Jelli Records: ‘This is Bristol at its best’

Founded in 2008, Jelli Records is a music business management company which helps support and promote grassroot artists.

The company is the child of Steve Parkhouse who has decades of experience in the industry.

Having been music chief at Bristol’s beloved Folk House and concert manager at St George’s, Steve now dedicates his time to Jelli Records as well as hosting open mic nights, radio shows and programming music stages at both Bristol Harbour Festival and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

“We always try to have something for everyone,” Steve tells us when we sit down to discuss programming the Bandstand stage at this year’s Fiesta.

Jelli Records have a long history of supporting local talent in the city, championing the likes of Elles Bailey (who entered the UK Blues Hall of Fame earlier this year) and Lady Nade (winner of UK Song of the Year at the UK Americana Awards 2022).

Through their radio shows, weekly and monthly open mic nights and songwriter nights, in which they invite artists on stage to sing their own songs and talk openly about them, the team always have their ear to the ground.

Onika Venus will be performing at the Bandstand stage. photo: Onika Venus

The company has over a decade programming live music at Cascade Steps at Bristol Harbour Festival before taking over Millenium Square this year and this isn’t the team’s first time at Bristol Balloon Fiesta.

Their previous experience means that they know how to plan for such a huge event.

“We start planning in January”, Steve explains. “We find a lot of people through our open mic nights and radio shows and then a lot of people ask to play as well.”

There are a lot of moving parts to consider when curating the stages; ensuring that the bands are family friendly, that there’s nothing too loud or any swear words in the songs performed live.

However, after so many years in the business, the team knows what they’re doing.

“We have total control over the stages”, Steve says. “They trust us.”

Hosting the stage for four days, from afternoon to evening, the team has a lot of ground to cover.

From jazz to soul, shanty to reggae, this year’s bandstand programme is full of an eclectic mix of genres and artists for everyone to enjoy.

This year’s programme includes Jamaican singer Onika Venus who will be bringing her multi-genre style of music as well as her six piece reggae and soul band to the stage.

Joining her will be Reverend Bob and the Devil May Cares, the Bristol based acoustic country-folk band as well as singer-songwriter Harri Mason and her band and Taynee Lord and The Crookes who will be bringing her country twang to the Fiesta.

Singer/songwriter Harri Mason will take to the stage at this year’s Balloon Fiesta. photo: courtesy of Steve Parkhouse

Perhaps one of the most exciting acts announced for this year’s event is Port of Bristol’s Shanty Crew. A group of crew mates and singers, the band donate any money raised through events to their chosen charity which this year is the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The team at Jelli Records supports grassroots artists but they also expect support in return.

“You can always spot an artist who is just going to turn up, play and then leave,” Steve explains. “We want acts who are going to support other musicians.”

With it being harder and harder to break through into such an elite industry, support for each other is vital and the company is aware of this as they expect artists who play to show up for the other bands and singers who are set to perform.

Jelli Records are also aware that they are running a local music stage – an emphasis on local.

With only one singer from the Forest of Dean and another artist from Weston Super Mare, the team have primarily given their attention to homegrown acts who deserve to be heard.

“This is Bristol at its best.”

Make sure you head to the Bandstage stage to check out some of the best local talent the city has to offer!

Main photo: Port of Bristol Shanty Crew

Read next:

• Balloons soar above the city ahead of Bristol Balloon Fiesta
• Don Cameron on Bristol International Balloon Fiesta: ‘It’s like coming home’
• Bristol Balloon Fiesta to return for 45th ‘sapphire’ year

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