“So, it can be a tough thing to break into the music business – maybe not as hard as it once was when labels and contracts ruled (and when hopes disappeared when demos were tossed away without even a tiny listen), but tough none-the-less. Which is why something like strummerville: the joe strummer foundation for new music is a very cool thing.” read full review
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So I was impressed when I came across the charity set up by his family and friends after his death, because the words I’ve just used to describe him pretty much describe the work they do, too. Strummerville started out by supplying a rehearsal space at the Roundhouse in London, charging £1 an hour. Eight years later the charity has become a force of nature, with numerous rehearsal spaces available for that same price, including two in Belfast.
This year, it has helped put more than 40 bands in the studio (EMI Music Publishing and Metropolis donate studio time). To give bands the chance to hone their live performances and gain exposure, it organises “campfire sessions” at festivals such as Glastonbury, where they can perform. The organisation has brought bands over to the SXSW music conference in Austin, Texas – and even has a Strummerville tour bus they can borrow.
The charity is run by Trish Whelan, who once worked for Island Records. “We used to have a real culture of developing acts at Island,” she says. “Managers and labels used to be happy to take a chance on acts. They can’t afford to any more.” This is how bands such as Pulp were able to develop, she says, adding that she believes it afforded them greater dignity. “I believe in DIY, but I also realise that’s not enough.”
This year sees the eighth anniversary of Strummer’s passing on 22 December 2002. If he was still alive today, I bet Strummer would be doing exactly what his foundation does: reaching out to people in need and giving them the tools to fulfil their dreams through music. Strummerville is proof of how one man’s passion can live on long after his own untimely death.
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Strummerville sits in a trailer park under the Westway flyover in Hammersmith, near a car repair shop and horse stables. The location was chosen because the foundation founders wanted to stay close to Joe Strummer’s roots. This used to be a favorite squatting ground of the 101-ers, Strummer’s band before The Clash. Strummer also busked in this area.
Strummerville helps young musicians who wouldn’t have the means to get their voices heard by supplying facilities, coaching and recording platforms.
“Our objective is to give opportunities through music to people who wouldn’t otherwise have them,” Charity Director, Trish Whelan says.
The organization has helped more than 200 bands. Young bands working at Strummerville are offered use of the ‘Strummerville Magic Bus,’ which they can use for tours. Strummerville have also helped more than 40 young bands get into the recording studios. Unsigned bands can post their music for free download to help get their music out to eager ears.
Everyone at Strummerville is passionate and dedicated to perpetuating Strummer’s DIY ethos, “We’re just trying to keep Joe’s spirit alive… and to keep the fire burning.”
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“I’d never heard of Strummerville until they set up camp near the memorial stone last year. Founded by friends and family, shortly after Joe’s death, Strummerville is a registered charity, dedicated to creating new opportunities for aspiring musicians. They set up camp at the festival and build a huge fire which they keep burning for the full five days.
Joe was infamous for his campfires at Glastonbury and it’s rumoured that he once kept one alight throughout a terrible storm, refusing to submit to the fierce wind and rain. Not only is this the perfect tribute to Joe, but the heart and soul of the festival. When that fire eventually goes out, it’s all over ’til next year.”
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“So you mudda skuddums going to Glastonbury this year, be sure to make your presence felt at the Strummerville campsite this year. Strummerville will be lighting the campfire (the biggest campfire at Glastonbury scuse me!) Thursday night and keep it burning all around the clock.
Located in Unfair Ground field in the exact same spot where Joe Strummer used to have his fire, the strummerville campfire sessions will start at midnight every night and will run until 3am.”
http://flyingwithanna.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/glastonbury-2010-a-few-things-you-should-do/
From the 1976 jukebox at The Clash’s Rehearsal Rehearsals HQ, through his own music to his turn-of-the-century radio show, Joe Strummer never stopped loving reggae music and its culture. As Chris Salewicz’s sleevenotes state on this heart-felt project organised by Canada’s Prince Blanco, “Strummer lived on the dub side of life.” In other words, with Joe, anything was possible. He would have revelled in these new versions of Clash classics by a cast of contributors hailing from both Canada and the UK.
A few chills are spilled when the set kicks off with Dubmatix, joined by former Big Audio Dynamite members Don Letts and Dan Donovan, bringing London’s Calling into the 21st Century on a rolling dubscape, with bleakly majestic spirit intact. Each track’s a riot of its own, delivered with a mixture of celebration and suitable recklessness, other highlights including Creation Rockers’ sinuous Complete Control, Infantry Rockers’ haunting Rebel Waltz and John Brown’s Body’s feisty Bankrobber. The fact that proceeds go to the Strummerville charity is just another reason why no one who’s ever been touched by Joe or The Clash should be without this marvellous tribute. For more info, visit www.shatterthehotel.com.
