For the last few years, well, ever since Google Blogger decided to stop allowing ftp access I've been using a quick fix of just using a redirect of davehughesmusic.blogspot.com for the blog. This has proved very clunky, and slightly sinister in internet terms of taking visitors to www.davehughesmusic.co.uk away from my server.
So, I've finally gotten around to fixing this by hosting this news/blog page on www.davehughesmusic.co.uk/blog (with a Wordpress as the backend if you are interested). Unfortunately, this means that if you get updates on the blog through RSS (for example with Google Reader), the feed that provided these posts will no longer work. If you wish to keep finding out about what we're up to, please re-subscribe to the website by adding http://www.davehughesmusic.co.uk/blog/.
Major apologies if this is a headache, but it's for the best. You'll see that in time, I hope. If not, I'll buy you a drink.
If you get links to the latest blog post via twitter or facebook, then nothing changes.
RIP DaveHughesMusic.Blogspot.com 2009-2012
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Saturday 29 September 2012
Thursday 20 September 2012
Back to the grind
We're at the end of a really fucking crazy month. In August we released the first single from the album, As You Are. It was well received and we are grateful for all the people who took interest, listened and even bought a copy. Then things went a bit quiet until the tail end of last week. I signed in to Youtube on Thursday and noticed that the view counter. which had been sitting at around 400 for the last month had jumped up to around 1000. This in itself was weird, but over the next few days we were getting more and more views and by Saturday we were approaching 3000 views. Crazy.
Oh, and we had the track play-listed last week on a Long Island drive-time radio show. Whether or not these two things are related, remains to be seen. Needless to say, we are fucking grateful to those at WRCN breakfast show for taking an interest in this little band from Scotland. East Coast US tour in 2013? Aye.
This put some wind in our sails and as a result it would appear that things are starting to speed up in Renegade Folk Punk Land. The album is still very much a work in progress, but nearing completion every day. This weekend should see me finishing my vocals and harmonicas, then it's just the little embellishments here and there and the recording is finished. Afterwards, we'll get it mixed, mastered, produced, sold, entered in to the charts and converted in to cold hard cash. Or something like that.
Here's a sneak preview (leak?) of one of my favourite songs from the album:
We're coming out of our self imposed exile to play a full band gig as well on Friday the 5th of October in Greenock at The Old Bank Bar.
I guess I could call it a wee mini-tour for myself as I'm playing the previous two days around Scotland with Joshua Caole. This means that our gig calendar for October looks like this:
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Oh, and we had the track play-listed last week on a Long Island drive-time radio show. Whether or not these two things are related, remains to be seen. Needless to say, we are fucking grateful to those at WRCN breakfast show for taking an interest in this little band from Scotland. East Coast US tour in 2013? Aye.
This put some wind in our sails and as a result it would appear that things are starting to speed up in Renegade Folk Punk Land. The album is still very much a work in progress, but nearing completion every day. This weekend should see me finishing my vocals and harmonicas, then it's just the little embellishments here and there and the recording is finished. Afterwards, we'll get it mixed, mastered, produced, sold, entered in to the charts and converted in to cold hard cash. Or something like that.
Here's a sneak preview (leak?) of one of my favourite songs from the album:
We're coming out of our self imposed exile to play a full band gig as well on Friday the 5th of October in Greenock at The Old Bank Bar.
I guess I could call it a wee mini-tour for myself as I'm playing the previous two days around Scotland with Joshua Caole. This means that our gig calendar for October looks like this:
- Wednesday 3rd October - Cerberus Bar, Dundee with Joshua Caole and Mark McCabe
- Thursday 4th October - The Forest Cafe, Edinburgh with Joshua Caole
- Friday 5th October - The Old Bank Bar, Greenock
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Sunday 19 August 2012
A week is along time
It feels like so much longer than a week since we released As You Are.I'm sitting down now to take stock of all the kind words that people have written (or said over the airwaves via radio), and all the help we got from people unconnected to the single through re-tweets, comments and blogs. This is all amazing for us, and genuinely makes us happy. We're an independent DIY, unheard of band, so it is a massive help to have people talk to their friends and followers about us, and that can't be understated.
And, of course, we absolutely love the people who went out and parted with money for the single (and in some cases the EP with b-sides). Thank you so much.
Oh, and that reminds me, my friend Last Year's Girl is bringing Franz Nicolay back to Glasgow on Thursday night. She is running a buddy ticket scheme (like what we did with our show in June), where you can buy a £12 ticket and bring a friend along (making your tickets cheaper than the £8 fee. Well worth considering for this gig and its line-up. Apparently, there's an unannounced act, with a single to push, opening the show. Tickets available here: http://lastyearscabaret-rss.eventbrite.co.uk/?ebtv=C
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And, of course, we absolutely love the people who went out and parted with money for the single (and in some cases the EP with b-sides). Thank you so much.
Oh, and that reminds me, my friend Last Year's Girl is bringing Franz Nicolay back to Glasgow on Thursday night. She is running a buddy ticket scheme (like what we did with our show in June), where you can buy a £12 ticket and bring a friend along (making your tickets cheaper than the £8 fee. Well worth considering for this gig and its line-up. Apparently, there's an unannounced act, with a single to push, opening the show. Tickets available here: http://lastyearscabaret-rss.eventbrite.co.uk/?ebtv=C
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Thursday 16 August 2012
Long winded stream of thoughts on As You Are
While I'm still in promotion mode for the single As You Are, I thought I'd write down a few thoughts I've had on the song as way of bringing more out of it. Although, I do understand the inherent risks of tying the song down to my own thoughts rather than letting the listener work out for themselves what it means to them (which I'm happy to hear if you want). This is going to be a bit long-winded, so think of it more as an essay than a blog post.
Some people have said that it's a love song, I don't really see it as that per sé. I see it more as a friendship song. But hey, I guess love plays a big part in close friendships? I wrote the song in the middle of 2010 and released it as a demo in the Seven Songs EP. It took around 10 minutes to write the first draft, with many different combinations of hearts and souls and hopes and faiths in the outro before settling on what you hear now. In roughly an hour, I had the song and basic chords down.
The essence of the song, lyrically, for me was to think about how our past mistakes are what make us who we become, especially when we repeat them over and over again. We all at some point sound like a broken record when asking advice from friends but there's learning through repetition. Sometimes we need to talk things through with ourselves in the presence of others to take stock of that.
I was very proud of it then, but for some reason, that was all I did with it. I didn't think of giving it to the band to oompf it up a bit, and I think I only played it live once or twice when pushing that EP. I'm at a loss to explain why, it's fun to play, means a lot to me and, well, I think I can do it justice live. Normally these things mean it's a keeper!
Anyways, Woody (RFPB drummer) and I started to record the tracks for the new album earlier this year. We had a list of songs we knew and wanted to put out (such as Backwards We Play, Replacement, and also some older ones we wanted to re-visit). At that first session, As You Are came in to my head and I asked Woody if he wanted to try it. A few quick practices of it and we hit record. Later, the rest of the band over dubbed their parts and you have the basic track.
Around the time that Woody and I were tracking drums for the album, I had gone to Glasgow to see Chris T-T play a show at The Admiral. We were talking about stuff and I was telling him about the plans for the album (other guests, release plans, videos etc) and he offered his services on piano if I wanted them. This meant a hell of a lot to me, and I'm not bullshitting when I say that. Anyone who has followed my music 'career' will know how much of an influence Chris T-T has been on most of what I've done. When I started doing acoustic music, I wanted to write Chris T-T songs (A Box to Hide In being my idea of the perfect personal-protest song) but perform them like, I don't know, Joe Strummer maybe? To have Chris offering to actually play on one of my songs was mind blowing for me. It felt like validation from one of my heroes saying "hey kid, you're doing good".
It wasn't for a month or so later that I had listened back to the stuff that we'd recorded in the studio and worked out which song might work best with some piano (As You Are and Backwards We Play being the strongest contenders). I was a bit reluctant at first to send As You Are to Chris since it's music was heavily influenced by Gaslight Anthem's American Slang album, and I know Chris's feelings on that band! In the end, I sent it through with the brief of "make it sound like a Springsteen track".
Some time passed and then Chris sent through his piano part to Gareth, our producer/engineer, for mixing. We had some idea of doing a pre-album single, with another track being primed and mixed for this purpose, but as soon as Gareth sent me the mix of As You Are, our plans changed. I can still remember my smile bursting across my face when the piano first appeared on my first listen, then the drums and lead guitar. I couldn't actually believe that it was my own song. Everything just sounded very, well, good.
So that's it, this track means a hell of a lot to me and the band. It's the first time we've released a song that has the full Renegade Folk Punk Band (being me, Woody, Dan and Rachael) performing on it, and to have Chris colouring in the pieces with his piano made it perfect. The band and I are ever grateful for that, thanks Chris.
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Some people have said that it's a love song, I don't really see it as that per sé. I see it more as a friendship song. But hey, I guess love plays a big part in close friendships? I wrote the song in the middle of 2010 and released it as a demo in the Seven Songs EP. It took around 10 minutes to write the first draft, with many different combinations of hearts and souls and hopes and faiths in the outro before settling on what you hear now. In roughly an hour, I had the song and basic chords down.
The essence of the song, lyrically, for me was to think about how our past mistakes are what make us who we become, especially when we repeat them over and over again. We all at some point sound like a broken record when asking advice from friends but there's learning through repetition. Sometimes we need to talk things through with ourselves in the presence of others to take stock of that.
I was very proud of it then, but for some reason, that was all I did with it. I didn't think of giving it to the band to oompf it up a bit, and I think I only played it live once or twice when pushing that EP. I'm at a loss to explain why, it's fun to play, means a lot to me and, well, I think I can do it justice live. Normally these things mean it's a keeper!
Anyways, Woody (RFPB drummer) and I started to record the tracks for the new album earlier this year. We had a list of songs we knew and wanted to put out (such as Backwards We Play, Replacement, and also some older ones we wanted to re-visit). At that first session, As You Are came in to my head and I asked Woody if he wanted to try it. A few quick practices of it and we hit record. Later, the rest of the band over dubbed their parts and you have the basic track.
Around the time that Woody and I were tracking drums for the album, I had gone to Glasgow to see Chris T-T play a show at The Admiral. We were talking about stuff and I was telling him about the plans for the album (other guests, release plans, videos etc) and he offered his services on piano if I wanted them. This meant a hell of a lot to me, and I'm not bullshitting when I say that. Anyone who has followed my music 'career' will know how much of an influence Chris T-T has been on most of what I've done. When I started doing acoustic music, I wanted to write Chris T-T songs (A Box to Hide In being my idea of the perfect personal-protest song) but perform them like, I don't know, Joe Strummer maybe? To have Chris offering to actually play on one of my songs was mind blowing for me. It felt like validation from one of my heroes saying "hey kid, you're doing good".
It wasn't for a month or so later that I had listened back to the stuff that we'd recorded in the studio and worked out which song might work best with some piano (As You Are and Backwards We Play being the strongest contenders). I was a bit reluctant at first to send As You Are to Chris since it's music was heavily influenced by Gaslight Anthem's American Slang album, and I know Chris's feelings on that band! In the end, I sent it through with the brief of "make it sound like a Springsteen track".
Some time passed and then Chris sent through his piano part to Gareth, our producer/engineer, for mixing. We had some idea of doing a pre-album single, with another track being primed and mixed for this purpose, but as soon as Gareth sent me the mix of As You Are, our plans changed. I can still remember my smile bursting across my face when the piano first appeared on my first listen, then the drums and lead guitar. I couldn't actually believe that it was my own song. Everything just sounded very, well, good.
So that's it, this track means a hell of a lot to me and the band. It's the first time we've released a song that has the full Renegade Folk Punk Band (being me, Woody, Dan and Rachael) performing on it, and to have Chris colouring in the pieces with his piano made it perfect. The band and I are ever grateful for that, thanks Chris.
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Monday 13 August 2012
As You Are out today
Today marks the official release of our single As You Are. Before Chris T-T was eloquently putting in to words how shite and dangerous the closing ceremony of the Olympics was, we held him down, put a gun to his head and forced him to lay down piano for one of our tracks*.
This track is now out and ready for you. I have written in previous blog posts about how you can get your hands (? - this is a digital release) on your copy, but I guess it needs repeating.
For the full EP (with 2 b-sides):
Many thanks to everyone who has helped to get the word out about our music. I always find the days immediately following releasing music to be filled with emotional highs and crushing lows. Each shared link, Bandcamp listen or sale, or iTune Ping (whatever that is), helps stave off the dark feelings and thoughts a wee bit more, so thank you very much.
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This track is now out and ready for you. I have written in previous blog posts about how you can get your hands (? - this is a digital release) on your copy, but I guess it needs repeating.
For the full EP (with 2 b-sides):
- Our bandcamp page: http://davehughes.bandcamp.com/album/as-you-are-ep
- Our label's page: http://corporaterecords.co.uk/artists/Dave+Hughes/As+You+Are+EP/
And for just the A-side:
- Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/feat-Renegade-Folk-Punk-Chris/dp/B008ODLT4G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343214022&sr=8-1
- iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/as-you-are-feat.-renegade/id547312271
Many thanks to everyone who has helped to get the word out about our music. I always find the days immediately following releasing music to be filled with emotional highs and crushing lows. Each shared link, Bandcamp listen or sale, or iTune Ping (whatever that is), helps stave off the dark feelings and thoughts a wee bit more, so thank you very much.
*no guns or coercion was involved, merely Chris offering to do the piano for us since he had a new home studio set-up.
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Monday 6 August 2012
What did I miss?
I'm back at work now after an amazing week of playing around the North of England with Mark McCabe. He really is a wonderful performer, and it felt really silly for him to be going on before me each night, have never really felt as woefully inadequate musically as then. Thanks to everyone who came along to the gigs, and to those who ran the shows, and all the periphery people who helped us out when we got stuck and gave us places to sleep. Proper good times all around. And, an apology to people who missed me at Rebellion due to my early stage time, I'll do my best (if I get booked next year) to get a later time slot.
Ok, back to the grind and the As You Are single release on Monday 13th August. Everything is geared up and ready to go, and so I thought I'd fill in some of the details.
Of course you can sit back and just enjoy the video (much like 400+ people have done!).
And finally, please, if you like this track, don't be afraid (ashamed?) to let your friends know about it. Who knows, maybe they'll like it too. #nickelback
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Ok, back to the grind and the As You Are single release on Monday 13th August. Everything is geared up and ready to go, and so I thought I'd fill in some of the details.
- The cheapest option is to head to iTunes or Amazon on Monday and spend 70p or so to get the A-side itself. .
- If you want the full EP (including two B-sides), head to our Bandcamp or Corporate Records mini-page and purchase it for £2 (including a download code to get 30% off the album when it's available)
Of course you can sit back and just enjoy the video (much like 400+ people have done!).
And finally, please, if you like this track, don't be afraid (ashamed?) to let your friends know about it. Who knows, maybe they'll like it too. #nickelback
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Wednesday 25 July 2012
What was the answer you were hustling to hear?
This has been a good week for RFPB HQ. On Monday, The Ruckus premièred the video for our first single As You Are (feat Chris T-T) from our upcoming album "In Death Do We Part?".Since then around 250 people have watched it, and some folk even liked the song enough to share it with friends. Suffice to say, this is the best response I've ever had to any of my music and we are all eternally grateful for it all.
Monday 30th July - Stereo, York, Facebook Event
Thursday 2nd August - Rebellion Festival, Blackpool, Facebook Event
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At the moment the song is only available as the video, but on Monday 13th of August it will be released internationally through iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and all the usual suspects. Further more, if you buy it direct from us through our Corporate Records page or Bandcamp page, you'll get the b-side of "The sinner and the saints". This is a new recording and version that will also appear on the album, which is due out at the end of 2013.
We are really wanting as many people to hear this track as possible, this helps with the pushing and excitement building of the album, and so we are asking for a little help. If you like what we've done with the track, and we know it's a bit different to our old stuff, please share a link to the video with friends on Facebook, twitter, Google Plus etc.
If you have a blog or music website, I am happy for things to be written about it (I'll even do interviews, hell, email the band and do interviews with them instead). If you, or you know people, who have a radio station (either through the airwaves or over the internet), get in touch and I'll send you the press pack with mp3 so that you can play it on your show. Same goes for podcasts and mixtapes. Basically, if you can help us get it out there, please do.
Finally, I'm off on tour with Mark McCabe next week. I will be playing this song, I can't wait:
Saturday 28th July - The Telegraph bar, Newcastle, Facebook Event
Sunday 29th July - The Bay Horse, Manchester, Facebook EventMonday 30th July - Stereo, York, Facebook Event
Thursday 2nd August - Rebellion Festival, Blackpool, Facebook Event
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Tuesday 3 July 2012
Stil alive and kicking
Things have been dead busy over here at Renegade Folk Punk Towers, so I thought I'd write a wee blog about what we've been up to. A couple of weeks ago Woody and I played a gig at The Bay in Glasgow (with Louise Distras, BMR and Kenni Campbel) and had a real good time. You can watch the set in full over on YouTube.
We've also been beavering away at our album, which at a rough estimate (and through the wonders of a spreadsheet) is around 76% finished. We're waiting on a few guestlist parts coming back to us (which will blow your tiny minds), and then we'll sit down and mix the thing. It is taking us a bit longer than I thought it would, so realistically I think we're looking at an October release now. I want it to be perfect. That's not to say it's all under lock and key, some folk have been in my presence when drunk and heard a couple tracks (They said they 'digged', 'enjoyed', 'loved', 'liked' it, so I know we're on the right track). And, I have also put up two very short sneak previews on soundcloud, which you can hear below.
Outside of music, Woody has set up an IndieGoGo page for a culinary avenue he wants to explore. Woody is a fantastic Chef and has cooked the RFPB many a meal before gigs, so I wholeheartedly support this. Basically, he wants to raise money to buy a van and start selling food to people on the go. Not Burgers chips etc, but proper high class (but affordable) food. Go over to his IndieGoGo page and check out what he is offering, and please, for the love of Good Food, pledge some cash.
Finally, I want to take this moment to wish Síobhan and Matthew every happiness in their married life together. My wife and I travelled down to London for their Wedding on Saturday, and it was blissful. You'd be hard pushed to find two nicer people more suited to each other.
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We've also been beavering away at our album, which at a rough estimate (and through the wonders of a spreadsheet) is around 76% finished. We're waiting on a few guestlist parts coming back to us (which will blow your tiny minds), and then we'll sit down and mix the thing. It is taking us a bit longer than I thought it would, so realistically I think we're looking at an October release now. I want it to be perfect. That's not to say it's all under lock and key, some folk have been in my presence when drunk and heard a couple tracks (They said they 'digged', 'enjoyed', 'loved', 'liked' it, so I know we're on the right track). And, I have also put up two very short sneak previews on soundcloud, which you can hear below.
Outside of music, Woody has set up an IndieGoGo page for a culinary avenue he wants to explore. Woody is a fantastic Chef and has cooked the RFPB many a meal before gigs, so I wholeheartedly support this. Basically, he wants to raise money to buy a van and start selling food to people on the go. Not Burgers chips etc, but proper high class (but affordable) food. Go over to his IndieGoGo page and check out what he is offering, and please, for the love of Good Food, pledge some cash.
Finally, I want to take this moment to wish Síobhan and Matthew every happiness in their married life together. My wife and I travelled down to London for their Wedding on Saturday, and it was blissful. You'd be hard pushed to find two nicer people more suited to each other.
Next gig: Friday 13th July at Govanhill Baths, full details on the Gigs page
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Sunday 3 June 2012
Do what you like, but like what you do.
I've spent the weekend working on my overdub parts for the album. Mainly electric guitars, harmonicas backing vocals and other whoops and whistles. I'm doing my best to not let anyone hear these works in progress, and with every raw mix our producer Gareth sends, it gets much harder. I've organised a couple of really amazing guest spots for the album, but memory of doing that with Despite the Blackout means that I'm not announcing it till I have their audio files with me. These are immense if it happens though, and I'm sure you'll agree.
I'm still booking the tour with Mark McCabe and we're still looking for dates, so please get in touch if you want to put us on. We're needing shows on the first week of August.
On tuesday night I'm playing with onelinedrawing (Jonah Matranga) and Dave McPherson (of INME). Really hope to see some of you there. I'll be playing a couple new tracks from the album, plus some of my quieter stuff to suit the evening. It's at the ABC2, and starts at 7pm.
Oh, and have you signed up for the mailing list? I only tend to post out once a month, and I notice that I get much more response from that 'medium' than others. Maybe the stuff I put there is rarer and more thought out, and thus more interesting to people who chose to opt-in? Who knows.
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I'm still booking the tour with Mark McCabe and we're still looking for dates, so please get in touch if you want to put us on. We're needing shows on the first week of August.
On tuesday night I'm playing with onelinedrawing (Jonah Matranga) and Dave McPherson (of INME). Really hope to see some of you there. I'll be playing a couple new tracks from the album, plus some of my quieter stuff to suit the evening. It's at the ABC2, and starts at 7pm.
Oh, and have you signed up for the mailing list? I only tend to post out once a month, and I notice that I get much more response from that 'medium' than others. Maybe the stuff I put there is rarer and more thought out, and thus more interesting to people who chose to opt-in? Who knows.
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Saturday 19 May 2012
Pick it up, Pick it up, Pick... Stop that.
It's starting to get quite busy around here for the second half of the year. I've started booking gigs for a tour I'm doing with Mark McCabe in August. We're both playing the same date of Rebellion Festival, so it made sense to see some of England together in the week before hand. I've added the confirmed ones to the gigs page already.
There's also a few solo Glasgow gigs coming up in June and July. I see solo gigs as a different beast to the full band gigs, so when I said that the gig last month with the band would be the last till the album is out that's what I meant. The album is coming along nicely, I've had confirmation of a couple really awesome guest slots and the rough mixes I've listened to on repeat sound massive.
I don't want to give too much away about the album (more to save me from jinxing it rather than some psuedo-display of professionalism), but I can say that we've got a working title, it's almost a concept album, and we'll put out a single a couple months before the album. Then we'll do a massive launch gig and have a party.
Next gig is Tuesday 5th June with JONAH MATRANGA and DAVE McPHERSON (of INME) at the ABC in Glasgow. Fuck yes.
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There's also a few solo Glasgow gigs coming up in June and July. I see solo gigs as a different beast to the full band gigs, so when I said that the gig last month with the band would be the last till the album is out that's what I meant. The album is coming along nicely, I've had confirmation of a couple really awesome guest slots and the rough mixes I've listened to on repeat sound massive.
I don't want to give too much away about the album (more to save me from jinxing it rather than some psuedo-display of professionalism), but I can say that we've got a working title, it's almost a concept album, and we'll put out a single a couple months before the album. Then we'll do a massive launch gig and have a party.
Next gig is Tuesday 5th June with JONAH MATRANGA and DAVE McPHERSON (of INME) at the ABC in Glasgow. Fuck yes.
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Monday 16 April 2012
Not quite Brazzers
On Saturday, being the scientist that I am, I carried out an experiment in to broadcasting a live gig from my bedroom. Expecting to be playing songs by myself to no-one, I was pleasantly surprised when I got 25 people tuning in at it's peak.
I had planned a 30 minute slot or so, but before I knew it an hour was up. People who were watching joined in using the #davesonlinegig hash-tag and also on the facebook page, where requests for covers and my own songs were left. I think people enjoyed themselves.
It was all very last minute, so a lot of people missed out. To fix this (and a few of the issues people had joining in), I've decided to repeat it all again a week on Wednesday (25th April) at 20:00GMT. I'll be broadcasting through the same page on the website, and people can use the hashtag, facebook again. I've also added a chat widget below the video window to make it much easier and instant. I really hope you can make it, bring your own booze etc.
In other news, I finally finished the video diary from my tour with Emma Hallows and Woody, which you can watch below. The headline show in Glasgow is just two weeks away and tickets are selling well, if you plan on coming, please get your tickets soon.
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I had planned a 30 minute slot or so, but before I knew it an hour was up. People who were watching joined in using the #davesonlinegig hash-tag and also on the facebook page, where requests for covers and my own songs were left. I think people enjoyed themselves.
It was all very last minute, so a lot of people missed out. To fix this (and a few of the issues people had joining in), I've decided to repeat it all again a week on Wednesday (25th April) at 20:00GMT. I'll be broadcasting through the same page on the website, and people can use the hashtag, facebook again. I've also added a chat widget below the video window to make it much easier and instant. I really hope you can make it, bring your own booze etc.
In other news, I finally finished the video diary from my tour with Emma Hallows and Woody, which you can watch below. The headline show in Glasgow is just two weeks away and tickets are selling well, if you plan on coming, please get your tickets soon.
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Monday 2 April 2012
Headline Show Update!
Tomorrow marks one month to go until my show at the 13th Note in Glasgow with Emma Hallows and Algernon Doll. I'm pretty happy to be able to tell you now though, that due to a number of circumstances, I'll have the full Renegade Folk Punk Band backing me up.
Looking back at our previous gig lists, I don't think we've done a proper headline set in Glasgow since like sometime before the Enlightenment, and after the Reformation. We'll make it worth the wait anyways, with old songs, new songs (we start recording a proper CD on Saturday with a producer and everything), and some little tricks we've learnt recently.
Tickets are selling pretty well, so I suggest you don't wait till the last minute. Remember, we're selling 'Buddy Tickets' for £8 which means you can bring a pal for cheap.
Single Tickets available here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/158474
Buddy Tickets here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/158480
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Looking back at our previous gig lists, I don't think we've done a proper headline set in Glasgow since like sometime before the Enlightenment, and after the Reformation. We'll make it worth the wait anyways, with old songs, new songs (we start recording a proper CD on Saturday with a producer and everything), and some little tricks we've learnt recently.
Tickets are selling pretty well, so I suggest you don't wait till the last minute. Remember, we're selling 'Buddy Tickets' for £8 which means you can bring a pal for cheap.
Single Tickets available here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/158474
Buddy Tickets here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/158480
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Tuesday 27 March 2012
Renegade Folk Punk Wedding Band
Realised I should post something here about a few things that have happened recently. Over the weekend that has just passed, the band and I had a massive amount of fun. Saturday brought my mother's Wedding where we acted as Band, which went stressful but very well.
I used to have a thing against playing covers solely so that people would recognise the song you're playing and dance etc. However, after doing this (and the Legends gig we did a few weeks ago), I understand it a bit more. In the evening we then ran over to the Classic Grand for another gig with Miles Hunt and Erica Knockalls (of The Wonder Stuff). As usual, that was amazingly good fun.
So, what's next for us? Well, on Thursday I'm heading through to Edinburgh to play a gig with Beans on Toast, Billy Liar and Roscoe Vacant at Opium Nightclub. Then a month later it's time for the Headline Show (TM) at the 13th Note in Glasgow. And that's about it. Maybe some thing will come up, but that's all I've got booked at the moment until Rebellion in August.
In recorded music news, I've heard that there's been a problem with buying the album through Amazon UK. This is due to, and I feel completely mystified by being included in such problems, a falling out between our distributor and Amazon over unpaid royalties. Hopefully it will be sorted soon as Amazon was one of the cheapest places to get the album. Until then, though, you can still get the album through Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes, eMusic and in our own shop.
I'm also digging through my collection of songs that I've recorded but not released over the last few years to chose a track for an acoustic punk compilation that's coming out in May. Other acts that will be on it include TV Smith, Billy Liar, Emma Hallows and many more.
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I used to have a thing against playing covers solely so that people would recognise the song you're playing and dance etc. However, after doing this (and the Legends gig we did a few weeks ago), I understand it a bit more. In the evening we then ran over to the Classic Grand for another gig with Miles Hunt and Erica Knockalls (of The Wonder Stuff). As usual, that was amazingly good fun.
So, what's next for us? Well, on Thursday I'm heading through to Edinburgh to play a gig with Beans on Toast, Billy Liar and Roscoe Vacant at Opium Nightclub. Then a month later it's time for the Headline Show (TM) at the 13th Note in Glasgow. And that's about it. Maybe some thing will come up, but that's all I've got booked at the moment until Rebellion in August.
In recorded music news, I've heard that there's been a problem with buying the album through Amazon UK. This is due to, and I feel completely mystified by being included in such problems, a falling out between our distributor and Amazon over unpaid royalties. Hopefully it will be sorted soon as Amazon was one of the cheapest places to get the album. Until then, though, you can still get the album through Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes, eMusic and in our own shop.
I'm also digging through my collection of songs that I've recorded but not released over the last few years to chose a track for an acoustic punk compilation that's coming out in May. Other acts that will be on it include TV Smith, Billy Liar, Emma Hallows and many more.
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Monday 5 March 2012
Headline Show, Headline Show, Headline Show
Ok, so I've been mentioning this over the last week and now I can give you full details. I'll be doing a headline show at the 13th Note in Glasgow on Thursday 3rd of May, with support from Emma Hallows (Manchester) and Algernon Doll (Glasgow). You can buy tickets, priced at a fiver over through WeGotTickets. There's also a Buddy Ticket thing that I'm trying in that you can buy an £8 ticket and that gets you and a friend in to the gig (meaning each of your tickets are cheaper). And if there's still tickets left, they wil be £6 on the night.
Obligatory Facebook event to share with your pals: https://www.facebook.com/events/222585127840884/
So, reasons you should come to this gig. Well, I haven't played in Glasgow since the start of December, and my last solo Glasgow gig (at MacSorelys) was even longer ago (and it was a bloody good night). There's Emma Hallows (who I was on tour with at the start of February) and Algernon Doll (who is utterly brilliant) on the bill. It's the 13th Note, which is still one of the best DIY venues in Glasgow and it's a Thursday straight after pay-day. And finally, recently I've been writing quite a lot and I've got a whole bunch of new and fresh songs to play.
I'd really appreciate it if people could commit and buy tickets in advance for this as it helps me, the other acts and the venue know what to expect on the night. Plus, with Emma Hallows and Algernon Doll on the bill, I'm sure we're going to make this very busy and I don't want folk to miss out.
The reasons for this being a solo show are many, but most prominently is Woody disappearing off with Uriah Heap again. I never really thought that I'd ever have to fit my music in around a prog-rock bohemeth such as Uriah Heap, but those are the (dem?) breaks. Before he disappears though, the full RFPB and myself will be opening for Miles Hunt and Erica Knockalls (Wonder Stuff) at The Classic Grand in Glasgow on the 24th of March.
Bloggess-Style round up of other stuff that's happened:
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Obligatory Facebook event to share with your pals: https://www.facebook.com/events/222585127840884/
So, reasons you should come to this gig. Well, I haven't played in Glasgow since the start of December, and my last solo Glasgow gig (at MacSorelys) was even longer ago (and it was a bloody good night). There's Emma Hallows (who I was on tour with at the start of February) and Algernon Doll (who is utterly brilliant) on the bill. It's the 13th Note, which is still one of the best DIY venues in Glasgow and it's a Thursday straight after pay-day. And finally, recently I've been writing quite a lot and I've got a whole bunch of new and fresh songs to play.
I'd really appreciate it if people could commit and buy tickets in advance for this as it helps me, the other acts and the venue know what to expect on the night. Plus, with Emma Hallows and Algernon Doll on the bill, I'm sure we're going to make this very busy and I don't want folk to miss out.
The reasons for this being a solo show are many, but most prominently is Woody disappearing off with Uriah Heap again. I never really thought that I'd ever have to fit my music in around a prog-rock bohemeth such as Uriah Heap, but those are the (dem?) breaks. Before he disappears though, the full RFPB and myself will be opening for Miles Hunt and Erica Knockalls (Wonder Stuff) at The Classic Grand in Glasgow on the 24th of March.
Bloggess-Style round up of other stuff that's happened:
- A couple people who came to my London tour date made a "hilarious" documentary on me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McYnJwzDrh4
- American music blog The Ruckus had nice things to say about that time Chris T-T joined us on stage: http://www.whatstheruckus.com/2012/03/30-days-of-covers-ghost-of-tom-joad/
- I chose a few tracks for the Slide in to my hand podcast: http://www.slideintomyhand.com/?p=151
- I posted a brand new song as a video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POG-pv-qco4
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Sunday 19 February 2012
Home truths.
Just finished a run of five gigs with Emma Hallows which were all lots of fun, with particular mention to London and Manchester for being ace. Emma is a fantastic person to play shows with, and gets better each night. Please check her out and give her support.
Woody and I are working on putting all the snippets of footage together in to some kind of tour video, so we'll post that when it's done. In the mean time, there's a video of Malaga Airport from Dundee at the bottom of this post.
In other news, due to a number of issues and home truths coming home to roost (is that a phrase?), I have decided to take a little break from music. As a result, the band and I won't be playing in Glasgow on Friday night with Louis Barabbas. I apologise if you were looking forward to hear us play, but at the moment I'm not in the right place to play it. The gig is still going ahead, and will be a good night.
See you later.
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Woody and I are working on putting all the snippets of footage together in to some kind of tour video, so we'll post that when it's done. In the mean time, there's a video of Malaga Airport from Dundee at the bottom of this post.
In other news, due to a number of issues and home truths coming home to roost (is that a phrase?), I have decided to take a little break from music. As a result, the band and I won't be playing in Glasgow on Friday night with Louis Barabbas. I apologise if you were looking forward to hear us play, but at the moment I'm not in the right place to play it. The gig is still going ahead, and will be a good night.
See you later.
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Tuesday 31 January 2012
No time to talk, we leave in two weeks.
First things first. I found out via Reddit, that not everyone shares my love of Spotify. And so, to make things better for whoever shares that view, I have uploaded Despite the Blackout to bandcamp. It seems to be doing strangely well there, I'm guessing people were holding off on getting a copy?
Time has really flew by, and it is now two weeks before the second Despite the Blackout tour kicks off in York. So much to do and so little time. I've been trying to do some promo in the town's were hitting, but so far have been hit with a great wall of silence which isn't great. Fingers crossed that the promoters are having more luck getting the word out about the shows than I am. I'm always a bit anxious before leaving for a tour like this as there's a lot of 'putting yourself in other peoples hands' for gigs that doesn't happen at local shows. Most of the time it pays off though, which is nice.
The full dates are:
If you are coming to the York show, please consider buying tickets in advance from here, helps make us look good to the promoter and puts his mind at rest too! I've also got some advance (cheap) tickets for the Dundee show for similar reasons.
Now, to think about a set-list (plural, different each night for multiple gig attendees).
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Time has really flew by, and it is now two weeks before the second Despite the Blackout tour kicks off in York. So much to do and so little time. I've been trying to do some promo in the town's were hitting, but so far have been hit with a great wall of silence which isn't great. Fingers crossed that the promoters are having more luck getting the word out about the shows than I am. I'm always a bit anxious before leaving for a tour like this as there's a lot of 'putting yourself in other peoples hands' for gigs that doesn't happen at local shows. Most of the time it pays off though, which is nice.
The full dates are:
- Monday 13th - Stereo in York
- Tuesday 14th - The Garratt in Manchester
- Wednesday 15th - Royal Park Cellars in Leeds
- Thursday 16th - The Greyhound in Beeston (nr Nottingham)
- Friday 17th - London (stil waiting on Venue name, but am assured its going ahead)
- Saturday 18th - Doghouse in Dundee (just me at this one)
If you are coming to the York show, please consider buying tickets in advance from here, helps make us look good to the promoter and puts his mind at rest too! I've also got some advance (cheap) tickets for the Dundee show for similar reasons.
Now, to think about a set-list (plural, different each night for multiple gig attendees).
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Monday 23 January 2012
Rebellion Festival Songs
I've had a fantastic weekend. Three gigs, and a wee recording session with the band (which I might add sounds absolutely fantastic). Our Greenock folk-session gigs went pretty damn well, enough that we have been asked to return to the pub in two weeks time. We're just working out the details and then we'll fill you in.
Anyways, the main news for today is that I have been booked to return to the UK's largest punk rock festival Rebellion. I last played it about three years ago and had an amazing time. There's a whole bunch of ace people playing including Mark McCabe, Emma Hallows, and some band called Rancid.
This has been a good last few days.
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Anyways, the main news for today is that I have been booked to return to the UK's largest punk rock festival Rebellion. I last played it about three years ago and had an amazing time. There's a whole bunch of ace people playing including Mark McCabe, Emma Hallows, and some band called Rancid.
This has been a good last few days.
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Thursday 19 January 2012
And we're back
What do you mean you didn't know that we were away? Well, yesterday was a day of Internet action to protest the U.S Congress bill known as SOPA and PIPA. While I'm not American, the SOPA and PIPA bills are a threat to freedom of speech and the internet as a whole. Therefore, to show my disapproval I had a blackout on the website yesterday. The dangerous part of the bills is the heavy handedness with which they could be enforced, which, when it comes to copyright could be very harmful for folk, and public domain, music as a whole.
Back on track, the band and I are playing our first gigs of 2012 this weekend. We're hitting Dundee once and Greenock twice:
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Back on track, the band and I are playing our first gigs of 2012 this weekend. We're hitting Dundee once and Greenock twice:
- Friday - Dundee Doghouse, with Mark McCabe and otherr
- Saturday - Legends, Greenock,
- Sunday - Legends, Greenock
And yes, I like the new Springsteen single. That's Kool-aid for you.
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