there by the grace of roots go i and i ...

grace n the magic roots demon FM live session



well i just cant get enough of these guys right now, last night i dropped by to the demon FM studios to check out grace and her magic roots play one of the best live sessions ive heard for a loooooong time.

If you heard it then you know what i mean..if you didnt you'll just have to wait until its on the NEW EXPOSURE WEBSITE! Graces songs and the bands confident and effortless presentation of them are really something special. If you've not heard them you should ..... now.

http://www.myspace.com/magicmoondust

It WILL make your day brighter

Then we all went to the hub bar and got mashed ... a good nite was had by all

see you at the next gig

markus

My Linford surprise

Linford Song Club: it doesn't get much better.




Last Friday I played a short set at Linford song club in Newtown Linford, not knowing what to expect i was thinking 'quiet country pub, a few locals it'll be a quiet little gig' I WAS SO WRONG.

Run by Wally Walton this little gem of a night had everything you could need from a night of live acoustic music, and easily the best sound I've ever heard from a 'non permanent' PA system. I was first on, breaking the ice and a guitar string, prematurely ending my set so the real entertainment could begin.... on the bill were The James Lewis band, playing a bouncy energetic set that had my girlfriend saying to me after every song ' oh i liked that one'. Domenic Crane, accompanied with harmonica and electric bass, playing some neatly crafted songs with real depth and conviction. Liz Scattergood, with her quite stunning sounding 'lowden' guitar giving us a powerful show of what it really means to love music. And a personal favorite of mine Andy Griffiths and the tiny steel orchestra (the orchestra is infact the uber talented Lizzie Gill on cello), mesmerizing us with his beautiful lilting melodies and tales of love and loss, finishing with a last minute inclusion of 'spitfire' that had the room stunned into silence with its heart melting simplicity.

So what made it so special? well for one thing these nights are not held too often (the next one is in January) so the quality of acts stays high and Wally seems to be very selective about who he puts on. Every act tonight was diverse and experienced and played their heart out for the 100 or so people watching. Ive already mentioned the sound, and it makes a BIG difference, not only for the people listening but for the players too, when you know that you're sounding good it brings out a better performance. The venue is a no nonsense village pub with a good sized 'back room, which is where the song club is held. OH and the beers very good value too......

I know its a little out of town and there are many attractions closer by for a lot of us. But i really can't recommend this night enough, if you go you really wont be disappointed.

For more info and updates about the next one check the calender on this blog, ill be going back for sure....

see you at the next gig

Markus

Girls with Guitars 2 its all about the breasts you know.......

Girls with Guitars goes from strength to strength.



Raising money for breast cancer research never seemed more fun. The second installment of Girls with Guitars at the Donkey was a huge success last Thursday. With a sparkling array of talent singing there hearts out for a great cause.

I had a previous commitment and was only able to make it after Bethia Mitchel had been on, but reports are that she played with the maturity and power that belies her tender years and i have no reason doubt that. I've seen Bethia on many occasions astound people with the clarity and depth of her voice. After Beth was Cherry and the orchestra, this was the first time I've seen more than half a song from these 2 (usually 3 as there were minus a percussionist). I'll be checking to see when they're playing next as they have a quality and conviction that makes you want to hear more. Next up was Matti Wilson. Now then, the more I see Matti perform the more I'm convinced she was born for the stage, i know that sounds a little trite, but offstage shes quiet (ish ;) polite and slightly shy .. as soon as she gets in front of the mike something happens, she grows, 15 years become 50, she entertains and makes you smile inside and out, and then there's her songs, witty confident and mature. I'll say nothing more that just, go and see for yourself.

Matti Wilson

Grace Capper and the magic roots

The final act has a touch of magic about them and they now it .... if only because they are called Grace Capper and the Magic Roots. With originality seeping from every pore these guys are truly inventive and still accessible, brilliantly listenable and very very cool with it! win win win id say. Playing an acoustic mix of reggae and rootsy folk with Graces songs taking us to far off places and still keeping toes tapping. The highlight of the set for me was a cover of Kate Bushes Army Dreamers ... played with such ownership i just wasn't a cover song anymore. With a belly dancing Paula Driver to complete the final number of the night, everyone had a great time raising money making sure the world is a slightly safer place for breasts, and who's going to argue about that?

Looking forward to GWG3 already.....

see you at the next gig

markus

OPEN MIKE REVEIW 'The Donkey' every weds

Great Music Venue, Talented Host, great for newbies and uumm not newbies too...



If you've been going to live music around Leicester for any amount of time you'll know the donkey pub, i think its a great great live music venue I've seen some great acts there and had some bonza night in there too...



But I'm confused now, I've been to the open mike at the donkey a few times and its always very quiet admittedly its a bigger venue than most open mikes so it needs more people to make it feel busy, but even so, there were 4 players including me. I'm sure that there are night that this place rocks on a Wednesday. But the night i went there was Rhett Barrow, Kev Lee, Anne Mary and myself, 3 class acts that you would pay good money to see in there own right and a bald bloke doin a load of shouty stuff.....






Host Calder who is also a singer songwriter, with his powerful delivery, well tuned sound and neatly played songs warms the place up ready for the open mike acts. The beauty of it being less busy is that we get the chance to do a few more songs, so all players got to do 2 short sets and as the evening went on everyone relaxed and it turned into a very chilled out and enjoyable low key night of music.




I just wish more people got to see it.

If you're a player get your ass down there and get a chance to stretch your legs.

If your a music fan get your ass down there and check out some great tunes and the sofas are really really comfy too....


See u at the next gig

markus

its all about the ladies......

its 'girls with guitars 2' at the donkey on thursday


the first installment at the hind was class act after class act, i still find it astounding how much talent there is in Leicester! you really should get down to the donkey on thursday 19th for round 2 and see for yourself, i can absolutely guarantee you wont be disappointed.... its free so what excuse do you have?

just preview the artists here and see for yourself...

cherry and the orchestra on myspace

bethia mitchell on myspace

grace capper and the magic roots on myspace

matti wilson on myspace

meri everitt on myspace

charlie jones on myspace

ill see you there!!

thanks for reading

see you at the next gig

markus

OPEN MIKE REVIEW 'don quixote' @ The Hind pub

chilled, spontainious and friendly at a great 'boozer'


Every open mike has its own vibe and the feeling you get as you walk into The Hind pub on a wednesday night and smell the burning insense and hear the lively banter going on, is that there are a lot of people here who LOVE MUSIC.

Hosted by the effervesent and charming Paula Driver, and as a singer songwriter herself, she is as passionate about YOUR music as she is her own. Welcoming beginners and first timers or 'don quixote virgins' with the same open arms as seasoned proffessionals and regualr players. The same can be said for the crowd who are ever apprciative of anyone with the 'balls' to get up and have a crack.

As with all weekly open mikes some weeks are busier than others but don quixote you can usually rely on a good turn out. Last wednesday was no exception with a list of players most people would pay earth pounds to see in there own right. With Andy Griffiths, Dawson Smith, Carly Hook, Chris Conway, David Anderson, Neil Sergot, Paddy Hodgkinson, Matti Wilson, Rhett Barrow and Carl Dawson all turning up to play short impromtu sets for us amongst others like myself . With a total of 15 acts to get through everyone had to muck in and get change overs done and sorted, beer spllages mopped up and things generally rocking a rolling smoothly along.

Andy Griffiths and the tiny steel orchestra

I go and play at the hind reasonably often and the the music is always of a very high standard, but this night was staggering. I dont say this lightly either as i am pretty hard to please. But with act after act taking me away to another place, i was genuinly open mouthed at the quality of musicianship. From Andy Griffiths's sublime new material played with enough tenderness and feeling to soften even the hardest, coldest heart to Dawson Smith rocking us all out on a bluesy tip to Chris Conways masterful songwriting and playing. I would be here for a long time if i went into details about every player, but for me the beauty is in the mix of abilities and styles that this particular night gave us.

Rhett Barrow

Matti Wilson

Fannys band.....

Chris Conway

As a player a visit to The Hind on a Wendesday will get you encouragement and the chance to play in a relaxed atmosphere .

As a listener you can be sure to hear great down to earth music from people who just LOVE TO PLAY.

Win Win i think.


thanks for readin ...

see you at the next gig

markus

hind leg .....

im off to the hind to play the Don Quixote open mike tonight ....

tho the hub bar and the donkey open mikes, will get a visit in the next few weeks ... anyone going to these 2 tonight please feel free to comment below how it went ....

ill try n get some photos ... the clues in the word TRY tho ......

see u at the next gig

markus

did a number 2....

well ive just landed myself deep in it really haven I?

I've just got home from doing my second slot on DEMON FMs exposure show where i foolishly said 'i know! ill do a blog about leicesters open mike scene with a calender and everything'

well here it is

keep coming back for more folks ...

see u at the next gig.