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Brighton's much respected music and promotion company, BiGiAM, bring their monthly news, rumour and gossip column for readers of Guide2Brighton

RADIO REVERB - BRIGHTON'S NAUGHTY LITTLE SISTER COMES OF AGE?

Like the community it serves, Brighton's Radio Reverb can be a tad maverick, eccentric and erratic even, but it is still much loved and rightly so. At it's best, the stations output can match any radio broadcaster, the BBC included. So BiG i AM is delighted to learn that it has been granted a 5 year extension to it's existing licence (97.2FM in Brighton area and streaming worldwide on www.radioreverb.com). We're delighted because the station really does do what it says on the tin - it's supports and reflects the local community, not least our thriving local music scene. Our spies also tell us that on 3rd/4th December the station plans to hold a 'Reverbathon' ie 24 hours of live broadcasting (the stations current output is a mixture of live and pre recorded shows...this will be back to back live broadcasts) and they are looking for sponsors as the station currently runs on shoestring self funding. So if you want to be on the radio, or, more importantly perhaps, you want to talk about your business on the radio, then get in touch with gill@radioreverb.com. Slots are generally as little as £30, as we understand it.

A TWISTED KISS

If, like us, you've bumped into a film crew or two around the town, it could well be the good people from Twisted Kiss who are currently completing shooting of 'Pictures of Lily', a feature film set here in Brighton. Anyone who knows the background to the Who song of the same name might be forgiven in thinking that it's some kind of porn film (wikipedia it!), but in fact it centres on a 24 hour relationship (in the widest sense of the word) and personal journey(?) following a chance meeting between a man and a woman from rather different worlds.

Here at BiG i AM towers we know no more than that and we have yet to see any footage or storyline as such but we were surprised to learn that, contrary to popular belief, very few films are actually made in Brighton (Brighton Rock was largely filmed in Eastbourne!) so we feel compelled to give it our support. Maybe they will invite us all to a big red carpet event at the Duke Of Yorks or wherever they intend to hold a premiere. Don't buy the dress just yet, dear reader, but we'll keep you posted.

'HOME' GIG FOR THE HARMANATOR

Talking of film crews, those good people at Echo Digital - supported by the mobile audio recording facilities of our friends at Yellowfish studios - will be making a concert performance/documentary DVD about BiGiAM artist Jo Harman, and her illustrious company, which also happens to be the name of her band, as in... Jo Harman and Company. An independent artist yet to make a studio record, Jo has been quietly honing her craft, and building her reputation, up and down the country, not least at award winning venues like Hideaway in London (where she recorded her live album) and, more recently, at the lovely Exchange in Dorset which, thankfully, sold out and with a return trip already secured. On Saturday 19th November Jo and Co. - with said film crew in tow - will be playing the lovely All Saints Centre in Lewes, which is a rare 'home' town gig for the blonde haired singer (well, Lewes isn't too far from Brighton right?). This spacious church venue should be an ideal setting for Jo's music which slips effortlessly between classic soul, roots, gospel, bluesy rock, country and more - basically any music which is 'real' and heartfelt, indeed. Right now we're dealing with very important things right now such as will Marvin And Maude fashion house lend Jo some clobber for the night and which boutique gold and diamond jewellery already kindly promised by designer jeweller Mike Shorer should we pick and, most of all, how will we make sure we don't lose it!? But seriously, it should be a good night and if you want to check out the authenticity and depth of Jo's talent for yourself then please come along. The musicianship in her band alone is, quite frankly, something extraordinary.

http://www.seetickets.com/Event/JO-HARMAN-AND-COMPANY/All-Saints-Arts-Centre/585397

HANDS OFF OUR TACKLE

Having written glowingly about the Ropetackle venue in Shoreham last time out, I'm concerned to see they have something of a financial crisis on their hands. A fund raising campaign has started and, happily, seems to be going very well thanks to a lot of community and other (Tim Rice has chipped in with £500) support. So, if you can, get involved http://www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk and, at the very least, go to a show and support their excellent programming bill which includes gifted and renowned names from the world of music, comedy and more. It really is a jewel which we can't afford to be threatened in this way, financial crisis or otherwise.

Also on the BiG i AM radar:-

- Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim doing gigs at the Amex stadium next year. Keep an eye out on that.

- Matt Whistler of naked snowboarding fame - is planning a new Christmas video and single release. Nurse... the screens!

- Our very own Laura Vane, working with The Streets and Dutch outfit, The Vipertones. Another great white, blonde, soul voice (Alice Russell, Jo Harman are others) residing in our fair City.

- Meadowlands 2012 gearing up nicely....as is 'Go Festival' the on line magazine guide, again, based here in lovely Brighton (support your local industry folks!)

- Future copyright. Another organisation now located in Brighton which aims to allow all artists (music, film, whatever) to better protect their work at a very cost effective price (typically around a pound a song?) which, on the face of it, looks very useful. We shall inspect further and report!

- Trevor Random on the radio. Amuses us! Friday breakfast show, Reverb

Till next time dear chums.... You can follow/contact BiG i AM on twitter @BIGIAMBrighton and email info@bigiam.co.uk