What can be said about Sydney’s Black Wire Records? This not-for-profit record-store-come-performance-space has found it’s way into the hearts of countless musicians and members of the music-going public – and it’s done so in an astonishingly short amount of time.
In under three years Black Wire Records has become an essential institution in the Australian underground music scene, hosting bands across such diverse styles as acoustic folk, post-rock, hardcore punk, experimental noise, extreme metal and indie rock — yet somehow each crowd, each clique feels welcome inside it’s doors.
Perhaps it’s the warmth and sage-like patience of owner/operator Tom Scott, who works tirelessly alongside a team of volunteers to keep the dream of a DIY, inclusive, respectful venue in Sydney’s inner city alive. Or perhaps there is a certain element of mutual respect granted when musicians are’t forced to feel like an unimportant, optional extra — a sort of quirky clown act to offset the cultural desolation laid by poker machines and alcohol.
The venue has hosted the likes of: Adrift for Days, Agonhymn, Beyond Terror Beyond Grace, Brazen Bull, Burning Love, Captain Cleanoff, Ceremony, Chinese Burns Unit, Dead China Doll, DEAD, Deathcage, Defektro, Encircling Sea, Extortion, Fattura Della Morte, God God Dammit Dammit, Heirs, Hira Hira, I Exist, IDYLLS, Jamie Hay, Justice Yeldham, Life and Limb, Lo!, Looking Glass, Luca Brasi, Mere Women, Michael Crafter, Night Hag, Nuclear Summer, Nunchukka Superfly, Only Sleeping, Pure Evil Trio, Rosetta, Serious Beak, sleepmakeswaves, Slug Guts, Space Bong, Stolen Youth, Straightjacket Nation, Sweet Teeth, The Hard Ons, Totally Unicorn, Useless Children, Walls, We Lost the Sea, Yes, I’m Leaving – the list could go on.
As a musician, promoter and avid music-fan, I really cannot endorse Black Wire Records enough.
Donate to Black Wire Records
A recent interview from owner/operator Tom Scott indicates the venue is facing some difficult challenges for the immediate future, so I have taken it upon myself to help raise donations for the longevity of Black Wire, and the good of the Australian music scene.
If you would like to donate to Black Wire Records, please send a donation via Paypal to mail(at)artascatharsis.com, and clearly mark “Black Wire Records” in the comments field.
The community response and support to date has already been overwhelming; I would love nothing more than for Black Wire to overcome this challenge, and come out the other side stronger than ever.
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