Luton Music profile-Paul Wood.

Luton Music Blog talking Metal & Two Tone with Paul Wood, and his love of the guitar he's never seen without one!



In this addition of the Luton music scene we are having a nice little chat with Paul Wood who plays guitar for Luton metal group Verses Akira . We’ll talk about Metal (obliviously) and also how Ska, Reggae & Funk have also formed the musical direction of this young man. Musically Paul cut his teeth playing crazy Van Halen solo’s at St Lukes church hall In Legrave. That was just before he made the decision to get into music. “I wasn't cool enough to get the girls I wanted, so I picked up a guitar at the age of 15! I haven't looked back since.”


But it took a number of years before those Van Halen solo’s could explode into life and it was at collage where Paul’s love for music erupted in a frantic metallic outburst. “My school had absolutely no music scene, up to the point that music lessons where cancelled for a year, which was a joke in my opinion! I really got into gigging and playing music live when I took it up at collage.” So at collage Paul found his feet and also fellow band member’s Dan, Jack, Arron & Alex to form Verses Arika. Who’s sound is pretty all out metal if you ask me. But Paul just laughs it off “is that a good thing?” he questions.


Speaking broadly the band are very full on metal and personally Paul notes “ I really enjoy techy metal stuff offered by Meshuggah and Sikth R.I.P.” he respectfully mentions “but also bands like Underoath & Killswitch Engage.” Then the Paul Drops the bombshell “Im really into Ska and Reggae too.” Im shocked, how can someone who initially looks very much ‘metal’ you can often spot him at the Edge getting his metal growl on upstairs most Tuesdays can pull up those tropical musical genre’s out of the bag. Paul laughs and calmly explains his off-key musical choices, “Well ive grown up with that stuff, bit of Reggae, Ska has been flying around the Wood household I just been into anything with a tight groove.”


Akira have been on a recent break to record their latest e.p something that has turned into a self confessed joke. “We were meant to have the EP out last year, but for various reasons it wasn't to be. Still, the wait has really done us some good, I guess the extra time has helped us refine the tracks. Hopefully people will hear a taste of things to come from the album: tight melodies, nice grooves, interesting chord progressions - that's what I'm trying to go for.” The bands exclusive first track is available on their myspace and is pretty tight, and upfront metal.

Taking time out to look at the rest of the scene Paul definitely agree’s that Luton is full of musical talent, and has special praise for a certain local promotions company. “DTA have always been there if we've needed shows, easy to get on with, they've got the whole process of running a gig down to a tee, and they manage to put on a lot of good bands.” But also Luton has had a current rise in acoustic acts and Paul fully supports Akira’s drummer Dan side project, and enthuises that “he delivers a fantastic show.”

It’s all about cross promotion these days and Verses Akira are well well equipped to get ahead of their game, they have recently got a manager which can only be a positive step forward. They seem to own the slickest Myspace ever known to man , and are also on Facebook and Twitter too. With the future looking bright Paul just wants the best for the band “I'd love to play festivals, and get touring - I work full time at the moment in an office, and I'd love to be able to ditch the job and just play guitar for a living.”

Paul has also thrown me some tunes he's into at the minute! so enjoy his choices!


1.Vices like Vipers by Oh, Sleeper - really original sounding band, heavy but not cliche, just a cool song




2.In Regards to Myself by Underoath - the whole album's great, I just picked this track coz it's what I'm listening to Spotify right now....

3. Finally Ghost Town by the Specials ;) - it's a classic, and I don't want everyone thinking I just listen to metal!



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Luton Music Profile: Kelly Betts

We talk local talent and BBC introducing with Kelly Betts in this Luton Music Profile.


In this addition we take a closer look at BBC three counties radio producer Kelly Betts, 24 who is currently working on the BBC introducing show which is the vocal point for the local music scene in Beds, Hearts and Bucks. The show runs every Friday evening from 7 till 8 and has played host to a wide range of musical talent from the local area, and includes bands such as " href="http://www.myspace.com/rivalries">Rivalries &
Pirate Radio


BBC introducing came from humble beginnings just like most visionary projects. Kelly started at the BBC from a young age sitting in on the Big George ‘business of sound’ show, but one section on the show really stirred Kelly’s passions. “On each show he would dedicate fifteen minutes to a local unsigned act; this really interested me as it seemed that the local area had so much unsigned musical talent.”


Circumstances quickly changed at Three Counties and an opportunity arose for Kelly to produce a show which would fill the understandably large void left by Big George. She teamed up with Gareth Lloyd to create the Box Office show, a two hour show on a Sunday which focused on local music and also the latest theatre & cinema releases. This included booking local bands to play live sessions a element which Kelly really enjoyed “It’s manic with all the bands in the studio and around the station, I have a great time with them and it gives them a fantastic opportunity to play their music fact I get to help talented musicians showcase their music on the radio- not just on BBC introducing in the local area but also on Radio One and 6Music.”

Radio one did have bigger ideas for the box office that like many other local radio shows had slots dedicated to their respective music scenes. BBC introducing had been formed with the sole ideal of promoting the local musical talent to a larger audience. With BBC introducing stages being set up at Glastonbury, Latitude and Reading music festivals. With increased exposure to local music the Three Counties brand of BBC introducing has had some success and Kelly is not shy in telling anyone, “Well recently local band the October Game got their session they recorded on the show played in full on 6music, which is pretty good and we also brought down local band Shapes down to Maida Vale in London to record four tracks.”


But the continued popularity of three counties is down to the constant amount of new talent which is attracted to the show, Kelly along with a dedicated team of researchers trudge social network sites such as MySpace & Facebook for the latest musical talent which can be played out on the show, and the one rule they must be from Beds Hearts and Bucks. So within the hour you can expect a fast paced lively show jammed packed with the hottest musical talent, live sessions, and of course the world famous feature band on a bike in which various bands are challenged to ride a child’s tricycle around the hallways of the Three Counties studio.

But it seems like Luton is lagging behind when it comes to the music scene considering neighbouring towns of St Albans & Watford have seen an explosion of local talent as of late. Bands such Friendly Fires, Enter Shakiri and punk upstarts the Gallows have all been making headway in the music press and with mainstream radio airplay. Surely it’s time for Luton to follow suit, but Kelly remains optimistic on the prospects for our fair town. “I think it’s just a matter of time really, we have some good music venues in the form of the Hat factory & the Student union, and also many dedicated promoters I am constantly sending tracks of to 6music & Radio One, hopefully their will be some interest soon, I think Luton deserves to be on the map we have plenty of talent about.”


I also managed to catch up with Kelly and she gave me a couple of youtube gems for you!

First up the rather lovely Guildean Gang who's spacy offering in Dennis Bergkamp is pretty good.


Secondly Kilto Take who's tune wake in the Lie is a real grower and this video was taken at a recent gig at the Milton Keynes snow dome.


Finally the Folky October Game who Kelly mentioned in this very blog! enjoy Deepest Suburban Sleep!






Keep your eyes Peeled for more posts coming soon