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Well, as we have our last gig of the year on Thursday, and Emma heads off to warmer climes for her regular Xmas excursion – we'll do the round-up blog now, as I imagine any other blogs posted between now and when we start up again in early Jan will mostly consist of one of us moaning about the cold/Xmas/working over Xmas etc.
It's been what can only be described as one hell of a hectic year – but we can all stand back and admire what we've done, the work and dedication we've put in to the project and results we've achieved.
The obvious one is the album. It was an idea that started pretty much exactly a year before it was released, and the finished product is something I think we're all very happy with, although are looking to top big style with album number 2 (tentatively scheduled for early 2011, so long as we're all still alive). The sell-out album launch gig was a night all of us will remember for ages – and indeed the 20+ dates we did over the summer to support it.
Radio 2 airplay was a massive highlight, as was all the reviews we've got for the record. It's nice to hear someone say something good about you when they don't have the first clue who you are! The radio slots were good fun too.
The main thing for me (Phil) this year though is how we've gelled as a unit. We are slowly but surely becoming a really solid act musically – both in the stuff we're writing and our performance. Everyone is confident playing the old material so can relax on stage and really enjoy it, and the new material – although requiring a little more concentration is really holding up against the established stuff. Always a good sign.
So – 2010 is looking likely to be just as mad. We already have multiple dates sorted for the New Year which sees us descend on the West Country acoustic scene in a fairly big way – and we're also planning on taking in a few more festivals in the summer – although that's if we get booked for any!
So for everyone who has followed us on here, come to the gigs and especially bought the record – thanks very much. I've said it for years, but it is the hardest thing for a band to do, get a loyal following and expect them to stick by them, but we're slowly getting to that stage, and hopefully the music we play, and juvenile banter that comes with most live performances have been of some entertainment to you all, and that you'll join us in the New year when we attempt to take over the world!
The future is Folk!
Cheers
ATC
P.S – One last gig for this year, tomorrow night (Thursday 17th) at Varsity Bar in Reading. We're on about 10pm with music coming before hand from Ben's mate Olly (who we're told is very good), our ex Ecoute guitarist James Fayers, and fantastic Reading acoustic act Scattered Few.
Free entry – kicks of at 8pm. Come and have a few beers.
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Thursday 10 December 2009
More Reviews
We’ve had another album review, this time on NetRhythms - and again positive although I’ve had to apologise to the band for being too loud!
A five piece acoustic outfit from Berkshire fronted by Emma Johnson and with instrumentation that includes violin and African drums, their ‘folk fusion’ meld of trad, blues, and world music has seen them regularly performing across the South East and London. They’re now looking to spread the horizons with the release of their debut album. It’s a crowded field out there, but, ahem, all things considered, they have several factors in their favour.
For a start, Johnson’s pure but earthy vocals combine traditional leanings with a contemporary sensibility, so that you’re as likely to hear Jacqui McShee and Sally Oldfield notes as Denny, Eliza Carthy or Rusby. The playing too is strong, exemplified by violinist Gethin Webster’s short intro instrumental Kuebiko (a Japanese scarecrow deity) and the textures he brings to Manipulative Perspectives, Adrian Holden’s intricate guitar work and Phil Daniel’s smouldering ethnic hand drum percussion showcase on The Neverending.
The material stands tall too, with the bruised heart emotions of Self Pity, the heady musical interplay on Clear Your Conscience and the wounded Numb all highlights.
If there’s a reservation it’s that sometimes the percussion overwhelms the more delicate aspects, but there’s no reason to think this isn’t about to see their gig diary and order books about to become increasingly full.
It is extremely heartening to have positive feedback in the form of published reviews. You obviously take praise and criticism from your friends, family and fellow artists but this is endorsement from people who generally have no real idea who you are. They have made a judgement on your music with no other factors influencing them to sway one way or another. With that taken in to account, we can be nothing but delighted at the way the album has gone down since its release. We could however do with an upturn in sales……..
We’re in Reading next Thursday – a free entry gig at The Varsity Bar, which will either be fantastic or truly horrendous (we don’t have much luck with Reading). Why don’t you come along to find out? It’ll be our last gig of what has been probably the most hectic year of our musical lives (however 2010 is looking even more so – watch this space), so be great to see a few heads out for a celebratory pint.
We’re playing with cracking acoustic duo Scattered Few and also for all you people who remember most of us in our old Ecoute days, our guitarist from that time James Fayers (the bloke with the hat) will be doing a rare acoustic set. Nice.
A five piece acoustic outfit from Berkshire fronted by Emma Johnson and with instrumentation that includes violin and African drums, their ‘folk fusion’ meld of trad, blues, and world music has seen them regularly performing across the South East and London. They’re now looking to spread the horizons with the release of their debut album. It’s a crowded field out there, but, ahem, all things considered, they have several factors in their favour.
For a start, Johnson’s pure but earthy vocals combine traditional leanings with a contemporary sensibility, so that you’re as likely to hear Jacqui McShee and Sally Oldfield notes as Denny, Eliza Carthy or Rusby. The playing too is strong, exemplified by violinist Gethin Webster’s short intro instrumental Kuebiko (a Japanese scarecrow deity) and the textures he brings to Manipulative Perspectives, Adrian Holden’s intricate guitar work and Phil Daniel’s smouldering ethnic hand drum percussion showcase on The Neverending.
The material stands tall too, with the bruised heart emotions of Self Pity, the heady musical interplay on Clear Your Conscience and the wounded Numb all highlights.
If there’s a reservation it’s that sometimes the percussion overwhelms the more delicate aspects, but there’s no reason to think this isn’t about to see their gig diary and order books about to become increasingly full.
It is extremely heartening to have positive feedback in the form of published reviews. You obviously take praise and criticism from your friends, family and fellow artists but this is endorsement from people who generally have no real idea who you are. They have made a judgement on your music with no other factors influencing them to sway one way or another. With that taken in to account, we can be nothing but delighted at the way the album has gone down since its release. We could however do with an upturn in sales……..
We’re in Reading next Thursday – a free entry gig at The Varsity Bar, which will either be fantastic or truly horrendous (we don’t have much luck with Reading). Why don’t you come along to find out? It’ll be our last gig of what has been probably the most hectic year of our musical lives (however 2010 is looking even more so – watch this space), so be great to see a few heads out for a celebratory pint.
We’re playing with cracking acoustic duo Scattered Few and also for all you people who remember most of us in our old Ecoute days, our guitarist from that time James Fayers (the bloke with the hat) will be doing a rare acoustic set. Nice.
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Radio Blah Blah
We’re on the radio on Monday (7th), as guest on a show hosted by the most committed man in local radio, David Durrant at Brooklands FM. So this is a rallying call to get as many people listening to our show as possible! We have 2 hours to fill, which means we’ll be playing a few tracks (including a possible attempt at a yet to be finished new track – which could be horrendous, but might be a stroke of absolute genius, you’ll have to tune in to find out how that goes) and also you’ll get an insight in to the sort of music we listen to. Already knowing the list of tracks we’ve submitted – I can tell you its eclectic to say the least……
So here is the plan. To find out the amount of people listening in, we’d like you all at some point during the broadcast to send an e-mail in to the studio – so we can give you a shout out. As the station broadcasts only on the internet anyway – you’ll be at your computers/phones/whatever else you can get internet on these days, so a quick e-mail should be nice and easy. Call it a social experiment if you like, and not in the slightest a way of finding out if anyone actually gives a shit!
To listen in to the show, which will be on 8-10pm on Monday 7th December, head over to http://www.brooklandsfm.co.uk/ and click the Listen Live icon. The icon to contact the studio is next to it.
Another quick plug – and that is we now finally have a presence on You Tube. 3 videos have been uploaded and you can access them by going to the official site. These were all filmed on a phone, so credit where it’s due I assume on all three occasions to Emma’s boyfriend Darren, who can be seen at most gigs snapping away.
We’ll be looking to add more live footage so if anyone fancies coming along to a gig and shooting some live stuff, we’d be keen to hear from you.
So here is the plan. To find out the amount of people listening in, we’d like you all at some point during the broadcast to send an e-mail in to the studio – so we can give you a shout out. As the station broadcasts only on the internet anyway – you’ll be at your computers/phones/whatever else you can get internet on these days, so a quick e-mail should be nice and easy. Call it a social experiment if you like, and not in the slightest a way of finding out if anyone actually gives a shit!
To listen in to the show, which will be on 8-10pm on Monday 7th December, head over to http://www.brooklandsfm.co.uk/ and click the Listen Live icon. The icon to contact the studio is next to it.
Another quick plug – and that is we now finally have a presence on You Tube. 3 videos have been uploaded and you can access them by going to the official site. These were all filmed on a phone, so credit where it’s due I assume on all three occasions to Emma’s boyfriend Darren, who can be seen at most gigs snapping away.
We’ll be looking to add more live footage so if anyone fancies coming along to a gig and shooting some live stuff, we’d be keen to hear from you.
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