Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #23
February 2010
1. Stephen Langstaff – Unaware
2. Barry Briercliffe – Time Is Standing Still
3. Ashley Théberge – Tie Up Your Shoes
4. Nigel of Bermondsey – Diamonds In My Hand
bonus track
5. David Ford – Stephen
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This month’s Liverpool Acoustic Live takes place on Friday 26th February at the Vew Two Gallery on Mathew Street and features the return of Stephen Langstaff. Since playing at the very first Liverpool Acoustic Live last year Stephen has gone on to become the first unsigned act ever to headline at the Liverpool 02 Academy main stage. This was followed by a support slot for The Lightning Seeds at The Phil, and a support slot for Deacon Blue at Liverpool Arena! However, Stephen hasn’t forgotten his unplugged roots and is looking forward to debuting a number of brand new songs in a rare solo acoustic outing.
Stephen is joined on the bill by the return of local musician, and organiser of the Acoustic Live Lounge, Barry Briercliffe. Also playing for us on the night is LIPA graduate Ashley Théberge showing off her French-Canadian roots with her refreshing sound. The final spot is taken by London-based musician Nigel of Bermondsey, former bassist with 1990s Britpop band Gay Dad.
This is due to be a very popular night and those wishing to attend are advised to buy their tickets in advance. There are only 50 spaces available for this intimate gig, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Entrance is £4 on the door (if there are any tickets left!) or £3 in advance fromwegottickets.com
Doors open at 8.00pm with music starting at 8.30pm sharp. The night finishes at 11.15pm
Stephen Langstaff www.stephenlangstaff.co.ukmyspace.com/stephenlangstaff
Stephen Langstaff has an army of fans, three albums and two EPs of music, festival appearances, 02 Academy tours and several record breaking gigs under his belt, and is rapidly becoming one of the UK’s most prolific singer songwriters. Stephen began writing and performing his work from the tender age of 11 and continued into his teens, never losing the passion to create. It is his raw passion which leads him to craft such evocative and haunting melodies, brimming over with bare emotion. “This is spirited and rescuing music full of cherish and intimacy”. Nerve Magazine
His voice is unique. His soulful style has earned him comparisons with artists such as Jeff Buckley and Tori Amos, who are both favorites of Stephen’s alongside Nirvana, Nina Simone and Tracy Chapman. Having also been a fan of 80’s pop it’s very fitting that he supported The Bangles during their time in Liverpool. His roster of supports also includes The Lightning Seeds, Deacon Blue and Peter, Bjorn and John.
Stephen made his festival debut at The Wicker Man in 2007 and was asked back in 2008. He sold out the 500 capacity Liverpool O2 Academy 2 and went on to become the first unsigned singer songwriter to headline the O2 Academy main room. He headlined there no less than 3 times throughout 2008. Having played at numerous venues around the UK as a solo performer Stephen now also comes accompanied by a full band. This has developed his songs and his style further in the pursuit of music that captures his vision.
In 2009 Stephen moved up another level with another sold-out 02 Academy show, festival appearances including a debut at the Greenbelt Festival and exciting support shows at the two biggest and most prestigious venues in his hometown, The Philharmonic Hall and The Echo Arena, making an impact with big audiences each time. In Autumn 2009 he did his first tour of the UK as part of the 02 ‘Academy Live’ tour. Stephen continues to build on his already burgeoning fanbase with gigs, press coverage and radio play around the country as well as good old fashioned word of mouth and who could blame anyone for not being able to keep quiet about Langstaff. This ambitious artist from Liverpool really does seem to be the city’s worst kept secret for 2010.
Stephen’s music can be bought from his website.
Barry Briercliffe myspace.com/barrybriercliffeonline
Barry Briercliffe is a talented acoustic singer-songwriter from Kirkby who has gigged extensively across Merseyside and the Northwest. He takes his influences from the likes of Damien Rice, REM, KT Tunstall, and Pink Floyd. Barry’s strong, soulful voice coupled with his great lyrics and quirky use of loop pedal enable him to build up layers of sounds, rhythm and voice that will excite and inspire audiences. His album When All You Need Is Answers is available to buy from his MySpace profile.
Barry recently took over the space left by the demise of Acoustic Slice and now hosts the Acoustic Live Lounge at 3345 Parr Street every Monday evening from 8.30pm.
Barry played at the Liverpool Acoustic Live gig on a hot summer’s evening back in June last year and made such a big impression on everyone on the night that we just had to have him back.
Ashley Théberge ashleytheberge.com myspace.com/ashleytheberge
Ashley Théberge is a Canadian singer and songwriter. Her quirky, folksy pop music is influenced by her jazz and classical background, honed for years in her hometown of Edmonton, Alberta. She has spent 2007-2009 studying at Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in Liverpool, England.
Her debut release is entitled Ba Doo Day, which some might say is an odd choice for an album title. The inspiration for this made-up word springs from the indescribable feeling that comes when things start to go right after a series of unfortunate events – like that first glimpse of sunshine after months and months of rain. The album is a catchy collection of delightful melodies and introspective lyrics reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple and Feist.
Ashley has performed at numerous festivals in the UK including a showcase at the Bedford in London, the Liverpool Sound City Festival and LIPA’s 3rd Degree Festival. The title track ‘Ba Doo Day’ was selected for The Best of the 3rd Degree compilation album and is now available on iTunes. Her track ‘Tie Up Your Shoes’ is featured on the LIPA website as well as on Songlink’s summer 2009 release Solid Gold.
Ashley’s debut album ‘Ba Doo Day’ is now available on iTunes. You can read the review on the Liverpool Acoustic website here.
Nigel of Bermondsey myspace.com/nigelofbermondsey
Nigel of Bermondsey walks the streets of his beloved Bermondsey, London, finding songs in the most mysterious places. He was commisioned to write a song for the local undertaker, and would love to become artist in residence at Star Cars, the minicab firm.
Nigel was a founding member of infamous glam-rockers Gay Dad (‘To Earth With Love’ and ‘Joy’ went Top 10 and Top 20 resepectively), and has worked and toured with, amongst others Tony Visconti, Mansun, Robbie Williams, Ben Folds Five and contributed remixes for Snow Patrol, Christina Aguilera and more recently Elevator Suite for Pure Mint.
The Bermondsey Suite is a collection of 8 short acoustic songs, which can be downloaded for free here.
The song Diamonds In My Hand is about a Bermondsey robber called Ruby Sparks. Ruby used to rob jewelry stores with his girlfriend Lillian as getaway driver. All went well until her car broke down and Ruby was caught. Ruby was sent to Dartmoor. The food was so bad that Ruby ate the table in his cell. His punishment was to be put in a cell with a metal table. Ruby was the first man to escape from Dartmoor. While on the run he went to see his old flame Lillian, but the fire had burnt out.
David Ford myspace.com/davidford
David Ford is a British singer-songwriter, currently living in Eastbourne, East Sussex. He first achieved prominence with the indie rock group Easyworld, who released an independent mini-album, …Better Ways to Self Destruct and two full-length albums on Jive Records before disbanding in 2004.
Almost immediately after Easyworld’s dissolution, Ford began to play a sporadic series of intimate solo gigs, debuting a number of songs which would later appear on his first solo album. In 2005, he embarked on his first headline solo tour. Fan favourite “State Of The Union” was released as his debut single on September 26, 2005 and followed swiftly by his self-recorded debut album I Sincerely Apologise For All The Trouble I’ve Caused.
After a support tour with Starsailor and a sold-out headline tour in February 2006 and the release of his second single, “I Don’t Care What You Call Me”, David has confirmed headline shows in Ireland as well as shows across the US and high-profile slots supporting KT Tunstall, Richard Ashcroft, Elvis Costello and Gomez. His debut was released in the United States in May 2006 by Columbia Records.
After supporting Suzanne Vega on her UK tour, Ford released his second solo album, Songs For The Road in August 2007. He toured extensively to support the album in October 2007 and toured the US in May 2008.
David has become known both for the sheer passion he puts into his songs, but also for being a master at the layered/looping effect he brings to many of his songs.
David’s music can be bought from www.backstreet-merch.com/bands/dford
Thanks to the guys from David’s management company MagnoliaMAM for permission to play the song.
Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #23 – February 2010
If you get the chance, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible.
The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media), and is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting – supported by Libsyn
The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.