Acoustic Club

acoustic club listings archive
previous years: 2007 2006

2008
Thursday 3rd Jan	TOZ An Italian singer/songwriter over in the UK on holiday – really like his style – he’s organised a mini tour while he’s here. To find out more, please have a look at www.myspace.com/bytoz.
Thursday 10th Jan	RACHAEL BELL Please join us on January 10th at 1O:30 pm for a night of acoustic soul with Rachael Bell, fresh from her first U.S. tour and whose latest independent CD, "Colour Me Blue," has been rated "highly recommended" by SoulTracks.com. Please give her a listen at www.myspace.com/rachaelrachaelmusic. You may remember Rachael – she joined us about a year ago for a ten minute slot and received a standing ovation!
Thursday 17th Jan	MICHAEL BERK a return visit from this guitar virtuoso is planned for 17th January. Refresh your memory by going to www.myspace.com/michaelberkacoustic.
Thursday 31st Jan	LANDERMASON Musicians Fiona Lander and Paul Mason collectively known as Landermason started writing and recording songs together in 2000. Fiona (vocals, piano, whistles and saxophones) and Paul (vocals and guitars) have developed a unique sound displaying their undoubted talents as musicians. They also show the ability to draw influences from a number of styles and then create something new that defies rigid definition. See also: myspace.com/landermason
Thursday 7th Feb	VICKI SWAN & JONNY DYER As part of “Folk in February” we are delighted to welcome back Vicki and Johnny. Currently taking the folk world by storm, Vicki is one of the best pipers in the business, able to seamlessly veer from soulful airs to driving, up-tempo tunes to set every foot tapping, and this is all aided by Jonny's brilliantly inventive, subtle yet strong guitar work. Although best-known for their instrumental skills, the duo have also added a healthy number of songs to their act, and have rightly established themselves as one of the best young duos around on the folk scene today! Vicki and Jonny have been playing music together well over 10 years, meeting whilst playing for their local county youth orchestra. Having played with the band serious kitchen and as part of the Cloudstreet big band they have now begun to collaborate with the award winning Mundy-Turner, Lusca and singer-songwriter, George Papavgeris. www.smallpiper.co.uk
Thursday 14th Feb	ALAN FRANCIS Often compared to the late, great Burl Ives, Alan brings a wealth of experience as an entertainer and a huge repertoire of songs, ballads and blues that appeals to a wide audience. www.folkmusic.org.uk/page3.html
Thursday 28th Feb	TONY DAY TRIO Modern jazz piano trio with additional saxophone. All original material that mixes up different styles – blues, latin, bebop. Musical influences include the Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Andy Sheppard, Tomas Stanko, Bill Evans. Warning: contains strong harmonies!
Thursday 6th Mar	Double Header Showcase HARVEY J HANNANT Tales of black hearts and love lost as told by harvey j and ‘Zarbo the Magnificent’ on double bass (the greatest high wire walker that ever lived) www.myspace.com/harveyjhannant JJ ZARBO Contemporary urban folk; JJ Zarbo takes a slightly skewed look at life reflected in his generally upbeat music tinged with darker edges www.myspace.com/jjzarbo
Thursday 15th May	ANDI NEATE Andi Neate is a singer/songwriter of exceptional talent, with a powerful voice, a gift for melody and a memorably quirky turn of phrase. She is a compelling live performer, who has been compared with Suzanne Vega, Ani Difranco and Tori Amos. www.andineate.co.uk
Thursday 22nd May	KAREN JOHNSON Our very own Karen returns for another showcase with her honey soaked voice and very personable presence.
Thursday 29th May	THE FLOOZIES "ACOUSTIC MUSIC AT IT'S VERY BEST. GREAT PLAYING AND BEAUTIFUL HARMONIES WITH THE SONGS TO MATCH. A REAL BREATH OF FRESH AIR ON THE ROOTS SCENE." STEPHEN FOSTER B.B.C RADIO SUFFOLK. www.myspace.com/theflooziesmusic
Thursday 5th June	APACHE JOHN A welcome return for this very popular act. Another line change (see Keef) sees them swell in number. Bring it on!! www.myspace.com/apachejohn
Thursday 12th/19th/26th June	OPEN MIC NIGHTS All of our favourite’s playing 3 song slots, contact us to book one! info@acousticclub.co.uk
Thursday 4th September	Showcase - MARTIN KASZAK AND ROD DUJARDIN Martin Kaszak is a Musician, Singer Songwriter with an interest in all acoustic guitar music. He plays his own songs and a wide range of material from guitar heroes including Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller, Ralph Mctell to SoH, and Jim Croce. He plays an Avalon guitar and a genuine 1930s National Steel. He opened the 2007 Ely Folk Festival and has appeared regularly throughout Cambridge and beyond. This week he will be joined by Rod Dujardin. www.myspace.com/martinkaszak
Thursday 11th September	Showcase – SOY UN CABALLO (part of their UK tour) “Aurelie Muller and Thomas Van Cottom, combine forces with Louisville’s Will Oldham with breathtaking results. Delicate and frail, Soy Un Caballo’s (‘I am a horse’ in Spanish) music is calm and uplifting. Crossing Sufjan Stevens-esque harmonies with boss nova guitars Muller’s childlike, crystalline vocals soar high over a light shimmer of melody and beats whilst Oldham’s deep husky harmonies – all the better for being sung in French – only add to the magical, dreamlike quality of the album. With its seemingly minimalist approach to music - with guitars, piano and shuffling drums guiding the listener through this absolute gem of a release - it comes as a surprise to find help from members of Beirut, The High Llamas and Raymundo. However this is where its charm lies, for it is clear to see that tracks such as ‘Volet’, ‘Au Ralenti’ and ‘La Raision De Plus Fort’ have all been put together with exquisite care and attention to detail. From the rich choral harmonies to the tinny computer loops, there is no unnecessary note, no spare lyric. Cottom and Muller have managed to astonish and awe with their heady mixture of fantasy and reality breathing life and sunshine into this wonderful release.” www.myspace.com/soyuncaballo
Thursday 18th September	Watch this space! Keef and Annie are on holiday ….. the club will have something special to offer you!
Thursday 25th September	Showcase – Jonas Graile “Let me Introduce myself… I consider myself to be a travelling salesman, a teller of tall tales….a performer. You might say I’m a raconteur (from the days when then that didn’t mean standing on stage with half of the White Stripes). I draw on skiffle, soul, dark folk and vaudeville, amongst other things, but mostly it’s whatever story I’ve got to tell you that matters. I like to write about romantic things like the crossroads of Blues and martial arts, young lovers on the run, escapology and such.” www.myspace.com/jonasgraile
Thursday 2nd October	Showcase – Andy Walker - all the way from Brighton!!!! The club has a very special relationship with Andy – we’ve seen him develop and grow over the years – fab to welcome back this guy with his awesome talent! Heart wrenching lyrics coupled with a voice that could melt a fair few tonnes of glacial mass make for one of the best solo acts you’ll hear this year. Andy Walker serves up a sound that is all the more haunting and emotionally defining than many of his peers. The last three years of Andy’s musical career have seen him realise his full potential, leading to the recent completion of his first EP, ‘Homeward’. . The EP combines beautiful yet robust vocals with exquisite backing from strings and guitar to convey The bittersweet ‘Homeward’ was recorded at Homesick Studios in Brighton and produced by Simon Janes. Simon has also recorded with the likes of The Long Blondes (Rough Trade), Dirty Three (Bella Union Records) and Bonobo (Ninja Tune). Andy has been joined on the album by Oddur Runarsson, who as well as being a solo artist has also toured with the critically acclaimed Lamb and Lou Rhodes of Mercury nominee fame. The album is 6 tracks long including a bonus recording, which is a live version of the song performed at Homesick Studios for an intimate audience of friends and local musicians. www.andywalkermusic.com www.myspace.com/andywalkermusic
Thursday 9th October	Showcase – Beth Walthew Beautiful. What a voice! They need to make an alarm clock that plays Morning Love – everyone would want to wake up to that song!” Jeremy Sallis, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Beth Walthew, originally from Sunderland, started out in life as a classically trained pianist and singer. Beth sang with the London Symphony Chorus, and also performed in public opera recitals around the UK, including performing at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2001 and 2003. “There’s nothing like belting out an aria, but it wasn't like singing my own tunes.” Beth stepped up her own song-writing after working at The Roundhouse Studios with a group of jazz musicians in London, and getting into the 70s funk/soul playlists. Listening to wonderful female performers like Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell and Eva Cassidy helped shape Beth's music and attitude to performing. Over the next few years, Beth worked for the BBC, Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music, notched up a Masters degree, worked as a vocal coach at the prestigious Bodywork Dance Studios and wrote for music magazines. But all the while she was writing songs. Since starting live performances of her own tunes in 2007, Beth’s music has swayed towards a soul-jazz fusion, which supports Beth’s silky smooth voice, reminiscent of Dusty Springfield’s 60s sound. Performing around the UK, Beth has performed sizzling solo acoustic sets as well as performing with her full band. www.myspace.com/bethwalthew
Thursday 16th October	Showcase – Lizzie B Lizzie is a vocalist, and songwriter, and has been performing with Acoustic guitar for the past Six years. Her vocals are rich and soulful, and draw you in for more. As a songwriter, her songs are easy listening, and are driven with meaningful lyrics and unique melodies. Lizzie says her inspirations come from Country Artists like: Faith Hill, Jewel, and Shania Twain. Folk artists like: Mary Black, Bic Runga, Beth Orton,Rosie Thomas and Sarah Mc Lachlan. Her songs hint a little at - Blues, Folk, Country and if you are looking for something Chilled and Mellow, then relax. The new EP - Living on the edge of my dreams is available now, @ www.lizzieb.co.uk www.myspace.com/lizziebmusic
Thursday 23rd October	Showcase - Narration In August they took the Club by storm with their performance. We’ve invited them back for another showcase. It’s NARRATION. A real treat.. …. check out NARRATION… hear what everyone’s saying about them…. two of the guys are going to come along and do a stripped down acoustic set which promises to be really special….. come along early to get a seat! “THE NEW KINGS OF THE LIVE CIRCUIT” (aloud.com) “BRILLIANT, TREMBLING CAR CRASH ROMANTICISM” (The Fly) “THE WORLD NEEDS MORE BANDS LIKE NARRATION... SOARING, EPIC, GRANDIOSE ALT-ROCK” (Big Cheese) “ON THEIR WAY TO BIG THINGS” (XFM) “THEY’LL BE HUGE” (Juice FM) Narration have progressed quickly since they won XFM’s uploaded competition. They’ve been to The States (where they were invited backstage at Bruce Springsteen’s Boston show), performed live on WBRU (one of the East Coast’s most listened to radio stations) and toured Britain throughout April 08. The young Twickenham quartet are a band of their time. This debut release has been constructed without label support, and yet it predicts Narration’s epic, arena-sized qualities. In a time when the industry is changing to keep up with technology, Narration signpost the perfect balance – matching a poetic intimacy with an enduring universality, and a grand ambition with a determined work ethic. ‘Not Alone’ is to be released in conjunction with AWAL (Arctic Monkeys/Klaxons/Editors) & iTunes. It will be backed by ‘Gentle’, which is available to download for free from www.narrationmusic.com www.myspace.com/narrationmusic
Thursday 30th October	Showcase – NEIL COWLAN BAND “You got a dream, you gotta go get it. People can't do something themselves they're gonna tell you you can't do it". The Neil Cowlan Band is the result of many years of playing live for various people whilst quietly going about writing my own material in the background. We play a mix of funk, blues, soul and pop. New biog coming later! www.myspace.com/neilcowlan
Thursday 6th November	Showcase – JON GOMM About Jon Gomm: “I'm a guitarist/singer/songwriter from England. Hope you like the music - it's just me playing - all the noises are made with one acoustic guitar and my mouth. The audio and video on this page was recorded live at The Mixing Tin in Leeds in 2005 I play A LOT of gigs: in the past year I've done about 150. I am sometimes to busy (or too lazy) to put all my gig dates on this page, but you can always find them all on my website” www.jongomm.com Or visit www.myspace.com/jongomm
Thursday 13th November	Showcase – JOE DEVINE Joe lives in North Wales/Islington and has been coming to the Club since he was a mere lad! He loves writing and performing music and currently has 3 EP's completed. He has developed over the years into a fine performer and his showcase promises to be really special. Have a listen to Joe on www.myspace.com/joedevineuk
Thursday 20th November	Showcase TARA LONDON Indie Music Award Finalist About Tara London: “I am Singer/Songwriter from London. I trained in Acting, Musical Theatre & Technical Theatre, but have been involved with performing & writing music since I was young. From a young age I had an affliation with singers such as Billie Holiday, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin to name but a few, I loved their sense of individuality & flair, regardless of what the general consensus of what good music was all about at the time, they produced what felt right to them & didnt follow trends..as a direct result I have always leaned towards music that inspires something in me, causes an emotive response, touches me in a way that nothing else can, that has created a desire in me to produce songs that have an impact on others in the same way. I shy away from the stereo typical, & ego driven pursuits of fame & acclaimation, in favour of writing & performing music that has the capacity to move someone.” To listen to Tara visit www.myspace.com/taralondon
Thursday 27th November	Showcase – the PLAYFORD ROADIES These guys have been to the club before and were such FUN! “Terry Pearce, Mick Smith and David Mordecai all grew up in the same North London street, living within 100yards of each other. The street was Playford Road, so we call ourselves the Playford Roadies. We've each played in an assortment of bands over the years, but never all together until fairly recently, when we found a new lease of life through acoustic music. We live miles apart these days, but get together whenever we can, and manage to do three or four gigs a year”
Thursday 4th December	Showcase – RUSSELL JOSLIN We’re delighted to welcome Russell back to the Club. Here’s a few reviews of his album: ...an album of eloquent beauty...' - ThisisfakeDIY.com '...a much needed gust of fresh air...' - Subba-cultcha.com '...a genuinely unsettling and brave debut, this album demands attention...' - Tasty Fanzine '...an intoxicating mix of arrogant honesty and awesome creativity...' - Toxic Pete Russell is awesome – to find out more visit: www.myspace.com/russelljoslinesquire
Thursday 11th December	Showcase – Welcome back to Strangeworld Some reviews to give you a taste of what they offer: "Strangeworld play such beautiful music that takes you to places well beyond any earthly location. Straight to the heart! Great musicians, wonderful tunes " Pete Morton "Thank you Strangeworld for performing such a wonderful set - our regulars were stunned and spellbound by the perfection of your performance" The Acoustic Club "Strangeworld encompasses the best of every musical era, creating a new entity which is addictive to the listener and player. Brainchild of Shave the Monkey musician, Bryan Causton, he has brought together four talented musicians, with a unique combination of instruments and styles, to produce a really great sound - a sound that is both stimulating and addictive " Hitchin Folk Club www.strangeworldmusic.com
Thursday 18th December	Showcase – Anna Scott Do not miss this very special Christmas showcase. A solo performance by Anna Scott: “Anna was trained as a classical cellist and composer. Throughout her education she was regularly involved in orchestras and chamber groups, performing at venues and concert halls around the UK and Europe. After a brief stint at York University, Anna settled on a music composition degree at Dartington College of Arts where she was able to fully indulge in experimental creativity, looking at the full potential of the cello and its sound, and performing in a variety of interesting locations (darkened rooms, caves, stone circles on Dartmoor etc). As a composer she has written music for theatre, dance and ensembles, as well as music for four short films. Her influences range from classical to folk, jazz and the odd bit of drum and bass. After her degree, Anna toured with Devon-based company Theatre Alibi, playing the cello, accordion and singing for a children’s play, before returning to Essex where she joined Mozzy Green.”