It was a warm, overcast day at The Yard. A delivery had just taken place, and I knew that then there was about two weeks to go until Garforth Summer Jam. This bar and venue in the centre of Garforth had been host to years of open mic and live music nights over the years, and now was host to my interview with the two organisers of the Garforth Summer Jam, Tom and Tom.
“I’m Tom Mitchell. I’m helping (to) organise the Garforth Summer Jam with the man to my right…”
“Tom Russell.”
“Double Tom!”
They each told me a little about themselves.
Tom Russell- “I work at The Yard, I’m also a nurse, and I’ve been playing music since I was eight years old. Started singing a bit later on, in my teens.”
Tom Mitchell- “I run a music studio in Garforth where we do record all local artists in the Leeds and surrounding area. Lots of indie bands… but lots of other stuff as well. Punjabi R&B yesterday, and some Gaelic singing the day before that. I teach a lot of local musicians as well, which is where it ties into here, because I run the Open Mic.”
He told me that a lot of local talent, along with his students and those who hire out the studio perform at those events.
So, how did the idea for the Summer Jam originate?
Russell- “It’s the third year we’ve done it. It was just a whim idea. We were talking at the Open Mic night, and thought let’s just run with it and see what we can come up with. Originally we were going to do a very similar thing to what we did on Sunday- an outdoor Open Mic-esque thing, and then that developed into something else.
(We’re) really trying to look after and promote new people writing music in either a band setting or in a solo setting. (We were) trying to push that through to people’s ears and give them an opportunity to play at a festival and get paid for doing it.”
Mitchell- “It’s original music from the people of Garforth or the surrounding areas. Original music is the key.”
Russell- “We’ve done a lot of events together. Tom does a lot of the events. He gets asked by every pub in Garforth to go and do an event for them.”
“We have a great community of musicians around here. It is forever growing. People just need the opportunity to see ’em, don’t they?”
They mentioned that they are learning about how to improve the festival- hoping to have more vendors, and a better stage setup.
What was their favourite part of organising the festival?
Russell- “Working with different artists every year, having different people through the door. Just the community aspect of it.”
Tom Mitchell also agreed.
The bands for the Summer Jam were gathered from gigs around the town or the studio, and the vendors are locals from around the scene.
The Yard seems to have been something of a community hub for those in Garforth to gather, spend time together and practice. These bonds have caused people to join the Summer Jam and perform as part of a larger event.
Acts that have been confirmed by the two to be at the event are-
• Dan Kelly- a singer-songwriter.
• Super Cell- playing a mixture of their own songs and some covers too. “Grungy in places, classic rock”. Alternative as a wider genre.
• Stewart Senior- “Garforth’s answer to Bruce Springsteen.”
• Pej- local singer-songwriter. “A country-rock crossover.”
There will be a collective of younger artists performing first as well.
There will also be a cake sale, candles being sold, food vendors and a small jewellery stall.
There will be a raffle for an Ernie Ball Mariposa guitar. Tickets for the raffle are currently being sold on the website here.
Mitchell- “One thing I hear a lot is ‘you don’t hear live music much anymore.’ Well, when did you last go and see it? It’s all about supporting your local community and your local musicians. It’s cheaper this year.”
Russell- “It’s a good family event where you can bring your kids and listen to some music. You can have a dance.”
Mitchell- “Come be part of the community.”
Garforth Summer Jam will be held from 2pm onwards on the 8th August, at the Miners Bar & Kitchen, LS25 1PX. You can get tickets here.
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