Good On Paper Playlist October 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings and features.

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below…

1 - Rue Royale - Halfway Blind (Sun 2nd, The Prince Albert)

2 - Emily Barker – Nostalgia (Tues 25th, The Prince Albert) 

3 - Chris Pureka – Landlocked (Weds 5th, The Convent) 

4 - The Pictish Trail – Dead Connection (Thurs 6th, The Prince Albert) 

5 - Russian Flying Squirrel (pick up October issue for interview!) 

6 - Blood Sport – Clasp My Head (Sat 22nd SVA) 

7 - The Bristol Ensemble – Vivaldi Four Seasons (Sun 9th Christ Church, Nailsworth) 

8 - Buffalo Skinners – Goodbye To My First Love (Fri 21st, The Prince Albert) 

9 - Marc O’Reilly – Scottish Widow (Sun 16th, The Convent)

10 - Climbing Trees – Graves (Sat 8th, The Convent) 

11 - Rackhouse Pilfer – Bright Lights (Weds 19th, The Prince Albert) 

Pick up issue #19 (out now) for further info!

K. Sridhar by Camilla Hale

This Friday at Lansdown Hall local sarod player K. Sridhar will be accompanied on tabla by Sanjay Jhalla for what promises to be a mellow evening of pure classical North Indian music. Camilla Hale caught up with Sridhar prior to the concert to delve further into the life of the world renowned musician and the music of India...

Sridhar, tell me a little about your life.

I was born in Mumbai in India nearly 70 years ago to a family steeped in generations of music. My two elder brothers both started music lessons early and by five it had been decided for me that I would play the sarod. Mother sang bhajans, played sitar and taught singing and she sang for the great masters in the first half of the 20th century with her father. She gave us tremendous knowledge in music especially south Indian music. My sarod teacher was a Muslim teacher from an old family of Rajastani court musicians and once I started my training was really 8 hours a day minimum.

I was also introduced to yoga and breathing from a very young age and my sufi guru taught me over many years to incorporate yoga and music together. He was not a musician but he understood sound and how to work on sound which comes from the Anahata chakra – ‘the unstruck note of the heart’. He encouraged me to listen to, work with and learn with others from all disciplines and faiths.

Both teachers insisted on intense and rigorous training – hour and hours a day throughout my youth. A great musician told me – ‘5 minutes of learning, 15 hours a day practice and 50 years of listening will make you a good student’.

Who else were inspirations for you?

In India I was so lucky to play with Ravi Shankar in his orchestra from when I was eleven and with Ali Akhbar Khan, the greatest sarod player. I also toured with a south Indian bhajan singer, Haridas,  and I listened to western music; flamenco, jazz and classical.  

Has your music changed as you have grown older?

When I first came to Europe in my early 30’s I was keen to play with all kinds of musicians. I love jazz and I also played with Middle Eastern musicians who share many of the roots of my classical Indian music. But as I have become older I want more and more to concentrate on that early teaching – on the purity of the style of classical music that I play and on the aspects of Naada Yoga which is so important to the way that I play.

And Naada Yoga is?

The Sanskrit word “naada” can be translated as tone or vibration.  Naada Yoga is the yoga of sound.  Tones are produced in order to yoke the mind towards the Divine.  This can be done in combination with breath and posture by the sound maker but listening is equally a part of Naada Yoga.  A struck tuning fork emits not only its own tone but a vibration that causes other nearby forks to emit their tone.  In the same manner, listening to music will create a sympathetic resonation in one’s own being.  A concert involving Naada Yoga works in the same way.

Music really is food for the soul – – Naada Yoga incorporates chanting, postures and mantras and breathing for the audience to have an understanding of the soul and consciousness through sound.

In the beginning there is the musician, the instrument, and audience.  In the end, all three merge into the ocean of sound.

You often perform with your eyes closed, how do you connect with the audience in this way?

I concentrate very deeply before a concert and decide on which raga to play and focus on that raga and its colours, its time of day, the individual sounds within it. I play the instrument but the music, the raga is somehow played through me and allows me to act as a conduit for the raga and all its meanings and interpretations and improvisations. If I had my eyes open I would be distracted from that inspiration. However I can feel the audience, I can hear it and I am very aware of how the audience is reacting to the music.

What are Ragas?

Ragas are structures of notes through which I can improvise with an understood grammar – like words being put together in sentences and paragraphs and chapters. Ragas have colours, are related to times of day or night or phases of the moon, have emotions. The first part goes through creation, preservation and dissolution and then the rhythm section comes in and the dialogue between rhythm and melody runs to the end.

Could you tell us a bit about the sarod and the tabla?

The sarod has 25 strings, 4 playing strings, 2 rhythm strings and the others tuned to the dominant (tonic) note that the raga starts and ends with. There are no frets on the metal fingerboard and the notes are slid into and can contain many notes within one action. The tabla is made up of two drums, one wooden and one metal and both with skins stretched across them. The wooden drum is the main rhythmic drum with a sharp sound and the metal drum gives a wonderful, deeper sliding sound. The rhythm can be in 8 beats or 16 beats or many other variations and there are many different qualities of sounds that are made.

Finally - how to be a good audience?

Before entering the hall leave your ego and intellect outside, like leaving your shoes outside a mosque or temple. Listen with the heart not the mind. Try to surrender to the music and let it take you where it goes. People will have different experiences according to their own lives. Afterwards the melody won’t stay with you but like incense the fragrance of the music will stay for some time. If you listen from the heart you gain experience. If you listen from the head you gain knowledge...

K.Sridhar's concert takes place this Friday 23rd Sept at the Lansdown Hall at 7:15pm. Tickets are available on the door for £12/£10concs, with delicious samosas and chai being served in the interval. Visit www.sridhar.org for further information and tour dates.

Camilla Hale has worked for a lot of local charities, both as volunteer and project manager; run tours to India and brought three Indian artists to the Museum in the Park in 2010 for a month long textile exhibition. she is currently a Stroud Town Councillor.

Good On Paper Playlist September 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month features artists playing at the Prince Albert, Lansdown Hall, SVA, the Golden Fleece, the Ale House, the Convent, Prema Arts Centre and Christ Church (Nailsworth) during September 2016!

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below…

1 - Soccer96: SuperWarrior (Thurs 22nd, The Prince Albert) 

2 - Hans-Joachim Roedelius (Thurs 15th, SVA Goods Shed) 

3 - Andrew Heath: Epiphany (Thurs 15th, SVA Goods Shed)

4 - The Bristol Ensemble: Ritual Fire Dance (Sun 18th, Christ Church, Nailsworth)

5 - K.Sridhar: Vilambit Gat in Keervani (Sat 24th, Lansdown Hall) 

6 - Tcha Limberger’s Budapest Gypsy Orchestra (Thurs 29th, The Convent)

7 - The Schmoozenbergs: Joseph Joseph (Sat 10th, The Golden Fleece) 

8 - The Peoples String Foundation: Cats Not Home (Sat 24th, Prema Arts Centre)

9 - Apple of My Eye: The Beast Below (Sat 24th, The Prince Albert) 

10 - The Eskies: Wicked Game (Fri 30th, The Convent)

11 - Teyr: Shady Grove (Fri 23rd, the Ale House)

12 - Adam Holmes and the Embers: People Come and Go (Thurs 1st, The Convent)

13 - Sinnober: Alexandra Leaving (Sat 17th, The Golden Fleece) 

Pick up issue #18 (out now) for further info!

Good On Paper Playlist August 2016: Stroud Fringe

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

For this month's playlist we've put together a Stroud Fringe special including artists playing at this year's festival! 

Click here to listen and see track list below…

1 - Ardyn: The Valley

2 - James Canty: Putney Bridge

3 - Sloes: Chasing Tails

4 - Zak Abel: Everybody Needs Love

5 - Rival Consoles: Low

6 - Shield Patterns: Ruby Red

7 - Petrels: Concrete

8 - Body Clocks: Still Life

9 - Boka 45: We’re Right Here

10 - DJ Andy Smith

11 - Rhoda Dakar: Easy Life

12 - Folk In A Box

13 - Mirror Furies: Born Screaming

14 - Russian Flying Squirrels: And the People Say

Pick up issue #17 (out now) and visit stroudfringe.co.uk for further info!

Stroud Fringe 2016: This Is A Call To All...

Images by: Tammy-Lynn Photography, Cam McMillan and Helen Rodgers © Stroud Fringe

Last year's Stroud Fringe stayed in people's minds long after the last chords played out... Ingenious pop-up stages in shopping centre loading bays, a procession led by a red rams head with golden horns, a gigantic mind boggling walk-in structure, fire-breathers, exhibitions, circus acts, authors, poets, comedians, theatre companies and a ridiculous amount of bands and artists over just one weekend in August. All for free. 

Tirelessly organised by a new committee the fringe felt completely re-invented and deftly celebrated what makes this town so unique. Thousands of people of all age groups descended upon the town to take part in the festivities leaving with a smile on their face and happy memories in tow. Job done.

Despite the extra work and funding it takes to create a free festival the fringe is still fully committed to being just that and rely on sponsorship, partnerships and donations to secure it's ongoing future. Less than a week after the news of Brexit it seems to have all ready hit businesses sadly resulting in some funding earmarked for this year's festival now no longer available. "This really isn't about political comment, just a statement of fact of the situation we find ourselves in. We are aware of other arts/community events facing the same problems with funding as us and we respect the position of businesses and funding bodies in this time of financial uncertainty. Running Stroud Fringe is an expensive business - it costs over £10,000 just for security and medical cover before we can even start building stages and having fun. Support from the local community and fans of Stroud Fringe would enable us to run the festival in all its glory again this year - goodness knows we need a party!" Stroud Fringe Team

So there you have it, the fringe will no doubt still take place and be as ambitious a project as it was last year - but it needs your help!  Visit the website, click the donation button and give as little or as much as you can and invite your friends to do the same...Long live the fringe

www.stroudfringe.co.uk

Click here for details of the Good On Paper stage at this year's Stroud Fringe taking place on Sunday 28th August at St Laurence Church...

Good On Paper YouTube Playlist July 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month features artists playing at the Prince Albert, Lansdown Hall, St Laurence Church, Smugglers Trail, Eppyfest, and Stroud Sacred Music Festival in Stroud and Prema Arts Centre in Uley during July 2016!

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below…

1 - Cocos Lovers: Walk Among the Ghosts (9th – 10th, Smugglers Trail)

2 - The John Langan Band: I’m Alive Mama (9th - 10th, Smugglers Trail)

3 - Hot Feet: Three Black Crosses (9th - 10th, Smugglers Trail)

4 - Lorkin O’Reilly: Alba (Sun 3rd, The Prince Albert)

5 - Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra: High Speed Train (Fri 8th, Prema Arts Centre)

6 - William D Drake: Distant Buzzing (Sat 16th, Eppyfest, Lansdown Hall)

7 - Sheelanagig: Lamento Di Tristano (9th - 10th, Smugglers Trail)

8 - Solana: Camino Del Auga (Thurs 7th, The Prince Albert)

9 - Susheela Raman: Ennapane (Sat 2nd, St Laurence Church, Stroud Sacred Music Festival)

10 - Alash: My Throat Solo (Mon 25th, The Prince Albert)

11 - Ganda Boys: Jinja Road  (Stroud Sacred Music Festival, St Laurence Church)

12 - The Sirkis/Bialas International Quartet: Come To Me (Sat 16th, Eppyfest, Lansdown Hall)

13 - Judy Dyble: I Talk To The Wind (Sat 16th, Eppyfest, Lansdown Hall)

Pick up issue #16 (out now) for further info!

Good On Paper YouTube Playlist June 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month features artists playing at the Prince Albert, Stroud Brewery, the Subscription Rooms, Stroud Valley Artspace and the Convent in Stroud during June 2016!

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below…

1 - Applewood Road: Applewood Road (Fri 24th, The Prince Albert)

2 - Martin O’Reilly: Captain’s Daughter (Sat 11th, the Convent)

3 - Trembling Bells: I Made A Date (Tues 21st, SVA Goods Shed)

4 - Brooke Sharkey: White Chalk (Thurs 16th, The Prince Albert)

5 - Body Clocks: Afterglow (Fri 3rd, SVA John Street)

6 - Duke St Workshop & Laurence R Harvey: It Is Not A Dream (Sat 25th, SVA Goods Shed)

7 - Ramses (Sat 11th, Stroud Brewery Festival)

8 - The After Hours: Red Dust (Sat 11th, Stroud Brewery Festival)

9 - Daddy Long Legs: Evil Eye (Tues 14th, SVA Goods Shed)

10 - Joe Louis Walker: One Sunny Day (Mon 13th, The Convent)

11 - Brooks Williams: Weeping Willow Blues (Sat 4th, The Subscription Rooms)

12 - Wild Ponies: Lullaby (Weds 29th, the Prince Albert)

13 - Lynne Hanson: Here That Old House (Weds 29th, The Prince Albert)

14 - Hunter and Bear: Forest On The Hill (Weds 22nd, The Convent)

15 - Gilmore and Roberts: Doctor Jones (Thurs 2nd, The Convent)

16 - The Cory Band: Theme from Superman (Sun 12th, The Subscription Rooms)

 Pick up issue #15 (out now) for further info!

Jazz Stroud

“Jazz is the only music in which the same note can be played night after night but differently each time.” Ornette Coleman

Next weekend sees a hoard of jazz musicians from Stroud and further afield descend upon the town centre for a packed three days of live music. The eclectic line-up boasts the likes of Andy Sheppard’s Pushy Doctors, Feelgood Experiment, Remi Harris, the Evil Usses, the Andy Nowak Trio, Michelson Morley, the Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra and Swing from Paris joined by local jazz favourites including the Tadlib Collective, the Dave Ayre Trio, Ramses, Patsy Gamble, the Mighty John Street Ska Orchestra, Clonewheel and many more…

The full schedule confirmed shortly after our May issue hit the streets so we've put together the complete programme for you below!

FRIDAY 27th MAY

DUFFLE

Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra The CIO is a non-genre specific Orchestra which sees no distinction between professional or amateur players. It's both transgressive and transformative focussing on free improvisation and challenging traditions of conduction, form and structure. 8:30pm Free

MEME

Tadek Chylinski-Reid Tadek currently teaches and performs around the country and also in Germany, where his professor Stephanie Winker - Principal Flute Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra – lives, in Freiburg. He also studies under Michael Cox - Principal Flute BBC Symphony Orchestra. He gave the first ever Beatbox Flute Masterclass this year at the Frankfurt Conservatoire alongside the world’s leading contemporary flautist and composer, Ian Clarke. Tadek currently holds sponsorship under the conductor, Martyn Brabbins – Chief conductor Nagoya Philharmonic and Principal Guest Royal Flemish Orchestra. 8pm Free

MUSEUM IN THE PARK

Tetraphonic at the Fred Chance and David Corio: Keeping Time Exhibition The Spirit of Jazz thrives in this energetic off-kilter four-piece from Cheltenham and Stroud, featuring Tommy Charles on piano, Emma Ordonez on trumpet, drummer Andy Youell and bassist Richard Pond at the opening of the exhibition ‘Keeping Time’, a collection of photographs of musicians by David Corio and Fred Chance. The exhibition runs until Sunday 26th June pick up a copy of next month’s issue to find out more…7pm Free

SVA (John Street)

Pure Evil Members: Evil 1 - guitar, keys, vocals, glockenspiel, flageolet, sound effects, Evil 2 - double-bass, lead vocals, sound effects, Evil 3 - drums, vocals, percussion, kazoo, sound effects, GIN!!!Genre: Punk, Jazz, Lounge, Latin, Cockney, Avant-Garde. 10pm Free

SATURDAY 28TH MAY

THE ALE HOUSE

The Dave Ayre Trio World class jazz from Dave Ayre and members of his jazz collective, bringing together their combined experience of working with artists such as Dave Norton, Chick Corea & Sir John Dankworth to create a vibrant and unique jazz sound. Red Hot Be-Bop, moving ballads and classic swing from an extensive and enthralling repertoire 1pm Free

Swing from Paris Bringing you the sounds of a chic Parisian café and the French jazz of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Expect music by Edith Piaf, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and more - stylish gypsy jazz and vintage swing, with violin, guitars and double bass.8:30pm Free

MEME

Weston & Dellow Becky Dellow, Matthias Weston and Special guest Milly Dellow play a fusion of Irish and English tunes, folk songs, and Jazz, with a splash of funk too…3.30pm Free

Mia Cooke and Andrew McKenzie Local jazz duo 7:30pm Free

SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS

Jazz Friday Local Big Band of about twenty players. Members mainly coming from the Stroud area and include ‘late-bloomers’ and ‘young hot-shots’.12pm Free (Sub Rooms Forecourt)

Remi Harris Regarded by many as one of the UK's Top up and coming young jazz guitarists and in 2014 he was awarded runner up in the British Jazz Awards in both the “Rising Star” and “Guitar” categories. His unique style blends elements from Gypsy Swing, Jazz, Blues, Rock'n'Roll, Hip Hop and World Music. Support from Lewis & Dav. 8:30pm £10/£8concs

SVA (Goods Shed)

The Tadlib Collective A new and exciting formation of professional players across the South-West, expanded from the still running Tadlib Collective trio, the quintet comprises Matt King (guitar), Alex Howgego (piano), James Agg (double bass), Jonathon Green (drums) and Tadek Chylinski-Reid (flute). The Collective have redefined the original Jazz standards, injecting a contemporary twist on what they play. With unique instrumentation and an original, innovative collection of rearrangements and originals, the Collective provide and produce an eclectic mix of Jazz, Latin, Bossa, Fusion and Funk, and aim to bring Jazz to the masses. Plus support from Patsy Gamble, a world class saxophonist, composer and performer who has played around the world with the likes of Mick Jagger, Steve Winwood, Ruby Turner and Grand Drive. 8pm £6adv/£7otd

SVA (John Street)

Stroud Jazz Sessions Special Stroud Jazz Sessions have been based at SVA John Street for the last 12 years. They host a regular jazz jam session every 2nd Thursday of the month with an invited guest musician.This special Jazz Jam extended event for Jazz Stroud will follow the same format as their Thursday nights, special guests plus the usual Jazz Jam House Band lead by Tommy Charles. 11am-5pm Free

The Feelgood Experiment 6-piece soul-hop collective Feelgood Experiment are one of Bristol's most exciting new musical exports, creating innovative sounds inspired by the likes of Fela Kuti, John Coltrane, Hiatus Kaiyote, D'Angelo, Miles Davis and Takuya Kuroda. Fronted by vocalist Holly Wellington and trumpeter Alfie Grieve, it features the very best of Bristol's blossoming young music scene as they combine a love of jazz, soul, Afrobeat, hip hop and R&B to concoct bewitching tunes with complex rhythmic counterpoint and irresistibly groovy harmonic lines. We defy you not to dance! 11pm £6adv/£7otd

SUNDAY 29TH MAY

THE GOLDEN FLEECE

Tristan Watson & John Broomhill Local guitarist Tristan Watson has over 20 years of experience of playing Jazz with a vast and varied selection of Musicians and is also a Leeds College of Music Jazz degree graduate. In an intimate duo setting with keyboard player John Broomhill he will play a collection of Jazz standards and Latin numbers. Tristan plays in the bebop style with allot of swing inspired by the great American Jazz Guitar tradition. From fast tempos to slow ballads, expect a well-executed musical performance.2pm Free

SVA (Goods Shed)

Andy Nowak Trio Andy Nowak’s reputation as an outstanding pianist has been growing steadily and now he is debuting his first album. Expect boldly creative playing with thematic ideas at the forefront. 1pm Free

The Mighty John Street Ska Orchestra The MJSSO cover jazz tunes made popular by the Skatalites during the 60s and 70s. It boasts a 9 piece brass and has a tight rhythm section that drives the offbeat forwards.2pm Free

Michelson Morley Electronics and acoustic instruments combine to create melodic, atmospheric, minimalist music led by Get the Blessing saxophonist Jake McMurchie and featuring the best of the Bristol: Will Harris, Mark Whitlam, and special guest Dan Messore. 4pm Free

Andy Sheppard and The Pushy Doctors with support from Ramses The Pushy Doctors are Andy Sheppard on saxophone, Tony Orrell on drums and Dan Moore on keys. They play an irreverent repertoire that will both surprise and intoxicate, including obscurities from Neil Young, Coltrane, The Beatles, Pink Floyd amongst others. This is jazz for medicinal purposes only. Fresh out from the studio, local jazz troupe Ramses have just finished recording their debut EP. 'An electric fusion of Bass-heavy funk and jazz.' Watch this Space! 8:15pm £9adv/£10otd

SVA (John Street)

The Evil Usses and Clonewheel The Evil Usses are one of the most exciting and refreshing bands to grace the planet in recent years. Although they won’t be travelling far geographically, they hail spiritually and sonically from a land far, far away! A Bristol based four-piece who play rocky notjazz, jazzy notrock and post-op psychedelic pop, they’re often praised for their amazingly wild and energetic live shows. Support comes from Clonewheel - A brand new trio formed from the ashes of one-gig-wonder band, King Klam, who debuted and disbanded at the SVA last October, all in one emotional evening. Expect rhythmically enchanting harmonic odysseys led by Alun Elliott-Williams on guitar, soaring over into the fuzz-junk groove sector of Hugh Hopper and drummer Rob Pemberton from Hot Feet.10:30pm £6otd

Visit sva.org.uk and the facebook event page for further info! 

Rodborough Ride and Family Fun Day @ the Prince Albert - Sun 22nd May

This Sunday 22nd May Rodborough Playgroup invites the whole community to the Rodborough Ride and Family Fun Day at the Prince Albert on Rodborough Hill for live music, face painting, kids crafts, Circle Time Craft Stall, raffle, cake stall and BBQ!

The Sponsored bike ride leaves at 12pm from the Albert and last about an hour. There is still time to register and collect sponsor forms from the Albert or Rodborough Playgroup. Over 18's only for the bike ride, all cycling abilities welcome! 

The Rodborough Playgroup is a parent-run community playgroup and registered charity situated on the edge of Rodborough Common. All donations raised will go to directly to the playgroup to help secure it's ongoing future. 

Visit www.rodboroughplaygroup.co.uk and the facebook event page here for further info!

Right, better go fix my bike.

 

 

Good On Paper YouTube Playlist May 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month features artists playing at the Ale House, The Prince Albert, Black Book Cafe, the Crown & Sceptre, the Subscription Rooms, SVA, the Convent in Stroud, and Christ Church (Nailsworth), Nailsworth Subscription Rooms, the Hog at Horsley and Ruskin Mill (Horsley) during May 2016!

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below…

1 - Hot Feet: Three Black Crosses (Thurs 26th, The Prince Albert)

2 - Moulettes: Lady Vengeance (Fri 6th, The Convent)

3 - Cocos Lovers: Emily (Fri 27th, The Prince Albert)

4 - Sam Lee: The Ballad of George Collins (Tues 24th, Ruskin Mill)

5 - Perhaps Contraption: I Am I (Sat 21st, The Prince Albert)

6 - Michelson Morley: Last of Me (Jazz Stroud see SVA for info)

7 - Vels Trio (Jazz Stroud, see SVA for info)

8 - Ramses (Jazz Stroud, see SVA for info)

9 - Andy Sheppard: Ishidatami (Sun 29th, The Goods Shed, Stroud Jazz)

10 - John Metcalfe: Sycamore (Sat 21st, SVA Goods Shed)

11 - Escher String Quartet: Schubert’s Quartettsatz (Sun 22nd, Christchurch, Nailsworth)

12 - Remi Harris Project: All of Me (Sat 28th, Subscription Rooms)

13 - Swing from Paris (Sat 28th, the Ale House + the Hog at Horsley)

14 - Garance and the Mitochondries: La Pourriture Embellit Les Moeurs (Fri 6th, The Prince Albert)

15 - Ma Polaine’s Great Decline: Suffer it Well (Sat 28th, Nailsworth Subscription Rooms)

16 - Brooke Sharkey: Wandering Heart (Thurs 12th, The Prince Albert)

17 - Adam Beattie: The Man Who Loves Too Much (Sun 29th, The Convent)

18 - The Dukes of Mumbai: Jack the Ripper (Fri 13th, Crown and Sceptre)

19 - Bad Manners: Lip Up Fatty (Sun 8th, Subscription Rooms)

20 - Harlem Street Singer (Sun 22nd, Subscription Rooms)

21 - Leonie Evans: Distractions (Thurs 26th, The Prince Albert)

22 - Bella Hardy: First Light of the Morning (Thurs 19th, The Convent)

23 - Wes Finch: Ain’t We The Lucky Ones (Sat 21st, Black Book Café)

24 - Gill Sandell: Sparkle Eyes (Tues 10th, The Prince Albert)

25 - Cale Tyson: Traveling Man (Thurs 5th, The Convent)  

26 - Fairport Convention: Meet on the Ledge (Fri 27th, The Convent)

Pick up issue #14 (out now) for dates and further info!

 

 

All hail the return of the Gert Yurt...

For the next two weekends in April the mighty 'Gert Yurt' is set to return the gardens of the Crown and Sceptre bringing with it a packed programme of comedy, cabaret, a charity chilli cook-off, over 20 bands and solo artists and an immeasurable amount of ale, craft and cider...


It all starts of on Saturday 16th April with the yurts first ever Crown & Laughter Comedy and Cabaret Night featuring top comics Mark Felgate  and Wayne the Weird alongside some of Stroud’s finest home-grown acts Kirsty Donnelly, Amy Godfrey & Kai Gynn with MC  Gavin Pond. This runs alongside the annual Ale, Craft Beer and Cider Festival + the Siena Pizza van will be in operation outside to provide much needed sustenance. Tickets cost just £5 and are available from the pub and Trading Post

Sunday 17th April welcomes the Americana Music Festival with the likes of Will Killeen, Dr Slash and Payne and many more.It's also the day of the Charity Chilli Cook Off with some of Stroud’s top chefs and foodies competing for the inaugural Crown & Sceptre Chilli Society’s Chilli Cook Off Cup! The cooking starts at 2.30pm and will be judged at 6.30pm when the public will be able to try the Chilli’s for a Charitable donation. 

The following weekend from the 22nd - 24th April is the third annual Stroud Unplugged Festival featuring some of Stroud's favourite singer songwriters including Emily Barker, Hattie Briggs, Ceilidh-Jo and Matthias Weston. See full listings below!

All hail the Gurt Yurt.

Sat 16th Crown and Laughter Comedy & Cabaret Night:
Mark Felgate, Wayne the Weird, Kirsty Donnelly, Amy Godfrey, Mark Powell, Kai Gynn and MC Gavin Pond Tickets £5 from the pub and Trading Post

Sun 17th Americana Festival
2pm Dr’s Slash & Payne
3pm Will Killeen
4pm The Reverend Stretch
5pm The Bob Porter Project
6pm Chilli Judging
7pm BeauChief
+ Charity Chilli Cook-Off

Fri 22nd - Sun 24th Stroud Unplugged Festival
Friday:
8pm Ceilidh-Jo & Matthias
9pm Hattie Briggs
Tickets £5 from the pub and Trading Post
Saturday:
2pm Leon Day
3pm B-Side Vocal
4pm Johnson & Novak
5pm John McLellan
6pm Keith Patterson
7pm Whiteshillbillies
8pm Dr Zebo's Wheezy Club
9pm Ruth's Curtain
Sunday:
1pm Beka and Harry
2pm Drs Slash and Payne
3pm The Reverend Stretch
4pm Tom Drywood
5pm Leon Gormley
6pm Ben & Ru
7pm Confetti Underground
8pm Emily Barker
   

Good On Paper YouTube Playlist April 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month features artists playing at The Prince Albert, Crown & Sceptre, Goods Shed, Golden Fleece, Subscription Rooms, Trading Post, Unit2, the Convent in Stroud and Christ Church (Nailsworth) and St Mary’s Church (Painswick) during April 2016!

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below…

1 - Sam Brookes: Numb (Tues 5th, Prince Albert)

2 - Emily Barker: Little Deaths (Sat 16th Trading Post + Sun 24th Crown and Sceptre)

3 - Tom West: Easy Love (Sun 24th, Prince Albert)

4 - Benjamin Folke Thomas: Hole In My Heart (Sun 17th, Prince Albert)

5 - Bronnt Industries Kapital: The Train (Fri 15th, Goods Shed) 

6 - Luo: Ebb & Flow (Fri 1st, Unit 2)

7 - Calico: Fold A Winning Hand (Fri 1st, Unit 2)

8 - The Schmoozenbergs: Joseph Joseph (Sat 9th, Golden Fleece) 

9 - Tantz: Etrog Promander (Sat 23rd, Prince Albert)

10 - Sam Green and the Midnight Heist: Hitchin A Ride (Thurs 14th, Prince Albert)

11 - Jasper in the Company of Others: Between The Lines (Fri 29th, Prince Albert)

12 - Treacherous Orchestra: Superfly (Sun 17th, Convent)

13 - Will Pound and Eddy Jay: Floating Candle (Thurs 14th, Convent)

14 - Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers (Thurs 21st, Subcription Rooms)

15 - Luke Fowler and Richard Youngs (Sat 2nd, Goods Shed)

16 - Asteroid Deluxe: Fantastic Planet (Fri 29th, Goods Shed)

17 - Sinnober: Maria (Thurs 24th, Golden Fleece)

18 - Bryde: Wait (Tues 5th, Prince Albert)

19 - Luke Daniels: Three Servants (Sun 3rd, Convent)

20 - Blue Rose Code: Whitechapel(Sat 30th, Convent)

21 - Bella Hardy: Time Wanders On (Weds 6th, Convent)

22 - Viv McLean: Debussy – Des Pas Sur La Neige (Sun 3rd, Christchurch, Nailsworth)

23 - Voces8: Ubi Caritas (Sat 23rd, St Mary’s Church, Painswick)

24 - Kathryn Williams: Cuckoo (Sat 23rd, Convent)

25 - Water Pageant: Overlaps (Sat 16th, Trading Post)

Pick up issue #13 of Good On Paper (out now!) for dates and further info

 

 

Good On Paper YouTube Playlist March 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month features artists playing at The Prince Albert, Open House, the Crown & Sceptre, the Subscription Rooms, the Convent in Stroud plus Christ Church (Nailsworth), Prema Arts Centre (Uley) and Ruskin Mill (Horsley) during March 2016!

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below...

1 - Boat to Row: Whistle and I’ll Come To You (The Prince Albert, Fri 18th)

2 - Keston Cobblers Club: Wild Fire (The Convent, Fri 4th)

3 - Eyebrow: Eye Pod (Open House, Stroud Film Festival, Sat 5th)

4 - The Brackish: Physical Jerks (The Prince Albert, Sat 5th)

5 - The Edsel Furys: Seedy Undertone (The Crown and Sceptre, Fri 18th) 

6 - Gaz Brookfield: The Diabetes Blues (Sub Rooms, Sat 19th)

7 - Ella and Her Blisters: Alcoholic Flaw (The Prince Albert, Fri 4th)

8 - Barbarellas Bang Bang: Here and Now (The Prince Albert, Fri 11th) 

9 - Yves Lambert Trio: La Chanson Du Capitaine Bernard (Prema Arts Centre, Sat 19th)

10 - Arlet: Mattematix (The Prince Albert, Sun 13th)

11 - Bristol Ensemble: Vivaldi Four Seasons – Winter (Christchurch, Sun 6th)

12 - Leveret: The Good Old Way (The Convent, Sun 6th)

13 - The Furrow Collective: Henry Lee (Ruskin Mill, Fri 18th)

14 - Babajack: Running Man (The Prince Albert, Tues 8th)

15 - The Eskies: Wicked Game (The Prince Albert, Weds 9th)

16 - Hattie Briggs: Old Eyes (Sub Rooms, 26th)

17 - Kelly Oliver: Copperhead Road (The Convent, Fri 25th)

18 - Jake Morley: Many Fish To Fry (The Convent, Fri 11th)

19 - People’s String Foundation (The Prince Albert, Sat 12th)

Pick up issue #12 (out now) for further info!

 

Album Review: Applewood Road by Nikki Owen

The Nashville folk band Applewood Road have already made something of a splash before their debut album of the same name has even come out.  Bagging a session live on Dermot O’Leary’s Radio 2 Saturday afternoon show, the girls Amber Rubarth , Amy Speace and Stroud based Emily Barker showcased their eerie, ethereal three-part harmony voices before an LP was even pressed. Even then, they made an impact, so what now of their new album?

The band has wisely gone for simplicity, and listening to their music, it works. They use their voices. They use live recordings in analogue around one microphone. They use acoustic guitars, a banjo, harmonicas and, sometimes, a piano, but that’s it. No whizz technology, no synthing of voices, and hearing the tunes, especially the opener – entitled Applewood Road, naturally – you get a real sense here that this is a collection of music that yes, you want to listen to, but when you do, you may, as a result, actually feel a little bit better after a hard day at work. Or just, well, a hard day, really.

As the album shifts on from the title song, we get to pick up the simplicity as it’s carried along to create melodies that sound anything but straight forward. Sad Little Tune, for example, several tracks in, has a bootleg quality about it, and blended with the harmonic, almost mermaid type voices of the experienced singers, you end up finding yourself a bit entranced, a bit taken in by the whispering yet upbeat quality of it all.  This is folk music at its best all right, but don’t be fooled by the folk side of it – these are tunes that have the ability to transcend genres.

In fact, Applewood Road’s music fits with what seems to be an emerging trend of folk music shifting gear into the mainstream chart topping highway. And so it should. This is good, good stuff. My Love For You Grows and Josephine, are two further tracks that catch your breath a little, along with the goosebump-inducing Home Fires (my favourite). But, what’s clever about it is that these are songs that would be just right played at home in the back ground while your dinner party carried on or while you curled up with a good book, just as much they would be being belted out loud from a festival stage. This, my friend, is music that, whatever the context, means something.

The only thing I struggled with here, sometimes, was the sudden change of pace in the album, especially when the banjo was introduced. However, I think this is  more down to my ears perhaps not being that used to the sound of this instrument. After a few re-runs of the banjo tunes, I gradually got used to it, and, yes, liked it. The ‘country’ element of such songs were probably my least favourite, but really that’s by the by. This is an album that deserves to grace many a dining room and lounge and festival stage and, heck, just about anywhere really. Your ears – and soul – will, I believe, thank you for it.

Applewood Road’s album is out on vinyl via Gearbox Records on the 12th February

Nikki Owen is an author and writer. Her début thriller, Subject 375 (Harper Collins), is out now. Catch her at blog www.nikkiowen.wordpress.com or website www.nikkiowenauthor.com

Pick up a copy of Issue #11 Feb 2016 for Nikki's Applewood Road feature including an interview with Emily Barker

Good On Paper YouTube Playlist February 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month's playlist includes artists playing at the Prince Albert, the Ale House, the Golden Fleece, the Convent, Christchurch, Ruskin Mill and Prema Arts Centre during February 2016!

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below...

1 - MARINE: Selkie (The Prince Albert, Thurs 18th) 

2 - Theo Bard: Never Alone (The Prince Albert, Sun 21st) 

3 - Sweet Baboo: Let’s Go Swimming Wild (The Prince Albert, Wed 10th) 

4 - John McCullagh and the Escorts: She's Calling Me (The Convent, Thurs 25th) 

5 - The Selecter: On My Radio (The Convent, Thurs 18th) 

6 - Thee Ones: Mr Shepherd (The Ale House, Fri 28th) 

7 - Ruarri Joseph: Anyway (The Prince Albert, Fri 19th) 

8 - Jack Cookson: Defect in Retrospect (The Golden Fleece, Thurs 4th) 

9 - Santiago Cordoba: Yo Se Que Canto Fiero (The Prince Albert, Fri 12th) 

10 - Maarja Nuut: Veere, Veere, Paevakene (Prema Arts Centre, Fri 12th) 

11 - The Bristol Ensemble: Fratres (Arvo Part) (Christchurch, Nailsworth Sun 14th) 

12 - Three Cane Whale: The Huddling Place(Prema Arts Centre, Fri 12th) 

13 - Boldwood: Mrs Savages Whim (Ruskin Mill, Fri 5th) 

14 - The Changing Room: Hal and Tow (The Convent, Sun 7th) 

15 - Mad Dog Mcrea: The Happy Bus (Prema Arts Centre, Sat 27th) 

16 - Rob Heron and the Teapad Orchestra: High Speed Train (The Prince Albert, Fri 4th) 

17 - Rackhouse Pilfer: Bright Lights (The Prince Albert, Thurs 11th) 

18 - Austin Lucas: Alone in Memphis (The Prince Albert, Weds 24th) 

19 - Adam Faucett: Possum (The Prince Albert, Weds 24th)  

20 - Maz O’Connor: Awake Awake(The Convent, Sat 20th) 

21 - Skunk Boy Project: Some Kind of Beauty (The Prince Albert, Sun 7th) 

Pick up issue #11 Feb 2016 for further info!

Live Review: Leonie Evans, The Magic Lantern and Hot Feet @ SVA 9th Dec 2015 by Anna Jacob

I first came across the music of Jamie Doe, aka The Magic Lantern via a friend (and musician) Wallis Bird. She and her girlfriend raved about him so often that when I spotted his name on a bill with Stroud’s favourite band Hot Feet a couple of years ago at the Prince Albert, there was no chance I’d be missing the gig. Jamie had the room rapt and enchanted, as he does, and after the gig I sidled up and told him that Wallis’ recommendation had not disappointed. He knew her name. She had gotten hold of his phone number and been leaving him regular gushing messages of mega-fan adoration. He had been listening to her music too and a curious mutual fandom had developed between them.

Not long after this I had the satisfaction of introducing Jamie and Wallis to each other (they got on like a house on fire), and now as a lovely new chapter in the story, Wallis appears on the new Magic Lantern album, singing her version of his song; Air At The Top

The new album is a great concept; Jamie Doe asked friends and fellow musicians he has been inspired by to record their own covers of songs from his 2014 album: Love Of Too Much Living. The collection makes you appreciate Jamie’s song-writing skill in many new lights and shades. My personal highlights are Rozi Plain’s version of Different Paths, Sam Brookes’ take on the song Stitches, and of course Hot Feet’s Elbow-esque cover of No One’s Fault

Alongside the London album launch, Jamie has thankfully not neglected the UK’s secondary musical capital - Stroud. Launching the album at SVA Just before Christmas, Jamie plays a solo set and has enlisted Leonie Evans and Hot Feet to share the bill. 

The word ‘girlcrush’ would sum up the way I feel about Leonie Evans pretty succinctly. This woman does a trumpet impression that makes you wonder why anyone would bother learning to play the actual trumpet. She has the kind of on stage energy that makes you wish she was your best friend, her vocal and guitar style are both intricate and warm. 

With the crowd suitable primed, Jamie Doe took over and played a gorgeously understated set of old and new songs, interspersed with his impeccable banter. 

Standing out in the overpopulated singer/songwriter scene is a serious achievement. I always feel a mixture of delight and relief when I see someone pick up a guitar, open their mouth and do something captivating and original. Jamie Doe nails it. He’s got the inventive guitar style - including winding a piece of paper between the strings to create a sound akin to an African thumb piano. He’s got a voice that has been likened to Chet Baker and in a polo neck he looks a little bit like a blond Jacques Brel. Killer combo.

Jamie Doe makes you appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into writing a song. Every element to his songwriting is honed and delicately finished. His lyrics often achieve that magic of saying something huge and complicated in one succinct melodic phrase. 

Hot Feet played the closing set of the evening, getting Jamie Doe and long-term collaborator Pete Roe up to join in on their Magic Lantern cover: No One’s Fault.

I’ve been lucky enough to hear Hot Feet play many a gig over the last five-or-so years, and I’m always astonished at their ability to keep improving. New songs Dust Will Blow and Final Farewell provided an exciting glimpse at what we should expect from the album they are currently working on. By popular request they ended the set with Three Black Crosses, from their most recent EP Mist Is Dust. Hot Feet have a talent for creating big, bombastic, shimmering layered instrumental sections in their songs, demonstrated most perfectly in the last one-and-a-half minutes of Three Black Crosses. A glorious ending to a fine evening of music. Not bad for a Wednesday night in Stroud.

Listen to Love of Too Much Living  featuring Hot Feet, This Is The Kit, Sam Brookes,  Rozi Plain and more here

Anna is a writer and devoted Stroudie with a passion for music, comedy and art. Visit her blog for reviews, poetry and more www.reviewyourmum.wordpress.com

Good On Paper YouTube Playlist January 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month features artists playing at The Prince Albert, Stroud Valley Artspace, the Crown & Sceptre, the Subscription Rooms, the Convent and Christ Church in Stroud during January 2016!

Click here to listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKG_R7pR5h4&list=PLBnnnmSSrgAP_jSDKO5eoNemdj7Mm1FSb

1 - Yumi and the Weather: Must I Wait (The Prince Albert, Thurs 28th)

2 - Rhain: Humdrum (The Prince Albert. Sat 9th)

3 - Emily Barker: Anywhere Away (The Convent, Thurs 28th)

4 - Songs of Separation: Echo Mocks the Cornrake (The Convent, Thurs 21st)

5 - Little Metropolis: Ghosts (The Prince Albert, Sat 9th)

6 - Eyebrow: Eye Pod (The Prince Albert, Sat 16th)

7 - Craig Cofton (Freight Quartet): Handfried (SVA, Thurs 14th)

8 - The Dukes of Mumbai: Jack the Ripper (Crown & Sceptre Fri 22nd)

9 - Son Yambu: Yo No Me Voy (Subscription Rooms Sat 30th)

10 - The Bristol Ensemble (Christchurch, Nailsworth Sun 17th)

11 - European Union Chamber Orchestra (Subscription Rooms, Sun 31st)

12 - Jaz DeLorian: Pragmathobia and other Delusions (The Prince Albert, Tues 5th)

13 - Darren Hodge: Cannonball Rag (Stroud Brewery, Sat 30th)

14 - Tobias Ben Jacob & Lukas Drinkwater: Boots of Spanish Leather (The Prince Albert, Thurs 14th)

15 - Lauren Housley: Sweet Surrender (The Convent, Sat 23rd)

Pick up issue #10 for further info!

Recommended Releases by Anna Jacob

Ardyn:  Universe

Debut EP released last month via National Anthem records

Ardyn (formerly Kitten & Bear) are nineteen year old twin brother and sister duo Katy and Rob. Originally from Cirencester, Ardyn have performed regularly in Stroud since they debuted at a local battle of the bands competition at the tender age of fifteen.

Universe is poptastic in the best possible way: catchy melodies tastefully delivered and simply produced together with some very clever harmonies and layering of vocals. Katy is blessed with a truly effortless, timeless voice. It just doesn't seem fair that they are only nineteen. I can’t wait to hear what they do next…

Taken from our debut EP of the same title released 13th November via National Anthem. Pre-order the 10" vinyl here - smarturl.it/ArdynEP iTunes - smarturl.it/Ardyn

www.facebook.com/ardynband

www.soundcloud.com/ardynband

Emlyn: Etherialism

Debut EP self released in September

Emlyn Bainbridge is a young Stroudie, now based in Bristol.

Etherialism is a voyage in ambient, electronic alt-folk music with a dreamy, sombre quality. Quirky production makes sparsely written songs sparkle a little brighter. Aiming for the minimalist sound recently made ubiquitous by the likes of The XX, Emlyn’s first release shows ingenuity and promise.

www.facebook.com/emlynartist

www.soundcloud.com/emlynbainbridge

Anna is a writer and devoted Stroudie with a passion for music, comedy and art. Visit her blog for reviews, poetry and more www.reviewyourmum.wordpress.com 

Live Review: King Klam by Sean Roe

Image by Sean Roe

Image by Sean Roe

“Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny” proclaims the Facebook event page inviting potential guests to the newly formed briny groovesters King Klam début performance at SVA on a wet and windy December evening. The farcical funksters comprise of Jonny Hamer on Sax, Hugh Hopper on bass and Rob Pemberton (from Hot Feet) on drums.

And farcically funky and briny-ly groovy they surely were! Some solidly syncopated rhythms balanced nicely with free flowing and melodic strangulations on the Sax all held together by the understated strumming and dranging of the bassist with more foot pedals than feet. Their songs all had wonderfully surreal titles - none of which my inebriated blubber brain can recall! An appreciative audience was lucky to squeeze an encore out of the lads before Graeme continued with his excellent selection of music on the decks. Shame I had to leave early to continue listing records on ebay...

Image by Sean Roe

Image by Sean Roe

Sean Roe is a Stroud based artist and musician. He runs JunKroom Records an extremely small outlet for unusual music www.facebook.com/junkroomrecords