Derek on THE LANCASTER MUSIC COOP and also VEX MESSAGE

Derek Meins has a chat to us about THE LANCASTER MUSIC COOP where he is both a Director and Volunteer. Hear about the student-founded hub for rehearsal and recording, its closure during lockdowns, and how post-lockdown disrepair prevented reopening. Hear about our efforts to secure a permanent lease to access funding, a full strip-back renovation with five soundproofed rehearsal rooms and a rebuilt recording studio, and hopes to reopen in 2026. We also chat about the thoroughly epic monthly free-entry co-op fundraising gigs held the last Friday of every month at The Pub in Lancaster. And the recent Bandcamp compilation, of local acts put out ot raise money for the cause. We couldn't let Derek escape without telling us about VEX MESSAGE the influential three-piece and their themes of surveillance and modern "utopian" visions... Find VEX MESSAGE: https://open.spotify.com/track/0vfwxSyS1JCgbUC2WVJSGI FIND THE COOP ALBUM: https://lancastermusiccoop.bandcamp.com/album/co-opilation-vol-1