RCRDSHOP Presents: Jam Sessions
RCRDSHOP recently held the first of a promising season of intimate ‘jam sessions’, at the atmospheric Tea Building on Shoreditch High Street - an underground studio a part of Soho House, London. Jay Wilcox, RCRDSHOP’s Founder, is known and loved by his community, working the room like young black entrepreneurs tend to; fist bumps are the greeting of the evening, as he maneuvers the space, preparing to take a seat behind the keys, where he will be supporting artists performing throughout the evening. From security at the front door, to the hostess, the friendly bartenders and soulful instrumentals, the welcoming experience is one of familial love and optimism.
The MC of the evening opens with his musical styling, a GIFTED rapper in his own right - he flows over a J Dilla beat, before ushering guests to simmer down for a memorable night. RCRDSHOP takes pride in uplifting upcoming musical artists and the room is filled with fresh, creative, cultural talent who have been invited to perform, noticeably experiencing the heightened sensations that accompanies a well dressed evening out.
As the first acts take the stage, there’s a sense of nerves in the air, even from seasoned performers. However, energy is released by the crowd as vocal support, low-key flirting and fun. Curated evenings like these always host gems; with every act, suspense fills the room as it feels like anyone can step up and blow the roof off. Early on, the room is introduced to an unmistakably impressive performance by singer CSHARP, a rising soulful artist from London.
The intimate gathering was also an opportunity for creatives in the audience to network and make connections; I can’t recall many events like it. As the evening carries on, performances mature; in the second part of the evening, guests experience the sounds of singer/songwriter Ezra, who comes on immediately after the interval with an impressive performance that captivated the whole room.
Overall, the evening presented artists with a nurturing platform to showcase their work - an important yet rare responsibility to take on. As these RCRDSHOP jam sessions continue to evolve, they hold the potential to introduce guests to their next favourite R&B, Soul, Jazz, Acoustic, Indie and Hip Hop artists. It is an important part of an artist’s journey, where they choose the vulnerability of presenting their art to an audience of engaged listeners, receiving feedback in the moment, which influences their growth as performers. We’re looking forward to seeing how these RCRDSHOP events continue to influence the UK’s underground music scene.
Photos by Verity Rose
