12 minute read
Chill time: Jess Gibson of The TN Card talks to the owners of even
a love for grunge and rock music, so there may be a few more of those bad boys in stock! Fridays are new release record days so this is when we’ll see brand new album releases or special reissue albums.
Have you always had a love for music? I was influenced by my older brothers and can’t remember my life without music. We used to watch local bands in South Africa and we’d dream about seeing our favourites live one day. I was blown away when I arrived in the UK and, flipping through the NME, I always had a choice of concerts to go to over a weekend.
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“Goodmusic perfect coffee& combo” are a
The TN card is the loyalty scheme that rewards shoppers for supporting local at 750 independents across Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks. This month its founder Jess Gibson chats to Matt and Fabs, owners of independent music café even flow on St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells.
So Matt and Fabs, why a music cafe? Music is for everyone and bringing tasty coffee and awesome music together is the perfect combo. We love collecting records as well as going to gigs and festivals. Music is at the core of what we do, whether it’s the chats with customers about bands, the new release records we have on offer or the next open mic session we’re looking forward to.
Where are you both from and what brought you to Tunbridge Wells? Fabs is from Brazil and Matt grew up in South Africa, but we met in Brixton Academy and lived in London and other countries together, before being drawn to this lovely town… its space, character and handy location! WHO: even flow, St John’s
WHAT: Independent, family run record store and coffee shop
WHERE: 79 St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9TU
thetncard.com /even-flow When did you open and how’s the journey been so far? We opened in March 2020, a couple of weeks before the dreaded lockdown, which has definitely made us stronger. We are thankful every single day that we are still here considering the poor timing of opening – before we took the plunge, we thought: “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” Our customers and especially the wonderful folk of St John’s have supported us since day one and have made the last two and a half years an unbelievable journey.
Matt, what kind of music do you stock? We stock every genre, new and second hand, from death metal to blues, folk rock to electronic. I do have “Our customers and especially the wonderful folk of St John’s have supported us since day one and have made the last two and a half years an unbelievable journey”
Jess Gibson
Fabs, you’re the talent behind the café. What’s on your menu this January? We’ve been offering seasonal treats over the past month and Ali has been creating a range of delicious cupcakes for 2023, which are especially exciting for our younger customers. I enjoy baking our gluten-free burnt Basque cheesecake. My Brazilian heritage and Ali being Italian Brazilian means that we’re constantly trying new recipes. We especially enjoy cooking and baking for events, where we offer finger food, tapas and sweet treats.
Events are now on at even flow so what’s coming up this year? We have our Open Mic sessions on the last Thursday of every month which are very popular. We have so much talent in Tunbridge Wells and we’re seeing young musicians taking part too. It’s a great night of food, drink and social vibes. We have lots of live music and a quiz night planned. There are also Games Nights, Bring Your Own Record events and even a Singles Night
are in the planning too. Record Store Day is a big one for us – it takes place on Saturday April 22 when we’ll have a day of live music and fun!
I’m looking forward to our TN card evening on January 14. What can members expect from the event? You can get a taste of our community focus. We offer a space for people to feel comfortable and have a good time. Some tasty tapas, great local beers, as well as local legends DJ Dave & DJ Chris playing some cool tunes all surrounded by records!
Why did you join the TN community and how do you thank members for supporting local? We absolutely believe in community and supporting local - it’s what we have always done. You launched the TN card just before we opened even flow and lockdown magnified the importance of community and local, so it was a no-brainer to join. We offer members a discount and our reward changes, from 10% off food and drink to 10% off albums with a complimentary coffee.
And lastly, what makes even flow so special? Ah, you’d have to ask our customers that one!
GREEN DUCK SPOTLIGHT ON The Green Duck’s Sneak Peek of early 2023 Events
Now that the festive bubble has burst, it’s time to look towards the fun that 2023 brings. At The Green Duck Events Space & Bar we have a jam-packed schedule. Here is just a selection of our upcoming events. Pre-booking is necessary to avoid disappointment.
Tom Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-long
Live at the Green Duck The Last Friday of Each month
These are the times we shall dream about ... and we’ll call them the Good Old Days. Join Mr. Tom Carradine on the ol’ Joanna as he presents an evening of timeless songs with audience participation. Let your host lead you in a traditional cockney sing-a-long, with songs from the music hall era, WWI and II, the West End stage and traditional popular songs from across the decades. Tickets £20 Only Per person - This includes an Antipasti board per person The Green Duck is the only place to see Tom Carradine in Royal Tunbridge Wells Only 28 Tickets per event – New for 2023 – You can now select your seats on our new Online booking system Full Licenced bar - Doors 7.00pm - Main Event starts at 8pm A good old-fashioned knees-up!
Disco Duck
Last Saturday of Each Month
Disco Duck featuring Vintage Vinyl & Guests! Join us for a brand new discotastic soulful event playing the greats from Motown, Disco & Northern Soul with a hint of old skool house & hip hop! This is Tunbridge Wells’ New Funky Night Out! Ticketed event only. £6 secures you access to this fabulous event! PRE SALE ONLY - Please do not turn up as you will be turned away. Full Bar, Bar Snacks, Dance the night away until Midnight
What the Duck!
Comedy Duck-Tacular – Friday 17th February
This is Tunbridge Wells’ New comedy night out n a small, intimate setting. Join MC AMJ - “He has a kind of scream if you go faster energy that really pulls you in” @amjcomic For a Night of Comedy at the Green Duck Event Space & Bar Line up...... Trevor feelgood @Trevorfeelgood Jason Simmons @hypnojay Dickie Richards @dickierichards AMJ @amjcomic Doors from 7.00pm Show Starts at 8pm £8.00 Per person, Pre book Only
53 Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells
If there is an event you are interested in but can’t see it listed on www.thegreenduckemporium.com please get in touch and we will see if we can cater to your event of choice, after all this is how the Nothing On, Naked Cockney Sing-a-long was born. We are always open to new and exciting ideas. The Green Duck Events Space & Bar,Tunbridge Wells is a unique space available for private for any kind of event you would like to throw. We aim to be as flexible as possible to tailor your quote to match the specific needs of your event. An event could be a special birthday party, christening, bookclub, engagement All these products and many more are or even a work event with colleagues. We have indoor and outdoor seating and even our very available in store own cave in our garden, yes you and online at www.thegreen read that right a cave.....a truly unique space. duckemporium.com The Events Space & Bar can be hired with or without catering, with a minimum booking of 4 hours.
Private Party Hire Available Up To 50 people - Late Night Licence From as little as £100 per 4 hour event
LIVE LIVE LIVE AT AT AT
Join Mr. Tom Carradine on the ol' Joanna as he presents an evening of timeless songs. With audience participation. FRIDAY 27TH JANUARY FRIDAY 24TH FEBRUARY FRIDAY 31ST MARCH FRIDAY 28TH APRIL FRIDAY 26TH MAY FRIDAY 30TH JUNE
ALL OUR EVENTS ARE PRE SALE ONLINE ONLY - WWW.THEGREENDUCKEMPORIUM.COM
Gymtonic&
SPN Director, Jaime Cooke tells SO Magazine’s Lilly Croucher all about her journey to founding SPN, how pilates changed her life and what makes her studio so different…
ith its pumping party tunes and Calichic vibes, SPN is the popular and very trendy boutique fitness studio on W Camden Road, which prides itself on its unique holistic approach to health and wellbeing. SPN, standing for Soul Power Nutrition, was founded by fitness entrepreneur, Jaime Cooke whose own wellness journey inspired her to start her own business. Jaime moved to London from Calgary, Canada in 1999 and got into the wonderful world of fashion selling the indigenous Mukluk boots to high-end department stores and celebrities like Kate Moss. After taking a break from fashion in order to decide what to do next, Jaime took a family holiday to Ibiza. Sadly she was involved in a car accident that saw her herniate three
discs in her lower spine.
Through rehab and physiotherapy, Jaime found Pilates which she attributed to her remarkable recovery.
“I was seeing osteopaths and physios and constantly doing Pilates two to three times a week.
“After six months I went back to my neurosurgeon who was astonished by my recovery. I one hundred per cent believe it was the Pilates.”
Following her recovery, Jaime studied Pilates for two years in London and started teaching clients one to one to help other people who have suffered from lower back and spine problems.
“I always knew the benefits of Pilates but seeing it and experiencing it after going through my injuries makes me believe it was the right path for me, for sure.”
To further support her clients, smoothie bar. It’s popular with men too who love the TRX and Spin classes.
“From the moment you walk in, to the moment you leave we try to create this beautiful community where everybody is welcome all ages, all demographics to this open space.”
The studio’s success has attracted celebrities like Davina McCall and Dame Kelly Holmes. It expanded to a second site in Sevenoaks in 2021.
SPN runs over 50 classes a week offering everything from spin, yoga, boxing, bar, TRX and, its newest edition, house hot yoga.
“This is a 60-minute class that uses infrared panels to heat the room to 38 degrees whilst you stretch, and hold poses.
“We use salt lamps, aromatherapy and house music so clients get all the benefits from the class,” says Jaime.
SPN prides itself on being different from your standard gym. For a start, the studio has a flexible payment method which allows its users to purchase ‘credits’ applicable to all classes on a pay-as-you-go system, plus there is no joining fee.
The boutique studio’s main USP is its focus on the client’s experience with front-of-house services, highly trained instructors, aromatherapy,
Jaime became a Back4Good practitioner, specialising in using Pilates for those with back problems like disc pain and sciatica.
“As my clients were getting stronger, I was getting stronger so I was able to do the sports and activities I couldn’t do for a long time because of the accident.”
This strength is what led her to discover spin and house music which led her to create a spin studio with just four bikes with a large sound system in the cellar of her home.
With only a few clients at the start, word of mouth travelled fast, and the spin sessions grew from a just couple of classes a week to multiple a day.
Eventually, after two years, Jaime had over 400 clients coming to her home for spin classes and she knew the next step was to start her own studio.
In May 2018, Jaime opened SPN, on Camden Road. The boutique fitness studio boasts an indoor cycling studio with DJ lighting and a sound system, a floor studio, and a refreshments, and, most prominently, its music.
Jaime is a trained house DJ, having played at Ministry of Sound, EGG and three clubs in Ibiza.
She now incorporates her DJing into her live spin and yoga classes, as well as specially curating house music playlists for all her classes.
“I believe we can get more out of our clients when they’re inspired through the movement and the music.
“The music creates energy and a really beautiful positive space.”
This year SPN’s annual summer retreat is in Ibiza in partnership with the London Sound Academy.
Participants will learn to DJ during a five-day beginners’ course along with yoga classes, beaches, and parties.
New clients can try SPN with the Weekly Unlimited Introductory offer for just £25 for seven classes over seven days.
For more information and to book a class, visit spn.fit
