Chiverin’s Aled Chivers interview

Tell us about Chiverin…

Chiverin started out as a blog, it was my secret place to stash music that I didn’t want to forget. Over time this grew a bit of a following and then when I started putting on shows it seemed obvious to use the name that people had started to recognise. It’s funny though because the word “Chiverin” is a play on my surname that my friends used to complain every time I took over DJ duties in the car or at parties.

The concept has always been that Chiverin will be more than just a blog or a promotions company. I want to use it to give audiences to artists in whatever capacity it is able to, whether that is putting out their records or just giving them some guidance. Putting on shows and parties is partly just a way really of letting people know what music we’re into and having some fun while we’re at it.

How did you get into putting on gigs?

It was quite a weird and convoluted route. I studied Law at University and loathed the course, so the only thing that really kept me sane through that period was searching out new music. I was writing for the405 at the time as well as the Student paper and I had my own little radio show. When I graduated it made sense for me to work in music, but I didn’t know where to begin. I got a job in a warehouse with an early morning start, so I could spend my afternoons and evenings doing other projects.

One of these projects was the film session site Bristol Couch. On my first session with them, we filmed a really amazing artist and I promised to help him however I could, which at the time was just to drive him to gigs. This was George Ezra; who subsequently got signed to Sony and I was lucky enough to be around for the first year of his rise to glory. George was incredibly committed to his work and his manager was amazing too, so I learnt a huge amount from being alongside them.

I was then put in touch with Mig at The Louisiana who let me take over the cellar there to put on art exhibitions and smaller gigs. After a bit of time and with a some more experience working for festivals and doing other tour work Mig trusted me to run the diary for the main Louisiana venue with him. Putting on local shows I slowly learnt the ropes and am gradually getting the hang of putting on these independent Chiverin nights.

What did you learn from your first gig?

The first gig I ever put on was on the same night that Alt-J played the Cooler. They were my favourite band at the time and I’ve been a little gutted ever since that I missed it. I’d been given an opportunity to prove myself though, and I had to take it, so I guess the first thing I learnt is that sometimes it’s more important to do your own thing, make the most of it and just not think about what you’re missing out on elsewhere. 

What do you think is so great about the Bristol music scene?

Bristol has loads of great promoters and it totally depends what sort of thing you’re after. A couple of my favourite shows this year have been at the hands of the Howling Owl lot. They really love the music they put on and it matters to them that people come and enjoy every single show they do. They go for much braver line-ups than I could ever dream of putting together. 

The Gallimaufry also puts on some really incredible under-the-radar acts. James who runs that is one of the kindest, most genuinely supportive of the arts people I’ve come across and I get a lot of my tips from him.

Bristol is full of promoters who care. We’re spoilt for choice really, I could go on for ever, but my absolute favourite venue is of course The Louisiana for the help and support it has given me personally and for the incredible sound quality it produces, especially with it’s shiny new space-age control desk.

What bands should we be looking out for at the moment?

Ahh… again there are too many. Champs are a really important band to me and Chiverin probably wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for those boys. Their debut album was stunning and had a great response from the press, but it didn’t get the radio play it needed. Having heard bits of their next album though, I think this could be a really big one for them, they just write the best songs.

Elder Island are the band I’m most excited about in Bristol at the moment. They’re on a brilliant new label called Four Thieves and I can’t wait to see what comes out of that camp. They headlined our second (sold out) Bristol showcase and the buzz about that event was palpable, they had the whole venue dancing like crazy.

Plastic Mermaids also have to be up there. They headlined our first Chiverin showcase and I’ve never quite heard anything quite like the response they got. They’re really imaginative with their sound and mesh together all sorts of inspirations and genres to create some really beautiful music. 

Who would be on your dream bill?

I’m actually working on a bit of a dream bill for NYE… but that’s all top secret so I can’t say anything more at this point. Otherwise I guess I’d love to have something like Sylvan Esso, Devendra Banhart, Alt-J & Primal Scream & Beck… that sounds pretty fun to me… though it’d probably have to be an all day thing.

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