May 18th, 2010 by admin
It’s been quieter on the gig front in the last few months hence the lack of updates, but I’ve been doing a lot of travelling across the UK for singing-related projects, and I did get to play a set at the fab Floating Fish Cabaret in Worthing at the end of April.
Feeling the need for some time out to focus on my songwriting, last weekend I headed to the beautiful Oak Barn in Shropshire (www.oak-barn.co.uk) for a Natural Voice Practitioners Network (www.naturalvoice.net) course. Facilitated by Polly Bolton, Gitika Partington, Sue Harris and poet Gill McEvoy, we looked at lyrics and poetry as the starting point of songwriting. My head is now full of ideas and some new rounds learnt from the incredible group of women who are all leading singing groups in different parts of the UK.
Upcoming gigs
This Thursday 20 May, Anna and I are playing a ‘Willow’ gig in The Cellar Bar at South Hill Park (www.southhillpark.org.uk). We’re planning to premiere our new composition ‘Andromeda’s Wish’. It’s set to be a packed night, as we’re supporting American independent folk artist Sam Amidon (www.myspace.com/samamidon), and there’s a host of other artists on the bill. Tickets are £6.50 and the night kicks off at 7.30 pm.
On Saturday 5 June, I’m due to play a 20 minute solo set from 11.15 am at the Holme Grange Craft Market in Wokingham. There will be a host of different music and dance acts right through until about 5.00 pm, so do pop along if you’re in the area.
EPs
My solo EP ‘Sooner Or Later’ is available to download from Itunes and Amazon mp3, or you can get hard copies of both ‘Sooner Or Later’ and our Willow CD from me for £5 + P&P and £3 + P&P respectively.
January 15th, 2010 by admin
I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year.
First off, a big shout out this month to Julian Lewry (www.julianlewry.com). As a result of his form filling and submissions I have received my first ever PRS royalties for the Brian Houston support slot I did back in May. Ok, so I won’t be spending it all at once (a couple of chocolate bars should do it), but it did feel good to receive that particular statement.
Upcoming gigs
More good news is that the threatened Half Moon Putney (www.halfmoon.co.uk) has had a last minute reprieve…
“One of London’s oldest and most famous live music venues, The Half Moon in Putney, which was due to close its doors on the 31st January has been saved”.
This means that Anna and I will still get to play our first London gig as a duo there on Monday 15 February.
I have my solo gig at Write Angle in Petersfield next Tuesday 19 January. I’m due to play two 20-minute sets during the night which starts at 7.30 pm. This is a new venue for me and I’m getting increasingly nervous because I’ve never had so much pre-gig publicity – the team there have done a grand job getting coverage in local papers and magazines.
Other than that, Anna and I are in the process of setting up some more Willow gigs for the year, so there should be more news next month. If you know of any venues or festivals that would be good to approach, do let me know.
EPs
My solo EP ‘Sooner Or Later’ is available to download from Itunes and Amazon mp3, or you can get hard copies of both ‘Sooner Or Later’ and our Willow CD from me for £5 + P&P and £3 + P&P respectively.
Keep safe.
December 9th, 2009 by admin
A slightly shorter update this month. Cards to make, tree to decorate etc etc.
Anna and I did some guest vocals on a cover of ‘Sweet Dreams’ for latin band El Camino last Friday at the Global Cafe in Reading. The band played a great set, and it was a lot of fun with space for some dancing at the end of the night.
A trip to see The Puppini Sisters’ (www.thepuppinisisters.com) show at The Wilde Theatre on Sunday night helped set the season off to a swinging start. Lots of gold, glitter and sparkling harmonies. I was very impressed with how they managed to dance, sing and play their instruments in such high heels, but hey that’s showbiz for you.
Upcoming Gigs
As for me, I’ll be wearing something a little lower (that’s shoes not top) tomorrow night, as Anna and I have the privilege of playing Folking Live in the Cellar Bar at South Hill Park. According to Phil Daniels of All Things Considered, who’s booked us for the gig, I understand we may be the first local act to headline. So it would be great to see you if you can make it. For more details, check out www.myspace.com/folkinglivebracknell.
I have a solo gig booked at Write Angle in Petersfield on Tuesday 19 January. This is a new venue for me and one that I found out about through performance poet Jude Simpson, so there’ll be a mix of poetry and music.
Unfortunately, having secured our first Willow London gig, which was scheduled for Monday 15 February, we’ve recently found out that the musically historic Halfmoon Putney (www.halfmoon.co.uk) is facing imminent closure. Gutting just doesn’t describe it.
EPs
My solo EP ‘Sooner Or Later’ is still available to download from Itunes and Amazon mp3, or if you’re looking for a stocking filler, you can get hard copies of both ‘Sooner Or Later’ and our Willow CD from me for £5 + P&P and £3 + P&P respectively.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year.
Keep it real.
Philippa
November 6th, 2009 by admin
I’m still excited about having been part of the audience for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ on Saturday 24 October. Apparently I was one of a lucky few whose name was drawn at random from around 250,000 applications and given 2 golden tickets which entitled us to spend 2 hours queuing outside Television Centre in our finery. It would have been worth a far longer wait to see Bruce Forsyth work his magic, all the dancing and to catch glimpses of the inner workings of Strictly. But of course a particular highlight for me was the music. Harry Connick Jnr made me all nostalgic for the old ‘When Harry Met Sally’ soundtrack, whilst hearing The Strictly Come Dancing band’s rendition of ‘Superstition’ was groovetastically awesome. Could that be the best music job in the world?
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Anyway, back to more mellow, acoustic music… It’s been a Willow-y month. Anna and I recorded 4 tracks for a ‘Willow’ EP with Charlie Luffrum a few weeks ago. It features our original, jointly penned songs ‘Melodies’, ‘Writing on the Wall’ and ‘Eagle’, as well as our cover of the traditional ‘Long Time Traveller’. With an incredibly short turnaround, we were selling copies at Vic Cracknell’s night at Propaganda on 25 October. That was a great night of music from a range of very talented musicians.
On 28 October, Anna and I supported Kathryn Williams at the Cellar Bar. Another top night in a venue which now feels like a home from home. Kathryn drew a large, enthusiastic and respectful audience, and we were supported by friends and family. It’s always such a joy to play those types of gigs, and it was made even better by the fact that Kathryn and bassist Simon Edwards were absolutely lovely and played a beautiful set. Kathryn gave both Anna and I a copy of one of her albums in thanks for supporting her, whilst we passed on a copy of our EP.
Last week I recorded a solo session on Premier Radio. An interview and a live track with presenter Lizzie Crow on the ‘Unsigned’ show, which is due to go out tomorrow.
In October I was also involved in a music project where I performed as part of an event for World Mental Health Day. I find it humbling to be part of those types of projects because of the reminder of how music really does connect us all.
Upcoming Gigs
Anna and I are hoping to play a set at Goring Unplugged on Friday 20 November, and we have a gig booked in at the Half Moon in Putney in February. There’s also talk of us doing guest vocals with El Camino on a cover of The Eurythmics’ ‘Sweet Dreams’ at the Global Cafe in Reading on Friday 4 December. For more information on that, check out www.myspace.com/elcaminolatinband.
EPs
‘Sooner Or Later’ is available to download from Itunes and Amazon mp3, and you can get hard copies of ‘Sooner Or Later’ and our Willow CD from me at gigs.
Happy Bonfire night-ing.
Philippa
November 6th, 2009 by admin
Thought for the month… I was at a workshop entitled ‘web wisdom’ last week, where creative coach, Mark McGuinness (www.wishfulthinking.co.uk) referenced a quote from writer Kevin Kelly – “a creator needs to acquire only 1,000 true fans to make a living.”
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It’s been quieter on the gig front in the last few weeks what with holiday and then gearing back up for Autumn projects. But two highlights have been gigs that Anna and I played as ‘Willow’. First off was Woodstock Live in Oxfordshire on the Bank Holiday weekend. Woodstock is beautiful in any weather, but the sun shone, and folk of all ages were out enjoying a diverse selection of music. It was a joy to play. Then a week later, we were on the Rustic Stage at Weyfest in Tilford. Again, what a lovely festival that is, and all credit to the many people (Ian, Chris, Liz, Adrian etc) who worked so hard behind the scenes to ensure it ran so smoothly.
Back to the Bank Holiday weekend. After Woodstock I travelled onto Greenbelt Festival as a punter. Foy Vance’s live rendition of his song ‘Indiscriminate Act of Kindness’ was the highlight of my time there. If you haven’t heard this man and his music, check out www.myspace.com/foyvance. I’m starting to think there must be something in the water out there in Northern Ireland for the percentage of awesomely gifted and inspiring musicians that come out of a relatively small area.
Upcoming Gigs
Big news is that Anna and I are supporting Kathryn Williams (www.myspace.com/kathrynwilliams) at South Hill Park Arts Centre (www.southhillpark.org.uk) on Wednesday 28 October. This is our biggest support slot to date, which I’m very excited about, so it would be great to see you there if you can make it. We’re rehearsing and are planning to do an informal slot at Acoustic Vault at the Two Poplars in Wokingham this Friday.
EP
‘Sooner Or Later’ is now available to download from Itunes and Amazon mp3. Yay!
Til next time
Philippa
