1000 things to do before you die
Go to the Brown Bread Mixtape (x 1000)
It is my favourite place to go on the planet. And if you can't make it tonight you can tune in here
I fucking love the Brown Bread Mixtape. Here's ten reasons why.
1. They have the most electrically charged room I've ever been in.
You can never get a seat. All the standing room gets gone fast. People try and listen from the stairs and from the toilets and back down the connecting corridor. It gets too warm and the audience gets charged up like water molecules in a microwave, but never in a rowdy way, 'cause it's a lovely vibe, and the raucous energy all gets released then in reason two.
2. They have the alternative National Anthem.
My Blood is Boiling for Ireland. A gorgeous little ditty full of simple words and positivity. So good it won the Irish Times Today FM Alternative Anthem Competition. It's on Youtube but you'd have to experience the sing along version tonight to really appreciate it.
3. It's run by Kalle Ryan and Enda Roche.
Kalle spent years in the States, came back here and said lets just set this shit up. The type of attitude I love. Enda is his minty cool sound technician musician mate. Together they make a great combination. Kalle as bombastic as any slamtastic New York poet and Enda just chilled with a silent no frills approach. Enda also plays the bongos in the most charismatic way imaginable, and yes , such a thing is possible.
4. They get amazing acts (which we sometimes nick).
Nighthawks has both yoinked and passed on acts which have featured here and at Stephen James Smiths Glor Sessions. This is is another reason I like the BBMT. They are benevolent to their acts and generous to similar nights. The rising tide lifts all boats baybeee.
They also have the resident Brown Bread Players, a sketch group who deliver Kalle Ryan's comedy imaginings.
5. They have an applause sign.
The have a coat hanger with some paper sello-taped to it that says APPLAUSE. It's a fucking magical thing that shouldn't work but does because the lads are so sound and the audience want it to.
6. It shouldn't Exist.
Everyone is supposed to be downhearted because we're all falling into the economic abyss. We're all supposed to be at home crying into our microwave meals, wringing out that mornings cornflakes for the Sunday dinner but we're not, not yet anyway. As long as there's a creative spark hope will spring eternal from the raging creative hearts of men and women. Brown Bread Mix-tape proves that with it's very existence.
7. I had my best gig there ever.
It was last March. It was phenomenal. Phenomenal like Facebook, Harry Potter and Michael Jackson's Thriller - ie less to do with the person and more to do with the luck of right time and place, definitely less to do with me and my near drunk performance, more to do with the fact all my peer poet mates were there and everybody said fuck-it, lets give this guy lots of love and the fucking roof was blown off. I'll never forget it.
8. It's not serious.
They get great comedy and have the exact balance of respect for and banter with the acts. It's fun, seriously.
9. It has beer.
Fuck yeah.
10. It's fucking free.
Nuff said.
So there. Do it peeps. Please go. You can thank me tomorrow.
1 comments:
You know, I agree, it is a bloody great night. If I wasn't so preggers I'd get there more often. As it is, I go to bed at 8pm. Yawnnnnnnnnnn. Poor me.
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