Free

The Bogle….Dutty Wine….Pon the River, Pon the Bank…Signal the Plane….Heel Toe  are just some of the dances you can be apart of during BASS Festival 2012!

Sticky Toffee studios is taking dancehall to the streets of Birmingham! Toffee and the Tru StreetDance crew will perform flash mobs across Birmingham and teach the  public about the origins of Jamaican dance and culture.  The series of flashmobs are sure to surprise shoppers. Don’t be shy and just watch! Get involved and learn some of the latest bashment moves.

Ikeela Sealey aka Toffee balances a career as a dance teacher, choreographer,  along with running a community interest company, Tru
Streetdance,  and Sticky Toffee Ltd.  In 2007 Toffee won the Youth Dance England Choreographer of the year award acknowledging her talent and dedication to the performing art industry. Currently, she is a champion and judge for  Desi Moves, the UK’s First Desi  Dance Competition.  Toffee is a talented young lady that has 10 years experience working within the dance and performing arts industry and has worked with numerous high profile brands throughout her career including Tony & Guy, the BBC, Channel 4 and the NHS.

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

“All These Other Fellas Are So Swag On Mic It’s A Shame

Who The Most Talented Man Round The Manor

With X Amount Of Brand New Flows They Can’t Manage

 I’m Living Hip Hop Spit Grime And Flow Ragga”

The author of the above lyrics is DURRTY GOODZ and the newest artist to be apart of BASS Festival 2012.

Durrty Goodz is known for his versatility, which is evident in his ability to rap on grime, hip hop, bashment, and R&B beats. His witty lines and great flow have won him many new fans over the years, and he is one of the best and talented MCs to grace the scene. He is known for the heavy basslines which he spits over, and the crossover to dubstep; although grime is the genre  that many of his fans favour him spitting over.

He was named Best MC by Kool FM, which led to his recognition in the London underground music scene, and from there was signed to Universal Records. He left Universal, but will be releasing his first album ‘Overall’ on May 16th.

As apart of,  ’Showtime’ Durrty Goodz will be performing amidst some of  the UK’s most promising and exciting stars.  The Showtime concept is being brought to Birmingham by The Heatwave. For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

On Day 9 of our release, Punch is excited to announce another artist that will be apart of BASS Festival and will perform at the All-Star event, ‘Showtime’.

RODNEY P 

RODNEY P entered the UK hip hop scene in the 1980s and started out as a member of the London Posse, one of the UK’s first home grown hip hop acts who were highly influential in the development of the industry. Rodney P has had one of the longest and most respected careers in UK hip hop.

The decision to guard his creative control led to the birth of his own label Riddim killa, a collaboration with Low Life Records. Rodney P is currently the host of the television series Dubplate Drama shown on Channel 4, E4 and MySpace.In 2011, he provided the voice of the animated rapper in a television advert for the Toyota Yaris.

As apart of,  ’Showtime’ Gappy will be performing amidst some of  the UK’s most promising and exciting stars.  The Showtime concept is being brought to Birmingham by The Heatwave. For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

We are proud to announce another artist that will be performing at The Heatwave’s Reggae/Dancehall rave spectacular, ’Showtime’…..GAPPY RANKS.  Gappy Ranks was born and raised in Harlesden NW 10. In the last year, he has become one of the most popular UK Dancehall stars with the release of his second LP titled ‘Thanks & Praise‘.  His modern reggae and dancehall vibes can be felt on tracks like ‘Tun Up‘ and has attracted audiences across the world. Gappy has headlined shows in Europe, Asia, & USA!   He is currently lined up for festival appearances at Best of the Best, Summer Jam Festival, Reggae Sun Ska, Reggae Geel and most important BASS FEESTIVAL 2012!

As apart of,  ’Showtime’ Gappy will be performing amidst some of  the UK’s most promising and exciting young stars.  The Showtime concept is being brought to Birmingham by The Heatwave.   Durrty Goodz , Rodney P, & Lady Leshurr are just some of the   live performances from local legends and up-and-coming West Midlands stars that will be showcased.

For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

The Showdown is fast approaching on (Friday 18 May 2012) and we are anticipating a great show and are very excited for the night. Six fierce dance acts of Bhangra, Bollywood, Giddha, Hip-hop and Bashment styles will battle it out to claim the title of Best Desi Mover, a prize of £1000, an opportunity to perform at the Sandwell & Birmingham Mela in front of a 50k plus audience and that ultimate prize, the Desi Moves 2012 trophy.

 Signature,  Worlds #1 Micheal Jackson Tribute Act & Britain’s Got Talent finalists, were scheduled to give a performance, but were pulled away to another event of the Cultural  Olympics.  We are thrilled to added  an amazing choreographer, actor, model, teacher, and Bollywood performer……. Karan Pangali. As a leading artist in the field of East & West dance fusion, we are excited to have him apart of Desi Moves

The night will be hosted by the infamous Desi duo Raj and Pablo from BBC Asian Network who will bring their comedic charm  and loveable personalities to keep you entertained all night.

Entertainment and music at its best will also be provided by Capital FM’s Sacha Brooks who’s guaranteed to warm you up with a great DJ set.

And if thats not enough the competition will be judged by the best in the bizz including: Honey of Honey’s Bollywood Dance Academy, Foji Gill and Toffee of Sticky Toffee Dance who has left a little message for everyone below.

This is a great opportunity for you to experience the London 2012 Olympics fever and to really see mass participation.Its definitely going to be an entertaining jam packed show which won’t let you down! So don’t hang around get your tickets now!!

From the Birmingham Town Hall - 0121 345 0600
Ticket prices: £6-£12 (discounts available)
Suitable for all ages

Tickets are also available on Chilli Tickets

SHOW STARTS AND 6PM AND FINSHES AT 9PM

To keep up to date with all info and be in the know about Desi Moves like our Facebook page

For further information contact Punch on 0121 224 7444 or email info@punch-records.co.uk

Punch are excited to announce the brand new Go and See Project, collaboration between Apples and Snakes and Punch Records.

WHAT IS ‘GO AND SEE’ ?

Go and See does what it says on the tin: it allows West Midlands poets to attend
spoken word events (regular nights, one-off shows, slams, etc.) in other parts of the
country by covering the price of travel and tickets to the event.

If you are a performance poet, this could be a wonderful opportunity to hear new
voices and discover new styles; to finally catch your favourite artist live; to chat with
successful event organisers and use their experience to improve your own night; or
to make contacts in a part of the country you haven’t had the chance to visit yet.

We will ask those who take part in the scheme to write a short blog entry about their
trip (or record a video response), to be posted both on the Punch Records website
and the Apples and Snakes blog.

HOW TO TAKE PART

Here’s all you need to do to apply:

1. Find an event you would like to attend
2. Figure out exactly how you think you will benefit from it
3. Email Waqar Azam from Punch (waqar@punch-records.co.uk) with a completed
Application Form and the words “Go and See” in the subject line.
4. Hope for the best!

The deadline is the last day of each month. By the 7th of the following month, we will
pick one or two lucky applicants and send them off to see the event(s) of their choice.
This project will function every month until further notice.

So, no more excuses. Don’t just sit there. Go and see!

Click here  to download the application form

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

We are proud to announce that one of Birmingham’s rising star’s Lady Leshurr is part of BASS Festival 2012. In the last year, Lady Leshurr has been catapulted to national success and is now viewed as one of the most exciting urban artists in the UK. Her uniquely sounding flow has an instantly likeable appeal, complimented by a melodic singing voice and harmonies that just pour off her tongue. Her commercial style is backed up and accompanied by fast-paced and, at times, fierce lyrics; Leshurr can literally spit on anything. Her recent cover of the Chris Brown/Busta Rhymes collab “Look At Me Now” has become a global phenomenon, amassing in excess of 100,000 hits in half a day on www.worldstarhiphop.com.

She will be performing at The Heatwave’s Reggae/Dancehall rave spectacular, ‘Showtime.’ The Heatwave are known for throwing mad parties, and last year’s Showtime event in east London was madder than most. But Showtime was more than just a party. It was an explosion of UK music history, bringing together legends from every era of UK rave music to share the mic and spit lyrics over classic dancehall riddims, paying homage to Jamaican soundsystem culture.

As part of the 2012 BASS festival, The Heatwave bring the Showtime concept to Birmingham, with magical live performances from local legends and up-and-coming West Midlands stars alongside London guests including Durrty Goodz and Rodney P.

For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

Tuned On

Thursday 12^th July 2012, 5 pm

The Drum

FREE

Day 4 we are taking a look back at the great musicians that paved the way. In honour of this spirit, Punch Records, welcomes you to join us for a FREE panel discussion: Tune on: UK Pioneers. Our distinct panel will be made up of members of STEEL PULSE.

Steel Pulse is a roots reggae musical band, from Handsworth .The group originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, in Birmingham and is composed of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals), and Ronald McQueen (bass). With 35 + years of experience in the music industry the members will bring incredible wisdom and knowledge on the inner workings of the music industry during the 70′s & 80′s.

The Tuned On panel will take a look back at the energy of British reggae musicians and their contributions to the development of the popularity of the music in the UK, Europe, and beyond.  The panel will celebrate the musicians of the 70’s & 80’s, while reminiscing and re-living the crucial period in the growth of black music here in the UK

Respek Vanley

Saturday 7th July 2012 3pm

The Midland Arts Center (MAC)

FREE

Day 2 release of the official line up for BASS Festival 2012! Yesterday we highlighted one of our amazing music artists, and today we feature another artist… VANLEY BURKE.  Musician Bobbie Gardner is creating as unique concert, featuring a reggae band, classical musicians and school children, inspired by this UK  black documentary photographer. Vanley Burke is regard as the UK’s most important documentary photographer and this event will commence a year long celebration of his work.

He was there at African Liberation Day in 1977, Handsworth park, where the biggest all-black crowd gathered in Britian.

He was also there in 1981 and 1985 when Birmingham’s streets erupted in violent riots.

Vanley’s amazing work has been exhibited extensively across the UK and abroad. With solo exhibitions in New York, Mall and closer to home at the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, The Black Arts Gallery in London Cornerhouse in Manchester, amongst others. The photographs have also been displayed in locations more easily accessed by black audiences including pubs, clubs, community centres, churches and schools.*

*Provided by http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/your_community/bhm/vanley_burke.shtml

Friday 13th July 2012, 9pm – 2am

Hare & Hounds, King Heath

£15 ADVANCE MORE ON THE DOOR

Punch is proud to release the official line-up for BASS Festival 2012!  This year we have a fantastic line up of events and music gigs, with a host of exiting, cutting edge, and establish artists. A true highlight of the festival is  JUNIOR MURVIN with a full live band.  He will be performing his hit Police And Thieves on July 13^th. Join us this day for an amazing concert and party. Make sure to get your tickets early, because this event is sure to sell OUT! 

Junior Murvin achieved fame as the falsetto singer of “Police And Thieves“ which was an international hit for him and innovative reggae production artiste Lee “Scratch” Perry. The song has been covered by artists as diverse as The Clash and Boy George, and he has maintained his profile over twenty years after it was made.

In the dancehalls Junior Murvin has scored with hits: the ultra easy skank of “Miss Kushie”, the seminal “Cool Out Son”, and others like “I’m In Love”, “Bad Man Posse” and “Muggers In The Street”; releasing enough material to maintain his reputation, without ever flooding the market.

In late 1998 London-based Dubwise Productions were visiting Port Antonio in Jamaica where they were introduced to Junior Murvin. This led to the recording of the solid “Wise Man”, currently available on a 10″ single. *

*Biography provided by http://www.reggae-vibes.com/concert/juniorm/juniormu.htm

Liverpool Sound City Festival

Cancelled

Punch are presenting Jamaica live at this prestigious Uk music conference, Sound City in Liverpool this May.  Sound City has grown from a showcase act of North-West artists to a hugely respected 3 day international music, media and technology conference and live arts and music festival.  The festival is focused on the zeitgeist and looking forward, intent on bringing the best new music, film, art and more from all over the world to Liverpool. While the primary convention focus is on bringing together a vast array of creative and digital industries business professionals, artists, music, film and art fans to enjoy today’s best new music and chart the future course of the music, digital and creative industries.

Punch director Ammo Talwar says ” As a continuation of our Jamaica live series of events leading up to the London 2012 Olympic games we want to show the impact Jamaican music has had on the UK sounds from dubstep to grime, hip hop to drum & bass .  Artists showcasing there connection to the island and celebrating 50 years of independence include:

•  Channel one
•  Dj bailey 1xtra
•  Heatwave crew
•  Screama
• General roots
•  RTKAL
•  RoXXXan

For further information on Sound City Festival visit the website here.

Last Shop Standing is a collaboration between award winning feature film company Blue Hippo Media www.bluehippomedia.com and Proper Music Publishing Ltd.

Based on the successful book by Graham Jones of the same name, “Last Shop Standing” will be a 60-minute documentary to be released in the summer of 2012.   It will be a celebration of the unique spirit of comradeship and entrepreneurial ingenuity that has enabled so many shops to keep operating successfully against the backdrop of massive changes in the music industry, the biggest recession in years, the growth of online file sharing, and the explosion of choice in music consumption.

Did you know…

Not long ago there was a record shop on every high street, but over 500 independent record stores have closed during the last few years.

But record shops were always more than retail outlets.   They are part of our culture; they support new bands and local talent.   A place for musicians and music fans to congregate, to browse away a few hours, to walk away with music they didn’t know existed.

Who will we feature…

The film features appearances by musicians and industry insiders including Norman Cook AKA “Fat Boy Slim”, Billy Bragg and Richard Hawley with more to be announced, but the real stars are the record shop owners, with hysterical anecdotes about their customers, both the weird and the wonderful.   Their stories are the stuff of folklore! Customers with strange requests, global superstars given their first break by a shop and even the bizarre behaviour of sales reps desperate to get their records into the chart.

The film will tell the full story, hold back no punches, but also celebrate and promote our great independent record stores.

What we will do once the film is completed…

We will enter “Last Shop Standing” in a range of national and international documentary film festivals and we  already have interest from broadcasters in both mainstream and cable/satellite channels in both the USA and UK and further afield. In addition a DVD will be produced that will be promoted through our extensive network of trade outlets, mailing lists and associated web-sites. Many of this years top music festivals have already booked or are interested in showing the film.

How you can help…

We are looking to raise a minimum of $5000 to begin the post production (editing) phase of the film as soon as we have finished filming.Why not look at the great perks and become part of both film and music history as you help us make this film a reality and enable independent record shops to take their rightful place in both cultural history and the present and future landscape.

Think of the PERKS as how you can INVEST and get a guaranteed RETURN.

To make a contribution click here, and for further information click here.

Thursday 10th May 2012, 5-6pm

Oh Velvet Bar,  200 Broad Street, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 1SU

FREE EVENT 

Punch Records,  welcome you to join us for a FREE panel discussion with industry experts at Oh Velvet Bar, Birmingham. 

This special edition of Punch Records’ successful TUNED ON series focuses on the difficulties, obstacles, opportunities and chances of Asian music being recognized by the larger mainstream audience and what has to be gone through to enable this.

 - What does it take to be an Asian artist who transcends your own cultural audience?

 - Is the media ready for the possibility of an Asian music star within the mainstream?

 - What are the barriers to entering a more mainstream audience, and how are they broken down?

- What are the Asian music outlets doing to push the music into new territories?

- How has the opening of avenues such as Youtube and itunes had an influence on what is being made and how it is being perceived?

Exclusively produced by Punch Records, this forum features some of the main players in the Asian music scene and media in the UK and pits differing views, opinions and standpoints together in one room. With contributions from some of the most important players in the UK music business. Our confirmed panellists include:

• Chair – Rav, Dj//Radio Presenter/Artist  (Panjabi Hit Squad)
• Reajuku Sharma, Producer  (BBC)
• Genuine Sounds, (Overseas Artist)
• Daniel Naqui, (Producer & studio owner)
• Metz, Artist, (Metz & Trix)
• Vips (VIP Records)

We are working with Broad Street association to put on this event as a pre-cursor to the Malkit Singh performance at 6pm on the same day at Gatecrasher. Come and join us for a lively debate and to celebrate the legacy of Bhangra legend Malkit Singh!

Also we are offering all Tuned On attendee’s a special ticket offer for the Desi Moves Showdown event on Friday 18th May at the Town Hall Birmingham. If you attend this Tuned On session, you receive a buy one get one free ticket offer.

This event is on a first come, first serve basis so please RSVP to info@punch-records.co.uk to reserve your place.

For further information, contact Punch on:
0121 224 7444/info@punch-records.co.uk

As well as taking part in the major events get involved and show us “What’s your Desi Move?” on our Facebook and Twitter #DesiMoves and also check out our collection of moves we have gathered from some faces you may recognise on our Youtube channel and a taster of what to expect on our Flickr.

So what are waiting for get your Desi Move on and get involved!

Sunday 29th April 2012

Bar 78, Custard Factory, Digbeth B9 4AA

Admission: £5

In a location buzzing with creativity, ‘LiveART’ is a fresh new concept that will provide a platform for aspiring and established musicians, live performers and skilled artists, (painters, sculptors). We will also have a live band and DJ to add to the atmosphere of the night.

If you are interested in performing at the open mic or if you want some further information, please contact Live ART on email at LIVEART@HOTMAIL.CO.UK. You can also visit the Facebook page here.

Download flyer here.