Interview: Chk One

Every town in the country has an open mic night, but the Attic Bar’s new monthly session offers a radical twist on the formula. Adam Burrows talked to promoter Mark Gumm to find out how it works.

Chk One is described as an ‘electronic open mic night’. What does that mean?

Chk One is where artists can perform electronic music live in front of an appreciative audience. We offer slots throughout the night which range from twenty minutes to an hour. So far we have had artists perform using Loopstations, MPC finger drumming, Maschine, Ableton Live and Push. Producers have also played 100% original material via USB sticks between the acts.

It’s a departure from anything you’ve done before. Why this, and why now?

We saw an opportunity to showcase live electronic music in a personal setting where the crowd could really embrace and understand what was happening in real time. We did this by adding cameras and video mixing into the performance to enhance the experience.

Is Chk One the first event of its kind in Bristol? Are you aware of people doing anything similar in other cities?

Chk One is the very first electronic open mic night. As far as we are aware this is the first night of its kind in the UK to showcase this type of music in a live environment.

Are there any restrictions on the music people can bring to Chk One? Is it a ‘beats’ session or broader than that?

The only restriction is that the music must be digital or electronic and must be performed live. Apart from that, we give absolute and total freedom. We ensure quality via the registration process, so artists that are playing have the best possible platform to showcase their talents.

The first session was in May and it was a busy night. What do you think was the secret of its success?

Three things. Firstly, we were blown away by the turnout and I think people were intrigued to see something so inspired and fresh. Secondly we have an awesome team in place from event management, PR, decor, photography and media who made the night run smoothly and the feedback from artists has been that the night was incredibly professional.  Thirdly, the Attic Bar is perfect for us. The guys there are brilliant to work with.

Were you aware of all the people who turned up to play on the night? Did anyone take you completely by surprise?

Yes, we encourage all artists to register via our online form before the event. This means we can tailor the set up for them, stage, equipment, call sheet etc. We also film live interviews with the artists before they perform. It just makes the whole experience for the entire crew run smoothly on the night.  

With so many varied musicians and producers coming together it sounds like a recipe for cross-pollination. Can a night like this influence the direction of Bristol music?

Totally! Every single track that you hear at Chk One is original. We are deliberately creating an environment that encourages collaboration from the artist performances to the mixes played by producers.

I’ve recently bought a new sampler and have almost figured out how it works. Shall I come down and have a go or will everyone point at me and laugh?

If you can deliver a similar quality as the other artists at Chk One then why not? Come on down and see for yourself. But we encourage you to register for the event beforehand. We don’t want a free for all!

Chk One, The Full Moon & Attic Bar, Thur, July 7. For more information visit chkone.com

Photography by Spudd Connor.