SofaSessions #6

SofaSession #6 was held at the Shurr household, not only did we have a rather fabulous guest in the form of one Mr Seamus Mcloughlin, we also had Pizza, Hotdogs and beer laid out for us, courtesy of the Shurr's - this is one luxury I, for one, could get used too.

So, on with the night. David Shurr previewed his new four track E.P "Volume 1", and judging from the twitter response - it was very well recieved, so much so, Dave felt the need to treat the viewers with a very long look at the CD cover... blatant advertising there mate!! If you fancy buying a copy of Dave's E.P you can find the details here : David Shurr's new E.P.

Not to be out done, Jamie Brewer also has a new CD out, after months and months and months..( you get the picture) of promising and the rest of the North nagging - he finally went and did it, a whole CD of  9 songs. The Album "No good with words" is available here: Jamie Brewer's new Album.

Bill Orrick, Tom Metcalf, Mike Dignam and Baxter Rhodes all performed great sets, Baxter told us he will be releasing a recording soon ( we hope it's not going to be another Brewer and take forever!) Bill got a new nickname from a twitter watcher, he will now be known as the "Orrical".

We also had our special guest of the week - Seamus Mcloughlin, Seamus hails from Preston, he told us of his various travels around the world, and announced that he was flying out to Seattle the following week to record. He was very well received by our viewers and gained himself some new fans, especially one youngster, who's Uncle tweeted in telling us he had fallen asleep whilst listening to his soothing vocals.Bless.

Next week, we have a very special guest all the way from L.A - Weather theMusic is around for a few more weeks, and is then jetting off back to the states, we are very happy that she has made us one of her last performances in England.

Big thanks must also go to Jon Shurr, who is always on hand to help with technical things and Tom Wolfenden and Tracy Leach who take amazing photo's of us all. Next week (12th September) we are at Baxter's abode - you have a lot to live up to Baxter... food wise !!

Written by Shelley.

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BBC Introducing - 26/07/2012

Tonight we had producer Mungo in live, we had pre-recorded session from The strange and we had Matt Evans co - cordinator of the Cloudspotting Festival on the phone as well as new band to the uploader - Draks Drum.

Mungo started out producing tracks in his bedroom in Blackburn, in fact he recorded some of his newly released album "Atomic Vomit" there - he has since moved out of his room and has a purpose built studio, where he produced the other half of his album.

From Blackburn, Mungo has been producing for 2 years, and has played local venues, all this and he has just turned 16 !! What did he get for his birthday.... a PA System of course!!

"Atomic Vomit" is Mungos first album and features collabarations with other producers, including one from America and one from Canada, i asked Mungo how did he manage to collabarate with artists from across the water and he said "It was difficult at first, there where a few problems, but we used TeamViewer to interact and tha made it easier".

Looking to gig more over the next few months, Mungo has just one request, dont ask him for Justin Beiber ..... memories of one bad gig come flooding back.

You can find more info and current tracks at http://www.officialmungo.com./
Listen to the show again here.

This Weeks Playlist:

High Contrast - In A Gadda Da Vida
DJ Marshall - It’s Over (Jess Harwood remix)
MXE - The Devils Hands (Original Mix)
Mungo - Live Mix: Blade BansheeMungo - Blitz
Obelize - Maledicent
Daft Punk - Robot Rock
Compa - Coast
The Jonny Squizzerscrow Experiment - God is on the case
8. Oski Bremwich - wasting away
9. Oski Bremwich - fair to say
10. Oski Bremwich - dirt track
Draks Drum - Get Yourself To California
The Strange - Baby Butcher
The Strange - Bleed
The Strange - Little Girl Games
The Strange - Fun
The Strange - Hands
The Strange - Flies
Baxter Rhodes- Love’s Old Sweet Song
The Strange - Object Insect
The Cold One Hundred - Hedonist

BBC Introducing 21/06/2012

On tonight's BBC Introducing Lancashire show, we had Iktsuarpok in live.

Iktsuarpok come from that place that's near the sea called Southport. And... if you would like to know how to pronounce Iktsuarpok, its Ik - suar- pok, and it has a specific meaning, its the Eskimo word for the feeling you get when waiting for someone to turn up at your house.

Now that's your grammar lesson over with - on to the band.

They have been together for just over 6 months, and are currently working on their first single. The single as yet untitled will be out sometime in September of this year.

The band, which is Tom and Denis, uses a sequencer which is Abelton software on Mac triggered by a Novation launchpad, Denis also plays a rather lovely Gibson ES135. ( And yes, i did get a little help with that sentence - ahem.)

Iktsuarpok.

The Guitar.

Tom and Denis have been playing a lot of gigs around Liverpool recently, so i asked them how the music scene was in that part of the land "Its a great scene, with alot of venues putting on gigs, but if you are not in with the promoters then it can be hard to get a gig, it can be clicky".

The band are looking to gig further afield, having played Manchester and narrowly missing out on a gig in Preston, "We want to play more varied gigs, and in different towns, so please get in touch if your a promoter". I am sure they will guys, I'm sure they will.

For the bands Facebook page click here.

This weeks playlist:

Obelize - Maledicent

Big B - Me & You

We Painted Monsters - Hypnotized

Itksuarpok - Never Let Go Of It

Silverclub - Like Cat’s Eyes

Itksuarpok - Bombs

Chalk - Wither

Itksuarpok - Screens Of Paris

Itksuarpok - Holding Up

Steven Hudson - Everything electric

Itksuarpok - Tell Me Why

Boy del Mundo - Mountains

Sootytern - AbsO

TCTS – Like This (Huw’s Tip)

The Superkings - Save Me

Bondax - Wet Summer

Bondax - All I Want

Bondax - You're So

Bondax - All Inside

Karma Kid - It's Always


 Listen again here.

BBC Introducing 31/05/2012

This week we had Daystar playing live.

Daystar hail from the Manchester area, and have been very busy of late. They have recently supported Feeder, The Rifles and The Twang. Simon, Ryan, Ste, Budgie and Tom also had a mention in today's (31/05/2012) edition of The Sun.

They are shooting off down South tomorrow, to headline at the club NME. Earlier this year the band released their self titled 1st album, and have already begun writing for their new one, no date for release as of yet though!!

It's also worth mentioning that drummer Tom has broken his leg in a painful football incident,he managed to play a few of the live tracks, the band also had Paul - drummer for the band Hurts playing a few, to give Tom a rest. Get better soon Tom.

Paul.

The broken legged Tom.

For Daystar's Facebook page click here.

Playlist for the week:

High Contrast - In a Gadda Da Vida
B3ATROOT - Sun Sparks (Shine On Me)
Bondax - Only You Know (Ft Dee)
DayStar - It’s Time
The Feud - It Ain’t Right
DayStar - Sleeper
The Smiths - What Difference Does It Make?
DayStar - Only Man That Gets You
The Doors - Break On Through
DayStar - Slipstream
DayStar - Don’t Need This
Flight Of Arrows - Silver Sands
Compa - Sentence
#Tags – Sick Of Heels
The Chevin - Champion
Better Left Alone - Going For The Oscar
Bondax - Just Us
Boy Behind The Curtain - Nightrider
Stephen Hudson - Everything Electric
Rae Morris - For You
New York Tourists - Kick In The Teeth
The Beat - Mirror In The Bathroom
The Empire State - That Girl
David Shurr - Hope

Listen again here.

BBC Introducing 24/05/2012

WOW - Did we have a show for you tonight !! Two live bands played for us, Fiona Clayton and The Chevin. We also had a chat with Gideon Conn, favourite of Scroobius Pip and we chatted to dubstep producer and DJ, Compa.

The first live session we had, was from Fiona Clayton and band. Fiona and band who hail from Cumbria, have just released an E.P called "Making My way", the E.P is available from their facebook page.
They are currently on tour all over the country and are due to play the Academy in Newcastle on the 14th July. Fiona, played the BBC's Big weekend last year, which was held in cumbria, since then there has been a slight change in line up and they have recently become unsigned...yes... unsigned, i asked Fiona if this was a good thing and she said "Yes,we have alot more flexibility, we are looking to get an agent on board and organise another tour. We'd love to be signed, but to the right people - right now we are having a great time gigging and touring".
Oh and THE BAND are Jan and John.

Second up was The Chevin, this four piece come from leeds and their new single "Drive" is out on the 28th of May. The band, Coyle, John Matt and Mal have been very busy recording their new Album "Borderlands". They recorded in Texas as, the band claim, "its cheeper to spend four weeks recording in texas then to record in Leeds".Flying over to Texas was worth while though, as they have managed to get a slot on David Lettermans show, which is due to air on the 29th August this year.

Although The Chevin have been busy recording, they still managed to get a tour in, supporting White Lies and Franz ferdinand and will be playing at T in the park and the Bingley festival in September.

You can breathe here.


Then we had Gideon Conn live on the phone, he told us all about recording his new album "Take it All" which is due for release on the 4th June. And we had a listen to his new single "Fall Under Tokyo" taken from the album, which will be released on the 28th May. We also learnt that Gideon has a great fondness for food.

We also spoke to Compa, who told us what he has been upto over the last few months - he has been traveling all over europe DJing, and he has his own show on the Dubstep radio station subFM, he is on every Wednesday 2-4.

Playlist for the night:

High Contrast - In A Gadda Da Vida
Mungo Live Mix
Fiona Clayton live - Run To You
Sarah Dixon - Secret Lover
Fiona Clayton Live - Pretty Gonna Fall Down
Florence and the Machine - Shake it out
Fiona Clayton Live - Electric
Rae Morris - hard to forget
Boy Del Mundo versus you cheeky star - Mountaineering remix
In flight recorder - Dutch Courage
The Chevin - Drive (not live)
Boy behind the curtain - Nightrider
Huw Stephens tip of the week - Animal noise - Baddow
The Feud - It aint right
Graham Coxon - What’ll take
The Chevin Live - Blue Eyes
Goof - The Race
The Chevin Live - I am on fire
The Chevin - Drive ( Used as a bed)
Rae morris - For you
Gideon Conn - Fall under Tokyo
Stephen Hudson - Everything electric
Compa - Sentence

You can listen again to the show here.

BBC Introducing 17/05/2012

On this weeks show we had, Cat Like Thief playing live in the studio and Suzie Metcalf - founder of Ravenstonedale Festival live on the phone. We also chatted to Better Left Alone about their new E.P, and we had a pre-recorded interview with Stephen from The Feud who told us that the band have been chosen to be played on all the Radio 1 shows for a week.

Cat Like Thief hail from Cumbria, they have been around for about two years and currently have an E.P available called "The Only Way".

The lads, Jordan, Phil and Paul told me of the difficulties of breaking out of your home county. "We are working hard to break through into neighbouring counties, we have played everywhere in Cumbria , but never outside!" says Jordan.
The lads tell me they are really keen on gigging all over the country, and would like venues and promoters to get in touch.

One thing they do find that helps, as Paul and Phil say, is the BBC Introducing shows "Its a great platform for bands, its a great experience". Aww, Thanks guys.

Suzie Metcalf founded The Ravenstonedale Festival four years ago, since then the festival has grown from strength to strength. This year the Festival based in Kirkby Lonsdale (Thats Cumbria), has doubled its capacity and with it gained extra stages and entertainments.

New for this year is a bigger, better main stage, a dance tent and a whole new stage. Suzie tells me there is also African drumming work shops, Graffiti artists and even a Bouncy castle and Bungee jump - i was sold on "Bouncy Castle".

The three day Festival, starting on the 15th June, will feature loads of local bands from around the North West and will also cater for those into their dance and drum n bass.
Tickets to the festival are on sale now here Ravenstonedale Festival.

Better Left Alone.
The Feud.

Playlist for this weeks show was:

High Contrast - In A Gadda Da Vida
BigB - MiniMix
Cat Like Thief - Heard The Cattle
Exit State - Circles
Cat Like Thief - Follow You
The Strokes - Reptilian
Cat Like Thief - Everything We Spoke Of
Taser Puppets - Dim
The Strange - No Fun
Haight Ashbury - She’s So Groovy 86
Boney Black - Magic Touch
Donna Summer - I Feel Love
Rameses B - I Need You
Cat Like Thief - The Only Way
The Art Club - If You Still Loved Me You Wouldn’t Make Me Cry
Flight Of Arrows - Silver Sands
The Feud - It Ain’t Right
Better Left Alone - Going For The Oscar
David Shurr - Hope
Jess Harwood - Finally Spoken

Listen again here.

BBC Introducing - 26th April

On tonight’s BBC Introducing show we had Manchester band Wheres Strutter and Preston acoustic guitarist Nick Evans playing live.

Where’s Strutter hit the live music scene with a bang by becoming the first unsigned band to headline Club Academy, Academy 3 and Academy 2 all in under 12 months.

And if that is not impressing you, how about the list of bands they have supported : Buzzcocks, Twisted Wheel, The View and Ocean colour scene. Oh and did I mention Peter Doherty sang guest vocals for the band when they supported him.

The lads: Paddy, Lee, Danny and Max have also formed their own record label called The Manchester Label, which will release Wheres Strutters next album, currently being recorded and as yet untitled.

You will also be able to catch Wheres Strutter having a kick about for celebrity soccer six alongside The Enemy on May the 13th at Leyton Orient FC.
They assure me they will beat everyone !!

www.facebook.com/wherestrutter

We also had live in the studio acoustic troubadour Nick Evans.

Recently he has been playing gigs and doing open mic’s across the North West, as well as previously recording a self titled 5 track E.P.

I asked Nick how important open mic nights are to acoustic guitarists and solo artists, he said “they are very important to get you started, big venues will not take you on if they haven’t got some previous knowledge of you, Its also a great way to meet the people who put on the bigger gigs, as they tend to put on the open mics. You also meet other acts who you can gig with, and then of course you can always try out your new material to see how it goes down before a gig”.

www.facebook.com/nicknevevans


Playlist

High Contrast - In A Gadda Da Vida
Compa - Minimix
Where’s Strutter? - You Me And The Devil
Take Time - Fall Apart
Where’s Strutter? - Comedown
This Years Winner Is - Don’t Go Now
Where’s Strutter? - Green Smoking Spiders
Blood Red Shoes - Box Of Secrets
The Strange - No Fun
Where’s Strutter? - Winterford Road
Sootytern - Fox Hunt
Flatlands & Garage Flowers – Animals
The Uncanny Valley - Sometimes Takes The Shadow People
Jamie Brewer - Cheeky Stroll
Nick Evans - Say Nothing
Goof - Bruised We Slow Down
Nick Evans - Gross is Greener Syndrome
Sarah Dixon - Heart on My Sleeve
Nick Evans - Down To You
Rae Morris - Grounded
Nick Evans - Glue
The Heartbreaks - Delay Delay

Bed: Jamie Brewer - Cheeky Stroll

Listen again on the iPlayer.