29.6.07

Stones Throw touches down in Toon




A piece that I did from yesterday's Newcastle Metro. It's all about the DIY ethos, and networking in the real world - how about applying the myspace and facebook approach in day to day real life? I can guarantee it will reap more rewards than the virtual world.


Ghetto Method

‘It’s been 18 months since we’ve been doing events but they have mainly been about networking between promoters, artists, illustrators, designers, bands, DJs, producers and MCs,’ says Dave Guy, promoter and brains behind Ghetto Method.

Ghetto Method enters the formal club arena with two intriguing nights this summer: tomorrow’s debut features guests from globally revered independent hip-hop imprint, Stone’s Throw, including founder Peanut Butter Wolf and hip hop-disco-punk-pop blurring Baron Zen, with support from Ghetto Method’s Dr B and Notorious D.A.V.E. Next month’s July’s Ghetto Method hosts a Black Affair gig, the mysterious electro-pop outfit from ex-Beta Band front man Steve Mason.

Ironically in this frenzied age of online social networking (Myspace, Facebook), Ghetto Method is not only connecting the North East’s creative community, it’s providing support, encouragement and a platform to showcase talents, all in the real world.

‘Ghetto Method came from me having the same conversation with various creative people in the city that I got to know over the last ten years and saying, ‘Have you spoken to so and so?’’ explains Guy. ‘There are an awful lot of creative people around the city who aren’t aware of what each other do.’

‘So we began hooking up artists without a space to show what they do with club promoters and using their work in clubs, or a producer like Steve Bird who needs artwork for his releases – we’re here to push local artists, and raise their profile,’ continues Guy. ‘With these two gigs it’s time for us to stick our head above the parapet and tell people we’re here and this is what we do, gel a few things together and up our game.’

To date, Ghetto Method’s informal events include a painting weekend in the Cumbrian Moors, a graffiti installation at Ayrshire’s Kelburn Castle, as well as a couple of forest, beach and basement parties. And you can get a taste of Ghetto Method’s ‘culture jams’ on Saturday, at the Star & Shadow cinema.

‘We’ll be decorating skirting boards, putting up bigger boards for larger scale pieces and free drawing with different pieces blurring into one another,’ reveals Guy. ‘We’ll use filp charts with everyone using a page each, drawing on overhead projectors and showing films.’

Ghetto Method’s gone back to the old school in two senses: firstly in establishing and nurturing a tangible family of like-minded creative people, and secondly it’s eschewed current hip hop’s entrepreneurial hustler mentality and obsession with money, instead drawing on the genre’s founding principals.

‘Ghetto Method’s based on the original hip-hop ethos, that everyone has got something to contribute to a party or gathering, whether you’re an artist with pens, or a poet and MC or a dancer or a musician,’ concludes Guy. ‘Ghetto Method is not a hip-hop collective but it is hip hop in terms of a DIY ethic, personal expression, everyone having something to contribute and being given a platform.’

Tonight, Ghetto Method, The Venue, Market Street NE1, 10pm til late, £8 adv, £9 door. Tel: 0191 232 111.

Sat, Art Jam, Star and Shadow cinema, Stepney Bank NE1, noon to 7pm, £1, free to members. Tel: 0191 261 0066

www.myspace.com/ghettomethod