The Miniature Music Press

Well, this was certainly what Cardiff needed! I spent months, wandering around Cardiff, looking for gigs and ending up in some right dives. Not pleasant. I tried online. Just the big stuff. I lamented, lamented and lamented the lack of listings as I continuously only heard about gigs I’d like to go to after they had happened.
And then, a little A5 ray of sunshine entered my otherwise drab and gigless life.
It is a fab little read. Just the right balance between serious journalism and irreverent jollity. But most importantly it tells you what is happening where and when! Amazing!
It does seem to have a bit of a bias towards certain types of music and could have more jazz, world, classical etc. but then, we each have our preferences. But with a team of reviewers giving constructive criticism to local bands, features, gig reviews and interviews it gives a lot back to a community that works hard. And it also champions a new designer every month so the cover is always fresh and new.
And, this is one of the best bits, its FREEEEE!
And, if yours has fallen out of your handbag, down the back of the sofa or been used as a coaster, there is also a website to check whats happening.

The Miniature Music Press is a spectacular little publication which is always guaranteed to make you happy to live in such a vibrant city.
Although I’m not one to be truly, madly engaged by all the critical nuances of a track or a band, I am a sucker for the genuine enthusiasm for Cardiff life which seems to ooze from the pages.
The magazine is packed with informative interviews, providing relevant discussions of the minds and faces behind the music.
For me, JM Strange’s unique and experimental column at the back was the clear highlight. Providing a satirical take on what it means to follow the music scene, this feature is a symptom of a work that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
With cute illustration, a friendly tone and inviting layouts throughout, the Miniature Music Press is an essential guide to the sounds of this fair city.
URBAN CHALLENGE: Read JM Strange. It’s unmissable.

Ok, I have recently started writing for this publication so may be slightly biased, but it really is a great, informative publication for you music fans out there, especially covering the up and coming scene that is happening in Cardiff. This little A5 sized beauty can be found in many hang out spots throughout Cardiff, begging to be read. There is nothing but goodness seeping out of this beautifully designed essential read, not only providing you with information and entertainment, but also a platform for the newcomers to the music scene to gain those much needed followers.
It covers previews and reviews of all music events happening in Cardiff and has a few words from its regular columnists Kaptin and J. M Strange. The website and the publication are a great source of gig listings so that you can just take a quick look to see what is happening music wise in Cardiff on the particular day of your choosing.
This wonderful magazine is nearly 1 year old now, with its 1 year birthday bash happening at Cardiff Arts Institute on the 30^th September, so be sure to attend to celebrate this magnificent achievement.
Cardiff may not be as good as Bristol when it comes to the music scene, but with The Miniature Music Press as an aid to help it grow, it can only get better. Oh and it’s free! Get it now!

Anybody under the impression that Cardiff’s music scene is in some way below par obviously isn’t looking hard enough. Despite the odd venue like Barfly shutting its doors, the rise in bars like Buffalo and 10 Feet Tall putting on packed programmes of live bands has far upped events of interest compared to even five years ago. So kudos to anybody like The Miniature Music Press that are hell-​bent on showing people what aural delights the city has to offer. It’s a relatively new publication and, as yet, hasn’t quite established the singular ‘voice’ that previous Cardiff incumbents like Kruger managed to put across. And, as is the problem with free mags, its reliance on advertising to cover costs means there’s barely a double page without somebody selling something. But in taking a grassroots approach toward rooting out unheard talent over solely fawning over more established names to emerge from the city, The Miniature Music Press is definitely one of the good guys.

The local music scene in Cardiff isn’t exactly thumping right now and, unfortunately, it hasn’t been for a long time. There are the occasional flares of success that sprout up, but these are few and far between. However, that’s not to say that it doesn’t exist; it’s there, but it’s discreet. It’s hidden. Playing dead until something fresh and amazing comes along to give it something to live for.
And that’s where the Miniature Music Press comes in. In its scant few pages are listings for each and every music event and happening going on in the next month. With regular interviews, editorial articles from the local Cardiff scenesters and comprehensive gig listings, MMS seems to be building a scene all around itself, getting the information out there on exciting new music coming out of the city in a way that hasn’t been seen in years.
Our city has a diverse and wonderful collection of bands and music aficionados. What it hasn’t had in a long time, is a community. The Miniature Music Press looks like it may be the cure to this problem.

Music magazines come and go. I’ve been sad to wave goodbye to the genius that was Kruger and wonderful wonderful Plan B. But all is not lost. How lovely is the lovely Miniature Music Press? Answer: Very Lovely. Billing itself as ‘the definitive guide to live music in Cardiff’, this little mag is run by a collection of writers, graphic designers, musicians and all round nice people and is distributed across the city at places like Spillers and Cardiff Arts Institute.
As well as listings the MMP includes news, reviews, previews and interviews — this month’s issue features Richard James, The Toy Band and Miss Maud’s Folly. They also have Cardiff characters as columnists; characters like Kaptin, Ruffstylz and J.M.Strange. Read it, tuck it in your back pocket, never turn up at the wrong venue again. Possibly.

The Miniature Music Press is the brainchild of Aimee-​Jade Hayes of See Monkey Do Monkey Recordings, and musician and promoter Rowan Liggett. The first issue was released ten months ago, and has already established itself as the essential guide to music in Cardiff. Featuring page after page of no-​nonsense listings, this free, A5 zine-​sized, full-​colour, music magazine ticks a lot of boxes. Featuring new releases, live reviews, and the latest music news, as well as offering free downloads with each issue, it’s not surprising that The Miniature Music Press has already earned itself a readership of 30,000. And check out J/​M Strange’s regular feature at the back! Guaranteed to bend your head out of shape and provide you with some well-​earned escapism of the most delicious kind!
Each month sees an increase in size of the magazine. Issue 8, released in May, was 42 pages long, and the June issue has grown to 48. That’s an increase of just under twenty percent (or there abouts… I’ve never been too pedantic when it comes to doing the math). Whichever way you look at it, with this kind of growth rate, we can expect it to be fatter than a telephone directory in a couple of years time. That’s phat!
Next months magazine will be the festival issue, featuring the best of what’s on offer in the summer, including Croissant Neuf in Usk, Green Man in the Brecon Beacons, as well as some of the smaller gatherings and city-​based summer-​loving and frivolity…
You can pick up a copy at pretty much any venue in town, as well as at loads of shops and pubs. Failing that, check them out on-​line…