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Two couples kiss against a plain teal wall. On the left, a person in a light blue shirt embraces another person in a dark dress.

Publication: 90s UK garage celebrated in Ewen Spencer's new book

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Date
21 November 2013

If you’re after a book about UK garage with an intro by Mike Skinner entitled ‘Brandy & Coke’ – then this baby pink banger of a publication is the one for you. It’s a compilation of images by subculture snapper Ewen Spencer who, after graduating Brighton in 1997, went on to document UK music in all its glory.

In this collection Ewen has collated photos taken in the golden era of UK garage, in clubs where it didn’t matter what you wore or who you were with, as long as you were there for the music. What’s great about this book is how, like the club nights, it’s so no nonsense. Apart from the tremendous intro by Skinner, there really are no words – just pages and pages of beautiful photographs of dancing, dancing dancing. Get your hands on a copy here and you can get free tickets to the book launch here. Mine’s a brandy and coke.

A light pink book stands open on a wooden surface against a brick wall. The cover and spine feature gold lettering that reads “UKG” and “Ewen Spencer”.
Above

Ewen Spencer: UKG

A person in a patterned blue shirt looks directly at the camera in a crowded, dimly lit club. Other people stand on a raised platform behind them, while two figures are seen from the back in the foreground.
Above

Ewen Spencer: UKG

People dance in a crowded, dark club. In the foreground, one person holds a folding fan to their face while another dances with their arms raised and mouth open.
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Ewen Spencer: UKG

A group of people dance in a dark club under a bright flash. In the centre, a person in a strapless denim dress raises their arms, wearing shimmering makeup around their eyes.
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Ewen Spencer: UKG

A black and white photo of a crowded dance floor in a dark club. People are gathered closely together, with some raising their arms in the air.
Above

Ewen Spencer: UKG

A black and white photo of a crowded dance floor. People are gathered closely together, some dancing and others talking in the dim light.
Above

Ewen Spencer: UKG

Two couples embrace in a dimly lit room against a plain blue wall. On a low black table between them sit a plastic water bottle and several clear plastic cups.
Above

Ewen Spencer: UKG

A close-up of a light purple hardback book resting on a wooden surface. The cover features the letters “UKG” in a gold, geometric typeface.
Above

Ewen Spencer: UKG

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About the Author

Liv Siddall

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Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

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