Colston Hall raises the profile of Bristol’s music history in unique partnership with record label

Colston Hall is helping to raise the profile of music that has shaped the history of Bristol through a new partnership with a Bristol record label.

Bristol Archive Records provides a unique history of Bristol’s diverse music scene from 1977 by digitally re-mastering and re-releasing often forgotten songs from bands like The Cortinas and Talisman. Colston Hall has joined forces with the label to help promote new releases and to sell records in the Hall’s foyer.

Label owner Mike Darby is dedicated to chronicling the music from Bristol’s early days of punk, reggae and rock by taking the original vinyl, 1/4 inch tape, dat’s and cassettes and re-mastering the music to make sure it doesn’t disappear with the permission and support of the bands and the original labels.

Mike said: ‘We are thrilled to be working with Colston Hall to promote many of these forgotten works as for years the Hall’s varied programme of events has been a focal point for the Bristol music community. The relationship will give the people of Bristol a chance to hear some of the great bands of Bristol by buying their records and hopefully some of these great bands will reform and perform at Colston Hall.’

Graeme Howell, Director of Colston Hall, said: ‘As a high profile music venue it is very exciting to help make it possible for a new generation of Bristolians to learn about their musical heritage as well as making Bristol Archive Records’ great work visible to a wider audience.’

A selection of Bristol Archive Records catalogue is on sale from Colston Hall from Thursday 25 November.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Bristol Archive Records has so far released 198 digital releases and the following CDs and vinyl can be purchased from the Colston Hall box office or online from www.bristolarchiverecords.com:

ARC090V    THE PIGS    ’1977′     Vinyl album

ARC155V    THE CORTINAS    ‘MK1′     Vinyl album

ARC160CD    VARIOUS ARTISTS    ‘AVON CALLING 2′    CD Album

ARC118CD    VARIOUS ARTISTS    ‘THE BEST OF FRIED EGG RECORDS – (BRISTOL 1979-1980)    CD Album

ARC154CD    VARIOUS ARTISTS    ‘THE BRISTOL PUNK EXPLOSION 1977-1983′    CD Album

ARC001CD    VARIOUS ARTISTS    ‘WESTERN STARS – THE BANDS THAT BUILT BRISTOL’    CD Album

1. For all press enquiries and images please contact Sarah Hodson on 0117 922 4667 or email s.hodson@colstonhall.org
   
   
2. Run by Bristol City Council, Colston Hall – www.colstonhall.org – is Bristol’s largest concert hall, with a capacity of 1840-2075 (seated) / 1938 standing and a programme of events that encompasses international artists from the pop/rock, classical, leftfield and contemporary music scene. The organisation is also a partner in the inspirational Bristol Youth Music Action Zone, REMIX.