Gifted Nottingham fellow Sam Beeton has just released his sophomore album ‘In The Yard’. Its a great set of tunes and some excellent, vintage tinged production. Highly recommended 😉
The album is available digitally from iTunes, and on vinyl and CD from Amazon, Fopp and HMV stores.
Here’s a gig I sat in on with Sam a couple of years ago which also features the stellar drumming and heavy grooves of Chris Taggart and ivory tickling of the super talented Chris Bucknall.
Filed under Uncategorized
One of the things that makes me feel connected to the rest of the world is my RSS reader full of lovely blogs. Industry blogs as well as the musings of friends and inspirational musicians (most of which are the same people) distract me from the post sound check pre-gig band rituals.
Over the years I have enjoyed blogging and discussing the things that interest me. One of the benefits of teaching full-time is that I get to talk about and disseminate the things that interest me everyday.
So this post is a personal slapped wrist; I have not been blogging enough. The last two years have been very busy. Last year I did 154 gigs, the year before 172. I teach full time and I’m a dad. Last autumn I enrolled on the final year of a Ba (hons) in Music and creative Music Technology. This set me in to hyperdrive time wise. Now its the end of March and I can’t believe where the time has gone. And I’ve used all of this as an excuse not to blog. Any port in a storm I guess.
Excuses aside, hopefully I will start blogging a little more often, if only to feel like I am giving in to something I take so much from (thanks blogophere).
Anyway, in the spirit of sharing here’s a wonderful album by Steve Lawson
Filed under Blog
Wow, that sums up the Sam Beeton gig I sat in on at Glee Club Nottingham. Sam is an awesome songwriter and performer. The band were heavy weights too with Chris Taggart (Stevie Wonder, Robin Trower) on drums and Chris Bucknall (Climax Blues Band, Stewart Copeland) on keys. These guys are on another planet musically and I was/am genuinely humbled to be invited to play on the gig. Here’s a video of one of my favourite Sam Beeton tracks.
Filed under Gigs
We got married! Finally, after 10 years, one mortgage and two kids we did it. We spent most of August holidaying/Honeymoon in the south of France. After all that sun the damp climate of this years Galtres Festival in Yorkshire was a shock. Another fun festival, the last of the season with Miss 600. What a cool festival, hopefully we will be back there next year as well.
Filed under Gigs
What an epic few days of gigs. Highlights included The Cornbury Festival with Miss 600 and a really fun wedding with pro-function ska/soul/rock band LICK. I even managed to take Sunday off with the family and hang out in the sun in the garden. Brilliant:)
I love this photo of LICK in full tilt!
Filed under Gigs
The Day Dream Club are some lovely people making lovely music. All of their other releases have been self managed efforts including production, distribution and promotion. Their new EP is great and needs to be heard by as many people as possible. This requires a team, which requires money. Which is where fans like me (and hopefully you) come in. The band funding page in association with music blog Right Chord Music (RCM) so we can ben part of their new EP ‘Found’.
This is an exciting project and offers great possibilities for The Day Dream Club. Using the money to promote the EP, something the band cannot afford themselves, will enable them to take a big step forward in their careers. To help CLICK HERE
Heres a short video with Adam & Paula explaining the project
Filed under stuff
It’s that time of year at the day gig. Finally we’ve reached the end of the academic year! After one of the busiest periods in the academic calendar we can finally put our collective feet up………or not. This week as well as undergoing continued professional development (training stuffs) and preparation for the forthcoming academic year I have four gigs, a couple of rehearsals and a few tracks to record. Putting my feet up will have to wait. Thankfully its all fun, I’m very grateful for these opportunities.
On Saturday I’m playing the Cornbury Festival with Miss 600 (the band are a stunning group of musicians with scary chops. No pressure!). It looks to be an amazing line up. Gutted I won’t get to see Wilko Johnson as I have another gig 2.5 hours away that evening. Its the second time I’ve missed getting to see this legendary player.
Filed under Gigs
The students from my teaching gig at Leicester College music and sound department are putting on a gig at the Music Cafe on the 14th of March 2013. This is a great opportunity for learners to get a hands on experience of not only playing a live event, but also what it takes to run a successful night. Students will be performing, promoting, stage managing and running the live sound as part of this enrichment experience. Its shaping up to be great night. Doors at 6:30pm and Free entry!
Dave Marks (@Davemarks1 on Twitter) is an amazing London based Northern Irish bass player with a massive CV impressive musical and technical ability. His drive and focus coupled with his natural ability has seen him play some stunning music with formidable musicians. I have just been reminded of his reality check series of videos on YouTube which echo a series of lectures I have recently given. Here is Dave’s video let me know what you think.
Filed under Uncategorized
Guerilla Bass 