Sunderland student Lee Taylor brought a lot more than his luggage from Bristol. The public relations trainee tells VIV HARDWICK of his decision to launch a music night as well

N OT many students would think of bringing an indie club night with them after making the decision to relocate from Bristol to Sunderland University. But, having founded the club night, Hallelujah, in March, 2006, main promoter and public relations course member Lee Taylor decided to take the risk of re-launching the project on Monday nights, from September 24, at Sunderland's Independent Club.

He says: "I'm a music lover and it felt like the right thing to do. The relocation to Sunderland comes about due to going back to university. I felt there was some life in the night, I have lots of energy to put into it and wanted to pursue the project further."

He admits moving the night to Sunderland is a massive challenge as he knows very little about the North-East, but he's made some good contacts, found a great venue and feels the club night is ideal for an up-and-coming student population.

The explosion of interest in indie music over recent years has moved the genre into a mainstream audience.

"Live music is more accessible through social networking sites, such as myspace," says Lee.

"People can listen to tracks from any band old, new or up and coming, 24 hours a day.

"When so much music is available, bands will attract more of a fanbase, and people attending gigs and buying or downloading tracks heightens awareness of a genre, hence the popularity of indie music, in my opinion."

The project's name of Hallelujah comes from the Happy Mondays track.

"From our short-time up here there are some massive bands about like Maximo Park and the Futureheads, to name just two,"ays Lee. " I like the atmosphere, though - there are a lot of young bands, all keen to have a crack and see what happens. The North-East music scene is, from I can see, brimming with talent. We aim when we have live bands night to have the best on offer from the region."

Bands like, Primal Scream, The Cooper Temple Clause, Idlewild, Forward Russia, The View, Hot Chip, Blackwire, Fortune Drive, The Secret Machines, Giant Drag, The Enemy, The Nova Saints, The Franco's, the New Rhodes, Fallout Trust, Halagoogoo, The Anydays, Century Man, Jumeaux and Jet Plane Landing have all been linked with the Bristol project.

The Wearside opening night will feature Northern Uproar from Manchester, the Daze from Dundee and the Familiar Ones from Sunderland, plus DJs recruited from Newcastle and Sunderland.

"Newcastle is getting some major acts, but we are in Sunderland and as far as we are concerned, this is where we'll be based for the foreseeable future. We can offer the same great acts. I am sure of that," says Lee. "We're looking to get a wide range of acts, signed, unsigned, local and national."

The main room will be playing dancefloor indie, while the back room takes on other genres. On October 1, Diana Barraza from Los Angeles is a guest DJ.

Of the Monday night slot, Lee says: "We aim to cater for the student budget and for those who have spent a few quid too much from the weekend. Our drinks prices will represents value for money "The venue has an excellent relationship with the local area and we were keen to work with the Independent, with a consistant door policy. Initially I thought of a Wednesday night, but from meetings it came across that Monday night is student night in Sunderland.

"The city has seen mass investment recently, and the university has an influx of new students and we are here to provide a new night for them.

Everyone's welcome."

Lee also promises that if 500 people want to see an act, then he'll book it.

● Hallelujah is based at The Independent, Holmeside, Sunderland City Centre, near the Metro station.

Doors open: 7pm, first band 7.20pm.

In addition to performing live The Daze are also staging a guest DJ set.

Resident DJs: Ju-lea and Jarvis (Club NME, Sunderland), CJ Ranson (Spun, Newcastle), Kim Wray (Hallelujah,Sunderland), Lee Taylor (Hallelujah, Bristol). Totally Trashed rooms DJs: Scott:Lund + Rossi:Tronic Now Admission: £6. Early Bird Tickets: £5.

Bookings: www.myspace.com/hallelujahitsbristol