Recording services from Jeff Jepson

Here at Liverpool Acoustic we like to do what we can to help local artists, so when we heard about this offer from Jeff Jepson we decided we just had to pass it on. So here it is!

Hello!

Some of you may know that, as well as doing a bit of singing and playing the old geetar, I've been known to record other people doing similar things. I started doing it for free, but it's become too popular to keep that up sadly, so as a result I'm trying to do it for real, as it were. Hence this message.

If you or anyone you know needs to record a demo, an EP, or maybe even an album, I'm hereby offering my services. I have a small project studio that can cater for singers, guitarists, duos, trios, multi-instrumentalists, bands etc, in a relaxed, homely environment. Everything's done on Pro Tools, with an 002, a nice selection of microphones, handsome vintage instruments to play on, lots of bits and bobs, and plenty of tea and biscuits.

If you want to hear some examples of my work, you'd be advised to check out these sites:

www.myspace.com/thekambourines

www.myspace.com/thomasjosephandmurphy

www.myspace.com/domveron

www.myspace.com/trampattack (Laugh, Piggyback Ride)

www.myspace.com/tomgeorgeness (Drifter, So Naive)

www.myspace.com/sparkwoodand21


My rates are pretty reasonable, and can be for an evening, day, or long day session. If you're interested, just get back to me on here and we'll talk. Or if you know anyone who you think might be interested, give them this: jj[at]jeffjepson.co.uk

Cheers,

Jeff

Now we don't want people to think we're showing favouritism towards our favourite performers such as Jeff, so if you've got a service to offer the local Liverpool acoustic music scene then let us know. We can link to it from the links page, and if it's particularly worthy we can do a nice plug here on the News and Reviews page.

Great night in Prospect with Steve Tilston

Here at Liverpool Acoustic we like to spread the word about some of the lesser know events in Liverpool and the surrounding area.

One such hidden gem is Folk at the Prospect, which takes place from 8.30pm every Monday evening in The Prospect Inn in Weston Village, just outside Runcorn.

Most Monday nights are singers nights, but once a month they have a local, national or internationally renowned guest - and this month is no exception.

The guest on Monday 24th November is Steve Tilston.

Steve Tilston is one of this country’s greatest song-writers with many of his songs ("The Slip Jigs and Reels", "The Naked Highwayman", and "Here's to Tom Paine") considered modern folk-song classics and covered by the likes of Fairport Convention, Dolores Keane, John Wright and others. He’s also renowned for the way he takes a favourite traditional “old chestnut” and makes it his own.

"Steve Tilston can stand shoulder to shoulder with any singer/songwriter/guitarist in the world." Dirty Linen magazine

"His music has a flow and poignancy which makes it stand out from the plethora of singer-songwriters on the scene" Guitar Magazine, USA

"Steve is of that rare breed of singer, songwriter and guitarist who actually excels in all departments" fRoots Magazine , UK

The evening is free, and there is a raffle on the night.

For more information visit folkattheprospect.co.uk

Steve Tilston has a new album out entitled Ziggurat. Hear Steve deftly weave his mastery on a dozen new insightful songs of love, loss, war and gold, plus the reworking of a couple of gems from the tradition; with special guest musicians Dave Bowie, Chris Parkinson, Richard Curran, Fin McArdle and Maggie Boyle.

www.stevetilston.com

abicat.co.uk/stevetilston/stevetilston.htm

The View Two presents this Friday

Now you know how people say you should never go back? Well thankfully there are some people in this world who laugh at such a notion. Stuart Todd and Neil Campbell are two such people.

Friends of Liverpool Acoustic will know that Stuart and Neil used to make sweet music together under the name of Campbell Todd before hanging up their collaborative guitar straps and nylon strings and going their separate ways.

Well, the good news is that they are getting back together. Not on a formal basis, you understand, but on an ad hoc, 'when the mood takes them' basis. Although we're not complaining, especially if it means we get to hear their fine songs played live once more.

And when is their next ad hoc 'when the mood takes them' performance? Read on to find out!

The View Two Presents... an acoustic event at The View Two Gallery this Friday.

Stuart Todd will be hosting, and the evening will feature music from Jeff Jepson, Neil Campbell and Rae Clark.

Friday 21st November 2008The View Two Gallery
Mathew Street, Liverpool

Doors 8:00pm, £3 entry

myspace.com/stuarttodd

Kaya debut album launch at Nice08

Those of you who are fans of Kaya (and let's face it, who isn't?) will already know the launch of her debut album, Balloon In A Cactus Field, is taking place on Thursday 20th November, at the NOVAS Contemporary Urban Centre, starting at 8pm as part of the opening event for the Nice08 festival.

For those of you who didn't know, you probably also didn't know that Nice08 is the North West's first ever festival of Nordic art and culture, and can be found at www.visitliverpool.com/nice08/home

And as for getting hold of a copy of the new album, this bulletin from Kaya herself will fill in the blanks for you.

Hi guys,

It's almost there :o) YEY!!! The launch of my debut album 'Balloon in a Cactus Field' is out on the 24th November. If you want to celebrate and buy it of the bargain price of £5 - you can pre-order the album from www.ultimatefake.co.uk or come to the launch party in The Crypt in the amazing new Contemporary Urban Centre/NOVAS Centre in Greenland Street.

Please join my fan page as well and I'll be ecstatic ;o)

www.facebook.com/pages/Kaya/12497228667

Kaya x

Acoustic musicians - we need your help!

Acoustic Musicians - we need your help #1

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight

www.liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/spotlight

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is an an audio show and blog featuring a different local acoustic performer every month. We play four of their best acoustic tracks and give them the chance to tell the world all about them by reading their musical biog and reviews.

The blog that accompanies the audio show has links to the artist's website and profiles, plus lots of lovely photos from live gigs, photo shoots, and album art. There's also information about how people can buy the artist's music.

And as if this wasn't enough, the artist of the month gets featured on the front page of the Liverpool Acoustic website and is seen by hundreds of visitors each month. Avant Gardner, the spotlight artist for November 2008, has recently got a gig on the back of the exposure.

The problem is that after seven spotlights we've run out of acoustic musicians willing to take part. Our well has run dry, so to speak. So, if you're an acoustic musician or band and you'd like to be considered then let us know by filling in the form on the Contact Us page or by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

All of the submissions go into a digital hat and are pulled out at random to avoid favouritism by members of the Liverpool Acoustic team!

Who will be in the Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight for December 2008? Check the website on 1st December to find out!

Acoustic Musicians - we need your help #2

It's A Frog's Life Acoustic Podcast

itsafrogslife.net/podcast

Graham Holland, the man behind Liverpool Acoustic, has been hosting the It's A Frog's Life Acoustic Podcast since July 2006. On the show he features some of the best podsafe acoustic music from across the whole of the UK. Most episodes have a Liverpool Sound section where Graham plays a track from two local acoustic musicians but he is running short of contributors from the local area.

If you'd like to submit a song there are only three criteria.

• You must come from Liverpool or the surrounding area
  
• You must have a good quality recording of an acoustic song
• Graham has to like your song
  

If you feel you qualify then contact Graham direct on podcast[at]itsafrogslife.net or send him a message www.myspace.com/grahamholland

Beer and Acoustic Music!

Here at Liverpool Acoustic we carried out a totally random, unscientific survey. We approached a selection of people standing at the bar during a recent acoustic event and asked them two questions. "Do you like acoustic music?" and "Do you like beer?" Amazingly all (er... both) of these people said yes to both of these questions! The results, when extrapolated, proves that you all like combining acoustic music with beer!

If the result of the survey is true (and who are we to doubt it?) then this event is right up your street.

The Rainhill Rotary Bierfest 2008 is taking place from Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th November 2008. On two of these days (13th and 15th) the beer swilling festival goers will be entertained by local acoustic band Jessicas Ghost. They'll start playing at 9pm and will continue until either (a) they're too drunk to play, or (b) the beer runs out.

The event is being organised by Rainhill Rotary Club, raising money for good causes, and takes place at Prescott Leisure Centre on Warrington Road.

Entry to the festvial on each day is £5, which includes a commemorative glass.

Thursday 13th & Saturday 15th - Jessicas Ghost @ Rainhill Rotary Bierfest. Great beer and great music! Need we say more?

RAINHILL ROTARY BEER FESTIVAL 2008

www.rainhillrc.freeserve.co.uk/bierfest08.htm

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Thursday 13th November

7.00pm to 11.00pm

Friday 14th November

7.00pm to 11.30pm

Saturday 15th November

1.00pm to 11.30pm

Ladies FREE Admission before 4.00pm

Close 11.30pm

(safe journey home!)

Over 70 different beers, lagers & ciders

Continental Bottle Bar & Wine

Food & snacks available

FREE Drivers bar with non-alcoholic drinks

FREE Transport to the venue from various locations in & around the area including Prescot & Rainhill Train Stations

Special Daily Raffle

Lizzie Nunnery Radio 4 play 11th Nov

This exciting news is just in from Lizzie Nunnery.

www.lizzienunnery.co.uk

myspace.com/lizzienunnery

Hi all,

I've written a radio play that's being broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 11th November at 2.15pm.

It's called "The Singer" and it features five of my songs:

Not My Heart
Still I'm Surprised
First Time Lucky
The Truth
Hungry

Hope people can listen in live, or click on the link below to listen again online for a week afterwards.

www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/afternoon_play.shtml

The Singer

By Lizzie Nunnery

Frustrated musician Martin is infatuated by the sound of Kirsten singing from the flat downstairs and embarks on an affair with the singer and her voice that threatens everything he has.

Martin ...... Mark Womack

Claire ...... Emma Cunniffe

Kirsten ...... Liz Carter

All songs written by Lizzie Nunnery. Music performed by Lizzie Nunnery with Vidar Norheim.

Director Pauline Harris.

Protect The Human Acoustic Night

If you want another acoustic event with a built-in feel-good factor then head on out to Hannah's Bar on Leece Street this coming Tuesday 10th November.

Protect the Human Acoustic Night upstairs in Hannah's Bar is a charity gig taking place for Amnesty International in tribute to Ken Saro Wiwa, who was a human rights activist (mainly against shell) in Nigeria and was executed for his beliefs. www.remembersarowiwa.com

The event is being organised by Jo Eckersley (co-chair, Liverpool Student Amnesty) and runs from 8pm to 2am, with DJs and acoustic music from Ed Crofts and Kalika.

www.amnesty.org

Hannah's Bar, 2 Leece Street, Liverpool, L1 2TR

P.S.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended the First Friday fundraiser at the Mocha Lounge last night (Friday 7th). All the proceeds will go to Neurosupport, a national charity based here in Liverpool which provides advice, information and support to people with a neurological condition, their families and care professionals, and aims to raise the awareness of neurological conditions in the community at large. Once all the pennies and pounds have been counted we'll let you know how much was raised on the night.

First Friday - five great reasons to attend

Here in Liverpool we're more often than not spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding which acoustic event to go out to on any particular evening.

So if you're looking for a reason for going to the First Friday event at The Mocha Lounge on Friday 7th November from 8pm then we've got a few for you to choose from.

1. It's hosted by the lovely Amanda DeAngeles.


2. It's chock full of enthusiastic and talented acoustic musicians all eager to entertain you.


3. It takes place at the Mocha Lounge, and inviting and comfortable venue.


4. It beats staying in to watch Gardeners' World.


5. It's a special fundraiser for a Liverpool-based national charity, Neurosupport.

So there you have it - five great reasons to leave the troubles of the week behind and head out to First Friday at The Mocha Lounge.

www.neurosupport.org.uk

Wirral Guitar Festival's 20th year

Why should Liverpool have all the acoustic fun? As the beacon of light that is Liverpool Music Week fades away for another year, our friends in Wirral take up the metaphorical box of matches and set light to the blue touch paper attached to the box of fireworks known as the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain.

The festival runs from 4th to 28th November at a variety of venues across Wirral.

Now in its 20th year, the International Guitar Festival features guitarists from across the world and around the corner. These masters and mistresses of the guitar will be showcasing a wide range of musical genres with something to suit nearly everyone's tastes.

All of the acoustic guitar events are in the Liverpool Acoustic Diary at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/diary along with details of the locations and the ticketing arrangements.

As for all festivals of this nature circumstances may well have changed by the time we go to press (or by the time we press 'publish' on the blog page) so to keep up to date visit the festival's website at www.bestguitarfest.com - says it all, doesn't it?

Just so you've got more of a flavour of what to expect, here's the welcome message from the festival director, Rob Smith.

This year heralds a new series of concerts featuring our new Festival Ambassadors. Twenty years and hundreds of guitarists later the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain is still striving to expose the rich seam of the guitar within the music of the world.

To celebrate our 20 th Birthday year a small number of Festival players have been invited to act as Honorary Ambassadors from all 5 continents to reflect the broad international aspect of the Festival. We have asked artists who have performed at, and supported the Festival throughout the years and through their advocacy, to continue to produce a world-class event, attract other players and raise our profile in the world of music.

I am delighted to announce that blues guitarist Woody Mann (USA), classical guitarist John Williams (Australia), jazz guitarist John Etheridge (UK/Europe), classical/flamenco guitarist Galina Vale (Ukraine/Eastern Europe), and Lucky Ranku (South Africa) are our worldwide Ambassadors for this Festival.

I am hoping that our Ambassadors will spread the word about our Festival whilst performing across the world. We know that the real ambassadors of the festival are our audiences, and we look forward to you joining us along with Martin Taylor, Eric Lugosch, James Burton, John Goldie, Joscho Stephan, Little Man Tate and Lucky Ranku.

From then outset it has been my view that the players were our greatest advocates, and it has always been my intention that playing our Festival should be as enjoyable for the performers as it is for the audiences.

Don’t forget

Rob Smith
Festival Director

Liverpool Acoustic Newsletter - November 2008

The start of November finds the Liverpool Irish Festival drawing to a close, Liverpool Music Week well under way and the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain getting ready to start . Gosh, it's like one big Festival-fest, isn't it?

With so much going on the best way to keep up to date with all the latest acoustic gig details is to visit the diary page on a regular basis, and sign up to receive the News and Reviews blog by email (details on the Liverpool Acoustic front page).

SPOTLIGHT

In the Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight for November 2008 is Avant Gardner. The Spotlight is an audio show and blog which showcases a local acoustic musician or band. You can listen to the show on the Liverpool Acoustic homepage, but if you want to read all about Avant Gardner, and catch up on previous shows, then you should visit the Spotlight page.

Our (metaphorical) spring of (actual) artists wanting to take part in the Spotlight has all but (metaphorically) run dry, so if you'd like to top it up (another metaphor) then let us know. Three of the artists who originally asked to take part in the spotlight feature have failed to respond to requests for content, so who's going to fill their shoes? ["OK, enough metaphors, already!" Ed.]

DIARY

November's diary is dominated by the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain which is hosted by our friends over in Wirral. There's lots of variety on offer from jazz and classical, to blues and pop. And not surprisingly for a guitar festival there's a good swadge (is that even a real word?) of acoustic music to keep us going through to the end of the month.

From the start of the month Liverpool Music Week is well under way and is packed full of acoustic goodies too.

Here are just a *small selection* of the highlights for November:-

Saturday 1st - Howard Elliot Payne @ The Zanzibar - part of Liverpool Music Week liverpoolmusicweek.com

Sunday 2nd - Liverpool Irish Festival closing event @ The Silvestrian Centre - liverpoolirishfestival.com

Friday 7th - Eric Lugosch @ Birkenhead Town Hall - Eric is one of the finest guitarists currently playing. His fusion of technique and feeling produces a warmth and flow in his concerts that is totally bewitching. www.ericlugosch.com - International Guitar Festival of Great Britain bestguitarfest.com

Friday 7th - Ragz @ View Two - Ragz returns to Liverpool tonight as part of her autumn tour, with The B of the Bang, Will McNicol, and Jack Roberts, in association with Mellowtone myspace.com/mellowtonenight

Sunday 9th - Stanley Yates recital @ Williamson Art Gallery - British-born guitar virtuoso Stanley Yates has been delighting audiences for two decades with his unique blend of eclectic programming and refined, expressive musicianship. International Guitar Festival of Great Britain bestguitarfest.com

Thursday 13th & Saturday 15th - Jessicas Ghost @ Prescott Beer Festival. Great beer and great music! Need we say more? www.rainhillrc.freeserve.co.uk/bierfest08.htm

Thursday 20th - Peter Price @ Birkenhead Priory - Virtuoso fingerstyle guitarist Peter Price has delighted audiences at concerts and festivals throughout the world. His repertoire covers traditional Blues, Celtic, and Brazilian music. A gifted performer, whose superb guitar skills and rich, powerful vocals guarantee an evening not to be missed. - International Guitar Festival of Great Britain bestguitarfest.com

Thursday 20th - Kaya album launch @ Novas CUC - Kaya launches her new album Balloon In A Cactus Field at the opening event for Nice08, the first Nordic art and culture festival in the north west. Lots more happening too so get down for a great night. Nice08

Saturday 22nd - Caroline England @ The Zanzibar - This will be the last gig Caroline plays in Liverpool for a long time as she is taking a year off after the New Year. The night will be acoustic guitar based with Caroline and other songwriters playing all original music.

Monday 24th - Steve Tilston @ Folk at the Prospect - Guest night features legendary Liverpool folksmith Steve Tilston. Get there if you can! www.folkattheprospect.co.uk

Saturday 29th - Stephen Langstaff @ Liverpool Carling Academy - with Kaya and Mann Friday. www.liverpool-academy.co.uk/listings.php

You can find out more information about any of the above (and those we couldn't squeeze in) by clicking on the name of the event in the Liverpool Acoustic Diary

NEWS AND REVIEWS

If you're a promoter or musician and you have news you'd like to pass on to the rest of the world then send it to Liverpool Acoustic using the contact page or email it to contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk with as much advance notice as possible.

NOTE ABOUT EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

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Graham (on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic team)