Peter Price is a blues sensation in demand to play festivals the world over, and his sell-out shows at the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain have become an annual fixture of the festival’s programme. Inspired by the likes of blues greats such as Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Willie McTell, and Robert Johnson, Pete’s amazing guitar-work and inspire…d blues voice takes the listener on a journey through the blues and beyond. A rare appearance in Liverpool, this chance to see Peter Price play at the View Two Gallery is one not to be missed.

Blue C play their own style of blues straight from the Mersey Delta. Raphael Callaghan on slide guitar and Christine Purnell on bass have already made an impression, winning the Great British Blues Festival’s first Blues Song of the Year, and playing with the likes of Bonnie Rait and Eric Bibb.

The Orchestra comes from Sweden and is an exciting mix of genres and emotions. Be prepared for plenty of low-down, full-on, dirty blues!

Tickets are £5 in advance from https://www.wegottickets.com/event/89872 and £6 on the door.

Doors open at 8.00pm and music runs from 8.30pm to 11.15pm

Time 24 September · 20:00 – 23:00

——————————————————————————–

Location:
The View Two Gallery
Mathew Street
Liverpool, United Kingdom

Rob Clarke is a Liverpool based singer/songwriter his new album Portraits was released early 2010. His work has an honest tone and quality which makes his finely crafted music all the more listenable. The Liverpool Echo has praised his work as being “memorable songs that… evoke the spirit of Liverpool.” Rob spoke to me about his upcoming album and about how he goes about writing.


So in the beginning, what made you want to write your own songs?

I was listening to Gimme Shelter by the Stones – had it on downstairs loud enough I could hear it upstairs in the bath- I knew some other people who played guitar so I’d thought I’d leave that to them – didn’t want to follow the herd so to speak – but then it just suddenly struck me I was prepared to do whatever it took or spend any amount of time to play guitar even a bit, even just a few notes or chords…


Who influenced you as you began writing? Do these people still influence you?

From there I always wanted to write songs, everyone that I admired did that and it became the biggest part of it almost straight away – I was trying to write songs before I could play to any standard at all really and I soon found that was pretty much the best part. Have you read Shakey?(The biography of Neil Young by Jimmy McDonough) To me if I’m not sure about something I always try to think what Dylan or Neil Young would do – and if that doesn’t work I think what the Beatles or Stones might do – so they pretty much cover if for me.


Your song Long Way north, has some strong imagery, it reminds me of early Bob Dylan, would you say Dylan is one of your influences?

Yes, a friend of mine offered to get me a copy of North Country Girl when I said I’d heard it ages ago and was trying to remember it but he took a long time to give it to me – after a while I thought it must be easy to play from my memory of it – it didn’t occur to me to get it off the Internet for some reason – anyway in doing that I ended up doing my own type of version, thought that would be more productive.





So that’s how it happened – it was that and also playing in folk clubs where a lot of the songs people sing have narratives to them so I’ve also been influenced by that sometimes as well. Funny though when I play it very few people seem to pick up on how similar it is structurally…


What’s you’re instrument of choice?

Guitar is good, also piano although it sometimes seems more difficult to write on…


What would you say your muse is, what inspires you when you write?

Songs are all around but in saying that they can be easy or difficult to find depending on your state of mind. I think you can write about absolutely anything, anything that’s happened domestically or socially, people you come into contact with and especially things or events that go on in the world or where you live – I’m surprised really that more people don’t write songs about some of the big things that actually happen in the world for good or bad – maybe that’s a part of ‘dumbing down’? John Lennon or Dylan weren’t afraid to write songs about real subjects… so what’s to fear? To me a song is basically just your own point of view about something – the judgement about how good or bad it is for later…


Once you get in the zone you can write about anything really – the ideas are all around but once you come out of the zone it can be difficult to see that – Recording and rehearsing can break the flow because you almost inevitably get into a different mindset…what does that tell you – stop rehearsing and recording!


Your song North to West, from you’re forthcoming album, is just you and a piano. Do you favour a stripped back sound?

Yes very much – I like real sounding things but then again I like electric guitar as well so I want to do that ASAP as well…


How do you approach song writing, do you find it is different each time or do you have a formula?

No formulas for me anyway but wouldn’t rule anything out -instinct is probably better though…


You have a new album coming out soon called Portraits, what’s the album have in store for listeners?

Ten stripped down acoustic portraits of people and in some cases animals… so if that’s your bag this one’s really for you! The publicity for it will say something like ‘Or an artist, two footballers and a hedgehog’.


How would you describe your music, genre wise? A lot of musicians struggle or are reluctant to categorise their music.

I’m trying to make it timeless I think.

The album is available to buy by clicking the link on Rob’s MySpace profile myspace.com/robclarkeunplugged

You can buy the download from iTunes and read the Liverpool Acoustic review here.

This interview was originally published on Matthew Moss’ blog, The Harmless Musician Type, which consists of Matt’s ramblings about music in general, and the local scene in particular. You can find the blog at theharmlessmusician.blogspot.com

Read more here:
Interview with Rob Clarke

Liverpool Acoustic is THE central resource for the Liverpool Acoustic Music Scene.

Vist the Liverpool Acoustic Website

Find great acoustic music in Liverpool at the Liverpool Acoustics Events Diary

Follow Liverpool Acoustic organisers: Graham Holland and Stuart Todd

Follow Liverpool Acoustic on Twitter

Portraits is the second album by Woolton singer songwriter Rob Clarke. In many ways this is even more stripped down and introspective than his previous collection Long Way North. The set was produced by Fran Ashcroft at The Garage Studios last year.


The program begins with North To West, a short piano ballad that picks up where the previous CD left off by informing listeners that he’s changing course. A mellow, sensitive mood is maintained throughout, with songs that are often dark and intimate. Clarke keeps the instrumentation to a minimum, so that his message comes across.


Highlights include Spike and Tracey Emin’s Blues. Other songs worth a look are the deceptive Our Friend in America and The Heirs Of Johnny Cash which is played in the spirit of Cash’s American Recordings.


However the song that may be closest to the author’s heart is Ball Of Fire a tribute to the Everton Football legend Alan Ball, who steered the team to the League title in 1969/70.


The program ends with a short reprise of North To West.


Overall this is an understated collection that thrives on melodic introspection.

The album is available to buy by clicking the link on Rob’s MySpace profile myspace.com/robclarkeunplugged

You can buy the download from iTunes.

© 2010 Stuart Todd – stuart[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk
Liverpool Acoustic – liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

See more here:
Album review: Rob Clarke

Liverpool Acoustic is THE central resource for the Liverpool Acoustic Music Scene.

Vist the Liverpool Acoustic Website

Find great acoustic music in Liverpool at the Liverpool Acoustics Events Diary

Follow Liverpool Acoustic organisers: Graham Holland and Stuart Todd

Follow Liverpool Acoustic on Twitter

There’s a fantastic gig coming up this Friday 2nd July at Liverpool Hope’s new Capstone Theatre at its Creative Campus in Everton.


Neil Campbell is a talented and respected composer-guitarist from Liverpool, whose classical crossover guitar music has drawn sell-out audiences in Merseyside and beyond. He will be playing a selection of his solo guitar music, as well as music from a special collaboration with composer and vocalist Perri Alleyne-Hughes (Sense of Sound), who will also be appearing on the night.


In an innovative change to the normal classical concert format, soloists and ensembles from the Liverpool Guitar Society will be playing a support slot, warming up the audience and kicking off a great night of top quality classical guitar music. On the programme is a mix of beautiful music including a new work by local Composer and Society member Richard Harding.


The concert starts at 8pm sharp, tickets are £8 (£6 concessions and £5 for Guitar Society Members) and are available through Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Box Office, Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BP. Tel: 0151 709 3489 or book on-line here.

See original here:
Neil Campbell in concert this Friday

Liverpool Acoustic is THE central resource for the Liverpool Acoustic Music Scene.

Vist the Liverpool Acoustic Website

Find great acoustic music in Liverpool at the Liverpool Acoustics Events Diary

Follow Liverpool Acoustic organisers: Graham Holland and Stuart Todd

Follow Liverpool Acoustic on Twitter

Solo acts and bands are being sought for the UK’s only Bob Dylan Festival now in its third year. OK, so we know it’s taking place in Manchester, but our two cities are united in a love of music and the Acousticfest guys regularly extend the hand of friendship to local musicians from this end of the M62.

The festival takes place in m19 Bar’s 1st floor acoustic room in Levenshulme www.m19bar.com

Friday 27th August is Bob Dylan Irish Night – and acts are wanted to pay tribute to Bob’s Irish roots and his connections with the Clancy Brothers

Saturday 28th August is Bob Dylan Blues night – and acts are wanted to pay tribute to his Blues roots.

Six to eight acts will perform each night, with each act having a 20 minute spot playing a mixture of their own material plus two to three Bob Dylan songs.

On the Irish night it has to be linked to Clancy Brothers, and on the Blues night the tracks selected have to relate to Bob’s Blues influences.

The Festival has an international reputation and is just one of seven Bob Dylan Festivals staged around the world. Acts can opt for a share of the door through a flyer system or select the option of selling the tickets to their own fans. No travel expenses are available.

The venue will as usual be providing the PA and lighting and sound technician plus the full support of its press office for local and national exposure.

Email your details to Tony Hennigan at rockfest24@hotmail.com stating which night you are interested in.

Liverpool Acoustic is THE central resource for the Liverpool Acoustic Music Scene.

Vist the Liverpool Acoustic Website

Find great acoustic music in Liverpool at the Liverpool Acoustics Events Diary

Follow Liverpool Acoustic organisers: Graham Holland and Stuart Todd

Follow Liverpool Acoustic on Twitter

Who are your biggest influences?

Favourite piece of equipment, software or instrument for getting your
sound?

What is the biggest challenge you face in getting your music out?

What was the most memorable party you have ever played at or been to?

What’s your opinion on the current copyright system, is it working
or does it need to go?

If you weren’t making music what would be your outlet?

Where do you want to be in 5 years time?

Anything else you want to tell people?

Matthew’s EP is available to preview now along with 2 free downloads. It’s on sale for just £2 – click here and download the free tracks.

You can read the latest review of the CD here.

Interview © 2009 Matthew Moss The Harmless Musician Type

This interview was originally published on Matthew Moss’ blog, The Harmless Musician Type, which consists of Matt’s ramblings about music in general, and the local scene in particular. You can find the blog at theharmlessmusician.blogspot.com

Matthew is a musician and student; he likes music so decided to make some. He enjoys Johnny Flynn, Mason Jennings, Neil Young, David Gray, Bob Dylan, The Yeah Yeah Yeas, Mumford & Sons, and Blind Pilot.

Many thanks to Matt for making them available to followers of the Liverpool Acoustic News and Reviews blog.

Excerpt from:
Interview with Matthew Moss

Liverpool Acoustic is THE central resource for the Liverpool Acoustic Music Scene.

Vist the Liverpool Acoustic Website

Find great acoustic music in Liverpool at the Liverpool Acoustics Events Diary

Follow Liverpool Acoustic organisers: Graham Holland and Stuart Todd

Follow Liverpool Acoustic on Twitter

Hmm. I guess if you’ve read this you’re interested in my music and who I am so thank you very much.

Ideally I’d like to be making music, whether it’s paying my bills or not isn’t really important at the moment. I’m studying for a degree so that’s my fall back.

I used to like art in high school and I often thought about studying art at college. I like creative writing too, short stories that sort of thing. So maybe I’d try those.

I think the music industry as a whole is suffering from a lot of problems. The copyright system we have at the moment does need some reform. I think the Creative Commons license concept is great though. Things have to be fair, fair to the consumer and the musicians making the music.

The most memorable place I ever played was a festival in Liverpool, my band played a set in the pouring rain, in front of maybe a dozen people but that didn’t matter it was probably the first time I enjoyed playing live.

The biggest challenge is getting it to the people who want to hear it – I’m on most of the major social networking sites. For a long time even my friends didn’t know I wrote music. But I found MySpace a few years ago and that changed things. But I think lately MySpace has been in decline so I’m trying to find new ways of making my music available. It’s a matter of the people who are passionate about music, discovering you I have to make it as easy as possible for them.

I’d be lost without my guitar I’m rarely parted from it. Software wise Steinberg’s Cubase 5 is what lets me capture everything I make.

I’ve had so many different phases of influence, when ever I discover new music it seems to spark something new in me when I’m writing songs. I’d have to say the band that made me want to pick up the guitar was Led Zeppelin; Jimmy Page is a brilliant guitarist. Zeppelin’s acoustic stuff like Hats off to Roy Harper, Bron Yr Aur and Battle of Evermore led me to folk music. I found Bob Dylan, he’s probably one of my biggest influences his lyric’s ability to create imagery are incredible. Neil Young too he’s in the same league as Dylan for me.

May is proving to be a busy month for The Southbound Attic Band, with a scheduled appearance on Folkscene for BBC Radio Merseyside, as well as being featured artists at this month’s Liverpool Acoustic Live and with a slot at the Crosby Music Festival.
The Willows Suite is no ordinary full length CD. It’s a concept album based on the classic children’s book ‘The Wind In The Willows’ by Kenneth Grahame. The band, featuring Barry Jones and Ronnie Clark, pay tribute to Grahame with an ambitious yet accessible set of songs. In between tracks there is narration that helps to tell the story of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad.


Appropriately the music is steeped in the English Folk tradition with the banjo offering suitable accompaniment. There’s the occasional lap steel guitar as featured on Weasel’s Blues but for the most part acoustic guitars, mandolin and bass dominate.


Let’s See The Sun, which opens and closes the album, has a beautiful melody, which wouldn’t be out of place on a Ralph McTell record, whilst Wild Wood is a dark narrative that gives the story its dramatic edge. Two of its tracks To Be A Father and Valparaiso Bound turn up here from their previous EP.


All the material on this set is written by Barry Jones and his narration is the glue that binds the whole concept together. So if you happen to be travelling on a canal boat, The Willows Suite by The Southbound Attic Band will provide the ideal soundtrack to a summer’s afternoon.

Find out more go to www.myspace.com/southboundatticband


© 2010 Stuart Todd – stuart[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk
Liverpool Acoustic – liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

The Willows Suite can be bought at the following places:-

• Quicksilver Music in Market Street, Southport
• Cafe D’Art, Chapel Street, Formby myspace.com/cafedart
• News from Nowhere on Bold Street, Liverpool newsfromnowhere.org.uk

The Southbound Attic Band is playing the following gigs locally in May.


Liverpool Acoustic Live – liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/live
Friday 28th May 2010 @ The View Two Gallery, Mathew Street
also featuring Rachael Dunn, David Gibb, and James M Carson
Doors 8pm, music 8.30pm to 11.15pm
Tickets £5 on the door or £4 in advance from wegottickets.com



Crosby Music Festival – www.crosbymusicfestival.com
Sunday 30th May 2010 @ Stamps Bar, Crosby
3.00pm – free entry

Excerpt from:
Album review: The Southbound Attic Band

Liverpool Acoustic is THE central resource for the Liverpool Acoustic Music Scene.

Vist the Liverpool Acoustic Website

Find great acoustic music in Liverpool at the Liverpool Acoustics Events Diary

Follow Liverpool Acoustic organisers: Graham Holland and Stuart Todd

Follow Liverpool Acoustic on Twitter

This month we’ve got three fantastic local performers, and one talented musician from Derbyshire.

James M Carson is a newly-emerged young singer-songwriter with a mellow blend of folk, blues, rock and country. Often melodic, sometimes dark, always honest. A rising star and one to watch. http://www.myspace.com/jmcarson

Rachael Dunn has only been performing since 2008 and has already launched an album – Alpha Ghost – and supported The Animals and The Acoustic Strawbs. http://www.myspace.com/rachaelveronicadunn

David Gibb is a young acoustic artist from Derbyshire whose music has been described as “good old-fashioned jovial, quirky, British pop music” by Sandman Magazine. This gig sees him playing in Liverpool for the second time in the same week as part of an epic UK tour. http://www.myspace.com/davidgibb

The Southbound Attic Band make a welcome return to the View Two Gallery after their successful appearance last year. Expect to hear songs from their new CD ‘The Willows Suite’ based on the book The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame. http://www.myspace.com/southboundatticband

Those wishing to attend are advised to buy their tickets in advance to guarantee entrance and to get a discount. Entrance is £5 on the door or £4 in advance from http://www.wegottickets.com

There are only 50 advance tickets available for this intimate gig, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
There is a Facebook event here http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114908055208225

To request a press pass for this event please contact us using the details below.
Further details about the artists, plus the Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight audio show featuring one song from each of the acts, can be found at http://newsandreviews.liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/2010/05/liverpool-acoustic-live-preview-28th.html
General information can be found at http://liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

Venue Information:

View Two Gallery

www.viewtwogallery.co.uk

23 Mathew Street

Liverpool

L2 6RE

0151 236 9444

Note: if you haven’t been before you are looking for single doorway about halfway down Mathew Street on your left if coming from the Cavern Club end!

Liverpool Acoustic is THE central resource for the Liverpool Acoustic Music Scene.

Vist the Liverpool Acoustic Website

Find great acoustic music in Liverpool at the Liverpool Acoustics Events Diary

Follow Liverpool Acoustic organisers: Graham Holland and Stuart Todd

Follow Liverpool Acoustic on Twitter