The Green Door Store is not the only place under the arches where precocious musical talents flourish and enthral. At Under the Bridge, a home for music classes next door, one youngster has been intensifying their earliest understanding of beautiful noise.
Despite a violent domestic life with nowhere at home to practise, 10-year-old Amber has found a safe space here. Just four years after first seeing a piano while accompanying a friend to a lesson, the keen sprinter has taken rapidly to the keys, reaching grade 5 in piano and music theory and grade 4 in theory.
Such is her promise, Amber has secured a place at the prestigious Wells Cathedral school in Somerset, whose alumni include Glastonbury overlord Michael Eavis and screen composer David Poore. If the plan to pay for her board and accommodation succeeds, the trains rumbling above her practise studio could one day take her to a future full of promise.
“This is one of those cases which genuinely could result in a young, talented person being taken into social care,” says Toni Coe, the Green Door Store’s Programming Manager who has assembled an excellent double-bill of bands in a bid to raise some of the £12,000 required.
“She could lead a very different life to what she could have done if she is not given the necessary help. Realistically we could raise around £2,000 from the ticket sales, so we are really relying on donations and helping to spread the word.”
Coe has been impressed by the generosity of the bands, including headliners The Wytches (above) – a coup given the reverence their heavy-heavy psychedelia is increasingly held in – and joyful ska nine-piece Town of Cats. “All of them have been amazingly supportive in getting the word out there. They were immediately willing to be involved, which might not have happened given that most of them have booking agents and managers.
“We have teamed up with Under the Bridge and all of the bands to urgently raise the funds and pay the fees. All of the money is going to Amber. There are no venue or band costs involved.”
Amber’s teacher has been equally giving, teaching the ten-year-old for free, enamoured by her sunny disposition and maturity. Her local community centre has fitted her in when organisers can. “I think it’s really nice to see the local community coming together to try to help one young person out,” says Coe.
“She has barely anything at home to practise with or a safe space to make noise. Under the Bridge assisted with her application, but we have to raise the money.”
Supporters can buy tickets to the shows for £9 or donate to the crowdfunding page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/amber1
Green Door Store
Weds 5th July: Town of Cats, King Porter Stomp, The Meow Meows Tickets.
Thurs 6th July: The Wytches, Abattoir Blues, The Family Chain Tickets.
Photo By Kenny Mc Cracken at Create
Assisted by Matthew Ring and Kristina Salgvik
