little eris / Bronwen interview about the Unemployed Daytime Disco

Interview from 16th February 2011
by Katherine Latham
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Journalist . Copywriter



Can you tell me a bit about yourself? What is your profession? Are you unemployed? What is your story?

I am an artist and musician - I have been unemployed for 2 years after the project funding for my post as Arts Development Officer came to an end. I had that job for four years. Part of the role was to manage a programme of theatre, cinema and music events. It was a great position where I could apply my degree in Entertainment Industry Management directly to my work. I really enjoyed the role I think it would have been possible to continue the project there had it not been for the regressive corrupt manager.
Now along with jobsearch etc I focus my energies on Little Eris which is my music project and also on The Unemployed Daytime Disco.


What inspired you to start up the unemployed discos?

I was talking to a friend of mine called Adam Johannes and we were discussing how boring being out of work can be and how many good people with creative talents were not fulfilling their potential due to financial restraints, poverty and the general futureless hopelessness and depression that comes when you can't find a job. Adam joked about having a disco in the daytime and it all started from there really. Once we decided that the disco should definitely take place we went about looking for a venue. The Rockin Chair is an independent local venue that supports the arts , it has a stage and a PA system, and it run by friendly people so we decided to hold the event there. We negotiated a free hire and are very grateful to the venue for supporting the local unemployed people in this way.

How long have they been running for?

The World's first Unemployed Daytime Disco took place on the 20th December so we are coming into the third month of the project now.


Who goes to them?

The Unemployed Daytime Disco is appealing to anyone without a job so the discos are attended by all sorts of people! Unemployment is indiscriminate, everyone is affected . We have seen a wide age range at the discos, both as audiences and performers. At the last disco we all sang happy birthday to a 3 year old, we also had a youth band called Inconsiderate Parking performing and a father daughter steel band. I have seen a couple of elderly people bopping away at the daytime disco but I would say the majority of people are between 25 and 35. Most people are jobseekers but many who came in the day are also freelance workers or part time workers. Some people come after work as the disco runs until 8pm.

Do you think they help people cope with unemployment?

The past two discos for me personally, have been a massive boost to my self esteem and confidence. I am sure everyone involved feels the same. It's been a hard Winter for poor people, the disco has provided a positive distraction and something good to prepare for and look forward to. The disco has been a meeting place where people lend each other sewing machines, share poems, swap survival tips etc. Through press coverage we have helped raise awareness of unemployment issues and hopefully also helped changed perceptions of unemployed people.

Do you see the same people each week?

The daytime disco works as a collective with everyone's input welcome and everyone helping to promote it. It's a very holistic event. We do have a core group who have specialist roles eg Heledd Melangell translates publicity into Welsh for us, classical pianist Frances Crack is our link for getting music students from the Atrium to perform, Johnny Nigma has been photographing every disco... there are more people who help Ceri, Jasamine, Saskiia, Mab, Will, Jack, Adam (to name but a few!) who help with publicity and inspire and advise. The disco relies on goodwill. We have a regular following but there are new people coming every time. There is a new line up for each disco so there will always be fresh sounds and different people coming along.


What future plans do you have for the discos?

We are in the process of drawing up a constitution to form an official group so we can apply for funding for workshops, equipment, trips, guest artists, travel expenses for the acts etc. We would like to stage an outdoor Unemployed Daytime Disco in the Summer, we would also like in the future to have an Unemployed Daytime Disco stage at festivals where the performers who are ready to advance can have the opportunity to play on bigger stages. We are aware that if the disco continues to grow we might have to move to a bigger venue in the future. There are also plans at the end of the year for an exhibition of Unemployed Daytime Disco posters , the posters are designed each month by a guest artist.

What are your personal future plans?

To continue working towards social change, to make lots of lovely music and help create positive environments where we can all be creative and happy, to do what I love every day and work on projects with amazing people with shared ethics and vision.

Interview from 16th February 2011
by Katherine Latham
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Journalist . Copywriter

Posted by Eris Kaoss at Tuesday, March 15, 2011