The people behind Kingston record label Our Friends Records are on a mission.

Not only are they committed to staging raucous, memorable gigs, but they are also determined to provide a platform for budding young musicians to get up and have a go.

Run by a group of university friends, the record label currently stages a popular open mic night once a month at the Kingston Mill, with the next one coming up on Tuesday night.

One of the founders of Our Friends Records, singer-songwriter Liam Cottrell, says that the night has quickly built up a loyal audience.

“It is the rowdiest open mic for as far as the eye can see,” he says.

“Every act gets a screaming reception and every person in the room has a great time with the lively company and cheap alcohol.

“The room is always full of people who love music of all kinds. We want every artist or act in the south-west London and Surrey area to come and play for us at least once, and we promise they will want to come back.

“The name of the company says it all – at every show we put on, we meet new people and make connections. We started as a small group of mates and that circle has grown constantly over the years.”

The record label promotes emerging Kingston bands, including The Band Elastique and By Tom and I, and, through a link-up with the International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF), which returns to Kingston in the summer, they have also also started a new all-ages night, Skive.

“After our initial involvement with the IYAF, we approa-ched them with the idea to have a branch of the festival running the whole year round,” he says.

“The idea seems to have sprouted its own legs and our first night went off without a hitch earlier this month.

“The ACT Theatre at Kingston College is an ideal venue and the atmosphere has a unique feel that only Our Friends Records event can create.”

Our Friends Records Open Mic, Kingston Mill, March 2, 8pm (sign up to perform at 7pm), free, myspace.com/ ourfriendsrecords