After a long tube ride to Camden, I was overcome with anticipation to catch a glimpse of British rocker Billy Bragg, Legendary Clash member Mick Jones and Chris Shiflett from the Foo Fighters. When I approached the doors to “The Horse Hospital,” located in Stables market, I felt somewhat out of place with my peach three quarter sleeved cardigan. Wearing my Raindance TV press pass proudly, I snuck a peek at the Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. sound check, and dodged the staff members as they re-arranged heavy equipment. As I walked down the hallway I sensed a laid back atmosphere. Bartenders were cutting limes to my right, while a few people sat on their laptops and played Wii in a room to the left. I expected the venue to be a large arena, where the audience would have to push through a crowd to see the stage. However, it was quite the opposite. It was an intimate setting; a relatively small stage with about 15 rows of black fold out chairs. The music was bouncing off the walls while a few early guests tried to grab good seats.

I finally spotted Billy Bragg from across the room. I wasn’t sure how eager he would be to take time to be interviewed by me. I approached him, introduced myself, and politely asked for a moment of his time. I was pleasantly surprised by his answer. He led the way to the nearest exit, and stopped in front of a little coffee stand. While I quickly mentally prepared myself, the coffee shop employee offered Billy a coffee. He happily accepted the beverage, then turned to me, smiled, and waited for the interview to start. Once we started talking, it became more of a conversation than an interview. He explained that the concert hoping to raise at least £500 to provide guitars to prison inmates that will use music to achieve rehabilitation, and possibly continue on after they are released. Some of the “graduates” as Billy calls them, are actually performing at the concert. Billy said he buys the guitars from the United States, and he gets two for the price of one. Usually £500 could buy 10 Gibson guitars. The concert was sold out, and most likely raised more than they expected. Mick Jones and Chris Shiflett along with others actually contacted Billy after he announced his idea for the cause at an award show and asked to be a part of it.

Fortunately I ended the interview right before he was needed for sound check. I snapped a few pictures of his rehearsal with Chris Shiflett and Wayne Kramer.