The Communion (record label)
editThe Communion is an quasi-independent record label out of London, UK. They are known for their Nu-Folk, Indie, and experimental artists. They hold monthly shows at London’s Notting Hill Arts Club to showcase their roster. The Communion is host to a variety of groups, acts, and a community of musicians. The Communion is in charge of sourcing, signing, releasing and promoting all of their artists. They also produce the majority of their releases.
History
editThe Communion was created in 2006 by Ian Grimble and Ben Lovett and Kevin Jones, one-half of the Grammy-award-winning Mumford and Sons. It is based out of London, UK. The Communion came together as a result of bands not having enough room for fans or not having enough fans at all. Lovett and Jones booked a show one Sunday a month at the Notting Hill Arts Club to facilitate five to six bands and their followers. If an artist had no audience the Communion provided them with one. Underage drinking caused pubs and venues to shut their doors to younger audiences. The idea behind The Communion was to draw a crowd that came to listen and not to get drunk. The Communion nights grew quickly and soon were hosted in Brighton, Bristol, Dublin, Sydney, and New York.
The label came about when Lovett and Jones saw that artists didn’t have the means to take their artwork further than the bar scene. They used the money that the Communion Night raised to start the label. They worked with renowned producer Ian Grimble to produce their artists. As a result, Communion Records has a trademark sound that has been compared to early Van Morrison, Bon Iver, and Bob Dylan recordings. A heavy dose of reverb is used when mixing artists to create a large distant effect on the mood. Artists are encouraged to intermix their talents with other members of The Communion. The goal is to set up a creative platform where the artists feel that they aren’t under pressure to create. It also creates a support network for artists. The Communion released a compilation CD March 1, 2011, that sold very well and introduced the world to the label’s trademark sound.
The label is known for its eclectic mix of artists. When label head Kevin Jones was asked how he would define music he stated “anything that provokes a reaction, whether that be emotional, physical or mental, ideally all three at the same time.” Ian Grimble provides the production side of The Communion. The label keeps continuity to its sound by having Grimble produce most of their acts.
Artists
edit- Johnny Flynn
- Jay Jay pistolet
- Marcus Foster
- Stokes, William
- Pete Roe
- Broadcast 2000
- Benjamin Francis Leftwhich
- Jeremy Warmsley
- Brendan Campbell
- Alessi’s Ark
- Mumford and Sons
- Matthew and the Atlas
- Alan Pownall
- Elena Tonra
- Beans on Toast
- Kurran and the Wolfnotes
- Peggy Sue
- Andrew Davie
- Rachel Sermanni
- Jesse Quin and the Mets
- Matt Corby.