CHRIS TYE : I love this city / I met a lot of nice people here
So sings CHRIS TYE on his debut album SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE. The city in question is Birmingham, guardian of the Midlands, England's proud second city and Chris home town. The song is Come Undone, one of eight tracks on what is a startlingly honest offering from a young man who is both shy and confident in equal measures; who smiles yet who holds back, and a man with a lot to say yet preferring and indeed able to convey his thoughts with words so carefully thought out you wonder if every conversation is scripted in his head far in advance. When he does speak you feel drawn to listen. Its a talent that translates well to his songwriting, as people who have heard the record are starting to attest. I love the strings on this track, says Tye thoughtfully as Come Undone plays in the background. I recorded the guitar and vocal live and we added the viola and cello afterwards. He pauses. The song is about reaching a point where change is the only thing that can save you in this case a change of town going home. We all need to go home from time to time.
Bernard Hoskin
Saturday 27th January 2007
Bernard runs the successful Acoustic Routes venue in Cambridge which has hosted some of the finest acts in the U.K . Bernard is however no mean performer himself and has a wonderful English quality about his singing and songwriting...........he even sings with an English accent!
Waking the Witch
Saturday 31st March 2007
It’s no coincidence that the new WAKING THE WITCH CD ‘BOYS FROM THE ABATTOIR’ has been produced by DAVE CREFFIELD, famous for his work with well known Leeds band, EMBRACE. Dave, who produced Embrace’s platinum selling CD, ‘THE GOOD WILL OUT’, and who has also worked extensively with THE KAISER CHIEFS, heard about WAKING THE WITCH following their performance at the Leeds Independent Music Awards in Jan 2006, when members of the Kaisers and Embrace were in the audience. Immediately his interest was aroused, as the band was hailed as being tied in with the explosion of interest in the Leeds music scene. ‘I really wanted to be involved with WAKING THE WITCH’, he says ‘they are amazing singers, guitar players and arrangers.
Jess Gardham
Saturday 31st March 2007
Jess's influences range from India Arie, Jill Scott, KT Tunstall, Damien Rice and Waking the Witch. Jess has been compared to many female singers over the years but her voice and style is very much her own. Jess has been writing songs since the tender age of 12 and started learning guitar at 15. During her teens she sang at family parties and at school - it is no surprise to those who knew her then that this acoustic diva is still going strong in her twenties. The past few years have been full of great experiences; Jess has had the chance to share a stage with international stars such as Kathryn Williams, Tony Joe White (who penned songs for the likes of Elvis, Tina Turner, Ray Charles..) and KT Tunstall. She has also supported the band Waking the Witch and the singer/songwriter Amy Wadge as well as featuring alongside some highly acclaimed musicians at the York LAF in October 2006
Amy Wadge
Saturday 2nd June 2007
Amy began performing at Open Mic sessions in Cardiff's Toucan Club. She soon started developing a fan base and quickly gained critical recognition. She was spotted by some of the city’s big players, among them, Manics/Catatonia/Super Furry Animals producer, Greg Haver, who recorded her debut mini-album, The Famous Hour. That ended up on the desk of the people launching 'BBC 6Music'. They loved it and immediately asked Amy to perform at their launch night. Also on the bill that night were The Stereophonics, Embrace, Pete Yorn and Lenny Kravitz.
John Amor
Saturday 2nd June 2007
In the early nineties, from a tiny village in deepest darkest Wiltshire, UK, there came forth a band with fire in its belly and blues in its heart, and that band was called The Hoax. One of its four key members was Jon Amor, a long, lean guitar player who, along with his cohorts, toured the UK, Europe and the USA for eight years until the group disbanded in 1999, with four successful albums and a string of awards to its name. Since then, Jon has taken on the role of frontman with his band AMOR and established himself as a singer and songwriter in his own right, releasing two highly acclaimed and influential albums and giving the British blues rock scene a much-needed kick up the backside. Jon disbanded AMOR in 2005 and made the final leap into solo performance with a string of unique acoustic gigs. He also recorded a brand new album Unknown Soldier which is set for release on May 2nd and features guest performances from Led Zep legend Robert Plant and renowned tub-thumper Clive Deamer of Portishead and Roni Size fame.
Jess Gardham
Saturday 11th August 2007
Hailing from York, North Yorkshire, Jess Gardham has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember. She first began writing songs at the age of 12, then her dad taught her to play the guitar so she could accompany herself. Now Jess is in her mid-twenties and her musical career is going from strength to strength having shared a stage with international stars KT Tunstall, Kathryn Williams, Claire Hammil and the legendary Tony Joe White, as well as many talented local musicians. Influenced by folk and soul, Jess's music has a wide ranging appeal and her 14 track debut album, Beyond Belief, showcases her contrasting styles from chilled out acoustic to funky, feel good tunes.
Jess has had a busy year with extensive live performances across the North of England, live sessions on BBC radio and even trying her hand at acting in a multi award winning film. She has now set up her own label to promote her music, called JG Records. Jess is kicking off her UK tour from the launch of her debut album in May 2007, after which she'll be performing at venues all over the UK. More details are on the gigs page where you can keep up to date with her tour and find out when she's next performing near you.
John Lester
Saturday 20th October 2007
Whether you regard San Francisco Bay Area export John Lester as an acoustic singer-songwriter, a soulful vocalist, or a superb and innovative bassist, his talent is undeniable. John’s music has drawn comparisons to many of his influences - Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Michael Franks, and Bill Withers to mention a few - yet is never a copy of the original. His voice stands out thanks to a balanced combination of talents: introspective and thought-provoking lyricism, smoky, resonant vocals, and melodious expertise on the double bass as well as a variety of bass and acoustic guitars.
'Big Dreams and the Bottom Line' opened new avenues for John. He toured extensively after its release, supporting the CD as both a headlining and opening act. On his own, he has created a strong and loyal following throughout the US and the UK, and is now building larger audiences in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany. As a support act, he has shared the stage with such talented and diverse acts as Grammy-nominated Nashville songwriter Gretchen Peters, funky folk songstress Erin McKeown, punk rock’s poet laureate Patti Smith, UK band leader and TV host Jools Holland, bass virtuosos Michael Manring and Steve Lawson, and French pop singer Jacques Higelin.
Boo Hewerdine
Saturday 20th October 2007
The life and career Boo now has first began to blossom with the group he formed in the mid-Eighties, The Bible. Two of their finest songs, “Graceland” and “Honey Be Good”, came tantalisingly close to becoming huge hits. (A third, “Glorybound”, is one of the recordings about which Nick Hornby rhapsodises in his book 31 Songs.) Boo now wishes he could have enjoyed The Bible’s time on the verge of success a little more. “I think I felt under a lot of pressure,” he reflects. “There were a lot of people telling me what I should do and I felt very bullied.” And some things take years to seem funny. The Bible first decided to disband after being flown over to Germany to perform “Honey Be Good” on, they belatedly discovered, a talent show. A man who wore a bowtie with lights on that spun round, and who went by the name of Mr Gadget, won with 140,000 votes. The Bible were told that they had received twelve votes. “We all took it so personally that we split up,” says Boo.
For many years Boo had been writing with and for other artists – in 1989 he released a whole album, Evidence, in collaboration with the American country singer Darden Smith – but towards the end of the Nineties he also began to write songs for and with pop artists, something he considers a complete separate endeavour. “I don’t think of myself in that world at all,” he explains. “It’s just I quite enjoy the Brill Building aspect. I enjoy it because it’s not what I do.” Amongst the many artists he has written for in this way are Natalie Imbruglia, Mel C and Alex Parks.
Amy Wadge
Saturday 22nd November 2008
See HER WOJESTY up close! The magnificent Amy Wadge hits The Madhouse with songs from her new album BUMP and no doubt some old favourites for us to enjoy. Amy thinks The Madhouse is brilliant! We KNOW that she is! So don’t miss this gig and don’t miss the opportunity to see real talent up close. Next time she might be a dot on the horizon at The NEC!! Amy’s played The Royal Albert Hall and now she’s moving up to THE MADHOUSE!!!
Amy began performing at Open Mic sessions in Cardiff's Toucan Club. She soon started developing a fan base and quickly gained critical recognition. She was spotted by some of the city’s big players, among them, Manics/Catatonia/Super Furry Animals producer, Greg Haver, who recorded her debut mini-album, The Famous Hour. That ended up on the desk of the people launching 'BBC 6Music'. They loved it and immediately asked Amy to perform at their launch night. Also on the bill that night were The Stereophonics, Embrace, Pete Yorn and Lenny Kravitz.
Vinny Peculiar
Saturday 20th December 2008
Vinny is possibly better known for arts/musical collaborations [with Bill Drummond, The Smiths, Bonehead]. Vinny has toured with the likes of, Edwyn Collins, British Sea Power, Soundtrack of Our Lives and Durutti Column. A regular Glastonbury compere he was christened ’the Tony Hancock of Pop’ by UNCUT MAGAZINE. Edinburgh Festival Live Review With his flat cap, florid blouse and fidgety nervous energy pitched somewhere between Andy Warhol and Jarvis Cocker, there’s an anarchic elegance to Vinny Peculiar which is both at once both thrilling and faintly unsettling. The Manchester troubadour is a veteran from the city’s anti-folk circuit specialising in glam-tinged kitchen sink vignettes. Storming through a set of oblique, tortured punk poetry, he wins over an initially skeptical crowd with his animated delivery and taut, frenetic pop hooks. Channeling all that eccentricity and barbed wit into something strangely compelling Vinny Peculiar is the sort of unlikely, heroic pop star they just don’t seem to make anymore.
Rachel &the Lawn Grower
Saturday 20th December 2008
Earnest and soul-searching poetess sought uncomplicated three-chord wizard for regular intense collaboration.....and Ian found Rach, Funny how things turn out innit?. I write stuff, always have done, always will...and sometimes it's nice to turn it into songs.
Megson
Saturday 24th January 2009
"Stu Hanna and Debbie Hanna-Palmer, better known as Megson, have steadily established their reputation as two of the freshest, most original performers in the latest folk revival, and this album places them in the major league...a subtle and intriguing set"
**** - THE GUARDIAN - Sept 08
“This is first rate - if you don’t like this music you have a problem! Megson are a couple of potential stars, peaches and cream harmonies, melodic roots consciousness and a huge sense of individuality. ” fRoots – Oct 07
“…this hits all the targets ****”. ROCK’N’REEL – Nov 07
"Megson's harmonisation and the purity of Debbie's voice make compelling listening" FOSSE WAY MAGAZINE
“Fresh, melodic and bushy-tailed.” MOJO – Aug 07
"Stunning new release from haunting nu-folk duo." MUSICIAN MAGAZINE (Summer 05)
"A truly remarkable debut! " ***** FATEA
" How gorgeous is that ? Absolutely beautiful.... An excellent new duo!" BOB HARRIS, BBC Radio 2
Cruel Folk
Saturday 24th January 2009
Cruel Folk write, record and perform original acoustic music in the modern English singer-songwriter tradition. A duo consisting of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Sean Holden and guitarist Paul Holden, their songs are rooted in the English folk tradition, telling stories of love, betrayal and death with passion and an open acknowledgement of the darker side of life. At the same time, Cruel Folk are unashamedly devoted to the ongoing renewal of this tradition by aiming themselves firmly at the acoustic music scene of the present, incorporating modern writing and playing techniques and influences ranging from Kate Bush to Jennifer Batten via Show of Hands.
Kit Holmes
Saturday 28th February 2009
KIT HOLMES – UK Singer/Guitarist
Kit Holmes, described as Macy Gray meets Nick Drake, has already established herself as one of the rising acoustic stars. Her trademark sultry vocals and virtuoso guitar playing have wowed audiences across the UK through extensive touring with the guitar hero, John Etheridge.
Her eagerly awaited second album, Catch The Echo, featuring the legendary double bass player Danny Thompson and the wonderful Pat Illingworth on drums, is a captivating collection of uplifting thought provoking songs, interwoven with mesmeric guitar tracks. Bob Harris and Andy Kershaw featured Kit on their BBC shows and she's played at the International Guitar Festivals and Paul McCartney's LIPA. This summer Kit was asked to play for the Anne Frank Awards at the BBC Theatre, London and in the autumn she has a headline show at the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain.
Urisk
Saturday 28th February 2009
A Urisk is a elf like creature that tidies up at night when everyone else has gone to bed. I could go all 'arty' now and claim that this is what I'm doing with my thoughts and feelings when I'm writing songs into the early hours of the morning, putting them in order to try and make sense of things that, on the whole, can't be made sense of!!! Heavy eh! and not true...(well maybe just a bit!!!) The fact is that I (Mark Whitmore) write all the stuff (words and music). As and when, 'Ken the Bass' (Ken Turner) brings out new shapes and colours in my recordings that I hadn't seen coming. More collaborations (both live and studio) with other musical friends are in the pipeline!!!
The sounds on the current crop of songs to be found here are made by me on Vocals, acoustic guitar, bouzouki and bodhran. Ken the Bass... well, he plays bass!!!
That's it then!!! The music is a bit of a mix...acousticy (obviously!!! not sure that's a real word though) folky (sometimes!!!)and I don't know what else, you tell me!!!
John Lester
Saturday 21st March 2009
“Whether you regard him as an acoustic singer/songwriter,
a soulful vocalist, or a superb and innovative bassist,
his talent is undeniable.”
-Ray’s Jazz CDs
”His trademark voice sounds like it has been crafted from
silk and granite, all at the same time!”
-Maverick Magazine (feature article), UK
“…whatever he's singing he brings conviction and swing to it,
…wonderfully entertaining.”
-www.vortexjazz.co.uk
“…he can even work minor miracles and make a bass solo sound interesting!”
-Jazzwise Magazine (UK)
“…life pondering lyrics and a cosmopolitan sense of humor.”
-Americana-uk.com
“A gifted double bass player… and fine singer-songwriter,
with a rich smokey voice …excellent!”
-Time Out London
“Lester’s USP is his supreme mastery of all possible varieties
of bass guitar and his use of them as lead instruments
…his understated virtuosity demands attention.”
-Maverick Magazine (CD review), UK
“Lester has assembled a stellar cast of musicians to help bring his songs to life and it is here that the album stands out from allot of other ‘bass’ albums”
-Bass Guitar Magazine, UK
"A unique blend of jazz and original material from a world class singer/songwriter whose talent and experience make every gig special.
One of the finest exponents of this art form on the scene today
-Steve Rubie, venue owner, The 606 Club, London
Lou Brown
Saturday 21st March 2009
Despite winning Soutwest Young Achiever of the Year in 2003, despite recording and releasing a debut album that continues to sell and receive radio airplay internationally, despite headline shows in the UK and a tour of America, and despite supporting great artists like Hazel O'Conner, Paul Young, Clive Gregson, Boo Hewerdine, and the legendary Albert Lee, despite all that she's quite modest. So here's what other people have to say:
"You won't hear better songs than those anywhere this year." - Clive Gregson
"Good songs, great lyrics." - Steve Tilston
"There are a lot of musicians around, many of them perfectly competent, but once in a great while you stumble onto someone with that spark of something extra, something beyond the ordinary, far beyond expectations -Lou [has] that spark in spades. Lou’s got a very pure and lovely voice, and writes some truly gorgeous songs with fantastic wordsmithing." - Gayla Drake Paul
"A varied collection of exquisitely crafted numbers…charismatically delivered by Lou Brown." The Guardian
Jon Amor
Saturday 2nd May 2009
In the early nineties, from a tiny village in deepest darkest Wiltshire, UK, there came forth a band with fire in its belly and blues in its heart, and that band was called The Hoax. One of its four key members was Jon Amor, a long, lean guitar player who, along with his cohorts, toured the UK, Europe and the USA for eight years until the group disbanded in 1999, with four successful albums and a string of awards to its name. Since then, Jon has taken on the role of frontman with his band AMOR and established himself as a singer and songwriter in his own right, releasing two highly acclaimed and influential albums and giving the British blues rock scene a much-needed kick up the backside. Jon disbanded AMOR in 2005 and made the final leap into solo performance with a string of unique acoustic gigs. He also recorded a brand new album Unknown Soldier which features guest performances from Led Zep legend Robert Plant and renowned tub-thumper Clive Deamer of Portishead and Roni Size fame…………………………………
Julie Collings
Saturday 2nd May 2009
"Collings is cut from the old cloth – she stands and delivers with a voice that is warm and dry, backing that up with obvious craft on the guitar."
‘ a DIY celebrity in the making, impressively laid-back and thoughtful , a remarkable effort’ (THE GUARDIAN)
"The title track and opener plays uneasy guitar off against crystalline birdsong to delicious effect, perfectly matched with lyrics of hope that verge on desperation (”Now show me something good / give me something good to show”). ‘Sticks & Stones’ introduces a bluesy twang to proceedings and provides what is probably the most pleasing moment of the record with a chorus that neatly syncs the words to the rhythm for a perfect gut-wrencher: “and we bend, break, stop, fix, move on”. It’s the kind of kinetic approach to songwriting that influence Suzanne Vega would no doubt appreciate."
Angie Palmer
Saturday 26th September 2009
One of Britain's greatest singer-songwriters' Bob Harris BBCR2 ‘A lyrically sharp album with gritty vocals and powerful music that makes you sit up and listen! a gifted and original artist. . . a wonderful diverse collection that should get her even more critical acclaim." **** Maverick Magazine "Rare in this world of introspective songwriters Palmer has a truly narrative style recalling Dylan and consummately literate... utterly convincing" Acoustic Magazine Striking fourth release from Preston based songstress... vivid imagery and poets flourish ...an excellent album." 8/10 americana-uk Rarely has an independent recording come along which contains such a strong mixture of songwriting, vocal and musical skills Folk & Roots "With strong elements of blues, folk, & country as a base, Palmer has produced a very fine collection of 10 songs. . . an album with quality stamped all over it." Blues Matters This is a magical album, and to resist is madness. Go buy and enrich your life beyond measure. HiFi News "One of this country's finest female singer-songwriters" Net Rhythms……………………………
One of Britain's greatest singer-songwriters' Bob Harris BBCR2
‘A lyrically sharp album with gritty vocals and powerful music that makes you sit up and listen! a gifted and original artist. . . a wonderful diverse collection that should get her even more critical acclaim." **** Maverick Magazine
"Rare in this world of introspective songwriters Palmer has a truly narrative style recalling Dylan and consummately literate... utterly convincing" Acoustic Magazine
Striking fourth release from Preston based songstress... vivid imagery and poets flourish ...an excellent album." 8/10 americana-uk
Rarely has an independent recording come along which contains such a strong mixture of songwriting, vocal and musical skills Folk & Roots
"With strong elements of blues, folk, & country as a base, Palmer has produced a very fine collection of 10 songs. . . an album with quality stamped all over it." Blues Matters
This is a magical album, and to resist is madness. Go buy and enrich your life beyond measure. HiFi News
"One of this country's finest female singer-songwriters" Net Rhythms……………………………
Dominic Crane
Saturday 26th September 2009
Previously played guitar with Rumblefish ( East West ) and Low Art Thrill (Island) with record sales, radio and press generating a modest ammount of success. Toured supporting The Boo Radleys, Shack, Slowdive, Earl Brutus, The Candyskins, That Petrol Emotion, Ian McNabb to name a few. Currently recording with Producer, Jon Cotton (Scott Matthews). Started writing on my own in 2003 and nervously brought my music to a reassuringly receptive public via numerous open mic nights. In 2005 sent some demo's to Chris Difford ( Squeeze ) and was invited down to his annual writers retreat week at oxenhoath in Kent. Spent the week with other writers such as Marty Pellow, Amy Wadge, Adam Levy ( Norah Jones' Handsome Band ), Athena Andreadis, Geoff Martyn, Emily Baker and Jen Clapp, writing, drinking, eating and sleeping music. Recently joined an Agency in L.A. handling music for film and T.V. placement. To soon to say if anything will be used but had some great comments ..."compositions that are so beautifully layered and delivered. He has an intoxicating vulnerability to his voice" ... " he has an intangible aesthetic that he inhearantly understands that allows for keeping company with the likes of Nick Drake, Iron and Wine, Patrick Wolf and Sufjan Stevens." Gigs have been a bit sporadic to be honest over the last couple of years - mainly in London and Birmingham including a couple of Festivals with The Bees, Jose Gonzalez, Scott Matthews, Waterson Carthy and Davey Graham ( God bless him ). I have been very fortunate in finding some wonderful musicians to help me bring the tunes to life. Their patience, friendship and belief have helped me to continue remaining a believer. There are some tracks due for release in a couple of months time and I'm currently planning a bit of a tour
Daisy B
Saturday 7th November 2009
daisyb has toured the country supporting artists such as Dawn Kinnard, Jersey Budd, Liam Frost, The Howling Bells and BC Camplight. She also provided guest vocals on a global release for urban producer BABYJ on the track "Deal with it" featured on the album FTP. From busking on the underground all over London to playing showcases in venues all over the place daisyb hasn't settled in one place just yet.
Having been brought up on the North Norfolk coast listening to everything from Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and John Coltrane to Bob Dylan Tracy Chapman and Eric Clapton daisyb has formed her very own style of acoustic soul, setting powerful vocals to rhythmic guitar and live samples provided by a loop station.
daisyb recently was placed as a runner up for The Shure Creative award and was offered a scholarship to ICPM London through a competition judged by KT Tunstal. She has chosen instead to concentrate on her album and look towards a European tour in the new year. After the success of "Sympathy" (released Summer 2007) daisyb is busy working on a new album "THIS TOWN" due for completion before the end of 2009.
Carl Ballinger
Saturday 7th November 2009
No one really knows, but do they know? hmm... Is it reggae? Is it rock? Is it ska? Is it indy? Is it good? Is it some funky dance worthy soul? WHO KNOWS? Well hopefully its all of the above! All you really need to know is...music should be fun, so i try to make it so! I don't want a bored audience...or a sad one! If you're listening to me i don't want you to be depressed...and in the current climate i think we all could do with a bit more sunshine in our lives...specially in jolly old England Currently i work as a lounge musician at Hoar Cross Hall...it's wonderful, but its not the same as having to please a paying audience of music enthusiasts and more importantly (potential) fans! Music and Love are the two reasons i believe i was put on this earth...now i can only do one of them on stage for money...as you can see im a musician, not a comedian lol
Mark Winfield
Saturday 7th November 2009
About me, well briefly........... intelligent, articulate, caring, creative, emotional, erratic, irrational, witty, sarcastic, friendly......usually. Modest too!
Mark is a rare find - a young guy who is self-effacing and not entirely convinced of his talent. Well tHE mADhOUSE IS CONVINCED!
This will be Mark's debut gig, so come and hear his gentle, well-crafted songs - it will be worth the journey!
Patsy Matheson
Saturday 28th November 2009
Patsy Matheson has come a long way since 1991, when, as a young singer/songwriter, she entered a song writing competition, and was chosen as the winner by none other than Maddy Prior and Clive Gregson.
Founder member and one quarter of the award winning female acoustic group, Waking the Witch, Patsy has been writing songs and winning over audiences ever since.
Following the farewell tour of Waking the Witch in spring 2008, and armed with a bunch of brand new songs, Patsy set about recording a solo album, ‘Little Piece of England’. She teamed up with producer/guitarist Sam Bartholomew with the aim of making a stripped back recording that felt as close to a real, unamplified, acoustic sound as possible. With both Patsy and Sam playing several old, vintage American acoustic guitars, and with the help of Gina Dootson on backing vocals and Harry Hamer (Chumbawamba) on percussion, the end result is an upclose and intimate, natural sound.
Clive Gregson
Saturday 28th November 2009
Clive continues to tour as a solo artist in addition to working as a sideman or musical director for other artists. He has toured and recorded with Eddi Reader, Boo Hewerdine, Plainsong, Nanci Griffith and Dennis Locorriere, to name but a few. He has appeared as a session player on many projects, produced albums for a plethora of artists and continues to write songs on a daily basis. His favourite album is "Pink Moon" by Nick Drake, he supports Manchester United Football Club, still listens to vinyl records regularly and endorses no products at all. He plays quite a few instruments pretty well and has even been known to wear an accordion in public.
Some interesting facts...
Nanci Griffith’s recording of Clive’s "I Love This Town" was ‘A’ Listed at Radio 2 in 2005, and received more than 5,000 spins in the US.
Mary Chapin Carpenter named Clive as one of her favourite songwriters and recorded "We’re Not Over Yet".
Clive Gregson’s songs have been recorded by Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kim Carnes, Claire Martin, Fairport Convention, Smokie and many other artists.
Clive is one of the "1000 Great Guitarists" – according to Guitar Player magazine.
Becky Mills
Saturday 28th November 2009
Becky first started performing at the age of 16 to huge audiences in Harrogate. She was declared 'a massive talent' by the time she was 17 and everybody loved her. She became friends with Sting, and it was he himself who decided that Harrogate should erect a large bronze statue of her image in the town centre. In spring, the children dance around it and sing Becky Mills songs in her honour. The same thing happens in her home town of Pickering, but the statue is made of wood and has since shed its nose. I am often told...I mean, she is often told that had she not become a pop/rock/folk star then U2 would probably be more well-known today. She does tell everybody to buy their records though to help push them more in to the public eye and take a bit of the attention from herself. She is beautiful, kind, fabulous and saintly. Everybody wishes they were her, in fact, but they can't be because she is 'Rebecca Tamsin Ballantyne Mills of the clan Ballantyne and there can be only one'. This was written by a third person as Rebecca ,being too abashed by the praise being heaped upon her, had to leave the room. God I love her. Sigh. (third person)
And if you believe that…………………….
Keith James & Rick Foot
Saturday 23rd January 2010
Keith James and Rick Foot
Celebrate the music of John Martyn
UK Concert tour Autumn/Winter 2009/2010
This Concert tour by two of the UK’s most active and appreciated performers will be a challenging and
demonstrably personal collection of shows.
Over the past seven years or so Keith and Rick have gained substantial notoriety for bringing the fragile
and beautiful music of Nick Drake into a live Theatre context. With 500 or more concerts, festivals and an
appearance at Glastonbury they gave a re-birth and a human presence to this Country’s most cherished
singer/songwriter.
More recently and by way of a more far reaching and exotic endeavour the duo set two collections of
poems by the famous Spanish poet & dramatist Frederico Garcia Lorca to their original music - The Gypsy
Ballads and Poet in New York. The concerts of this material were really well supported bringing audiences
from both the modernist Spanish poetry circle, followers of Nick Drake together with those who simply enjoy
Keith & Rick’s seductive settings of fragile prose.
All this said; this season’s concert tour is profoundly closer to home. For the past 40 years the ingrained
body of music and somewhat tempestuous life of John Martyn OBE has been ever present in all of us who
have appreciated the work of acoustic singer songwriters.
It is not surprising that a significant amount of Keith & Rick’s audience, John Martyn’s audience and music
venues across the UK gave voice to the possibility of Keith & Rick performing concerts of his most beloved
music in its original format: that of voice, guitar and double bass.
It is therefore, with the most personal respect and the humblest of hearts that this series of concerts are
presented. The focus will be on the central integrity of the songs in their pure form on acoustic instruments
only. Also included will be music by Davy Graham, Sandy Denny, and Nick Drake.
‘A performance that is hypnotic and compelling’ Muse Magazine
‘Some of the most atmospheric and emotive music you will ever hear’ The Independent
Sam Rose
Saturday 23rd January 2010
I'm a solo artist from Barton-under-Needwood (near Burton, near Derby). I play guitar and sing. I like to play drums, but can't. I like to play piano, but can't. I have a tambourine. I work at Wychnor Park.
I love cheese, cheesy bread, Rose wine, music, holidays, pedalos, parties, gigs, New York, driving, mong Sundays, Subways, paydays, surfers, surfing, surf shorts, Malibu (the place and the drink, mostly the drink), singing, 'I <3' shirts, my guitars, my tambourine, my keyboard, my amp, being lazy, Friends, getting home at 7am, pubs, clubs, Wetherspoons, the :| face, CoffeeCoffeeCoffeeee, Christmas, lunch breaks, the words 'shocking' 'shocker' 'retro' 'hardCORE' 'vintage' 'saffffe' 'sound' and 'sickkk', Mojitos, animated films, free drinks, Scrubs, Festivals, Sambuka, JET, internet shopping, Costa, skinny jeans, road trips, leg warmers, Chinese food, Halloween, homemade wine, homemade bread, homemade mince pies, red lip gloss, red lipstick, being ruined, playing music really loud, and staying in bed all day when I'm not ill or hung over.
Happiness is not a destination, its a journey.
Amy Wadge
Saturday 1st May 2010
Monday 2nd November sees the release of 'Hold Me', the sublimely sweet
and simply beautiful single from Amy Wadge. A love song in the most classic
sense, it is an unapologetically direct appeal to a lover, delivered with
uncomplicated, but heartfelt lyrics in Amy's trademark vocal.
Produced by Stan Kybert (Oasis, Massive Attack, Paul Weller), the track builds
from sparse beginnings, through myriad melodies and gorgeous harmonies in the
chorus, into a huge, layered sound that makes 'Hold Me' an irresistible teaser of
what's to come on her new album - Acoustig.
With years of touring experience under her belt (she has supported Van
Morrison, Jeff Beck, Damien Rice and Eric Bibb amongst others), Amy has
developed and nurtured an absolutely captivating and quite magical live
experience, which she will once more take to the road with over the coming
months.
'Pint sized poetess with valley quaking voice. Her songs have a raw vibrancy
that suit her earthy voice and emotionally mature lyrics' - Q magazine.
Carl Ballinger
Saturday 1st May 2010
No one really knows, but do they know? hmm... Is it reggae? Is it rock? Is it ska? Is it indy? Is it good? Is it some funky dance worthy soul? WHO KNOWS? Well hopefully its all of the above! All you really need to know is...music should be fun, so i try to make it so! I don't want a bored audience...or a sad one! If you're listening to me i don't want you to be depressed...and in the current climate i think we all could do with a bit more sunshine in our lives...specially in jolly old England Currently i work as a lounge musician at Hoar Cross Hall...it's wonderful, but its not the same as having to please a paying audience of music enthusiasts and more importantly (potential) fans! Music and Love are the two reasons i believe i was put on this earth...now i can only do one of them on stage for money...as you can see im a musician, not a comedian lol
Lou Brown
Saturday 29th May 2010
Despite winning Soutwest Young Achiever of the Year in 2003, despite recording and releasing a debut album that continues to sell and receive radio airplay internationally, despite headline shows in the UK and a tour of America, and despite supporting great artists like Hazel O'Conner, Paul Young, Clive Gregson, Boo Hewerdine, and the legendary Albert Lee, despite all that she's quite modest. So here's what other people have to say:
"You won't hear better songs than those anywhere this year." - Clive Gregson
"Good songs, great lyrics." - Steve Tilston
"There are a lot of musicians around, many of them perfectly competent, but once in a great while you stumble onto someone with that spark of something extra, something beyond the ordinary, far beyond expectations -Lou [has] that spark in spades. Lou’s got a very pure and lovely voice, and writes some truly gorgeous songs with fantastic wordsmithing." - Gayla Drake Paul
"A varied collection of exquisitely crafted numbers…charismatically delivered by Lou Brown." The Guardian
Waseem Ismail
Saturday 29th May 2010
Waseem (Waz to his friends) is a young, local singer songwriter, with a powerful creative spirit that delivers lyrics that mean something. Playing guitar for less than 2 years, his progress has been and still is, nothing short of phenomenal. One of the founder members of popular local band - Stereo Espionage, Waz gives 100% every time he performs. It is clear that he writes from personal experience and from the heart. A rough diamond as yet, but a diamond nevertheless. Music flows through his veins - don't miss this guy - he's got it, what ever 'it' is. Go and see Stereo Espionage too if you get the chance - see the songs get the full-on band treatment from Waz, Aiden, Dave & Bean - through to the regional semi-finals of Live & Unsigned in their 1st year - an amazing achievement! Fab!
Sam Rose
Saturday 29th May 2010
I'm a solo artist from Barton-under-Needwood (near Burton, near Derby). I play guitar and sing. I like to play drums, but can't. I like to play piano, but can't. I have a tambourine. I work at Wychnor Park.
I love cheese, cheesy bread, Rose wine, music, holidays, pedalos, parties, gigs, New York, driving, mong Sundays, Subways, paydays, surfers, surfing, surf shorts, Malibu (the place and the drink, mostly the drink), singing, 'I <3' shirts, my guitars, my tambourine, my keyboard, my amp, being lazy, Friends, getting home at 7am, pubs, clubs, Wetherspoons, the :| face, CoffeeCoffeeCoffeeee, Christmas, lunch breaks, the words 'shocking' 'shocker' 'retro' 'hardCORE' 'vintage' 'saffffe' 'sound' and 'sickkk', Mojitos, animated films, free drinks, Scrubs, Festivals, Sambuka, JET, internet shopping, Costa, skinny jeans, road trips, leg warmers, Chinese food, Halloween, homemade wine, homemade bread, homemade mince pies, red lip gloss, red lipstick, being ruined, playing music really loud, and staying in bed all day when I'm not ill or hung over.
Happiness is not a destination, its a journey.
Clive Gregson
Saturday 29th May 2010
SURPRISE GUEST APPEARANCE BY THE MAGNIFICENT CLIVE GREGSON FOR THE SECOND HALF OF LOU'S SET!
