Cut up to ribbons and taught how to drive

I'm still trying to work out how it went yesterday. I'm pretty sure I had a bit of fun, and that I enjoyed chatting with friends who came along. And the bus ride was alright too. I just think that I'm not cut up to being a busker, and the Barras market is perhaps not the place to learn this. Ah well, Oxjam raised a bit of money which is what it was all about.

Trying to form some kind of action plan for the next few months. I've had a couple emails through from some fantastic acts who are coming to Scotland to tour. The only date I have confirmed at the moment is the 19th of October with Evan Greer. Yup, he who wrote I Want Something. This has been a hell of a long time coming, so if you do anything while reading this blog, please put it in your diary. I haven't got a venue booked just yet, but hopefully by the end of the week. I'm not sure what form the gig will take, but I do know that it will be utterly amazing even if only Evan Greer plays.

As for the present, the band and I are playing with Gecko on Wednesday at the 13th Note. I think this will be a vastly reduced renegade folk punk band show, and even be another one of the 'me-on-electric-guitar' themed ones.

From looking at the diary, it's the last Glasgow show till the Evan Greer one (if we even play that one), so if you want to hear our songs, come along and give it a good send-off. We'll be main support and on around 10pm and it's £4 on the door. Then it's Full Throttle Festival on Saturday, we're on the main stage at 5.30pm.


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Doon the Barras, for real!

I played last night at Tonic in Dundee, it was pretty good fun. Your typical pub-does-acoustic-night affair. Went on stage around 10pm after watching Spain with the world cup (which was good) and played a mix of songs. For the first time in ages I tried Midnight Walks, it felt good, so perhaps I'll start playing it more. I've also been booked to play at Tonic again on the 15th of August, I'll maybe speak with my band about perhaps bringing them along.

I posted on twitter and Facebook last night that I am playing The Barras on Saturday. Well, I am not lying. As part of Oxjam's fundraising activities for the Takeover in October (as yet, I don't know if I'm playing as part of this) I'll be spending some time playing some songs at The Barras market. The historic, and number one of my goals before I die to play, gig venue is The Barrowland Ballroom. 

Pedantics aside, if you want to come along and make this more of a gig, please feel free. I'll keep people up to date through twitter and facebook as to where and when my spot will be, in my head I'd love it if it was a wee group of us all having fun in between bemused bargain hunters buying sports socks (two for a pound). Would make a good video.Does anyone have a camcorder?

Other than that, the next gig that I will be playing with the band is Wednesday 21st of July at 13th Note supporting the sublime Gecko from Bristol. Then we're off to Full Throttle Festival in Durham where we'll be on the main stage on Saturday 25th July at 5.30pm, I've heard this is almost sold out, so check the website if you are still wanting tickets.

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Maggies Music Festival!

We're playing a special show tomorrow (Friday 2nd July) in Dundee! It's at Deacon Brodies and part of the Maggie's Fest fundraiser for the Maggie Centre at Ninewells Hospital. The line-up for the band is slightly reduced since Kenny is unable to attend due to prior commitments laying down some noise on tape for his band Carnivores. So, I'll be ditching the acoustic guitar in favour of my old blue electric and we will be on stage at 9pm. It's also free entry (buckets to collect your spare change for charity).

In other news, I've came up with a wee mobile version of this site for people who attend gigs. You can access it by going to m.davehughesmusic.co.uk, or, and this is cool in my eyes, by scanning the 2D barcode next to this blog post with your phone's barcode scanning app. I also plan on getting wee stickers made up with just the barcode on it in order to see how many folk end up at the site through curiosity. Let me know what you think of it.

Awesome, I'm in a good mood. It's quite nice.


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Dedicated follower of fashion

I'm having a really relaxing weekend after quite a fun and eventful week. I've been hard rehearsing for the upcoming gigs, all are going to be different due to their different setups. The next one is 26th June at Manna Cafe in Newport, and this is going to be completely unplugged. I'll only be playing a couple of songs as is the form of the night. The next day (Sunday 27th June) I'm at the Failford Inn in Mauchline, which is a wee town outside Kilmarnock. I'll have Rachael with me to provide extra vocals, and we've got a very special cover lined up for it, can't wait.

I've also been looking at merchandise ideas, and thanks to Gill from Yer Maw, I came across MySoti. I don't know if anyone would actually buy this T-Shirt, but I thought it would be nice to give folk the option if they felt so inclined.

I think it looks pretty nice and at somepoint in the future I'll get a batch made up for selling at gigs. If you can't wait till that happens, or live miles and miles away from anywhere I'm playing, feel free to get it from here. I guarantee that you'll be the first in your circle of friends!

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Ammendments

I received an email yesterday to say that the Kilmarnock Council has decided to scrap the music portion of the Cultural Diversity ralley. No real explanation was given so we're not entirely sure what happened.

This means my next gig is 26th of June at the Manna Cafe in Newport, just across the Tay from Dundee. It's an all acoustic affair, and sounds like it will be like the old TransEurope Cafe shows I used to do. If you are free, come along!

I can also announce that the band and I have been booked to support Gecko at the 13th Note on the 21st of July. This is going to be a hell of a lot of fun, and also our only Glasgow show for a good wee while. Four quid entry, which you can't complain about.

Not a bad start to my life as Dr. Dave :)



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Sneaking up

I'm currently taking a wee break from revision for my Phd examination on Tuesday. To try and take my mind off the impending doom, stress and commiseration, I've picked up the guitar a wee bit, answered some emails and received one phone call. All in all, this means that June and July have suddenly gotten quite a bit busier.

I moved to Dundee from Glasgow in September of last year, and since then I haven't played in Dundee. The band and I were supposed to have a gig up there back in March, but for a few reasons it fell apart at the very last minute. Hopefully these dates below will make up for this.

• Saturday 19th June - Cultural Diversity Rally against the Racist SDL, Kilmarnock Howard Park, on stage 1.15pm.
• Saturday 26th June - New Portsound, Manna Cafe, Newport (Dundee, not Wales), very limited tickets, leave a comment to get some.
• Sunday 27th June - Failside Inn, Mauchline, with Junkmans Choir for Scottish Cancer Support
• Friday 2nd July - Maggies Cancer Charity festival, full band slot, venue TBC, Dundee
• Saturday 3rd July - Maggies Cancer Charity, solo slot venue TBC, Dundee
• Sunday 4th July - Maggies Cancer Charity, solo slot venue TBC, Dundee
• Sunday 11th July - Tonic Cafe, Dundee (free entry)
• Saturday 24th July - Full THrottle Festival (Full band main stage), County Durham

The gig I'm playing on the 19th of June is also my first appearance at a rally as a musical act. I'm equally excited and terrified at the prospect, I'm usually the first to agree that my music isn't really for a general audience. If the weathers nice, then I could possibly be playing to a huge number of new ears, which makes me very nervous. What songs to play? original stuff?, covers?, a raucous set?, a quiet set? So many questions.

It's a very important event in order to show a united front against the racist SDL who are planning a demo in Kilmarnock on the same day. If you can get down to Kilmarnock on the 19th, please do, and come along to the march and rally. It kicks off at 11am, and I'll be onstage at 1.15pm.

And of course, if you want to add to my gig calendar, feel free to drop me an email and we can work something out. I'm really interested in playing in different towns and villages that I haven't been to before.

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A choir of Junkmen

The gigs with Jim Lockey were a lot of fun; although apologies to Ayr based folk as that gig had to be cancelled. Really hope that Jim Lockey and his band, and Barry Oxygen Thief get back up this way again soon.

The main reason for this post though is to announce a couple of great shows I've got coming up. The closest one is Sunday 27th of June for Scottish Cancer Support. On the bill are the wonderful Junkmans Choir (featuring ex members of Ayrshire legends Nyah Fearties), Jamie Wilson and the superb Shambles Miller. There is a facebook event that has all the details. I'll be playing this gig more or less solo.

The second gig to announce, although, I may have mentioned it before, is the fucking awesome Full Throttle Festival. This is a weekend festival of independent bands that takes place every year in County Durham. Last year, Roscoe Vacant and I travelled down to play at the acoustic stage. It was a hell of a lot of fun, camping, drinking, dancing, hanging out, everything that the cool kids do.

This year I shall be playing with the band on the main stage, on the Saturday (24th July) evening. Roscoe is also playing the festival, but I'm not sure yet which day he is playing. The band and I have tickets to sell, so if you would like a weekend to remember, we're got them! They are £25 for the full weekend, including camping, or £20 for the Saturday only. Please email me if you want to be a part of this. My wife will also be running a craft stall!

There's a full line-up at www.fullthrottlefestival.co.uk


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