Our warm and toasty NEWS BLAST #14 is the first one of the year and makes a pleasant change from the icy blasts we’ve had in recent weeks. What’s more, it’s almost guaranteed to contain at least one item that might conceivably be of interest to possibly one person reading this. Or your money back.
- goNORTH, YOUNG MAN… OR WOMAN – goNORTH is a music festival that takes place in Inverness on 6th and 7th June. The submission window for bands and musicians wishing to take part opened at the end of January and closes on 20th March. One act selected to showcase at goNORTH will also secure the opportunity to play three top European festivals in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Denmark. Full details from gonorth.biz
- IS YOU AM BARD? – Don’t fancy going north in search of fame, fortune and a festival spot? Then why not try your hand at the 2012 Isambard Folk Award, a national competition with the winners claiming two festival appearances, a Songs Form The Shed recording session, and coverage on Folk Radio UK. The closing date for this is 1st March, and details can be found at bristolfolkfestival.com
- PARKLIFE – OK, so you don’t want to go north or south and would prefer to stay local in your search for stardom and a captive crowd to play in front of? Then why not apply to take part in the Croxteth Park Music Festival on Sunday 24th June? Applications are open from 1st March and details can be found at croxtethparkmusicfestival.co.uk
- HUNGARY FOR A BOTB? – Joanna Tamburello is organising a Battle of the Bands at Liverpool Student Union’s Scholars Bar (The Haigh) to raise money for a six week mission trip providing aid to Hungary. If you’re interested in taking part then you can find out more information on the facebook event page here.
- FENDER BENDER – Liam Atkinson’s dad has recently had stolen from him a white Fender Stratocaster Plus with Fender Lace Sensor Pickups and a Tobacco sunburst Peavey Wolfgang. If anyone gets offered these instruments by anyone in the Merseyside area please contact Liam and let him know. The Strat has sentimental value and has been his Dad’s main guitar since the 1980s. Liam’s facebook profile is here.
- OXJAM TAKE-OVER TO YOU – It’s the time of year when Oxjam, the October-long music festival, recruits its next batch of volunteers to run the Oxjam Takeover in cities across the country on one weekend during the month. If you’ve got organisational skills and knowledge of the local music scene then why not volunteer? It’s all for a great cause! Details of how to apply can be found at oxfam.org.uk/Oxjam
- YOU CAN CALL HIM AL – Acclaimed singer-songwriter and qualified educator Alun Parry is running a course in April 2012 entitled ‘Be A Great Songwriter!’. If you’re interested in discovering the key to powerful lyrics, writing a catchy tune, or finding the emotional sweet spot in one of your songs, then this is the course for you. For more information, and to register your interest visit Al’s website parrysongs.co.uk
- ALL AT SEA – A high profile London based events company is looking for talented and hardworking singer pianists, duos, cover bands and singer guitarists to work on a luxury cruise liner travelling for four months around Europe. This is an ideal way to combine travel and work, with accommodation and food provided. Click here to see the ad and reply. And if you let us know if you’re successful, we’ll be there at Southampton docks to wave you off!
- GO AHEAD, MICA MY DAY – Back in October we told you all about a songwriting course being run by Lipa graduate Meike Holzmann in the Sefton Park area. Two of you lovely people saw that post and signed up for the course proving, if proof be needed, that these news items are actually read by real, live people! Commenting after a previous course, one participant said “This is a great short course, whatever level you’re at. Even if you’re not overly musical it will inspire you and get your creative juices well and truly flowing. I came out of this with one complete and two partial songs and a million ideas to work on and tools to get more when/if these run dry.” The next course starts on 22nd February, runs for five weeks, and places are strictly limited. The intensive two hour sessions cover essential topics such as inspiration and themes, lyrics and music, melody and hook, formats and structures, and tools and techniques, while taking a creative, practical and interactive approach. Details can be found at micamusic.com and you can email info@micamusic.com to book your place.
- WHAT YOU DOING ST PADDY’S NIGHT? – An Irish act is needed for 17th March this year in Neston, either solo, duo or band. This is a paid gig, and if you’re interested give Paul a call on 07549 701 326.
- HIGHLY STRUNG – Are you a musician looking for some strings to add that special touch to your next recording or live event? Luke is available for session work on cello, bass, guitar and piano, as well as musical arrangements, songwriting, workshops, and possible collaborations. Contact Luke via his ad here.
- GETTING THINGS OFF YOUR CHEST-ER – Mandy is a singer looking to team up with someone to do open mic nights in Chester. Influences include Ani Difranco, Tori Amos, Jonny Land, Ray Lamontagne, and Placebo. If you’re interested you can get in touch here.
- CRAIG’S LIST – Local singer-songwriter Craig Cavanagh, aka Mr C, is looking for a guitarist to work with on some acoustic tracks, gigs and open mic nights. You can see some of his stuff on youtube, and can reply to him here.
- SEARCHING FOR RENAISSANCE MAN… OR WOMAN – An American singer and guitarist based in Berlin is looking for a singer or instrumentalist (or both) with whom to play folk and/or renaissance music in Liverpool once a month. We kid you not! You must be able to read notation, sing harmony and melody, and rehearse your parts on your own so that the joint rehearsals are more productive. If you’re interested you can reply here.
- OMFG! – OK, before you say anything, yes we know this isn’t acoustic but here at Liverpool Acoustic HQ we like to support events for young people and as such we’re giving it a plug. OMFG! U-18 is a new clubnight for Under 18s. It’s launching on Friday 10th February at The Picket. Check out the details on their facebook page.
