Local Music

March 29

MEETING THE MUSOS

This week's featured artist is a band who have recently appeared on the hit TV series Skins - Meet The Hats.

The Hats began life as a three piece with James on guitar and vocals, Matt on drums and Rob on lead guitar.  When a friend offered them a gig at Bristol's prestigious Commonwealth Museum they decided to expand, adding Steve on bass, Sophie on saxophone, Liam on trombone and Luke on trumpet. 

Their songwriting began to incorporate this newly-found wall-of-sound.  They emphasise live performance which has put them in good stead, especially with the likes of Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse gracing the charts and popularising a orchestral arrangements.

The Hats have recently finished recording their new EP - 'Big in Malta' - so named after a friend offered them the chance to play at a Maltese wedding in August.  They're playing with a band who have just spent three weeks at the top of the Maltese charts so it's possible they may find similar success.

The profile of The Hats was given a massive boost when they were chosen to appear on the TV series 'Skins' - they gave their demo to the programme's producers whilst appearing as extras, and the call to take part as a band came as a bit of a surprise.  Thanks to this, and a rapidly increasing number of gigs throughout the South West and beyond, their reputation as an exciting and engaging live band continues to grow.

Look out for The Hats at a university tour party near you soon.

GETTING THE GOSSIP

The Trinity Centre is gearing up for its free music Radio & Production course this year.  The course which covers vocals, making music, and live on-stage, is open to anyone aged sixteen to eighteen not in full-time education or training.  Full details can be found on the Trinity website.

On Monday the Bristol Institute of Modern Music is holding a launch party aboard The Thekla featuring a live performance from The Ghost of a Thousand.  Local musicians will also have the opportunity to have their music reviewed by an influential panel of judges.   

Rock-tronicers Turbowolf release their single 'Bite Me Like a Dog' on Monday.  The double A-side is available from iTunes, and they're holding a launch party at The Croft on Friday with support from Sexy Bitch, Invasion and Countryside.

TOP GIGS

On Sunday Scarlatti Tilt play the Tao Bar on Cheltenham Road in Bristol.

Rasha Shaheen plays the Croft in Bristol on Tuesday night showcasing tracks from her forthcoming album.
  
And next Saturday you can see The Pindrop band at St George's Hall in Bristol.

The Naturals play the Croft in Bristol on Wednesday night joining an impressive line-up that includes Ear Candy, Casino Drive and The Beat Society.

TRACKS:

The Hats - 'Red Pike'
The Hats - 'Skillers'
Charmaine Laudat - 'Come Now'
The Ghost of a Thousand - 'Left for Dead'
Turbowolf - 'Bite Like a Dog'
Scarlatti Tilt - The Insects' Party
Rasha Shaheen - 'Animal'
The Pindrop Band - 'Cup Half Empty'
The Naturals - 'Concrete Sea'

March 22

MEETING THE MUSOS

This week the Bristol singer-songwriter - Gavin Thorpe who has survived every twist and turn the music business has thrown at him.

In 2001 Gavin Thorpe was signed to Atlantic Records.  He had an album recorded in Los Angeles and the world at his feet.  Unfortunately the album was never released, and Gavin found himself without a deal.  Naturally he began to reassess his position, and joined bands with one eye on reinvention.  However he quickly realised that at heart he was a singer-songwriter and returned to his acoustic roots. 

With the continued support of his publishers, Gavin Thorpe continued to write songs, adamant that as with most things, honesty is always the best policy.  He worked with co-producer Rupert Christie to record his new album 'Pictures' in just twelve days, and has since chalked up Radio 2 airplay and a TV session at Abbey Road.  Having endured the highs and lows of the industry, he remains suitably upbeat about the future, convinced that his album will be a grower. With high-profile live dates coming up in both the UK and the US Gavin Thorpe's future is looking distinctly promising.
www.gavinthorpe.com
www.myspace.com/gavinthorpemusic 

GETTING THE GOSSIP

Plans for a music arena in Bristol were scrapped because the Development Agency involved had spent almost two million dollars on offices abroad.  The ten thousand seater arena was due to open later but plans were abandoned when costs got too high.

Ryan Inglis and Ruth Royall have won through to the regional semi finals of the Live and Unsigned competition.  The next round takes place on 29th of March at St George's Hall in Bristol with an eventual cash prize and single release up for grabs.  Also through are a young rock band from Yatton - Chasing Stanley.

Hunting Lodge's album 'Energy Czar' is being re-released on vinyl by American label Yosada.  The band who officially split last year have one last EP in the pipeline, due for release later in the year.

TOP GIGS

Tomorrow afternoon you can find the jazz-inflected tones of Phil King and band at the Coronation Tap.

North Sea Navigator play The Thekla in Bristol on Sunday evening.  Arrive at 6pm for a DJ set from the band, followed by a live performance later on.

Bristol rockers Riot:Noise are at The Louisiana on Wednesday 26 March supporting Young Heart Attack.

Friday marks the return of The New Rhodes at The Louisiana.  This is their first hometown show in over a year and they'll be debuting songs from their forthcoming album which is due out later this year.  Support from Santa Dog.

TRACKS:

Gavin Thorpe - No Hard Feelings
Gavin Thorpe - Out of Place
Turbowolf - Bite Me Like a Dog
Ryan Inglis - If I Fall
Hunting Lodge - Cosmic Lightning
Phil King - I Shouldn't Be Here
North Sea Navigator - Vyktor Kyam
Riot:Noise - San Francisco
The New Rhodes - Everybody Loves a Scene 

March 15

MEETING THE MUSOS

Let's Tea Party are in the spotlight this week - a band who only formed a year ago when they met at Bristol University, but have already gathered a following for their catchy, party pop and their habit of holding real tea parties at their gigs.  They managed to win two Battle Of The Bands contests on consecutive days last year, with the prize being valuable time in the studio.  They've already started recording and the fruits of their labours should be released in the summer - once they've all completed their degrees.  They're next playing at the South West Sound fringe in a Bristol venue TBC on Wednesday, April 23 then again at The Louisiana on Sunday, April 27 supporting These New Puritans.
http://www.myspace.com/letsteapartyband

GETTING THE GOSSIP

The debut album by Furlined, Love Comes In Canisters has just been released on the band's own Concave Records label - it's available from all the main online record stores.

Minamus, AKA Alex Levan from Bristol has made it to the final of a national beatboxing contest.  Bristol's female beatboxer, Bellatrix will be among the judges at the London final in June.

New Forms, the Mercury Prize winning album by Roni Size, is being released in a re-edited form on Monday, March 17.  New Forms II, The Deluxe Version is being brought out to mark the tenth anniversary of its original release.

Pictures, the debut album by Gavin Thorpe is being launched tonight, Saturday, March 15 at The Folkhouse.  Gavin's being supported by Guy Falconer.

TOP GIGS

Poppy and Cajita (in solo form) are playing at Start The Bus on Baldwin Street tomorrow, Sunday, March 16.

Rasha Shaheen is playing Acoustic Night at the Star & Dove in Totterdown on Tuesday, March 18.

Bucky and The Hinkley Veltones are supporting Frank Sidebottom at Espionage at The Cooler on Park Street on Friday, March 21.

FINE TUNED TRACKS

LET'S TEA PARTY - Barcelona
LET'S TEA PARTY- Seaside Town
FURLINED - Telephone Box
BEARDYMAN - Beardyman
RONI SIZE & REPRAZENT - Heroes
GAVIN THORPE - Out Of Place
POPPY - Did It
RASHA SHAHEEN - Bubblegum
BUCKY - The Beatles

March 8

MEETING THE MUSOS

Clumsy are a trio whose signature sound comprises vocals, acoustic guitar, bass guitar and bongos.  A sort of bluesy reggae-inflected acoustic rock sound.  Sort of.  Clumsy's core members are Joel and the brothers, Siggy and Patch.  But they can call on a keyboardist, string section and horn section taking the full line-up to fourteen on occasion.  For more than four years, Clumsy have also been acting as songwriting tutors for Bristol teenagers keen to get involved in music via the REMIX set up at The Colston Hall. 
Clumsy's first album, Felt Tip Philosophies is available at gigs and from their website.  They're currently completing a project involving recording a medley of children's TV theme tunes.  They're playing next on Wednesday, March 12 at The Riflemans Arms in Glastonbury and on Tuesday, March 25 at The Louisiana in Bristol.
http://www.myspace.com/clumsyspace

GETTING THE GOSSIP

Bristol Scene Records is a new not-for-profit label set up by members of the Bristol Music Industry Forum to promote the city's music.  The plan is to put out a compilation album first, then use proceeds from that for single releases aimed at getting radio and TV exposure for local artists outside the city.

The SXSW festival starts on Wednesday, March 12 in Austin Texas and local bands who'll be showcasing for some of the the world's biggest musical movers and shakers include Gravenhurst, Phantom Limb, Pinstripe and Secret Shine.

The 8" Brocken EP by Bronnt Industries Kapital has been put in the top 100 collectables by this month's Record Collector magazine. The EP includes tracks from the band's soundtrack of the Scandinavian witchcraft movie, Haxan.

The Monaros, who describe their sound as sultry cider pop, are looking for a drummer.  They're keen to find someone soon so they can fulfill their gig calender and get down to recording their album.

TOP GIGS

Keith Warmington and Stuart Gordon are playing a free gig at The Coronation Tap tomorrow afternoon, Sunday, March 9.

Beth Rowley is back home in Bristol next Wednesday, March 8 supporting David Gray at The Colston Hall.

The Gala Band, The Master Chaynjis and Stanton Delaplane are at The Louisiana on Wednesday, March 8.

FINE TUNED TRACKS

CLUMSY - Bothered
CLUMSY - Melodical Song
COUNTRYSIDE - Spaced Out
GRAVENHURST - Hollow Men
BRONNT INDUSTRIES KAPITAL - Brocken
THE MONAROS - Dancing Tony
KEITH WARMINGTON - Celebration
BETH ROWLEY - Magazines
THE MASTER CHAYNJIS - Dead Man's Curve

March 1

MEETING THE MUSOS
Emily Teague is a prolific singer-songwriter, whose early promise has been nurtured by Dave Lewis of Lakeside Studios, Piers Partridge from the Pindrop Band and most recently Steve Parkhouse from Jelli Records.   Emily Teague's first studio session was an 18th birthday present paid for by her friends and she hasn't looked back.  After a three year hiatus while she did her degree at Leeds, Emily's been busy writing more songs and notching up a lot of gigs.  She's a guest artist with Jelli Records and has plans to release more material soon.  Her next live performance is at The Imperial in Weston-super-Mare next Thursday, February 6.
http://www.myspace.com/emilyteaguemusic

GETTING THE GOSSIP
-Gavin Thorpe's releasing his new single, Pictures next Monday, February 3.
-The early line up for the early September event on the Isle of Wight, Bestival is out - with a scattering of local artists on the bill.  They include F*** Buttons, Kid Carpet, DJ TC and DJ Derek.  Bestival takes place at the Robin Hill Country Park between September 5 and 7.

-The late seventies Bristol band, Private Dicks are experiencing an unexpected revival, thanks to interest from young pop-punk fans on the continent.  The band have also been asked for their music to be featured in a forthingcoming movie, Scenes From Oblivion.  They're live at the Crown Cellar Bar in St Nicholas Market tomorrow, Sunday, March 2, along with the Bath band, Intern.

-Two of the singer-songwriters signed as guest artists on Jelli Records, Ruth Royall and Ryan Inglis, have reached the semi finals of the Live & Unsigned competition.  If they reach the next stage after the show at St George's in Bristol next month, they'll be in the running for a contract with Future Music, a single release and a place on a nationwide tour.

TOP GIGS

-Augustine are performing at St Bonaventures with the Dantes this evening, Saturday, March 1.
-It's Mea Culpa's last ever gig at the Croft tonight, Saturday, March 1.  They join Shadow Law, Evita, True Valiance, Ella, Lords Of The Southern Priest, Seregon, Blood Of Ash, Wait For The Signal, Start Of Nothing and Ashes On Your Grave for a metal spectacular.
-Katy Tucker, Annette Berlin and Eirlys Rhiannon are at The Thunderbolt in Totterdown on Friday, March 7.

FINE TUNED TRACKS

EMILY TEAGUE - Absolutely Yes
EMILY TEAGUE - Not Scars And Not Bruises
GAVIN THORPE - Pictures
KID CARPET - Employee Of The Month
PRIVATE DICKS - Forget The Night
RUTH ROYALL - All I Need
AUGUSTINE - Phrase Of Angels
MEA CULPA - Godless Confession
ANNETTE BERLIN - Devil May Care