The Golden Lion, a venue in West Yorkshire, has launched a new record label, ‘The Golden Lion Sounds.’
Local creatives, international musicians, artists, DJs and friends of the pub have all banded together, to help Wake (Richard Walker) and Gig (Matthanee), the venue’s landlords. The move is to ensure that the venue can stay open, and be able to host shows post-pandemic.
“I had chat with friend Andrew Meecham, a well-known name who’s hung out at The Golden Lion, DJ-ed and performed live as The Emperor Machine and Bizarre Inc. I was inspired to set up the venue’s very own independent record label Golden Lion Sounds.” – Gig
The specialist record label plans to release a bi-monthly series of exclusive seven-inch vinyl records, all limited and numbered featuring musicians and DJs who have played live or DJ-ed at The Golden Lion since its inception. So far Working Men’s Club, Goa Express, W H Lung, The Lounge Society, David Holmes, Jarvis Cocker, The Emperor Machine, Jane Weaver, Andy Votel, Crazy P, Nucleus Roots, Zion Train have all contributed tracks.
The Golden Lion has also launched a limited edition range of merchandise, including shirts, sweatshirts and tote bags, designed by Wall-Russ and Bom Karrot.
“The idea is to produce and sell vinyl records & Lion merchandise so that we can reinvest in a series of 7” releases, supported by online broadcasts and to showcase our flourishing local talent.”
The venue has played host to the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Kevin Rowland, Irvine Welsh, Graeme Park and Mr Scruff. In addition to their legendary gigs, the venue hosts UFO meetings, comic book groups, art classes and health and wellbeing gatherings. It has been described by Vice as ‘Yorkshire’s Coolest Music Venue.’
