Hey! Red Deer Club
Hey! Manchester first met Duncan Sime upstairs at Fuel in Withington. We’re guessing it was one of the earliest Red Deer Club nights, and we were very impressed by the quality of music on offer for free within crawling distance of our home. Since then, Dunk’s become pretty much integral to music – and particularly folk – in Manchester, running regular nights, one-off gigs and a record label. We thought we’d distract him from doing something productive with a series of vague questions.
When and why did you first arrive Manchester, and how did you get actively involved in music here?
I arrived in Manchester eight years ago now, way back in 2001. I was offered a room in a house and came here with no job and no idea what I was doing.
I suppose a draw to this fair city was its music, maybe not the roots of it all as I missed out on that, but the vibrancy it had/has. I first started out Djing, but nobody would book me so I started a night with Ric Davies (Contort Yourself). It was a charity night for MAG, which include Mr Scruff, Fingathing and many more of that DJ genre. It was good while it lasted. Ric went travelling in Australia and I messed up what we had established – the night was called Royal Jelly, it only lasted a couple of years!
And why the Red Deer Club name?
The name came from Mojo magazine; I was reading it on the toilet, as you do! It was an article about the Cure. I’m not a fan, but the name Red Deer Club jumped out at me, it was where the band first played in Oxford. I just stole it. Like all good things in music, they are just recycled bits that people have forgotten about. It’s all plagiarism.
Who or what inspires you within Manchester?
My friends are the biggest influence, without them I would be a massive mess. And now most of the musicians I work with are my friends, but that’s more of a love/hate relationship.
Can you name a couple of personal highlights?
I suppose being short listed for the Best of Manchester Award in 2008, that was pretty special. Everyone who came to the awards with me thought I was going to win; I knew we wouldn’t so I just hid in the corner. And also putting our first release on the label, that was pretty special.
You’ve shown a clear progress. Was there ever a plan set out, or has everything just happened naturally?
The only plan I had was a 15-year one made at Blackburn College in 1994. And that wasn’t really a plan – just to do what I would like to do at the end of 15 years. I guess that has worked out because I’m now in an ideal position. As regards to the Red Deer Club, it’s all been made up as I go along and I still don’t know what I’m doing!
We guess it makes sense to start a label when you’re promoting shows for so many good bands. Is this how the label started?
It all began with us recording the live shows from Fuel (where it all started). There was a year’s worth of shows and I picked out the best bits, my friend Chris Stevenson designed some beautiful artwork, and Karen Schofield, another deer friend, made some Hessian sleeves. It took so long to make it we had to sell the copies, as it was intended as present to give out at the Red Deer Club First Birthday. We made 50 copies and they sold out in a week. So I guess the label was born out of greed!
And how has the label side of Red Deer Club been? Is it a worthwhile venture nowadays?
It’s more of an expensive hobby. However, I’m in a very luck position in which the artists invest into their product. It’s a but like time-share, but with a better outlook.
You’ve stopped promoting gigs a couple of times. What keeps drawing you back?
I think I have a multi-personality disorder, in which one side tells me what I’m doing is great and the other side tells me to hide away in my house and never come out. It’s a struggle but the end results are usually worthwhile, it’s just telling myself that. At the moment no-one has died, yet!
You’ve also looked after bookings for a couple of venues. Is this something you enjoy, or just a way to drink for free?
I couldn’t ask to be in a better position; I currently promote for Common in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, and Fuel in Withington. Both are close to my heart: Fuel is where I started the Red Deer Club; and Common is run by a good friend of mine, so it’s always an honour and a pleasure. Surprisingly I got to write my own job descriptions before starting work at each venue. I guess I’m a very lucky man. And yes, the job has its perks, mainly the coffee though.
Which musicians should we be looking out for in and around Manchester right now?
I’m very biased, and who wouldn’t be! Young British Artist are pretty damn hot at the moment. We have our very first 7-inch coming out on 3 August and I’m super excited about that – finally a piece of vinyl! Also Sophie’s Pigeons have just recorded the biggest pop album to come of Manchester in a long time… keep ‘em peeled kids!
And finally, what are your plans for the future?
To cultivate my potatoes in the back garden. Relax a little and keep giving up, and re-starting again. It’s what keeps me going, soon people will be sick of me! But I still have a lot to do in this fair city, hence my u-turn on moving to London. But saying that, I could change my mind – it’s boring if you know what’s around the corner.
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common • duncan sime • fuel • red deer club
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