For the
last decade, DJ, radio host and all-round tastemaker, Bradley Zero, has
preached the good word of a global music community. These haven’t been token
statements and empty promises, however. The Londoner has put his money where
his mouth is, performing across four continents, including performing in the Middle
East. Spurred by the challenges posed by the Corona pandemic, particularly to
his largely events-led collective, Rhythm Section, Zero and his team have joined membership
platform, Patreon, to extend its mentorship programs and make a more solid
connection with the global ecosystem.
“Beyond
staying afloat in a climate where events are cancelled for the foreseeable
future, we’d also like to continue to evolve, open doors for others and connect
with people in new ways,” read a statement from Rhythm Section. “The lifeline
thrown by Bandcamp Fridays has shown us how strong our international community
is and we’d really love to further our collaboration and connection with you
all.”
So, what
does it all entail? Well, through a monthly membership subscription, labels, DJs,
producers and others looking to make their way through the music industry can
get a range of different perks. The memberships are tiered, with basic ones offering
exclusive merchandise, discounts and mixes. The higher-tiered ones, however, open
a whole host of opportunities. The statement goes on to mention production
workshops among other perks, and even one-on-one mentoring with Zero himself. Feedback
on mixes and demos, as well as crash courses on starting their own labels have
also been touted and Rhythm Section are even planning to offer an option for
artists who might not be able to afford a membership to still collaborate and benefit
on some level.
Some might
scoff and dismiss Rhythm Section’s lofty ambitions. They might even question
how effective taking these intrinsically intimate and dialogical concepts of mentorship
online can be. For Zero, however, this is not just a reaction to the pandemic and the restrictions
it has placed, as he reveals in a blog post on Patreon.
“When
you've got nothing to look forward to in terms of an event or a gathering, you
think in a different way. We find ourselves realising what we had around us and
the things that we perhaps took for granted. Whether it was the space that we
had, the equipment that we had, the knowledge that we gathered, and the fan
base essentially, who not only cared about what we say and what we add to the
conversation in terms of contemporary music, but also have a lot to say as
well.”
Check out
the Rhythm Section’s page on Patreon here.
Follow Rhythm Section on Instagram, Facebook and their official website.
