Hackney has a deep musical history. We have been part of it for decades. In association with Hackney History Festival, we are opening our doors for a live podcast exploring the story of The Premises Studios, an East London institution and a cafe that has supported London’s working music community for forty years. We have been a place for writing, rehearsing and recording. A space shaped by the artists who have passed through, from Nina Simone to Radiohead and from Blur to Ez

WE REMEMBER THIS…. Our anniversary tale this month comes courtesy of Ollie Crooke, a stalwart at the Prems for many years, mostly pre '96. Legendary dub master Lee Scratch Perry was a regular back then and applied his somewhat eccentric approach to studio cabling. One day he became obsessed with the idea that demonic forces were getting in via the mains sockets so he carefully stuffed them full of Blu Tak. Poor Colin, the owner then and according to Mr P, the originator of s

Here's one for all you budding or fully flowered bassists and drummers who want to improve technique, locking in, and getting some industry insider tips by one of the biggest names in the business, Yolanda Charles. Yolanda is one of the most in demand bass players in the industry , having worked with Hans Zimmer, BB King, Mick Jagger, Paul Weller, Squeeze, Queen, Eric Clapton and countless others. Now she divides her passions between her own band, teaching and collaborations

Calling all jazz pianists. If you love to play but would like to learn the art of comping- playing along with a live band, come join us in May for intensive tuition, practice and a live performance for your friends and family. Learn how to: Voice chords Build up your voicing vocabulary Comp for fellow students and a band Perfect your comping rhythms as a supporting musician Work on different comping styles  Work on Latin style rhythms Work on more Blues orientated styles Be

WE REMEMBER THIS…. Well, more like boss man  Viv Broughton  remembers ... a whole bunch of stuff about  The Premises , some stories withheld until we know for sure nobody will sue us. As part of our 40 th  Anniversary Viv reveals what he can, with no need for truth serum injection on the latest edition of the wonderful podcast series,  ‘If These Walls Could Talk’.   Here he recalls some of the mayhem and magic of the early and later Premises years. It’s all legit, but anythin

A rare opportunity for a demonstration and Q and A with one of the hardest working drummers in the gigging world. NOT just for drummers, but for any musician who wants to lock in with a steadily touring band, the rules of engagement and how to be the gun for hire, always.  £35 for the session, £25 for students. Ralph answers all questions and there will be music, a singalong and a meet and greet at the end. You don't want to miss this one!  To book: michele@premiseseducation.

Calling All Singers, aged 12-18! February half term is approaching and if you are eager to join a fun, free activity and sing to your heart's content, you can do no better than to join our Voice Jam! Over the course of three afternoons and one longer day, you will rehearse and record two songs ( one chosen by us, one voted by the group) here at Premises. You'll learn how to sing all parts of the harmonies and see how it all fits together in the final mixes. After all that har

QUOTE OF THE MONTH “ Maybe if you did just one thing, eventually you’d say to yourself, ‘I’ve got to take a vacation and get away from this.’ I never feel burnt out. To me, I’m on perpetual vacation. I’m very fortunate.” Tony Bennett, on keeping work fun Yes, we’ve been having fun and working hard to host the best in the music biz for 40 long years! And to celebrate, we’re going to have a big Wing Ding Hootenanny this summer, to celebrate our longevity in the biz, though we

Just off the press! The fabulous Nikki Yeoh , master of all trades piano and long time tutor at Premises, is running her Piano Refresher course from 30th Jan- 1 February with Jason Rebello and on the final day, with trumpeter Byron Wallen.  Topics covered include: Chord progressions, solos, playing in duos, practice, comping for solos, transcription and several other topics to be confirmed.   The total cost is £250, cheaper than our other courses,  and you can hold a place w

OK, we need to talk about Santa.    “He knows when you are sleeping, and knows when you’re awake...” which is lyrical proof that Santa is a stalker, plus, a philanderer: “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus”. Plus his BMI is way too high: “ Santa got stuck up the chimney”. Not to mention a terrible driver, having run granny over with a Reindeer. And to top it off, according to The Kinks he got mugged by a bunch of little oiks who demanded,  “Father Christmas, give us your money”.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH “When people ask you to play on something, and they may be fans who’ve heard me on something, you go in and do...

Yolanda Charles , who ran an intensive bass and rhythm section workshop over a weekend in March, is back in October to run a similar...

4th October 2025, 10 - 4pm Step into the room with Lurine Cato MBE , award-winning singer, powerhouse performer, and one of the UK's...

QUOTE OF THE MONTH “These were musicians who had made a conscious decision to dedicate their lives to an art form and lifestyle that...

QUOTE OF THE MONTH “ Art is dangerous. It is one of the attractions. When it ceases to be dangerous, you don’t want it.”   Duke Ellington...

Calling all jazz pianists. If you love to play but would like to learn the art of comping- playing along with a live band, come and join...

If you booked a studio session here one Saturday back in 2017 you might have arrived to find The Premises surrounded by 4000 Hells...

QUOTE OF THE MONTH “ The human mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working before you’re even born and doesn’t stop again until you sit...

Premises Music Education Programme are delighted to welcome back Yolanda Charles MBE , internationally renowned bassist and songwriter,...