
The four week licence starts on 22nd of July 2008, and is the first stage of their planned full time Community Radio Licence for the Romney Marsh.
The
station will cover a wide range of music, but the main output from 6.00 am until
7.00 pm will be "Middle of the Road" with Classic Gold hits from the
60's - current chart music supported 7pm to 10pm specialist music and talk shows
including Big Band, Rock, Reggae, Country and the Local Band Show.
Known
Presenters and DJ's
David Wimble - David Shax - Steven French - Mikie T
- Chris Ashman - Stan Donnely - Shuan Child - Jack Williams
The
Local Band Show
The Local Band Show will be hosted by Chris Ashman of www.kentgigs.com
Thursdays from 7 till 10pm.
Bands and Artists from Kent & E Sussex should
submit their CD demos with a view to airplay and a chance to appear on the show.
Postal:
Local
Band Show, The Cedars, Elvington Lane, Hawkinge, Kent. CT18 7AD. No explicit material
will accepted for airplay.
Presenters wanted
Aspiring
presenters, researchers or news and backroom bods are wanted for Romney Marsh
FM, all training will be given.
Please contact David Wimble on 01797 362 000.
Postal:
Allied
Broadcasting Company Ltd, RM Business Estate, Cockreed Lane, New Romney Kent.
Sponsors
and Advertising
There are still shows that require sponsors.
Please
contact David Wimble on 01797 362 000.
Postal:
Allied
Broadcasting Company Ltd, RM Business Estate, Cockreed Lane, New Romney Kent.
Lest
We Forget
The Butt Of Sherry
in Hythe High Street on Thursday July 3rd 2008 at 8pm
Last year musicians from bands that were active from 1958 onwards in the South East of Kent had a reunion with aim of sharing their past exploits and remembering colleagues that have passed-on and raising some money for a good cause. An Auction of memorabilia took place to commemorate old friends. The proceeds were put towards constructing a seat to be placed at Folkestone Harbour but the land has changed hands so a change of venue has been neccessary.
The
seat with some brass plaques remembering some friends including Keith Harwood,
Bob (Scott) Coltart (Maroondogs), Martin Jones (Sundowners) and
Noel Redding (The Lonely Ones - Jimi Hendrix Experience) will be placed
in the yard at the The Butt Of Sherry in Hythe High Street on Thursday
July 3rd at 8pm.
Thanks must go to Bob and Rosie Leech who have managed
the commissioning of the seat on such a low budget possible.
The night coincides with 'Jack Pounds Open Stage' where some old stalwarts will perform, some for the first time in many years.
Donations and suggestions for future projects welcome - See Bob Leech or Rosie on the night.
‘Simple is a beautiful acoustic track with an outstanding sound’ Floatation Suite
‘A striking single from the daughter of Denny Laine, peppered with stunning melodies, sky high and superbly crafted into something warm and absorbing.’ Subba Cultcha
At
five Heidi had her first taste of showbuisness when she appeared in the west end
Musical 'Umbrellas of Cherbourg'. at 11. Her first proper gig was at the 1996
Woodstock festival where she sang with David Peel of the Lower Eastside (who played
with John Lennon)This was a great experience and gave her a taste of what was
her true passion, Singing live.
The band is completing new material at the moment with a view to releasing more singles over the summer ahead of a debut album planned for early in 2009. Band founder and chief writer Mark Herbert has developed a plan for The Indigo Road which will see the band release double A side throughout the rest of 2008.
In 2002 Heidi answered an add in the Stage newspaper looking for singers and was picked to be in the all girl Rock/Electro band Nebula 101 .Their songs had airplay in the states and their Promo video featured on T4, but although successful , Heidi left as her heart was in rock n roll. Heidi wrote and recorded her first demo and gigged the London circuit for 2 years until she put together her own band called The HJH Band' their first gig was at the 'Gathering' at Royal Ascot. As well as having her band Heidi is also doing different projects with other artists, she has just recorded a song with Hugh McDowell (from ELO) 'the song was written by Dave Winstanley of the Classic Rock Society and will feature on an EP of Dave's songs which is being produced to raise funds for the Society.'
"What
I love about marks songs is that they open up another part of me that's been hidden
til now they're expressive and quirky and they allow me
to explore my voice to other dimensions" explains Heidi
Mark Herbert picked up a guitar again in earnest a little over a year ago after a number of years working in the very different fields of international business and politics, environmental fund raising and education. Since then he has been writing, recording and rehearsing with various musicians before stepping out on The Indigo Road. His path in life has seen him achieve a business degree, an English degree and the teaching of English at the rough and elite end of the spectrum. Mixing band influences from Smashing Pumpkins to The Who on a band level and from Bowie to Costello on a songwriter level see the band deliver a diverse blend as seen in the current double A side.
PURE
HARDCORE
Mixed by AudioJunkie & Stylus
Release
format: Digital downloads from internet stores worldwide (Physical release to
be confirmed)
AudioJunkie & DJ Stylus:
(nominees
for the "Breakthrough DJ" category for the Slamming Vinyl Hardcore Heaven
Awards 2008)
Appeared last week on the Hardcore Till I Die (HTID) event in Spain.
Interviewed for fusion TV at the True hardcore 2 launch party.
On a weekly radio show for Krafty radio, Wednesdays 10-11.
Recently remixed the Flyin' & Sparky tracks "Free at Last and Rave Phenomenon" both featuring MC WhizzKid.
Upcoming gigs: Uproar, Stratagize, Rave in a cave and Monthly Mahem.
Pure
Hardcore: Mixed by AudioJunkie & Stylus
Disc 1
01. Body Rock - AudioJunkie
& Stylus feat: JD
02. Listen To My Heart - AudioJunkie & Stylus feat:
Scarlet
03. Shake Ya Body - Stylus feat: Olivia
04. Teknique - AudioJunkie
& Stylus
05. Perfection - DJ Chaos feat Scarlet
06. The Awakening -
AudioJunkie & Stylus
07. Rock The Place - AudioJunkie & Stylus
08.
Drop Zone - AudioJunkie & Stylus
09. Uncontrollable - DJ Chaos
10. The
Slammer - Jel & Fastraxx (Sy & Unknown remix)
11. Infectious - AudioJunkie
& Stylus feat: Rachael
12. Close Your Eyes - AudioJunkie feat Scarlet
13.
Shock Wave - AudioJunkie & Stylus
14. Don't Stop Now - AudioJunkie &
Stylus
15. Mindwarp - AudioJunkie & Stylus
16. Feel Like Rushin' - AudioJunkie
& Stylus feat Rachael
17. Attack The Track - AudioJunkie & Stylus
18.
Dirt Style - AudioJunkie & Stylus
19. I'll Be There For You - DJ Chaos
feat: Malaya
20. UK Ravers - AudioJunkie & Stylus
Pure
Hardcore: Mixed by AudioJunkie & Stylus
Disc 2
01. Disfunktion
- AudioJunkie & Stylus
02. Move Closer - AudioJunkie & Stylus feat:
Rachael
03. Raverlution - AudioJunkie & Stylus
04. In This Happiness
- AudioJunkie & Stylus feat: Rachael
05. Jigsaw - AudioJunkie & Stylus
06.
Solace - AudioJunkie & Stylus
07. Temptation - AudioJunkie & Stylus
08.
Cuttin', Scratchin', Mixin' - DJ Chaos
09. Shake It - AudioJunkie & Stylus
10.
A Little Piece of Heaven - DJ Chaos feat: Malaya
11. From A Star feat: Rachael
12.
Pure - AudioJunkie & Stylus
13. Shine Down - AudioJunkie & Stylus
14.
Bass Invaders - AudioJunkie & Stylus
15. Don't Stop Now - AudioJunkie &
Stylus (Flyin' & Sparky remix)
16. This Is A Rave - AudioJunkie & Stylus
17.
Here It Is - DJ Chaos
18. Move Forward - AudioJunkie & Stylus
On
sale now - download from
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=283881360&s=143444
Listen to AudioJunkie & DJ Stylus - Kraftyradio.com Mix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xUXyAFxvlY
AudioJunkie on myspace: www.myspace.com/audiojunkieonline
DJ Stylus on myspace: www.myspace.com/djalexstylus
Digimix Records have been working with and developing AudioJunkie and DJ Stylus for the last 18 months and are published by Scamp Music (part of the Panama Music group of Companies) whose stable of writers include: Gammer, Lisa Marie, DJ Chaos, Jel & Fastraxx, DJ Ruxpin, GrooveWizard, Scarlet, Malaya.
Digimix
Records Limited . Sovereign House, 12 Trewartha Road, Praa Sands, Penzance. Cornwall
TR20 9ST England. UK
Telephone: +44 (0)1736 762826 - Fax +44 (0)1736 762826
- Email: info@digimixrecords.com
Digimix
Records Limited. The Cedars, Elvington Lane, Hawkinge, Folkestone. Kent. CT18
7AD. England. UK
Telephone: +44 (0)1303 893472 - Fax: +44 (0)1303 893833 -
Email: info@digimixrecords.com
About Zig Zag Gig
23 Aug 2008 20:00 The Ampi-Theatre,
The Leas Folkestone, London and South East
The Zig Zag Gig is a FREE one-day
mini festival packed full of music, art and drama held every summer in the Folkestone
Amphitheatre on the beautiful Leas coastline.
For
this years event, we have been scouting the local cafes and bars to bring you
11 of Folkestone's finest singer songwriters to perform live on Auguest 23rd from
1 - 5pm.
However to mark the "Triennial",
this year we've also introduced a CD of the featured artiists playing their original
materia l!
This collection of acoustic based songs ranging
from multitrack recordings to 'live in the studio' takes, is available to purchase
at local shops and events.
You can purchase the CD from the 9th July at:
The Whole World Cafe
(buy it anytime from the counter, or from the pre-show gig, 9th August)
The
CD Launch Party, 9th July, Keppels Bar, The Grand Hotel
The
Music Room, (Guildhall St)
Or of course at the
ZigZag Gig itself, 23rd August
Live CD and Open-Air Gig
23
Aug 2008 20:00 The Ampi-Theatre, The Leas Folkestone, London and South East
http://www.myspace.com/zigzaggig
http://www.myspace.com/zigzaggigpage2
Rock and Roller Bo Diddley Passes
Rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley passed away on Monday 2nd June at the age of 79. Diddley had been suffering from major heart complications, and recently survived both a stroke and heart attack. At his home in Archer, Florida, Diddley ultimately died from heart failure.
Diddley stamped his signature across a number of rhythms and sounds that helped to define rock and roll. After debuting in the 50s, an incalculable number of artists adapted the Diddley style, including the Rolling Stones, Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, and the Yardbirds.
That
is part of a racially-tilted rock and roll evolution, one that often positioned
black pioneers in the background. But Diddley is widely regarded as a founding
father of rock, and his innumerable accolades include inductions into the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Hall of Fame.
The Anti Nowhere League set out on the road in 1980 to prove they could be the worst band on Gods earth loud,violent,obnoxious yobbos with one mission... to get banned from every TV show, radio station and newspapers as possible....they were hated by the general public as well as 'real' musicians who thought they were a disgrace to the music business(and of course the fact they were pulling more people in their live shows than they were).....with numerous encounters with the police and the authorities they have continued to play and release new material away from the public eye....In this day and age it does not seem quite as big a deal as it was back then when they stood alone now a few of the 'real' bands have taken up the 'flag' to be original with attitude...long may independent bands continue keeping the music live and real.....long live the League
OVER
16S ADMITTED WITH ID
7.00 pm £10.00
Engine Room, 5 Preston Street Brighton BN1 2HX
Booking :
07903399309 info@engineroomclub.com
The Lone Star
Comedy Club returns at a new venue - The Tower Theatre on North Road at Shorncliffe
in Cheriton, near Folkestone - The line up for 27TH JUNE 2008 will be EARL
OKIN, JAMES SHERWOOD, compere MATT PRICE and a newcomer.
Now the home of FHODS, the Tower Theatre is currently the town's best-kept secret and is the old Garrison Church at the Shorncliffe barracks. There are about 300 seats in the auditorium and a Full bar service. Drinks will be available before the show starts, in the interval and afterwards. Don't be put off making the effort - there's ample FREE parking and you'll love it when you get there! Take a look at the website - www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk - for a map and further details.
EARL OKIN is one of those rare performers..... a true original!!! Genuinely versatile, his talents range from that of a fine Singer-Songwriter, (in styles ranging from chart orientated tracks to the classiest of Jazz-Standards, via authentic Bossa-Novas), to that of Pianist, Guitarist, world class Jazz-Singer, as well as his unique standing as ' Vocal Trumpeter, Trombonist and Clarinetist'.
Added to all of this is his Humour, sophisticated and witty enough to have made him perhaps the leading music & Comedy act on the unforgiving London Alternative Comedy Circuit!
Apart from appearances on British shows too numerous to mention, Earl has appeared at all the major London venues including The Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Festival Hall, The London Palladium, Wembley Arena, The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and The Barbican.
Earl has appeared alongside everyone from Paul McCartney and Van Morrison to Benny Carter, Stephane Grappelli and Cleo Laine. He has entertained the Queen and Princess Margaret.
Finally his one man show has made his name a legend at the amazing Edinburgh International Festival and venues literally around the world. He has been described as a cross between Harry Connick Jr. and Victor Borge, but there is really only one... Earl Okin
Earl has toured the show that features all aspects of his talent throughout the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Switzerland & Russia etc.
Finally of course, Earl Okin's name is legendary at the Edinburgh International Festival. In year 2000 he completed his 18th full (successful) year reaching an unprecedented 500 performances and gaining a place in the Guinness Book Of Records!
James Sherwood. Clever, original, but most of all, very very funny - CHORTLE
JAMES SHERWOOD made his name in topical comedy, writing one-liners for commercial radio stations. During the 2005 general election campaign, his political material appeared on BBC Radio 1, 2 and 4. He has also written for Private Eye and is a frequent studio pundit on the Sky News Paper Review.
He is also a musician, mainly a classical singer, but also a pianist, composer and arranger. His vocal arrangement of the University Challenge theme tune featured in a BBC2 documentary about the tv quiz. He is also a regular choral singer on the London church scene, despite not being a Christian – a contradiction he explored in his 2006 solo Edinburgh festival debut ‘I Know What You did Last Sunday’.
In his pre-comedy career in public relations, James’ campaigns included the UK launch of the Blackberry handheld email device.
TRIVIA: His great grandfather (also James Sherwood) scored the only goal in the 1914 Amateur FA cup Final.
In 2004, he was runner up in both the BBC New Comedy Awards and the Holsten Pils/FHM comedy competition.
He is known for his material on topical subjects, and religion.
Matt Price. The man is a tremendous, original comic - CHORTLE
Having given up a short but colourful career in boxing, Cornish-born Cardiff-resident MATT PRICE is resident MC at Cardiff’s award-winning Yellow Kangaroo Comedy Club and the famous Wharf Comedy Club.
He has perfected the art of controlling a rowdy crowd, and is now becoming a much sought-after support act and compere on the national circuit.
Matt’s real skill is in taking his audience on numerous different journeys through the course of his performance. He is very much a unique stage presence and his poignant, heartbreaking and brutally funny stories are fast becoming a must-have addition to bills around the nation.
He is officially UK’s
first New Deal Comedian. Having been on the dole for two years, he decided to
make his hobby his profession, applied for New Deal support and was accepted!
This set of circumstances allows Matt yet another unique perspective on his life
and profession, and will surely serve to cement his position as one of the most
promising newcomers around.
Our new bookable website
is being built and you can already book using lonestarcomedy
The Gig Guide Magazine on behalf of legendary band Status Quo are running a competition for two lucky people to see the band live and meet them as well!
They will be rockin' all over Rochester Castle on Friday 18th July as part of the 'Castle Concerts' series of events staged by Medway Council.
If you would like to enter, all you have to do is tell us why you would love to meet the band in no more than 25 words and the best will be chosen.
Entries can be sent to dan.kirkness@gc-publishing.co.uk
The winners will be notified a week before the event. Please make sure you can make the gig on the 18th!
And, please remember to include contact details (full name, address, email, phone number etc) so you can be notified if you're successful.
Thanks and good luck!
Arrangements for Tenterden Folk Festival 2008 are coming
on a pace.
23rd April 2008
After the success of last year’s souvenir programme we are already accepting bookings for advertising in this year’s even bigger programme. 5,000 copies of the A5 programme will be distributed free in early September. Any business or organisation which would like to advertise in the programme should email Kathy Drage at kathybobdrage@btinternet.com or telephone 01843 835694 as soon as possible. The cost of adverts ranges from £50 to £140 and 10% discount is currently available to business and organisations based in Tenterden. Details can be found on the Festival website at www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk/trust/fest08/adprog.htm#top
Tenterden Folk Festival is a registered charity (number 1038663) formed in May 1994 to preserve and advance public education and appreciation of traditional and contemporary folk music, song, dance and other related traditions, crafts and folk arts as a part of the living heritage. Although it remains independent, the Trust is supported and partly funded by Tenterden Town Council, Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council and sponsored by Kent East Sussex Railway, Hobgoblin Music, Talking Elephant Records, Courtfield Audio, Tenterden Leisure Centre, Waitrose, Gail Juliet Accessories, Around Kent Folk and also supported by an increasing number of other businesses and organisations who benefit from the increasing economic activity generated by the Festival. If any business or organisations are interested in joining the list of festival sponsors they should contact the Festival Director at info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk. All sponsorship will be recognised in the souvenir programme and on the website.
The popular craft fair, street stalls and music fayre will again be prominent features of the festival. The Assembly Rooms of the Town Hall will again bustle with a variety of traditional and contemporary hand made crafts while specialist music stalls selling folk CD, musical instruments, books, etc. will be housed in the Woolpack barn. To book a craft stall contact Gail Wright at gailjuliet@blueyonder.co.uk or call 01795 471827. To book a place in the music fayre contact Kathy Drage at kathybobdrage@btinternet.com or telephone 01843 835694.
As the Festival grows and develops we also need to recruit more helpers for the weekend. You do not need to be brilliant musicians, singers, actors or artist as there are a lot of other jobs that need doing behind the scenes. You just need to be interested and willing to help in some way. For example we are always looking for help with publicity and distributing programmes and posters, stewarding, moving and setting up equipment, and much more. You can also contact us at info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk if you would like to volunteer to act as a Festival steward.
More details of Tenterden Folk Festival 2008 guests, accommodation and camping are now being posted on our website at www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk.
To receive our regular email updates send an email to info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk with "add to festival news list" in the subject box.
Alan
Castle – Festival Director
Trustee and festival director
Tenterden
Folk Festival
Tenterden Folk Day Trust (Registered charity
No. 1038663)
Promoting folk song, music and dance
E:
info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk
W: www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk
Folk Spots
E: alan@folkspots.co.uk
W:
www.folkspots.co.uk
The UK's record and audio-visual industries this week welcomed a landmark court decision handed to Wendy Fair Markets Ltd for allowing traders to sell counterfeit goods at its open air market in Bovingdon. The Company also operate many other market including Sevenoaks and Swanley. The company was landed with a £300,000 bill to be paid within the next six months. mi2n.com reported that:
Wendy Fair Markets Ltd, and directors Nicholas Hobday and Sally Ward, were found guilty of benefiting financially from the sale of counterfeit goods at Bovingdon Market in a landmark money laundering conviction secured by Hertfordshire Trading Standards last July. The BPI and FACT, working with Hertfordshire Trading Standards and Hertfordshire Constabulary, were instrumental in providing evidence of persistent offences relating to the sale of counterfeit CDs and DVDs at Bovingdon Market.
At St Albans Crown Court on Monday (March 10), it was determined that the company has to pay back £250,000 it took in rent money from traders selling counterfeit goods, with prosecution court costs of £50,000 added. The overall amount has to be paid by September 10, at which time the company, Ward and Hobday will be sentenced.
David Wood, Director of Anti-Piracy at the BPI said, "Until now, we have only seen prosecutions against the sellers themselves. This is the first time a market owner has been prosecuted and stripped of income made through the sale of counterfeit CDs and DVDs on their premises. So it is a hugely important ruling for music and the wider creative industries.
"Whilst illegal downloading remains the biggest threat to the future of the music community, CD piracy still deprives us in excess of £160 million annually. This precedent-setting result will dramatically enhance the authorities' effectiveness in tackling commercial counterfeiting. Furthermore, the £300,000 that Wendy Fairs will now have to pay to the Court should send a clear message to market owners nationwide that they cannot expect to duck responsibility for this illegal activity whilst generating income."
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said, "Following the convictions for money laundering last July, it was important that the punishment included a financial aspect to reflect the scale of criminality taking place on a weekly basis over a number of years.
"I would like to thank Hertfordshire County Council for their diligence and persistence in pursuing this case.
"This case should serve as strong warning to all market operators that can be held accountable for illegal activity taking place on their sites."
County Councillor Richard Smith, Executive Member for Community Safety, said; "This is the first time a market operator has been convicted of accepting - in the form of pitch rents - money it knew, or suspected, had been earned through criminal means.
"It was an extremely important prosecution which needed to be matched by a suitable punishment so we can make it clear to all market owners that they can no longer turn a blind eye to criminality at their sites.
"The company was given repeated warnings by trading standards officers that counterfeit goods were being sold at Bovingdon Market. It chose to ignore these warnings and now must face the consequences of its actions.
"We now have a powerful tool where money earned through criminal means can be confiscated, making sure that crime does not pay. I am pleased that the financial penalty reflects the severity of the offences."
Trading standards officers, working with Hertfordshire Constabulary, the BPI (formerly the British Phonographic Industry) and FACT (the Federation Against Copyright Theft), carried out an extensive investigation to bring the prosecution against Hobday and Ward.
Hello, happy new year and sorry it's been so long since the last update! We are still well and alive, writing and gigging. We'd like to share some exciting news with you...
Three main things to announce; firstly Alison Parish, who has been playing with us recently, is now officially part of things. We felt that her voice worked so well on the songs and she bring something really new and cool to the sound. Very exciting.
The
second thing is concerning BBC Introducing. They've asked us to be part of a Kent
tour in May where they take bands around Kent venues under the BBC banner
and
linked to Huw Stevens' Radio1 show. This is a really amazing development and the
guy heading it up is really nice and seemed to dig our stuff so we hope we can
repay the faith shown in our songs with some good shows in May!
Gig
list:
2 May 2008 20:00 BBC Introducing Tour: The Loft, Maidstone
15 May
2008 20:00 BBC Introducing Tour: Rutherford Bar, Kent Uni Canterbury
22 May
2008 20:00 BBC Introducing Tour: The Forum Tunbridge Wells
29 May 2008 20:00
BBC Introducing Tour: Tap N Tin Chatham
Thirdly after recording on our new set up over the last few months we are getting closer to bringing out some new songs (feee to download from our myspace site). The 5 songs will be; Turing Metal into Gold, As you took back your Shield, Washed White as Snow, Divided House and Rise. They should be ready in a month or two!
Brightness ep is still selling well, the new price is £3 and it's still being sold through us at gigs and through myspace.
Finally if you are more of a facebooker we are on there now too, search for eben and we come out top (that's nice.)
Lots of love
Olly,
Alison, Tom, Greg and Shane x
www.ebenband.co.uk
www.myspace.com/ebenband
LED BY ZEPPELIN - NEW VOCALIST REQUIRED
The UK's premier tribute act, Led By Zeppelin, are looking for a new vocalist.
The band prides itself in it's authenticity, both in its visual appearance/performance and also musically, and we need someone who will fit the bill as follows:
You must have a great voice, but also be prepared to work at the set list......we perform various different live versions - you'll need knowledge of different Zeppelin arrangements, both live and in the studio etc.
You must be willing to attend all rehearsals - The band is based in Kent, and rehearses in Ashford.
If, like the rest of us, you are not a look-a-like, then you must be prepared to 'look the part' (We are a dress up tribute act, and a wig if needed will be required).
Overall, enthusiasm is a must - you must be a genuine fan of Led Zeppelin, and of course, Robert Plant - knowledge of your 'subject' inc live versions is important...
The
band recently performed a live radio session for Kerrang! radio, and some european
shows in 2009 is a possibility - (We all, however, also have jobs, so we are not
a '3 shows a week' band.)
No timewasters please....auditions will be
held in Ashford, Kent over the coming weeks.
For more information, please email in the first instance to: vocalist@led-by-zeppelin.co.uk
Please also visit-
http://www.led-by-zeppelin.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/ledbyzep
for more information on the band.
Paul - Led By Zeppelin - Ashford
Robert Jarvis shortlisted for the PRS 'New Music Award'
Robert
Jarvis has been shortlisted for the 'New Music Award' for his proposed new sound
installation for the London Wetland Centre. Entitled ECHOLOCATION, the piece will
take the form of a responsive composition for a 'choir' of bat detectors that
will pick up the ultrasonic calls of the bats that visit the reserve of an evening
and transform them into a multichannel musical experience for visitors the following
day. More details about the composition and the award itself can be found at:
www.robertjarvis.co.uk/EchoPR.htm .
The award seeks to recognise those
who are pushing the boundaries of new music, and will eventually present its winner
with £50,000 towards the creation and performance of a creatively adventurous
new composition. The winner will be announced in April and the first performance
of the new work will be in the summer of 2009. More details about the award itself,
together with the other shortlisted candidates, can be found on the PRSF website
at:
http://www.prsfoundation.co.uk/newmusicaward/index.htm
http://www.robertjarvis.co.uk

BBC
Kent Introducing… in 2008.
Bands and Live Dates at the bottom of this message
BBC RADIO 1 HUW STEPHENS SUPPORTS KENT INTRODUCING TOUR FOR COUNTY’S NEW BANDS
Thursdays & Fridays from March 7th
Champion of new music, Radio 1’s Huw Stephens has given his support to the BBC Kent Introducing Tour, which kicks off at Maidstone’s The Loft on Thursday, March 7.
BBC Radio Kent’s new music show BBC Kent Introducing showcases the county’s up and coming bands and musicians. Currently an online show, from March 2nd it will be on BBC Radio Kent on Sunday nights between 8 and 9pm. It is presented by Radio 1 producer Jim Bursey and fellow Kent boy Tom Kirkby and this spring they are going on tour to bring you the best new music from across the region.
BBC Kent Introducing will be recording each of the tour’s weekly gigs which take place in Chatham, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Canterbury in March, April and May. And you’ll then be able to catch the highlights from the bands taking part on the show the following week.
Huw said: "What BBC Kent is doing is absolutely fantastic and builds on all the BBC Introducing shows' support for the very best new and emerging music in their scene. The content on the radio and the tour takes more new music to new audiences; there will be some very special gigs in Kent in March!"
BBC Kent Introducing is part of BBC Introducing which was launched at last year’s Glastonbury Festival. BBC Introducing is all about bringing listeners the best brand new music from across the UK and giving new artists some great opportunities to be seen and heard and introduce them to a wider audience. And Jim and the BBC Kent Introducing Team want local bands to be part of it.
Jim added: “Kent bands have already had success thanks to BBC Introducing. Chatham’s Brigadier Ambrose had a Maida Vale session and were up for Radcliffe and Maconie’s record of the week on Radio 2. And It Hugs Back from Maidstone, who are on the first leg of the tour, have also been to Maida Vale and featured at last year’s Bestival. So it does work. Kent has what it takes and this year is the biggest opportunity that we’ve had to get that message out there.”
More
information on how you can get involved can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/kent/introducing
What you need to do:
1) Please sign up to the newsletter which will will be used this as a mailing list from now on to send out information and requests to bands and new music fans. If you are not signed up to this you WILL miss out on BBC Introducing... opportunities - which in 2008 will include the chance to play on the BBC Introducing... stage at Glastonbury, perform at the BBC Electric Proms and get a session at the legendary Maida Vale studios. It's easy to subscribe and unsubscribe.
www.bbc.co.uk/kent/entertainment/unsigned/bbcintroducing/newsletter.shtml
2) Listen to BBC Kent Introducing… which is online every Wednesday and is new and improved in 2008. You'll be able to hear the best acts Kent has to offer, find out where they're playing, get advice on what it takes to step up to national level and get feedback on your music. One of the best ways to find out how to be a success is to listen to how other bands have achieved theirs. Make sure all your fans listen and support other local music as well - the more people that listen the greater the audience for your music.
www.bbc.co.uk/kent/entertainment/unsigned/bbcintroducing/latest_edition.shtml
3) Make sure you are a friend on the MySpace site - this is the quickest and easiest way for Kent venues and music fans to find and hear music from local bands.
http://www.myspace.com/bbcintroducing
4) Update the records - please fill in the following information as briefly as possible and return it to kents.unsigned@bbc.co.uk:
Band
name:
Band members: e.g. Andy Smith (19) (Vocals/Guitar), Ben Jones (18) (Bass
Guitar), Dan Stevens (20) (Drums)
Where from in Kent:
Myspace link:
Website
link:
Contact email address (not for publication):
Contact phone number
(not for publication):
The BBC Kent Introducing Tour for July.
The BBC Kent Introducing Tour for July starts this week in Canterbury.
We have
an amazing line-up this month so make sure you come along:
Tom Williams played
the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend.
Los Salvadores have been
played on the Radio 1 Punk Rock show.
And Monday Street have recently been
in the studios with EMI.
We'll be at Orange Street Music on Orange Street on Thursday the 3rd.
www.orangestreetmusic.com
www.myspace.com/orangestreetmusic
www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GB|CT1%202JA#map=51.27834,1.07785|17|4&loc=GB:51.28046:1.08011:16|CT12JA|CT12JA
First band on 8.00pm.
8.00pm Los Salvadores www.myspace.com/lossalvadores
8.45pm Tom Williams & The Boat www.myspace.com/WilliamsTommusic
9.30pm
Monday Street www.myspace.com/mondaystreet
10.15pm The Sketch www.myspace.com/thesketchmusic
Later this month we'll be at:
Thu 10th July -
Forum, Tunbridge Wells
Thu 17th July - Zebra Bar, Maidstone
Thu 24th July
- Medway (TBC)
You'll be able to hear more about
the night on BBC Kent Introducing this weekend
Sunday 8-9pm - BBC Radio Kent
96.7 & 104.2FM DAB and Online @ bbc.co.uk/kent
8 kent.introducing@bbc.co.uk
If you have any ideas of how we could help bands in Kent or would like to get involved with helping out BBC Kent Introducing… in any capacity then drop an email to james.bursey@bbc.co.uk
Music News is back!
Your friendly guide to local acoustic music
Please come along to my show at The Grey Lady and support these fantastic local soloists and acoustic bands!
Please refer to the shows website for additional information; www.myspace.com/paulduntonandguests
An Evening with Paul Dunton & Guests wed 4th June , The Grey Lady Music Lounge, T.Wells
Doors open 7.30pm entry £4
8.15pm Joanne Louise Parker ; wonderfully atmospheric songs with vocals that’ll raise hairs on the back of your neck!
8.55pm Anthony Millns ; Eclectic local singer/songwriter, superb piano tracery and engaging lyrics!
9.30pm Alfie Noakes of Sevenscore ; Captivating soloist, killer songs, melodic rock/pop at it’s finest!
10.10pm Origami Dinosaur ; deliver vibrant & funky melodies that are just out of this world! Just brilliant!
An Evening with Paul Dunton & Guests Sun 8th June , The Grey Lady Music Lounge, T.Wells
Doors open 7.15pm entry £4
8pm Chris Pope ; Popular local troubadour who offers superbly crafted emotive melodies & lyrics of real substance!
8.40pm Jamie Andrew ; Dynamic young soloist with soulful tones and a fine array of acoustic rock gems!
9.20pm Richard Pollott ; Brilliant contemporary singer/songwriter, pure vocals, outstanding musicianship!
10pm The Violet Jive ; Fantastic Alternative Jazz/swing trio led by Steve Spall. Vibrant, edgy, melodic, dark…..Awesome!
An Evening with Paul Dunton & Guests Wed 11th June , The Grey Lady Music Lounge, T.Wells
Doors open 7.30pm entry £4
8.15pm Nick Stephens ; Bluesy styled roots acoustic, funky rhythms, distinct falsetto tones!
8.55pm Leanie Kaleido ; Quirky lyrics, crafted songs rich in melody and rock/pop sensibilities, coupled with pure vocals!
9.30pm Paul Dunton & Crew ; Ethereal piano pop/rock meshed with a classical/orchestral twist!
10.10pm Cyrano (acoustic) ; Superb alternative band making their acoustic debut. Outstanding songs, haunting vocals!
An Evening with Paul Dunton & Guests Sun 15th June , The Grey Lady Music Lounge, T.Wells
Doors open 7.15pm entry £4
8pm Geoff Easeman &Kate Locklsley ; Eclectic Folk edged duo with intricate finger picked guitar, stunning vocals and
8.40pm Mystery Clarke ; Superb alternative songsmith, Performing with his band in tow! Upbeat, vibrant, completely absorbing!
9.20pm Rob Sandall ; A balanced mix of emotive/expansive melodies, thought provoking lyrics, performed with intensity and unbridled passion.
10pm Son Of Kirk ; Performing with his band in tow, dynamic anti - blues/folk style with an alternative twist. Mesmerizing stuff!
Hugely Exciting News!
Acoustic, Rhythm & Pews - A Musical Tour of Churches in Kent and Surrey!
I have teamed up with one of The Grey Lady's most popular and breathtaking sololists;
Joanne Louise Parker to perform our songs in a selection of churches. All the venues
have been lovingly handpicked by ourselves and include St. Peter and St Paul, Albury Park,
which appeared in Four Weddings And A Funeral! We will be pulling out all the stops,
polishing our shoes and brushing our hair to give you a slick performance in the most beautiful
of acoustic surroundings! Check out Joanne's website; www.joannelouiseparker.com
Tour dates are;
24th May 2008 - St Dunstan's, Snargate, Kent,
21st June 2008 - St. Peter and St Paul, Albury, Surrey,
18th October 2008 - All Saints, Ulcombe.
Tickets are £7.50 in advance (£8.00 on the door).
For further booking information or to buy tickets for please call 01622 843691,
or buy direct from;
www.wegottickets.com/event29993 for the St Dunstans concert
www.wegottickets.com/event30317 for the Albury concert
www.wegottickets.com/event30324 for the Ulcombe concert
We've had a great deal of interest so please do
order your tickets now while stocks last!
PAUL DUNTON & GUESTS IN THEATRE!
Paul Dunton & Guests forms part of The Sevenoaks Music Festival!
The Next Paul D & Guests (headliners show) at The Ship Theatre in Sevenoaks
Takes place on the evening of Friday 27th June and features; Chris Pope, The Rox, Paul Dunton & Crew
And headlining is The Logan Wilson Band. Tickets available on the door at £7.50
£6 pounds for students, children and pensioners. Please send me an email if you wish to reserve
Or purchase tickets in advance. Visit www.sevenoaksfestival.org.uk
My yearly festival ‘Local & Live’ is set to go ahead over the late
August Weekend once again running from Friday 22nd (evening only)
Then all day and evening on Sat 23, Sun 24th and Mon 25th.
It’s all free! It will feature 50 local original acoustic acts!
I will give away in the region of 4000 festival brochures
And 5000 festival compilation CD’S featuring one track from every artist!
So……don’t even think about going to Reading! Keep your eye on the festivals
Website, it is yet to be updated but it will be very shortly!
www.localandlive.info
FINAL BITS & BOBS!
MY NEW ALBUM; 'TRAIN OF THOUGHT' IS AVAILABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING PLACES
HMV, TUNBRIDGE WELLS,
ONLINE AT HTTP://CDBABY.COM/PAULDUNTON/CD
AND DOWNLOADS ARE AVAILABLE AT ITUNES
Thanks for listening
Local & Live
Paul
The Oasthouse Social Club - Rainham Kent
The Oasthouse at Rainham is a popular
venue for Indie and Unsigned band with a flexible and proper approach to enable
the local music fans.
Over the years Vic of DefZone
has constantly introduced new and young bands from around the UK. For some the
Oasthouse has been their first gig.
The Oasthouse has recently started promoting
two gigs a month - one traditional set up and an acoustic night.
no under 16's - No ID no Alcohol doors 7.30pm £3.00
The
website is at http://www.oastclub.co.uk
and myspace which is http://www.myspace.com/theoasthouse.
Contact via dougalberry@hotmail.co.uk
Venue
Details
Oasthouse (Rainham and Wigmore Community Association), Grananry Close,
Rainham, Kent - Next to Rainham Station
2nd Saturday of the month -
rock night - live bands
4th Saturday of the month - acoustic night in the bar
Doors
7:30pm - finish 11pm
£3 entrance
Over 16 / ID for alcohol
Cheap
bar
Vanity
Fare The Kent band are on a big tour in the Spring .....
OH BOY.. NON
STOP 60's with PJ Proby, Chris Farlowe, Mike Pinder & Brian Poole.
Two dates in Kent Are,
May: Sun 11th
Winter Gardens, Margate 01843 292795
June:
Fri 27th Central Theatre, Chatham 01634 338338
Vanity
Fare earned a unique place in late 60's and early 70's music history. They achieved
great popularity on the British and European Pop scene, when their updated version
of an old Sunrays number "I Live For The Sun" hit the charts.
Next
singles "Early in the Morning" and "Hitchin' a Ride" achieving
gold disc status, the group became established worldwide, particularly in the
USA, where both songs were top ten hits and stayed in the charts for a total of
twenty three weeks.
The bands current stage show reflects
much of their thirty-four year history and features their own hits plus songs
that have influenced them along the way. http://www.vanityfare.co.uk
New
Players needed for Traditional Music sessions
There are
many traditional sessions, open stages and sing-arounds in Kent these days, with
the traditional sessions covering styles from English to Celtic to French/Breton/Eastern
European to Renaissance ....
However while some of the young people's open
stages are doing well, there is a worry that there are a lack of new people, particularly
young people, particularly fiddlers, at the traditional sessions.
Please see
the following plea for new players :
Sessions
......| A
plea for new players at traditional sessions - particularly younger players.txt
If
you are interested in coming along, but would like to practice some tunes first,
here is a pointer to finding out what tunes are played at the different sessions:
......| What
tunes do they play at the different sessions.txt
cheers,
Beau Webber
www.KentFolk.com
HOT NEWS
A
reminder that The BLUES BAND, featuring of course the all-star line-up of PAUL
JONES, Dave Kelly, Tom McGuinness, Gary Fletcher and Rob Townsend will be celebrating
American Independence Day at Haslemere Hall on Friday 4th July, They always
deliver a brilliant, and very entertaining show, that sometimes includes special
guests (last time at HH was Maggie Bell). www.thebluesband.com . Tickets are still
available from Haslemere Hall box office on 01428-642161, or online at www.haslemerehall.co.uk
. This gig will be for a standing audience in the hall, with seats available in
the balcony.
Haslemere Hall is a very nice venue, with good facilities, with
a large car park nearby. It's licensed capacity has just been increased, and I'll
be using it in lieu of the now defunct Chiddingfold Club (The Counterfeit Stones
will be appearing there on Friday 26th September).
Apart from this special
gig with The Blues Band, `Eclectic Live Music' gigs will be having a summer break
until September (see below). However, for those suffering withdrawall symptoms,
there will still be some good music around!
A new, small music club `Crossroads'
at Platform 9, 16, Park St, Guildford, GU1 4XB, has recently opened. Ex -HOAX
guitarist Jon Amor appears there on Friday 13th June, and the excellent Eve Selis
Band appear ther on Friday 18th July. Details on 01483-827314, tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk/P9
FESTIVALS
Apart, of course from Guildfest, there are three local music
festivals that I recommend.
BLUES ON THE FARM 19 - 22 June, Pumpbottom
Farm, Appledram, Chichester PO20 7EH
My favourite UK music festival! Great
music, excellent range of beer and cider, good food, nice, friendly atmosphere,
well organised, and staged in a very pleasant farm setting. Details at www.bluesonthefarm.co.uk
or phone 01243-773828
RUDGEWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL Saturday 16 August, Springbok
Estate, Alfold, Surrey
Features a host of local bands and musicians, in a very
pleasant, laid-back, country setting. Admission only £10, with proceeds
going to charity. Details at www.rmfblues.org.uk .
WEYFEST 6 - 7 September,
The Rural Life Centre, Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2DL
Another
brilliant festival, that just gets better every year, in a truly delightful setting.
Bands feature DAVE EDMUNDS & Rockpile (how did they manage to get him!!!),
STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL, and a host of other excellent bands including
The Pirates, The Hamsters, Angela Brown, Jackie Lynton, Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band,
etc, etc. In my view a much better line-up than Guildfest, and in a much nicer
enviroment!! Very highly recommended! Full information at www.weyfest.co.uk
ECLECTIC LIVE MUSIC Autumn programme
Sat 20 Sept. LIANE CARROLL TRIO
Without doubt one of the very best new British jazz/soul/blues vocalists of this
decade.
BBC jazz musician of the year 2005, BBC Jazz Vocalist of the year 2005, Ronnie Scott’s award 2007 for Best Female Vocalist.
Reviewing her recent albums :-
`Highly recommended, I love it! – Michael Parkinson; `Deeply soulful, wonderfully honest’ – The Times; `Utterly brilliant’ – Time-Out
`World class singer, world class album’ – The Guardian; `The real thing’ – Independent on Sunday
www.lianecarroll.com Tickets £15 adv., £17 on door (All seated)
Sat 18 Oct. THE NIMMO BROTHERS
Without doubt the hottest new blues/rock band of this decade! Alan and Stevie Nimmo are each superb performers in their own right, but together they are just simply awesome. Great original songs, powerfully delivered with passion and soul. Definitely not to be missed! www.myspace.com/thenimmobrothers www.bluearmadillo.com Tickets £15 adv., £17 on door (standing in hall)
Sat 15 Nov BLUES CARAVAN Sponsored by Ruf Records, Blues Caravan `Guitars & Feathers’ world tour features three dynamic international blues performers, Deborah Coleman (USA), Sue Foley (Canada), and Dani Wilde (UK), all backed by a superb band. World class blues at Cranleigh! www.bluescaravan.de Tickets £15 adv., £17 on door (standing in hall)
Sat 29 Nov THE BIG BRITISH BLUES BAND Great vocals from Paul Cox and Marsha Raven, accompanied by a truly superb 8-piece blues band that comprises Roger Cotton (keys), Alan Glen (guitar), Mike Summerland (guitar), Nick Payne (sax), Matt Wynch (trumpet), Tim Riggins - trombone, Pete Stroud (bass), Steve Dixon (drums). www.note-music.co.uk
Tickets £15 adv., £17 on door (standing in hall)
Mon 22 Dec PAUL JONES & FRIENDS
CAC’s Honorary Patron invites some of his musician friends to join him at Cranleigh for another terrific charity gig. Some of his friends may be famous, and some less so, but all will contribute to brilliant night of live music. All proceeds will be shared between CAC, and another charity (TBA). www.thebluesband.com
Tickets
£25 (standing in hall) NOTE - recipients of this e-mail will be notified
first when tickets for this gig go on sale.
Past Features
The production crew for the Forestry Commission's 2008 forest tour will be moving on site early next week in preparation for the forthcoming concert weekend at Bedgebury Pinetum, near Goudhurst, Kent. Around 30 production and forest staff will be responsible for turning the open recreational space into the concert arena, increasing to a team of over 100 over the weekend.
Commenting on the operation, David Barrow, the forest tour's Programmer & Production Manager, says, "It takes a day and a half to build the stage and then another day to get the main stage generators, lighting and PA rigged."
Over 140 stage lights are put into position and 22 sound cabinets are flown either side of the stage in good time for sound-checks each show-day afternoon. Alongside getting the stage production rigged, the arena's facilities are put in place including bars and catering units, toilets, 1st Aid, emergency exit gates, fire points and 1km of steel fencing to make the arena secure.
David continues, "In general it takes 3 days to set up the entire show and just over a day to de-rig and return the site to normal. The site will be a hive of activity throughout the week. It's pretty intense but the majority of the production team and forest staff have been involved with the tour for several years, so everyone is ready to play their part in ensuring a successful forest tour for 2008."
This year Bedgebury Pinetum, near Goudhurst, Kent will host the following shows:
Saturday
7th June Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with special
guest vocalist, Eddi Reader.
Sunday 8th June The Zutons with special
guests The Mystery Jets and Noah and The Whale.
JOOLS HOLLAND AND THE ZUTONS ARE AT BEDGEBURY PINETUM IN JUNE
Jools
Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Gilson Lavis and guest vocalists
Eddi Reader, Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall, has announced a summer concert
at Bedgebury Pinetum & Forest, near Goudhurst, Kent.
This should
prove a popular return to the venue where the act last played to a sell-out crowd
in 2003.
Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra has become established as one of the most prolific touring acts in the UK, creating their own unique big band sound playing a mix of boogie-woogie, swing, jazz and R&B. They now play an average of 100 live shows a year, touring Britain and the world to audiences in excess of 250,000. It's been a particularly busy time for the music maestro recently with the publication of his autobiography, 'Barefaced Lies and Boogie-Woogie Boasts' and top 10 chart success with his latest album 'Best of Friends'.
Commenting on the booking Elspeth Hill for Bedgebury Pinetum says "We are delighted to have secured a date with Jools again. The concert will be supporting The Forestry Commission's valuable social and environmental programmes and is the first confirmed date as part of our summer concert weekend".
Jools
Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will be performing at Bedgebury Pinetum
& Forest, Nr Goudhurst, Kent, on Saturday 7th June 2008.
Tickets are
£30 (subject to booking fee) and go on general sale from 9.00am on Friday
11 January 2008 from ticket hotline: 01842 814612 or buy on line
from www.forestry.gov.uk/music
Info: www.joolsholland.com
THE ZUTONS
Announce
summer forest tour (Seven massive outdoor shows: June 5th - 28th 2008)
The
Zutons, who are currently recording their new album in LA, the follow-up
to
the multi platinum selling albums Who Killed The Zutons? and Tired Of
Hanging
Around, have announced their first UK tour in two years at seven
unique forest
locations across the UK. The dates are:
June
Thu 5th High Lodge, Thetford
Forest, Near Brandon, Suffolk
Sun 8th Bedgebury Pinetum &
Forest, Near Goudhurst, Kent
Fri 13th Delamere Forest, Near Linmere,
Cheshire
Fri 20th Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, Near Tetbury, Glos
Sat
21st Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Near Edwinstowe, Notts
Fri 27th Dalby Forest,
Near Pickering, North Yorks
Sat 28th Cannock Chase Forest, Near Rugeley, Staffs
Tickets are priced at £26, subject to booking fee, and are available
from 9:00am on Friday 22nd February.
Forestry Commission ticket/info hotline:
01842 814612, and ticket hotlines online: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/music
Ticketmaster
(0870 1602837) or Gigs and Tours (0871 2200260) online: www.forestry.gov.uk/music
&
www.gigsandtours.com & www.ticketmaster.co.uk or buy in person at
the venue
David Knopfler Band + Support.
Only UK Date For 2008, Book Early!
Monday
March 17th 2008
Maverick @ Zebra Bar - Maidstone
Buy Tickets Here - £18 advance (£21 on door)
The founding member of Dire Straits, introducing brother Mark to his flat mate John. David played rhythm guitar on Dire Straits' first two albums. He has since persued his own musical vision, notching up an impressive 10 solo albums to date. A change in direction with 1993's 'The Giver' brought him increased acclaim, on which he has continued to build with the release of his most recent works. David writes contemporary Folk/Blues/Pop originals often too varied in approach to be categorised easily. His songs are immensely personal, underpinned by the unmistakeable Knopfler vocal tones, they get close to where he thought they were going with Dire Straits in the early days.
"There’s no mistaking that low-range Knopfler Voice but he’s actually the better songwriter." The Province, Canada.
Guitar
Magazine Interview (Australia)
MAIDSTONE MAVERICK @ ZEBRA BAR
MON
17TH MAR, 2008 7.30 pmThe founding member of British rock band Dire Straits and
brother to frontman of the band, Mark Knopfler. David has a fantastic solo career
which began in 1983 with his first solo album RELEASE. SONGS FOR THE SIREN is
David's latest release and on tour with a full band - this is going to be one
amazing night...
£18.00 (£21 on door)
MAIDSTONE MAVERICK @ ZEBRA
BAR
15-17 KING STREET
MAIDSTONE
ME14 1BA
Strangeface
are the only mask theatre company in the south of the UK!
They are
based in Kent and tour their original productions to arts and community venues
nationally.
Their latest show The Last Resort?is a dark
comedy with masks and live music and can be best described as "Spitting Image
does Faust". Suitable for adults and young people (11+) - a great night out
with a chance to have a closer look at the masks afterwards.
GOING TO THE
LAST RESORT…
When
a junior devil is in need of a holiday where does he go? Discover what comes to
light as a remote village becomes The Last Resort. Strangeface Mask Theatre Company
unveil their latest show in Kent during Spring 2008.
This dark comedy is suitable for anyone aged 11 up - adults and young people alike. Described as a cross between Spitting Image and The Brothers Grimm, it is a Faustian folk-tale told with mask, puppet and an original score, played live. The mix of music ranges from folk with an east European flavour, to moments of classical and jazz intermixed with stranger more haunting sounds.
You can have a closer look at this musical box for yourself. Part of Strangeface's unique style is to invite the audience onto the stage at the end of the show to have a go with masks and puppets, or just ask a question.
Strangeface toured nationally last year with The Outlaw Fulke Fitz Waryn - a piece for families to enjoy together. It played in libraries, schools and village halls in Gillingham, Strood and South Darenth amongst many other venues having been chosen and supported by Applause Rural Touring Scheme. This new production will also be performed at arts centres in addition to community venues and has been selected for an international showcase at the Brighton Festival in May.
Strangeface's diverse influences include Terry Gilliam (Brazil) Tim Burton (Nightmare Before Christmas), Oliver Postgate (The Clangers) and Eastern European animation. Artistic Director and maker Russell Dean says, "I've always been in love with the strange worlds of animation and working with masks and puppets is in many ways like creating a live cartoon. They are definitely not just for children. Our audiences respond to our shows in the same way as they might to watching an episode of The Simpsons, enjoying the story on several levels for different reasons".
You
can see The Last Resort at:
(14/3/08) Boughton and Monchelsea
Village Hall, Maidstone, Kent
Tickets £8/£4 from 01622 674001
or 01622 751926 or
Bockingford House, Cripple Street, Maidstone ME15 6ND
Bring
your own drinks
Presented by Valley Conservation Society
(15/3/08)
Ivychurch Village Hall Tickets £8/£5 from available from 01797 344121,
01797 344456 or
email info@ivychurch.org.uk
or Stepping Stones, The Gardens, Ivychurch, Romney Marsh TN29 0AN
Interval
refreshments available – BYO alcohol
Beneden
Village Hall (26/4/08) Tickets £6/£4 from 01580 240508
The Brook
Theatre, Chatham (30/4/08) Tickets £8/£6 from 01634 338338
Trinity
Theatre, Tunbridge Wells (1&2/5/08) Tickets £12.95/10.95 from 01892
678678 - NB: On the eve of National Deaf Awareness Week the performance on 2/5/08
will be captioned for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Theatre Royal, Margate
(8/5/08) Tickets £10/£8 from 01227 787787
For
more information and interviews contact Bethan at:
01732 354696,
email
bethan@strangeface.co.uk, www.strangeface.co.uk
WE WILL ROCK ASCOT HRH 2008 - THE GATHERING - 15th & 16th MARCH
Cringe
Music writer Gonzalo
Carrera is performing with 'Heidi Jo Hines Band' : featuring Heidi
( Denny Laine's ( Moody Blues, Wings) daughter) at
WE WILL ROCK ASCOT HRH
2008 - THE GATHERING - 15th & 16th MARCH - Royal Ascot Racecourse. Gates
10am
www.myspace.com/heidijohinesmusic7
Denny Laine will be appearing with his band on the Sunday
(Tickets
available at the Main gate Royal Ascot). MORE
Apart
from being a rock festival this is the number 1 auction event for entertainment
and music collectables in the uk.
The
auction includes a thirty three year collection of 'Freddie Mercury & Queen'
items from a dedicated fan & avid collector more at www.cooperowen.com
Keith
James & Rick Foot Present 'Lorca'
Their most exciting endeavour yet - 'Lorca'.
Consisting
of an 11 track studio album and concert tour based on the works of celebrated
Spanish poet and dramatist Federico García Lorca, the project has been
two years in the making.
Monday
25th February
Zebra, Maidstone, Kent - 8:00 PM
Box Office - 01622 744481
Saturday
9th August
Broadstairs Folk Festival, Kent - 7:30 PM
For
more information on the project, including details of the concept, photo gallery,
press info and more, please visit the dedicated website at http://www.poemsofgarcialorca.com.
Links:
http://www.keith-james.com
http://www.poemsofgarcialorca.com
Phil
Lee & John Sieger UK Tour
Kent Date- 26th February 2008
Isle
Of Sheppey "Minster Folk Club"
It's their 40th anniversary soshould
be a good night
Support Mark Dean
Minster Folk
Club,
Minster Working Men's Club
Union Road
Minster On Sea
Kent
www.nessmp3.com/music/phillee
www.nessmp3.com/music/johnsieger
Mark Dean www.nessmp3.com/music/nocomebacks
It took Phil Lee 49 years to come
up with his debut album, 2000's The Mighty King Of Love, but happily his second
album came along a lot sooner. You Should Have Known Me Then, like its predecessor,
shows that though good things might take some time to come along, when they finally
come they can come in bunches. It's taken Phil Lee a half a century of high hopes,
heartbreak and hell-raisin' to come up with two albums worth of songs so far,
but there's a lot in store for anyone who takes the time to listen. Lee gets billed
as "country music with a rock and roll heart," and while that's true
enough at times, it barely scratches the surface of his musical
menu. Shuffling
country blues, coffeehouse folk, Dylanesque folk rock with a side order of rockabilly
are also on the bill of fare.
That he does it all very well is proven
in part by the roster of folks lined up to do it with him. Guests on You Should
Have Known Me Then include Jay Bennett, John Stirrat and Ken Coomer of Wilco,
Gillian Welch and her partner in artistry David Rawlings, Allison Moorer and Billy
Joe Royal.
Phil is currently cocooned in the studio with even more of
Nashville's elite, putting the finishing touches to "Goodbye Its Been Good
To Now You"
Here is a sneak preview
So Long Its Been Good To
Know You (192 kbps Download Pod/broadcast Single)
http://www.nessmp3.com/music/play.php?mode=song_hifi&band_id=686&song_id=1877
So Long Its Been Good To Know You (192 kbps Pod/broadcast download single)Taken
from the forth coming album of the same name
'For my money, this guy is one of the greatest country talents to emerge from lower broadway. This snarling hillbilly rocker combines his down-home biographical lyrics with a grungey guitar sound. You can almost smell the cigarette smoke and stale beer. This is truly country with dirt under it's fingernails. It's the right stuff! ' Music Row Magazine
John Sieger
is singer/songwriter in an earlier sense of the word. In other words, before there
were singer/songwriters (read James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and less talented adherents
baring their souls and exposing their diaries to the cruel light of day), there
were acts such as Chuck Berry, Smoky Robinson, Buddy Holly and The Beatles singing
songs they wrote. Please, if you don't mind, lump him in with that group of artists
who see value in entertainment and think Saturday nights should release a little
of the week's built up tensions. John would prefer to be paying an electric guitar
(Strat or Dano) when all of this happens, but has been known to hoist an old Gibson
Southern Jumbo or Country Western model and perform solo. He made a record for
Warner Brothers in 1988 with his band Sem-Twang, called "Salty Tears."
It was produced by Mitchell Froom a;long with Jerry Harrison and Chris Thomas
(Uunderstudy to George Martin and producer of The Pretenders).
Phil
Lee and John Seiger UK Tour
Director and Resident Publicists
http://www.nessmp3.com/music/publicityhub

Thanks
to www.kentgigs.com for featuring the TrainingThemLive.co.uk project on the website,
we have had several good leads from it and we continue to display your logo with
pride on our website. Thought I would update you about a couple of our upcoming
events as the project gets bigger.
Firstly,
we have a set of Jam Nights starting up. The first is 6th March, 8pm
at Queen Charlotte’s in Rochester High St. This is a chance for musicians
and singers from 16 upwards to jam with the support of our projects’ professional
band, Sidetrack. The band will be one hand with their extensive set list to support
any solo vocalists or instrumentalists that might want their first public performance
opportunity. We will also be showcasing some amazing local talent. The equipment
we use is very high quality and the entrance is free.
Interested parties should
contact me on dan@trainingthemlive.co.uk
Secondly,
we have a Rock School for 11-18 yr olds at Greenacre School from 7th-11th April
08. This event is also free. It is very popular and applications can be downloaded
from www.trainingthemlive.co.uk
– I have included some photos for you to use of the last Rock School. The project
is supported by Kent Police and Medway council.
Many
thanks again
Mr D Wise
Advanced Skills Teacher - Medway LA
Head of Music
- Greenacre School
Musical Director - TrainingThemLive.co.uk
Gifted and
Talented - Lead Teacher
01634 861593 x240

IAN
HUNTER
Tickets SOLD OUT
Mick Jagger Centre Dartford
Sunday 2 Mar
2008 8.00 PM
Leading Mott the Hoople
in the 70s, Ian Hunter achieved superstardom, with hits including All the
Young Dudes and Roll Away the Stone. After making 4 albums, the band split up,
and Ian (hailed as a ‘rock legend’ by Rolling Stone) began a successful solo career,
bringing decades of critical acclaim as songwriter and singer. He was a key influence
for bands such as the Clash, REM, Primal Scream and Oasis. His new recording,
Shrunken Heads, has been nominated as Album of the Year by Classic Rock Magazine.
Amy
Speace
Wildflower Records artist
will be joining renowned artist Ian Hunter as a special guest on his upcoming
UK Acoustic Tour.
Upcoming Tour Schedule
Date
City Venue
19 Feb 08 Edinburgh, Scotland Cabaret Voltaire
20 Feb 08 Aberdeen,
Scotland Tunnel Club
22 Feb 08 Leeds, England Varieties Theatre
23 Feb 08
Manchester, England Lowry Theatre
24 Feb 08 Cardiff, Wales The Point
26
Feb 08 Plymouth, England The Hub
27 Feb 08 Milton Keynes, England The Stables
29
Feb 08 Ipswich, England The Manor Ballroom
01 Mar 08 Market Harborough, England
Leisure Centre
02 Mar 08 Dartford, England Mick Jagger Centre
Amy
Speace's CD "Songs For Bright Street" was released in the UK through
ADA/Ryko last year, receiving rave reviews from the press across the pond:
Amy has already won a loyal grass-roots fan base, thanks in large part to live performances that merge warmth, humor and emotional immediacy, and to a tireless touring schedule that's already taken her across the United States. She's also won considerable critical acclaim, with The Village Voice observing that Speace is "taking her Americana away from twangy contemplation toward tangy confrontation" and noting that she's "not another of those breathy would-be child poets, but a real singing writer of songs." Time Out New York stated, "Amy Speace plays sweet, twangy folk music with a clear voice and an innocent vulnerability," while The Nashville Scene noted that she "balances wry humor with open-hearted honesty." And renowned Nashville critic Robert K. Oermann, writing in Music Row, dubbed her a "new star."
David Gray will tour the UK in March 2008 in support of his recently released first ever Greatest Hits album.
Tickets for the tour will go on sale at 9am on Thursday, December 6th.
Gray’s Greatest Hits album features fourteen tracks that document a career spanning over fourteen years, seven albums, three record labels and eleven million album sales. The album also includes two brand-new songs – ‘You’re The World To Me’ and ‘Destroyer’.
MON 25 FEB BRIGHTON DOME
Passionate
local indie / folk singer, Nic Bennett, has been invited by The Cribs to
perform at their after show party, at the NME awards. The gig will take
place on Friday 22nd Feb at Brixton Jamm, London.
4 other live bands
will also be playing, as well as The Cribs doing a DJ set, until the early hours
of the morning. Nic has been allocated 25 tickets for this event, priced at £8
each. For tickets and info contact Nic on 07988039920 / nicholasbennettmusic@yahoo.com
/ www.myspace.com/nicbennett.
A coach
trip may be put on from Folkestone if people have difficulty arranging travel.
Folkestone
lad Nic Bennett, who was told by doctors two years ago that he would never
sing again, is about to hit the main stream, as a singer! Nic is a singer/songwriter
playing passionate and intense indie/folk music, from Folkestone - Although the
first line on his myspace biog shows this tag, he has been given, is something
that he is not too happy about: “I’m not a singer/ songwriter – I’m a singer who
just happens to write songs.” He’s only just started out on the live circuit again,
after suffering from a long term inflamed tonsil, but his fusion of heavy/melodic
guitars, punk dynamics and pop melodies has already been turning heads across
England and Europe.
Live, he’s as experimental as David Ford, but as accessible as Damien Rice, and his intelligently crafted, honest pop songs have also been well received by Prestige Management (managers of Busted, Mcfly, Son Of Dork), when they came to watch him.
Although having been spotted out, with fellow musician, Kate Nash, in North London clubs, Nic is not getting even a percentage of her success. But all that’s about to change though, as All Saints’ producer and Blow Monkeys’ band member, Nevil Henry, has snapped him up, and claims that “Nic could quite possibly end up being the biggest act I’ve ever worked with.”
The Nevil Henry produced album “This Is 6th Form Poetry (Not Keates Or Yates)” is due out later this year. For further information, check out www.myspace.com/nicbennett
John
Etheridge with The Buster Birch Trio
at
Halstead Jazz Club
Sunday 10
February 2008
Halstead
Village Hall Knockholt Road, Halstead, Kent.
Admission only £5.00 doors open 7:00pm music starts 8:00pm for more info and directions see www.halsteadjazzclub.com
"One
of the best guitarists in the world" - Pat Metheny
"I never wanted
to be a star, just a highly respected musician like John Etheridge" - Sting
Guaranteed to be a great night of music when this master guitarist joins forces with one of the finest rhythm sections on the circuit.
John
Etheridge is not just another great guitarist, he is a master of the instrument
and he knows how to use it to best effect in an enormous range of settings.
He
is fast, a great chord man, inventive but subtle, as good with a pick as finger
style, as at home on acoustic as on electric guitar. Critically, he knows what
to leave out, when to use nuance and suspense and when to let rip. Taste and talent
are the indisputable hallmarks of this incredibly accomplished and well-rounded
musician who reads, and responds to his fellow musicians and his audience equally
well.
His range is well illustrated by his years of touring and recording with
the iconic Stephane Grappelli while simultaneously doing likewise with the legendary
jazz-fusion group, The Soft Machine. John is equally at home on acoustic and electric
guitar and his willingness to engage with so many styles is matched by his ability
to excel in any of them.He has also played with John Williams, Yehudi Menuhin,
Dizzie Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Nigel Kennedy, Pat Metheny, Birelli
Lagrene, Barney Kessel, Vic Juris and countless others.www.
johnetheridge.com
Buster
Birch has a degree in music from the University of London and a post-graduate
diploma in jazz performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since
finishing his studies and turning professional he has travelled extensively as
a musician, performing in over 30 countries.
A musician of great versatility,
Buster has worked with many of the UK’s finest jazz musicians, including; Peter
King, Jim Mullen, Gerard Presencer, The Bobby Wellins Quartet, Geoff Simkins,
Alan Barnes, John Critchinson, Ian Shaw, Derek Nash, Mark Lockheart, Chris Lawrence,
Steve Waterman, Chris Batchelor, The Branco Stoysin Trio, The Deirdre Cartwright
Group, Julian Nicholas, Ashley Slater and others; in the orchestral world, he
has performed with, among others, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He also has
extensive experience in musical theatre and his recording credits include many
jazz albums as well as pop (Lily Allen) and film score studio sessions.
Buster
is also deeply involved with music education, teaching drums to all levels, giving
music workshops and a course director of the highly respected Glamorgan Jazz Summer
School. He is also a professor at Trinity College of Music where he lectures in
jazz history.
www.busterbirch.com
ZOO won the category Best Jazz Artist at the 2007 New Music Awards held on 17th October at AKA London.
ZOO had
already acheived the top of 3 categories of the 2007 Awards. A fine acheivment
indeed based upon the hoards of acts vying to win overall.
ZOO won the Jazz
category on the night and were presented with a fine trophy for the mantlepiece.
The mighty trio from Breaston in Derbyshire were really chuffed to win and it
showed on their faces in the presentation and the TV interview that followed.
ZOO are a 'New Jazz' act that recently released their album "Greenhouse" on the Folkestone based Red Admiral Records label.
USE OF INSTRUMENTS - Zoo - Dweeb - Isle of Avalon
THREE PIECE BAND - The Crucible - Zoo - Back Pocket Prophet - Fury UK
JAZZ - Zoo - Abigail Hopkins - Agua de Choro
Hosted
by - Tony Wright (Terrorvision/Laika Dog) and Peter Brame (BBC Fame Academy) the
Glasswerk New Music Awards awards were created to reward the best new music around
the UK and to highlight the musical depth and diversity of the current UK music
scene. From Jazz to Indie, from Pop to Folk, all categories were be made up of
the very best underground talent in the UK and it is fully expected that some
of the award winners will go on to achieve long and successful careers in the
music industry.
The awards night was made up of 25 categories and will featured
performances from some of the nominated bands and artists.
A 300 capacity audience was made up of industry producers and presenters from Radio 1, Radio 2, XFM, BBC 6 and many more regional new music shows. Journalists and reviewers form student to mainstream music magazines/ezines were also present.
www.zoo-music.co.uk
www.glasswerk.co.uk
www.musicfinity.com
www.johnjamesfox.com
www.akalondon.com
www.manillapr.com
www.redadmiralrecords.com
Please
check out www.bobbycochran.com
for a touching Biog.
Bobby unbelieveably,lost his 21 yr old Daughter in
a car crash on the 17th April, many yrs after Eddies death on the same date at
the same age....!
Go to this link http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/sections/news/news/article_498879.php
Don`t
miss this electrifying performance with Howard Tibble from Shakin Stevens,on drums,
and Brian Hodgeson from Albert Lee,on Bass...for a real touching musical experience..and
now check out the above link..
tickets available online www.youngjimmusic.com
Ashford
Rocks - Youth Music to cease at Ashford Footbal Club
You
may be aware that Ashford Borough Council earlier in the year decided to enforce
the law at Homelands and decree that no one under the age of 16 should come to
gigs there unless accompanied by an adult. Thus with the club not being allowed
to let in the 14 to 16 year olds Ashford Rocks was in danger of closing due to
the financial costs of putting it on in the first place.
This caused uproar amongst local rock fans and several petitions were started. Negotiations continued with the council to try find a way to get around this interpretation of the law.
Attendance dropped to uneconomical levels and new owners of the football club want to hike the rent up to an impossible amount that just can’t be afforded, possibly their way of knocking it on the head as they don’t want young people there.
There is just a possibility that another venue in the area would like to host these previously highly attended events, if so -Contact
Steve
- Ashford Rocks !
steve@ashfordrocks.co.uk
mobile:
07903 845427
The popular Kent Rock Band have taken January off from the gig circuit to rehearse a whole new batch of songs, they felt it was about time to change their set list,
Face
to Face return on the 30th January at Herne Bay, where they will debut their brand
new set.
Rehearsals are going very well & some of the new songs are quite
challenging, they promise a few suprises for their return in 2008.
For
further news and dates check their website www.facetoface.moonfruit.com
Black & White Promotions at Beacon Court Tavern Gillingham,128 Canterbury St, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5PT
Opening the evening with a bang is Mirrortone (www.myspace.com/mirrortone) . They are one of Medway's newest Rock bands and their real classic rock sound is reminiscent of Guns & Roses has been earning rave reviews from both their local and London gigs. They have recent recorded a new EP and you can hear these tracks live at the Beacon Court Tavern. Our Main Support comes from 3Bobnation (www.myspace.com/3bobnation). Hailing from Gravesend they will be playing their raunchy rock with mesmorising melodies and great hooks, catch them for their first performance at the Beacon Court. For our headline band we are pleased to welcome the mighty UPCDOWNC (www.myspace.com/upcdownc). One of Kent's finest and most unique bands will be playing their mainly instrumental rock music that has earnt them wide recognition in the music industry including XFM and KERRANG. 2008 sees Upcdownc take a new direction as a 4 piece and their future looks very bright so come see them now.
Doors open at 8pm, Music from 8.45 pm.
Cost is £5 on the door or advanced tickets for £3.50 can be purchased at http://www.wegottickets.com/event/24770
Venue: Beacon Court Tavern Gillingham,128 Canterbury St, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5PT
For more details go to www.myspace.com/blackandwhitemusicpromotions
The
first prison sentence imposed for music piracy in Ireland
Martin McDonagh from Longford was jailed for 6 months.
The
defendant was caught on Sunday 26th November 2006 at Drishogue Market with counterfeit
music CDS and a large quantity of DVDs. He appeared before Carrick On Shannon
District Court on Wednesday July 25th, on copyright charges and pleaded guilty.
In addition to a jail sentence of 6 months, the Judge fined McDonagh £1,000
plus costs.
'This sends out a strong
warning sign to anyone involved in illegal counterfeiting and CD selling.
It is stealing from people who make a livelihood from music.
We
will do everything in our power to seek out and prosecute anyone involved in any
form of unlawful music practice.
This is the first prison sentence that has
been imposed and we intend that it will not be the last'.
Dick Doyle - Director
General, IRMA.
How are you? Hope
you've had a good week, and are having a great
weekend!
This
week we are one of the bands played on the BBC Kent '
Introducing show' featuring
some of the best self released bands in
kent. This comes hot on the heels
of our recent play on BBC radio 6
music 'Introducing show'. This time the
track featured is ' Easy'
taken from our Concubine album.
There
is a discussion on the board abut the tracks played on the
show, and it's
encouraging to see a few comments already from people
who like us. A few more
won't do any harm, so if you'd like to leave
a comment – please do. It goes
without saying that the more people
leaving positive messages about us, the
more chances of repeat plays
etc.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/entertainment/unsigned/bbcintroducing/
latest_edition.shtml
We are
on the new digital download album ' Cafe Ibiza' available from
tunetribe,
I-tunes, and all good download stores, and the Chinese
album ' Music in style'
is now out , billed as ' A deluxe selection
of elegant stylish electronic
music' it features the likes of Chris
Coco, and Sacha Puttnam, Eric Kupper
and ourselves, amongst others.
The
word from the pressing plant is that we should have delivery of
our album
' Concubine' on December 5th, which is the same day we have
our next gig,
at Hadlow College, Kent. All being well, we shall have
copies at the gig,
and will start shipping personal signed copies to
all those who have pre ordered,
so everyone should definitely have
their copies in time for Christmas! We
haven't at this stage decided
on the official release date as yet, but it
will be sometime in the
first quarter of next year, most probably in March.
It will however
still be available to order via our website http://www.moolimusic.com.
Finally,
we've set up a facebook group,so feel free to add us, and
leave comments on
there,if you're a facebooker.The URL is http://
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7480291477
Hope to see you at one of the gigs!
Meanwhile enjoy the weekend, and talk soon.
Ben & Clea :) xx
"What a night!" gasped Pablo, as the judges announce a unanimous decision....
..."ReD 13 are Band of the Year 2007 !!"
It
was an amazing turn out and an awesome show for the lively crowd that showed up
to jeer on their local heroes!
8th September 2007 will ever be remembered by
ReD 13, as the day that determination and faith came together to fuel an onslaught
of rock destruction that won the competition.
The competition from the other bands was epic! - and the music was so passionate that it proved every band deserved to be there! - The only thing we regret is that people had to lose the competition for us to win - the talent was exceptional all round!!!!
ReD 13 want to thank all the people that came and showed support - we couldn't have done it without YOU!!!
------------------------------------
ReD
13's Upcoming Gigs:
Upcoming Shows
14 Sep 2007 20:00 Corn Exchange Maidstone
15 Sep 2007 20:00 12 Bar Club
London
6 Oct 2007 20:00 Red Lion Gravesend, South
2 Nov 2007 20:00 Halloween
Party - Red Lion Gravesend
15 Nov 2007 20:00 Beercart Arms Canterbury
Thanks peeps!
ReD 13
www.red-thirteen.co.uk
(under construction)
www.myspace.com/red13official
Pete Castle was amongst the Tenterden Folk Festival regulars representing Kent the recent Smithsonian Folk life Festival in Washington DC.
Pete summarised his feelings about the festival as follows;
THE SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
There are times when I can’t believe how lucky I am to do what I do for a living. For a week at the end of June/beginning of July I was one of the first English people to participate in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC. (Previously Scots, Welsh and Irish and just about any other nationality you can name have been there but, for some reason, not the English!) I went as a ’cultural exemplar’ (I’ve been called many things before!) from Kent, where I was born and frequently appear at events such as Tenterden Folk Festival. Our programme in Washington was called the Roots of Virginia Culture and I worked alongside Virginians, American Indians and Senegalese. Also participating in their own sections of the festival were delegations from the Mekong Delta and N.Ireland.
The Washington Post described the event thus:
“Seven city blocks; 10 days of arts, crafts, music, sports and games; 32 languages; 90-degree temperatures; 103 tents; 415 volunteers and 707 guest participants: Yes, the 41st annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall promises to be a bustling, sometimes overheated, multi-tented and multicultural mini-metropolis.”
I was asked to perform at the opening ceremony and by the time I was on stage the audience had been listening to strange music and long speeches for nearly 2 hours so it wasn’t the time for a serious ballad or long story! ‘Hopping Down in Kent’ proved to be the right choice and I’m told that the Governor of Virginia, the Ambassador for China, Martin McGuinness et al were joining in and swaying along behind me!
We musicians/storytellers did several sets each day on one or other of the various stages and joined random selections of other artists to discuss a variety of topics on the discussion stage. It was a bit unreal to find yourself sharing a stage with a great blues singer like John Cephus or some of the Appalachian banjo pickers who looked as though they’d walked straight out of Deliverance!
It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. You don’t often get the chance to be heard by over 160,000 people in one day! (They reckon on 1 million people during the course of the festival. It’s all free—a ‘museum without walls’.) To eat breakfast with American Indians; to hear Chinese, American, and Vietnamese musicians jamming together; to engage in good natured banter about politics with a Rev. from Northern Ireland; to share a lift with exotically clad dancers from Cambodia… you think you’re in a dream.
If you look at my website at www.petecastle.co.uk you’ll find a page dedicated to the event, complete with pictures and links to other sites on which you can find interviews and even videos of me performing!
I will be back in Kent at in the near future and at Tenterden Folk Festival 2007 from the 5th to 7th October.
Pete Castle
storyteller and folk singer
Editor:
Facts & Fiction storytelling magazine
www.petecastle.co.uk
www.factsandfiction.co.uk
Info
Supplied by
Alan Castle
Trustee
and festival director
E: alan@folkspots.co.uk
W: www.folkspots.co.uk
Db Infusion
News 2007
some great news Db Infusion performance at the
london's premier jazz venue " Spice of Life" was a great success
and it featured as guests guitar legends John Etheridge( Soft Machine,Andy
Summers) and former Yes guitarist Peter Banks and received a great review
from legendary music journalist Chris Welch. (Below)
Db
Infusion will be performing as backing band for legendary movie star; Christopher
Lee( Dracula ,Lord Of the rings,Starwars,the wickerman,etc,etc) Christopher
Lee will be releasing new dvd featuring video performances from his album "revelation"
the Uk release is July the 2nd,2007. as a prelaunch promotion and to celebrate
his 85th birthday. Christopher Lee will be performing live on stage at the london
Excel Centre on the 26th and the 27th of May. His versatility and
ability to be of any age, together with his willingnes to take on new challenges,giving
him some of the most unusual collaborations including Paul Mccartney's" Band
On the Run" R & B boy band Damage or heavy metal band Manowar.
The
performances are being organized to celebrate his up and coming Dvd release "
Revelation".The revelation dvd is a special collectors edition avalaible
exclusively at the London expo, nearly 2 months before its official uk release
date.
Mr Lee will Be performing in
different styles of music, for example : heavy metal,jazz/flamenco, and a broadway
musical. He will be joined on stage by guests artists from various musical fields
such as singer Lola Rueda,world renowned flamenco guitarist Juan Ramirez
and introducing Db Infusion a progressive jazz/rock fusion band, they will
performing also tracks from their new album "Dreamscape"
review by Chris Welch
London
Fans Witness Battle Of The Guitars
Peter Banks was in fighting
form when he jousted with fellow guitar god John Etheridge alongside jazz-fusion
group Db Infusion at
London's 'Spice Of Life' venue on April 5th.
Infusion plays intense Latin tinged instrumental arrangements such as 'Yo Yo'
from their
excellent album 'Dreamscape'. Etheridge was guesting with the
band, which is led by guitarist Danny Berdichevsky. Peter Banks, seated
in the audience, was invited to join in the fun.
Danny, together with
keyboard virtuoso Gonzalo Carrera, Ollie
Usiskin (drums) and Lakis Economou (bass), launched into a riveting
set greeted by cheers from the hip crowd at the popular jazz venue. They reached
a climax with a finger-cracking version of 'Flight Of The Bumble Bee.' Danny also
played brilliant Spanish style acoustic guitar. However, the highlight of the
evening came when Peter Banks took to the stage. 'More guitar solos!' he had bellowed,
after an earlier exchange between a fired up Etheridge and combative Berdichevsky.
The band laughed, but soon Peter was taking his place in the front line, checking
his 'Pod' a miraculous device, which replaces all known PA technology. "I'll
just be ten minutes setting up," he joked after bowing down deferentially
to Mr. Etheridge.
Although Peter later claimed he didn't know the tune,
the key or the arrangement, the founder member of Yes soon adapted to the band's
format. He engaged in some brilliant exchanges with Danny and John in an exciting
battle of the guitars. John was playing a hollow bodied Gibson 335 with subtle
dexterity, while Peter f