Black Bird Collective: 100th show

When you tell someone you live in Totnes, what’s their usual response? I go to the market all the time! I love the highstreet. Isn’t it twinned with Narnia? Nice to see you’re wearing shoes. There’s no doubt about it, Totnes stands out amongst the crowd but in the future I see a new response emerging… Ar, that’s where the Black Bird Collective is!

The Black Bird Collective put on gigs, events, gatherings and open mic nights. We first started in 2012 with our first live show in Totnes. The Open Mic Night started in 2019 like you say in the article.I’m sure there will be readers who have had horrendous and soul destroying experiences at Open Mic Nights in the past while praying that poem will finally end, but let me assure you, this is no amateur hour. The level of professionalism and artistry on display on these nights is nose-bleedingly (yeah, I make words up) high and the 100th show on Tuesday 27th August was a testament to the Collective and its creators.

How it all began: Ambassadors of local music

On the 30th April 2019 two creative ambassadors of local music, Christian Murison and Tracie Gilles brought the first show to The Library Bar in The Totnes Brewing Company. It’s fair to say it quickly grew in popularity and people squeezed in any way they could; sitting on laps and the floor. There was just something about it that captured the moment and this meant having to turn folk away at the door and no pub ever wants to do that. Ever.

They needed to expand.

So the night moved upstairs into The Barrel House Ballroom which was risky because this meant it was no longer a cosy, side-room in a pub kind of experience where artist and audience shared an intimate space on the same level. Moving upstairs changed the dynamic by placing performers on a stage under the bright lights. This meant sound engineers. Marketing. It was going to need organising on a whole new level.

Christian Murison is the face of the Collective and all well-wishers on the night were raising a glass in his direction in appreciation for his hard work and dedication. He doesn’t accept the accolades solely and on the Black Bird Collective Facebook page before the 100th show he wrote;

“It is with great love and appreciation that I thank Rowland O’Connor (Be Water Open Jam) for the big ups and Tracie Gillies, who asked me to start this night five years ago and is the beating heart of all that happens in The Barrel House Ballroom. Also much love to my main sound engineers Steve Rogers, Ben Addicott and more recently Gal Orr as well as everyone else who help (including Chrissy Edwards, Joe Eaton, Matthew Roberts, Lilian Romme, Alex Marsh), support (Sarah Kidd, Stamford Brook-Mansions), enjoy and perform at these nights.”

Not about profit over community

The move upstairs into the Barrel House Ballroom does not, by any means, automatically provide more space for the audience. I’ve attended three times now and on each occasion it’s been packed. In a good way. It’s a seated event which means limited spaces but there’s standing room at the bar and around the edges which helps. People still sit on the floor but I think they just feel happy there!

I asked Christian why it remains a seated event and he said, “most people that come like, and want, a seat. I prefer a standing crowd for some shows but seated works best for most Black Bird Collective nights. For more upbeat acts we can always create more space at the front for people to dance.”

Seating helps to create the right atmosphere as well. When the audience has settled back into their seats after a short interval between acts and Christian has gently reminded the crowd to tune back into the next performer, having the majority of the audience seated provides a sense of chill and somehow redirects attention back to the stage.

Oh, and it’s also important to mention all Black Bird Collective open mic nights are free. With the quality on show it could easily become a ticketed event but the general vibe from the night suggests this is inclusive and available for all, and not about profit over community which makes a refreshing change in a world where we are increasingly squeezed for every penny! Just check out the prices for the Oasis comeback tour – utterly disgraceful and shows a real disconnect with fans and a lack of awareness for what the average Joe is currently dealing with financially in the UK.

Shout out by the performers

I tried to get around as many performers on the night for a quick word about The Black Bird Collective and what it means to them but unfortunately was unable to. This is due to the fact I’m a chatterer and waffle on way longer than required!

The general consensus was a great appreciation for Christian because of the way he supports and provides such an amazing space for emerging artists to develop their skills; for established performers to remain involved in the community, and those artists in between who are experimenting with their acts and building their own musical brand.

Some are there just for fun, of course, and that’s alright too!

Everyone felt honoured to be involved at the 100th show and it’ll be interesting to see what the 200th show will look like. Because judging by its current status within the minds and hearts of those in attendance, I see no reason why it won’t continue to grow into one of Totnes’ most popular institutions.

Check out some of the links below (I couldn’t find all the socials for performers from the night, so sorry if not included) and enjoy a fine selection of interesting sounds and let us know in the comments which artist stood out to you.

Ben Cello – Facebook – Instagram – Soundcloud

Small Plant –YouTube here! – Facebook

Vegan Queen V – YouTube now! – Facebook 

Betsy Kay on Instagram – Betsy is a bright example of how The Barrel House promotes and encourages emerging artists. She’s only 15 and she was accompanied by her supportive mum!

Fionn Cox-Davies. Bandcamp – Instagram 

Lewis Jackson Facebook – Instagram – YouTube 

Hibiscus (Lily and Eva)

Other performers from the night here:

Dmitry played before we started on piano in the corner (as people were arriving)

Konrad Heinz,,Fernbank Ensemble, Ed Harty, Harry James, Mike Gaffney, Ben Martin, Kerry Yeates, Cleo (or Clio!)

And a final shout out to Meesh Denny who was unable to attend on the night but will be back at the Barrel House on October 13th as she supports Lucy Wylde’s debut album release.