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INTERVIEW: Al Start chats about her current project for kids ‘Go Kid Music’

Renaissance women Al Start has been many things during her time in Brighton, but always creative – Eric Page grabs a moment to chat about her exciting new project and how it came about.

Why Brighton Al? I came to Brighton 30 years ago to study an art degree.  I was metal sculptor back then! I love Stanmer woods, I love the seafront, but down my ‘Portslade innit!’ end of town, it’s the docks!”

When did you come out? “I was never really ‘in’! I was naturally attracted to girls and only when bullied and made to feel like a freak did I back-track a bit. I stayed under the radar for a few years (but not under the gaydar!) I embraced my sexuality in Brighton at 19 and met like-minded people, realised I wouldn’t ‘burn in hell’, and could live a full life.  I wrote a letter to my parents and told them – they were horrified, repulsed and ashamed. So after many years of trying to get through to them I gave up and disowned them. Had to be done!  I do have two amazing sisters who I love and see all the time, one’s also gay – divine retribution to homophobic parents! Ha! I’d regretted being scared to put myself “out there” and take a risk. Now I realise time is short and you’ve got to just go for it.”

When and how do you write? “I sing to myself, if something sounds any good I’ll get a quick recording, then I listen when I have time in my studio. I put the songs together on my guitar or ukulele. I study a subject in the way a child would learn at school, put songs together on the key facts and find a funny angle.”

What’s makes you laugh? “Kids! They are so ridiculously funny!

What prompted Go Kid Music? “I’ve been a singer songwriter all my life, worked with children and I finally put the two together when St Lukes School head teacher pestered me to sing with the children in assembly. It really wasn’t my bag, so I took my knowledge of what kids love and wrote a spooky song called ‘Creepy Castle’. I taught it to them, they loved it – and weirdly so did.  I went on to write more, had enough for an album, but had no idea they’d be successful.  I now have seven children’s albums to my name, three musical shows and countless more projects, songbooks, online clubs…! So ‘Go Kid Music’ was born! There is demand for good quality children’s music.  We’re filling that gap!”

A highlight of last year? “I finally got a publishing deal for two songbooks illustrated by talented artist Chloe Batchelor and am now a published author! Whoo-hoo!”

What makes you angry? “School funding cuts. I am furious! The government has cut school budgets & the creative arts are being squeezed out – no music, drama, dance, art – our children are really suffering,  it’s so short-sighted.”

Tell us something about your Grandmother? “My grandmother was a superstar. I lived with her when my mum died, I was 7 and she was my main carer until my dad remarried. I was very close to her, she was an amazing artist. She was clever, a brilliant speed knitter who insisted on knitting most of my clothes (even in secondary school, which was not so good!) she made jam, pies, delicious dinners and mended everything!”

What makes you proud to be LGBT? “Everything. I’m super-proud  to be visible and out in my work with kids and to be a positive role-model and show them that they are going to be ok! There are so many LGBT children but no-one dares address that, but I’m planning some songs! Brighton makes me proud  – I LOVE my home! How lucky we are here!”

Musician, songwriter, singer, curator, creator, sculptor, metalsmith, researcher, entrepreneur, puppeteer, translator, author, is there anything you can’t do? “Ha ha ha! Wow, that sounds awesome! I’m not good at paperwork.  It’s a struggle to run a business when book-keeping and being organised is key.  The hardest job of all is being a mum! O…M….G….!”

What advice would you give to a 16-year-old LGBT+ just starting out on their life? “I’d say – you’re so lucky!!! You are born into a time when you can be yourself, school is still gonna have been hard, kids are still mean,  so try not to worry what other people think of you,  just be who you want and live your life the way you want to!”

Tell us about That Quiff? What MY quiff? Well, I grew up watching Happy Days and Grease…so my hair role models were the Fonz and Danny Zuko!  I say to kids when they ask if I’m a boy or a girl “I’m a girl….with short hair!” I don’t think they believe me!”

You have a favourite joke? Knock-knock (who’s there?) Interrupting cow (interrupting cow wh——) MOOOOO!!!!”

What’s your next project? “I’m determined to get into writing for Children’s TV. I have the songs for a new album to release before Christmas, hopefully and I’m plugging my brilliant online music club for families and schools alike – find it here: https://club.gokidmusic.com”

Any up and coming events?A monthly daytime gig at The Brunswick Pub, Hove called Mamas & Papas is for families/kids – If you’re interested in coming/playing please find me on Facebook @gokidmusic.”

FEATURE: My name is Jac, and I’m an addict

Not words I ever expected to say … this wasn’t part of the plan.

DESPITE a fairly normal childhood, I never really felt comfortable in my own skin. I started using drink and drugs in my teens, like everyone else. They solved my problem, and helped me to become the person I thought I wanted to be; I partied hard and believed I’d found the key to happiness and success.

After moving to Brighton in 1999, I found ‘the scene’ and felt like I’d found my place in the world, my home. I loved the acceptance and freedom I felt here, to be whoever I wanted to be. I spent almost every night in my favourite clubs and bars, always afraid of what I was missing if I spent a night in. I was part of something bigger than me, and for a while, things were great.

Fast forward a few years, and things began to change, the people I partied with started to move away from the scene, and become more sensible – they grew up!

I refused to do so, and things became more serious and sordid – I drank every day, and partied every weekend without fail. The gaps between using drugs got shorter, and the variety of drugs I used grew. Cocaine, ecstasy, speed, GHB, ketamine … they all did it for me, they filled the hole in my soul.

At some point, using drugs and drinking stopped being a choice and became a necessity. After reaching breaking point more than once, each time being worse, with more consequences, and a soul-destroying desperation, I realised that this had to stop, my life was at risk.

It was then that I sought help and went to my first 12-step meeting. This felt like the end of the road and I was certain my life would never be good again, how would I have fun if I couldn’t drink and use drugs?

In reality, this end was the beginning for me. I found a different type of home, and met people who had felt and behaved like me. What a relief!

When I walked into my first Cocaine Anonymous meeting, I was immediately made to feel welcome – someone made me a cup of tea, gave me a hug and a place to sit. And, as I listened to what everyone else had to stay, I felt a glimmer of hope for the first time.

Two and half years down the line, I live a life that I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams. I got my family back, I have love and laughter in my life, and a fellowship of like-minded people who help me to stay clean and sober one day at a time. I don’t spend my time avoiding and obsessing over drugs and alcohol, I am free.

Cocaine Anonymous offers a program of recovery that is open to everyone, free of charge, and which protects the individual with anonymity. It is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction. We have found that the best way to reach an addict is to speak to them on a common level. Our members are all recovering addicts who maintain their individual sobriety by working with others.

Cocaine Anonymous is not a drug-specific fellowship, and we treat all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, in the same way. Our primary purpose is to stay clean and to help others to achieve sobriety irrespective of the substances they use. Cocaine Anonymous uses the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is a programme of action, designed to bring about a change in us, that allows us to get clean and stay clean.

Meetings are where newcomers get a chance to meet recovering addicts who can help and support them. We hold over 35 meetings a week, at venues all over Sussex, and there are daily meetings in Brighton and Hove. The group itself can vary in size from 5-30 people, with a variety of formats. Everyone gets a chance to share their thoughts or just to listen to others.

Our meetings are diverse and inclusive of all people, regardless of gender, sexuality, social background, religion or disability, and we are also currently starting one within the LGBTQ+ communities, details of which will be available on our website or meetings list once a time and venue are confirmed.

To get in touch with us, you can visit our website: www.cocaineanonymous.org.uk or call our helpline: 0800 612 0225, which is open from 10am to 10pm every day. Our helpline is staffed by our members, and you can call for information, a chat with someone who understands, and details of our meetings. If you are interested in going to a meeting, we can get someone local to you to give you a call with more information.

Finding Cocaine Anonymous has saved my life, and I am a very happy and healthy member of society today. We can help you if you feel you are at the end of the road and are desperate to stop, we have a solution that works.

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