boys. reception before the evenings music kicked-off with a per- formance from Rachel Wright. Other acts included Shane Shane Beales looking a little bit pixelated. Visit www.whitewoodrecordingstudio.com for more information. Beales and the Pure Band.

PAGE 4 CLAUDIA PINK’S CATWALK SUCCESS

Elevator’s Claudia Pink Jewellery caused a stir at Lenny’s bar at the end of June, when founder Claudia Windle held her first fashion show showcasing her latest collection.

Lenny’s, a 1930’s style restaurant bar, was the perfect set- ting for Windle’s exotic designs. Amazonian style glamour took centre stage as models wearing enchanting customised bikinis and flamboyant jewellery paraded down a catwalk surrounded by lush foliage bathed in green light.

Guests at the event were treated to bespoke ‘Claudia Pink’ cocktails, delicious mini cupcakes by Tinakiiana, chocolate dipped strawberries and canapés.

The show will be the first of many and Claudia’s next show is soon to be been confirmed. Claudia Pink Jewellery are also taking part in the finale at Liverpool Fashion Week in October.

Claudia’s designs frequently feature in publications such as InStyle and OK magazine and are available to buy from the Claudia Pink shop in the Met Quarter or from www.claudiapink.com.

THE CORAL AND BALTIC JEWELRY “Album wise, there was probably only 1/100th of the bud- The single, available to purchase from iTunes and Spotify, get available compared to the last one, so it will probably has also been remixed by MSD Project. This incarnation sound a lot closer to our live set,” explains Jay Freeman. will be released on the same day. “It’s also the first album that I’ll have fully contributed to as I wasn’t around when the first album was made. “’Electric Ray’ was conceived by Dave (Graham) and I,” explains vocalist Ian Hall. “I had the idea to write a track “Musically speaking, the album is similar in content to about those nights where we go out and over indulge, but the first, though a lot of the faster tracks on the album are it’s all good cause we’re on an enlightened level to those pushing into a slightly heavier, dancier territory. Sonically who aren’t. The lyrics are basically about partying and feel- speaking, nearly all the album tracks have been bathed in ing the love - the bass and chorus hopefully depicting the the array of new synths we’ve acquired! feeling of elation when things are great.”

For more sonic and musical speaking, as well as the occasional The Liverpool three-piece have also remixed tracks for the free track, follow the band on: www.facebook.com/thesealcub- likes of Ladytron and The Delta Fiasco. clubbingclub. For more information, go to: www.filterdistortion.co.uk THE BENDAL INTERLUDE

Long-term Elevator amigos The Coral, and Elevator jew- ellery-makers Baltic joined forces in June, as the dynamic duo’s bespoke pieces made it into the band’s recent cover shoot for NME.

Baltic created special pieces for the group, who released SCCC like to party. new album The Butterfly House in early July. The al- bum, the group’s first full release since 2007’s ‘Roots and FILTER DISTORTION Echo’s’, features the single ‘1000 Years’ and is available to purchase now.

For more information on Baltic, email: [email protected] This is what a proper band looks like. SEAL CUB CLUBBING CLUB Elevator heavy-metal mainstays The Bendal Interlude have been added to the line-up for the forthcoming Sonisphere festival. Seal Cub Clubbing Club have almost finished work on their currently untitled (but perhaps called Royal Variety!) The band will join the likes of Alice Cooper, Motley Crew, second album. Iron Maiden and Rammstein at the event which takes place from 30th June to August 1st at Knebworth. The eclectic outfit, who played at Kendal Calling at the end of June, aim to have the album competed by the end of the The band have recently been working with Hot Club De summer. Paris’ Paul Rafferty, recording their forthcoming EP. The group’s second offering will feature the single ‘Made Elevator electro-outfit Filter Distortion release their new Go to www.myspace.com/thebendalinterlude for more information. of Magic’, championed by BBC Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw single ‘Electric Ray’ on July 19th. earlier in the year. PAGE 5