Musician and promoter Seb Reynolds tells Tim Hughes why his latest project with the Albion Beatnik bookstore is very close to his heart

SEBASTIAN Reynolds has had a very good year. The keyboard player has seen his two Oxford bands, The Epstein and Flights of Helios reach new heights – the former releasing a critically-acclaimed new album and the second launching a debut single.

As the driving force behind PinDrop productions, he has also been responsible for staging some of the best shows of 2014 – with gigs in venues as diverse as The Wheatsheaf, St John the Evangelist Church and Modern Art Oxford.

His latest project, however, is one which is particularly close to his heart. On Saturday, the composer, producer, promoter and multi-instrumentalist joins forces with Dennis Harrison at the Albion Beatnik bookstore to bring together a clutch of their favourite artists for a show in aid of a great cause – helping the homeless.

His PinDrop Christmas Party will see six bands and artists playing the intimate Jericho bookshop to raise awareness of, and money for, city charity The Gatehouse.

Oxford Mail:

Promoter, artist and all-round nice-guy: Seb Reynolds

“The idea of the show is for PinDrop and Albion Beatnik to collaborate to put together a diverse, eclectic bill of acoustic music, poetry, literary readings and performance art based surprises celebrating the richness of Oxford’s music and literature scenes, all in aid of a fantastic charity,” says Seb, a former model.

Clearly the night is shaping up to be a festive yuletide celebration with general merriment courtesy of Julia Meijer, Joe Swarbrick, Richard Neuberg, Humphry ‘Huck’ Astley, The Yarns and at least one surprise act.

Spoken word artists will include Cleo Hanaway-Oakley, who will read from The Dead by James Joyce.

"I wanted to programme some acts which I’ve worked with over the last year and feel really represent the best of acoustic music in Oxford,” says Seb. “The acts have all been asked to perform a Christmas song or a song about, or inspired by, homelessness. I have also invited my friend Cleo to read.”

The Gatehouse provides food, shelter and company to local homeless and poorly housed people, and is based at St Giles Parish Rooms, in Woodstock Road.

Seb is a long-term supporter. He says: “Because of the presence of the universities and the large concentration of churches and other Christian institutions, Oxford has always had, historically speaking, a larger than average concentration of homeless people, as they have always been able to find support.

“The Gatehouse provides vital support service to those sleeping rough or living in vulnerable housing situations, and Christmas is the time when they need the most support and donations.

“I’ve been running PinDrop Christmas events on and off in Oxford for a decade. I became aware of the Gatehouse through a close friend’s work with them and started supporting them with the these shows a few years back.

“Our event last year at St John The Evangelist Church featured performances by The Epstein and Mercury Prize-nominated folk singer Sam Lee. We had more than 200 attendees and raised £800.”

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listen to ‘The Oxford Mail talk about Julia Meijer - I'm Not The One’ on Audioboom

So why hold the show in a bookshop? “The Albion Beatnik bookstore is a cultural hub to be treasured,” says Seb. “It is certainly the best book store in Oxford; a bohemian wonder with tea and cake, and a cracking jazz soundtrack.”

And who is he most looking forward to seeing? “I can’t answer that!” he laughs. “All of them! It’s going to be a chaotic, cosmic Christmas party to remember – all for a good cause.”

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