Tom Kerswill

It’s been a bit of a while since I last updated this, but tonight I’m off checking out a new (to me, at least) open mic.. It’s the Gaslight at the Nip & Tipple. More soon:-)

The Chorlton Arts Festival is having its launch party on Thursday, 26th November, 8pm, at the Lloyds Hotel in Chorlton. The festival itself is in May 2010. The launch event is open to all promoters / musicians / music industry people who’d like to be involved. There will be application packs available there. Fiona Stewart, festival organiser, says:

Please feel free to pass the flyer on to anyone you know who may be interested in getting involved, we would love to see them there. The launch party is an opportunity for visual/performance artists, venues and volunteers to find out more about the festival by meeting members of the team, picking up an application pack and asking questions. There’s also a jazz band and food.

The launch event is usually pretty fun – so it’s well worth going to if you have an interest in getting involved with the festival.

Tom

Hi everyone,

Because of the bank holiday, Trof Northern Quarter have cancelled the open mic night we usually do there tonight. It’ll be back on next week.

As a replacement, I’d recommend Uluru’s open mic (Chorlton). Run by Ricky Damiani, it kicks of at 7.30pm. I’ll be heading down there, and there will be a featured slot from Passenger, of Brighton — they’ll be doing a 45 minute set at 9.30pm. It’s all free of course, and should be a really good night.

Tom

I’m intending to write a bit more about unsigned music on this blog over the coming weeks—especially focusing on unsigned acts in Manchester, and trying to tie in a bit with some of the stuff on our All FM Radio Show.

So let’s get things started with the first review:

Hannah Atkins – Falling

Manchester-based Atkins’ music is reminiscent of an early Imogen Heap (or Heap’s earlier band, Frau Frau). It’s got that really great mix of edgy but sweet-sounding synthesisers and live instruments and vocals.

The layers of sound are arranged intricately, but without overloading you with sound. There’s some really interesting stuff going on with samples and effects, but crucially these don’t get in the way of the lyrics or the vocals. In fact, the vocals soar above the arrangements. Underneath, synths meld with live violins and guitars – but the juxtoposition of studio wizardry and real-life instruments really works, and there’s a real feeling of space to the music.

It also reminded me of some tracks by (Manchester based) band Lamb – and they’re famed for their live performances. By the same token, live, in a big venue, Atkins’ music would really go down well. It’s not hard to imagine her playing venues such as Academy 2 or the Jazz World stage at Glastonbury, with a full complement of live musicians. In fact, though, the live shows I’ve seen so far involve just her.

And – for the moment at least – you can still catch her in smaller venues around Manchester. I recently saw her at the Iguana Bar in Chorlton, and was impressed by the live show – which was mainly performed using a stage piano. The live shows are great – I’d definitely recommend getting down to one if you can.

Her latest album, Falling, is available to buy online. It’s a beautifully-packaged in a tiny Fairtrade cloth bag.

Hear more of Hannah Atkins’ music, and buy her albums, here:

http://www.last.fm/music/Hannah+Atkins

Hi!

I’m not actually playing at this one, but I thought I’d let you know because I’m involved in running the night and I reckon it’s going to be a great show. Tonight (Thursday 6th March) at the Carlton Club, Whalley Range, we have:

• Aidan Smith
• The Steve Bland Assembly
• Bleeding Hands
• David Sanders

Beer costs £1.85 a pint, and it’s a really nice venue. For directions and info head to this page… From 8pm, £3 on door.

There’s a new open mic (changed from a jam night) at Revise Bar in Chorlton, Manchester:

CHORLTON OPEN MIC
EVERY SUNDAY 2-5 PM
AT THE REVISE BAR CHORLTON
559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton
Manchester. M21 0AE

ALL SINGERS AND MUSICIANS WELCOME

(See other open mic nights happening in Manchester)

Hey – just a heads-up for all the musicians out there. EXR, who run a lot of gigs in Manchester, run a weekly jam session at the Lounge Bar, Wilbraham Road, Chorlton.

The session is acoustic – they have congas, djembes, bongos, tambourines etc set up as well as a bass amp and a good PA/mics etc. They’re also looking to get a good percussion section together – anyone can join in. Also acoustic artists and bands are welcome to come and do a short set/jam.

EXR are running an acoustic competition at the same time. For more details on all this see: http://exr.org.uk/

Tom