Interview: Meet the Artist Working in our ‘Pop Up’ Shop
Have you heard? We’re taking over an empty shop in Ventnor for the whole of March and we want you to get involved! Come and visit us any weekend during March or sign up if you want to be part of the team. We can use the space for any creative idea you can think […]
Interview: Brave Island Hits 300 Sign Ups!
Brave Island has hit 300 sign ups! This means there’s now over 300 of you using Brave Island, whether that’s taking part in opportunities, reading the blog, or ready to sign up to your first experience. There will be a new opportunity every week this year, so make sure you’re keeping an eye out on […]
Interview: Happy New Year!
It’s a brand new year and 2023 is shaping up to be a very exciting one for Brave Island! With lots of projects in the pipeline and new opportunities on the horizon, we’re looking forward to hosting more exciting experiences than ever. But what does the new year have in store for you? We had […]
Interview: How Important is PR?
Leo Dyke sat down with the guys from Wall of Sound PR to discuss everything you need to know about the role of press in the modern music industry. We discuss what makes a great PR campaign and how integral it can be for an artist’s success. Guests: Jamie Otsa, Director and Head of Online and […]
Interview: Getting Heard
Megan sits down to talk about everything you need to know about getting your music out there. We cover best practices for artists on Spotify and what you can do to raise your profile on the platform, as well as how to get your songs on radio and everything in between. Guests: Sage Olito, Artist & […]
Interview: Making a Record in 2021
We’re joined by Shunaji and Rebecca Vasmant to discuss the world of producing in 2021. We talk about what software and equipment they use, as well as their journey to where they are now and some key advice. Guests: Shunaji, Producer, Rapper and Singer Rebecca Vasmant, Producer and DJ Brave Island hosted Soundcheck: A Music Industry Crash […]
Interview: Understanding the UK Live Music Industry
In this video interview we talk with a booking agent and a promoter about how to get yourself gigs, the importance of independent music venues, and touring post-pandemic. As well as what promoters and booking agents look for when working with artists. Guests: Roxane Dumoulin, Booking Agent, ATC Live Ricky Bates, Promoter, The Joiners Brave Island hosted […]
Interview: An Insight into Independent Record Labels
In this video interview we’re joined by Big Scary Monsters and Alcopop! Records to talk all things record labels. We discuss how labels find their artists, how you can get signed, what being signed means for an artist, and discover the inner workings of that relationship. Afterwards we also sat down with Justine Jones from […]
Review: Rob Auton’s The Crowd Show at Ventnor Exchange
Rob Auton is an award-winning writer, actor and podcaster. In 2020, he started “The Rob Auton Daily Podcast”, winning a gold award for Best Daily Podcast at the British Podcast Awards, having recorded two million listens. With such a reputation, I was delighted to be invited to watch his latest production: The Crowd Show. The […]
Interview: Fringe Review Team Podcasts
These podcasts have been put together by the Fringe Review Team (aged 14-17) during their time at Ventnor Fringe 2022 and include interviews with Let’s Circus, Impromptu Shakespeare, Casino Moon, and Skamp. This project was made possible through support from WightAid.
Interview: Fringe Village Traders
As part of the Fringe Review Team, Anya Poerscout-Edgerton spoke to the traders in the Fringe Village about their stories. You can see Mark Cosby’s paintings from all the way across Ventnor Park. They are a riot of colour: a kaleidoscope of acrylic paint on canvas, each shade mixed especially for each collaborator. Collaborators tend […]
Review: Ventnor Fringe 2022 Reviews
Reviews on a selection of shows at Ventnor Fringe 2022 written by Lydia Pitman, part of this year’s Fringe Review Team. A Fistful of Ballads – Ventnor Exchange Spoken Word Collective (23/07/22) Spoken word and poetic piece performed by a variety of people in this performance of A Fistful of Ballads. This performance was so […]
Review: Check in to the Hotel Paradiso
Rooms are available at the Hotel Paradiso, a ‘quirkily ineffective’ hotel on the French Riviera, embroiled in bankruptcy and chaos. Two of our reviewers checked in (and left a generous tip) at the beginning of the show, a delightful cocktail of physical comedy, theatre and circus acrobatics. Meet the characters; Carmello, your Spanish concierge with […]
Review: The Good Times Show Does What it Says on the Tin
The Good Times Show definitely lives up to its name, with its entertaining combinations of death-defying stunts and hilarious acts that’ll have you on the floor laughing and gripping the edges of your seat – much like acroboy with his daredevil chair balancing act. All the performers demonstrated an easygoing dynamic which kept us engaged […]
Interview: Ed Eldridge (Brave Sounds DJ Drop-In)
We sat down with DJ and Music Producer Ed Eldridge, who runs the Brave Sounds DJ Drop-In, to find out more about it and how you can get involved! Hi Ed! Could you introduce yourself for our readers? Hey my names Ed Eldridge, I am a DJ and Electronic Music Producer and semi retired Club […]
Review: See the Photos from the Cheap Teeth Gig
In case you missed it, Ventnor Exchange recently hosted their first gig in collaboration with local promoters Ears Peeled, which saw Edinburgh’s Cheap Teeth headline Strings with support from CHICKS and Preost. Through a Brave Island opportunity, we had three young photographers gaining experience alongside professional photographer Lucy Boynton. Have a look through a selection […]
News: Young Artist Award 2022
Thank you! To everyone who took part in our very first Brave Island Young Artist Award Exhibition. Opening night was on the 12th of March, where young people aged between 14 to 25 submitted their artwork to be showcased in a professional setting, and will be displayed in the Ventnor Exchange gallery space until the […]
Review: Macbeth by The Handlebards at Ventnor Exchange
The Handlebards are not your typical theatre troupe, they strive to make a difference, helping the environment by riding to each individual venue on their bikes with their costumes strapped tightly on their backs. Not only does this make them stand out but it promotes sustainability and healthy living for everyone. That being said I […]
News: Christmas Card Competition Raises Over £400
Brave Island ran a competition to design a Christmas card to raise money for Ventnor Community Foodbank, we raised nearly £450 from selling the winning card! We chat to the winning designer 15 year old Sophie Corry. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? What do you do when you’re not making art? […]
Review: Romeo and Juliet by Sh*t Faced Shakespeare at Shanklin Theatre
A title like “Sh*t Faced Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet”, gives you a vague idea of what this show is going to be about, and I was really curious to see myself what types of twists there were in store and how the audience would react. The show playfully combines a mix of professionally trained actors, performing […]