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.

Summer is here

What a lovely weekend it was! We don't quite know how, as the combination of Emma planning a birthday camping trip to the south coast and it being a bank holiday would seem to guarantee huge amounts of rain, but somehow it stayed dry! Until last night anyhow, but as we're mostly back in our offices (Gethin/Phil), pubs (Adrian), and study/living room/toilet (or wherever else Ben finds inspiration today) we couldn't really care less about a bit of rain...

Anyway, the weather had be looking forward to some of the outdoor gigs that we have coming up, and I thought that would be a good excuse to remind all of you lovely people of a few of the dates coming up in the next few months.

We kick off the festival season with an afternoon of music at Gostrey Meadow Charity Fair on the 6th June. This is pretty much bang in the middle of Farnham town centre, and is free to everyone, so there's pretty much no excuse not to come along.

We then, of course, have our album launch on June 12th, but I'm sure you all know more than enough about that, so I'll say no more about that...

June 14th brings us to our home(ish) town of Bracknell, to support the wonderful Lisa Knapp at The Wilde Theatre in South Hill Park. This should be a great gig, and is a brilliant opportunity for us to support a top-notch alternative-folk artist.

Some other highlights of the summer include:

• Big Day Out at South Hill Park, Bracknell, another free-entry event on 27th June


• A trio of London gigs on the 9th, 10th and 20th July at The Station Hotel, Lewisham, The Spice of Live, Soho, and The Half Moon, Putney


• Our first Birmingham gig at The Dog, West Bearwood on the 9th August


• Weyfest on 5th September.

There are, of course, plenty of others, and our debut album will be available to buy at all of them, so check out our schedule at www.allthingsconsidered.org.uk to find one near you!

We hope to see all of you very soon, will as much sunshine as possible!
ATC

Gigs Round-up

Well, it’s been a busy few days but now we’re taking a much needed week or so away from band stuff before it gets stupidly busy (although we’ll obviously try and keep the blog updated of course!).

We started on Friday night in London at The Spice of Life in Soho, which was an excellent gig. We’ve played a lot of London venues, but have to say this one was probably our favourite so far, at least until we get to the Half Moon in Putney on May 21st! The sound was excellent, we played a good set, got some people interested in our music and enjoyed good conversation with Joe – the ‘music promoter’ who was more than a little worse for wear and wore a suit that was way too big for him…..you get them all in that town!

Sunday we finished recording! We’ve all now got copies of the unmixed album to listen to over the next few weeks and make notes on what needs looking at in the mixing stage – it’s all very exciting, and the songs really are sounding good, which obviously I would say, seeing as this is supposed to promote said fact – although they really are, especially the new one that we wrote in two hours before recording it.

Sundays gig in Reading was cancelled at short notice due to the venue being double booked. Not sure when we’ll get back there – but far too busy to worry about that currently!

Monday we played at Good Intentions, run by our good friends Anthea Neads and Ian Sadler. It was actually the best of all the gigs we did in this run, as the atmosphere was excellent, sound was great (apart from Ben’s bass feeding back as usual….) and we were really up for it. Loads more interest, a few EP’s sold – good work all round.

Yesterday we were in Guildford at Susie Clarke’s night at The Tup. Although most of the people in the place were more interested in the Champions League games being shown on the screen round the corner, the scattering of people up by the stage seemed to enjoy the set – so not all bad.

So there you go – not the most exciting of blog posts, but after our week off this coming week it’s all systems go with mixing and mastering, duplication and getting the album tour all sorted.

Hopefully – we’ll have details of the album and launch party very very soon – we think it’ll be worth the wait.