In a bold move to address the struggles facing the grassroots music scene in the UK, Opus Kink have announced the release of ‘A Hideous Collection’. Set for release on September 5, the compilation album is aimed at raising funds for the Music Venue Trust and UK Touring Artists Fund. The album aims to raise awareness towards the various and diverse talent in the UK music scene and raise funds for struggling independent music venues facing closure.
The compilation album features notable tracks from a wide range of UK artists, including Wunderhorse, English Teacher, Katy J Pearson, Lambrini Girls, Mary In The Junkyard, Matt Maltese, Warmduscher, Nova Twins, and Honeyglaze, among others. A total of 26 artists are contributing to the release, reflecting the breadth of the UK’s contemporary indie, punk, and experimental music scenes.
In a press statement, Opus Kink said of the compilation: “Touring independent music venues is like this. The most passionate organisers are the ones who do it on a shoestring and are often one bad season away from crumbling.”
They added: “Support for these venues and humans is starting to glimmer in the ashes through donations and awareness and the work of groups like MVT, but as always, unfortunately, it must also take wresting a more fundamental and top – down offering from the industry to really stay the decimation of grassroots live music culture in this country.”
“In the meantime, please enjoy the sounds of some of the artists who help to keep alive the places that birthed them and please buy this record so you can do that too,” it added. “And remember to thank Satan.”
The album arrives against the backdrop of an ongoing crisis for grassroots music venues. A report published earlier this year by the Music Venue Trust revealed that one grassroots venue is closing every two weeks across the UK. Rising costs, post-pandemic financial instability, and limited government support have all been cited as major contributing factors.
The Music Venue Trust, founded in 2014, advocates for the protection and development of grassroots music spaces. The charity supports venues through financial aid, lobbying efforts, and campaigning for systemic industry reforms. The UK Touring Artists Fund, meanwhile, provides grants to artists impacted by rising touring costs and venue closures.
The compilation track listing for ‘A Hideous Collection’ compilation:
Vinyl One
Foreword From Steve Lamacq
Big Special – ‘Cooked Fish’
Katy J Pearson – ‘Tonight’
Luvcat – ‘He’s My Man (live in Cologne)’
Honeyglaze – ‘Turn Out Right’
Matt Maltese – ‘Please Don’t Kill Me’
Opus Kink – ‘Thank You Satan’
Lambrini Girls – ‘Big Dick Energy (live in Seattle)’
Warmduscher – ‘YAKUZA’
TTSSFU – ‘Upstairs’
Hamish Hawk – ‘Burning Up’
Wunderhorse – ‘Rain (live)’
Vinyl Two
Antony Szmierek – ‘Independent Venue Week Poem’
Friedberg – ‘Haha’
Hot Wax – ‘Chip My Teeth (live at Rough Trade East)’
Getdown Services – ‘AONB’
Gurriers – ‘Approachable (Chris. W. Ryan. version)’
Nova Twins – ‘Monsters (live)’
cumgirl8 – ‘Goblin’
The Oozes – ‘The Entertainer’
Los Bitchos – ‘Turkish Delight’
Oracle Sisters – ‘Wait For Me’
English Teacher – ‘Yorkshire Tapas’
mary in the junkyard – ‘ghost (demo)’
‘The Hideous Collection’ aims to raise both awareness and funds. All proceeds from sales of the album will go directly to the two organisations. The compilation will be available to pre-order in the coming weeks on digital and vinyl format. The link for the album can be accessed here.
