Music / Attic Bar
CHK this one out
“We wanted to document live performance in a new way and showcase the latest in live electronic music” says Mark Gumm from CHK One. “At the time, nobody else was doing this; interviewing artists beforehand and recording them live to create a visually engaging way to view electronic music.”
It can be be difficult to fathom the intricacies of produced music: picking the right drum sound, layering with a particular snare, slipping in a hi hat at the exact moment the music needs to lift it to another level… Normally by the time it reaches audience ears it’s a complete piece and no-one knows how it was put together.
This is where CHK One stand out. Last year saw them reformulate open mic nights to cater for electronic artists to showcase their music and skill through the use of live production equipment like Ableton Live, MPC finger drumming and Loopstations. Ahead of their March 23 event at Attic Bar in collaboration with Pitch Black, CHK One founder Jae Task talks about the inspiration behind the collective.
is needed now More than ever
“Our main aim was to provide a platform for live electronic music. We wanted to see if it was possible to throw parties where everything was made in front of you. I think we were really fortunate with the timing… we have tapped into something special.
“At the first event we had comments like ‘I’ve been waiting for this my whole life’. We quickly realised there was a scene and that it needed to be represented so we have evolved into a content/media/film company because that was what was required of us.”
Over 10 months the team has grown to 15 members, with their new website launching this month. “Everything we do stems from our company motto: To Inspire and Document. The website is at the centre of that.
“We are a content house that promotes events to give us the opportunity to make films, a label that signs artists and releases music, journalists who love to write about undiscovered talent and a TV production house that wants to showcase the raw details of what artists love about their equipment.
“Our new subscription website is the one place where all of these things come together and make sense. You can get tickets for our events, view live streams, read artist bios, view video interviews and performances, geek out on technology and get exclusive access to artists music from our label.”
With multiple platforms set up, Mark Gumm tells me what the future looks like for the team. “We want to be the leading online platform for live electronic music, continuing as a music label as well as collaborating with new venues and the music production companies who make the equipment our artists use.
“Our new live events are going to focus on specific music genres, from Techno to Trap, as well as specific equipment. We’ll also be bringing back the open mic nights to continue showcasing the best in upcoming talent from Bristol and beyond!”
CHK One with Pitch Black is at Attic Bar on March 23. For more information visit www.chkone.com
Read more: Sound ideas
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