KYOTO MUSIC

KYOTO MUSIC

Putting down roots in North East London, Kyoto Music is now open for business. Founded by Glen Rowe, the artist management outfit seeks to create an offering for bands with a focus on their production needs to help them get ahead.

The term ‘artist management’ is not one that appears in the pages of TPi too often, with our focus always being on the nuts and bolts that go into making the biggest and best live events in the touring industry. However, according to Muse’s former Touring Director, Glen Rowe, the two worlds need to be more co-dependent. With this thought in mind, Rowe has proudly launched Kyoto Music; an artist management business that also offers its own recording studio, storage unit and a new rehearsal studio. In short, a management company that is more than aware of the nature of production and the demands on artists in the current musical landscape. For those who know Rowe, for the past year or so, he has been spearheading the NEKO Trust – a charity whose aim is to help build a sustainable future for the live events industry, supporting the next generation of talent by opening venues up and down the UK. With the charity still ticking away in the background, Rowe was keen to launch another arm to help discover new talent and provide the facilities necessary to get ahead in the industry. The result? Kyoto Music. “It stemmed from several conversations with people about a lack of rehearsal spaces in London,” began Rowe. “For bands and crewmembers, there seemed to be a need for a ground floor space with well-designed load-in facilities for academy-sized acts to tech rehearsals for their upcoming tours.” Looking at the map of London, Rowe noticed something of a “baron-patch” in the north east of the region, where several of the live event industry’s most-trusted suppliers were based, making it a perfect space for a rehearsal facility. Si tuated a short walk away from Harlow train station, Kyoto Music’s 40ft by 50ft multiuse facility is ideal for rehearsals and pre-production, boasting the ability to turn in to a ‘black box’ for video shoots. “The word ‘multiuse’ was at the forefront of this design,” commented Rowe. “With a perfectly sloped load-in ramp, you can load into a smooth polished concrete clear floor space to be turned into whatever you desire.” The studio also features 63-amp, three-phase power and space for six vehicles. “Tour buses and trucks can also rest here safely overnight by request,” Rowe enthused. Next door to the rehearsal space is Kyoto’s recording studio, which boasts an equal amount of floor space for storage as well as additional office space required for incoming productions. Importantly, with a Premier Inn Hotel just a five-minute walk away: “It’s an affordable rehearsal space, which is one of the key conventions for any new band,” stated Rowe. “Studio time and storage is equally important. Thankfully, we are able to offer all three under one umbrella at a reasonable price.” Under the Kyoto umbrella, the company offers world-class recording studios complete with an analogue MCI 500 Rev D console, previously owned by The Who’s John Entwhisle. Not to mention a selection of facilities including onsite accommodation, swimming pool and a tennis court. Kyoto Music has already been working with young upstarts King Nun, who supported the Foo Fighters on one of their latest European runs. “Kyoto is very much open for the industry,” asserted Rowe. “Whether they want to record or complete production rehearsals for their upcoming tour, it’s all about giving the best facilities to enable acts to get back on the road quickly. After all, that’s how they earn a living.” Speaking to Rowe, it was apparent that the trio of a rehearsal space, studio and storage unit was merely chapter one of the Kyoto story – he mentioned further plans for more rehearsal studios to handle larger incoming productions. In the meantime, bookings can be made for all of Kyoto’s facilities on the company website.

TPi

Photo: Kyoto

www.kyotomusic.co.uk