All The Nice Things...

People say some nice things about R*E*P*E*A*T as we look to get an arts council grant...

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Repeat provides incomparable opportunities to young artists in the Cambridge area. A stage where inexperienced acts are welcomed, encouraged, and promoted - in stark contrast to so many towns where young bands without any business nous are simply to be exploited. In the form of the fanzine, a platform for writers, artists, reviewers, encouraging intelligent debate and mutual respect, raising awareness, and fostering interest in grassroots pro-activity. And, through the website, fanzine, band nights and record label, sustaining an evolving community based on creativity.

My first opportunity to play in Cambridge came at a Repeat gig. I went on first and played to three people, including one soundman and two friends I brought with me. I was invited back, and a few years later my band was selling the venue out. Between these two gigs, REPEAT Records released my single, "The Hole in My Heart" - a 500 run which a Rolling Stone Magazine column made Single of the Year.

Greg McDonald, singer / guitarist with The Dawn Parade

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"I’m writing to say thank you for everything you have done for me and my friends who called ourselves The Saffs.

You took an interest in us when nobody gave a shit if we existed, and you told people how good we were until they took notice of us.

I don’t know why so many people ended coming to our gigs or danced to our music or even bothered to learn the words and sang them back to me, words that I wrote on my own in my room… Now it's over, it feels like a big part of my life has died, like I've lost part of my childhood...I started the band because it was the only thing I ever wanted to do and I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done, you are a big part of making The Saffs what we were”

Letter to R*E*P*E*A*T from Greg Ward of The Saffs, April 2000

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I was lucky enough to work with Richard Rose on
R*E*P*E*A*T fanzine from 1996-1998 whilst at school.

Not growing up in a 'big city' like Manchester or
Birmingham, there were very few opportunities to get involved in the music industry; no independent labels, no local music magazines; no community radio and no real organised music 'scene' to speak of. R*E*P*E*A*T changed all that, giving people like myself the opportunity to write about bands we loved and to get involved in promoting, recording and raving about our favourite local and national acts from the grassroots up. No qualifications were asked for, just enthusiasm
and love of music.

Working on R*E*P*E*A*T gave my first taste of pretty much everything my day to day job entails now; interviewing bands, writing for a youth audience, dealing with PRs and record labels, working to tight deadlines and above all, creating a product that informs and educates people about new music. As well as helping develop my journalistic and creative skills, my three years on the 'zine gave loads of 'hands on' experience, from helping organize live concerts and designing poster/single artwork, to desk-top publishing the magazine and putting out a 7" record. All before I'd sat my A-Levels! When I left the 'zine to go to University I found I had a massive head start of my peers who wanted to be music journalists, all because I'd been encouraged to "have a go" at an early age.

Since working on R*E*E*E*A*T, I have gone on to be a music radio producer and journalist, making
documentaries for BBC Radio 1 and working on the
hit40uk network chart show for 125 commercial radio stations nationwide. I am now one of the producers of The Selector - a weekly two hour radio programme funded by the British Council, dedicated to showcasing new independent British music worldwide. I was tremendously lucky to be have the chance to work on R*E*P*E*A*T, and without that experience I'm certain I wouldn't be doing the job I have today.

Rowan Collinson
Producer
The Selector

www..selector-radio.com
www.somethin-else.com

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R*E*P*E*A*T has played a major role in putting East Anglia on the national and international music map since the 90s. Established non-establishment that musicians and music fans could relate to, its media, label and promotions have been instrumental in building the rich network that now exists and been a main supporter of new music. As somebody who worked long in the industry, I can confirm that there is a lot of respect for the R*E*P*E*A*T Team.

Caffy St Luce
musictouristboard.co.uk, Press Officer for Manic Street Preachers, Oasis, Radiohead etc at Hall Or Nothing, 1992-2002

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I think both R*E*P*E*A*T fanzine and the R*E*P*E*A*T website, are really, really fantastic!!!!!

As a huge music fan, like all contributors, R*E*P*E*A*T has, for the past few years that I've been contributing, afforded me with so many great opportunities that I never, ever, dreamed would be possible.

Rosey has always been very complimentary and encouraging about my work, and this has always inspired me, and given me the confidence to strive for more.

Many people are aware that creative industries are hard to 'break' into, but for over 10 years, R*E*P*E*A*T has given musicians, writers, photographers etc. of all ages, a chance to contribute and to have their say.

Not only is R*E*P*E*A*T very-well respected throughout the Music Industry - it was named as one of Britain's Best Fanzines by the NME - but best of all, it's 'For Real' and is produced by fans, for fans!

Everyone I've ever given a copy of the fanzine to, from friends to family, and from bands to press officers, absolutely love it!

So here's to continued and even greater success in the future!

Stay Beautiful,

Steve Bateman, photographer and writer

Redress the balance with some horrible things on our message board here