Kazimier team behind new venue discuss their Stockroom vision

Snapped Ankles at The Stockroom, picture by Amy Chidlow

Kazimier Stockroom is a welcome addition to Liverpool city centre, the team behind The Kazimier and Invisible Wind Factory explain to Getintothis’ Lewis Ridley the thinking behind the project.

The Stockroom is the latest in the Kazimier’s far-sprawling DIY vision, a micro-venue nestled in the hollow of Seel Street, behind a secretive door, lies a small-but-perfectly-formed new space for music and culture.

The Stockroom feels a little like your eccentric friends living room – cosy, warm, full of odd trinkets, souvenirs and nostalgic touches.

The vision for the space is that you’ll be able to peep your head around the door on any given week and experience something a little different.

Whether it’s live local bands, cabaret performances, contemporary classical ensembles, hands-on workshops, live jazz improvisations or even electronic-centric future club sounds.

Being a little bit rogue, a little gung-ho and a just little bit punk, are the vibes they’re drawing upon.

The Stockroom provides a safer little haven for local up-and-coming artists to place their shows, out of the open air (and often noisy) surroundings of the Kazimier Garden.

With flats shooting up in the city centre and music venues either being lost to these redevelopments or forced to the perimeter of the city centre, the opening of the Stockroom on Seel Street is a strong statement in preserving and continuing the musical culture of Wolstenholme Square.

The team behind the Stockroom are a new conglomerate of familiar friendly faces.

George Maund, the brains behind future club party Cartier 4 Everyone and Kazimier Garden regular, and Nina Franklin, a local promoter with her party ATHE and station manager at Melodic Distraction, pair up to steer the project, with the far-flung Kazimier family all bringing their individual touches to the table.

The interior is finished in true Kazimier style by the hands of Sam and Laurie Crombie (two founding members of the Kazimier Collective) wooden, treasure-filled and cabaret-warm.

The bespoke lighting rig installed by Venya Krutikov and is reminiscent of the old Rat Alley (RIP) and the Invisible Wind Factory Substation.

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The Kazimier Stockroom now sits amidst a whole complex of Kazimier projects, nestled up right by Kazimier Gardens and OUTPUT gallery. The Kaz Gardens have gone from strength to strength.

The selection of drinks offers punters the opportunity to try some of the best of international, national and locally brewed craft beer and real ales, organic wines, as well as a range of choice spirits; again supporting local stills and stocking local vodkas and gins.

The Garden provides an organic and natural space to spend time in the middle of the busy city centre where inside the oasis, you could be anywhere in the world; the handmade, done it ourselves feel makes for unique bevvying.

OUTPUT gallery is already a year old and has secured Arts Council England funding for the second time, bringing with it a whole new programme to see them through to the end of 2019.

A mix of solo exhibitions, their regular OUTPUT OPEN, and new partnerships with Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, Open Eye Gallery, FACT and Make, it’s a busy lineup as they continue highlighting the best of art exclusively by creatives from or based in Merseyside.

Deeper Cuts Festival – an interstellar new music happening in Liverpool

They’re trying to push how they support the city this year by putting out traineeships for both curation and production work, and they’re excited to help more people come up.

There’s usually something new in the gallery every other week but this year they’re going to be hiring out the space for workshops, talks, book and album launches to keep it interesting.

They’ve put a call out, if you’re interested in a city centre venue for your project or idea, drop them a line.

Kazimier Stockroom listings for June and July:

June
Tuesday 18th – DJ WORKSHOPS FOR WOMXN hosted by ATHE and MELODIC DISTRACTION
Friday 21st – Kazimier Summer Solstice Party
Saturday 22nd – Space Jamz Africa Oyé Official After Party
Sunday 23rd – Godwosh Jazzimier Sunday
Tuesday 25th – Unstoppable Sweeties

July
Thursday 4th – Kinsey Records Hoe-Down
Sunday 7th – Godwosh Jazzimier Sunday
Saturday 13th – Deeper Cuts Festival (Ticket link!)
Tuesday 16th – DJ WORKSHOPS FOR WOMXN
Wednesday 17th – Jerry Mane’s Def Comedy Slam
Thursday 18th – Paddy Steer & The Aleph
Friday 19th – Cabana: Elliot
Saturday 20th – Twin Galaxies
Sunday 21st – Godwosh Jazzimier Sunday
Wednesday 24th – Raft of Trash
Saturday 27th – Cartier 4 Everyone 3rd Birthday & Pride Party