We wanted to share the story behind the official Bognorphenia album project, Small Geezers. Featuring a brilliant mix of local bands, youth acts, a community choir, and seasoned area musicians, the project is far more than just a collection of songs. It is a celebration of community resilience, grassroots music, and the power of giving young people a voice.

We sat down with Kez Dunnaway, founder of Bognorphenia, to hear the real story behind how Small Geezers grew from a dream into a full-scale physical release on vinyl and CD.

An idea which started during the pandemic

The initial spark for the album didn’t happen overnight. In fact, its roots stretch back several years.

Kez said “The idea for the album actually started as a result of COVID because I really wanted to do something that was going to be positive after everything we all went through.” Kez worked with local singer-songwriter Davey Anscombe throughout that period, providing music lessons for young people online to bring music to as many as possible.

When lockdowns lifted, turning that spark into reality proved to be a marathon. Finding the right collaborators and aligning everyone’s schedules in a post-pandemic world took time, but Kez’s determination to create something uplifting for the local music scene never wavered.

Three years ago Davey wrote the song Higher and Higher just for Kez, and it is performed on the album by Bognorphenia Singers, a group of young people led by choirmaster Denisa Copeland.

A platform for local talent

The true turning point came over the last two years when Bognorphenia found its physical home.

“I’ve been very, very lucky in having the community centre as a base,” explains Kez. “because the Young People’s Music Project now has its own dedicated room and facilities. Having that stable space meant we could finally say, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s do it now.’ And that’s really how the album truly came about.”

With a dedicated base of operations, the timeline accelerated. Initial conversations took shape late last year, with Kez quietly pitching the concept to key figures across the area while keeping the project strictly top-secret. By January, studio production and recording was in full swing.

Pushing performers out of their comfort zones

One of the strict, non-negotiable rules for Small Geezers was that every single track had to be 100% original material. No cover versions were allowed.

For many of the young acts who were accustomed to playing popular covers at local gigs, this was both a challenge and an incredible opportunity.

“A lot of artists haven’t had a proper platform to perform their original music before,” Kez says. “They do their school work or their college music courses, but then there’s nowhere for them to showcase it. Some of them had to really step out of their personal comfort zones to write and record an original track for this record. The feedback at first was, ‘No, no, I can’t do that!’ and I said, ‘Yes, you can!’ And they have!”

By offering free rehearsal space, studio guidance, and stage time through the community centre, Bognorphenia gave these musicians the push and the tools they needed to demonstrate their true songwriting talent.

“It Takes a Village”

Selecting who would feature on the record was no easy task. With so much talent in the Bognor area, narrowing down the final tracklist required careful curation.

“If I had my way, we would have had a lot more!” laughs Kez. “There are so many good people around, but coordinating everyone when people have work, school, and life commitments is tough. The bands on the album were invited because of their incredible ongoing support for Bognorphenia. It’s a real, proper community-feel album. Bognorphenia has only survived because people have supported us over the years.”

Kez reflects on a favourite old saying: “It takes a village.” That is exactly what this album is. I’ve done my job for so long, and for me, it has always been about other people. Giving these artists a platform gives me a genuine high. Look at what they’ve accomplished!

That community spirit extends directly to the live stage, too. Several featured acts—including Hybrid, Woodruff, Angel, Vendetta and Framptunes — will be performing live during the upcoming Bognorphenia event weekend on September 5th.

The final recordings will be fresh for us all!

Despite overseeing the entire project from initial concept to master tape, Kez made a deliberate decision throughout the recording process: she didn’t listen to the finished tracks beforehand!

“I wanted there to be an element of surprise for me, too!” she reveals. “Everyone’s worked so hard, and I wanted to experience that excitement alongside the community. I’ve only heard one or two clips right before final editing! That’s what gets me excited—seeing what these musicians have created and building that energy so everyone else can hear it, too.”

Listen out for Kez’s guest appearance!

As if coordinating 13 local bands wasn’t enough, Kez won’t just be watching from the sidelines when the record drops – she’s actually making a guest appearance on the album! During one of the recording sessions the producers brought Kez into the booth to lay down some live percussion. Armed with a triangle, she was recorded and included in select tracks across the album. So when you listen to Small Geezers, keep your ears peeled for that distinctive chime – it’s proof that Kez’s hand in this project is both metaphorical and literal!

How you can support Bognorphenia : Pre-Order Small Geezers Today!

The wait is finally over. Small Geezers is officially open for pre-orders, releasing on both Limited-Edition Vinyl (£25) and CD (£10).

Best of all, 100% of the profits from every album sold go directly to Bognorphenia CIC. Your order directly funds future music workshops, studio time, equipment, and creative opportunities for young people across our local town.

🛍️ How to Get Your Copy:

1. Complete the pre-order form below 👇
2. Collect on Launch Day: Pick up your physical album or CD in person at the Bognorphenia Weekend on September 5th!