- BIG GIG OPPORTUNITY – Local duo Thomas-Joseph & Murphy are celebrating being rebooked (or is that re-rebooked?) for the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain in Wirral during November 2011. Why are we telling you this now? Well, they’re looking for a solo support act to join them for this prestigious gig. Do you play the guitar (a minimum requirement for a guitar festival, we’thinks), and do you think you’ve got what it takes? If so then register your interest by emailing Billy at mherons@aol.com stating why you think you fit the bill, and including links to your online music profiles, etc.
- CULTURE CRAWL – This spring, Tom George and Co. are planning a walk through the city centre, incorporating performances in public places, where anyone can take part. Are you a performer, or an enthusiast? Feel like joining in? The Culture Crawl will take in four or five locations, with twenty minute ‘shows’ happening at each. All the shows will happen in fully accessible locations, and will welcome contributions from the public. Their first show will be at the suitcases sculpture on Hope Street. After that, they’ll visit the bombed-out church, then the courtyard behind FACT, and other spaces yet to be decided. This is your chance to get involved and help to make the Culture Crawl happen.If you are interested in performing, organising or helping out email spooneditor@hotmail.comor phone Tom on 07941155968
- OH SO A-MUSOing – We stumbled across Muso’s Magazine the other day and thought you might be interested in reading it. We also thought that some of the musicians out there might be interested in being featured in it, so here’s the link. Don’t’cha just love free publicity? www.musos-mag.co.uk
- HELP GET THAT OX OUT OF A JAM – No, it’s not an appeal by the RSPCA, but the annual search for Oxjam Takeover managers to take up the challenge of coordinating fundraising music events in October. If you’ve got a good knowledge of the local music scene with experience of live music events and leading a team then Oxfam are looking for you. Find out more details from oxfam.org.uk/Oxjam
- ITALY OPPORTUNITY, DI NUOVO – Remember in NEWS BLAST #1 we told you about a promoter who was looking for musicians to play a promo tour in Italy? Well, he’s going to be in Liverpool on March 27th and 28th if you’d like to meet and chat about it. Reply via the Gumtree ad here liverpool.gumtree.com/liverpool/19/74585119.html
- GUITARIST/SONGWRITER SEEKS SINGER/SONGWRITER – to make beautiful music together… If you’re between 18-30 and are into bands such as Joy Division, The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Beatles, The Coral, etc then this might be the opportunity for you. Reply to Mike via the Gumtree ad here. liverpool.gumtree.com/liverpool/00/73962800.html
- SPIN ME A SONG – We were delighted to see that the surviving members of The Spinners – Hughie Jones, Mick Groves and Tony Davis – will be joined by Cliff Hall’s son Clifford to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Acoustic Festival of Britain. They’ll also be singing songs from their 50 year career, including Dirty Old Town, Black and White, Tamily of Man, Maggie May, Leaving of Liverpool, and In My Liverpool Home. You can find more details about the Uttoxeter-based festival from 20th to 22nd May at acousticfestival.co.uk
- LAUGH OR SING, SAME PRICE – There’s a brand new ‘open mic’ but with no mic (surely that’s open floor? Ed) comedy and music event called Bop ‘n’ Giggle. It’s a one-off for now, but if it’s a success they might continue it. Brew Tea Bar on Bold Street is the venue, Thursday 10th March is the date, 7.30pm to 9.30pm is the time, £2 is the entrance fee, Lukegillard@hotmail.co.uk is the email address if you’d like to take part, and here is the facebook event.
- JOLLY WELL DONE – Well done to local musical comedy duo Jollyboat on reaching the final of the Musical Comedy Awards 2011. The final takes place in London on Saturday 9th March and Tom and Ed will be flying the pirate flag for Liverpool. Break a leg, guys. And if that doesn’t work, break their arms too.
- WHAT’S NEW, PUSSYCAT? – As you know, the Liverpool Acoustic website covers more than just Liverpool, and spread its cyber wings into Merseyside, Halton, West Lancs, Warrington, and North East Cheshire – in fact, almost everywhere covered by Radio Merseyside. However, we thought some musicians would appreciate this final item involving a local radio station broadcasting to Crewe and Nantwich. The message below contains full details. Meow!
Hi all You may or may not be aware that I will be launching my new radio show from 12-1pm on The Cat radio on Wednesday 2 March. The show is going to be a radio version of the singer/songwriter concept that I have established in the Symphony Sandbach.
The format will be a mix of tracks from local singer/songwriters combined with a live interview and 3 or 4 live songs. It will be called: ‘Meet the Songwriters with Andy Anderson’ My immediate task is to populate a robust playlist of original music and songs by local artists, so if you would like your material to be aired (and discussed) on a regular basis, please get it to me asap. I can take mp3 format via email or CD. The distribution list for this email is not exclusive so please feel free to pass this on to others who you consider to be up to the required standard in terms of songwriting and performing live.
My second task is to fill guest slots over the next 2 months or so. Sheena Bratt will be my first guest. Please let me know: a. if you are interested in a guest slot and, if so, b. which date (with a couple of alternatives if possible please) you would prefer. CDs can be sent to: Roseview, Hassall Green, Sandbach, CW11 4YA This is a new venture, and is part of my wider concept to promote local singer/songwriter talent.
I will be posting something on Facebook so please flag it up to as many of your musician friends as you can.
Thanks in advance
Andy Anderson
www.thisisthecat.com
NEWS BLAST #3 [7/3/11]