We speak to long time NottinghamLIVE friend Emma Bladon Jones about this weekend’s Oxjam Beeston Takeover and the special plans she has for the festival.
Hi Emma, how’s things?
Things are hectic but good.
This weekend you’re playing the Oxjam Beeston Takeover but you have something special lined up can you tells us more about it?
I have the challenge of playing every single venue taking part in this years festival, that’s 10 sets in 10 hours.
Where did the idea to play every venue come from?
After seeing how amazing last years takeover was I wanted to do something special to help promote the festival and raise more money. I had a few ideas but it was at the launch party in March that I was sat between Matt Gould and Carly Collingwood and they started to get really excited at the idea of a record attempt. They originally discussed the longest gig ever, but I doubt I can sing for over 32 hours straight, so we started to investigate the record for most gigs in one day. There aren’t enough venues to officially beat the current record though, so it’s more of a gigathon, and still quite a challenge!
We understand you’ve been a bit ill of late as well, what kind of effect has that had on your preparation for the event and to the pressure?
Yeah, Bronchitis, it’s a nightmare. Two weeks of eating nothing but the occasional bowl of soup and not speaking or seeing anyone. It’s added so much pressure and it’s made me nervous about a few songs, I’m going to have to make cuts and unfortunately that includes my new original material where the vocal is more challenging. The doctor told me not to practice so I don’t know what my voice can actually manage and I’m trying every remedy I can find. Joe Barber is going to join me for a few songs at The Crown and The Hop Pole so the singing is shared which takes a bit of pressure off.
Can you tells us where you’ll be starting things off, and most importantly finishing – should anyone want to buy you a well earned drink?
I’ll be starting at Broadgate Park at 12:50, hopefully the sun will be shining, and last of the day is at Bartons, which is a fantastic venue, at 22:40.
It’s going to involve a lot of running around, have you been practising your route and do you have it all mapped out?
I’m going to plan the day as well as I can, what I’m playing where and when, what guitars I need and where I can use the loop pedal, when I can rest, eat, see other acts etc. Music Gear Direct are sponsoring the challenge with a portable P.A. system, which could mean extra performance spaces.
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It must be pretty exciting to be part of such a huge event as the Oxjam Beeston Takeover?
I sound engineered for a few venues last year but didn’t play, that was the first time I attended Oxjam and saw the scale of it. It made me a very proud Beestonian to see every venue packed, and to pass so many people with wristbands and overhear people tell each other about where they’ve been and what acts they’ve seen, and all of it for charity! I couldn’t not be involved, I’ve been looking forward to it all year!
People in Beeston are obviously a bit flattened at the minute due to the ongoing disruption of the tram works, do you think this event can give the town a bit of a boost and give it back its identity?
If last year is anything to go by then yes. I think the whole town is involved, either volunteering or attending, so when it all comes together the atmosphere is going to be incredible. Again.
Obviously the main thing is to raise of money for Oxfam though?
Yep I’ll have a collection box with me for each gig, I may go for a cheeky busk if I can manage it and donate the extra cash.
The line up is fantastic, as ever, who would you recommend on the line up?
There’s so many and I’ll have to miss most of them! Bartons is a good place to be, they’ve got OneGirlOneBoy, Great British Weather and The Jar Family. Then the Hop Pole have got Joe Barber and Lisa De’Ville. The White Lion has Leah Sinead and The Phil Langran Band. Josh Kemp will be at Belle & Jerome and at The Crown there’s Crazy Heart and Leggomen.
Finally anything else you’d like to say to the readers of NottinghamLIVE.co.uk?
It’s a day not to be missed, be there, you won’t regret it! All the info you could possibly need about the line-up, venues, tickets and other treats such as the Oxjam ale from Magpie Brewery, can be found in this months Beestonian – http://issuu.com/thebeestonian/docs/the_beestonian_oxjam_2013_issue
Interview by Darren Patterson
Photo by Robert Balmer Photography
Oxjam Beeston Takeover takes place from 12pm this Saturday, 19 October, at various Beeston venues, for more information click here
