Good On Paper YouTube Playlist March 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month features artists playing at The Prince Albert, Open House, the Crown & Sceptre, the Subscription Rooms, the Convent in Stroud plus Christ Church (Nailsworth), Prema Arts Centre (Uley) and Ruskin Mill (Horsley) during March 2016!

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below...

1 - Boat to Row: Whistle and I’ll Come To You (The Prince Albert, Fri 18th)

2 - Keston Cobblers Club: Wild Fire (The Convent, Fri 4th)

3 - Eyebrow: Eye Pod (Open House, Stroud Film Festival, Sat 5th)

4 - The Brackish: Physical Jerks (The Prince Albert, Sat 5th)

5 - The Edsel Furys: Seedy Undertone (The Crown and Sceptre, Fri 18th) 

6 - Gaz Brookfield: The Diabetes Blues (Sub Rooms, Sat 19th)

7 - Ella and Her Blisters: Alcoholic Flaw (The Prince Albert, Fri 4th)

8 - Barbarellas Bang Bang: Here and Now (The Prince Albert, Fri 11th) 

9 - Yves Lambert Trio: La Chanson Du Capitaine Bernard (Prema Arts Centre, Sat 19th)

10 - Arlet: Mattematix (The Prince Albert, Sun 13th)

11 - Bristol Ensemble: Vivaldi Four Seasons – Winter (Christchurch, Sun 6th)

12 - Leveret: The Good Old Way (The Convent, Sun 6th)

13 - The Furrow Collective: Henry Lee (Ruskin Mill, Fri 18th)

14 - Babajack: Running Man (The Prince Albert, Tues 8th)

15 - The Eskies: Wicked Game (The Prince Albert, Weds 9th)

16 - Hattie Briggs: Old Eyes (Sub Rooms, 26th)

17 - Kelly Oliver: Copperhead Road (The Convent, Fri 25th)

18 - Jake Morley: Many Fish To Fry (The Convent, Fri 11th)

19 - People’s String Foundation (The Prince Albert, Sat 12th)

Pick up issue #12 (out now) for further info!

Album Review: Applewood Road by Nikki Owen

The Nashville folk band Applewood Road have already made something of a splash before their debut album of the same name has even come out.  Bagging a session live on Dermot O’Leary’s Radio 2 Saturday afternoon show, the girls Amber Rubarth , Amy Speace and Stroud based Emily Barker showcased their eerie, ethereal three-part harmony voices before an LP was even pressed. Even then, they made an impact, so what now of their new album?

The band has wisely gone for simplicity, and listening to their music, it works. They use their voices. They use live recordings in analogue around one microphone. They use acoustic guitars, a banjo, harmonicas and, sometimes, a piano, but that’s it. No whizz technology, no synthing of voices, and hearing the tunes, especially the opener – entitled Applewood Road, naturally – you get a real sense here that this is a collection of music that yes, you want to listen to, but when you do, you may, as a result, actually feel a little bit better after a hard day at work. Or just, well, a hard day, really.

As the album shifts on from the title song, we get to pick up the simplicity as it’s carried along to create melodies that sound anything but straight forward. Sad Little Tune, for example, several tracks in, has a bootleg quality about it, and blended with the harmonic, almost mermaid type voices of the experienced singers, you end up finding yourself a bit entranced, a bit taken in by the whispering yet upbeat quality of it all.  This is folk music at its best all right, but don’t be fooled by the folk side of it – these are tunes that have the ability to transcend genres.

In fact, Applewood Road’s music fits with what seems to be an emerging trend of folk music shifting gear into the mainstream chart topping highway. And so it should. This is good, good stuff. My Love For You Grows and Josephine, are two further tracks that catch your breath a little, along with the goosebump-inducing Home Fires (my favourite). But, what’s clever about it is that these are songs that would be just right played at home in the back ground while your dinner party carried on or while you curled up with a good book, just as much they would be being belted out loud from a festival stage. This, my friend, is music that, whatever the context, means something.

The only thing I struggled with here, sometimes, was the sudden change of pace in the album, especially when the banjo was introduced. However, I think this is  more down to my ears perhaps not being that used to the sound of this instrument. After a few re-runs of the banjo tunes, I gradually got used to it, and, yes, liked it. The ‘country’ element of such songs were probably my least favourite, but really that’s by the by. This is an album that deserves to grace many a dining room and lounge and festival stage and, heck, just about anywhere really. Your ears – and soul – will, I believe, thank you for it.

Applewood Road’s album is out on vinyl via Gearbox Records on the 12th February

Nikki Owen is an author and writer. Her début thriller, Subject 375 (Harper Collins), is out now. Catch her at blog www.nikkiowen.wordpress.com or website www.nikkiowenauthor.com

Pick up a copy of Issue #11 Feb 2016 for Nikki's Applewood Road feature including an interview with Emily Barker

Good On Paper YouTube Playlist February 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month's playlist includes artists playing at the Prince Albert, the Ale House, the Golden Fleece, the Convent, Christchurch, Ruskin Mill and Prema Arts Centre during February 2016!

Click here to listen and see track list with dates below...

1 - MARINE: Selkie (The Prince Albert, Thurs 18th) 

2 - Theo Bard: Never Alone (The Prince Albert, Sun 21st) 

3 - Sweet Baboo: Let’s Go Swimming Wild (The Prince Albert, Wed 10th) 

4 - John McCullagh and the Escorts: She's Calling Me (The Convent, Thurs 25th) 

5 - The Selecter: On My Radio (The Convent, Thurs 18th) 

6 - Thee Ones: Mr Shepherd (The Ale House, Fri 28th) 

7 - Ruarri Joseph: Anyway (The Prince Albert, Fri 19th) 

8 - Jack Cookson: Defect in Retrospect (The Golden Fleece, Thurs 4th) 

9 - Santiago Cordoba: Yo Se Que Canto Fiero (The Prince Albert, Fri 12th) 

10 - Maarja Nuut: Veere, Veere, Paevakene (Prema Arts Centre, Fri 12th) 

11 - The Bristol Ensemble: Fratres (Arvo Part) (Christchurch, Nailsworth Sun 14th) 

12 - Three Cane Whale: The Huddling Place(Prema Arts Centre, Fri 12th) 

13 - Boldwood: Mrs Savages Whim (Ruskin Mill, Fri 5th) 

14 - The Changing Room: Hal and Tow (The Convent, Sun 7th) 

15 - Mad Dog Mcrea: The Happy Bus (Prema Arts Centre, Sat 27th) 

16 - Rob Heron and the Teapad Orchestra: High Speed Train (The Prince Albert, Fri 4th) 

17 - Rackhouse Pilfer: Bright Lights (The Prince Albert, Thurs 11th) 

18 - Austin Lucas: Alone in Memphis (The Prince Albert, Weds 24th) 

19 - Adam Faucett: Possum (The Prince Albert, Weds 24th)  

20 - Maz O’Connor: Awake Awake(The Convent, Sat 20th) 

21 - Skunk Boy Project: Some Kind of Beauty (The Prince Albert, Sun 7th) 

Pick up issue #11 Feb 2016 for further info!

Live Review: Leonie Evans, The Magic Lantern and Hot Feet @ SVA 9th Dec 2015 by Anna Jacob

I first came across the music of Jamie Doe, aka The Magic Lantern via a friend (and musician) Wallis Bird. She and her girlfriend raved about him so often that when I spotted his name on a bill with Stroud’s favourite band Hot Feet a couple of years ago at the Prince Albert, there was no chance I’d be missing the gig. Jamie had the room rapt and enchanted, as he does, and after the gig I sidled up and told him that Wallis’ recommendation had not disappointed. He knew her name. She had gotten hold of his phone number and been leaving him regular gushing messages of mega-fan adoration. He had been listening to her music too and a curious mutual fandom had developed between them.

Not long after this I had the satisfaction of introducing Jamie and Wallis to each other (they got on like a house on fire), and now as a lovely new chapter in the story, Wallis appears on the new Magic Lantern album, singing her version of his song; Air At The Top. 

The new album is a great concept; Jamie Doe asked friends and fellow musicians he has been inspired by to record their own covers of songs from his 2014 album: Love Of Too Much Living. The collection makes you appreciate Jamie’s song-writing skill in many new lights and shades. My personal highlights are Rozi Plain’s version of Different Paths, Sam Brookes’ take on the song Stitches, and of course Hot Feet’s Elbow-esque cover of No One’s Fault. 

Alongside the London album launch, Jamie has thankfully not neglected the UK’s secondary musical capital - Stroud. Launching the album at SVA Just before Christmas, Jamie plays a solo set and has enlisted Leonie Evans and Hot Feet to share the bill. 

The word ‘girlcrush’ would sum up the way I feel about Leonie Evans pretty succinctly. This woman does a trumpet impression that makes you wonder why anyone would bother learning to play the actual trumpet. She has the kind of on stage energy that makes you wish she was your best friend, her vocal and guitar style are both intricate and warm. 

With the crowd suitable primed, Jamie Doe took over and played a gorgeously understated set of old and new songs, interspersed with his impeccable banter. 

Standing out in the overpopulated singer/songwriter scene is a serious achievement. I always feel a mixture of delight and relief when I see someone pick up a guitar, open their mouth and do something captivating and original. Jamie Doe nails it. He’s got the inventive guitar style - including winding a piece of paper between the strings to create a sound akin to an African thumb piano. He’s got a voice that has been likened to Chet Baker and in a polo neck he looks a little bit like a blond Jacques Brel. Killer combo.

Jamie Doe makes you appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into writing a song. Every element to his songwriting is honed and delicately finished. His lyrics often achieve that magic of saying something huge and complicated in one succinct melodic phrase. 

Hot Feet played the closing set of the evening, getting Jamie Doe and long-term collaborator Pete Roe up to join in on their Magic Lantern cover: No One’s Fault.

I’ve been lucky enough to hear Hot Feet play many a gig over the last five-or-so years, and I’m always astonished at their ability to keep improving. New songs Dust Will Blow and Final Farewell provided an exciting glimpse at what we should expect from the album they are currently working on. By popular request they ended the set with Three Black Crosses, from their most recent EP Mist Is Dust. Hot Feet have a talent for creating big, bombastic, shimmering layered instrumental sections in their songs, demonstrated most perfectly in the last one-and-a-half minutes of Three Black Crosses. A glorious ending to a fine evening of music. Not bad for a Wednesday night in Stroud.

Listen to Love of Too Much Living  featuring Hot Feet, This Is The Kit, Sam Brookes,  Rozi Plain and more here

Anna is a writer and devoted Stroudie with a passion for music, comedy and art. Visit her blog for reviews, poetry and more www.reviewyourmum.wordpress.com

Good On Paper YouTube Playlist January 2016

Each month we put together a YouTube playlist featuring artists taken from our music listings.

This month features artists playing at The Prince Albert, Stroud Valley Artspace, the Crown & Sceptre, the Subscription Rooms, the Convent and Christ Church in Stroud during January 2016!

Click here to listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKG_R7pR5h4&list=PLBnnnmSSrgAP_jSDKO5eoNemdj7Mm1FSb

1 - Yumi and the Weather: Must I Wait (The Prince Albert, Thurs 28th)

2 - Rhain: Humdrum (The Prince Albert. Sat 9th)

3 - Emily Barker: Anywhere Away (The Convent, Thurs 28th)

4 - Songs of Separation: Echo Mocks the Cornrake (The Convent, Thurs 21st)

5 - Little Metropolis: Ghosts (The Prince Albert, Sat 9th)

6 - Eyebrow: Eye Pod (The Prince Albert, Sat 16th)

7 - Craig Cofton (Freight Quartet): Handfried (SVA, Thurs 14th)

8 - The Dukes of Mumbai: Jack the Ripper (Crown & Sceptre Fri 22nd)

9 - Son Yambu: Yo No Me Voy (Subscription Rooms Sat 30th)

10 - The Bristol Ensemble (Christchurch, Nailsworth Sun 17th)

11 - European Union Chamber Orchestra (Subscription Rooms, Sun 31st)

12 - Jaz DeLorian: Pragmathobia and other Delusions (The Prince Albert, Tues 5th)

13 - Darren Hodge: Cannonball Rag (Stroud Brewery, Sat 30th)

14 - Tobias Ben Jacob & Lukas Drinkwater: Boots of Spanish Leather (The Prince Albert, Thurs 14th)

15 - Lauren Housley: Sweet Surrender (The Convent, Sat 23rd)

Pick up issue #10 for further info!

Recommended Releases by Anna Jacob

Ardyn:  Universe

Debut EP released last month via National Anthem records

Ardyn (formerly Kitten & Bear) are nineteen year old twin brother and sister duo Katy and Rob. Originally from Cirencester, Ardyn have performed regularly in Stroud since they debuted at a local battle of the bands competition at the tender age of fifteen.

Universe is poptastic in the best possible way: catchy melodies tastefully delivered and simply produced together with some very clever harmonies and layering of vocals. Katy is blessed with a truly effortless, timeless voice. It just doesn't seem fair that they are only nineteen. I can’t wait to hear what they do next…

Taken from our debut EP of the same title released 13th November via National Anthem. Pre-order the 10" vinyl here - smarturl.it/ArdynEP iTunes - smarturl.it/Ardyn

www.facebook.com/ardynband

www.soundcloud.com/ardynband

Emlyn: Etherialism

Debut EP self released in September

Emlyn Bainbridge is a young Stroudie, now based in Bristol.

Etherialism is a voyage in ambient, electronic alt-folk music with a dreamy, sombre quality. Quirky production makes sparsely written songs sparkle a little brighter. Aiming for the minimalist sound recently made ubiquitous by the likes of The XX, Emlyn’s first release shows ingenuity and promise.

www.facebook.com/emlynartist

www.soundcloud.com/emlynbainbridge

Anna is a writer and devoted Stroudie with a passion for music, comedy and art. Visit her blog for reviews, poetry and more www.reviewyourmum.wordpress.com 

Live Review: King Klam by Sean Roe

Image by Sean Roe

“Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny” proclaims the Facebook event page inviting potential guests to the newly formed briny groovesters King Klam début performance at SVA on a wet and windy December evening. The farcical funksters comprise of Jonny Hamer on Sax, Hugh Hopper on bass and Rob Pemberton (from Hot Feet) on drums.

And farcically funky and briny-ly groovy they surely were! Some solidly syncopated rhythms balanced nicely with free flowing and melodic strangulations on the Sax all held together by the understated strumming and dranging of the bassist with more foot pedals than feet. Their songs all had wonderfully surreal titles - none of which my inebriated blubber brain can recall! An appreciative audience was lucky to squeeze an encore out of the lads before Graeme continued with his excellent selection of music on the decks. Shame I had to leave early to continue listing records on ebay...

Image by Sean Roe

Sean Roe is a Stroud based artist and musician. He runs JunKroom Records an extremely small outlet for unusual music www.facebook.com/junkroomrecords

Get The Blessing - 'Astronautilus' by Sean Roe

Get The Blessing is a jazz fusion/post rock band from Bristol featuring Jim Barr and Clive Deamer of Portishead on bass and drums with Jake McMurchie on saxes and Pete Judge on trumpet and flugelhorn. All players appear to use live processing and electronics to alter and enhance the sound of their instruments.

Astronautilus their 5th album was recorded while the band was holed up on a remote part of the Cornish coast where the landscape clearly influenced their playing and song titles! They have retained the experimental playfulness and jazzy stylings of their previous recordings, but their sound palette has expanded somewhat.  About half of the tracks have a darker feel with greater emphasis on texture and atmospherics, with more open form song structures - particularly on a track like Sepia, which is drenched in echo and reverb like a kind of murky subaquatic inky tone poem. Good humour and lightness also has a place in this varied set with Monkfish, a Thelonius Monk inspired foot stomper that the band clearly enjoyed performing in the recording studio (if the audible off mike vocal exaltations are anything to go by).

There is an adventurous use of electronics throughout, on one of the slower songs like Carapace with its echoey ethereal sax loops that build to a crescendo before rippling away through granular synthesis to silence - and on the up-tempo more rhythmic tracks like the album opener afro-beat influenced Phaenomena, with its overdriven and insistent low-fi bass pattern and blistering distorted sax solo by Jake McMurchie.  Cornish Native is another stand out track with Pete Judge’s “mutant trumpet” (reminiscent of Jon Hassell) providing the opening rhythmic melody line.  With these electronic storms brewed up by the call and response improvisations of the sax and trumpet, underpinned by the rock steady bass of Jim Barr, it is often the clean precision and inventiveness of Clive Deamer’s drumming that shines through on these recordings.
With this album Get The Blessing have solidified their reputation creating inventive genre defying music that is varied and unfussy that has melody and improvisation at its heart. Warmly recommended!

Astronautilus is out now on Naim and is available to buy from here

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Pick up a copy of our latest issue to read Sean's interview with Get the Blessing prior to their show at the SVA/Goods Shed on Sat 5th December

Visit the website: www.theblessing.co.uk

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Sean Roe is a Stroud based artist and musician. He runs JunKroom Records an extremely small outlet for unusual music facebook.com/junkroomrecords

Adam Horovitz & Josef Reeve: Little Metropolis - By Simon Vincent

Having been asked to review the Little Metropolis album (which has recently been funded through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign) I sat down with an air of trepidation as those involved are good chums of mine, and the subject matter is a place so ingrained into my heart that it is indeed part of me and me part of it.

As soon as the first few notes hit me I was struck by how it reminded me of those heady days in the late eighties and through to the nineties, and the emotion of first hearing the likes of the Orb.
Josef Reeve has managed to capture the spirit of the time and place with gorgeously subtle use of downbeat electronica and this runs throughout the album.

Adam Horovitz has been, and still is one of Stroud’s greatest assets. "HE KNOWS STROUD" and this is evident in every word. He paints pictures of a Stroud when we were young and he paints it with such clarity that if you were lucky enough to be there at the time it feels like you are there again. But if you are new to Stroud for reasons of geographic movement (or too young to remember) this album will transport you there.
The inventive use of samples of stories from those that have fond memories of the area bring another welcome dimension.

One thing I really enjoyed about this album is that it compares to a damn good book (in fact there is also a book version available). One that you cannot but down and one that you read from start to finish. You will not want to break off half way through this album and you will not want to press pause. Each track leads you to the next with great anticipation.

If you think poetry ain't your thing, think again. If you think it won't speak to you cos you ain't from Stroud, think again. This album is as good as if Kate Tempest was giving a modern history lesson on Stroud (I love Kate Tempest).

I congratulate everyone involved in making this project happen as it's a wonderful addition to the creative back catalogue that Stroud has and continues to expand.

Adam and Joe are the two stars of this album, but at the end of my review there are FIVE STARS

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Pick up a copy of our latest issue for our feature on the Little Metropolis project

Website: littlemetropolis.bandcamp.com

Facebook: facebook.com/littlemetropolisalbum

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Simon Vincent is the owner of Trading Post (one of Gloucestershire’s oldest record stores) and has been running it since 2001. facebook.com/tradingpost.stroud