Know The Ledge took it's first spluttering breaths on 16th June 2002. It was envisioned as a means of sharing
insights into the cool stuff that takes place out there in the worlds of music, the arts, and leftfield
culture.
The site was initially set up and pretty much single-handeldly written, built, and managed by myself. But
it's now evolved to the point where there's a loose-knit team of likeminded contributors based in both
London and New York City (scroll down for details), all of whom share a deep-seated love for the stuff we write
about. And I guess it's beginning to pay off - where a year ago no-one visited apart from a few curious
friends and family members, nowadays there are thousands of you checking in every month.
The site as it currently stands aims to inform and entertain via previews, news, interviews, reviews, and listings. Why London and NYC? As anyone who's been fortunate enough to have vistited both can attest, there's
a downright similar aesthetic, energy, and vibe between the two metropolises. Put it down to globalisation,
the lack of a language barrier (NY cabs don't count), or the magnetism a major city has for those who
create and support the arts, but there's an undeniably potent, seething cultural life taking place in both. I've
lived in London most of my life, but I'll admit also to having fallen in love with NYC before I ever
visited, a long-distance relationship nurtured over the years by everything from Sesame Street to Public
Enemy, Woody Allen to Paul Auster, Basquiat to Spike Lee, De Niro to Celia Cruz.
And why the name? As I aluded to earlier, the primary impetus behind the site's creation was
an evangelistic desire to impart and share the knowledge and experiences that some of us are lucky enough to
be constantly soaking up. 'Knowledge' - 'The Knowledge' - 'Know The Ledge'. Geddit? There's also something
in there about being on the forefront of what's going on, the cutting (l)edge. Perhaps there's also a hint of
knowing where the ledge of the plateau of your own limitations lies, and through having that point of
reference and self-knowledge, incessantly striving to hit that next peak of being. Oh yeah, and it's the
name of a bloody good song by Eric B and Rakim.
Marcos Moret
Editor-in-Chief + Writer / Brooklyn, NYC + Hackney, London / A Love Supreme by John Coltrane /
ICA, London + APT., NYC / Drummer: Tony Williams
Pablo Navarrete
Writer / Hackney, London / Indestructible by Ray Barreto / Jazz Cafe, London / Comedian: Bill Hicks
Damian Platt
Writer / The Royal Borough, London / Moleque by Gonzaguinhaco / Co-Op at Plastic People, London / Cartoonist: Vaughn Bodé
Ike Ikwuemesi
Writer / Queens Park, London / The Magnificent Dance by The Clash / ICA, London / Cinematographer: Wai Keung Lau
Cristian Winder
Sub-editor / Highbury, London / Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones / Regents Park footy fields, London / Baseball team:
NY Yankees
Jonah Wyn Pugh
Sub-editor and Writer / Shepherd's Bush, London / Take Time by Ill Bidone /
Westbourne Studios, London / Director: Richard Linklater
Fumio Ichikawa
NYC Listings Editor / Sugar Hill, NYC / Money Jungle by Ellington, Mingus & Roach / Housingworks Bookstore & Cafe on Crosby St, NYC / 60's Cinema: Tokyo Drifter
::: LEDGE-TASTIC CONTRIBUTORS
(no. of pieces)
Pash Obeng Jr. (19), Oliver Scott (17), Sanjiv Ahluwalia (12), Jessica Ramakrishnan (10), Kirsty Patterson (10), Scott Wright (9), John Kelly (9), Monica Runke (8), John Armstrong (8), Andy Newcombe (7), Xan Blacq (7), Lucy Whitehead (7), John Bringardner (6), Helene Dancer (5), Priscilla Owusu (5), Nadia Gilani (4), Ama Chris Nsiah-Buadi (4), Sarah Marshall (4), Claire Thornton (3), Nilda Velez (3), Jonah Wyn Pugh (3), Tom Pitchon (3), Hughsta Edwards (3), DJ Jose Luis (3), Jass Dhanoa (3), David Aaron (2), Julian Howson (2), Sherman (2), Loretta Chan (2), Thalbir Shokar (1), DJ True (1), Cojo Art Juggernaut (1), Sarah Rix (1), Chavikus (1), Allison Eikerenkoetter (1), Jamie Lau (1), George Beardsall (1).
::: WANTED
1) We need an London Listings Editor. You'll be compiling the party and concert listings each
week, and there are always a few freebies flying aorund. Interested? Email us londonlistings@knowtheledge.net.
2) We're on the look-out for writers, especially those based in NYC. Contact us at
writer@knowtheledge.net if you're
interested.
3) We're looking for people with HTML skills to help keep the site updated. If that's you, then holla!
4) We're looking for a sub-editor. You'll need a tippedy-top command of the English language. If you're interested, let us know.
5) We have an Internship position available. Activities will include (depending on your skills and preferences) writing, editing, coordinating pieces, coming up with new ideas, helping with events, identifying marketing and partnership opportunities, and generally helping to ensure that the site runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. You'll need to have great attention to detail, ability to manage your own time, bags of initiative and, most importantly, a love for urban/leftfield music and culture. Also web design and photography skills would be a bonus, but not a requisite. There's a lot of scope to sculpt the role to your interests. Your location will ideally be London or NYC. And you will need to be able to dedicate at least 15 hours a week to the role. Basically this is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to get in-depth experience of the running of a culture-focused website and all the cool stuff that entails! Sound good? Hit us back at intern@knowtheledge.net.
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Know The Ledge took it's first spluttering breaths on 16th June 2002. It was envisioned as a means of sharing
insights into the cool stuff that takes place out there in the worlds of music, the arts, and leftfield
culture.