“Mega-Rave” seems like a pretty fitting name for the night to be fair, looks awesome. :)

These podcasts were recorded at the recent Unconvention Swansea event at Monkey Cafe and include the following themes;

1. Project Breakthrough – How To Burst Out Of The Bubble
2. Don’t Throw The Baby Out With The Bathwater
3. Social Networks How To Engage and Be Heard
4. Stable Independence – How Small Labels Work
5. Getting Records Reviews – The Whats, Hows & Ehs

“UnConvention Swansea is all about information, insight and instruction – into how to work effectively in the Music Industry. It’s a gathering of Independent media activists and artists from across Wales and the UK. People with real experience talking honestly about the methods and strategies used in the creative industries, from DiY to the mainstream.”

http://unconventionswansea.com/

The Brunswick presents an art exhibition by printmaker Judith Stroud and self-taught artist Stephen Woodman. The opening party takes place on Wednesday 9th September from 7pm.

• September 9^th to November 8^th 2009
• Mon – Sun
• 11.30 am – 11.00 pm
• The Brunswick, 3 Duke Street, Swansea SA1 4HS

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134079729880

The event will take place at 7pm, Wednesday 20th May at Waterfront Community Church Conference Centre, Langdon Road (off Fabian Way), Swansea SA1 8QY.

This is an opportunity to view the plans for the conversion of the 19th Century warehouse off the historic Kings Lane in Swansea and to talk to representatives of everyone involved.

“We would love for you to come along to show your support and find out more.  You can also register your support and find more details at www.kingslanewarehouse.org.uk.

Your support for this unique public facility is important to us, and we welcome everyone to attend at The Waterfront conference centre, in the new SA1 development. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get an insight into the project.”

If you have any questions at all about the project, or you are not able to attend but would like to talk to someone about the project, please don’t hesitate to email the Swansea Print Workshop at mail@swanseaprintworkshop.org.uk.

Bar Sigma’s Alternative Rock night every Wednesday – 8.04.09(

(Update – This review doesn’t mention Vice, a dedicated alternative club in Swansea – sorry guys!)

Trying to compare a city’s only two alternative nights can be very tricky at the best of times, but Shinfo seems to be taking the lead in this race. Competing with Sin City’s “Face Off” rock night – every Friday – Shinfo offers more variety and covers every aspect in the “Alternative Rock” spectrum. Playing from punk to indie, electro to ska, metal, rock and even some elements of pure “cheese” just to keep the guys happy.

Shinfo has been rocking Swansea’s student night now for almost 15 months, and they’re still going strong with DJ Luc Frost finding new material every week ever since he thought of bringing this new alternative to Bar Sigma. Even though Luc did a pretty good juggling the night on his own, the duo was made complete when new DJ on the block, Tom Frayne, joined in the New Year. Now Shinfo sees a jam packed Sigma every Wednesday between 10 and 3, and never fails to dissatisfy.

Not only did Shinfo only offer their regular set this week, but there was a guest appearance from up and coming Drum and Bass DJ, Alex South, from around 12:30 which showed an epic turnout for the already busy Sigma. Dance floors and bars were full, and Sigma showed to be far fuller than usual, and was seen to be at near full capacity, for the downstairs.

Any fans of last night who enjoyed DJ South’s set, there will be a further “D’n’B” night, held by South in Sigma, called “Blame” and that will be on the 3rd of May.

Also, to add to the every growing fan base of Shinfo, turn-up at any time after 9 on a Wednesday night, and you will not regret it, it’s free before 10:30, and just £2 thereafter, so no excuses.

Shinfo Facebook Group

Beth Daniels – beth.daniels@live.co.uk

Where to even think about starting on how to describe these guys is a task in itself. They are the most unusual, diverse, and just plain quirky band I think I’ve ever seen around in a good few years. They’re more than just your usual jazz band, to be honest, I think it’s only a few who would even say that they are jazz, but their combinations of amazingly funky bass riffs, incredibly catchy choruses and soft vocals; the “genre” that I have placed them under would be somewhere between jazz with a Latin twist. However, even though most people would class them as this, some of their songs take under exception. One of the newest numbers to their ever growing set-list, which, doesn’t have a name as yet, completely takes the turn and shows Ockhams Raiser performing country and western style, which surprisingly they can pull off very well.

It was not just the band alone that kept the punters of Uplands Tavern entertained, through they’re more well-known songs such as “Just Like That”, “In The Evening” and “Window” we were presented with dancers from the crowd who never failed to disappoint.

After playing two forty-five minute sets, the usual local band would seem to bore the crowd, but after this, plus a ten minute jam played by the band, the ever growing crowd seemed un-phased. It just goes to show that these guys tend to offer so much variety in their set, it’s a surprise in the waiting to see what they’ll come up with next.

Not following everyone else in the normal scheme of things, Ockhams Raiser are set to have taken the jazz music scene by storm, and they don’t seem to be looking back, not even a little bit.

Beth Daniels – beth.daniels@live.co.uk

Swansea

The gig takes place 8pm Friday 1st May at Milkwood Jam, Plymouth Street, Swansea with Support from ‘Human Breed‘ and ‘Kellys Angels‘ and admission is £3

No Obligation is a Swansea based female fronted rock/acoustic band who’s sound forges a refreshing mix of acoustic and rock with varied influences ranging from Alanis Morissette, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, to the Cranberries.

Singer Alex Taylor was heard on BBC Radio 1 along with many other stations and clubs across the UK and Europe recently with her work singing on Darren Tates’ DT8 Project track ”Hold me til the end”. She also features on several other tracks on the DT8 Project album ”Perfect World” which includes her (named as AlexTa) singing with Gwen Stefani’s Husband Gavin Rossdale (lead singer/guitarist of Bush).

Swansea Collective is a group of local punk bands (like The Arteries, SSSSnakes, The Groundnuts and a load more) putting on DIY shows around Swansea. Their blog will keep you up to date with the latest gigs and news.

http://swanseacollective.blogspot.com/

“The Boy is Des, a singer songwriter from Resolven, previously in Mellow Doubt, The Spectrums, Everyone Else But Burt, over the past two years he has managed to record in excess of 10 albums, some sounding as though they were recorded on a dictaphone, he formed the band and assembled some of Swansea’s best musicians along for the ride.”

Join the group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56768081397&ref=ts

Read the review: http://www.the-fly.co.uk/words/reviews/live-reviews/4381/the-boy

Listen to the mp3: http://adamthomaswalton.co.uk/music/theboy.mp3

act up and The Oxford School of Drama are running a three day event for anyone aged 18+ who is seriously considering seeking a career as a professional actor.

It is running at the Dylan Thomas Centre on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd March and Saturday 4th April.  Times for all 3 days are 11.00am-5.00pm.   The actors running the Saturday workshops will be Shobu Kapoor, Celyn Jones and Gary Pillai and the Sunday will be run by a tutor from the Oxford School of Drama.

The event is free of charge, in return we will expect the participants to fully participate in all 3 days, have previous acting experience, be aged 18 or over and live  in or close to Swansea.

Places are extremely limited.

We would particularly like to hear from future Black and Asian actors.

If you fit the bill, please contact Gemma Lloyd from act up on – gemma@act-up.co.uk for further details.

Thank you.”