Celebrating Independence with Big Scary Monsters

Since 2001, Big Scary Monsters (BSM) have worked with the likes of Lambrini Girls, American Football, Laura Jane Grace, Martha, La Dispute, Delta Sleep, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Modern Baseball, Jamie Lenman and many, many more bands. Priding themselves on giving new artists their very first chance in the industry and often helping with their debut releases, loving nothing more than seeing fans discover their favourite new band!

The Big Scary Monsters label, started by Kevin Douch and now brilliantly assisted by Josie Faulkner, continues to unearth and build platforms for the brightest and best. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, they’ve released debuts from SLAG, Love Rarely, First Day Back and Dimscua. BSM is home to an eclectic selection of artists, each pushing boundaries and making a name for themselves in their respective genres.

The way this collaboration came to life feels like something straight out of the movie 'Signs'; steeped in synchronicities tying Verdant to BSM and vice versa. A few months ago, at a regular Verdant meet-up at the Seaview Inn, the talk started steering towards music, as it often does. That's when we realised there was a connection between the two independent businesses. One person from Verdant knew Kev, whilst another had met him at SXSW years before and is a good friend of Sophie, the bassist in the BSM-signed band 'Other Half'.

It only took a quick message to Kev and the wheels were in motion! Turns out Verdant was right at the top of their list for a collaboration too! He even used to stock our beers regularly at BSM Social Club. How we’d never crossed paths was baffling. With BSM’s 25th anniversary on the horizon, it felt like perfect timing for a collaboration brew. Strange Loop was off running (in circles), and as things started coming together, more folk around the brewery began emerging from the woodwork as Big Scary Monsters devotees! What started as a simple conversation about a band hoodie uncovered a shared spirit that runs deep here at Verdant.

On Friday 14th August, we attended BSM's 25-year celebration show at The Nest in Oxford. As longtime supporters of the alternative music BSM represents, we can only speak for ourselves when we say excitement was an understatement. After a gridlock-filled 7.5-hour drive from Cornwall, a beer delivery scare and a few dodgy service station snacks, we arrived in Oxford to see crowds of people spilling out onto a quaint and respectable street, swigging cans of Strange Loop (5.2% Pale Ale) with the unmistakable sound of SLAG blasting out from inside the venue. 

The amalgamation of alternative music and craft beer on the night felt like a match made in heaven. Two different yet tightly intertwined worlds coming together to create mutually assured magic. At its heart, this collaboration is a testament to the importance of independent businesses. Celebrating their freedom to express and create without limitations.

We caught up with Kev, the founder of BSM, to talk about our first collaboration beer, ‘Strange Loop’, the chemistry between craft beer and alternative music, what BSM stands for, and how it all started.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how BSM became what it is today?

A: The label started when I was 17, studying at sixth form in Oxfordshire, with absolutely no idea about the industry, let alone what a record label actually does. I've often referred to it as an out-of-control hobby, something I've learnt a lot from over the years and truly never expected to make it to 25 years old! A lot of it is shaped by my music taste, but right now we're a team of two (hi Josie), and we handle everything between us, with a bit of help from friends.

Q: How did the collaboration between Verdant and BSM come about?

A: Joe [Verdant] very kindly reached out to us a few months ago and everything really just fell into place from there. We already had the gig booked in Oxford, so that felt like an ideal launch party, and the team have been a dream to work with throughout 

Q: What do you feel BSM has nurtured within its space, and how has it contributed to its scene in music and culture?

A: Around 2005 we signed a couple of small UK math rock bands, and that turned out to be the real beginning of the label in many respects. Bands we worked with in that era (like TTNG, Meet Me In St Louis, Colour, Tubelord and many others) are still so loved, and you could see this scene popping up around us all. It was incredible, and I think that has really shaped a lot of what we've done since. Musically it's jumped all over the place in the ensuing years, but I think the same spirit runs throughout: Good people having fun and looking out for one another. 

Q: What drew you to the style of music that’s so synonymous with BSM?

A: Like with most people's taste, I think that's evolved and changed over time. When BSM first began, I was really into pop-punk, which led me to emo and hardcore, but always with a love for indie and all sorts of other things. I love the energy and sense of DIY community connected with music, and we've met so many people over the years because of it. I don't think that's necessarily what first drew me in, as it's something I wasn't aware of from the outside looking in, but once we found that passion and excitement, it's definitely what's kept us here. 

Q: What has been your biggest takeaway from 25 years of running an independent record label, and has there been a particular moment that sums up your journey in music?

A: I'm hugely fortunate to say there's been loads of amazing moments along the way. Spending 25 years working with friends and people who inspire me, travelling the world and getting to play a tiny part in the release of music which means so much to people is an absolute dream   

Q: Verdant was stocked at BSM Social Club; how would you describe the relationship between craft beer and music?

A: I think the two work so well together. It was mind-blowing to us when we first opened the shop and started contacting breweries to hear how many of them were run or staffed by people in bands or at least massive music fans. I think you see how hand in hand they go together all over the place, though. Who doesn't love going to a gig and finding lovely craft beer on tap?

Q: How did you land on the name ‘Strange Loop’ for the collaboration beer, and is there more to come with Verdant and BSM?

A: That was actually a suggestion from Billy, who spent an impressive amount of time going through our back catalogue and picking out some options. The moment I saw that one, it just felt right. We love Other Half; they have a connection to Verdant via Soph's (bassist) friendship with Matt [Verdant], they're playing at the beer launch gig, and - to be honest - it sounded like a Verdant beer to me! So it was just perfect. We hope this is the beginning of doing loads of fun things together!

Q: If you had a choice of one BSM record and one Verdant beer to take into space, what would they be?

A: This is an impossible question, and my answer would probably change daily! The last Verdant beer I had was Sundialer, which is lovely and has a (very) tenuous space-related name, I guess. So I'd take that plus Everything Touching by Tall Ships. They formed in Falmouth, and it's a personal favourite. Oh, and the opening track is called T=0, which represents the starting moment of the universe, so how could I not take it into space?! 

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To celebrate reaching the 25-year milestone, BSM are throwing a number of parties and releasing a couple of compilations. The first of those, ‘hi there ’, lands in February. Featuring tracks from 12 of their newest artists, it’ll be available as a pay-what-you-want purchase from bsmrocks.com and free from brilliant independent record stores across the UK.

Strange Loop - (5.2% Pale Ale) is available now on our webshop at verdantbrewing.co