LOCAL RADAR: Introducing Odyssey

Odyssey - a new venture from the organiser of the recent Aldershot Alldayer and founder of the online vintage clothing shop Mandala Vintage is about to give a youthful shot in the arm to the local Surrey/Hants music scene.

They Kick off for real next week with their debut show at Guildford's Boileroom featuring 4 exciting young acts from the local scene.

Having spoken to Charlotte Mandell, the founder and one of the small crew behind Odyssey, at a couple of recent gigs, two things struck me about why Odyssey is different. Firstly, the frustration stemming from gigs often being 18+ means a huge number of music lovers in the area miss out and secondly, a passion and desire to do something unique.

The outcome of that is Odyssey a mix of her passions for music and vintage clothing, promising gigs that will always be 14+. Using the experience and contacts from the hugely successful Aldershot Alldayer and bringing in friends and fellow musicians, Char Goodfellow and Mike Thorpe (from the headlining band Vinyl Staircase). They promise to "host regular gigs at various venues in the Surrey and Hampshire areas, where we party it up with the latest gems, local sweethearts, and rising heartthrobs."

They go on to tell us "Odyssey is not only run by a group of pals, we’re also all students, at colleges in the local area. We are also all musicians, regular gig-goers and supporters of local music. We’re just people that love music and want to spread that love to other people. Odyssey is going to be something really special."

This sounds like something good to us and something that will be a welcome addition to a burgeoning local scene. Show your support at the FREE first event which continues where the Alldayer left off. showcasing some of the areas most talented up-and-coming bands and singers with a focus on indie, pyschedelia and experimental slacker rock.

Also on the bill is our very own Annabel Allum, experimental art-rock trio Seers and dazy chain with their "synth coated and grimy slacker tunes". Not to be missed.