Danni is one of the rising stars of the UK acoustic Americana circuit - hardly surprising, given her dynamic performance style. Armed with a batch of her own songs and an eclectic range of covers by the likes of Gillian Welch, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline, her nifty guitar playing and rich vocals have won her many admirers in her short but burgeoning career. This is set for another lift-off with the release last month of an EP album of her songs, Heavy Shoes.
As if that wasn't impressive enough she is the indefatigable organiser of events at two Brighton venues - Americana Unplugged at The Foundry pub and monthly Hoedowns at The World's End in London Road.
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Thursday, 12 November 2009
THE SECOND HAND STRING BAND
Some of Brighton's most vibrant music is to be found in small pubs tucked away in side streets - our own venue is one example - and that's where we discovered three of our upcoming acts. So far we've only seen them in a public bar setting where they're competing with ambient noise, so we're looking forward to hearing them in our more attentive setting...
First up is The Second Hand String Band, whose exciting take on the bluegrass and country tradition is delivered with an authenticity which belies their youth. Their line up of guitar, banjo and string bass, fronted by the rich voice of Amy Harrison, is the real deal.
Next year we'll be hosting multi-instrumentalists Porchlight Smoker and the effervescent Danni Nicholls.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
NOVEMBER 2nd - Tim Broadbent
Back in the heydays of the Brighton folk scene local boy Tim forged his reputation as a wisecracking, barnstorming guitar picker before progressing the worldwide folk club circuit - and is still going strong.
These days a resident of France his energy is undiminished but has become a respected songwriter too, with a passionate commitment to, for example, prisoners on the death rows of America.
It's a testimony to the esteem and affection in which he is held that he remains our biggest crowd-puller - so come early if you want a seat!
These days a resident of France his energy is undiminished but has become a respected songwriter too, with a passionate commitment to, for example, prisoners on the death rows of America.
It's a testimony to the esteem and affection in which he is held that he remains our biggest crowd-puller - so come early if you want a seat!
Friday, 21 August 2009
Monday September 7th 2009
AINE KING & ANTONY HODGSON
Aine and Antony have made music separately and together for many years. You can expect vocals, guitar, bohdran and fiddle in just about any combination, but they are probably best known for their powerful harmony singing and Aine's chilling unaccompanied ballads.
Although most of the material is from the Irish and English traditions, you could just as likely hear a contemporary, American or self-penned song or two thrown in.
More details at http://www.brightonacoustic.com/
Aine and Antony have made music separately and together for many years. You can expect vocals, guitar, bohdran and fiddle in just about any combination, but they are probably best known for their powerful harmony singing and Aine's chilling unaccompanied ballads.
Although most of the material is from the Irish and English traditions, you could just as likely hear a contemporary, American or self-penned song or two thrown in.
More details at http://www.brightonacoustic.com/
Thursday, 16 July 2009
The Rude Mechanicals - August 3, 2009
This is the rearranged appearance from February when the session was cancelled owing to the snow.
These three musicians are outstanding in their own right, with years of composition and performance behind them. Ray has twice been guest on Andy Kershaw's Late Junction programme on Radio 3 and, like Barry (formerly of Uncle John's Band) a multi instrumentalist, while Jeremy has many TV credits to his name.
These three musicians are outstanding in their own right, with years of composition and performance behind them. Ray has twice been guest on Andy Kershaw's Late Junction programme on Radio 3 and, like Barry (formerly of Uncle John's Band) a multi instrumentalist, while Jeremy has many TV credits to his name.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
John Copper - July 4th
We had a great session in June with Pete Cartlidge & Vince Purcell and we are really looking forward to welcoming back John Copper, whose family have contributed so much to our folk heritage for four generations.
When he sang for us last year he reckoned it was his first solo gig for about 35 years but you wouldn't have thought it. He gaved us a rollicking good night of music hall hilarity plus, of course, a selection of songs which his family have made their own.
It'll be standing room only - so come early!
When he sang for us last year he reckoned it was his first solo gig for about 35 years but you wouldn't have thought it. He gaved us a rollicking good night of music hall hilarity plus, of course, a selection of songs which his family have made their own.
It'll be standing room only - so come early!
Monday, 13 April 2009
Next Guests: The Twagger Band
It’s roughly two generations ago that the first “folk” club opened in Brighton - the Skiffle Club in a cafe in Egremont Place - in 1957 to be precise - and, as elsewhere in the country, the folk “revival” was under way. 20 years on the charts were awash with the acoustic sounds of The Dubliners, Simon & Garfunkel and Ralph McTell and every town and village had a club. It was the indie music of the day.
Those heady days may be behind us but reports of the death of folk music have, to paraphrase Mark Twain, been greatly exaggerated. In recent times the success of the likes of Seth Lakeman, Kate Rusby and Show Of Hands have been heralded as an indication that acoustic musicians are once again swimming in the mainstream and the future looks bright. From other quarters come wails of despair: you’ll only get to see these top artists in concert venues because the folk clubs’ audiences are dwindling and can’t afford the fees or are closing altogether which means that the professional circuit that once existed can’t support them and soon there won’t be any clubs left at all.
As always, the truth lies somewhere in between. It’s true that the well known names will only be able to make a living if they mostly tour professional music venues like the Komedia or the Concorde here in Brighton - but not exclusively. To give some examples: The Watersons and Steve Knightley, both of whom have filled the Albert Hall in the past couple of years, played recently at the Royal Oak in Lewes and the Brighton Folk & Blues Club, as did Peter Sarstedt at the Hove Folk Club, in the usual folk club setting of a pub function room. That they did so is testament to the durability of the traditional clubs.
And then there are the singarounds, open mic nights and sessions which are growing in number and popularity as the live music scene changes. Our own session is one such. These days it’s standing room only which means, I hope, that we’re keeping up with the times. We’ve had some great musicians turning up and some unexpected delights from audience members who have contributed songs and tunes.
Our next guests, on May 4th, are the Twagger Band. They’re a 5-piece group who play armfuls of instruments between them and take up lots of room, so get there early!
More details, as usual at www.brightonacoustic.com
Those heady days may be behind us but reports of the death of folk music have, to paraphrase Mark Twain, been greatly exaggerated. In recent times the success of the likes of Seth Lakeman, Kate Rusby and Show Of Hands have been heralded as an indication that acoustic musicians are once again swimming in the mainstream and the future looks bright. From other quarters come wails of despair: you’ll only get to see these top artists in concert venues because the folk clubs’ audiences are dwindling and can’t afford the fees or are closing altogether which means that the professional circuit that once existed can’t support them and soon there won’t be any clubs left at all.
As always, the truth lies somewhere in between. It’s true that the well known names will only be able to make a living if they mostly tour professional music venues like the Komedia or the Concorde here in Brighton - but not exclusively. To give some examples: The Watersons and Steve Knightley, both of whom have filled the Albert Hall in the past couple of years, played recently at the Royal Oak in Lewes and the Brighton Folk & Blues Club, as did Peter Sarstedt at the Hove Folk Club, in the usual folk club setting of a pub function room. That they did so is testament to the durability of the traditional clubs.
And then there are the singarounds, open mic nights and sessions which are growing in number and popularity as the live music scene changes. Our own session is one such. These days it’s standing room only which means, I hope, that we’re keeping up with the times. We’ve had some great musicians turning up and some unexpected delights from audience members who have contributed songs and tunes.
Our next guests, on May 4th, are the Twagger Band. They’re a 5-piece group who play armfuls of instruments between them and take up lots of room, so get there early!
More details, as usual at www.brightonacoustic.com
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