October 2025 Newsletter
- The Premises Studios
- Oct 3
- 6 min read
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 something which you think is perfect for the song; but they’re expecting you to fly about like a demented lunatic because they’re paying what they think is good money for this bloke who has this unbelievable reputation.” Danny Thompson RIP
The late Danny Thompson, whose long-ago wild man reputation became as much a known-for thing as his sheer musical versatility, was more than anything else, a professional musician and a widely respected one. Let his genius on bass and his popularity and respect for his masterful playing be the thing he is remembered for; not the misty-eyed remembrances of friends, fellow musicians and journos who had the dubious privilege to drink and party all night with him. Sure, musicians have fun- some of which involves imbibing excessive amounts, but those who play as well as he did in as many genres and for as many years do so DESPITE the partying, not BECAUSE of it. And speaking of versatile bass players…
YOLANDA CHARLES - LAST FEW PLACES REMAINING
We have a few more slots available for Yolanda Charles’ bass and rhythm day here on 8th November.
Those with some experience of bass playing will have four hours of expert, intensive tuition by one of the finest and most in-demand players on the circuit. Yolanda is an intuitive player, a master of creating innovative bass lines and helping others learn how to lock in with the band in a natural and fluid style.
Her easy-going manner belies her strict self-discipline, and we are lucky to have her share her wisdom, skills, experience and chops with like-minded bass souls. This is a very hands on workshop so DO bring your bass.
That’s just the morning session for a very reasonable £75.
In the afternoon, she demonstrates the principles with a jam/set and Q and A with her band Instra-mentals, with Nick Linnik and Nicolas Viccaro, and that session (£50) is open to drummers and guitarists as well.
Think of it as an interactive gig.
You are welcome to do either or both sessions, or just one.
For more information: michele@premiseseducation.org
BIG CONGRATS TO CLIVE BROWN AND URBAN SOUND!
Singer, choirmaster, mover, shaker and total inspirational good dude Clive Brown and his choir Urban Sound has won Choir of the Year at the Premier Gospel Awards.
We’re not surprised, of course, having been to a rousing and joyous live recording of the band this summer, and it was a belter.
We consider ourselves very fortunate to have Clive once more leading our great half term Voice Jam activity. See below:
VOICE JAM! 27 - 30th October, 2025
First half term, we think, is the most wonderful time of the year!
New horizons, a good break, and to top it all, a brilliant and FREE activity here at Premises in the afternoons ( so you can get your beauty sleep) for Hackney and Haringey Secondary school singers.
Here’s the deal. All you need is a desire to sing and ability to do so is a plus. You will learn harmonies, arrangements, and best yet, get to record two songs (chosen by vote by the singers) in our state-of-the-art recording studio, and THEN, have a wrap party, with pizza, chicken, chips and soft drinks and a lot of freestyling on the mics, because we know what a SHY and retiring lot you are (NOT!)
If you have young’uns complaining of half term boredom, send ‘em our way and they will have a blast!
Sign up here (use the QR code above.)
SAFEGUARDING IN STUDIOS CONFERENCE
We’re holding an open meeting here on Nov 17th at 7pm to bring together artists and others who work in music studios to discuss how to build a safer environment from sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour.
48% of musicians have experienced sexual harassment at work.
51% of women in music have faced discrimination due to their gender, with a third having experienced sexual harassment. (MU)
While work is being done in this area by organisations across the industry, we feel it is vital to bring those who work in studio environments together to raise awareness of this issue. There is currently no campaign or policy dealing specifically with safeguarding in music studios.
Together, we want to build a code of practice and encourage all studios to sign up and advocate for it, leading to a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour.
Please join us for a panel discussion including:
Naomi Larsson Piñeda Journalist and musician (Naomi in Blue)
Emma Townsend Music Producers' Guild executive director
Ula Wodarz Recording engineer at Premises
More to be announced. Info: michele@premiseseducation.org
THE LITTLE WONDER CLUB
Songstress, educator, puppeteer, and play advocate Cath March has long been a friend of The Premises.
You may have seen her in the building, with a guitar slung over one shoulder and a bag of puppets somewhere about her person, though not surgically attached (as far as we know).
Her passion is advocating for the right for children to play freely, without danger, and tapping into their wild and precious imaginations to come up with creative masterpieces.
This two hour play session , from 2:30-4:30 on the 25th of October, will include stories, drawing, puppet shows, singing, dancing and games.
All ages and abilities welcome, including children with invisible special needs and toddlers.
Carers will stay with the young people during the session.
Cath, who works tirelessly with children and educators, says, “I started Invisible Needs in 2015 to create opportunities for children and adults alike to improvise and explore composition, with music and puppetry. Working with a great team of artists, we’re launching a new project on the theme of innocence.”
Drop in to find out more or email - cathmarch@me.com
This is also the best address to RSVP!
To read more: invisibleneeds.wordpress.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHERYL!
Cheryl Diamond is the unseen and unsung hero of the Premises. She cleans the whole place every morning before we all arrive, seven days a week. Cheryl is probably the most indispensable member of staff and we can’t thank her enough.
As it was her birthday recently, we wish her long life and happiness and heartfelt thanks for all she does to keep us in the manner we’ve become accustomed to!
OH SILENT WOOD
Singer/songwriter Evi Vine, who’s been recording here recently, has an intriguing event coming up on Thurs Dec 11th in the intimate surroundings of the beautiful Highgate Cemetery Chapel.
Oh Silent Wood will be a magical candlelit performance celebrating the poems of Elizabeth Siddal who, apart from her poetry, was the model for Millais’ famous painting of Ophelia.
Tickets at £35 are likely to go very fast so check here for more info and booking:
OUR NEW LIFT
Happily, the big install is going a lot faster than we expected and hopefully we’ll have a sparkly new lift in action within a week or two. Shaun and Nick, our lovely install engineers (apart from a regrettable habit of playing crap music at the crack of dawn) have promised us a smooth and trouble-free ride between floors in future.
Since the whole shebang is costing us over £100k, we shall hold them to it.
WHO’S BEEN IN?
Making all sorts of lovely music in rooms in September: Blanco White, Sunny Afternoon, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Henry Moodie, Peter Sawala, Guildhall School of Music, Erin Strange, Shabaka Hutchings, Chinchilla, Odeal, Malibu Hot Flush, Courtney Hadwin, Echocat, CSX Pistols, Irene Taylor Trust, Iyad, Lola Houlton, Vula Malinga, Donna Powell, Eve Owen, Zola Blood, Clara, Senor Bubbles, Auto-heart, Collexpress, Savanna Ministry, Tristan Butler, Ash, Now-Ex, Octohawk, Gavin Bryars, Bar Italia, Alban Nolan, Any Young Mechanic, John Crawford, Big Fear, Suki Emmanuelle, Sunrise in Jupiter, Vasili, Kiln Theatre, Absolute Amy, Hand To Earth, Alfie Whitbread, Beattie, Liang Lawrence, Biig Piig, The Broxton 100, Chloe Qisha, The Unsinkables, Jamal Denis, Hannah Brine, Perhaps Contraption, Celeste, Triggerfish, Lily Moore, London Voice Academy, Adam Buxton, Kokoroko, Kneeslide, Pip Millet, Holiday Sidewinder, Duncan Callaghan, The Divine Comedy, Talia Rae, Folded Wing, Libby Macfie, Attawalpa, Trinity Laban, London New Wind Festival, Fossils, Begin Again, Vanessa Haynes, Bullocks, Miss Jacqui, Eddie’s House, Emmanuel Abiola, Tanita Tikaram, Naked Brunch, Berklee School of Music, The Ting Tings, Shivanova, Miraculous Mule, Singing Bowie, Romaine Dixon, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Clive Langer, Lust Ritual, Pauline Henry and many more.
AND FINALLY...
