Gigs

Two shows in 3 days this week. We're in the very lovely village of Pangbourne, near Reading on Friday 29th June for an all acoustic set at The Hall of Sound.

Then on Sunday – it's an exciting return to the Crawley Folk and Beer Festival at The Hawth Theatre in Crawley.

Both shows completely free!

Spotify and Gigs

First up, we're very excited to announce that our debut album, Scarecrow, is (finally!) available on Spotify. So, any of you who haven't bought it yet (shame on you...) can now go and listen for free, and we still get paid for it. Win-win situation!

After a quiet few months, our gigging schedule is heating up too - we're very excited about next week, which brings us to headline Vic Cracknell's night at Propaganda, Fleet on Wednesday 6th April. Free entry, with 2-for-1 pizzas, and support from Morrison, Dan Grinter and Jonathan Thompson, it promises to be a great night. There's some more information at facebook - sign up for the event so we know if you're coming!

We're also back in London soon, at the renowned Bedford in Balham, on Wednesday 20th April. This is a great venue, with a lovely live room out the back, including a balcony, so you can throw stuff at us if we're really bad... There's always a great line-up there, so it's well worth the trip down, and again is free entry.

Think that's it - remember to check back for details of more gigs, we've got a busy summer coming up, so hope to see lots of you!

When it all goes to plan

It can be tough sometimes. Rehearsals can go badly, you can turn up to a gig to be told you have to make do with 2 microphones and no sound tech, or even worse trek halfway across the country for a gig just to play to three people and a cat. We've been in all of those situations in the past (I might have invented the cat), and it does make you wonder why you're in a band. But then, once in a while, you have a gig where everything runs smoothly, everyone plays well, and a great time is had by all, and you remember why you put up with all the crap.

Last night was one of those gigs. I have to admit, we had all been dreading it slightly as, being in South East London, it was going to be a bit of a nightmare for all of us to get there. But we persevered, and despite detours to Maidstone and broken Sat-Navs we all managed to get there just about on time. And from the minute we walked in, we knew it was going to be great.

It was in a great pub called 'The Station' in Hither Green, near Lewisham. A proper old-school London pub - high ceilings, a long bar selling good ale (we're all getting a bit old you see), slightly battered but comfy seats. Then we saw where we were going to be playing - as one of the other acts commented, "it's like playing in someone's living room". And it was - a big wooden fireplace, pictures on the walls, everyone gathered round sat on sofas and old-fashioned chairs. Even the tealights on the tables seemed to work, rather than being the acoustic music cliche that they usually are!

And then the music started - 3 other great acts (whose names I'm afraid I can't remember, but should be up on the promoter's blog at http://icarusclub.blogspot.com at some point), all top-notch musicians, playing everything from intricate acoustic ballads to country to traditional blues. We played two pretty good sets as well, but that almost seemed besides the point - it was the warm atmosphere, helped no end by Andy the promoter and compere (from Icarus Music), and the fact that everyone was there just to play and enjoy great music in great surroundings.

So - we've now just got to hope that our next few gigs are up to the same level! We're playing at The Spice of Life in Soho this evening, and last time we played there it was a great night, so we've got our fingers crossed... Pop along if you're in the area, and see what happens.

Big news to follow...

We have a big announcement coming regarding the album on Monday (well, we hope we’re not jumping the gun there – if not Monday, definitely Thursday!) so this will be just a short entry to update you about a few gigs.

Tickets are now on sale for our show at The Half Moon in Putney, where we are opening for the fantastic Aussie singer/songwriter Rory Ellis.

It would be great to see you at this legendary London venue, and you can do so for the bargain sum of £5. Tickets for the event can be bought on the door, or to avoid disappointment in advance here.

Also, we’re going to be playing at Bracknell’s free festival day, The Big Day Out on Saturday June 27th, and have also confirmed a date at The Icarus Club in Lewisham on Thursday July 9th.

More news on gigs and festivals as they become available. Remember to check to website and Myspace pages for full details.

Our BIG Mini Tour

Well, we’re getting ready for our most consistent run of gigs for ages, and in fact, our first in 6 weeks. You have to go back to January 25th for our last, which is extremely rare for us. A combination of horrendous weather, work commitments and goon-like promoters has meant our previous two had to be cancelled. So – apologies to the people coming to see us in London tomorrow night, we sounded good in rehearsal the other day so we’ll do our best – but you’ll have to excuse any ring rustiness….

Talking of rehearsal – the big revelation at this weeks merry jamboree is that we found out Ben actually falls out of bed each morning and uncontrollably dribbles before he realises he is something that slightly resembles an adult and shouldn’t actually be doing that at his age……but that’s another story.

So, we have the London date tomorrow night and Reading on Sunday where we’ll be reacquainted with our old guitar playing friend from our Ecouté days (well, all of us bar Gethin who has never had the pleasure of meeting) James Fayers. It’ll be the first time that all 5 of that band have actually been in the same room together for over 18 months – although rumours of a one off reunion have been strongly denied by both camps – more because not one person would actually give a shit if it did happen, as opposed anything more sinister.

We continue with a slot at Good Intentions in a little imaginary village called Puttenham near Guildford on Monday. For this night we generally turn up and the effervescent compare and fellow acoustic musician Anthea Neads proceeds to knick half the band to play her material – although I’m reliably informed that won’t be happening this time around, as she doesn’t want to upset Emma – which is a fair point, as she has one hell of a temper on her.

Finally, next Wednesday we’re at The Tup, having been promoted to the city of Guildford itself. This was the gig that last time we played Ben got stuck in traffic for over two hours and spent the majority of his evening reading Pride and Prejudice, or something equally as unmanly. Little does he know there isn’t actually room for a 5 piece on stage anyway – so even he turns up this time there won’t be any room for him to play. I’d best suggest he brings a good book this time around – maybe Diary Management for Dummies (which is very much an in-joke – sorry).

So – we hope to see some of you on our travels. We’re really looking forward to be getting out gigging again and having a few friendly faces ready to buy us beer (or fruit based alcoholic beverage for the lady) in the crowd!