Miscellaneous - Squared Circle Records

  by Benjamin Howarth

published: 18 / 4 / 2003

intro

Our Website of the Month this month is Squared Circle, which while initially set up as an independent record label, now also acts as a central focus and spokespiece for is local Kent music scene

Squared Circle records www.squaredcirclerecords.co.uk was set up as an independent record label, but it is becoming rather more than that, the intention being to develop a community of bands in the local scene. “There are hundreds of local scenes in towns all over the country. Hundreds of bands from places like Portsmouth or Doncaster or Peterborough, the sort of places that in rock ‘n’ roll terms are forever overlooked, always out of fashion. The problem is these towns have no pop heritage. They can’t boast of previous successes. The other drawback with these places is that bands are often shockingly uniformed about the way that the industry works or the way that you can cheat or shortcut your way to a deal or a feature in the music press. Unless you happen to have a former member of a retired top 40 band living on your doorstep, or you’ve made a couple of good contacts in the industry, you can often find yourself banging your head against a brick wall until finally frustration forces you to give up.” Steve Lamacq, “Going Deaf For A Living” Add to Steve’s list the whole of Kent! There are so many good Kentish bands playing regularly to decent crowds but who can’t seem to go any further. Bands like previous Pennyblackmusic interviewees Rydell, The Babies Three, Urotsukidoji and XcanaanX have had some critical acclaim but precious little attention from the national press. Others have had none at all. This frustration has led to unnecessary backbiting and competitiveness among bands (not helped by the fact that the best-attended shows tend to be ‘battle of the bands’ type affairs). Squared Circle aims to put a stop to that! “It appeared apparent that local bands were finding it hard to promote, arrange gigs and establish a decent fan base without being hindered by small hate groups and strong rivalries with other bands. Let's face it, by working together and having a mutual respect, every band has a good chance of becoming something and the local scene can only get better.” The site has been running since the start of this year and is starting to take off. At first, it was little more than a gig database, but its achievements now include organising two national tours, a compilation album – 'Get In The Ring' – and being involved with One Day Elliott’s incredible new album 'A New Direction'. Hopefully, their dream of establishing an exciting and diverse, yet friendly and motivated, Kentish scene will soon be realised, and hopefully some of the excellent groups they promote will get some overdue recognition!