Tuesday 17 December 2013

Bands Of The Year 2013

Hi All.....
That time of year again! and we all seem to love a Hornby inspired list of everything!!
This is just a snippet of the things that have inspired and enamored me this year :-)

OUTFIT:
Outfit were a find from the Lauren Lavern Podcast which I enjoy every week. After listening to the interview of the band who came across as graceful and intelligent I decided to check them out on Spotify. Its become one of my favorite albums. Its a bizarre genre'less record spanning over psychedelia, to dream-pop with everything in between. Its at times melancholic but there's also something quite life affirming to it. The perfect soundtrack to walking through an urban environment. Listen whilst walking through a city and you'll understand what I mean.



MARIKA HACKMAN:
A pleasant surprise this song, a real testament to the fact one women/man and guitar can.. if done correctly.. stop time for its duration. Beautiful, and slightly creepy like the Metz advert from the 90's....



PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING:
Genius atmospheres created using old tapes from WW2 a fantastic idea, like lemon jelly on steroids.



DAVID BOWIE:
He surprised as all didn't he! What a legend of publicity but with the album to prove the hype. This record consumed me this year and it was at the height of my Bowie obsession as well....I nearly wet myself with excitement. What a classy beautiful way to come back as well...not with rock posture but with a reflecting melancholic, sonic landscape with a life affirming end that always brings a tear to my eye...
"As long as there's me....as long as there's you!"
Weird and wonderful Bowie back with grace putting the art back in pop.



MATT CORBY:
A fantastic EP from start to finish really illustrating this mans versatile vocal, songwriting and diversity. A whole range of emotions scale the Resolution EP... the songwriters EP choice of the year.



JON HOPKINS:
I always knew him as "that guy who added all the weird atmosphere to Xylo Myloto". Turns out hes an expensive, intense, cinematic, intelligent, dramatic genius of atmospheric electronic music!



JOHNNY MARR:
I've always loved Marrs guitar work but never fallen completely in love with his solo work, and it wasn't after hearing the single which didnt grab me... but more getting a copy of the album that I realised this album has some fantastic songwriting and has crept into my conscious and woven its way into my brain. The album spans his career and really is a celebration of the Fender Jaguar...in fact this album should come with every sale of Fender Jags...A great comeback made even better whilst watching him at the Wedgewood Rooms.



HYPNOTIC EYE:
A sexy 60's front-women, fantastic psychedelic pop style production, great tunes and fantastic guitar sounds...get on it! Shocking Blue for the new age... whats not to like!



DAFT PUNK:
I was as excited as any other this year as the wait for this album reminded me of pop music in the 90's when people actually used to get excited as an album was going to be released....remember that?! Anyway it wasn't quite the perfect comeback, there was a few clangers, possibly the most annoying hook in 'lose yourself to dance' in "come on! come on! come on!" for 2 mins....and although 'Get Lucky' was a pop masterpiece it slightly grated with its cheesy nod to sex...which was a shame... it didn't need that as it was 70s disco perfection. What it did have though was a half album of absolute genius, exploring genres, production, and ideas far better than bands that are scared of the charts and claiming to be experimental. This was exciting pop music again. Someone asked me recently that the album sounds different from everything else....you know what it is?.....its live!!! Live recorded music actually sounds vital again on record and Daft Punk record live... even their synths. Listen to the Drum-kit sound at the end of this record below....there's more urgency in that then most of the bloggers lists this year!



MANSIONS ON THE MOON:
I've been raving about this band on twitter all year and the year before.. and now they are just starting to come out of the "best kept secret" stage. The production has influenced me a lot on my own record coming out next year... the songs are exciting, spacey and with a slight tinge of fantasy sparkle which sends you of into M83 territory but sits the right side of accessible pop melody. Music to lose yourself to.


KASSASSIN STREET:
Kassassin have had a great year and deservedly so, the second gig they did at this years Southsea Fest was a real "I was there" moment. I adore this band and have made no secret of it, telling everyone who will listen about them and supporting them in any way I can. Its intelligent, colorful, urgent, and fresh and I suspect good things next year. Good people, good friends, and I respect them immensely.



FOALS:
I was never a fan of Foals, and mainly because as soon as any hipster scene starts creating a buzz I shy away or join later when the fuss dies down. I kind of had them in the same boat of the Vaccines which was naive of me. Like the Maccabees before them this second album was really rather clever and was a wide expansive exploration of sonic territory and some truly inspiring delay guitar-work.



Let me know your thoughts, I like to hear what people are listening to :-)

I'll have a new album next year which I think is my best work, stay in touch and please join me for the gigs and music. Have a fantastic Xmas and if you don't like it...lighten up! Have a day off! enjoy the magic :-)

Stay Safe
Andy
xx

PS....best film? Gravity!!! What a ride that was!!!!

Best thing in the year ever?
Doctor Who 50th in 3D.....yep yep.....incredible ;-)

Oh and best tea? Earl Grey.....standard......

Thursday 5 December 2013

Gig Diary 5 - The Bedford - The Abbey Tavern - Dublin Castle

The Bedford was the first of three London dates running back to back, and it's a pleasure to play. I've said much about it over the years and hold it close as my favorite London venue for my music. Tonight's gig was five songwriters doing the usual four songs over two parts of the evening. A Swedish lad called Ludvig Andersson was waiting patiently for soundcheck looking like a Americana star already, and we started talking. He is an interesting guy, he travels over from Sweden to play gigs knowing that to get a cheap flight to London and back is actually cheaper than staying in a hotel over here! You've got to admire that kind of thinking and he was a great performer too. Backstage we all swapped touring stories, guitars, and a rather interesting conversation with another artist Simon Wells about the lost Dr Who tapes recently found. Simon was another interesting chap, a writer as well as a musician with the bohemian vibe to boot. It was a warm and friendly night with a good receptive crowd no animosity from the other performers and a sense of camaraderie.
My pedal board has raised a few eyebrows this year as the textures really do add a little depth to the vibe I try to create with my songs. Tonight was no exception with "the Garden" being particularly psychedelic! 

The Bedford in Balham, backstage graffiti wall

The Abbey Tavern is a place I've never played before and is essentially an open mic night that you book to play on. It has the option to record the three songs you perform and I'll no doubt have one of them up soon to listen to. The pub where the stage is present is all open plan so people all sit around and you get up and do your thing. It's very relaxed and a nice vibe in there, I'd imagine this place would be great to try out new material or to play tracks in development. The other artists on the bill were all friendly and I stayed around to chat to the people who listened giving out flyers and introducing myself. I then left to catch a very good friend of mine play in the Camden Eye to a slightly different vibe. 'Lewisberg' has just started solo performing but he played fantastically well against a tough background.

London looked quite beautiful on the way to The Dublin Castle in Camden today. The overground train I was on from Wimbledon is mostly overground rooftop height and everything was silhouetted against a cold December sunset. Quite a different view from my last visit to London where the overground journey exposed a darker derelict side to East London I'd never really experienced even when I lived here. Forgotten railway stations hold their ground amongst industrial buildings that were once key players now ghosts of themselves. Nature has taken over and grown around empty playgrounds and concrete graffiti ridden structures. Not today though it looked like a panning shot from an amalgamation of a Richard Curtis/Tim Burton movie... all romance and mystery.

Photo by aaron bennett photography

Dublin Castle is somewhere I'd never played on my own and I was the only solo performer there. Soundcheck was great and my effects sounded huge through the PA. Headliners 'Fracture' were a nice bunch and I'm sorry I couldn't hang around for their set as I was homeward bound that night and had to leave early. 

Unfortunately a bit like the other historic indie pillar venues I've played in London recently the crowd was sparse. I must say though the few that were there were great and listened and engaged with me. It's a shame seeing these venues across the country become less engaged with but that's a whole different conversation and is covered by many. Dublin Castle is a fantastic venue and its staff are all approachable and nice and the sound guy is very good indeed.

My voice is not running on full steam at present, I have a vocal chord injury. It's really made me realise the importance of looking after it as I've always been extremely nonchalant and taken it for granted that it would always be there. Every musician is scared of colds and I'm no different, avoiding people with them and getting all paranoid when a gig comes near. Nothing has prepared me for an actual vocal chord injury though and it's quite a shock when things you used to do become a struggle. My point to this confession is... singers....look after your voice. It will go if not respected, and when it does you will S@*t yourselves! 

Next stop The Good Ship...

Stay Safe
Andy x

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Gig Diary 4 - The Regal Rooms - Five Ways Folk Club


The Regal Rooms is the other half of the two most important figurehead venues for songwriters in London. The Bedford was a place I was recommended to play very early on when I started performing on my own and I fell in love with it on my first visit. It's Shakespearean theatre decor makes for as grand backdrop for the singer/songwriter guise. The Regal Rooms in Hammersmith was it's sister venue often regarded with a certain respect for its history of having industry present at shows. Showcases tend to be arranged there for wide eyed hopefuls on the brink of discovery. It's with sadness I say that the Regal Rooms's future is in jeopardy now it's been bought out, which now makes this gig even more poignant as it was to be my last as it stands in the venue. It was your typical Regal Rooms gig, great sound, civilised crowd, cheeky camp compare, and some fine talent on the bill with a touch of show tune and theatrics thrown in for good measure. I often feel the odd one out in London but have never felt out of place in either of these venues. My voice had taken a battering by the end of these dates more of which later but for now the Regal Rooms I salute your hospitality and memories.




The Fiveways folk club was a real shot in the dark for me. I'd never heard of it before trying it out and didn't know what to expect. After getting to the pub which seemed the same as any other Weatherspoons in a suburb in anywheresville, I was told it was upstairs in a tiny room. So upstairs I went a little confused trusty guitar on back and Jack Daniels In hand. The room is just that.. very tiny and it's modest decor and school room chairs had me thinking maybe I was in the wrong place. I must admit I'd had my reservations but this was turned by the warmth of the people who frequent this aptly named club into the perfect example of what I imagined true folk clubs to be. It was an older crowd who where respectful, graceful, attentive and open to my material even though some of my songs don't necessarily fit the bill of purist folk music. I performed more pure acoustic songs leaving behind my box of effect tricks that night. Another thing that is a huge factor as well as the people  in the atmosphere of the place is there's no PA! Completely acoustic....nothing! Which I actually enjoy the pressure and tend to rise to it as it's comfortable for me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at fiveways and I'm back next year. It's different but it's untouched by media and expectations...it's a small room where people play songs that shape peoples experiences and traditions...there's a purity in that.

Tonight I'm playing at the legendary Dublin Castle in Camden :-)



Stay Safe
Andy x


Thursday 17 October 2013

Gig Diary 3 - The Troubadour & Tamesis Dock


So before I headed off to Earls Court to play at the Troubadour I stopped off at London Borough Market. Gorgeous smells waft around the archways and indoor market showing off foods from around the world. Parma Hams, fine wines, cheeses, breads, veg and meats surround you with a bustling London crowd sheltering from the rain outside. I bet it's even better round Christmas time, definitely gonna go there in December. Truffles are £79 ...... Just saying.....quite expensive.


The Troubadour is a 1950s old tavern complete with huge wooden door and shield street sign. Adorned inside with a beautiful decor, bohemian vibes, and very flamboyant bar staff who are all passion, nonchalance and precision. The artists were given red wine and lasagne after soundcheck and believe me that never happens in any venue! The troubadour is steeped in rock and roll history with Dylan and Hendrx amongst others passing through its doors. I fell in love with it instantly and if I lived in the area I would spend all my time in there. The gig was packed out and the crowd were definitely enjoying their alcohol...



Of course I could pass through Earls Court without seeing one of the only remaining police box's. Being a massive Dr Who fan....this is the most exciting box since the rubix cube......


Taking the tardis to gigs is something I should do more, negotiating London with equipment this last week has caused some aches....I should have done this ages ago....






On Thursday before my gig I went to the Imperial War Museum. If anyone has been they will understand that the museum is an exceptional showcase of the Second World War, including the MI5, MI6, espionage, and by far the most intense museum installation I've ever had, The Holocaust. I urge anyone to go and experience it even if it is a little difficult, it really makes you feel small and humble. The first floor about the blitz also makes you proud to be British. 

Halloween is coming....my favourite yearly celebration. 


Tamesis Dock is a psychedelic boat mored on the Thames next to the Houses of Parliament. It's an amalgamation of bric a brac, cultures, styles, and influences with a fantastic musical taste. Overlooking the river with its pillars of English culture all around its a fantastic place to go and chill out. 



Everything about it is odd and kooky even the staff have an air of the psychedelic about them. If you ever go there definitely try the food as it's gorgeous! Watching the sun go down on a boat on the Thames reminded me of my boat trip down the Seine in Paris. 



Next stop The Regal Rooms in Hammersmith, the last stop this week....

Stay Safe
Andy xx




Tuesday 15 October 2013

Gig Diary 2 - Bar Vinyl & The Alleycat Club

Ah Camden...I'll always have an emotional link to Camden as I spent a lot of time up there when I lived in London. I've played the Jazz Cafe a few times, met Noël Gallagher there, watched the Bluetones and other indie favourites in a place that was once the home of Britpop. I've walked the lock on summer nights, gone round the bustling markets under the low lights and cobblestone streets. I've bought clothes, food, art, taken in the vast range of culture madness and general oddness that is that square mile...but one thing still and always has intrigues me. How have the police not caught the drug dealers!? I mean it's so easy and there so stupid with it as well, Camden lock bridge is still the hotspot and they couldn't be more pathetic in there attempts to be inconspicuous if they tried! If someone would like to enlighten me as to why it seems so blatant there please let me know....because I guarantee if I went undercover i'd suss them out in 30 mins....without question!


The place still excites me even though I can understand why it would irritate a lot of people. There's more tourists now taking pictures of the big Converse attached to the shop wall than there is actual alternative purists, although you can still find them. It's the bizarreness that I adore, the fact you get people walking down the road in full cyberpunk getup or one sleeve missing and a monocle, or a guy dressed as Albert Einstein....and no one cares....it's great...I love that! The extravagance, the weird and wonderful, and the fantastic stalls will always be inviting to me.

So the gig was in Bar Vinyl which is a small bar down the street with Britpop legend 'The Good Mixer' at the end of it. It has a nice interior and was a lovely place to go and have a few drinks and some nice food to get out of the Mighty Boosh outside. I think it needs a little more work to really make it a serious live venue though, it's essentially set up for small cocktail bar type background music or a small club environment, not really live music I would say. The gig wasn't greatly attended and so the vibe was small and not noteworthy which gives me very little to engage with. So unfortunately not great....the few people that witnessed it liked it, and I played quite well, so no harm done! So with some time to kill I went and sat on London Bridge and watched things.....I like watching things you see...


During the next day on Monday I took the opportunity to see the London Observatory. Being a space nut it was something I absolutely adored and I think anyone with even the slightest interest in space exploration, the structure and need of 'time' socially and it's importance in nature, or just want to have a nice walk in a park....should go to Greenwich and experience the mueseums. I was lucky enough to see the space photography exhibition there as well, and the planetarium is something else! I'm not going to bore you with it because I could talk all day about it...just go!

Yuri Gagarin ....an that...

The Alleycat club in Denmark Street had all the credentials of a fantastic evening. The venue was in London's guitar haven for a start! It's 50s rock and roll decor and basement entrance make you feel like you are entering into history and the haphazard wallpaper of old rock and roll magazines and NME's only add to that. It was complete with smooching couple in the back of the venue, I had to look twice as I thought it could have been Danny Zuko and Sandy. After soundcheck I realised that this night may suffer from a poor attendance as there wasn't much foot traffic coming in and the bar had been open a while. When I played there was a few more in and people enjoyed what I did but I found it hard to engage and really only getting in my stride at the end. 




I approached it more jokey and less professional maybe than usual as it just seemed a little patronising to be waffling on a sales pitch in a vibe-less room! Fantastic venue though and it was just an unlucky night of poor attendance. Thanks to the people who were there though, and your comments are appreciated hope you enjoy the CD. 

Next stop The Troubadour...I've heard a lot about this venue, let's try it out!

Stay Safe
Andy xx



FREE DOWNLOAD 'DREAMSCAPE'
My new song his now available to download here from Dropify

http://dropify.com/l/hDF

Or Soundcloud here

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Sunday 13 October 2013

Gig Diary 1 - Nambucca & Rise 46


Nambucca - So the first gig of my Autumn London dates was North London's Indie cool Mecca Nambucca. I was looking forward to playing here as along with some other dates on this run as I haven't played here before. Nambucca has a lot of "cool" attached to it through its involvement with Pete Doherty, Amy Winehouse etc so it came as no surprise that they were playing over the pub PA as I entered the venue. The place reminds me of The Joiners in Southampton, a pub at the front with a venue out the back of the building. After a rather Spinal Tap moment of not being able to find the place because google maps was pointing me to a bin outside an Indian Resturant I decided to ask a shop owner who directed me about 100 foot down the road. I'm usually quite good at directions too!
I was billed with a young band called Memory Clinic from Wales. A psychedelic pop band who I really think could be one to watch soon. I'd say a more accessible Tame Impala was along the right lines and they were really nice guys too. They told me they had some industry coming down to see them that night and I was hoping for a good crowd. Unfortunately I was wrong and I played to a very empty room, snapping a string whilst tuning and never getting in my stride. That's the game though right!? Some you win some you lose and tonight was a bit of a false start. You could be playing in the Albert Hall but if there's no one to experience it what's the point.....If a tree falls down in a wood and no-ones there to hear.......you get the idea ;-) The train home that night was rather eventful though, meeting people on my travels is always one of my favourite things and there were some characters on that late night train that could fill a prog rock double album!

Rise 46 - So right up until I was due to play the evidence was pretty conclusive that this was going to be the same and that I was going to be playing to my sister who had kindly drove me up to Clapham, but thankfully it wasn't.....Not that I would have cared though to be honest! I loved the place it's a fantastic venue to hang out, let alone play a gig. It's a 1920s themed bar with Jazz Posters, Art Deco/Nouveux stylings, and the stage is essentially where I imagined the old cellar of the building used to be. There is only space for about 50 people in there so its very intimate with low candle light, beer barrel tables, and a tiny stage.


This makes for a fantastic vibe for any acoustic act and I completely bought into its charm. I seemed to be billed with music student acts which at first made me raise an eyebrow but after hearing them made me feel a little rash in judgement. A common thing with London acts is I find many of them to be very 'showbiz'...almost like they have just stepped out of stage school which of course isn't a problem but I find it hard to believe them at times which can make me switch off...not tonight though. There was a small but engaged crowd in there and after a few Jack Daniels and generally being in love with the place I thoroughly enjoyed the intimate vibe and banter with the people that were there. Some expensively dressed city folk were at the back.. all Dolce & Gabanna and white teeth. I made some wise crack about the fact they all seemed to be drinking Martini's where as down in Portsmouth the preferred tipple was Lager. 5 minutes later I was graced onstage with a Martini and Champagne chaser, which of course I took obligingly! I chipped my guitar on a wall that night which any one who knows me will vouch for the fact this a catastrophe of the highest calibre. Much like a meteor strike or broken arm...but tonight it didn't matter as I had a fantastic time. After stopping off at the permanent motorway fixture for any musician 'The Wild Bean Cafe', we drove home along a misty motorway safe in the knowledge that the mission was accomplished. Rise 46 was the true start of my London run.

Stay Safe
Andy x

Next stop my old haunt Camden!


  



Thursday 10 October 2013

Dreamscape FREE Download

Hi guys!

Just to let you all know that my song 'Dreamscape' can be downloaded for FREE from NEXT MONDAY, the 14th October. This coincides with my London dates next week:

 Sunday 13th: Camden Acoustic Club, Bar Vinyl, CAMDEN
 Monday 14th: Alley Cat Club, Denmark Street, LONDON (Dreamscape download day!!)
 Wednesday 16th: The Troubadour, Earls Court, LONDON
 Thursday 17th: Tamesis Dock, Vauxhall, LONDON
 Friday 18th: The Regal Room, Hammersmith, LONDON

I'm really looking forward to doing my string of London dates, as in the past, most of my London gigs have been one-off stops in the City, so to stay for a consecutive run will be something to immerse myself in.

'Dreamscape' was conceived in an exact state of its subject matter; one night I had a nightmare about the safety of my partner which finished with her hand slipping away from mine. After waking from this rather commonly experienced (but very real!) dream it got me thinking about dream cliches. There are many that are well documented... sinking in sand, falling off a cliff, teeth falling out, being chased by an entity of some kind etc. So I wrote a claustrophobic sonic easel in which to hang these cliched dream experiences on.

My iPad has played a huge part in the birth of 'Dreamscape', especially the DM1 drum sequencer, which you can hear on the recording (the 808 kit samples running through the track). I wanted a disorientating feel that came together in the choruses using phasing, space, repetition, and minimalist ideals. 'Dreamscape' literally fell out of my head and songwriting doesn't happen like that very often. I hope you enjoy this first free offering from the new album currently nearing completion 'Science & Magic'.



This is a session I did at Red Bull Studios playing guitar for an acoustic re-working of Shadowchild's new track 'Friday' featuring Takura. It was an absolute pleasure working on something different and also so close to Takura who has an exceptional voice. Takura is the voice of many Chase & Status and Sub Focus records, also penning a track with Rihanna and providing vocals for countless acts including Plan B. Shadowchild is a top dance producer in his own right providing remixes this year for London Grammar amongst many, both need no introduction in there field but some people may not be aware of them.

Watch the interview and live session here


Hope you enjoy the FREE download 'Dreamscape'... please let me know what you think, all your feedback is appreciated, I look forward to seeing some of you Londeners at the gigs!

Stay Safe
Andy xx


Mostly listening to:
Richard Dawkins: Various lectures
Magoo: All Electric Amusement Arcade
David Bowie: The Next Day
Jagwar Mar: Howlin



Monday 12 August 2013

Good Day Sunshine!!!!


Alright? 

Been a great summer hast it? Beautiful sunshine and gorgeous sunsets giving us more to winge about whilst we look to find other imaginary battles to fight. "Winge" do you know the word Winge? I didn't realise until recently that the word 'Squinny' meaning to winge or moan was pretty much a Portsmouth word. 

Wickham festival was fantastic this year a real pleasure to be involved in as well. The festival itself was well organised, friendly, had a lovely vibe and some fantastic acts. With only having a small foot in the folk camp I was worried how my songwriting would come across. I'm probably less rustic as it were than I used to be around the first EP's period and Wickham is unashamably folk orientated. The tent was relatively empty when I came on but through my set the tent was filling up with people. I must admit after my set I had a weird disconnecting feeling that I hadn't quite connected with the audience as I should. That was soon relieved with a small wave of people coming over and buying album taster EPs and taking flyers. They were fantastic and full of weighty questions on the music and what I'm up to.



The album is taking shape but still unsure of a release time at present. Watch this space though as its beginning to mould into something I'm very proud of, encptulating many of my songwriting styles with a variety of different moods. Just this week a brand new song fell out of my head fully formed in one night so I want to see whether more come to me over the coming months.

I've done a few smaller local gigs recently The Southsea Food Festival, The Southsea Show, and The Groundlings Theatre. They've all been good fun and its nice to get involved with the arts in the area and see what happens at these little events. The music became secondary at the Southsea Show as Archery at was great fun! An impromptu Samba session happened during Race Car Hearts gig in the tea rooms as the Samba precession nearby engulfed his performance...so we gave em a little Samba ourselves! 



Above you see me with Luke Ferre's guitar as my string snapped onstage. Being a very small gig he then preceded to sit in front of me and pull funny faces during my set. He's like an irritating kid brother, but also rather good so check him out. 


Next up for me is Victorious Festival at the Dockyard in Portsmouth. People that went last year will remember a fantastic day with smooth organisation and a fantastic vibe. I particularly remember The Lightning Seeds on the last night that took me back to my childhood. Can't wait to see The Milk, Mark Morriss, and History Of Apple Pie. I'm performing around 1pm Saturday on the acoustic stage. 
I

Here's the brand new poster for Southseafest in September. Im glad to play this for many reasons one being the bond I feel to Albert Road and its crazy people. It's always a pleasure to be involved in something that's right on my doorstep and it often becomes a springboard stop for acts before they become much bigger, Bastille being one of them. This year one of my favourite new bands 'Temples' are on the bill which will I'd imagine be the first and maybe the last time we shall see them in this setting. I predict a rather quick accent for them. I'm playing in the magic bean cafe on Albert Road so do come along. It's going to be the calm in the storm of excitement.


Please check the website/Facebook for gig updates, ill be doing a good few before the end of the year.. 

Stay Safe
Andy
Xx

This is a live version of my cover of Kassassin Street's Centre Straight Atom

Tuesday 9 July 2013

The Spring Arts Centre (Havant) / The Wedgewood Rooms

So on the 20th of June on a nice spring Thursday evening I went through the doors of one of my favorite places to play...The Spring Arts Centre in Havant.
Its always been regarded as a hometown gig for me and a place I hold close to my heart. Situated right next to the Hayling Billy Line where I used to play, get into mischief and walk to school, the Spring Arts represents my youth and it always seems to be a dignified night of music with people who appreciate what I do.

Talking of being young....my brother brought this out the vault recently! ......Am I in the Happy Mondays there or what?!



Being my night essentially and having a little more time than usual means I can bring a range of guitars, sounds, and banter to the proceedings and I can relax into the show a little more than usual. This makes for a broader setlist and I enjoy the flexibility. If I could have it my way I'd play art centres all year round! I love the atmosphere, the setting and the vibe they normally have.

New song 'Phobos' seemed to go down really even thought it was stripped of its electronic psychedelics it still seemed to hold weight and sat alongside 'Sea Of Thought' and 'The Garden'. I enjoyed the whole set and people engaged with me afterwards buying the sample CD of the new album and generally giving me feedback. I think the tour with Terry has definitely given me a boost in terms of confidence.

Thanks to Rowan Bastable from Kassassin Street who opened the night, giving us some 'Head Full Of Yoko' tracks and some Id never heard before. After his set he was talking to me about the shift in vibe of what hes used to with it being such an intense feeling being up there musically naked! This feeling is what I enjoy! I cant wait to show you what hes done with 'The Garden' which is finished now by the way....watch this space.

I also played the 'Singer and the Song' competition at the Wedgewood Rooms and run by The News. Being the final of the competition they wanted an example of someone who was out touring to cap the night. I played a few songs whilst the judges made there final decision on all the young competitors three track performances that night. One thing that struck me was the level of ability on show for people so young! Some of the performers that night were 15 and were playing the Wedge with passion and grace. They all seemed to be gig ready but without the experience just yet and it was quite fantastic to watch the next level of home grown talent in front of you. I also enjoyed being a fly on the wall backstage listening to all their banter and nerves around the dressing room. It reminded me of being in my first band Paradime and having so much hope for the future.

Thanks to The News for all their support and also the Wedgewood Rooms...I love that place


Enjoy the heatwave!!!

Keep checking back for gigs, new songs, and more :-)

Stay Safe
Andy xx
Phobos: mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Beady Eye)

Tuesday 25 June 2013

The Isle Of Wight Festival - Phobos

Alright?

So, this year Isle Of Wight Festival was back to a family event; after a few years of playing with the big boys. For me it was all the better for it. That said, this year IOW has had some megative press with comments that the line-up was too 'Grandad...hehe!! I believe the space is better used when its run as a family festival and not a Mini-Glasto and it may not have been particularly cutting edge this year with NME acts but you still had some incredible bands in the line-up; I feel the Festival works much better when there are acts from all the spectrum, catering for all ages.

I've been waiting to see 'The Killers' for years and they didn't disappoint. It was a fantastic performance which will go down as one of my faves since I've been going and I've been to nearly every one. The band of the moment 'Bastille' were unbelievable; whether you like pop music or not, there's no getting away from the fact they are incredibly tight and make a lot of seasoned pros look lazy. 'Fun' were the surprise band of the festival, their theatrical pop really made the tent come alive. Also not forgetting 'Bloc Party', who after a really shaky start completely tore the place apart with new songs that were interesting, hard hitting and fresh... the guitarist is unbelievable... I need to see his pedal board... Anyway...

My performance in the Kashmir Tent had a sparse attendance at first, but then the tent began to fill and people were engaging... which was fantastic... only to lose them all again when Jake Bugg came on. The people that were there though were brilliant and I got stopped a few times when I was walking about the festival saying how they enjoyed it. Now...how can I get myself a press endorsement from Noel Gallagher?... he still has the power to give a huge fanbase in one sentence! Many thanks to all at the Kashmir Tent for the opportunity to play, hopefully here's to next year... fingers crossed. It is one of the best tents in the festival and I'm sure the organisers and volunteers will go to musical heaven for there services.... which I assume to sound like a Brian Eno soundscape with candy floss and headphones.


So here's another new track...
Quite a departure maybe from other released material in the past; a different recording style can completely change the feel of the song. I arrived at this track on a train journey to Worthing one day to visit to my partner. On my iPad I have an app called DM-1 drums, its essentially a drum sequencer in the classic sense, containing everything from 909 style kits to full blown Timpani's. I created the whole rhythm section on this app and transferred it to Cubase building the track over the top.
The idea was to keep it pretty sparse, like classic electro. Nothing was put in unless it was essential. It is inspired by a bit of everything I've been listening to recently: Merz, Mansions On The Moon, New Order and I have always loved samples in tracks. Let me know what you think? Escapism is a theme I cover a lot and lyrically it's here in the form of Space travel... Phobos is a moon of Mars....if ya asking.....

Phobos
Mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Beady Eye)



Stay Safe
Andy
xx

"Everybody knows everything but nothing they should..."

Friday 31 May 2013

Tour Diary Day 8 The Borderline London final night of tour

After staying over in Covent Garden Steve Pitt and I left the place early to see if we could get tickets for the Bowie exhibition at the V&A in South Kensington. I've been looking forward to this all tour as I'm a huge Bowie fan and whilst I'm at London on the final day I thought it would be fantastic to see. We queued for ages to get in...then we got in....and queued again.....then when our ticket time came about...we queued again. It was so worth it it was incredible, a real lesson in how to put on an art exhibition. Headphones are given to you at the start but you don't have to interact with them at all, it kicks in for you! So you just walk about the place and they play the relevant sound bite to whatever you're looking at! Lyric sheets, costumes, films, audio, posters, art concept design...everything you could wish for is in there. I wholeheartedly recommend going along.

A quite peculiar sculpture hanging from the museum at the V&A

Lyrics from Space Oddity at the David Bowie exhibition 

There he is!!!

This little splash pool is a little Oasis in the middle of the V&A 

So tonight is Terry's seminal album "Seed Of Memory" back to back with full band. It's something his fans have been waiting for a long time and after last nights success the band are more than up to the task. I'm actually really looking forward to hearing the album in its entirety. 
After bantering about in the dressing room with Terry I go and talk to tonight's audio recorders who are no other than Steve Hampton and Jax (his lovely partner). Hampton is a bit of a musical legend himself and is also responsible for one of the tracks on my new album, a re-working of "City Speed" a fantastic early sixties sounding slow psych pop version as well! Steve and I ate in the old Marque venue which is now unfortunately a Weatherspoons...but fortunately for us it is ......as I'm hungry.....

Last nights set list for the Terry gig


So after a tense soundcheck we were ready to go. I just had a line check quick and it was relatively the same as the night before so it wasn't a problem really. As I came on the room was empty but for a few people around the bar and the sound desk. Like last night though they came in thick and fast by my third track. I felt relaxed up there tonight I really wanted to enjoy myself as it was the last gig of the tour, and that I did. There were a couple of people there from the night before and I carried on the banter, and people were receptive to my cheeky mutterings in-between tracks. It's a great feeling to settle in mid-set and know the people in the room are on your side. Again lots of great feedback and kind words from the older crowd that had come to see their musical hero and stumbled across me!

I've loved playing to his crowd, and they have embraced me also and for that I thank them.
It was also a pleasure to catch up with one of my best chums Ali Robertson who has recently come back from travelling. It was a good few years ago now I started this singer/songwriter lark on my own opening for his band at the time The Aviators. 


This tour has been a fantastic experience for me. Seeing parts of the country I haven't seen, playing to engaging crowds, and meeting some lovely people. Playing your music to people, them responding to it, and being treated with respect in your art is the goal of most musicians. I've learned that I can cross over my material to different ages and also can hold my own in situations that are against me, and it's been such a valuable and fruitful experience.


Terry's set was great for me as I hadn't heard some of these track live as it was the seed of memory album. Some of the tracks don't really work acoustic so he doesn't play them, but really fly in this environment when he's with the band. The problems with his voice now seemed to not be an issue as it was the last night of the tour. Terry was giving it some and having fun up there! After the intense soundcheck going through tracks that he himself hadn't played for years it was fantastic seeing it come together so well. Even the normally sidetracked Steve Pitt who normally has seven thousand things going round in his head to organise, was bashing a bear mat on the table in time! I think everyone including myself wanted to have a good time tonight and enjoy it :-) and it was really coming out in their playing tonight. "The way you walk" was fantastic and to see terry losen up into a rock setting and really let it rip was a joy to watch. He even jumped on the organ to do a track! .... I knew that was going to happen though....saw it in soundcheck ;-). Ed Tudor Pole is sat next to me while I write this....bit weird.....

This last show was a real success....and a perfect way to end the tour on good vibes and great music.

.....until.....

....the pack down and load out.....

We always knew it was going to be tough to get a 6 piece band out of a venue on a lower than street level position and into a piss-soaked side street next to a pub, the G.A.Y nightclub in full swing and building works developing the old Astoria site...but then as Jim and myself were guarding the lift entrance with the gear in it ready for the cars .....we had a visitor...

An extremely drunk girl took it upon herself to wander into the lift and start provoking me by abusing me, prodding me, and kicking equipment. Now...not being particularly equipped for such a alcohol fused girl with the grace of a sack of manure....I respectfully asked her to leave the lift and stop provoking me for no reason. This led to her slapping me round the face....twice!

So I did the only thing a man can do in this situation....I told on her! I went and got the security guard, she didn't move for him so we had to get a women guard from G.A.Y to threaten her to move. She still kept coming back! Which meant we were being watched by the guard for an hour whilst we moved the gear....

A shame the night ended like this as understandably I was rather riled up as I couldn't do anything about the slap with her being a human of the female variety!!

Still after winging a little about it to Steve on the way home I wasn't going to let that ruin a fantastic night......:-)

Silly girl...

Some thanks are in order...
Terry Reid of course for being generally warm to me throughout and wanting me to support him. He treated me with respect throughout.
Jim for driving us round the country sorting gear out and generally helping the wheels turn.
All the venues who have been hospitable and friendly, even when things have got tense.
All the people that came to see us and engaged with the music and what we do, it really is appreciated I assure you.
Anna & Eric for their warmth and banter.

Extra special thanks should go to Steve Pitt.
The organiser of the whole tour, averting crisis by making the whole thing operate. There will not be a tour without him and he is constantly thinking ahead for potential problems. Apart from being a good friend of mine he is often not given credit for how hard he works, and I thank him for everything he did and has done for me not only on this tour but throughout me doing music. Thanks mate x

Soooo.......

The Havant show .....20th of June at the spring arts centre in Havant, a headline hometown show with Rowan Bastable of Kassassin Street. Tickets can be bought from here 

Here's the link to the Havant show in June
http://www.thespring.co.uk/events/andrew-foster/

Here's a lovely review from New Reviews of Personal Legend...thanks to them  

Personal Legend (Science & Magic)
Mastered by Pete Maher
(U2, Beady Eye)


Thursday 30 May 2013

Tour Diary Day 7 The Borderline London - Day 1

Here we are then... the last two nights of the tour with Terry Reid, a double night at the Borderline in London. A venue steeped in rock & roll history and a place I've never played before which is quite rare in London as I've trod the boards up here many times. After a good journey up with Steve Pitt with the new David Bowie album flowing over us from his tiny vauxhall corsa speakers, we get in to find the rest of the band just arriving.

I went to check in to our hotel and on the way back knowing it would be some time before I was due to soundcheck, I went to my favourite street in the centre of London....Denmark Street. Wall to wall guitars...effects.....amps....synths.....and equipment. It really is a musicians dream, like finding the winning Wonka Ticket and being sucked into the best place in the world via Wonka-Vision. Problem is of course being a musician I have no money, so it's like look...but don't touch. Still didn't stop me playing a Martin acoustic that I have my eye on. £650 quids though which isn't that bad for the guitar, still I walked away complaining in my sub conscience about how much I'd just parted with to buy a tuna sandwich.... so the Martin is just a dream for now. 


Terry is in full band mode tonight, Pedal steel, Brass, Lead guitar, organ, Drum kit and Bass. Terry cackles at me and comes over for a trademark hug and uses his new found tongue in cheek cool word for something going terribly wrong..."clusterfuck". Of course he was referring to the fact he had the problems with his voice that are still ongoing. He disappeared to go see the doctor before soundcheck, a proper consultant on the troubles of the voice-box variety. When he came back time was pushing on so after a hairy soundcheck where the band were finding their feet and getting levels.... we were there! For a while though it was a mass of cables and confusion! We got there though and I finished my 'speed of light' soundcheck just as people started coming into the venue.


When I started played there wasn't a great deal of people in which I was a little gutted about. Then for some unknown reason during the second track Heartbeats, people came in and filled the floor in front of me. I had verbal diahhorea tonight and was bantering away trying to win them over on to my side and keep them engaged. It seemed to work and by new song "Sea Of Memory" they were really gunning for me, which was a great feeling. My monitor mix was great tonight and I could really play with the dynamics of the songs which I love doing. I had people interacting with me in between tracks, cameras flashing and silence in all the right places. It showed after the set as lots of people came to buy EPs and to ask how I get my guitar tone, and even lyrics being questioned which is fantastic. A great start for me of the two nights we have here I'm hoping I can have a repeat performance on the Friday show with it being the last night of the tour and all. Not many CDs to sell now until I'm completely out!

The soundcraft desk in a glass case as a table in the green room! Must be the old board!

Terry in full band is always a breathtaking experience. It's normally a real lesson in real music as he gets in the best session players and the "feel" of the band is something that tends to be lost from a lot of newer acts nowadays and harks back to golden times of music. The whole thing breathes as one organism which is quite a feat considering they hardly rehearse and Terry has a habit of improvising at a drop of a hat so the session guys really have to be on it! The track Terry did with DJ Shadow "Listen" could be done tonight because of the full band environment and its a joy to hear...a real brooding breakbeat track that has such a great vibe. It's the closest terry will ever get to dance music and very contemporary. Tracks were falling thick tonight...some real crowd pleasers, Rich Kid Blues, Seed Of Memory, Faith To Arise, and Don't Worry Baby complete with singalong crowd and the now default funky opening instrumental The Frame that Terry comes on stage to which always gets me moving uncontrollably. Terry did well with his voice tonight and he was starting to get his low end power back from the gigs before where he was struggling, I was scared for him every time he exerted too much though! Easy Terry! Don't get carried away! We're recording it tomorrow!! 

Tomorrow it's the last date of the tour and Terry is playing the seminal album seed of memory back to back, and I'll be playing my last date on tour.

It'll be emotional....

Stay Safe
Andy
X

Here's a lovely review from New Reviews of Personal Legend...thanks to them 

Here's the link to the Havant show in June
http://www.thespring.co.uk/events/andrew-foster/

Personal Legend (Science & Magic)
Mastered by Pete Maher
(U2, Beady Eye)


Wednesday 29 May 2013

Tour Diary Day 6 Brighton Komedia

So .... After the couple of dates I wasn't doing on the tour, Terry's voice took a turn for the worst and he's been suffering with weak vocal chords. So I met a hush toned Terry at Brighton and we joked about the fact he was now a walking Boots the Chemist. He was changing notes in soundcheck to preserve his voice and not over exerting, I could see he was struggling I know what that's like. When you've got nothing in there it's scary as there's nothing you can do, you've just got to rest and try not to damage the voice further. He was in good spirits though, playing Dylan in soundcheck and taking the piss in a tongue in cheek way. I remember a particular gig at the Bedford in which I had laryngitis and I had to battle it onstage, it's pretty scary up there with no band when you have no power in your voice.
I played this room last year on the tour with Terry and it was a lovely gig for me, with a crowd who were receptive and eerily quiet. So I hope this year they except me again with my new set and songs.
Steve Pitt was doing his thing at soundcheck making sure everything was in check and after a battle of frequencies I was ready to go myself.


Brighton's the other place apart from Bath I've always wanted to live. It's a less abrasive London with a liberal vibe and colorful environment. Whenever I come here I can hear the dreams of hundreds of artists, musicians, dancers, film makers and it's inspiring. I always think when walking around and spot a guitar case...that they have the same dreams and aspirations as me, wanting to express themselves, for people to embrace their art and to make a difference in some way. Just walking around there's a different feel that I'm sure a lot of people from Brighton themselves will declare has disappeared from the city, but I love it all the same. I love the lanes and the crazies walking around the place everyone seems to project a story and be interesting like little novels bursting with experience. I walked into a local corner shop and "Passenger" was playing over the stereo. Its interesting as many years ago I went for an audition to be in Passenger in Brighton before he decided to go it alone, we also used to be on the same bill a lot. Nice that a local singer/songwriter has done well, but strange is that he kind of built it up from moving to Australia?!


At the beginning of my set the crowd were rather frosty and didn't interact at all. After a couple of songs and some cheeky banter though we got there and by the end they engaged with my set with warmth. I played the same set as the other dates on the tour but with the addition of "weird science" at the end. I was making nods in between the tracks of some of the references in my songs such as Bertrand Russell, Weird Science, The Alchemist, and the psychosis of being a musician. We had some laughs and some great applause for my set especially Personal Legend which was the best I've played it for many a year tonight. The amount of merchandise I sold and the feedback after the gig was fantastic considering at first i thought i was going to find it hard to make a connection.


Terry's set was understandably more subdued tonight as preservation of his voice was omnipotent but he handled his set with grace interacting with the audience in a friendly way and telling anecdotes. At first I really worried for him but he got through and did well considering what must have been hurting him quite considerably. The crowd seemed to be on his side though and a particularly lovely rendition of 'don't worry baby' and 'dont let the sun catch you crying' made the crowd fall pin-drop silent. It was kind of Camp Fire Terry Reid tonight and i thought he did fantastically well and his whispers took on a more experienced melancholic tone. For people who feel they missed out on his usual foghorn volume tones should come to The Borderline on Thursday and Friday, but it was still a special gig tonight.

Looking forward to the two final dates in London.....The Borderline/Finish Line


Heres the Ticket link for my Havant Spring Arts Centre gig on June 20th
http://www.thespring.co.uk/events/andrew-foster/

Stay Safe
Andy x

PERSONAL LEGEND
Mastered by Pete Maher
(U2, Beady Eye)

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Tour Diary Day 5 The Half Moon Putney

The half moon in putney holds fond memories for me. It's where I launched my second LP "The Garden" a few years ago. Support that night was Chris Helm and we played together onstage playing his song "Hello". That was a great moment for me as the Seahorses defined the summer of 97. For those who don't know, the Seahorses were the band John Squire formed after the Stone Roses, and were a kind of more accessible Led Zeppelin. I've also played here a few times with Terry and a particularly special gig with Rumer when she joined him onstage for Brave Awakening. So I approached it in hope of the night being the same vibe as those fantastic gigs before.


It's a great room full of heritage and spit and sawdust rock & roll, and it always feels welcoming to me. The place nowadays though has a more classy feel with its Beatles furnished chairs, bare wood bar/chairs and rugs outside in the garden for people to snug into. I do love the place, great vibe and a fantastic place to put shows on.


For me the gig was a little frustrating as the potential of people I could have played to decided to boycott the support act and stay in the bar! It is because I've been spoilt on this tour though and I still played to a half full room. They were sweet and engaged in my set, Memory Maze hit home the most with the Garden raising a few eyebrows! The silence in the room showed real music fans in the place but I did find it harder to connect tonight. Sea Of Thought is getting better with each play and im getting confident with the set now. People ask me what the hell are the crazy psychedelic sitar pad sounds and how am I doing it....I tell them I have the spirit of the 60s in me..... it was definitely a good purchase. The Half Moon must be commended for their excellent command of sound and professional attitude. They have Puressence there next week if anyone is in London reading this they really should get along to that gig, they are one of my favourite bands of all time and are exceptional. 


There was something restrained in Terry's set tonight. The advent of a bass player and BJ Cole kept Terry rhythmically in line when he normally likes to play with it. That's fine of course but its nice to hear him in this way as the songs took on a different feel. Much like a lost soundtrack to an old graceful western, beautiful Americana that really hit on an emotional level. Terry had a bit of a sore throat before he went on but it made him all the more sweeter at first. When he's on form there isn't a voice more bursting at the seems with life weathered experience, it's really quite special. BJ in particular was so understated and atmospheric tonight. Terry really was battling his voice about mid way though, and the power he has was some-what newted, but he still held it together with grace and the crowd were on his side for something he couldn't help. Nice touch that he dedicated Night Of The Raging Storm to the victims of the Oklahoma tornado that swept through on Monday causing so much devastation. 

Me and Jim... Terry's trusty Driver and friend

Tonight was BJ Coles night on the pedal steel, he was transcendual .......

Next week I have the second leg of the tour which takes us to Brighton, Norwich, and the double night London Borderline gigs on Thursday and Friday. The Friday see him take on his seminal album Seed Of Memory with full band, I'm looking forward to being part of that. Want to try and get to the Bowie exhibition as well.

Honey JD.....gorgeous isn't it!! Try it with ginger.

Stay Safe
Andy xx

Personal Legend 
New track from up coming album "Science & Magic"
Mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Beady Eye)