Communion is an artist led organisation that combines elements of live promotion, publishing, records and production to create a hub for songwriters and musicians to develop and flourish in an increasingly competitive industry environment. The organisation was formed in London in 2006 by Ben Lovett (Mumford and Sons

Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons are a British folk rock band. The band consists of Marcus Mumford , Ben Lovett , Country Winston Marshall , and Ted Dwane...

), former Cherbourg bassist Kevin Jones, and producer Ian Grimble.

Communion has played a role in the development of a diverse range of artists and the organisation's label has released records by Marcus Foster, Matthew and the Atlas, Pete Roe, Michael Kiwanuka, Ben Howard, Matt Corby, Nathaniel Rateliff and Daughter along with two of its own recorded compilation albums.

Communion launched a US division in 2011.

History

Communion began in 2006 as collaboration between friends who started a monthly Club Night at West London's Notting Hill Arts Club

Notting Hill Arts Club

The Notting Hill Arts Club is a music and arts venue in Notting Hill, central London, England. The club holds clubnights every night of the week. Its range of events covers everything from interactive crafts to themed Soviet nights, but perhaps most famous is its Death Disco clubnight, which is run...

. The event aimed to provide support and exposure for local emerging artists. Since then, the organisation has expanded to host Club Nights to venues in Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, Oxford, Manchester, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Truro and internationally to New York City and San Francisco, and featured a range of artists including Mumford and Sons

Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons are a British folk rock band. The band consists of Marcus Mumford , Ben Lovett , Country Winston Marshall , and Ted Dwane...

, Jay Jay Pistolet (of The Vaccines

The Vaccines

The Vaccines are an English indie rock band who formed in West London in 2010. The band's debut album, What Did You Expect from the Vaccines?, was released through Columbia Records on 14 March 2011 and reached number 4 in the UK Album Chart. They are currently the biggest selling new band of 2011....

), Anna Calvi

Anna Calvi

Anna Calvi is an English musician who plays in the band of the same name. On 6 December 2010, Calvi was announced as a nominee for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll. Her self-titled debut album was released in the UK on 17 January 2011, where it debuted at number 40 on 23 January...

, Laura Marling

Laura Marling

Laura Beatrice Marling is an English folk musician from Eversley, Hampshire.Initially prominent within the London folk scene, she has also toured with a number of well-known indie artists in the UK. Her debut album Alas, I Cannot Swim and her second album I Speak Because I Can were nominated for...

, Peggy Sue and Noah and the Whale

Noah and the Whale

Noah and the Whale are an English indie folk band from Twickenham, London, England formed in 2006. The band consists of Charlie Fink , Tom Hobden , Matt "Urby Whale" Owens , Fred Abbott , and Michael Petulla .-Early years and Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down...

. The organisation has also expanded its scope, incorporating a record label and hosting annual festivals such as Bushstock, a summer festival in London's Shepherds Bush, and Communion in the Redwoods, a three day celebration in Big Sur. It also runs smaller stages at major festivals such as The Great Escape, Camden Crawl, SXSW, Bestival.

Communion Records

In 2010, Communion Records was founded. The label has released compilation records as well as EPs and full length albums, often produced by founders Ian, Kevin and Ben themselves. Artists include Marcus Foster, Matthew and the Atlas, Pete Roe, Michael Kiwanuka, Ben Howard, Matt Corby, Nathaniel Rateliff and Daughter.

Communion Compilations

Compilation One

The label’s debut compilation record was released in April 2010 on limited edition gatefold vinyl, and features previously unreleased recordings by Mumford and Sons, Johnny Flynn, Alessi’s Ark, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, JJ Pistolet (now of The Vaccines

The Vaccines

The Vaccines are an English indie rock band who formed in West London in 2010. The band's debut album, What Did You Expect from the Vaccines?, was released through Columbia Records on 14 March 2011 and reached number 4 in the UK Album Chart. They are currently the biggest selling new band of 2011....

), and others.

Compilation Two: The Flowerpot Sessions

The Flowerpot Sessions, released 30 May 2011, was the product of a week long collaboration between 23 artists. The compilation was recorded at The Flowerpot, a North London pub (now closed). Communion took over the venue entirely for one week and encouraged artists to collaborate on each other's recordings and to write together. Artists included Angus and Julia Stone, Damien Rice, Kyla La Grange, Mt. Desolation, Lissie, Marcus Foster, and Matthew and the Atlas.

Releases

2010

Matthew and the Atlas - To The North (March 2010)

Communion Compilation (April 2010)

Pete Roe - The Merry Go Round EP (June 2010)

Philadelphia Grand Jury - Going to the Casino single (July 2010)

Matthew and the Atlas - Kingdom of your Own EP (November 2010)

2011

Three Blind Wolves - Sound of the Storm EP (February 2011)

The Flowerpot Sessions - Communion Compilation (May 2011)

Nathaniel Rateliff - The Communion / Daytrotter Barnstormer Live EP (April 2011)

Treetop Flyers - Things Will Change Single (May 2011)

Ben Howard - Old Pine EP (May 2011)

To Kill a King - Fictional State Single (May 2011)

Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me a Tale, The Isle of Wight Sessions EP (June 2011)

Treetop Flyers - It's About Time (September 2011)

Michael Kiwanuka - I’m getting Ready EP (September 2011)

Club Nights

Communion Club Nights are hosted regularly at venues in Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Truro and internationally in New York City and San Francisco. The format includes 5-6 live bands plus DJ sets.

The original London Club Night is still hosted the first Sunday of each month at the Notting Hill Arts Club

Notting Hill Arts Club

The Notting Hill Arts Club is a music and arts venue in Notting Hill, central London, England. The club holds clubnights every night of the week. Its range of events covers everything from interactive crafts to themed Soviet nights, but perhaps most famous is its Death Disco clubnight, which is run...

.

Bushstock

Bushstock is an annual spring music festival hosted by Communion. It is held in London's Shepherds Bush and features multiple artists across multiple venues.

The 2011 event line up included 4 venues and the following artists; Guillemots, Peggy Sue, Fink, Foy Vance, Cloud Control, Sarah Blasko, Goldheart Assembly, Treetop Flyers, Lucy Rose, Kill It Kid, Marques Toliver, Flashguns, Crowns, The Staves, Tom Williams and the Boat, Three Blind Wolves, Daughter, King Charles, To Kill a King, Dark Moon, The Welcome Committee, The Riff Raff, Michael Kiwanuka, Laki Mera, Jarle Bernhoft, Islander, Greenwich Tea Party, Cattle and Cane, Louise and the Pins + DJ Sets by: Propaganda, Chess Club and TV Nights.

The 2012 event will be held June 2, 2012 and will expand to five venues in Shepherds Bush.

Communion in the Redwoods

Communion hosts Communion in the Redwoods, an annual 3 day celebration in Big Sur, California.

The 2011 event will be held Oct. 21-23rd and will feature Jackie Greene, The Secret Sisters, John Vanderslice, Forrest Day, Matthew & the Atlas, The David Mayfield Parade, Lauren Shera, Nathaniel Ratleif, Everest, Infantree, and Themes .

External Links

http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/

http://www.bushstock.co.uk/

http://flowerpot.communionmusic.co.uk/