The first single from Birdpen’s debut album On/Off/Safety/Danger is released on Friday 15th August.
It’s called Breaking Precedent and is available to download from iTunes and Napster.
Birdpen first came to the original Showcase’s attention when we received the compilation “The Coming of The Railways” – the best of the south coast’s bands [search on ebay]
Collections like that are an ideal resource and, as the artists are from the same area, give a great musical snap shot of the local scene.
In that 19 band collection I had my first experience of Subgiant, Scarlet Soho, Plastic Toys and Sine Star Project all of which are Showcase regulars.
Last week another fine compilation landed on our desk and not only does it originate from the Isle of Wight but also serves another purpose.
Complied by John Cattle, chairman of the Save Ventnor Skatepark Group the CD “Transitions” is a major part in their fund raising process.
They’ve enlisted the help of Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher from The Bees and on this first volume you’ll hear some old favourites of the Showcase: acts like Jet Harris, Jackson Analogue, The Chancers and Shanklin Freak Show.
But I have also been introduced to the Wight Light Orchestra, The Shutes and The Peas.
This Sunday we’ll be playing three more songs from the album which, for £10, you get 22 bands of varying styles but definitely a high standard. Visit
www.wight-trash.co.uk to buy your copy.
Showing posts with label unsigned bands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unsigned bands. Show all posts
Friday, August 08, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Something big about Subgiant
Every time I meet a band for a Showcase session I am always uplifted and inspired by their art and craft.
With Southampton based Subgiant I was also really surprised at the quality of the sound they produced and also the energy that exuded from their performance.
We squeezed them and their equipment into studio 2 and no matter how many technical gizmos you have; to stand out you need the tunes and Subgiant have them in bucket loads.
They played two songs in the session “Filthy” from the album Global Control and “Stunt Driver” which is a new download.
And if you are a collector of CD’s then get Global Control as Subgiant will only be releasing single pieces of music for a while.
This is “a response to what’s happening in the industry.” Bass and keyboard player, Olly Maw, told us. “It means we can talk to the fans more regularly rather than one big build up.”
This makes a lot of sense. Hours of time and effort are put into making and promoting an album and once released momentum is hard to maintain.
So for bands on Subgiant’s level a track once in a while keeps interest ticking over and continues building the fan base they are picking up from all the festivals they play.
This Sunday they are in session on the original Showcase after 6pm and live at Endorse it in Dorset, main stage, 15:00, Saturday 9th August.
With Southampton based Subgiant I was also really surprised at the quality of the sound they produced and also the energy that exuded from their performance.
We squeezed them and their equipment into studio 2 and no matter how many technical gizmos you have; to stand out you need the tunes and Subgiant have them in bucket loads.
They played two songs in the session “Filthy” from the album Global Control and “Stunt Driver” which is a new download.
And if you are a collector of CD’s then get Global Control as Subgiant will only be releasing single pieces of music for a while.
This is “a response to what’s happening in the industry.” Bass and keyboard player, Olly Maw, told us. “It means we can talk to the fans more regularly rather than one big build up.”
This makes a lot of sense. Hours of time and effort are put into making and promoting an album and once released momentum is hard to maintain.
So for bands on Subgiant’s level a track once in a while keeps interest ticking over and continues building the fan base they are picking up from all the festivals they play.
This Sunday they are in session on the original Showcase after 6pm and live at Endorse it in Dorset, main stage, 15:00, Saturday 9th August.
Friday, July 11, 2008
How To Approach A Record Company
Recently I was asked for advice about approaching a record company.
This brought back happy memories of my times in bands where we would all traipse up to a record company, meet someone in A&R, and play them our latest demo.
These were never successful meetings and I doubt A&R departments still allow young hopefuls through the door so this is how I would approach it now.
Find someone whose musical opinion you trust and ask them if you are any good. If they say no then either improve, or give up and stick to the day job.
If they say yes find the record label most suited to your sound; the one you would really love to sign to.
Then find out who is responsible for new acts and try and speak to them. You’ll need to be charming to get past the receptionist. Don’t be put off by a negative response.
Once you have a name; you have a contact. Send this person your demo but make sure the whole package looks impressive: a plain silver CD with a hand written note is going straight into the bin.
So maybe send your trusted friend from above the whole package and see what improvements they can suggest.
And be prepared for a positive response. If they like you they will want to: see you play live as soon as possible and how many albums of material you already have.
Good luck!
This brought back happy memories of my times in bands where we would all traipse up to a record company, meet someone in A&R, and play them our latest demo.
These were never successful meetings and I doubt A&R departments still allow young hopefuls through the door so this is how I would approach it now.
Find someone whose musical opinion you trust and ask them if you are any good. If they say no then either improve, or give up and stick to the day job.
If they say yes find the record label most suited to your sound; the one you would really love to sign to.
Then find out who is responsible for new acts and try and speak to them. You’ll need to be charming to get past the receptionist. Don’t be put off by a negative response.
Once you have a name; you have a contact. Send this person your demo but make sure the whole package looks impressive: a plain silver CD with a hand written note is going straight into the bin.
So maybe send your trusted friend from above the whole package and see what improvements they can suggest.
And be prepared for a positive response. If they like you they will want to: see you play live as soon as possible and how many albums of material you already have.
Good luck!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Loz Bridge & The Box Social
In this Sunday’s Original Showcase we have Loz Bridge and the Box Social in session.
Loz used to sing for the Portsmouth band Suburbian who split at the end of 2007 leaving him to concentrate on his song writing and find musicians to compliment his new direction.
The Box Social includes Showcase regular Andrew Foster on guitar (left) and Matt (right) on a rather beguiling Spanish drum that you sit on to play.
Every Showcase session is always a new experience and it sometimes feels like the old days of recording when we try to get the best positions for the microphones and balance the sound levels.
Afterwards a small amount of reverb is applied to give the songs a “live room” feel but we don’t add compression any more as it seems to take away something from the band’s performance.
I didn’t realise we were part of an “anti-compression” trend until I heard about the “Loudness War”.
Compression has been used to make songs louder and help them stand out on the radio. However if today’s songs are loud, tomorrow’s will have to be even louder!
To counter this vicious circle, and the resulting poor quality sound it produces, the “Turn Me Up” campaign has been started by music professionals Charles Dye, John Ralston and Allen Wagner.
You can find out more about their attempts to bring dynamics back to music at www.turnmeup.org
It will open your eyes and maybe your ears too!
Loz used to sing for the Portsmouth band Suburbian who split at the end of 2007 leaving him to concentrate on his song writing and find musicians to compliment his new direction.
The Box Social includes Showcase regular Andrew Foster on guitar (left) and Matt (right) on a rather beguiling Spanish drum that you sit on to play.
Every Showcase session is always a new experience and it sometimes feels like the old days of recording when we try to get the best positions for the microphones and balance the sound levels.
Afterwards a small amount of reverb is applied to give the songs a “live room” feel but we don’t add compression any more as it seems to take away something from the band’s performance.
I didn’t realise we were part of an “anti-compression” trend until I heard about the “Loudness War”.
Compression has been used to make songs louder and help them stand out on the radio. However if today’s songs are loud, tomorrow’s will have to be even louder!
To counter this vicious circle, and the resulting poor quality sound it produces, the “Turn Me Up” campaign has been started by music professionals Charles Dye, John Ralston and Allen Wagner.
You can find out more about their attempts to bring dynamics back to music at www.turnmeup.org
It will open your eyes and maybe your ears too!
Friday, August 17, 2007
The Groove of Jackson Analogue
Jackson Analogue have a groove; the type that grabs your body and demands attention.
This groove comes from the Isle of Wight and contains infectious guitars acting as a whip to drive the beat or a counter balance to the emotionally charged vocals. All of this energy is seeped in Hammond organ.
Combined it makes Jackson Analogue one of the most authentic rock groups around.
They’re also willing to experiment. Their debut album “And then, nothing” (above) was mastered onto vinyl and then recorded back into a digital state. Thereby changing the tone of the recording and yet again finding the groove.
This album was also a way of cutting ties with the past and forging new relationships within the media and music industry for the future.
As guitarist Jim Holmes explained: “The deal we signed went sour and this album released all the music owned by that company. It’s had great reviews and brought the band to the front of people’s minds. But at the same time we are free to find people who can deliver more than we are capable of.”
Thanks to web sites like MySpace, YouTube and digital downloading, bands have access to more tools than some record companies release. So when they can’t any extra then bands have to move on.
As for future record deals Jim has this advice for himself and others: “Don’t rush into anything. Know who you are working with and get advice from as many industry people as possible.”
Jackson Analogue are in the process of making their second album which again will be recorded in the water tower on Osborne House on the Island. And have a new EP coming out soon via download.
They are playing The Bestival (Saturday, 6pm) an we’ll have a track lined up for this Sunday’s Original Showcase – 6pm original 106fm
This groove comes from the Isle of Wight and contains infectious guitars acting as a whip to drive the beat or a counter balance to the emotionally charged vocals. All of this energy is seeped in Hammond organ.
Combined it makes Jackson Analogue one of the most authentic rock groups around.
They’re also willing to experiment. Their debut album “And then, nothing” (above) was mastered onto vinyl and then recorded back into a digital state. Thereby changing the tone of the recording and yet again finding the groove.This album was also a way of cutting ties with the past and forging new relationships within the media and music industry for the future.
As guitarist Jim Holmes explained: “The deal we signed went sour and this album released all the music owned by that company. It’s had great reviews and brought the band to the front of people’s minds. But at the same time we are free to find people who can deliver more than we are capable of.”
Thanks to web sites like MySpace, YouTube and digital downloading, bands have access to more tools than some record companies release. So when they can’t any extra then bands have to move on.
As for future record deals Jim has this advice for himself and others: “Don’t rush into anything. Know who you are working with and get advice from as many industry people as possible.”
Jackson Analogue are in the process of making their second album which again will be recorded in the water tower on Osborne House on the Island. And have a new EP coming out soon via download.
They are playing The Bestival (Saturday, 6pm) an we’ll have a track lined up for this Sunday’s Original Showcase – 6pm original 106fm
Friday, August 10, 2007
The Appeal of Melissa
Every Sunday, after 9pm, the Original Showcase has Fanpower, in which listeners, or fans of an artist, can request more plays of their favorite acts.
If success was based on the amount of requests we receive then Southampton based Melissa would be top of the charts.
She consistently gets requests from all ages, genders and nationalities. And it is no surprise.
Her voice is excellent; her songs are about love and life, and the music is a mixture of laid-back jazz and country. She plays keyboard and flute, Dave accompanies her on guitar
The requests arrive by text, email and telephone and it’s during the calls you can hear that Melissa’s songs have tickled an emotional response with her fans.
“I write about what ever springs into my mind, or is triggered by events around me, even conversations on the bus.” Melissa explained. “The song ‘Who Knows’ was about a depressed and lonely colleague who was hoping for that special someone to come along. I just put myself I her shoes and wrote about how that would feel.”
There is nothing new in Melissa’s approach to writing but she definitely has something which links her music to the minds and hearts of the listener.
Thanks to the Internet this effect is being felt abroad with an appreciative following on the American country circuit.
As soon as the album has been recorded Melissa is hoping to head out to the States; but the album comes first and that should be with us by the end of the year.
The Original Showcase will be playing a song by Melissa this Sunday after 6pm on Original 106fm.
If success was based on the amount of requests we receive then Southampton based Melissa would be top of the charts.
She consistently gets requests from all ages, genders and nationalities. And it is no surprise.
Her voice is excellent; her songs are about love and life, and the music is a mixture of laid-back jazz and country. She plays keyboard and flute, Dave accompanies her on guitar
The requests arrive by text, email and telephone and it’s during the calls you can hear that Melissa’s songs have tickled an emotional response with her fans.
“I write about what ever springs into my mind, or is triggered by events around me, even conversations on the bus.” Melissa explained. “The song ‘Who Knows’ was about a depressed and lonely colleague who was hoping for that special someone to come along. I just put myself I her shoes and wrote about how that would feel.”
There is nothing new in Melissa’s approach to writing but she definitely has something which links her music to the minds and hearts of the listener.
Thanks to the Internet this effect is being felt abroad with an appreciative following on the American country circuit.
As soon as the album has been recorded Melissa is hoping to head out to the States; but the album comes first and that should be with us by the end of the year.
The Original Showcase will be playing a song by Melissa this Sunday after 6pm on Original 106fm.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Dlugokecki Say "Hello" To The UK
Last week saw the conclusion of an eclectic tour of the UK by the Southampton based band Dlugokecki.
Named after the forthcoming album, the “How Do You Do” tour was their way of introducing themselves to the public and media in a way that mixes style with quality – very much a reflection of their music.
This adventure included venues such as the Mersey Ferry, Old Trafford, the London Eye, Stonehenge, and outside the Haunted House at Blackpool pleasure beach.
Where some rely solely on the internet this band have taken the camper van by the steering wheel and put some miles on the clock.
It’s also been a great way for Dlugokecki to collect plenty of footage for a video that will encompass the whole of the country.
This is music to cross borders and continents and the songs will also click within you. Ben presents stories and ideas we can all relate to.
Whether playing as a duo or a full band Dlugokecki ooze sincerity and charm.
One venue was the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth where Ben (vocals/guitar) and Andy (keyboards) played a strong set with the harbour and Isle of Wight as a back drop – and the island has a special connotation for Ben.
His fiancé used to live there and his song “Ocean” expresses his feelings about having a barrier between two people who love each other – in this case it was the Solent Estuary.
And I can’t see many barriers between his music and the rest of the world’s ears.
Named after the forthcoming album, the “How Do You Do” tour was their way of introducing themselves to the public and media in a way that mixes style with quality – very much a reflection of their music.
This adventure included venues such as the Mersey Ferry, Old Trafford, the London Eye, Stonehenge, and outside the Haunted House at Blackpool pleasure beach.
Where some rely solely on the internet this band have taken the camper van by the steering wheel and put some miles on the clock.
It’s also been a great way for Dlugokecki to collect plenty of footage for a video that will encompass the whole of the country.
This is music to cross borders and continents and the songs will also click within you. Ben presents stories and ideas we can all relate to.
Whether playing as a duo or a full band Dlugokecki ooze sincerity and charm.
One venue was the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth where Ben (vocals/guitar) and Andy (keyboards) played a strong set with the harbour and Isle of Wight as a back drop – and the island has a special connotation for Ben.
His fiancé used to live there and his song “Ocean” expresses his feelings about having a barrier between two people who love each other – in this case it was the Solent Estuary.
And I can’t see many barriers between his music and the rest of the world’s ears.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Birdpen – debut album announced
Whether it’s live, or on CD, you’ll always be impressed by Birdpen.
They started as a duo, combing guitar and synthesizers with killer riffs under a driving rhythm that commands attention.
Both Dave Pen (vocals, guitars, synth and centre) and Mike Bird (guitar, synth and right) are masters of studio technique and performance.
They also have James Livingston Seagull (Drums and left) who is an impassive powerhouse that compliments their laid-back yet powerful approach.
Their songs are thoughtful, intriguing and powerful. Each CD is carefully crafted and on stage they reproduce their recordings magnificently.
The mix keeps your ears firmly fixed on the layers of music surrounding you.
But in this country there aren’t many bands similar to Birdpen and, as most UK record companies seem to require groups that are part of a trend, Birdpen have one option: mainland Europe
As Dave Pen explained, “We have to prove ourselves in other territories before doors will open for us here, so we’re releasing our first album in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. We’ve had great experiences in Europe and their lack of inhibitions means they get our music immediately.”
His continental vision comes from also singing with Archive, the London based collective that recently supported Muse in front of 60,000 people in Paris.
Some of that European support is also focused on Birdpen with fans crossing countries just to see them play. But that’s what happens when Birdpen get under your skin and into your nest.
The debut album is titled On/Off/Safety/Danger and released February 2008. It will be a hit.
They started as a duo, combing guitar and synthesizers with killer riffs under a driving rhythm that commands attention.
Both Dave Pen (vocals, guitars, synth and centre) and Mike Bird (guitar, synth and right) are masters of studio technique and performance.
They also have James Livingston Seagull (Drums and left) who is an impassive powerhouse that compliments their laid-back yet powerful approach.
Their songs are thoughtful, intriguing and powerful. Each CD is carefully crafted and on stage they reproduce their recordings magnificently.
The mix keeps your ears firmly fixed on the layers of music surrounding you.
But in this country there aren’t many bands similar to Birdpen and, as most UK record companies seem to require groups that are part of a trend, Birdpen have one option: mainland Europe
As Dave Pen explained, “We have to prove ourselves in other territories before doors will open for us here, so we’re releasing our first album in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. We’ve had great experiences in Europe and their lack of inhibitions means they get our music immediately.”
His continental vision comes from also singing with Archive, the London based collective that recently supported Muse in front of 60,000 people in Paris.
Some of that European support is also focused on Birdpen with fans crossing countries just to see them play. But that’s what happens when Birdpen get under your skin and into your nest.
The debut album is titled On/Off/Safety/Danger and released February 2008. It will be a hit.
Monday, May 28, 2007
New bands and a Storm on Original 106fm
Every Sunday evening at 18:00 (GMT) I host the Original Showcase on Original 106fm.During the show we play the best music from our region of the UK – Hampshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight and West Sussex.
The rain was pouring down and we were receiving messages from people stuck in caravans, especially numbers 144 and 145 - for them the station made a grim day much better.
We also had a great response to the competition and congratulations go out to Jerry from Wimbourne who won away a copy of Storm Thorgerson’s excellent new illustrated book "Taken by Storm" (pictured above) - you can buy it from Amazon here...
Taken by Storm
If you want to find out more about Storm and the great album covers he has made visit this link: www.stormthorgerson.com
Here are the bands and features for the show on Sunday 27th May 2007...
FIRST HALF 18:00 to 20:00
In the show we also had an interview with Jackson Analogue moments after they came off stage from supporting The Who at the KC Stadium in Hull. Jackson Analogue are from the Isle of Wight and more can be found here: www.jacksonanalogue.com
ALSO WE HAD TRACKS FROM
ANDREW FOSTER
www.myspace.com/andrewfostermusic
MOONTOWN
www.myspace.com/moontownmusic
MOZYDARE
www.myspace.com/mozydare
SUBGIANT
www.subgiant.co.uk
TRUE SWAMP NEGLECT
www.myspace.com/trueswampneglect
IN FAN POWER - from 21:00
(as requested by fans and listeners)
THE STRANGE DEATH OF LIBERAL ENGLAND
www.tsdole.co.uk
WILFY WILLIAMS
www.myspace.com/wilfywilliams
STATE OF UNDRESS
www.stateofundress.com
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Original Showcase Sunday 18th Feb
Every Sunday evening at 18:00 on Original 106fm I present the Original Showcase which plays the best music from our region - Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight.These are the acts from last Sunday's show...
MOZYDARE - a fun packed Pop/Rock band from Gosport
www.myspace.com/mozydare
SARAH SAVILLE – excellent singer/songwriter from Southampton
www.sarahsaville.com
BIRDPEN – dark and mysterious indi sound from Southampton
http://www.birdpen.com/
LOS FANTASMAS (above) – Latin and reggae sounds from the isle of Wight
www.myspace.com/losfantasmas
BRIAN HOOPER – Long standing folk musician from Southampton
www.focsle.org.uk/SCoFF/brianhooper/
ILZE – Singer from Latvia now living in Southsea
www.myspace.com/ilzemusic
Friday, February 09, 2007
The Smell of Smoke
Apart from the audience and the band what makes a good gig? Well most people would say the atmosphere, the smell of years of sweat, spilt beer and the smoke.
I disagree. After seeing two bands, in two days, this is my second night of sitting in the office stinking of cigarettes. As a nonsmoker it isn’t the greatest of smells.*
So I can’t wait for the smoking ban to begin on July 1st. In my opinion it won’t make gigs any worse and we’ll only be taking home memories of songs and not morsels of smog.
Rant over. Two bands from this region in two nights. It’s not a record (and that’s not a pun) but having heard their music on the Original Showcase I thought it was time to hear them in the flesh.
On Wednesday night I was at The Brook in Southampton to see Recreation support The Bluetones. On Thursday it was the same city to see Birdpen (above) at The Joiners.
Both bands have the potential to make it and I can see Recreation being at success in this country while Birdpen have a sound which will make them a hit in Europe.
If you were to ask which of the two groups would succeed first then I would have to say Birdpen.
Recreation have a great summer sound and are likely to appeal to the thinking public but they are in transition and have to find a new guitarist which always takes a few months to sort out.
While Birdpen have the advantage of their frontman, Dave ‘Pen’. He is also in a group called Archive who recently sold out the 6000 capacity Zenith in Paris. It must be strange to go from that to 100 people at The Joiners.
But he didn’t see too phased and the conversation we had after the show was punctuated with punters telling him how good the gig was. A sure sign of success.
They both gave me some new recordings and we’ll be playing them over the next couple of weeks on Sunday’s Original Showcase.
*As a former smoker I do appreciate the irony.
I disagree. After seeing two bands, in two days, this is my second night of sitting in the office stinking of cigarettes. As a nonsmoker it isn’t the greatest of smells.*
So I can’t wait for the smoking ban to begin on July 1st. In my opinion it won’t make gigs any worse and we’ll only be taking home memories of songs and not morsels of smog.
Rant over. Two bands from this region in two nights. It’s not a record (and that’s not a pun) but having heard their music on the Original Showcase I thought it was time to hear them in the flesh.
On Wednesday night I was at The Brook in Southampton to see Recreation support The Bluetones. On Thursday it was the same city to see Birdpen (above) at The Joiners.
Both bands have the potential to make it and I can see Recreation being at success in this country while Birdpen have a sound which will make them a hit in Europe.
If you were to ask which of the two groups would succeed first then I would have to say Birdpen.
Recreation have a great summer sound and are likely to appeal to the thinking public but they are in transition and have to find a new guitarist which always takes a few months to sort out.
While Birdpen have the advantage of their frontman, Dave ‘Pen’. He is also in a group called Archive who recently sold out the 6000 capacity Zenith in Paris. It must be strange to go from that to 100 people at The Joiners.
But he didn’t see too phased and the conversation we had after the show was punctuated with punters telling him how good the gig was. A sure sign of success.
They both gave me some new recordings and we’ll be playing them over the next couple of weeks on Sunday’s Original Showcase.
*As a former smoker I do appreciate the irony.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Music from Malawi
There are few musicians from Malawi who have been able to make an impression in the West; the band I would like you to meet have the energy to accomplish such a task. The Sangalala AfroBlues Band represents a unique collaboration of Malawian musicians put together by an emerging artist named Kenny Gilmore (above on stone pillar).
Together they have created a new style of music which has captured the heart of the nation. They call it ‘AfroBlues AfroBlues’.
When Kenny Gilmore visited the UK in 2006 Xan Phillips interviewed him about the band, music in Malawi and the influences behind their latest album ‘Ngati Mafunde Mafunde’. The conversation is interspersed with three tracks: Musade Nkawa, Ngati Mafunde and Phwando.
The band can be contacted at www.myspace.com/sangalala
You can listen now by clicking the device below:
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Friday, August 04, 2006
Perfect Song is Perfect Place
In the Guildford area we have some great musicians and song writers. One of them is Alistair Cowan (left) and he recently previewed some new songs at Guilfest - Guildford's three day music festival.One song really stuck out for me, it's called Perfect Place you can see the video from that festival on YouTube.
I interviewed Alistair after the show, he told me the fascinating background to the song and hope to have the podcast available soon, but as this audio recording is better than the one I made I think you should hear it immediately.
So don't delay: Perfect Place by Alistair Cowan it's lovely!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
36 minutes from Guildford
This NMC is the first of many featuring artists exclusively from my home town. Not only is Guildford the spiritual home of podcasting but we also have a wealth of new artistic talent around the town and you are going to hear some great songs and of course some more poetry. Underneath it all, a thunder storm recorded in June 2006.
LISTEN WITH THIS
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The first band in this podcast is the youngest group in Guildford that I know of. When ‘Arthur’ recorded "Heart Stopping Specialist" two of them were only 15 years old! They are being courted by record companies across Europe but are going to finish their studies before they think about a future in the entertainment industry.http://www.myspace.com/arthurmusic
Next up are three acts that will be performing on the Ents24 Stage at Guilfest, the three day music festival in Guildford (14th – 16th July 2006) http://www.guilfest.co.uk/
First we will hear Newton Falkner. This was recorded live during my show on 1350AM GU2 at the University of Surrey www.gu2.co.uk in early 2005. Since then he has been championed by BBC Radio 2 and The Independent of Sunday and in 2006 wowed the crowds at South by South West in Austen Texas. He’s a great singer/guitarist and improved his skills at the Academy of Music in Guildford which is the main source of new talent in this town.
http://www.newtonfaulkner.com/
Newtown is playing at 8pm on the Ents24 Stage.
On the same day and a little bit earlier is another great singer/songwriter - Alistair McCowan. He was the former bass playing front man of Redwood. He’s ditched the four string for six and released a great solo album called “Why Can I See Stars”. The track I’ve picked from it is "Long Lost Friends". It has a great sentiment, a lovely flow and full of summer fun. http://www.alistaircowan.com/
The final link in this Guilfest puzzle is the person who is probably most responsible for the rise of Open Mic Nights around Guilford. Due to the popularity of his evenings of songs and revelry Gavin Thomas inspired others to start their own nights. Out of this came the Guildford Songwriters Night, a evening where you had to play your own compositions and the audience was expected to listen and not chat, talk or laugh. This too was popular and so it makes sense to play a recording of Gavin Thomas singing his lyrically song "The Game".
http://www.gavinthomas.com/
If you are going to Guilfest Gavin is the compare for the Ents24 Stage and will be playing a selection of songs before the first act each day – so get there early on Friday and hear Gavin, Alistair and Newton perform live. It is also on BBC Radio 2 and hopefully they might play a recording for these fabulous acts. So if you can’t get there due to the English Channel, Atlantic or Pacific Oceans then listen onlinehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/guilfest06/index.shtml
The next voice, and it is just pure voice, comes from Anan Tabbush. She is a folk singer/song-writer currently gigging the acoustic scene around London and South East England. She plays in a variety of bands as well as singing with the Tabbush Sisters and runs two community choirs, Brighton Vox and Guildford Vox. http://www.myspace.com/annatabbush
Every podcast we try and have some poetry and this one comes from Gareth Strachen. He is English but spent some time in Canada running a furniture store and has also confessed to working in a book shop. He back in Guildford and planning an evening of poetry. This poem "New Mood Rising" is excellent.
It gives a great perspective on old age a subject that will become more important as the baby boomer generation suddenly realize that their working time is up and retirement is rearing its ravaged head. It is also gives an interesting perspective on shop working.
And we end with two songs about breaking up with your partner. They perfectly sum up the difference between men and women: how they think, how they react and what an ‘ending’ means to them.
The first is from Susie Clarke who is currently working with a variety of groups as well as being a solo artist. She is currently recording an EP with Nick Sowden the producer for Anna Tabbush and you can hear work in progress on her MySpace page. The song I'm playing is called "Like A River". Those interested in trivia might like to know that Susie and her father took over the same bar that Gavin Thomas used to run.
http://www.myspace.com/susieclarke
In complete contrat that runs into a raucous piece of rock and roll from Carter Brown – a Guildford band that I met on MySpace. I love their sound and can't wait to see them live. Spill magazine said this about them: "If you like music that lays it’s nuts on the line, tries to snog your sister then drinks you’re last bottle of vodka. Carter Brown are you’re band… very cool indeed!!" http://www.myspace.com/carterbrown
HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW MUSIC COLLECTION
If you have iTunes installed you can automatically launch it here: Direct Link to iTunesIf you like this then please Pop it at PopCurrent.com!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Holy Fathers of Punk Fathers
The Stranglers have another greatest hit album out. I know it’s another because I already have one from a couple of years ago - bought second hand from Ben’s Record Collectors.
So I watched the advert intently wondering what new tracks they had found but there was no inkling of anything extra.
The voice over went through the usual motions, reminding the forgetful of this punk bands musical triumphs and, just as we got to the end, he announced, with no hint of irony, that this album “would be an ideal gift for Father’s Day.”
“What?!” I thought. “How can something that once seemed so rebellious now be suitable as a gift for Father’s Day?”
It makes commercial sense as most punks are now fathers. In fact I’m a recent father and this Sunday will be my first day of feet-up “I’m doing nothing honey it’s father’s day” attitude.
But to be told that The Stranglers, responsible for songs about heroin addiction, bottom watching and Leon Trotsky getting an ice pick that made his ears burn, were ideal gift material for something as soft as Father’s Day was quite a shock.
So I watched the advert intently wondering what new tracks they had found but there was no inkling of anything extra.
The voice over went through the usual motions, reminding the forgetful of this punk bands musical triumphs and, just as we got to the end, he announced, with no hint of irony, that this album “would be an ideal gift for Father’s Day.”
“What?!” I thought. “How can something that once seemed so rebellious now be suitable as a gift for Father’s Day?”
It makes commercial sense as most punks are now fathers. In fact I’m a recent father and this Sunday will be my first day of feet-up “I’m doing nothing honey it’s father’s day” attitude.
But to be told that The Stranglers, responsible for songs about heroin addiction, bottom watching and Leon Trotsky getting an ice pick that made his ears burn, were ideal gift material for something as soft as Father’s Day was quite a shock.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Bands Score With IndieStore
I remember the day when I used to shake my head with despair when ever I heard someone say: "I remember the day!"
And yet here am I, looking back to the time when I was in a rock band, thinking that musicians nowadays never had it so good. MySpace, flickr, YouTube and now indiestore: a fantastic selection of tools.
Let me take you back to the late 1980’s. London was booming, yuppies were thriving and the east of the City of London was under massive re-development. If you could afford it you were buying property in the docklands if you couldn’t you were drinking with us.
Well, I exaggerate a little. It seemed like that. The band was based in Bethnal Green road at a pub called the Stick of Rock, close to the junction with Brick Lane.
From the front door you could see cranes and concrete going up around Liverpool Street station. The money was over there.
We played some great gigs at The Stick. Hot, sweaty and always fun. We had a mixture of rockers, skinheads and east enders willing us on and we had a pocket full of happy rock songs which people could dance and sing along to.
Naturally we decided to put some of our music onto vinyl. CD’s were just coming out but it seemed a pretty stupid idea for us to make one as no one we knew actually owned a CD player.
So we plumped for 2000 12 inch records. Why on earth 12 inch? Well, to help pay for it we had sold advertising squares on the back sleeve. Also it was said that it gave the songs more oomph.
I’ll cut this story short because those days were great fun and to get to the point would take ages but 2000 12 inch records is a weight and a half. You get 25 discs in a box and so that’s 80 boxes and strong young rockers can only carry two packs at a time. It took ages to load and then unload.
Nowadays? Ha! Bands never had it so good. You’ve got MySpace to help your fans connect and listen to your tracks, flickr to share photos, YouTube to post your videos and now IndieStore - somewhere to actually sell your music.
You can upload your songs for free and people can download them for 79p. You get 70% of the money.
To get onto iTunes you have to have someone distribute your music, here you are on in moments. You can for songs available for sale, at no cost to the band, within minutes.
Brilliant. You can even open a pro account and if your sales go massive you will enter the actually charts. No shops, no distribution just one pure connection between you and your fans.
This is a fantastic site for new acts that are prepared to gig and publicise their material.
Look at the Trophy Boyz and their World Cup song "Name on the Cup". They are number 3 in the Indiestore charts. With the right momentum a band can start selling.
But if you are just going to add your music and hope then nothing will happen.
If you have time to visit just click on the random band link and you’ll see hundreds of acts waiting for people to download their music and good luck to them.
Hard work, hard gig is and many miles in the back of a van will get you sales. It is how we did it. We sold 1600 copies at gigs and you still see one or two for sale on ebay. But if we had had an indiestore page...
And yet here am I, looking back to the time when I was in a rock band, thinking that musicians nowadays never had it so good. MySpace, flickr, YouTube and now indiestore: a fantastic selection of tools.
Let me take you back to the late 1980’s. London was booming, yuppies were thriving and the east of the City of London was under massive re-development. If you could afford it you were buying property in the docklands if you couldn’t you were drinking with us.
Well, I exaggerate a little. It seemed like that. The band was based in Bethnal Green road at a pub called the Stick of Rock, close to the junction with Brick Lane.
From the front door you could see cranes and concrete going up around Liverpool Street station. The money was over there.
We played some great gigs at The Stick. Hot, sweaty and always fun. We had a mixture of rockers, skinheads and east enders willing us on and we had a pocket full of happy rock songs which people could dance and sing along to.
Naturally we decided to put some of our music onto vinyl. CD’s were just coming out but it seemed a pretty stupid idea for us to make one as no one we knew actually owned a CD player.
So we plumped for 2000 12 inch records. Why on earth 12 inch? Well, to help pay for it we had sold advertising squares on the back sleeve. Also it was said that it gave the songs more oomph.
I’ll cut this story short because those days were great fun and to get to the point would take ages but 2000 12 inch records is a weight and a half. You get 25 discs in a box and so that’s 80 boxes and strong young rockers can only carry two packs at a time. It took ages to load and then unload.
Nowadays? Ha! Bands never had it so good. You’ve got MySpace to help your fans connect and listen to your tracks, flickr to share photos, YouTube to post your videos and now IndieStore - somewhere to actually sell your music.
You can upload your songs for free and people can download them for 79p. You get 70% of the money.
To get onto iTunes you have to have someone distribute your music, here you are on in moments. You can for songs available for sale, at no cost to the band, within minutes.
Brilliant. You can even open a pro account and if your sales go massive you will enter the actually charts. No shops, no distribution just one pure connection between you and your fans.
This is a fantastic site for new acts that are prepared to gig and publicise their material.
Look at the Trophy Boyz and their World Cup song "Name on the Cup". They are number 3 in the Indiestore charts. With the right momentum a band can start selling.
But if you are just going to add your music and hope then nothing will happen.
If you have time to visit just click on the random band link and you’ll see hundreds of acts waiting for people to download their music and good luck to them.
Hard work, hard gig is and many miles in the back of a van will get you sales. It is how we did it. We sold 1600 copies at gigs and you still see one or two for sale on ebay. But if we had had an indiestore page...
Monday, June 05, 2006
New Music Collection - Midlands
This is the second New Music Collection and its sub-titled Midlands. Maybe each one should have a number but I think numbers are good for just football players and houses; whereas odd subtitles suit art a lot better.
First act in the podcast are Overproof Soundsystem. They started life in 1998 as a monthly reggae night called "Overproof" held at the Medicine bar in Birmingham, England. The song I have picked is The Plea. Their version of kraftwerk’s The Model is brilliant it would make the Top 10 in the charts if released. 
Next up it's way out cinema They are a new band fusing the sound of 60's west coast harmony rock with contemporary indie. They were formed in 2005 by Rob Blackham who needed an outlet for his original material. He is from the Midlands too and the song is called Drowning.
Second podcast in a row we have a poem from Greg Buddery. Greg’s a writer living in Guildford, South England and is currently attempting to publish a novella - "A Young Artist in the Modern World" and a poetry collection (working title- Self Help). This poem is called Drinking Poem and was recorded in one of the few pubs that doesn’t have music in it. The deep hum in the background is the air con.
Emerging from Northampton, InVerro draw together so many wide ranging influences it's hard to understand how they manage to blend them all together into such sweet melodies and driven beats – well that’s what is says on their MySpace site! This mild mannered Midlands meleody is called DimLo.
Another Fine DayBetween 1992 and 1994 Tom Green created his classic album Life Before Land which made the Top 3 ambient albums as chosen by the Independent newspaper. You’ll hear the song Esperanto as well as a clip from an interview in which he talks about the equipment and processes he used to make the album. Buy this album!
Desert Heatcome from rural Quebec and formed nearly 17 years ago. Apparently there has not been a major country band emerge from this part of Canada in industry memory. In 2006 they hope to conquer America. Their debut CD (which was co-produced by Wayne Warner) on the B-Venturous record label, is called “Forever Road” and this is the title track.
We end the podcast with a blast of electronica - Subsource. I know the bass player in this band. Although I didn’t know that he was in this band until I received their publicity photo. Stuart Henshall is his name and he also plays bass for the Naked Sunday Collective. Both groups play their mix music live so try and see either if you can. Subsource play breaks/drum and bass and this powerful track is called Fight ‘Em Off.Play the podcast via Odeo
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HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW MUSIC COLLECTION
If you have iTunes installed you can automatically launch it here: Direct Link to iTunesOtherwise to download the show to your computer, right click on the link below and select 'Save As' or 'Save Link As' New Music Collection mp3
Friday, May 26, 2006
New Music Collection - Videophone
We start with some dance music from Wonderland Avenue and then leap into some excellent pop from the John James Newmand Band. In my humble opinion there isn't enough poetry around so we recorded Greg Buddery reading "Londoner" in a street. We then slip quietly but darkly into a re-mix of Itchy Tits' Videophone.
whistle Jacket and Bebek were our international artists - the first is from South Africa and the second the States.
8 Fold provide an lovely tribute to Countdown host Richard Whitely and then we finish the show with "Name on the Cup" the England World Cup song by the Trophy Boyz.
Play the podcast now!
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The show is 30 minutes long. If you have iTunes installed you can automatically launch it here: Direct Link to iTunesotherwise download the show here: New Music Collection mp3
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