FRIDAY 16TH APRIL – FROM THE CITY TO THE SEA - OPENING NIGHT Imagine a girl from small town Tennessee, with a burning need to write and sing songs, who leaves the comfort and security of her family to try and make it in Los Angeles. Things go awry, a combination of bad luck, a relationship gone wrong and no money. She's just about to go home when she's offered refuge by Lisa Marie Presley (more on whom later). She sticks around in LA, playing in bands, earning a crust, before heading to New York. There she's signed up to play a leading part in one of the most acclaimed musical theatre pieces in recent years. Suddenly things are moving in the right direction. She signs a deal with major label. Only problem is, they see her as a pop artist. The relationship ends almost before it's begun. Restless as ever her journey takes her to London where she meets and immediately hits it off with Eg White. With a notebook full of self-penned lyrics, she sets about making the stunning debut album that is Wasted In Jackson. Lauren needed to get the hell out of Dodge. Well, out of Jackson, Tennessee. She'd grown up there, surrounded by a loving family and a busy recreational life revolving around playing piano, community theatre and amateur musicals. But this was smalltown, Deep South USA. 'I played rock music and I felt a little bit weirder than everybody else - even though when I look back I really wasn't.' She wrote her first song aged 14: she met a guitar-playing boy at a camp and after a weekend of singing other people’s songs together, the bereft adolescent wrote Remembering You on her parents' battered upright piano. By the time she was 15, she realised she wasn't interested in anything else and decided to move to Los Angeles where she would meet like-minded people and kick start her life in music. She landed a gig playing keyboards and singing back vocals with a reggae band, hopped round the theatre audition circuit to make money to fund her band activities (and fell in love????safe to say this). Then a bump in the road: suddenly and unexpectedly Lauren found herself homeless, and pretty much broke, There seemed nothing else for it but to move back to the comfort of her home in Tennessee. A friend in LA offered Lauren a bed at her place, but, too proud and not wanting to impose, she declined. Her friend's mum, though, was insistent - she called Lauren's mum and said if Lauren went home, she'd regret it and always think about what might have been. The friend's mum knew what she was talking about. She was Lisa Marie Presley. Lauren took her up on her offer. 'I know that all of the things that have happened to me since then wouldn't have happened if the Presleys hadn't offered me a place to stay,' reflects Lauren. With renewed energy and determination, Lauren kept plugging away on the LA gig circuit, and finished her high school studies six months early. The week of her graduation she reached the final auditions for a new musical, Spring Awakening, to be staged by the Atlantic, a repertory theatre company founded by storied playwright David Mamet. Duncan Sheik, the show's composer, was staggered by a voice unparalleled amongst the other auditionees. He cast Lauren immediately in the part of the supporting female lead. She liked LA but what the hell - initially there was only a six-month commitment for the show…. Then the show blew up. Spring Awakening became a theatrical phenomenon. The show, based on a 19th century German play, is about teens discovering their sexuality. Lauren starred in the original production for two years, playing llse, the '15-year-old runaway outcast kid', before leaving in February 2008. She left because she realised that although she really enjoyed acting, it was the music where her heart and passion really lay. But out of that period came an introduction to the work of Ivor Novello-winning songwriter Eg White. Lauren covered Who I Am, which had been a hit for Will Young in the UK. White, signed to the same publishing company, loved her version of his song and asked to meet her. After a few trips to London, she and White's collaborations really started producing some amazing songs and before long word was getting out that there was a really special talent emerging who was unsigned with a catalogue of incredible songs. Lauren signed with Island Records in spring this year. The deal signed, Lauren set about creating her new musical world. But that world owed a lot to her old world. So her debut album, and one of its standout tracks, are named Wasted In Jackson. It's a soulful ballad about how she felt before she left. Wasted In Jackson is the brilliant result of Lauren's striking out on her own. Produced by Eg White in his west London studio, highlights include the raspy, R&B-meets-gospel swagger of Not The Drinking and When The Night Kills The Day, a haunting, bluesy shuffle featuring the eerie sound of an ancient Steinway piano belonging to Ed Harcourt (who co-wrote the song) and the elegant playing of hip young folkslingers Mumford And Sons (whose frontman Marcus Mumford produced the song). In Not The Drinking, Lauren sings that it's "not the drinking, not the drugs, not the money" that's driven her away from love. Who, then, is this loser guy? 'Actually, that was mostly written from my perspective. So I'm actually that loser guy, mostly! But it was written from both perspectives - it was me as the loser guy but it was also the other person that I was referring to.' A retro-soul classic in the making, it's also the song that reminds her most of the music she grew up listening to courtesy of her parents: Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, The Spinners, The Temptations. 'Wasted In Jackson is the song that's dearest to me because it pays homage to a place that I love - not everyone who hears the song may agree with me! But also because it refers to what inspired the whole record. Being wasted in Jackson - had that not be the case, nothing else would have happened.' http://www.myspace.com/laurenpritchardmusic http://www.laurenpritchard.com |
 Rachael Wright is a singer and songwriter from Liverpool. Her emotive brand of personal, evocative stories and observations portray the tension between the melancholic and the hopeful. March 2008 saw the long awaited release of the debut album, ‘Just Like He Said’, first played to over 1000 people at the Liverpool Philharmonic when supporting The Blind Boys of Alabama. Since then, Rachael has been honing her sound with her band, The Good Sons, developing a new edge and vitality. Following her October 2009 tour ‘A Storm is Coming’, she has begun work on exciting, new material for her second album release in 2010. One recent performance reviewed by the music press was described as… “Pretty, dazzling and evocative material of the highest order” 10% of each album sale goes to supporting the work of a Congolese project, offering health care and support to victims of sexual violence. www.rachaelwright.com www.myspace.com/rachaelwrightmusic Her track ‘Black Horse and Me’ was featured on the soundtrack to David Morrisey/Tubedale Films release ‘Don’t Worry About Me’ (2009) Upcoming Live Dates: 20 Mar 2010 Joshua Brookes, Manchester 24 Mar 2010 Zanzibar, Liverpool 15 Apr 2010 Jack Rabbit Slims, Hoylake 16 Apr 2010 The Paul McCartney Auditorium, 3rd Year Showcase, Liverpool |
 Teresa Bernabé is a cellist, singer, songwriter and composer from Spain known as Tibi and Her Cello. Teresa started studying cello when she was 9 and achieved the title of cello instructor in 2004. While she was studying classical music, she became interested in modern music. After several years of experience in both classical and modern music, she started working as a cello player, backing vocalist and arrangement composer for bands in Spain and Liverpool. Some of these include: China Crisis / Gary Daly of the Crisis / Zahara / Alex Ferreira / Georgina / Richter / Lára Rúnarsdóttir / Kakafonia / Emerge / Zoe Nicol / Shopie Raynolds / Natalie McCool / Marcha Hormiga / Martin Page / Large and Loose (Big Band LIPA). She is currently studying a modern music degree at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and includes Joanna Newsom (www.joanna-newsom.com) and Esperanza Spalding (www.esperanzaspalding.com) as her biggest influences. Albums recorded / Collaborations: "Kallisti" Emerge / |
 Shane Beales is one of the most positive people you will ever meet. He writes songs that combine unbridled honesty with (what he would call) sharp wit, emotional intelligence and what friends describe as 'epic' musical courage. His sound is a blend of intricate multi-layered textures and strong soaring melodies with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Shane Beales grew up living in England and Australia. The contrasting cultures and attitudes of both nations shaped him (and meant he always had the wrong accent in school). Part of a very musical family and surrounded by instruments of all shapes and sizes, it was percussion that most grabbed Shane's attention; and on his 12th birthday he finally upgraded from the family set of bongos to owning his full drum kit. In '99, he moved from Melbourne to the Essex countryside. Separated from his drum-kit and with little else to do, Shane assaulted the piano daily and found himself almost constantly writing new songs. It was here he discovered and honed his love of writing. Relocating from Colchester to Liverpool, Shane has continued to write and perform, amassing an impressive and ever-growing catalogue of songs. He has so far independently released two albums "I'll Repair Your Mistakes" (with his former-band Baby Ingrid) and "Delight in You" as well as 4 EPs. In 2006 he embarked on and completed his most ambitious song-writing project to date: "Project 52" – the challenge to write, record and release a new song every week for a year. Playing virtually every note, of every instrument, of every song himself, Project 52 was a bold artistic achievement. His most recent release is the Heavy Clouds EP, which is available as a free download from www.heavy-clouds.com. |
SATURDAY 17TH APRIL – BIG BAND, THEATRE & THE VOICE Magnus debuted professionally on stage with the Norwegian National Opera at the age of 10 in their production of 'Carmen'. His next big production was the touring production of the Norwegian Christmas musical 'Putti Plutti Pott', where he played the lead character of 'Kalle'. A character he went on to play for three years in a row, before he inevitably grew out of the part. In the summer of 2000 at the age of 12, he got the part of 'Young Simba' in the first Norwegian touring production of 'The Lion King'. His next big project was at the age of 15, where he put on a show based on the music of Elton John. The show was a sell out event, got a five star review in the 'Harstad Times' and really put Magnus' name on the map. After that he moved to Tromso to gain an Artium in Music, Acting and Dance at Kongsbakken VGS. During that time he worked on his song-writing, and in 2005 at the he released the album 'A day in August', which received four stars in both 'Harstad Times' and 'the Northern Lights Magazine'. The same year he moved to Liverpool to start his degree in Performing Arts at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. While in Liverpool he has taken part in several productions both in and outside LIPA including; Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton's 'the Boys in the Photograph' (World Premiere Cast), A gala evening of Song (UK Tour), Little Women, 'Working' the Musical, Selling England by the Pound, 42nd street (Empire Theatre), You’re a good man Charlie Brown and the upcoming production of Crazy for You at the Empire Theatre in May. More info can also be found on Magnus' website, “Come and meet those dancing feet on the avenue, I’m taking you to 42nd street” Backed by a 13-piece band, Magnus Warness will perform a selection of the best numbers from some of the best musicals ever written. From Broadway classics like Gypsy and 42nd Street, to West End favourites like Chess and Les Miserables. This show will pay tribute to the magic of musical theatre. |
 Ryan Gibb is a singer, who it would seem, was born in the wrong decade. Ryan’s love for music of the big band era of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s knows no bounds. He began to undertake singing lessons quite late on as a teenager and got through grades and exams with great ease. He realised the Musical Theatre was going to be his strong point as he gained 2 diplomas in Musical Theatre Singing and has the right to use the letters DipLCM ALCM after his name. |
 VOX is an initiative started by James Murrum, a final year Music (Performing Arts) student at LIPA. A vocalist and performer in his own right, James branched out into the semi choral field, using his talents as an avid musical arranger to create a vocal group with a difference. |
MONDAY 19TH APRIL – LOVE SICK Imagine a testosterone-charged ‘Mystery Jets’ getting wasted with ‘Chromeo’ to go pick up ‘The Virgins’ off a dirty street corner and you have Pink Film. |
 Prison Area sound like an Australian soap opera gone wild! An opera filled with torment and menace. The band, a four piece based in Liverpool, have abandoned the traditional standard rock line up by jettisoning the drummer. This has inspired a mixture of programmed drum sounds and bleeps, a sound that connects perfectly with the songs "Prison Area" force upon you. The sound is difficult to define, however we will try: imagine Devo meets Simple Kid who is then expertly fondled by Lou Reed and you'll then start to get some idea of what this band are all about. Their ability to produce "in your face" songs, songs that thump you on the snout, pin your ears back and seduce you melodiously, whilst suggesting a depth that most indie or rock bands try to achieve, is very pleasing indeed. Prison Area are a live experience that must be seen! www.prisonarea.com Upcoming live dates: March 4th – Metropolitan, Liverpool March 13th – Korova, Liverpool April 19th – 3rd Degree Music Festival, LIPA, Liverpool |
 Kakafonia is a singer-songwriter, who spends his time crafting songs for the audience and not for his own self-realisation. www.myspace.com/kakafonia Upcoming live dates: 25th March @ Cafe 07, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool More shows to be announced on his MySpace page soon. |
TUESDAY 20TH APRIL – MIND’S EYE Rooted in Liverpool, Magnum Bliss is the creative vehicle for the voice and music of idiosyncratic Canadian songwriter Erica Van Drunen supported by an ensemble of musicians from Canada and England. With a set of distinct ears that hear music differently, Erica's innovative approach to the pop/rock genre is lush with contagious hooks, melodic rhythms and stimulating thoughts. With an album due out in April 2010, the next few months promise to be the most exciting period since the band was formed in November 2009. For updates on the release and to hear previews of the tracks visit: www.myspace.com/magnumbliss www.magnumbliss.com ‘Who Are We’ EP/Album due to be released on April 20th, the day of the showcase! |
 Shadowplay is a Liverpool based rock band consisting of Daryl Ball, Thomas Evensen & Julie Nystad. The band formed in early 2009 at LIPA, where they are all 3rd year students. The music is heavy, alternative rock in the vain of Deftones & The Smashing Pumpkins, with soaring pop melodies reminiscent of The Cranberries & Cocteau Twins. Their first EP, Noises & Voices are out, and they are currently working on their second EP, which will be recorded in Parr Street Studios. For the 3rd Degree LIPA showcase, the band will be performing on April 20th, on the ‘Mind’s Eye’ night. www.myspace.com/shadowplaygroup www.nrk.no/urort/artist/shadowplayband Upcoming live dates: March 3rd – Zanzibar, Liverpool April 20th – 3rd Degree Music Festival, LIPA, Liverpool |
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Having toured extensively in the UK over the past couple of years the band is looking forward to Europe and the USA in 2010. Summerskin has shared the stage & supported an eclectic mix of artists from Corinne Bailey Rae, Paolo Nutini, Daniel Powter, Willy Mason, Dierks Bentley through to Patrick Wolf.
The band are electrifying live, with a high-octane raw energy set, evolving with an eclectic mix of acoustic, rock & pop with an endearing honesty. |
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL – BEHIND GOLDEN FRAMES Guro Vikingstad, a 23-year-old Norwegian artist that currently lives in Liverpool, writes music that is a twist of pop/rock/alternative with quirks and eerie ideas. Even though her voice can remind a bit of vocalists such as Skin in Skunk Anansie and Alanis Morissette, Guro Vikingstad has her own unique voice. She started to perform and record her own music already in the age of 15 in her hometown, Stavanger. From Stavanger to Trondheim, Guro Vikingstad took the music with her and performed at places such as Storås, Kafé Larsen and Pia's Café. After one year in Trondheim she decided to move to Liverpool to study music at LIPA. While studying in Liverpool, Guro Vikingstad has spent her time recording demos, gigging at places such as The Cavern, Zanzibar, Jacaranda Club, Korova and Parr Street 3345. Right now, she is recording an album of both old and new material that will be released during the summer of 2010. Check out more about Guro Vikingstad and her music at www.myspace.com/guromariavikingstad |
 Kirshwin, born Kirsten Stephanie Sharp, is a 22 year old singer/songwriter from Glasgow, Scotland. After moving to Liverpool in 2007 to study voice at the renowned Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Kirsten has been experimenting and exploring with the religion of music. After years of working with various musicians, co-writers and producers, Kirsten had now found her voice, and the birth of Kirshwin took place. Taking inspiration from artists such as Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Radiohead, Kirshwin’s songs focus on blending sweet melodies of pop with the atmospheric undertone of electro/rock. Recent events include the development of the ‘Behind Golden Frames’ tour due to take place in April, and the release of an album early 2011. www.myspace.com/kirshwin www.kirstensharp.blogspot.com/ www.twitter.com/kirshwin |
 La Jean (Jeanette Vik, born 3rd September 1987), is a Norwegian artist/songwriter, and a current third year Music (Performing Arts) student at the renowned performance college LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts). La Jean started her vocal adventure at the age of 5, and since then, has explored many varying genres like classical, musical theatre and blues. Even though her knowledge of differing music styles is wide, she feels most comfortable in the pop/rock genre. A multi talented artist, La Jean began learning the piano at the age of five and started performing on stage at the tender age of seven. She recorded her first demo when she was nine, and has since been participating in many various singing competitions, many of which she has won. Her urge to perform on stage led her to experiment in the musical theatre arena, landing a role, aged ten, in a newly updated version of The Jungle Book, which was performed in Lillestrom, Norway. Such performance experience led to La Jean landing a role in a concert adaptation of the musical "Tonight", by Kjell O. Haune, in 2002. La Jean started to write songs at the age of twelve, and has continued to write and perform her own music. Music and her role as a performer, artist and singer/songwriter is a role La Jean lives for and takes extremely seriously. Her music often leaves the listener with a melancholic or playful impression. La Jean prides herself on her heartfelt, empowering and edgy lyrics, teamed together with her classic pop/rock sound makes La Jean ´s music a joy to listen to. La Jean became known in her native Norway after becoming one of the ten finalists in the first season of Norwegian "Pop Idol", and has been singing and performing abroad ever since. After studying music, dance and theatre at college, La Jean wanted to learn more about studio technique with the aim to learn how to produce her own material. In 2006, she studied sound and music production at the Noroff Institute in Oslo. La Jean has wide ranging performance experience, from acting as lead or backing vocalist in a number of bands, to leading small jazz function bands, to performing with large orchestras. She has also had the opportunity, on numerous occasions, to act as a panel member for several music and performance competitions. She is currently working on new EP material, and is looking to gig and perform her new material with her newly formed band in 2010. www.myspace.com/lajeanmusic Facebook |
THURSDAY 22ND APRIL – WITH FIREFLIES Anna Lena has spent the last few years building her reputation as one of the most interesting singer-songwriters on the scene, with her own brand of alternative, electronic-inspired folk with a quirky Scandinavian twist. After arriving in Liverpool at 19 years old, leaving her hometown of Drøbak in Norway, she met The Orchids in September 2009. They started to combine both parts of their sound; the ambience/experimental sound of the orchids and the melancholy of Anna Lena. Anna Lena will be releasing her EP on the night of her performance at the 3rd Degree Music Festival (22nd April), with her forthcoming album planned for release at the end of May 2010. www.myspace.com/annalenaandtheorchids www.annalenaandtheorchids.blogspot.com Facebook Upcoming live dates: 13th February 2010 at 21.30- Zanzibar (Liverpool) 19th February 2010 at 17.00- by:Larm( Oslo) 5th March 2010 at 20.15- Night and day café (Manchester) 13th March 2010 at 21.00- Korova (Liverpool) 22nd April 2010 – 3rd Degree Music Festival, LIPA (Liverpool) |
 Charco is a band formed in 2008 in Liverpool, as a consequence of the encounter between Catalina Pereda, Jaime Barreiro Martinez and Jesus Peñaranda Portilla. Their survival instinct would lead them to accept any job that could be offered to them. Consequently they would begin to perform in numerous stages of Liverpool and Manchester, playing music in bars and clubs where, embraced by tango, blues, Latin and flamenco music, they would start shaping their eclectic character. As a result of that fusion imposed by demand, they would use that versatility together with the experience gained throughout those gigs, to begin to create their own material. Having already surpassed the walls of the building that witnessed their naissance, the group has established itself as a usual band in the Latin Circuit of Merseyside and has accumulated several performances in Spanish cities such as Girona, and Santiago de Compostela. Currently, the original trio (Spanish guitar, accordion and voice), has acquired other instruments such as drums, bass, congas, flamenco cajon and keys, as well as the use of synths and programming, altering their performances to transform their live shows into an ultimate experience: a performance that aims to join tradition and modernity to create a world that operates on a basis of contrasts, where audiovisuals also adopts a primary role. www.myspace.com/charcoliverpool |
 Formed in the North West of England, Juplo deliver original home-grown music with a unique Scandinavian colour, creating an innovative blend of electronic sounds and organic textures. Featuring members from Norway and the UK, Juplo draw on a variety of influences including Radiohead, Björk, & Feist and add their own unique pop twist to create music that is both interesting and accessible. www.myspace.com/juplo |
FRIDAY 23RD APRIL – THE ELECTRIC SESSION “These guys certainly have a bright future ahead of them” Chris Bellam - Head of National Radio for XL Recordings and Rough Trade Records. THE NEON LIGHTS are one of the most exciting and innovative indie-dance acts around, hailing from London and New York. The innovative use of live drums within electronic dance, catchy synths and beautiful 3 part harmonies, sets THE NEON LIGHTS apart from the rest and has them firmly backed as a favourite for 2010. Their infectious hit ‘Remember You’ has tastemakers eagerly anticipating its forthcoming release in April this year. Not one’s to rest, THE NEON LIGHTS second single, floor-filler ‘Secret Island’ already has DJ’s in Ibiza ready to hit repeat come the summer. The incredible 3-piece are currently busy in the studio working on new material and some exciting remixes as well as preparing for an extensive UK tour kicking off in March. With a number of UK shows announced and a series of festival gigs coming up make sure you catch one of the hottest acts for 2010. To listen to THE NEON LIGHTS please visit: http://www.myspace.com/theneonlightsuk http://twitter.com/AlexLeRoux Upcoming live dates: 10th March 2010 Liverpool Korova 18th March 2010 Leeds Met University, Student Union 20th March 2010 Edinburgh Berlin club 22nd March 2010 Manchester Queen of hearts 23rd April 2010 Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts 24th May 2010 London Notting Hill Arts Club |
 Untouched are an exciting new electro pop duo whose music combines infectious pop melodies with dirty dance beats and original lyrics. Band members Fiona Grace (vocals) and David Wilson (synths) began writing together back in 2007 and since then have created an album full of addictive electro pop tracks. ‘Smack me’, ‘Make you feel good’, ‘Get into this’ and ‘Feed me to the boys’ are a few of the tracks featured on their explosive debut album entitled, ‘Taking Me Over’. The pair have also recorded two music videos for their singles ‘Smack Me’ and ‘Feed me to the Boys’. Both of these tracks have been picked up by local DJ’s and played in various clubs in Liverpool and Manchester. Untouched have made a definite impact on the Liverpool music scene performing gigs in various venues throughout the city and in London clubs such as Mahiki and Madame Jo Jos. Contact booking - untouchedofficial@live.co.uk www.myspace.com/untouchedofficial www.facebook.com/untouchedofficial www.twitter.com/untouched_music www.youtube.com/untouchedofficial Brand new single GET INTO THIS available to download on iTunes |
 Wesley James is a Singer / Songwriter / Mulit-Instrumentalist, who has been involved in bands from his early teens. He has performed a wide range of genres. Wesley James grew up in Manchester, listening to Michael Jackson records as a child; he felt a natural connection to music and performing. He took his first step to making this dream reality when he got a place at the internationally acclaimed Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Now in his final year of training and preparing for a career in the music industry, Wesley James is currently working on his first solo EP, Sagittarius, made up of tracks entirely written, arranged and produced by Wesley James himself. He draws inspiration from his influences, Prince, Michael Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, Shuggie Otis and James Brown or more recently Van Hunt and Robin Thicke, to name a few. www.facebook.com/pages/Wesley-James/247249724701 www.myspace.com/wesleyjamesmusic |
SATURDAY 24TH APRIL – THE SHOWDOWN AT SUNDOWN The melodic hard rock band Always the Quiet Ones was formed in Liverpool, UK in November 2008 by guitarist Joe Danher, drummer Pål Tore Holten and vocalist San Blas. The project began as an outlet for San's emotionally intense songs, but quickly developed into a collaboration, melding Joe and San's deliberate writing styles of Joe and San. Their sound was immediately identifiable. Driven by Pål's hard-hitting kit work, the combination of San's guttural vocals and Joe's often beautiful, often brutal riffs painted a dramatic soundscape. Shortly after, the band added Chris Nicholls, whose no-nonsense bass lines perfectly anchored the music. In April 2009, the band began recording its first EP “Binary”. They released “Binary” in May of that year to correspond with their Liverpool Sound City performance. The EP consisted of two tracks, “Sleeping with Celebrity”, about an unfortunate man who makes a play at fame, and “Beautiful Surrender”, which explores the mind of a suicide. Currently, the band is recording its second EP, due for release on the 24th of April 2010. The EP will consist of three tracks, including a heavier, punchier version of “Sleeping with Celebrity”, the violent and intense "Rats" and the ultra-groovy "Hollow". The band continues to write and perform as they prepare for April's release date. Always the Quiet Ones are San Blas, Joe Danher, Chris Nicholls and Pål Tore Holten. -------------- Upcoming live dates: Saturday February 27th @ Zanzibar www.alwaysthequietones.com |
 "Spectral post-rock nuances building into moments of innovative brutality" Debut EP "Pilots & Starlets" available FOR FREE through the bio section on our MySpace. www.myspace.com/pteropilot Facebook www.last.fm/music/pteropilot www.twitter.com/pteropilot Upcoming live dates: March 12th @ The Zanzibar, Liverpool For fans of Oceansize, A Perfect Circle, Cave In, Circa Survive, My Vitriol |
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Coming Soon
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MONDAY 26TH APRIL – JAZZ NIGHT Maria has been singing professionally since the age of 16 and in the past fifteen years has worked in over 100 countries with her own various bands. Appearances on “The Michael Barrymore Show”, RTE and BBC Wales have elevated her into one of the UK’s most sought after jazz performer. She has appeared as support to Barry Manilow in Japan as well as Debbie Reynolds and Neil Sedaka. She has performed consistently on cruise ships including QE2, Saga Fjord, Cunard Princess, P&O Aurora, Oceana, Adonia, Oriana, Arcadia, NCL Dreamward and many others. She has performed for the Mayors of Philadelphia and Boston as well as appearances for the Japanese, Oman and UAE royal families and ruling leaders. London appearances include the Hilton Park Lane, The Langham Hilton, The Kensington Hilton, Brockett Hall to name a few. Now nearing the end of a three year BA (Hons) Music Degree, Maria will be launching her new show on the 26/4/2010 in the Paul McCartney Auditorium at LIPA. “S’Wonderful – The Great American Songbook” A chronological interpretative performance of the classic songs by George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Hoagland “Hoagy” Carmichael and others. The material that will be performed will be an appealing cross section of the golden age of American song writing from Tin Pan Alley ranging from the mid 1920s to 1950. The performance will be informative and light hearted without being a lecture! Her voice is one of the purest uncompromising and articulate instruments and perfectly matches her carefully worked out repertoire. Website > www.goodfellasmusic.com you can also access it as Maria & The Goodfellas. |
 The First Fact is a jazz quartet that will be sure to interest anyone looking for a bit of improvised entertainment. The band combines modern jazz sounds of many influences such as Mike Stern, Dave Holland, and Neil Cowley Trio into a wonderful array of sounds that is truly enjoyable. Website: www.myspace.com/thefirstfact Facebook – ‘The First Fact’ Upcoming live dates: Album Release March 4th at View Two Gallery – 20:00 PM Showcase |
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Not your usual Jazz Quartet! These four musicians take influences from Mike Stern, Chick Corea, John Butler Trio, Steely Dan, Groundation and Massive Attack. Come along for a varied and light hearted one-off performance!
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TUESDAY 27TH APRIL –INSTINCT AND SOUL TRADERS The Horn Supremacy brings together some of Liverpool’s most exciting horn players to create an eight piece energetic brass ensemble. Featuring Marco Bernardis and Paul Burton of the 6ix toys, Wizards of Twiddly’s Martin Smith and LIPA legend Ash Wood, this is an act not to be missed.
Related links www.myspace.com/thisissebclarke www.myspace.com/6ixtoys |
 Isobel was born in England to Irish parents, who moved back to Ireland at the age of 9. Isobel grew up listening to Irish music and artists ranging from Queen of soul Aretha Franklin to rapper Tupac Shakur. |
 Large & Loose is a 27 piece big band led by Steve Berry from LIPA (The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts). Amongst them they play a mix of original compositions and classic arrangements. Never failing to entertain the crowd, this is one act you can’t afford to miss. For more information and where to purchase the Large & Loose album entitled ‘Manifesto’, please visit http://www.largeandloose.co.uk |
WEDNESDAY 28TH APRIL – STRIP THE WALLPAPER “Trouble might knock on your door” is one of the lines from Monika Mays upcoming debut album “Breathe” in April 2010. Hailing from Oslo, Norway, this remarkable singer/songwriter has a depth of soul and honesty in her songs that will make you wonder how a young girl of 22 could possibly have such a moving and powerful sound. When asked about her music during a live performance on BBC Radio Merseyside in February 09, Monika explained that “It’s simply my thoughts wanting to come out!” Loving the Liverpool life, Monika May is playing her music together with her band in Liverpool venues, such as Parr Street Studio 2 (where she headlined during Liverpool Music Week 09), the Zanzibar and the Masque. Monika May is currently a 3rd year student at the Internationally renowned Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) where she is currently studying music and song writing. Her live performances are a mix of funky soul tunes At the moment, Monika May is working on a major showcase that will take place in The Paul McCartney Auditorium within LIPA in April 2010. On this occasion, she and her band will be playing live with a string section and a host of other great musicians. This is definitely one night of music that’s not to be missed! Band Members: Contact: Monikamaymusic@hotmail.com MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/monikamaymusic TWITTER: http://twitter.com/monikamaymusic BLOG: http://www.monikamaymusic.blogspot.com |
 Joe Kenny is a 23 year old singer/songwriter/pianist from Liverpool in his third and final year of a Music Degree at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, who recently got through to the regional final of the ‘National Live & Unsigned’ competition taking place in March 2010. www.joekennymusic.com www.myspace.com/joekennysongwriter |
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Niamh (pronounced ‘Neeve’) is 25, and music has been her life for as long as she can remember, from her earliest memories, aged only three, whistling songs on the back seat of her daddy’s car, and singing Gloria Estefan tracks to her Grandfather.
Niamh started playing violin aged 11 and progressed extremely quickly. By the age of 14, she had received a scholarship to study Music and Drama at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), in Dublin. Niamh spent four years at the Academy and then, during her ‘A Levels’, she received a call from the BBC asking her to play violin as part of the Music Live Festival, which was to be hosted in Northern Ireland that year. Until this day, it has been the most exciting experience of her life, working alongside people such as Patrick Kielty and Bob Geldof. Niamh left the academy with a real determination to follow her lifelong passion of becoming a singer. She really enjoyed her time studying violin, but now had a burning desire to be true to herself… and her inner voice. She applied to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) and, despite not applying to any other universities (not one of the best ideas she ever had, in hindsight) she got in, and she never looked back. It was at LIPA she met Torgeir Bjordal, a Norwegian songwriter and producer. Torgeir had started working with an English lyricist, Chris Breen, and the first two tracks towards an acoustic-feel pop album had already been written. They now needed the right singer for those tracks and, ideally, a personality and voice they could write future songs for and build an album around. That personality, and voice, belonged to Niamh. The songs took on a new dynamic with Niamh’s vocals and all the initial tracks where then reworked at a major studio in Bergen, Norway. |
THURSDAY 29TH APRIL – RUSTED BANDWAGON Fables are a group of 5 young musicians whose enchanting melodies and descriptive lyrics tell stories that enthral and fascinate audiences in equal measure. Inspired by a diverse mix of genres from folk to jazz and drawing on an expansive range of influences from Death Cab for Cutie to Joni Mitchell, Fables borrow colours and rhythms from all aspects of their musical experiences. Hailing exclusively from the north of England, the members share a passion for gritty, honest and heartfelt music. Graduates of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, the band members are all established musicians in their own right. They consist of vocalist Eleanor Redhead, songwriter and guitarist/mandolinist Michael Halls, bassist Gareth Bullock, drummer Oliver Hardaker and keyboard player Louis Querelle. Shortly after forming in late 2008, Fables won the coveted MBF Songwriting Award on the strength of their first ever gig. Since then the band have recorded and released their first EP (entitled Thomas) and have been publicising this release with a string of UK tour dates - including supporting Wild Beasts in December of 2009. www.myspace.com/fablesgroup www.youtube.com/user/fablesgroup www.fables.bandcamp.com Future tour dates: 30th March - RUBY LOUNGE - Manchester 10th April - ZANZIBAR - Liverpool 26th April - THE BEDFORD - London 29th April - LIPA SHOWCASE |
 Foothills are a Liverpool based folk/rock band that leans to the heavier side of the alt-folk spectrum. Citing influences as diverse as Ryan Adams, The Faces and Pearl Jam, the band fuse catchy pop ballads with hard rock stomps all with a country twinge. www.myspace.com/foothillsband www.youtube.com/foothillsliverpool |
 http://www.millionsofoysters.com The epic moments in otherwise ordinary lives
It was a quiet day on the shores of Liverpool when four large oysters washed up on the rocky bank. A little girl gathered them up in her blue bucket with delight and took them to show her father. Hoping to find the legendary pearls so often found in these molluscs, they set to work prying them open. Much to their surprise, they did find something inside the oysters’ shells. But these weren’t pearls. Instead, out of each one tumbled a musician. A drummer, guitarist, bassist and singer found themselves lying dazed on the shoreline, as the little girl and her father stared in disbelief. “Daddy, why doesn’t that one have any hair like the others?” The child queried, pointing to the singer. “He must’ve been incubated a little longer...” Was all the bewildered father could reply. The disappointment at this bizarre discovery began to irk the little girl. She placed her bucket on her head, assuming the role of sergeant that she usually took on whenever angered, and pointed her fully loaded squirt-gun at the four newcomers. “Play!” Finding themselves utterly defenceless to the threat, they happily obliged… Millions of Oysters are: Angus McKay: Lead Vocals/Guitar/Keys Daryl Ball: Bass/Backing vocals Jørgen Berg-Svela: Guitar/Backing Vocals Pål Tore Holten: Drums/Backing Vocals Sounds like: Influences: |
FRIDAY 30TH APRIL – AS DAY IS NIGHT Singer Songwriter Zoe Nicol is a maverick in the world of folk music- a storyteller with a lyrical twist, but more than that, Zoe is an artist who possesses the rare ability to leave an audience breathless. Upcoming live dates: 14 Feb 2010 22:00 - The Grey Lady London and South East 23 Feb 2010 20:00 - Jacaranda Bar Liverpool, Northwest 2 Mar 2010 20:00 - The Leaf Cafe, Liverpool 23 Apr 2010 20:00 - View Two Gallery, Liverpool 30 Apr 2010 17:00 - Paul McCartney Auditorium Liverpool, Northwest |
 A keen songwriter and saxophonist, with an infatuation for storytelling. Through her music, Kathleen demonstrates a seemingly casual mastery of her instruments and vocals to express hope and melancholia, while highlighting a spectrum of worldwide affairs. MYSPACE > www.myspace.com/kathleenbutton PROFESSIONAL COVER ACT WEBSITE > www.kathleenbuttonentertainment.webs.com |
 William Sears McGee grew up in the Heart of Texas with dreams of turning professional in the entertainment business. The past two decades have shaped his mind in so many lovely ways. From the playground to the heartbreak bedroom, relationships with the people he has met has felt him experiences beyond the imagination. Gently does the music turn from thin air to heavy rain on April 30th in the Paul McCartney Auditorium? TRACKS > www.reverbnation.com/willyandthesurroundings www.willyandthesurroundings.com www.myspace.com/willyandthesurroundings |
SATURDAY 1ST MAY – JEALOUS OF THE MOON – CLOSING NIGHT
Rosie Jones grew up in a field in Devon where there wasn't really anything to do except sit around in her room and dream of being a rock star. Now based in Liverpool, and listing some of her influences as “good music, kittens, mittens, cows, tea, wellies and anything with banjo", Rosie and her band - The Mystery Machine - create an eclectic mix of delightful, acoustic post-folk that just begs to be listened to on a sunny day, with a mug of cinnamon tea. MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/rosiexjones BANDCAMP: http://rosiejones.bandcamp.com TWITTER: http://twitter.com/RosietheJones BLOG: http://rosiejones.posterous.com YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/RosieJonesMusic Please go to http://rosiejones.bandcamp.com and download free, high quality versions of Maybe We'll Fly and Small Change which you may use for marketing. These videos may also be used: Youtube #1 Youtube #2 Forthcoming tour dates: 17th Feb - Tommy Flynn's - Camden, London 10th Mar - The Gallery Cafe - Bethnal Green, London 24th Mar - The Zanzibar - Liverpool (FULL BAND) 11th Apr - World's End - Finsbury Park, London 15th Apr - Jack Rabbit Slims - Hoylake (FULL BAND) 23rd Apr - View 2 Gallery - Liverpool 1st May - Jealous of the Moon showcase - Paul McCartney Auditorium - Liverpool (FULL BAND) In February, Rosie Jones independently released a 4-track EP, entitled 'What Would Rosie Jones Do?'. This is available in the form of a limited edition, homemade, hand-signed and numbered CD for £5 or digital download for a donation (no minimum). The next EP, a more upbeat band effort, is set to be recorded in the spring with Devon-based record producer 'extraordinaire' Peter Miles (The King Blues, Dry the River, Sonic Boom Six). |
 Tina comes from a small town on the west-coast of Norway; known to the world for little else than stuff that has to do with fish (though an adorable town it must be added). She makes songs about things that take place inside her head (about demons and enemies, horses and houses) and in the genre of folk/alt-country meets pop, she creates quirky melodies and clever, honest lyrics. MySpace:www.myspace.com/tinarefsnes Facebook: www.facebook.com/tinarefsnesmusic Posterous (blog): www.tinarefsnes.posterous.com Link to Tina playing live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiK2SO__c6s&feature=relatedLink to mini-tour documentary video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGnANV1JtiQ&feature=player_embedded Norwegian Down in the Valley Tour, dates coming up in March: http://www.myspace.com/downinthevalleytour Oslo @ Gamla – Thursday 4th March Bergen @ Kafé Knøderen – Friday 5th March Florø @ Churchill – Saturday 6th March Sunndalsøra @ Promenaden - Thursday 11th March Trondheim @ Fru Lundgrens – Friday 12th March |
 The Staves are three sisters whose soaring harmonies hark back to the sweet sounds of Crosby, Stills and Nash and Simon & Garfunkel. They mould their love of Americana and folk into finely crafted tales of love and loss and with gently finger picked guitars and ukulele, their songs stand up along with those of their nu-folk contemporaries. www.myspace.com/thestavesmusic http://twitter.com/thestavesmusic http://www.youtube.com/user/thestaves Debut EP ‘Facing West’ released in March/April (Date TBC) UK Tour April supporting Joshua Radin 7/4 - Portsmouth - Wedgewood Rooms 8/4 - London - Sheperd’s Bush Empire 10/4 - Nottingham - Rescue Rooms 12/4 - Birmingham - 02 Academy 13/4 - Brighton - Concorde 2 15/4 - Bristol - Thekla 16/4 - Oxford - 02 Academy 2 17/4 - Cambridge - Portland Arms 18/4 - Norwich - Arts Centre 19/4 - Liverpool - 02 Academy 2 21/4 - Leeds - Brudenell Social Club 22/4 - Manchester - Academy 2 23/4 - Glasgow - Oran Mor 24/4 - Edinburgh - Cabaret Voltaire Competitions: |
