9Blind

It is nigh impossible to be acquainted with Enfield's burgeoning music scene and not be aware of 9Blind.

Whilst other local bands have come and gone, 9Blind, despite their fresh faces, are something of stalwarts in the game.

In the days when Myspace was still a blossoming social network and the first stop for anything and everything music, 9Blind were one of the first local bands to make themselves known to me when I launched the Enfield Music profile in an attempt to gather together all our musical hopes and spread the word on gig news, this then resulted in their first featured article in The Enfield Advertiser by my predecessor, Deano Sharp, whilst they were still a small 3 piece band known for putting on backroom gigs at the Bush Hill Park Tavern.

Since then they've really devoted themselves to the cause, adding an extra member and making serious noise hitting up venues in and around London, forming a fervent following as they went that lead to the recording and release of 4 eargerly awaited tracks in 2009, known as the Immune EP.

And things have been on the up and up ever since, in early 2010 the fourpiece took to the studio to put together their debut, full length album, A Negative Response To Change, which was an instant fan favourite when shared amongst their fanbase last April.

The overwhelming response to the quality of songs on display has seen the boys signed and added to the roster of strikes 12 records, taking the album to a wider audience as it launched across major music download platforms.

As time marches on, so have 9Blind and their 'North London Bromance Core', taking 2011 by storm by maintaining their gigging ethic and holing themselves up in Milton Keynes to record the forthcoming Union EP.

Such is the devotion shown to the band, that I have seen followers all clad in 9blind tees, witnessed gigs where the crowd sing back every word, and even met a couple of fans that are so inspired by the band that they are now bearing 9Blind tatoos for the rest of their lives.

The launch of 'Union' shall be heralded with a headlining gig at The Underwold in Camden, with support from fellow Enfield boys Deeds Of The Dying this coming Saturday, September 3rd.

stream: 9BlinD - Promises

London Riots

Sunday 7th August.



I turn on my computer at around half six in the evening, intending to review the Crystal Fighters album that was re-released last Monday... but of course I log-in and check my facebook first.

And as the stream of most recent posts loads up i am greeted by photos of my local high street in the town that i live, that i work and that i have grown up in, with windows smashed, a police car with it's front window put through and degenerate youths running wild.

It was the first that I had seen or heard of any expected trouble in Enfield, following the devastating scenes of Tottenham that many woke up to on Sunday morning.

Any mind to do anything is soon forgotten as i quickly text friends and constantly refresh my twitter and facebook feeds, shocked by the few skirmishes that had broken out in broad daylight, but as darkness fell, and news networks finally began arriving, the trouble, and twitter rumours, only worsened, and i, like many other Enfield residents kept Sky News on repeat throughout the night.

In the cold light of day, it seemed that many problems had been overstated, none of Krispy Kremes, Cineworld or Nandos had gone up in flames the night prior and warnings of petrol bombs thrown on the A10 were pure chinese whispers that had quickly passed as fact.

Enfield Town itself was bewilderingly serene, as curiosity brought in those wanting to see the damage done, but as the afternoon drew on and grey clouds drew overhead, the atmosphere visibly changed, talk of offices recieving advice to evacuate prompted an ominous vibe that hung heavy in the air.

Thankfully we did not witness a repeat of the same scenes in Enfield Town.

Although sadly, the devastation continued across London and the UK.

Among the casualties of the widespread chaos was another Enfield location, and one significant to the country's music scene, as Sony's distribution centre, housing the entire back catalogues and stocks of many independent record labels was nothing more than a smouldering wreck by morning.

As opportunist thugs have channeled their energies into emptying the shelves of JJB sports, upstanding citizens have been co-ordinating marches and clean-up operations in response.

And I'm certain that more creative types will be using the current climate of social unease to inspire new music.

Whether it be joining together as a sign of unity at underground raves, or politically aware activists with a guitar strapped to their backs as they take to the streets. Genre, race and religion will be irrelevant.

Just like any other disaster of conflict faced, I'm sure we will get back on our feet again, soundtracked by musicians providing their very own social commentary.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that is suffering and involved and caught up in this in anyway through no fault of their own.

  stream: I Love London by Crystal Fighters