Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight

October 2009: Liverpool Acoustic Live preview

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:32:49 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #19
Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 23/10/09

1. The Complete Unknown - Shoulda Known Better

2. Daniela Bove, with Nicole Collarbone - Sunset (live)

3. Zoe Nicol - Watching Trains

4. Graham Holland - The Greens

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The next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig is taking place on Friday 23rd October 2009 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

STOP PRESS - MONDAY 19th OCTOBER

Unfortunately both Mark Wilson and Tony from The Complete Unknown have had to pull out of this gig due to personal reasons and illness respectively. We wish Mark and Tony all the best and hope to re-book them for a future Liverpool Acoustic Live.

Never fear, though. We've still got Daniela Bove and Nicole Collarbone, and Zoe Nicol. Also giving us a full solo set will be Rosie Jones, plus there will be a couple of songs each from Graham Holland, Tony Kehoe, and Stuart Todd.

Daniela Bove
myspace.com/danielabove
facebook group

Daniela Bove is a singer-songwriter from Buckinghamshire. At University she formed a trip hop band which she describes as being great fun. In 1997 she went solo, and two years later came across Stephan Altman on a tube station platform and discovered a shared love of folk and electronica.

Steph and Daniela worked together for a few years, with Steph becoming Daiela's guitarist, producer and friend. Daniela explains "the musical chemistry was immense.. we still fight like kids, cuss and shout at each other like brother and sister.. but come up with a beautifully ambient sound, unreflective of either of our feisty characters."

Daniela's debut album - Deep Blue - can be downloaded as an album or by track from daniela.dloadshop.com

Songs from the forthcoming live Take Three EP - featuring Daniela and her band The Belongings - can be listened to on her MySpace profile. The EP will be available as a limited edition CD soon.

Performing with Daniela Bove will be cellist Nicole Collarbone. Nicole studied in Liverpool before moving to her new job in Milton Keynes. She says that the best thing about playing the cello is that it works with so many styles and genres of music, so there is always something new to get involved in.

Over the years Nicole has collaborated with Paul McDowell, Kaya, Alister Said, Sonnenberg, MK-based Garry Murphy (as Speeding Mellow and the Crying Coach), and The Neil Campbell Collective.

In 2006 Nicole released a CD of music for guitar and cello with Neil Campbell called Fall (details here) and on 30th October this year she'll be performing with the Neil Campbell Collective at the small concert room at St George's Hall for the world premier of Frankenstein, a new multimedia work written by Neil and based on the famous Mary Shelley novel.

Zoe Nicol
zoenicol.com
myspace.com/zoenicolmusic

Singer Songwriter Zoe Nicol is a maverick in the world of folk music - a storyteller with a lyrical twist, but more than that, Zoe is an artist who possesses the rare ability to leave an audience breathless. Music promoter Paul Dunton writes “I recall the moment I first heard Zoe sing I felt completely moved and inspired, you could hear a pin drop as the audience listened intently, everyone present was totally absorbed by her performance.Her songs are beautifully crafted, rich in both melody and creative edge.”

Zoe grew up with the influence of Joni Mitchell and Eva Cassidy who inspired her to become the sincere and heartfelt artist her fans have come to love. Her captivating stage presence is embellished further by her modest and enchanting persona, she is able to reach out and connect to an audience through her live performances and recordings.

Zoe hails from Tunbridge Wells in Kent and is currently attending Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts studying performance and song writing. Her debut EP entitled ‘Walk Against The Wind’ was released in the summer of 2008 and sold out by the winter of that same year. Zoe's full-length debut album is due to be released in June 2010.

Graham Holland
itsafrogslife.net
grahamholland.co.uk
myspace.com/grahamhollandmusic

Graham Holland is a local singer-songwriter with a silly sense of humour inspired by the likes of Flanders and Swann, Tom Lehrer, Jake Thackray, and Noel Coward. Better known as the host of the monthly Come Strut Your Stuff poetry and acoustic music event at Liverpool's Egg Cafe, and latterly as the face behind the Liverpool Acoustic website and live gigs, Graham has decided to dust off his guitar strap and inflict a handful of his songs on a helpless, captive audience. Don't worry, it'll be over with before you know it.

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #19

If you get the chance, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible.

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media), and is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting - supported by Libsyn

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

September 2009: Liverpool Acoustic Live preview

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:01:01 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #18
Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 25/9/09

1. Ben Blance - Ten Butterflies

2. Rob Clarke - September

3. The Southbound Attic Band - Southbound Train

4. Rae Clark - Stretch

Download the show for free
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Or listen online below

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The next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig is taking place on Friday 25th September 2009 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

As always, we've got four great acts for you to enjoy on the night.

Ben Blance
benblance.com
myspace.com/benblance

Ben Blance is originally from the north east of England but is moving to Liverpool on a full-time basis from this month. He is an exceptional singer-songwriter as anyone who has every seen him play live or has listened to his cds will testify to.

Ben has two solo CDs Ten Butterflies (2003) and Fragile Moon (2007) which are available to buy from his website. He's due to release a new album of solo material in the autumn, and we'll let you know once it's available.

Ben has recently completed an extensive tour of Ireland with the group The Jukebox Gypsy myspace.com/jukeboxgypsymusic and their album of the same name is available to buy via their myspace profile.

Rob Clarke
myspace.com/robclarkeunplugged

Rob Clarke cut his musical teeth as part of the Catacoustic collective, and has developed his own style of playing and songwriting. Rob is equally at home writing songs about his home town of Liverpool and the wider world. He's got a number of self-produced albums available to buy from his myspace profile, including 2008's Long Way North (read the Liverpool Acoustic review here). Rob is taking advance orders on his new album Portraits due out this autumn.

The Southbound Attic Band
myspace.com/southboundatticband

The Southbound Attic Band is a duo comprising of songwriter Barry Jones on vocals and guitar, and Ronnie Clark on bass and slide guitar. Together they play an addictive blend of Americana-tinged folk rock based around Barry's excellent original songs - modern songs with a traditional feel.

The band has a debut EP called Southbound Train, on which they're joined by piano player Geoff Hall. The EP can be bought from to following places.

Quicksilver Music in Market Street, Southport
Cafe D’Art, Chapel Street, Formby myspace.com/cafedart
News from Nowhere on Bold Street, Liverpool newsfromnowhere.org.uk

Rae Clark
myspace.com/raeclark

Rae Clark is a local singer-songwriter whose musical influences span a wide range of musicians, from Sigur Ross and Pink Floyd, to Fairport Convention and Fleet Foxes. He has an album called Wee Monkey which is currently available to buy from him at his gigs, although it will soon be in shops and online to make it easier to get hold of.

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #18

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

August 2009: Alun Parry album launch special

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:01:00 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #17
Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 28/8/09

Alun Parry album launch special

Interview with Alun Parry
including three songs from his new album

1. We Can Make Make The World Stop

2. The Limerick Soviet

3 . John Lennon Said

plus

4. Vinny T Spen - Hasta Paraiso

5. Stuart Todd - Life On The Line

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below

(not available for email subscribers)

For the next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig we're joining forces with local Liverpool music legend Alun Parry for the launch of his new album We Can Make The World Stop.

It takes place on Friday 28th August 2009 at The Casa on Hope Street (a different venue from normal).

The doors open at 7.30pm and the music starts at 8.00pm.

Entrance is free but you should arrive early to avoid disappointment.

For enquires email contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

In addition to a full set from Alun Parry, support is being provided by Vinny T Spen and Stuart Todd.

Alun Parry
parrysongs.co.uk
myspace.com/parryal

Alun Parry launches his brand new album at August's Liverpool Acoustic Live gig. His first CD since 2007, We Can Make The World Stop sticks firmly to Al's, and Liverpool's, strong socialist and working class roots.

Famously described by the Liverpool Echo's Jade Wright as "A legend on the Liverpool acoustic scene. A Merseyside folk God" Alun is not afraid to write and sing about the subjects that matter to all of us, and it's this at which he truly excels.

We Can Make The World Stop will be available to buy via his website from 28th August, and you can reserve your copy now.

Vinny T Spen
myspace.com/vinnytspen

Vinny T Spen comes from the folk tradition, and is heavily involved with the Manor Folk Club in Wallasey. His songs, however, are a long way from what most people would think of as folk music, and are firmly in the singer-songwriter bracket with captivating stories of life and love, and with great lyrics and easy melodies.

Stuart Todd
myspace.com/stuarttodd

Stuart Todd released his debut EP Playing The Field in 2004. Since then he's continued to make a name for himself as an accomplished singer-songwriter, an excellent musician, and a host of acoustic music events. In 2007 he released the brilliant self-titled CD Campbell Todd which was made with his long-time friend and musical collaborator Neil Campbell.

Stuart is currently working on a compilation CD called A Question of Time, due for release in the autumn. He has also been booked to perform at the Liverpool Acoustic Live gig at the View Two Gallery on Friday 23rd October 2009.

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #17

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

July 2009: Liverpool Acoustic Live preview

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:49:56 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #16

Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 24/7/09

1. Alister Said - A Thousand Wishes

2. Molly Jones - Edge Lane

3. James Munro - Meet Me At Euston

4. The Big I Am - Collecting Skies

Download the show for free
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Or listen online below

(not available for email subscribers)

The next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig is taking place on Friday 24th July 2009 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

As always, we've got four great acts for you to enjoy on the night.

Alister Said
myspace.com/alistersaid

Alister Said is a local singer-songwriter and is the man behind TAP - The Alister Project - run in association with Tillerman Records. Check out his MySpace profile to listen to tracks from the album The Money Tree, plus unreleased songs. Then visit Tillerman to find out more about their new way of working.

Molly Jones
myspace.com/1mollyjones

Molly Jones comes from a family of musicians. Her father is famous folk musician Steve Tilston, her mother is traditional singer Maggie Boyle, and her sister is the well-known folk/indie performer Martha Tilston. With pedigree like that we'll be in for a real treat!

James Munro
myspace.com/jamesmunromusic

James Munro spent most of his life in Stockport, but is currently living in Liverpool, the city where his family is from. He performs regularly around town and Manchester too. His main influences are Bob Dylan and David Gray. In 2009, he recorded his first E.P, The Impression On Me. You can find songs from the record on his MySpace profile.

The Big I Am
myspace.com/bigiamrash

The Big I Am are Colin Heaney on cuatro, ebow, and vocals; Peter McPartland on ukelele, bass, and vocals; and Steve O'Toole on piano and organ. They have an acoustic, folk-tinged pop sound that's much harder to categorise than the description we've just used! They've been gigging around the local scene and have been making lots of fans along the way.

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #16

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

June 2009: Liverpool Acoustic Live preview

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:03:52 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #15

Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 26/6/09

1. Vicky Neale - She's A Friend Of Mine

2. Barry Briercliffe - Walk In The Sun

3. Emily Barden - Standing In The Sun

4. Blue C - The Blues Will Go Rolling On

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Or listen online below
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The next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig is taking place on Friday 26th June 2009 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

We've got four great acts for you to enjoy on the night.

Vicky Neale
myspace.com/victorianeale

Vicky Neale is a singer-songwriter who lists her influences as Roald Dahl, Kate Bush, Bob Dylan, Melanie Safka, Lewis Caroll, Joan Baez, and Nick Drake. Her favourite quote? "I'd rather walk in the gutter than crawl in the street." Quite right too!

Barry Briercliffe
myspace.com/barrybriercliffeonline

Barry Briercliffe is a talented acoustic singer-songwriter from Kirkby who has gigged extensively across Merseyside and the Northwest. He takes his influences from the likes of Damien Rice, REM, KT Tunstall, and Pink Floyd. Barry's strong, soulful voice coupled with his great lyrics and quirky use of loop pedal enable him to build up layers of sounds, rhythm and voice that will excite and inspire audiences. His album When All You Need Is Answers is available to buy from his MySpace profile.

Emily Barden
myspace.com/stella66

Emily Barden is the lead singer of local group Stella 66 in which she's joined by Ryan Forrest (Drums), JJ Rio (Bass), and Petter Dahlgren (Guitar/backing vocals). Stella 66 describe their music as 'country tinged acoustic folk pop.' "Imagine if Carole King had fronted The Band, or KT Tunstall was a band". Unfortunately, the sad news for the local music scene is that Emily is leaving Liverpool for a fab new job in West Sussex, but Liverpool Acoustic Live is fortunate to be hosting one of Emily's last two gigs in the city before she leaves. Definitely one not to be missed.

Blue C
myspace.com/bluecblues

Under the name Blue C, the Liverpool slide guitar/bass duo Raphael Callaghan and Christine Purnell have made a big impression on the British blues scene since 1991 with their special mix of traditional blues and a collection of original blues and gospel songs.

Their song “When Will The Blues Leave” was chosen for a Best of British Blues compilation album and Callaghan's “Someone Else's Blues” was the first winner of the Blues Song of the Year at the Great British Blues Festival at Colne.

Their album “Swimming against the Tide” is in much demand in the America after the world's largest circulation blues magazine Blues Revue praised… “the seamless combination of driving bass and highly accomplished guitar… secret ingredient is the calibre of the original compositions… a unique blues sound that has, at its heart, a thorough soaking in Anglo-Irish folk traditions”.

In July 2008 Raphael and Christine launched Blues On The Rock, a monthly event taking place at Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton, on the second Sunday of every month. Each month Blue C play some of their own songs before introducing a special guest.

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #15

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media) and Re:place Radio (LIPA). The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight proud to be a member of the Association of Music Podcasting and is supported by Libsyn.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

May 2009: Liverpool Acoustic Live preview

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:18:35 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #14

Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 15/5/09

1. Jeff Jepson - 1001

2. Neil Campbell - November Song

3. Tricia McTeague - Beer Stained Coaster

4. Letters In Red - Got To Get You

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below
(not available for email subscribers)

The next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig is taking place on Friday 15th May 2009 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

We've got four great acts for you to enjoy on the night.

Jeff Jepson
www.jeffjepson.co.uk
myspace.com/jeffjepson

Jeff Jepson is a singer-songwriter-musician originally from the Isle of Mann who impresses with his distinctive voice everywhere he plays. Although he'll be playing solo acoustic at the Liverpool Acoustic Live gig, he's also to be seen about town with the Jeff Jepson Band, and making music with the Neil Campbell Collective and with Alex Dunford.

Neil Campbell
neilcampbellcollective.com
myspace.com/neilcampbellsystemsmusic

Neil Campbell is a virtuoso classical guitarist whose musical career has followed a number of seemingly divergent musical paths including free improviser, singer songwriter, systems music composer, band leader and virtuoso guitar soloist. His works, whatever he turns his hand to, continue to receive popular critical acclaim.

Tricia McTeague
triciamcteague.com
myspace.com/tmcteague

Tricia McTeague is a singer and songwriter from Widnes. She's had the pleasure of working with some amazing and talented people in the past as Backing Vocalist (Ronan Keating), Session Singer and Writing Collaborator. Here's your chance to enjoy Tricia in the wonderful surroundings of the View Two Gallery.

Letters in Red
myspace.com/lettersinreduk

Letters in Red are Rachel Sparx (vocals), Will Binden (guitar, mandolin & piano), Camilla Wilson (violin) & Christopher Wood (guitar & percussion). Based in Liverpool they write, perform and record their own music. Mixing a wide variety of influences such as pop, indie, folk, classical, soul and electronica, Letters in Red’s songs reflect on love, loss and life. Winners of the 2008 Liverpool Irish Festival's Battle of the Bands, Letters in Red are ones to watch.

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #14

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media) and Re:place Radio (LIPA). The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight proud to be a member of the Association of Music Podcasting and is supported by Libsyn.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

April 2009: Album launch special

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:45:47 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #13

April 2009 Album Launch Special

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below
(not available for email subscribers)

1. The Kevin Critchley Outfit - Sunshine
kevincritchley.com & myspace.com/kevincritchley
Taken from the CD Scars - available from AmazonMP3
Read the review here

2. The Bottletop Millionaires - This Engine
myspace.com/bottletopmillionaires
Taken from the CD The Strange Cargo Cult of the Bottletop Millionaires
available to buy from the band

3. Tony Kehoe - Alaska
myspace.com/kehoesongs
Taken from the CD Not Everything Must Lead To Nothing
available from News From Nowhere on Bold Street
Read the review here

4. Jessicas Ghost - He Said She Said
jessicasghost.co.uk & myspace.com/jessicasghost
Taken from the CD The Winning Hand available from iTunes & AmazonMP3
and in physical form from the band
Read the review here

5. Jimmy Rae - Unfinished Rooms
jimmyrae.co.uk & myspace.com/jimmy_rae
Taken from the CD Deliverance
available to preorder from here

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #13

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media) and Re:place Radio (LIPA). The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight proud to be a member of the Association of Music Podcasting and is supported by Libsyn.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

April 2009: Liverpool Acoustic Live preview

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:08:47 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #12

Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 24/4/09

1. Hannah Platt - When The Days Get Short

2. Karen Cleary - Awful Down

3. Tony Kehoe - Cry For No Reason

4. The 10p Mixes - The Dogs In France

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below
(not available for email subscribers)

The next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig is taking place on Friday 24th April 2009 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

We've got four great acts for you to enjoy on the night.

Hannah Platt
myspace.com/hannahplattonline
facebook

Hannah Platt is a young singer-songwriter from Liverpool. Her influences include Ryan Adams, Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Wilco, Martha Wainwright, Jeff Buckley, Neil Young (ok, we'll stop her there - she could go on all day!). Last year she ran her own successful Satori & Song event which built up a very good reputation for top quality acoustic acts.

Karen Cleary
myspace.com/karencleary
myspace.com/karenclearyextrapage
facebook

Karen Cleary was born into a family of very talented musicians. Her parents are veterans of the legendary Cavern era of 1960s Liverpool - her mother a gifted bass guitar player and her father a very well respected guitarist and multi-musician. Karen cut her musical teeth playing in a girl band, followed by a 5 year stint in a Corrs tribute band (the best tribute band, according to Andrea Corr herself!). She's now playing solo and promoting her original material which is well worth listening to.

Tony Kehoe
myspace.com/kehoesongs

Tony Kehoe has only been playing guitar and writing songs for about eight years, but has fast made a name for himself on the Liverpool acoustic music scene with his well-crafted songs and individual style. He recently supported Martin Carthy at his Palm House gig. The 2009 release of Not Everything Must Lead To Nothing builds on the success of his 2006/7 album It's No Coincidence.

The 10p Mixes
myspace.com/the10pmixes
last.fm

The 10p Mixes are Danielle and Will. They met in 2004 over a shared love of Pulp and became friends. They write and perform wistful, catchy songs about everyday stuff, such as needing a coat when it's cold, the cashflow crisis, and dogs in France. Well, maybe the last one isn't everyday stuff, but you get the picture!

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #12

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media) and Re:place Radio (LIPA). The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight proud to be a member of the Association of Music Podcasting and is supported by Libsyn.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

March 2009: Liverpool Acoustic Live preview

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:37:05 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #11

Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 20/3/09

1. The Good Intentions - Poor Boy

2. Michael Ryder - Dance With Me

3. Virginia Haze - You Can't Always Get Your Own Way

4. Lorelei Loveridge - Oh, India

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below
(not available for email subscribers)

The next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig is taking place on Friday 20th March 2009 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

We've got four great acts for you to enjoy on the night.

The Good Intentions
www.thegoodintensions.co.uk
myspace.com/thegoodintentionsmyspace

The Good Intentions are Peter, Francesco and Gabrielle. Together they play country-tinged Americana with a distinctive style. 'Miles of Music' (USA) said the music 'sounds relaxed, alive, vulnerable and spontaneous. A laid-back vibe that grows richer with every listen'. Their CD Poor Boy was reviewed by Americana UK magazine, and was republished by Liverpool Acoustic with permission here.

photo by Andy

Michael Ryder
myspace.com/michaelryder
Chime Management

In Michael Ryder's own words, he's an OK musician with an OK voice. How modest! What he fails to mention is that he was invited to record in Parr Street Studios aged only 17, he's got a song featured on the Liverpool Music Today CD, and he won a competition in the Barfly to play the prestigious 'Fly' in Camden, London. We think that's more than OK, don't you?

Virgina Haze
virginiahaze.com
myspace.com/virginiahaze

Virginia Haze started singing at the age of 7 and formed her own girl band - Infinity - by the time she was 13! Over the years she has experimented with different styles and concepts, and writes many of her songs with her brother Kevin Murphy. Virginia's album Genuine is available to buy from her website.

A firm favourite on the Liverpool Acoustic scene, Virginia is sure to captivate us with her voice which has been described as bluesy, rock with soul, dark and Chocolate flavoured!

Lorelei Loveridge
loverleiloveridge.com
myspace.com/loreleiloveridge

Canadian artist Lorelei Loveridge is a songwriter, performer, world-traveller, teacher, arts manager, coach, consultant, writer, photographer, director of theatre, marketer, and jill-of-all-trades in the wonderful world of independent music. She lived for 11 years in Saudi Arabia, pre and post 9/11, and experienced religious zealots, compound invasions, a terrorist chase, earthquake, tsunami, war in Lebanon, crazy drivers, nutty expats and more, and survived to tell the tales in story and song.

Lorelei currently lives and works in Manchester and is just about to start a tour taking in the UK and Canada. Her album Bakhoor is available to buy from her website.

U.S. songwriter and guitar legend Dick Wagner says this of Loveridge and Bakhoor: "Her vocals are hauntingly emotive, her songs are beautifully structured folk/pop creations and her musicians are world-class interpreters of her musical vision…The brilliant 'Oh, India' sets the tone and atmosphere for this musical journey…a journey you won't forget. I personally love Lorelei's music and recommend it to all seekers of sophisticated yet accessible music."

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #11

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

February 2009: Spotlight on... Dan Elson

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:01:00 PST

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #10

February 2009 - Dan Elson

1. Psycho Lover

2. And Barry Says

3. Rock-A-Bye Dan

4. Song For A Lost Lover

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below

Dan Elson got bored of going to see boring depressing bands who didn't look like they were having any fun. He thought to himself 'Something must be done' and so he did something.

Unfortunately that something resulted in songs about beards, llamas, scallies, monkeys, socks, high fives and numerous other ridiculous things.

No one else is writing songs like this, anywhere, but that's mostly because it would never occur to anyone else to do so. And there are a fair few of them.

Dan has released three EPs to date (the latest of which you can now buy on iTunes) but works on the policy that if possible each gig should showcase a new song. This means that he has a gigging repertoire of 60 tunes with which he can delight and regale you.

Dan Elson, a man Generation Live Magazine accurately calls a "beard obsessed, monkey loving musical monster" is available in three flavours, acoustic solo, acoustic duo (with a trumpeter) and full rock n roll band.

Thank you to Dan for offering his music for the show.

Dan's new Actual Size EP is now available priced £2 at live shows in CD format, and is now on iTunes.

You can find out all about him at his MySpace profile, where you can find details about how you can get hold of his CDs, and where you can see him play live.

MySpace myspace.com/danelsonmusic

Channel 4 Music channel4.com/music/myband/DanElson

If you’d like to suggest a local acoustic musician to be featured on the show then email contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk or use the ‘contact us form on the website.

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. While you’re there you can sign up to receive the News and Reviews blog posts by email. Just put your email address in the box on the frontpage – it’s as simple as that, and we promise we won’t spam you.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

January 2009: Spotlight on... Bobhowla

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:01:02 PST

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #9

January 2009 - Bobhowla

1. Million $ Man
2. Tiptoe
(from CD 14 Track Demo)

3. 1963
4. A Question Of Time
(from CD It's All In The Letter That Broke You Down)

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online

BOBHOWLA is essentially Howard Doupe a singer/songwriter from Southport – a ‘Sandgrounder’. He has released two EPs over last few years, and in 2007 released his first album’s worth of material entitled ’14 track demo’ which was 5 years in the making.

He has enjoyed successful collaborations with a number of musicians, yet the album’s genesis, foundation and raison d’être are moulded and influenced by Howard’s heartfelt determination to embrace the ‘honourable’ and ‘admirable’ art of songwriting.

Howard freely admits to sharing, with many others, the ubiquitous inspiration following his early experiences of both Nirvana and Oasis. Where he positively differs is in eschewing the overplayed anthem and bombast and relying on his inherent ability to convey his feelings via a collection of songs which have been allowed to simply ‘express themselves’.

'14 Track Demo' can be bought from CD Baby and iTunes.

Bobhowla’s “compulsion” to create music which “comes from within” is majestically manifested via idioms ranging from blues – flecked alt-country, psychedelic folk to both heart rendering melancholic and uplifting swaggering indie guitar homage’s and point to influences from Ryan Adams, Jeff Klein, Kings of Convenience to Lowgold, Beck and Spiritualized.

Bobhowla aka Howard Doupe will be celebrating the launch of his new album entitled ' It's all in the Letter That Broke you Down' with a special gig in the intimate surroundings of The Latin Lounge, Southport Saturday 24th January.The night will feature a few special guests and support from local musician Dave Crompton. Doors open at 7.00pm. There will be limited numbers allowed in so be sure to get there early!

Thank you to Howard for offering his music for the show.

You can find out all about him at his MySpace profile, where you can find details about how you can get hold of his first CD, and where you can see him play live.

MySpace myspace.com/bobhowla

Buy Bobhowla's music from
CD Baby cdbaby.com/cd/bobhowla
and iTunes

If you’d like to suggest a local acoustic musician to be featured on the show then email contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk or use the ‘contact us form on the website.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

December 2008: Spotlight on... Campbell Todd

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:01:00 PST

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #8

December 2008 - Campbell Todd

1. Ways To Pass The Time
(from the CD Campbell Todd)

2. Playing The Field
(from Stuart's EP Playing The Field)

3. November Song
(from Neil's CD Fall)

4. A Question Of Time
(from the CD Campbell Todd)

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online

Neil Campbell and Stuart Todd (Campbell Todd) have worked together as an acoustic duo contributing to the performance of each other's songs for seven years. Neil and Stu came together as independent songwriters. What they brought to their collaboration was a very distinctive vocal harmony blend and an acoustic meets classical mesh of guitar work.

After together forming the band 'Triad' with drummer Mark Brocklesby (the band which eventually became the basis for 'The Neil Campbell Collective') Stuart left 'Triad' to pursue solo projects and Neil developed his work with the band in a more instrumental direction.

Over the past four years Neil and Stu have made sporadic contributions to each other's music with the odd live appearance here and there, with Neil guesting on Stu's EP 'Playing the Field' (2004) and with Stu's guest contributions to The Neil Campbell Collective's debut album '3 O'Clock Sky' (2005) and ‘Fall’ (2006).

Campbell Todd finally released their eponymously titled debut album at a packed out launch event in the View Two Gallery, Liverpool on Friday 19th October 2007. The album was engineered by their friend Andy Fernihough and featured drums by Mark Brocklesby on some of the tracks. The CD is available from Zavvi (formerly Virgin Megastore) on Clayton Square in Liverpool priced £7. You can also purchase the album from cdbaby.com and directly from their MySpace site

After playing their final gig at The Zanzibar Club in April this year; Campbell Todd are reuniting for a handful of gigs in December 2008 and into the New Year 2009.

Thank you to Neil and Stuart for offering their music for the show.

You can find out all about them at their MySpace profile, where you can find details about how you can get hold of the CD, and where you can see him play live. There are also links to Stuart’s and Neil’s own MySpace profiles.

MySpace myspace.com/campbelltodd

CD cdbaby.com/cd/campbelltodd

If you’d like to suggest a local acoustic musician to be featured on the show then email contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk or use the ‘contact us form on the website.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

November 2008: Spotlight on... Avant Gardner

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 06:00:29 PST

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #7

November 2008 - Avant Gardner

1. Never Meant To Throttle You
(from the CD Vegetarian Performance Art)

2. Lampshade
3. Einstein Kickers
(from the CD The Flightcase Acknowledgement)

4. Not Gonna Kill You Now
(from the CD Volumerics)

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online

Avant Gardner was borne out of the creation and subsequent demise of numerous bands and collaborations over a period of 12 years.

Sick of the constant struggle to get numerous individuals to work as an enthusiastic, like-minded team, coupled with the logistical nightmares involved with orchestrating weekly practises, (not to mention impending egos) Avant Gardner decided to strike out on his own.

CD - Vegetarian Performance Art

Instead of wasting precious time questioning the Whys and Hows of a band's disintegration and looking for someone to blame, Avant Gardner decided to go it alone, come what may, he can only blame himself this time!

And so, 7 years after his last ill-fated collaboration, and utilising a wardrobe for the majority of that time as his only refuge, Avant was able to fulfil his passion for writing, playing, recording and producing.

4 self-financed albums and 70 songs later, Avant felt it was time to take a break from writing and recording so that he could take the music to the people. Without a band to back him up, Avant has taken to performing solo acoustic gigs around the country to offer an alternative live take on his recorded offerings.

Attempting to change the way in which popular music is created and received from the ground up whilst retaining the essence of what makes a good song think of it as total re-engineering. Avant Gardner believes in using music as a platform to give an alternative, truly independent approach to everyday life and experiences.

Thank you to Avant Gardner for making his music available for the show. You can find out more about him at his MySpace profile.

MySpace www.myspace.com/avantgardner

His CDs can be bought by following the PayPal links on his MySpace profile.

He can also be found at
www.soundclick.com/avantgardner
www.artboo.com/avantgardner
www.bandman.co.uk/avantgardner

CD - Volumerics

If you’d like to suggest a local acoustic musician to be featured on the show then email contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk or use the ‘contact us form on the website.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

October 2008: Spotlight on... Thomas-Joseph & Murphy

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:01:00 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #6

October 2008 - Thomas-Joseph & Murphy

1. Weary Nights

2. Old Dog

3. Free Man Walking

4. What Went Wrong

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online

Thomas-Joseph and Murphy are currently playing around the acoustic scene in the northwest. In less than a year they have made remarkable progress performing at over 80 gigs around the north west of England.

They've also busked and played many venues across Europe. This has not gone unnoticed by the media. Many Interviews and articles have been printed, also a number of glowing reviews from both professional and independent reviewers.

Radio Merseyside, Manchester, Pembrokeshire and Rockland radio (New York) give the boys' songs regular airplay, as well as interviews and live sessions.

Thomas-Josephy and Murphy stand out through their intricate guitar work, close harmonies and varied song writing. A deep lyrical content and a strong melody is always present in their work. Their music was described by Ted Guy as “an iron fist inside a velvet glove”.

Listen and make your own mind up, but there is no denying they create great music.

Their 14 track album Weary Nights is available to buy in the Liverpool branch of Zavvi, and online at CD Baby.

Getting better all the time and the recipients of some rave reviews recently, Scouse melody-makers T-J & Murphy are riding upon the crest of a wave at the moment. Delicate, emotional music, made with a lightness of touch but so much conviction, is the finger-picking duo's stock-in-trade and it's a formula that is winning them lots of fans. New album Weary Nights is a cracker and a recent launch gig at Mathew Street's View Two Gallery proved the Liverpool lads can be heard above the din and deliver the goods live too. By turns intricate, melodic and memorable, T-J & Murphy are ones to watch
Band of the Week - Liverpool.com

I'm going to stick my neck out on this one and predict that Thomas Joseph and Murphy are going to be big. The Scouse duo have only been playing together for 18 months, but they've already played an impressive array of gigs around the city, building up a great live reputation. Now, at last, their debut album is out, and it's certainly worth the wait. Old Dog stands out, with its stunning interweaving melodies and harmonies, equally designed for summer days out and cosy nights in. But it's no fluke: of the other tracks we've heard, each shines brightly.
Album Review by Jade Wright, Liverpool Echo

Scouse fingerpickers who also know their way around a melody. Intricate, but not moody, T-J & Murphy have carved their own little niche out of the Liverpool music scene. Quiet music with something original to say is a rare find - and T-J & Murphy have hit upon a winning formula with this set.
Reviewed by Alan O'Hare Liverpool.com magazine June 08

The highly acclaimed duo Thomas-Joseph and Murphy who have been causing such a stir on the acoustic music scene. After a few notes during their warm-up it's easy to see why – they are outstanding players and sing like Seraphim. Playing harmonious guitars and creating angelic melodies appeared to come easily and held the crowd in enrapt appreciation. It was like walking past a beautiful girl and having her smiling at you - it sent your heart aflutter and re-enforced your faith in mankind…or at least the chance of getting some tonight! If you get the chance to listen to Thomas-Joseph and Murphy, in silence and without prejudice – sublime. Paul ReayM19 Bar (Manchester gig review)

Thomas-Joseph and Murphy hail from Liverpool. As all footy fans know, playing away can be an unsettling experience. However, although I am reluctant to make any assumptions about their sporting allegiances, I am resolutely impressed by their ability to retain an identity that is (dare I say it) as unique as the great team itself. Thomas-Joseph and Murphy are excellent; their songs weave intricately between chord and note. They are wrapped lovingly in melody, bathed in vocal harmonics; they feel and sound as comforting as the breeze and the sea in the summertime. What more can I say other than that t heir press does not mislead and if you do not believe me check out their Myspace.
August Hayes 2007

Final act on was Thomas-Joseph and Murphy, whose lovely finger picking guitar style sent waves of pure pleasure rippling from the stage, as their perfectly blending voices held the audience spellbound. The sheer quality of their interwoven harmonies was just thrilling as they got into the zone and sang their beautiful songs in a way that was simply enchanting.
Reviewed by Rikki Wright.

Thank you to Thomas-Joseph and Murphy, and their manager Billy, for making their music available for the show. You can find out more about them at their MySpace profile.

MySpace www.myspace.com/thomasjosephandmurphy

Weary Nights is available to buy from CD Baby

You can read Graham Holland's review of the album originally published on the Liverpool Acoustic News and Reviews page here.

If you’d like to suggest a local acoustic musician to be featured on the show then email contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk or use the ‘contact us form on the website.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

September 2008: Spotlight on... Lizzie Nunnery

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:01:00 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #5

September 2008 - Lizzie Nunnery

1. Moving With The Moon

2. Pubs That Never Close

3. Concertina (live)

4. Hungry

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online

Lizzie Nunnery is a 26 year old singer songwriter. She self released her first EP, “Monkeys and Devils,” in 2006, from which Moving With The Moon is taken.

Fish Records had this to say about the EP. “Hugely impressive lyrics and delicate acoustic backing make Monkeys and Devils a strong disc, but it's her voice that really stands out. These are mature and fully rounded songs and the whole production and feel of the disc is much more than you’d expect from a debut release. She’s certainly a real talent, and one to watch for the future……”

Lizzie has played a host of venues around the UK and has supported musicians including J.D Souther, Little Feat, Jim Moray and Tobias Froberg. She has made several appearances on BBC Radio, including a live performance on BBC Radio 3, and was the BBC Liverpool unsigned artist of the month for November 2006.

Lizzie is also an award winning playwright, with her most recent stage play “Intemperance,” receiving a 5 star review in the Guardian. She is currently under commission to BBC Radio 4 to write a play with songs entitled “The Singer”.

Her eagerly anticipated second EP, "Hungry" was released in March, 2008.

As well as being available to listen to on the Hungry EP, the live track Concertina can also be watched as part of a concert available on DVD called ‘Live From Flat 1’

Reviews

Live review “It’s a performance that begins to reveal some of the best songs of the evening, as well as some innovative arrangements. Lizzie interlaces her solid strums with sublime, picked passages, mixing in vocals which sit somewhere not too far away from Kate Bush.”
Manchestermusic.co.uk

“Nu-folk with a knack for a melody and some quirky lyrics. Lizzie is unique enough to stand out from the crowd but accessible enough to get her noticed on a wider scale. Clever songs, beautifully recorded, perfectly delivered. Who says you can’t have it all?”
Liverpool.com Magazine on “Hungry” EP

"It is Lizzie’s enchanting voice that really draws you in to her sublime world; a fragile tremolo that makes you want to sit close and listen to her stories...It is the title track that impresses the most, with a catchy refrain and dark, menacing accompaniment. This track could well be one of the best songs you’ll hear all year."
Mike Wilson, Folking.com on "Hungry EP"

Thank you to Lizzie for making her music available for the show. You can find out all about her at her website, where you can buy her 2 EPs, DVD, and the scripts for her plays.

Website www.lizzienunnery.co.uk
MySpace www.myspace.com/lizzienunnery

Liverpool Music Today CD available from
Ultimate Fake Records www.ultimatefake.co.uk

If you want to hear more of Lizzie then check out Show 51 of the It’s A Frog’s Life Acoustic Podcast from April 2008 which was recorded at the Hungry EP launch earlier in the year. The podcast is a fortnightly acoustic music show featuring some of the best, podsafe acoustic music from across the whole of the UK, so if you like the Liverpool Acoustic music then you’ll love the rest of the music on the show.

If you’d like to suggest a local acoustic musician to be featured on the show then email contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk or use the ‘contact us form on the website.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

August 2008: Spotlight on... Kaya

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:01:01 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #4

August 2008 - Kaya

1. Balloon In A Cactus Field

2. Demon Woman

3. Sick Champagne Waltz

4. Fairytale Blues

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online

Kaya works hard, plays hard and bites hard, but isn't a very hard person at all.

Growing up thinking she was weird she prefers quirky these days, but still isn't very easy to put in a box. (That's where the biting comes in).

She started chewing her violin bow at 5, and still chews on instruments every time she gets an urge, which isn't very often anymore. And it's not the violin at all - the guitar is what she'd pick these days...

Originally from Norway, she's made Liverpool her home since 1999 and has become a well-know name on the local scene playing venues like Barfly, Zanzibar, Magnet, and her residencies at Metro, Dragon and the famous 3345 Parr Street Studios. All of this has lead her to play with people like Brett Anderson (Suede), Cherry Ghost, John Smith, Liam Frost and the Slowdown Family, The Wombats, The Sonic Hearts and pretty much the rest of the Liverpool scene and never tires of a good gig experience!

She sings and writes songs but sounds very different from most female singer/songwriters with a dynamic output that can blow your socks off. She's had reviews like "an extraordinary vocal talent" and "the perfect balance of warm, charming and light-hearted and serious, powerful and mesmerising" and was BBC Liverpool’s unsigned artist of the month for July 2007

She has finished recording her album "Balloon in a Cactus field" which is released on the 22nd September with Ultimate Fake Music and her first single "Meat Market Special / The Sick Champagne Waltz" was released in May last year and sold out.

Now she is finally ready for world domination....

Just let's see if the world is ready for her!

Reviews

"An outstandingly talented Norwegian/Scouse songwriter, Kaya's output is hard, constructed melodicism delivered with an extraordinary vocal talent."
Order, BarFly Magazine

"A driving riff, top class production and Kaya's outstanding vocals make this track easy on the ear, but don't let that fool you, there's a message in there about self-respect and knowing who you are."
Rough Trade

"I can honestly say that this girl is in the first division of the first league of champions in her craft. "Meat Market Special" is cocky and charming, spiritedly and energetic, dynamic and original and "The sick champagne" waltz just happens to be all of that and oh my God how the hauntingly chilling strings opening makes this song so much more!"
International Online Music

"Both as a musician and a person, Kaya strikes the perfect balance. She is warm, charming and light-hearted in the gaps between songs and serious, powerful and mesmerising when it comes to the rendering of her music."
Pollen8

"Music of this calibre can burst your heart with its inviolate beauty (...) one of the most compelling, complete and classy acts that you're likely ever to see (...) these are real songs performed by an artist deserving of a wider stage. The widest stage. Magnificent."
Drowned in Sound Magazine

"The best female rock singer in Liverpool."
Sakura, rockphotographer.net

"Vulnerable, raw and excellent! (...) This is definitely one of the musical highlights of the Summer. Kaya glows on stage."
(Frontpage and full page) Fremover (Norway)

"Huge vocal extravaganza, dynamic songs at their best."
www.Glasswerk.co.uk

"The acoustic guitar and Kaya's voice are the only instruments needed to give the song the intensity that only a gifted vocalist and musician could achieve."
Uneathedtreasures.co.uk

Thank you to Kaya for making her music available for the show. You can find out all about her at

Website www.kaya.no

MySpace www.myspace.com/kayaherstad

Facebook profile Kaya

Facebook group Kaya Music

Ultimate Fake Music www.ultimatefake.co.uk

Look out for news of her album launch in September.

Kaya hosts the weekly Metroacoustic night at Metro Bar on Victoria Street, and the monthly Acoustica night at 3345 Parr Street. See her MySpace profile for more details.

Also, from Saturday 9th August, tune in to BBC 1 and vote for Liverpool’s Sense of Sound Choir. You’ll see Kaya bobbing up and down at the front!

If you’d like to suggest a local acoustic musician to be featured on the show then email contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk or use the ‘contact us form on the website.

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by me, Graham Holland, on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk While you’re there you can sign up to receive the News and Reviews blog posts by email. Just put your email address in the box on the frontpage – it’s as simple as that, and we promise we won’t spam you.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his cd midnight on the water itsafrogslife.net/andrewellis

You can find me on the Internet at grahamholland.co.uk

Why not go to itsafrogslife.net/podcast and listen to the It’s A Frog’s Life Acoustic Podcast, a fortnightly acoustic music show featuring some of the best, podsafe acoustic music from across the whole of the UK.

July 2008: Spotlight on... Tony Kehoe

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:25:57 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #3

July 2008 - Tony Kehoe

1. Polite But Insincere

2. Paper Wings

3. You've Got To Give Back (To Get Out Of Here)

4. A Week On Monday

(all songs from the CD It's No Coincidence)

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online

SIX YEARS AGO, Tony Kehoe found himself with a little time on his hands and to keep those hands occupied, he started to play the guitar. Having being writing poetry, prose, and short stories since he was a small child he immediately began to write songs. After about six weeks and learning about as many chords, he was out gigging, doing his first performance at Heebeejeebies in Liverpool and from there he hasn’t stopped since.

LIKE MANY PEOPLE, he loves to read, watch movies and listen to music and has yet to find a favourite in any of these genres as he finds it is a constant process (his tastes can change with the turning of the radio dial).

IN CINEMA HE APPRECIATES Ingmar Bergman, Bogart, Cagney, Audrey Hepburn, Sergio Leonne while on the music side of things he enjoys Motown, Zappa, Miles Davies, World Party, Delta Blues and The Kings of Convenience. In literature he considers Captain Corelli’s Mandolin to be a modern day classic whilst loving C G Jung and Margaret Mitchell (Gone With The Wind) amongst many others. He thinks Grayston Ellis is fabulous in modern art and in theatre he admires Stephen Berkoff.

HE WRITES SONGS FROM personal experience, entwined with his love of art and entertainment which is always in a state of constant flux.

TONY HAS no formal education to speak of, but has travelled the world applying his trade as a joiner and of late has managed to stay in one place long enough to produce two beautiful daughters one aged five and the other almost one year old. He was born in Liverpool and that is where he now lives.

IN ADDITION TO his MySpace page you can also hear his songs at http://www.aplaceinbetween.com/

ALL OF THE SONG featured on this show can be found on his debut album entitled It's No Coincidence. If you'd like to buy a copy then drop Tony an email for details. kehoesongs[at]yahoo.co.uk

ALL OF TONY'S SONGS have been co-produced by the multi-talented Paul Robotham at Fynk Studio http://www.fynk.co.uk/

CONTACT Tony Kehoe

MySpace myspace.com/kehoesongs

Email kehoesongs[at]yahoo.co.uk

BUY the CD It's No Coincidence direct from Tony.

Weight In Gold

IF YOU GET THE CHANCE, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUGGEST a local acoustic musician to be featured on the show then email contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk or use the ‘contact me’ form on at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk While you’re there check out the diary section for lists of dates, and details of one-off and regular acoustic gigs and events in and around the city of Liverpool.

THE LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC SPOTLIGHT is produced and presented by Graham Holland grahamholland.co.uk on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website.

GRAHAM ALSO PRESENTS the It’s A Frog’s Life Acoustic Podcast itsafrogslife.net/podcast a fortnightly acoustic music show featuring some of the best, podsafe acoustic music from across the whole of the UK

THE THEME MUSIC is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his cd midnight on the water itsafrogslife.net/andrewellis

June 2008: Spotlight on... Ragz

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:24:49 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight

June 2008 - Ragz

Live shots by Steve GJ
Press Shots by Plast-c

LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC SPOTLIGHT
AUDIO SHOW #2
June 2008 - Ragz

1. Oh, Oh
(live at the Drift Bar in Portsmouth)

2. End to Ends
(home recording)

3. Mosquito Man
(from the EP Little Stings)

4. Breathe (live)
(from the EP Little Stings)

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below

WITH HER RICH, SUSTAINED VOICE, skilled musicianship and gorgeous, occasionally dark, tunes, Ragz has gained many fans and favourable comparisons to Joni Mitchell and Bat For Lashes amongst others.

ORIGINALLY HAILING FROM a tiny, forest-surrounded town in the south east of Norway, Ragz first came to Liverpool to study music at university, but quickly realized that she'd rather be out gigging than inside reciting.

SHE HAS SINCE cemented herself into the musical folklore of her new home and developed her craft on stages across the UK , including Liverpool Academy, Manchester Academy and the Borderline in London , supporting the likes of Vijay Kishore, David Ford, Marissa Nadler and Ian McNabb.

THE LIVERPOOL-BASE SINGER/SONGWRITER kicked off 2008 with her first fully-fledged EP, 'Little Stings', and a national tour to support its release and is now soon to record her first album.

'Little Stings' was recorded in Liverpool's famous Parr Street Studios, used by everyone from The Coral to Coldplay, and features 7 of her best songs so far, including live favourites 'Breathe' and 'Mosquito Man'.

IT WOULD SEEM the time has come for her career to set a new course upon the release of these songs to love to, cry to and most importantly - live to.

'Siren with star quality.' - Jade Wright, Liverpool Echo

'A crowd hushing voice & enchanting songs' - Richard Twine, L*A*W*M

'A talented musician on the cusp of international stardom and her fan-base is ever-increasing.' – Nerve magazine

'The songstress is breathing new life into her craft with the rest of us looking on in amazement. A great girl and a fine composer ladies and gentlemen' - International Online Music

CONTACT
Website www.ragzmusic.net
MySpace myspace.com/ragzmusic
facebook group

BUY the EP Little Stings
[CD Baby] [News From Nowhere]

DOWNLOAD the EP Little Stings
[Sound][iTunes]

May 2008: Spotlight on... Alun Parry

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:23:03 PDT

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight

May 2008 - Alun Parry

(photo by www.themusicsnapper.co.uk )

LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC SPOTLIGHT
AUDIO SHOW #1
MAY 2008 - ALUN PARRY

1. Woody's Song
(from the CD Corridors of Stone)

2. I Want Rosa To Stay (live)
(from the CD Before The Band: Live and Solo)

3. You Are My Addiction
(from the CD Corridors of Stone)

4. True Love Of Mine
(from the CD Liverpool 800: True Love Of Mine)

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND...
...imagine if Woody Guthrie joined The Jam. That is the sound of The Alun Parry Band. Referred to by the Liverpool Echo as "a Merseyside folk God", Alun Parry is one of Liverpool’s foremost acoustic based performers and songwriters. His music is best described as gritty folk rock laced with social observation.

BUSKING BEGINNINGS
Alun started off as a humble busker in Bold Street with a guitar that wasn't even his (borrowed not nicked!) His aim was to buy a guitar of his own which he eventually did. He still has it to this day though it's a bit warped now. If anyone remembers a scruffy youngster bellowing John Lennon's Power To The People while stood opposite the side entrance to Central Station - that was him. All that effort didn't go to waste though as he was later named Merseyside Busker of the Year.

RECORDINGS
His 2006 album Corridors of Stone received widespread critical acclaim. Liverpool 800: True Love Of Mine was released in 2007 to mark Liverpool's 800th Birthday. The CD is a six track collection of new, original songs celebrating the people and city of Liverpool.

INDEPENDENT BY CHOICE
Alun is an independent musician by choice, which means he has no label other than his own. His two studio CDs and a live CD are available to buy from Al's website, and all of the songs are available for download too.

BUSKERNOMICS
Al uses a system he likes to call Buskernomics - this means that Alun suggests a price for each CD, but it's up to you how much more or less you pay. You can even, if you want, download them for free - the only condition being that you don't sell them on. For more information visit www.parrysongs.co.uk

THE ALUN PARRY BAND
Although initially solo he now only plays with The Alun Parry Band. This consists of Al on vocals and guitar, Chad Draper on bass guitar, and Howard Northover on drums. Additionally, when they can make it, he's joined by Gina Le Faux on fiddle and mandolin, and Barry Briercliffe on backing vocals and tambourine.

LIVE MUSIC
As well as being a prolific songwriter and performer, Alun has also been heavily involved with the Liverpool acoustic music scene. Alun was the driving force behind the late lamented Acoustic Slice, a weekly acoustic showcase held at the legendary Parr Street Studios at their 3345 venue and which was named as Liverpool's number one acoustic night. He is also the organiser of Payday Playtime at The Casa, and he previously ran the acclaimed Second Friday at The Pilgrim.

THE FUTURE
Alun is keeping himself busy, as always, and has a number of gigs already booked for 2008. As well as festivals in the UK and Denmark, he'll also be involved in events that proudly showcase his energy as an activist and and as a grass-roots musician with a keen social conscience. Today, 1st May 2008 he's playing the May Day 'Rock Against Racism' gig outside the Liverpool Law Courts, on 26th July he's playing the 'Peace and Ecology' day in the bombed-out St Luke's Church, and in September Alun is organising the Liverpool Working Class Music Festival www.workingclassmusic.org.uk featuring acts such as Chumbawumba, Dick Gaughan, Leon Rosselson, Roy Bailey, Attila The Stockbroker, Tracey Curtis, Chanje Kunda, Claire Mooney, Al Baker, and (of course!) The Alun Parry Band.

CONTACT
Website www.parrysongs.co.uk
MySpace myspace.com/parryal
facebook group

Welcome to the spotlight!

contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk (Graham Holland) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:12:42 PDT

Every month the Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight will single out an acoustic artist or group based in or around Liverpool. They'll get the chance to tell the world all about their music and bask in the glory!

If you'd like to be featured here then let us know by using the contact form on the main website at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk