Alex Dunford and Jeff Jepson @ The View Two on Friday

There's a really exciting night of music at The View Two Gallery on Mathew Street this Friday 31st July.

Alex Dunford and Jeff Jepson will be performing together. They've been busy producing a captivating blend of acoustic electronica and will be performing many of these pieces live on the night. You can hear them for yourself at myspace.com/alexdunford

Support is provided by DNA Orchestra, Dom Veron, Rachael Dunn, and DJ Davstrong.

Doors open at 8pm and it's only £3 to get in.

And don't forget, there's a fully licensed bar!

Help Shaz!

We've recently received this message from Alun Parry, and we at Liverpool Acoustic see it as our public duty to pass it on to you, good readers.

This is Alun. I need your help for my mate Shaz.

Everyone in the Liverpool music scene knows Shaz - the music snapper.

Many will have had their photos taken by her and sent on at no charge simply cos Shaz is helpful and generous by nature.

But she needs your help.

She was robbed last Friday. Every scrap of camera equipment that she had was taken from her.

She simply can't replace it and she is devastated.

I'm asking everyone to rally round and donate whatever you can to her camera fund. Every penny helps so no amount is too small.

Click the link below to visit the donations page.

parrysongs.co.uk/go/?page_id=418

Thanks

Al 8-)

Personal message from Graham (Liverpool Acoustic)

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Alun for setting up the online donation page for Shaz. I've been really heartened by the number of people who have donated gifts both large and small, and by the speed at which the donations total has risen. Let's see if the Liverpool Acoustic followers can get the total up to the target amount by the end of July."

Events for weekend 24th - 26th July 2009

It must be the weather, or the alignment of the moon again, but for some reason there are heaps of fantastic events happening this weekend in Liverpool, so here's a run-through of them to help you decide.

Friday 24th July - Liverpool Acoustic Live
8.00pm - 11.15pm @ The View Two Gallery on Mathew Street

Come on, you didn't think we could let you know all about the weekend events without mentioning Liverpool Acoustic Live first, did you? It really is a great way to relax at the end of the week, and enjoy some brilliant acoustic performers to boot. Not that we need any encouragement to drink on a Friday night, but there's a fully licensed bar at the venue too

Alister Said, Molly Jones, James Munro, and The Big I Am provide the music which starts at 8.30pm. Doors open at 8.00pm, and entry is only £4, or £3 in advance by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

Full details from liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

Friday 24th July - Hungry Wolf Band Night
8.00pm - late @ Heebie Jeebies

Taking place alternative Fridays the Hungry Wolf Band Night is a free event in Heebie Jeebies basement. Each night sees one or two bands supported by a local acoustic performer.

This Friday sees The Medicine and The Romleys, with support from Maryland.

Full details at myspace.com/hungrywolfbandnight, including details of how you can play if you're a musician or band.

Saturday 25th July - Peace and Ecology Festival
11.00am to 9.00pm @ St Lukes (bombed-out) Church

This festival is organised by Merseyside CND and is now in its third year. It features stalls, speakers, children's entertainment, and music. Free entry.

Acoustic performers include Steve Beard, No Good Punchin' Clowns, Tony Kehoe, Stuart Todd, The Random Family, Alun Parry, and others.

The L1 Festival is bigger and better than ever, and is still totally free. This is the main event!

On Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th from 12pm to 6.00pm you can catch live music at four outdoor venues.

Electric Stage - St Peters Square (by Alma De Cuba)

Acoustic Stage - Arthouse Square (behind FACT)

Busking Stage - Lyceum (bottom of Bold Street)

The Orchard Stage (Folk, indie and acoustic) - Blundell Street

In addition to all this there will be impromptu performances taking place in Utility on Bold Street, and each day there will be after show parties with some of the acoustic performers at The Orchard, Chameleon, and Leaf Tea Shop.

Saturday 25th July - Band in a Box
8.00pm doors - late @ The Zanzibar

One event, two stages. On the acoustic stage are Vinny T Spen, The Big I Am, Acoustic Shel!, and Guy Taunton. £4 with flyer from myspace.com/keyholeproductions (click 'pics' then 'my photos')

Saturday 25th July - Under the Influence VOL 8 - Good Vibrations
9.00pm - late @ Studio 2, Parr Street

Think summer, think the Beach Boys, think Good Vibrations!

Free event hosted by Kaya, featuring guest sets and creative covers from The Red Deltas, Christina Malley, and Sam Kearney.

Get your mojo workin' this Wednesday

Come and get your mojo workin' this Wednesday.

There's a brand new weekly night of folk and Irish music starting on at Mojo's Cafe Bar (formally Winespeak) on Dee Lane in West Kirby.

It takes place every Wednesday evening. Doors open at 8.00pm, the music starts 8.30pm, and entry is totally free.

The opening night on 22nd July features the iconic sound of Phil Chisnall, and 29th July features the fabulous Graham Bellinger and the Deportees.

Organiser Jules says "Come down and listen to a whole host of new talent - all acoustic, all very talented!"

If it's more information you're looking for (or a booking!) then you can get it by emailing westkirbyfolkmusic[at]hotmail.com

Mojo's is starting to get a really good reputation, and have been working hard on providing good quality live music 3 or 4 nights a week. In addition to the new folk/Irish night every Wednesday, Thursday is their Live Lounge Night where different musicians come down to jam, and Friday and Saturday nights have booked artists and bands.

Mojo Cafe Bar (formally Winespeak)
3 Dee Lane, West Kirby, Wirral CH48

Liverpool Acoustic Live preview - July 2009

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #16

Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 24/7/09

1. Alister Said - A Thousand Wishes

2. Molly Jones - Edge Lane

3. James Munro - Meet Me At Euston

4. The Big I Am - Collecting Skies

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below

(not available for email subscribers)

The next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig is taking place on Friday 24th July 2009 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

As always, we've got four great acts for you to enjoy on the night.

Alister Said
myspace.com/alistersaid

Alister Said is a local singer-songwriter and is the man behind TAP - The Alister Project - run in association with Tillerman Records. Check out his MySpace profile to listen to tracks from the album The Money Tree, plus unreleased songs. Then visit Tillerman to find out more about their new way of working.

Molly Jones
myspace.com/1mollyjones

Molly Jones comes from a family of musicians. Her father is famous folk musician Steve Tilston, her mother is traditional singer Maggie Boyle, and her sister is the well-known folk/indie performer Martha Tilston. With pedigree like that we'll be in for a real treat!

James Munro
myspace.com/jamesmunromusic

James Munro spent most of his life in Stockport, but is currently living in Liverpool, the city where his family is from. He performs regularly around town and Manchester too. His main influences are Bob Dylan and David Gray. In 2009, he recorded his first E.P, The Impression On Me. You can find songs from the record on his MySpace profile.

The Big I Am
myspace.com/bigiamrash

The Big I Am are Colin Heaney on cuatro, ebow, and vocals; Peter McPartland on ukelele, bass, and vocals; and Steve O'Toole on piano and organ. They have an acoustic, folk-tinged pop sound that's much harder to categorise than the description we've just used! They've been gigging around the local scene and have been making lots of fans along the way.

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #16

If you get the chance, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible.

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media), and is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting - supported by Libsyn.

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

Stephen Langstaff to support the Lightning Seeds

Well, here's the update you've all no doubt been waiting for, and it's good news! Read on...


Hello everyone,


It has just been confirmed, that Stephen Langstaff will be supporting the Lightning Seeds on Sunday 26th July at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Thanks to everyone who has supported this and made it possible. This will be the biggest stage for Stephen so far and should be a fantastic night with the Lightning Seeds.


Could all those who requested tickets (£12.50 - half price to general sale), please get back in touch as soon as possible either on here or via e-mailing the following address: info@stephenlangstaff.co.uk


Please pass on your name, forwarding address and number of tickets required. Please also make it clear that it is for the Lightning Seeds gig. We will shortly be in touch with payment details once your message/e-mail has been received.


From the response, the reduced tickets are expected to sell fast so be quick in getting back in touch. (Please note we are given the tickets direct from the venue and will have no control over exactly where the seats will be).


If anyone is attending Stephen's acoustic gig on Saturday 18th July at Zanzibar, Liverpool - and request tickets, we may have them ready and this could be a good opportunity to get them.


Thanks again to everyone who has shown an interest!!!!


Jay Phoenix

News From Nowhere needs your help

Liverpool Acoustic supports any organisation or company that helps local musicians and artists in any way - and one of the best we've got in the city is the wonderful News From Nowhere Bookshop. But it needs your help. It is struggling more than usual with cashflow this summer, and we need to do what we can to support it because we'd miss it if it wasn't there.


Here’s how you can help:

1) INTEREST-FREE LOANS OR DONATIONS

Put that spare cash (?!) to good use by investing in a not-for-profit workers’ co-op – they can discuss terms.


2) CREDIT LOANS

Lodge monies with us in a credit account to be used against future purchases – either a regular amount or a one-off. Great if you want to start saving for those books and CDs you'll be buying for Christmas, birthdays, and special occasions.


3) BUY BOOKS!

For yourself or your organisation – remember we can order any book in print. We can supply @ 10% for local schools & organisations.


4) OFFICE FOR RENT

We have an office for rent - approx £195 p mth + utilities/rates. Also a room in our flat above NfN - £70 p wk (incl rates) + utilities.


5) SPREAD THE WORD

Forward this email to your contacts and friends.


Get in touch to talk to them about any of the above. Many thanks!

USE IT OR LOSE IT – SUPPORT INDEPENDENTS!

News From Nowhere Bookshop
96 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4HY

Open 10am-5.45pm Mon-Sat

0151 708 7270
nfn@newsfromnowhere.org.uk

www.newsfromnowhere.org.uk - find out about us & the books we sell

www.newsfromnowhere.co.uk - search & order over 1.4 million books in print

News from Nowhere is a not-for-profit workers' co-operative

News From Nowhere Co-operative Ltd - Company Registration No. 24524R
(registered in England & Wales under the Industrial & Provident Societies Act 1965).

"Murdering Songs" at Mello Mello

Almanac Folk present "Murdering Songs" @ Mello Mello

On Saturday evening 11th July, if you're at a loose end (of a rope) and you want to hang...

...out at an evening of folk new and old, traditional and alternative, all on the age old theme of murder, then head on down to Mello Mello on Slater Street.


Artists performing their murderous songs include Dave Owen, Andy Hickie, Lizzie Nunnery, Nina Jones and John Smith, plus storytelling, food, drink and general merriment. Let's hope they don't die on stage.


The event is run by Lizzie Nunnery and her friend Lindsay, and it all starts at 8pm. Oh, and it's free :-)

Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "Town was murder"!

Ghost Stories - A Night Opera - at St Lukes on 16th July

Ghost Stories - A Night Opera, is taking place on Thursday 16th July at St Luke's, the bombed-out church at the top of Bold Street.

It's described as a haunting and beautiful sound and visual experience, made all the more atmospheric by the 9pm sunset starting time.

'Ghost Stories – A Night Opera' - is a classical composition written by Liverpool musician and composer Neil Campbell. Since its release in October 2008 on CD simply titled 'Ghost Stories', it has received unanimous acclaim from both the UK and International music critics. The subtitle 'A Night Opera' was added to the title following collaboration with Bill Elms who will work with Neil to stage performances of the piece across the region. It is also being performed as part of the Wirral International Guitar Festival in November at Birkenhead Priory. Plans are being made to tour ‘Ghost Stories – A Night Opera’ to other cities and festivals across the UK and abroad in 2010.

'Ghost Stories - A Night Opera' was written and recorded by Neil Campbell over 2007/08. It started life as a number of short sketches for classical guitar which Neil was interested in enhancing through the use of electronics (in collaboration with electronic musician Michael Beiert). After working with wordless vocals on The Neil Campbell Collective's 'Particle Theory' album (produced concurrently with 'Ghost Stories' and involving soprano Anne Taft as a guest vocalist) Anne was invited to sing on some of the 'Ghost Stories' pieces. The various short movements were then developed into a coherent suite of music segued together by an electronic soundscape built by Michael Beiert using samples of Anne Taft's voice.

Compositionally 'Ghost Stories' draws on French impressionistic music such as Debussy and Satie, ambient music such as that of Harold Budd or Brian Eno, as well as some jazz (especially Pat Metheny) and progressive rock (particularly Steve Hackett). The music is delicate, shadowy, slow, atmospheric and elegiac.

Bill Elms (Director of Bill Elms Associates) said “I instantly fell in love with the piece late last year and approached Neil to work on this project, which is to be my first producer role. It’s a world-class composition and Neil is an incredibly talented local composer. I want the live performances to be an overall experience for the ticket holder, the venues are as important as the piece itself, St. Luke’s will be a stunning venue on a summers evening ”.

Since the recording has been released, the performance aspect of the piece has taken on a life of its own and the aim is now to perform it in interesting architectural locations with the music surrounding the audience (and often presented with visuals) to enhance and build upon the experience. The aim of 'Ghost Stories' - as a recording and a live piece - is to completely immerse the audience in the experience.

The St. Luke’s performance will begin at sunset on the evening of Thursday 16th July, doors will open at 9pm prompt and an atmospheric sound installation will build up to the performance which will begin at 9.32pm.

Performance Details:

St Luke’s (Bombed-Out) Church
Leece Street, Liverpool, L1 2RT

Thursday 16th July 2009 - Doors: 9pm prompt

Tickets £12, Concessions £10

Box Office: 0151 709 4988 or in person at the Unity Theatre, Hope Place, Liverpool. Tickets on sale to 08 card holders from Friday 22nd May and then on general sale from Wednesday 27th May.

Ghost Stories will also be performed in November 2009 in Birkenhead Priory as parof the Wirral International Guitar Festival. Tickets go on sale soon.

Read reviews and hear music at www.myspace.com/neilcampbellsghoststories

Full details about the event are available at Skiddle including details of how to get tickets.

URGENT MESSAGE!!! - STEPHEN LANGSTAFF SUPPORTING THE LIGHTNING SEEDS??

This special message has just come through from Stephen Langstaff.

Can you help by supporting one of our own musicians?


Hi everyone!

I need to ask you an urgent question please!!

I've had a phone call asking me would I like to be put forward to support The Lightning Seeds at the Philharmonic Hall on Sunday 26th July!

It's really exciting and I desperately want to say yes - BUT they need me to bring at least 100 people to the gig. The tickets they've given me to sell are £12:50 (which is half price to the box office price). This is more than what you'd normally pay to see me live but you'd also be getting The Lightning Seeds and a much 'plusher' venue! All ages are welcome to come to this gig.

I have to ask - would you or your friends and family be interested in attending??

I'm sorry to ask so directly but I can't make a decision until I know I can guarantee them 100 people coming to support me at the show.

The promoter asked me to get back to him on Wednesday night so I'm looking for feedback asap!!!

If selected, it'll be a massive opportunity for me and an amazing experience. Your support, as for every gig you come to, would be genuinely appreciated.

THANK YOU very much in advance for helping me with this and thank you so much for all the support you give me by coming to my gigs and being part of this facebook campaign group!

Looking forward to hearing from you
Stephen :)

****

IF ANYBODY IS INTERESTED PLEASE REPLY HERE!
OR CONTACT STEPHEN VIA HIS WEBSITE www.stephenlangstaff.co.uk
OR MYSPACE PROFILE www.myspace.com/stephenlangstaff
THANKS A LOT

Urgent Appeal from Alun Parry: Bass Player Needed

Below is a message forwarded from Alun Parry's mailing list. Please pass it on to anyone you know who might be able to help.

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. URGENT: Bass Player Needed For Alun Parry I'm looking urgently for a new permanent bass player. He or she needs to be a very good bass player, and ideally either a very quick learner or knows my music pretty well already. Also, I need someone who is available on average twice a week to either rehearse or gig. Some quality gigs coming up, including playing support to Chumbawamba in September. I am a signed artist with a new album out at the end of August, and a national distribution deal. If you fit the bill, get in touch by replying to this mail or by clicking here to contact me. Please circulate Please pass this message on to friends who you think may be interested - or may know someone who may be interested. My website address is www.parrysongs.co.uk You are receiving this email because you opted in at my website or at an event. Unsubscribe contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk from this list. Our mailing address is: Alun Parry c/o Acoustic Slice, Parr Street Studio, Parr Street Liverpool, Merseyside L1 0BW Our telephone: 0000000000 Add us to your address book Copyright (C) 2009 Alun Parry All rights reserved. Forward this email to a friend Update your profile

Liverpool Acoustic Newsletter - July 2009

Along comes July, and all of a sudden we're half way through the year! There are a number of highlights this month, starting with Ghost Stories - A Night Opera being staged at sunset inside the bombed out shell of St Luke's Church on 16th July. To say this is going to be atmospheric is probably a massive understatement.

On 25th and 26th July there's the small, relatively new, but perfectly formed L1 Festival taking place at two locations in the city. One stage is bands, and the other stage is acoustic, and both are free to attend. More info closer to the time.

You say goodbye...

• We've just heard that 4Play, which took place at Chameleon on the first Wednesday each month, is no longer running.
• Also no longer running is Acoustic Mafia
  which used to be at Chameleon every Tuesday evening. Is it something about Chameleon?
• This two are in addition to Neil Campbell's Sunday Afternoon which is on hold for the time being.

And I say hello...!

• The Hungry Wolf Band Night launched on 26th June. Every alternate Friday (and the occasional Sunday) sees one band and one acoustic performer playing on the night. Full details on the blog post from last month here.
• Starting on Wednesday 22nd July is a new evening of Folk and Irish music at Mojo's in West Kirby. The first one features the Phill Chisnall. More details will be on the News and Reviews blog closer to the time
• We're also hearing news of some more new, regular acoustic events on the horizon and we'll keep you informed once we have any info to share.

There are still a number of event organisers who aren't sending their event information to Liverpool Acoustic, and as such are missing out on the lovely free publicity. If you know of any acoustic gigs not in the Liverpool Acoustic diary then contact us and let us know. The more the merrier!

LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC LIVE

Liverpool Acoustic Live last month was a great night. The wet weather didn't stop people coming out and enjoying fantastic sets from Vicky Neale, Barry Briercliffe, Emily Barden, and Blue C. Emily's final gig in Liverpool before her migration down south is on Wednesday 8th July supporting Wallis Bird at Korova.

The next Liverpool Acoustic Live is on Friday 24th July, and on the bill we've got Alister Said, Molly Jones, James Munro, and The Big I Am.

Full details are in the poster on the main website at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

If you want to hear what they sound like then you can listen to the Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #16 for July 2009 which is due out soon.

EXTRA - Put Friday 28th August into your diary now! This will be the Liverpool Acoustic Live event for August, and we'll be joining forces with Alun Parry for the launch of his new album at The Casa on Hope Street. Full details next month. Ooh! Can't wait!

DIARY

Here's a brief run-through of some of the acoustic events taking place in July that are worth a special mention. Click on the event in the diary for full details and links.

Thursday 2nd - Homegrown @ 3345 Parr Street. Hosted by Letters in Red, this free event features music from Tricia McTeague, Rue Royale, and Zoe Nicol.

Saturday 4th - Monthly acoustic night at the Bell and Barrel in St Helens. Well worth checking out if you're in that neck of the woods.

Sunday 5th - MaXi Dunn has her first solo live performance at The Picture House on London Road.

Monday 6th - Come Strut Your Stuff @ The Egg Cafe. Open floor poetry and acoustic music takes place once a month in Liverpool's best vegetarian bistro. The event starts at 8pm but if you want to perform you'll need to be there before 7.20pm to get your name on the list.

Friday 10th - Atlantic Massey @ The Zanzibar Club. With support from Eugene McGuinness & The Lizards, The Albany, Rags and Feathers, & The Cavaliers. Doors 8pm, £5 in.

Saturday 11th - Almanac Folk @ Mello Mello - present 'Murdering Songs', an evening of songs old and new on the theme of murder.

Sunday 12th - Blues on the Rock @ Fort Perch Rock. This monthly Sunday afternoon event celebrates its first birthday in July. Blue C's special guest is Al Willard Peterson, back by popular demand. 1pm to 4pm, £4 admission.

Thursday 16th - Ghost Stories - A Night Opera. This is a very special event not to be missed. Get your ticket while you can!

Friday 24th - Liverpool Acoustic Live @ The View Two Gallery. Featuring music from Alister Said, James Munro, Molly Jones, and The Big I Am.

Saturday 25th - Under the Influence VOL 8 - Good Vibrations @ Studio 2, Parr Street. An feast of covers and original songs inspired by the Californication sound. Perfect for a summer's evening!

Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th - L1 Festival. Free music from two city centre stages.

AND FINALLY...

Once again, thank you to everyone who's contributed to either the Liverpool Acoustic website or the Liverpool Acoustic Live event. If you have anything you'd like to add then please let us know by using the Contact Us form or by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

And remember, you can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/lpoolacoustic

Graham (on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic team)