step_ladder_records

14/07/2024

Hello lovely people,

I wanted to say a massive thank you for your support with Step Ladder Records so far, it’s been over 2 years since I started and I’ve had the best time!

I’ve been going through a lot of major life changes at the moment, I haven’t been able to be as present with Step Ladder Records as I would like, and it’s something I look to improve when things have evened out a bit more. Apologies to any missed messages and lack of engagement in the process of the last couple months!

The gigs I’ve hosted lately have been so wonderful with the headline at and our new ‘Odd Sounds’ event at . Being a part of these communities, and experiencing them as conduit for creativity, love and joy has given me strength throughout a very chaotic time. My partner .through.autumn has been such a rock through this, and it’s been lovely to see such an amazing response to our first poetry/music collaboration together with Odd Sounds - more than we could have imagined and we will definitely be doing it again!

Step Ladder Records has become such a passion for me, and I can’t wait to get back to it when I find more balance. Massive thanks to mentors and friends for their support in my journey with events so far - especially Rach from , Jess of .it.ourselves.mcr, Giorgio, Alex and Borja from , everyone at , and for being epic on the doors.

I feel so blessed to be a part of Manchester’s creative scene, the talent and energy I have seen blossom lately has been an inspiration in adversity to an industry that seems ever more against grassroots venues and artists.

More updates to come, future events being planned that I can’t wait to share with everyone ❤️

Zak x

Pics of and .called.bonk from the last gig that bring me such joy, shots by

24/05/2024

NEW EVENT// Next Wednesday myself and .through.autumn will be hosting a FREE Poetry & Music event! Come down to , Levenshulme at 7:30pm to see our house band kicking it off, improvising live to some beautiful poetry by our featured artists. There will also be an open mic/jam section in the middle of the event, so come along and experiment with us!

Stay tuned for announcements on featured poets and musicians!

We are so excited for our first collaboration together, can’t wait to see all you beautiful people there!
Zak and Em x

(Also 100th Post Yipee!)

08/04/2024

Back in March we hosted a Palestine fundraiser/solidarity event at and I’m delighted to say we raised £278 for !

It’s feels a blessing to be able to donate so much to a charity that continues to supply humanitarian aid to victims of genocide in Gaza and supporting families through Ramadan, especially in light of recent events with aid workers putting themselves on the line to help those who’s basic rights have been stripped away.

Massive thank you to all that came down and supported this event, and a special thanks to these awesome folks for donating their time and skills:

Venue:
Photographer:
Poster Design:
Musicians: , .casuals
DJ:
Doors:

08/04/2024

18/03/2024

On the 4th of April we will be teaming up with the brilliant .it.ourselves.mcr to bring you a special!

The cheeky psych/funk odyssey of .called.bonk will be returning from Liverpool with their EP launch, supported by Manchester jazz/punk warriors

Standard advance tickets £8 with a £4 self identified low income ticket, available to buy now through our bio and on the BOTW website!

Doors 7:30pm
Stay tuned for more info
See you there!

14/03/2024

PLEASE SHARE!!
Anyone coming out tonight, make sure you dress up warm! Thankfully we are sheltered by the lovely outdoor gazebo!

Revised door time: 7:15

Come through to see the lovely .casuals and come together in support of Palestinians affected by genocide in Gaza!

Tickets from £4 OTD

See you soon!

14/03/2024

Tonight we kick off the 2nd Step Ladder Records for Palestine event at !

£4 minimum OTD
Proceeds go to

Timings:
7pm-7:45pm
7:45pm-8:45pm
8:45pm-9:10pmcasuals 9:10pm-10pm

ARTIST BIOPIC: BETHLEHEM CASUALS:

Bethlehem Casuals have spent 7 years exploring jazz/psych/rock/world music, creating an eclectic sound that infuses a prethola of influences, heady grooves and improvisation. The casuals have been dubbed by some as “urban rock style DIY world music”. This musical exploration has now expanded to include analogue synths, drum machines and sequencers, pushing the sounds further and the live show to new heights.
Prepare for a whole new era of infectious idiosyncratic compositions, strung-out live shows and, of course, their notably laid-back nature (it’s in the name); these past few years Bethlehem Casuals have been ensnaring growing audiences in their deliriously entertaining cocktail of sounds and wickedly lurid imagination and this new era is no different.

Poster by

13/03/2024

Artist Biopic//

Catch Elf Traps playing at tomorrow alongside .casuals and for the next Step Ladder Records for Palestine!

Doors 7pm
Link in bio

Manchester’s latest complex synth-routed and mechanised robotic percussion jazz and electronic duo.

Comprised of Liviu Gheorghe (formerly of Matthew Halsall) and Rob Turner (formerly of GoGo Penguin), their sound has been described as a ‘sonic exploration of the universe’, incorporating high-energy breakbeats, psychedelic synth textures, acid bass lines, and explosive jazz-infused virtuosic improvisation.

Poster by

12/03/2024

Artist Biopic//

Station Manager at Manchester’s STEAM Radio, Industry Plant aka Ruairidh is a producer and DJ with an ear for all things percussive, spaced out and low end heavy. With past releases under various aliases (Lagoon Groove, Phraser, Air.i) exploring jazz influenced dub, techno, house and hip hop, Ruairidh aims for genre-loose DJ sets that weave these sounds together with heavyweight bass and a sprinkle of psychedelia.

Catch Industry Plant at playing alongside and .casuals this Thursday 14th March!

Doors 7pm

Link in bio

Poster by

09/03/2024

LINEUP JUST DROPPED!!
Super gassed to get some of my favourite musicians in Manchester coming together in support of Palestinians. .casuals, and will come together Thursday 14th March at !
Massive thanks to those dedicating their time to this project ❤️

Doors 7pm
Tickets start at £4 donation online and OTD
Link in bio

Proceeds go to

Find out more about these brilliant artists on our page in the coming days - can’t wait to see you all there!

Poster by

05/03/2024

ANNOUNCEMENT!! —— Thursday 14th March we will be hosting another Palestine solidarity + fundraiser event, this time at

I invite you all to participate in a loving and creative musical space in dedication of those affected by genocide in Gaza.

Artists TBA - keep an eye out for more announcements!

All proceeds go to Restless Beings: https://www.restlessbeings.org...

Doors 7pm

Minimum donation £4

Tickets available Online and OTD

Online tiered ticket prices are suggested donations - you will also be able to donate as much as you please on the door!

Link in bio

Poster design by

27/01/2024

On Tuesday the 23rd January we came together and raised £220.52 for !! Thank you so everyone to came along to support the gig, and a special thank you to all those who gave up their time and skills for free:

Musicians - .mcr .jane
Graphic Designer -
Photographer -
Door Staff -
Poster buddy - .through.autumn
And for giving us free venue hire on such short notice in support of the cause

I’m looking to do another fundraiser event for Palestine next month. If anyone wants to be a part of this in any art-form, please feel free to reach out!
Keep going to protests, keep engaging with activism and keep conducting your own research!

🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

23/01/2024

If it’s your first time at it can be tricky to find. If you’re in this alleyway - yes you are in the right place! The gig will be taking place downstairs in the basement.

Doors 8pm
jane 8:30pm
mcr 9:15pm

Featuring a lovely message left by The Peer Hat on arrival!

Poster by
A special thanks to of .it.ourselves.mcr and for their help on the door!

19/01/2024

Tune into 12-2pm tomorrow for .matty’s Queering The Arts show, where I will be talking events, jazz and q***r identity alongside a few other amazing artsy folk!

16/01/2024

CHANGE OF VENUE TO THE PEER HAT// PLEASE SHARE//
Next Tuesday, 23rd January we will be hosting a fundraiser gig at for Palestinians affected by the genocide in Gaza.

All proceeds will go towards
mcr (Rock/Jazz) will be smashing out a headline set alongside the multi-talented .jane (Folk/Jazz)

Doors 8pm
£3 minimum donation on the door

Artwork by

15/01/2024

Next Tuesday, 23rd January we will be hosting a fundraiser gig at for Palestinians affected by the genocide in Gaza.

All proceeds will go towards
mcr (Rock/Jazz) will be smashing out a headline set alongside the multi-talented .jane (Folk/Jazz)

Doors 8pm till Late
£3 minimum donation on the door

Artwork by

11/12/2023

Tomorrow marks the last gig of the year - .called.bonk and are bringing it to a close with a bang at

Doors 8pm
£3
Link in bio and tickets on the door

Bonk! believe basslines to be a societal sort of glue..
Hailing from three continents, Bonk!’s members bring diverse cultural influences offering listeners a unique musical perspective. The resulting sound bounces across Liverpool and out into the Northwest, defying traditional expectations for popular music. Bonk! believes creativity should not serve egotistical purpose. They make music for themselves and feel little inclination to label their artistic output. When it comes to music: if it feels good, do it! Bonk!’s blend of infectious bass, gripping rhythm, soaring synths, driving guitar, and vocal illustration has been described as funk, metal, punk, jazz, and pop with the band being compared to King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Yin Yin, Black MIDI and Psychedelic P**n Crumpets. However, these broad outlines fail to land the knockout punch - this can only be experienced first-hand.

“The band has so much energy, displayed through
choreographed movements in certain songs, and are
impossible not to get on board with. They are an absolute
must watch for anyone interested in music.” -
MaisgoesgigS

07/12/2023

12/12/23// are gonna be playing some soulful jazz rock with .called.bonk at //

£3
Doors 8pm
Ticket link in bio

Outside now are a musical collective based in Manchester, utilising the talents of performers from across the world, incorporating a myriad of musical idioms in a shoegaze / dream pop aesthetic, with psychedelic overtones.

Their debut album Dream House is the mission statement for a highly ambitious young group that sway effortlessly between soporific soundscapes, orchestral ballads, expressionistic nocturnes and grungy rock anthems.

04/12/2023

LAST GIG OF THE YEAR AT !!
Welcoming .called.bonk back after being blown away by their energy and sound while hosting them a while back.
Playing alongside - a band that’s been on my radar for some time, great grooves and their songwriting is something special.

Ticket link is in the bio. Can’t wait to see you all there!

Awesome poster design by once again.

19/11/2023

IMPORTANT NEWS// I have created a survey collating data about DIY/independent events. The link is in my bio.

Surveys like this can go a long way as evidence to aid change in the creative arts scene, and it only takes a couple of minutes - go and support your artist friends!
The results from this survey will be shared by myself to anybody that may need access to this. It will also be supporting the case for some exciting projects I have on the horizon collaborating with other DIY/independent events organisers!

Please share!

Z

18/11/2023

INTRODUCING: // PERFORMING AT ON TUESDAY THE 21ST OF NOVEMBER// ALONGSIDE

Bio:

Up and coming musician Millie Mountain is a Singer/songwriter from South London, Brixton. Fiery and confident from birth, 24 years old, Millie was born in Aberystwyth, Wales then moved over to South London as a baby.

Millie has an eclectic sound. She sings truths about her own internal traumas and tells stories about people from a first person narrative. Her musical interests range mainly from old school Hip Hop, Reggae, Soul and Jazz.

‘Blurred Out Faces’, her Debut EP has received great feedback and gave the audience a more defined idea of her overall sound and vibe.
She has been gigging all over London on the Neo Soul / Jazz circuit under management and has received BBC Introducing London support from Jess Iszatt.
Millie has also received support from , featured in the Global Soul Chart, and has performed for Global Soul alongside a host of collaborations with

TICKETS IN BIO

11/11/2023

GIG ANNOUNCEMENT//TUESDAY 21st NOVEMBER//

makes a Step Ladder Records debut, headlining with a solid crew of jazz musicians bringing her punchy and soulful nu jazz originals to life!

returns once again in a trio of virtuosic players and a new sound forged in jungle and dnb!

Doors 8pm, Tickets £3 Online and OTD, check out the link in our bio…

Artwork by

14/10/2023

Roll in on Tuesday 17th at 8pm to catch playing with at !!

Tickets at £3, available online through the link in our bio and OTD

Lick The Moon are a fresh Jazz Fusion band born in Manchester in early 2022. Made up of a mix students from Manchester, the group started out with new takes on Jazz standards and have since branched into experimental harmonies and rhythms, with splashes of Latin, Etherial Folk, Funk and other unique elements, to bring a twist to their music.

Poster by

05/10/2023

will be filled with more DIY jazzy fun times once more on the 17th October! and will be smashing out 45 minute live sets alongside each other// expect everything from heartwarming ballads to nu-jazz dance bangers.
As always tickets only £3 at Big Hands! What else you gonna do on a Tuesday evening?

Pre-sale link in bio
Great artwork by

11/09/2023

Musicians enjoying the moment
Captured by the talented .donkey at some spring//summer events in and

Reminder that tickets are still available online and on the door for tomorrow’s show at with and .2023

Link in bio