SPRACI

Saturday, 15th June 2013

Hackney Attic, Hackney Picturehouse 270 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HE

Juju Rock is a fire-starting guitar led quartet cooking up a potent concoction of vibrant African cross-rhythms, heavily influenced by gritty funk rock elements

Some of the members of this outfit have helped shape the sounds of some of London's premier Afro centric bands; including guitar virtuoso Christian Arcucci in Anthony Joseph's infamous Spasm Band, and one of the founding members of the riotous Yaaba Funk, drummer Paul Zimmerman

As a quartet they are as loud and intricate as a band twice its size... and the band's true power only fully comes across on stage, when African village scenarios and a mastery of rhythm and melody collide with heavy psychedelic guitar riffs and ferocious percussion

Can you really bring yourself to miss THAT? Huge time

+ DJS Chief Commander Yaaba + Volta 45

Thursday, 13th June 2013

Hackney Attic, Hackney Picturehouse 270 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HE

Flying Ibex listen to old African pop cassettes and Brazilian Maracatu, mess around with delay pedals, and generally run down avenues of sound that are potentially as weird as they are accessible

You can either deep-sea-dive into the songs or try and untangle yourself from the perfectly executed, uncivilized beats

Whatever you do, the songs will stick in your mind and the band will serve you up an irresistible feast of wayward groove

https://www.facebook.com/flyingibex

Four Quartets is the brain-child of 28 year-old, Bristol-born singer/songwriter Rob Sharples

Distilling a breadth of influences both musical and literary: from rock auteurs such as Radiohead and Elliott Smith, to the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the western classical tradition

Harmonically adventurous and unpredictable, Sharples seamlessly weaves memorable melodies with a complex undercurrent

https://www.facebook.com/FourQuartets

Walter Benjamin (not to be confused with the German philosopher, who committed suicide on his way to Portugal) - was born in Lisbon on the same date (not year) as Bob Dylan

A few years have passed since then, along with a few bottles of whiskey, numerous over-used Beach boys & Beatles records, some incredible big-name collaborations across Europe, and several EP & album releases of his own

https://www.facebook.com/walterbenjaminisalright/

Cara Sebastian is a guitar thumping- string twanging- old record of a person who likes to observe people and catch herself at her most extreme

Her primary pieces were rooted in 80's & 90's pop and soul music which instigated her clear songwriting ideas and almost melodramatic character, but after being introduced to Jimi Hendrix, Bjork, PJ Harvey and Ani Difranco in one sitting, Cara sneakily sold her saxophone and bought a guitar

Now Cara's influences range from old skiffle & swing through to prog and wonky blues

https://www.facebook.com/carasebastian

Monday, 22nd July 2013

The Black Heart, 3 Greenland Place, Camden, NW1 0AP

An indie rock/pop-punk trio from Buffalo, NY. Formed in 2004 the band have toured extensively over the last few years and have built up a strong following in the US and are slowly becoming more well known in the UK and Europe

Their influences include bands such as Jawbreaker, Superchunk, The Wipers and The Lemonheads.

Saturday, 22nd June 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

Harry Palmer Band (http://www.reverbnation.com/harrypalmerband)
'Harry Palmer Band are a London based rock n' roll band, blending blues tones with country storytelling

With killer harmonies, honest lyrics, infectious blues licks and stories of life

You'll have these songs stuck in your head for days.'

Matchstick People (https://www.facebook.com/Matchstickpeople)
Alternative rock band

Buck n' Evans (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRxxE5_jIz4)
"Imagine if Eric Clapton sat with Momma Cass, or Joe Bonamassa sat with Anne Wilson, or Sunny Ray sat with Adele ... you'll get the vibe."

Julius Cowdrey (www.facebook.com/juliuscowdreymusic)
Beautiful heart-felt music, like Adele" said Ed Chin

High praise indeed for the 20 year old singer-songwriter from Kent, Julius Cowdrey

He has an exceptional vocal delivery accompanied by his own special sound on the keyboard

Julius has collaborated with his twin Brother for three years - he writes the lyrics and Julius the music.

Tuesday, 4th June 2013

Caffe Concerto Village, Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush, W12 7GE

Tuesday night at Caffe Concerto boasts of wealth of eclectic talent, and First Tuesdays are dedicated to singers of Jazz with full band accompaniment.

Saturday 8th June 2013

Kennedy's Bar, Kennedy's Bar, 297 Caledonian Road, Islington, London, LONDON ENGLAND

Join us at Jump Jive and Shout the lively, fun friendly jive night, with dj vinyl queen Jeniffer Jackson spinning some of the very best in red hot, pulsating, energy driven 1940s and 50s rhythm n blues, jump jive, boogie woogie, vocal harmony (doo wop)groups, blues shouters and more. All on vinyl the way it was back then and not a CD in sight.

Celebrating the wonderful, dynamic music from some of the great unsung originators who laid the foundation for what would eventually become known as “rock n roll”: Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Ruth Brown, Cab Calloway, Lucky Millinder, Ike Turner, The Chords and others. It’s that driving swinging be that get’s you moving every time.

With live music from sensational London jive band Bang Bang Boogie, a great 50’s rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll inspired show with Lady Luck Lexy from San Francisco on lead vocals, show starts at 9.30pm.

If you've seen the films Cadillac Records, Honey Dripper, or Ray you will know the story. Real roots music, pounding and pulsating, give in to your musical urge.

A great night out, lively, welcoming and informal on the second Saturday of each month closed for August and January.

Dress code smart or rockin', retro, vintage, 1940s, 50s, 60s. or the T.Vs series Mad Men and Pan am, I love Lucy, and films like The girl can't help it.

Sunday, 28th July 2013

Half Moon Putney, 93 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 1EU

Tir na nOg have been described as Alt Folk, Prog Folk, Psych Folk, and even Space Folk!. But the duo, formed by Leo O'Kelly & Sonny Condell in 1970, transcends all these categories

What is not in doubt is that they are two of the most original and influential songwriters and performers Ireland has ever produced

After a long absence they are once again touring in the UK

They were signed to Chrysalis Records in May '70 within days of arriving in London, suitcases and guitars in hand! Tir na nOg recorded three timeless albums for the label, recently re-issued by Cherry Red/Esoteric Records

John Peel championed the duo from the start, recording many Peel Sessions with them

They toured with bands as disparate as Jethro Tull, Procol Harum, The Who, Roxy Music and Steeleye Span in the 70s, as well as headlining their own theatre, college and club gigs, garnering a large cult following, which to this day still grows

The duo's reputation for entrancing audiences with their magical live performances, whether festival or club, goes before them, resulting in sell-out shows during 2012

Sonny and Leo have recently recorded some new songs for the highly anticipated album, to be released in 2013.

Friday, 26th July 2013

Half Moon Putney, 93 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 1EU

Throughout the last year or so, The Total Stone Roses have been playing gigs and stunning audiences throughout the country building up a solid fan base that makes them a force to be reckoned with in the tribute scene

The band are all in their early to mid twenties, bringing the same passion, vigor, arrogance and charisma that only the young have, the old want and that cannot be faked

This same drive is what gave The Stone Roses their ‘X Factor' and took them to the heady heights of success and fame that they achieved in the late 1980′s and early 1990′s and beyond.

Wednesday, 24th July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

The April Maze (http://www.theaprilmazemusic.com/)
Melbourne Indie darlings The April Maze are delighted to present their brand new original single Don't Let the Bastards Bring You Down

With R&B flavoured vocals etched with upfront cello and 70s inspired harmonies backed by a full orchestral sound, ‘Don't Let the Bastards Bring You Down' is destined to be the folk rock anthem of 2013

Marc Reeves (https://www.facebook.com/marc.reeves)
'Described by Dean Jackson (BBC Nottingham) as 'Truly wondrous',
Marc Reeves is an introspective Folk-pop singer songwriter from Nottinghamshire

Jasmine Nelson (https://vimeo.com/64099291)
Jasmine Nelson is a singer songwriter who draws upon various musical genres

Her songs are a beautiful blend of haunting melodies and imaginative stories

She will be performing songs from her debut album, Hercules

Feelix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIfZWzRsva
Nick and Kat (aka Feelix) are a songwriting duo from Sheffield

They have recently released their debut album, which they recorded at Steelworks Studios, where they worked alongside Grammy Award winner and Iver Novello Award winner Eliot Kennedy

Inspired by artists such as John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Emile Sandi and Ed Sheeran, their sound is rich and diverse, yet they always keep the craft of songwriting paramount.

Tuesday, 23rd July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

WoodField (http://woodfieldmusic.co.uk/)
"In the midst of the UK folk revival, WoodField are a tantalizing blend of Americana and Folk music

Consistently charming their audiences with a brand of folk that evokes memories of Simon and Garfunkel and 1960's America."

Caroline Smiling (http://soundcloud.com/carolinesmiling)
Heart felt, lyric heavy music, with sentimental groove lines and a tragically optimistic disposition

The name is as the music hopes to be, sweet and sad certainly a desire to be warming

You can find her and the musicians she works with all over the internet under "Caroline Smiling"

Nick Hampson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSjSW7B7wMw)
"Nick Hampson is a 19 year old Singer-Songwriter from Bath, Somerset. He presents an emotive, and often confessional, lyric style hidden beneath the blanket of more typical complex poetic imagery

Combined with haunting melodies and an acoustic guitar, he joins the tradition of songwriting whose other members include writers such as Leonard Cohen, Elliot Smith, Nick Drake and Conor Oberst."

Thursday, 25th July 2013

Half Moon Putney, 93 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 1EU

You need more than guts and good intentions to record a convincing all-covers CD of songs by the modern-day pantheon of great singer-songwriters, from Bob Dylan to Mickey Newbury to Joni Mitchell

You have to add something special and personal to reignite oft-heard standards - musical talent, sure, but also a depth of feeling, experience and understanding

And Darrell Scott, from his genes to his genius as a sensitive vocalist, an award-winning songwriter of depth and perception, and a versatile instrumentalist, has earned that right

The range of music that his performances have graced is hard to believe

Form Martyn to Munroe from Bassey to Buckley, how does Danny sit comfortably with them all

A quick glance at the list of artists will convince anyone that the variety and diversity of performance and recording will be a lasting legacy that is unlikely ever to be equalled

Live work with Alexis Korner, LittleWalter, Jimmy Witherspoon, Roy Orbison, Josh White Snr., Brook Benton, Freddie Hubbard, Red Rodney, Art Farmer, Pentangle, Richard Thompson, Ralph Mctell and many more of course.....Recording work...Kate Bush, Mark Bolan, David Sylvian,Tim Buckley, John Martyn, Ralph Mctell, Richard Thompson and on and on and on

The answer is of course in his identifying the essentials of his role

If the music is any good, you simply give it your best

Underpin the melody, enhance the rhythm and drive it on.

Thursday, 25th July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

Alex Hart & 3BF (http://snd.sc/11NWoz0)
There must be something in the water in the tiny village of Ashill inDevon - first Joss Stone and now, 21 year old singer songwriter,
Alex Hart

Teaching herself guitar and driving her mates mad with her desireto be singing at all times, Alex became heavily influenced bytraditional Jazz and started recording and performing with localJazz musicians from the age of 13

Soon after, Alex's talent wasquickly spotted as she performed her way around Devon andSomerset and at 15, Alex won the Gemini FM Torbay Talentcompetition, earning herself a recording session at The MusicMill in Newton Abbot

Solfeggios (https://soundcloud.com/solfeggios)
Drawing influences from Reggae, Indie and Electronica, among others, Solfeggios manages to fall naturally into producing what they feel and mastering that sound.You can pick a number of artists from an array of musical genres and find something in common between them and Solfeggio's songs

But far from being an undecided sound, they excel in bringing together different styles that gives them something unique

Weasel Feetinfo coming soon!

Friday, 12th July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

Filthy Whisky (http://filthywhisky.com/)
Filthy Whisky are a 4-piece alt/rock band from Camden

Their debut single "Come back in" is out now on iTunes

Gallows Ghost (http://gallowsghost.com/)
In the Spring of 2011, whilst staying in a clifftop fisherman's cottage in Devon, the earthy witchlike voice of Kate Young and the transportive, melodic riffs of Mako fused together to become Gallows Ghost

Influenced and inspired by the landscape and the legends that surround them, they poured their love of Gothic Victoriana and Rock n' Roll into creating music where the roots are firmly in the past, but the branches wind through 90's Grunge and emerge into the present

Ella Walker (https://soundcloud.com/ellawalkermusic/)
"Ella Walker is a 16-year old singer/songwriter from Isleworth

A self-taught guitarist, Ella started writing original folk/pop style songs just over a year ago

Her musical influences include, among others, Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons, Daughter, Ben Howard..."

Thursday, 11th July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

Will & the Ways (http://www.myspace.com/willandtheways)
Will & The Ways are a London-based pop/soul band, who took the London live music scene by storm in 2010, headed by talented singer/songwriter Will Bushell

Bushell's powerful, soulful voice is juxtaposed with angelic string harmonies by classically-trained Cecily McMahon, and the mastery of Tom Sullivan, Chris Skilton and Tom Atherton on guitar, bass and drums, creating a uniquely pleasurable sound

The Golden Troubadours (https://www.facebook.com/TheGoldenTroubadours)
The Golden Troubadours are a dreamlike acoustic band from Nottingham who write unique soulful songs with shades of flamenco, folk, soul and blues performed with passion and feeling, which leave the heart-strings lovingly played

Steve Rich and the Hills (http://www.facebook.com/steverichandthehills)
Americana/Rock band from London

Fronted by co-singers Steve Rich and Hillary Cannon, they are backed by a veteran rhythm section, Andy Whittaker (bass) and Ralph Hall (drums). Completing the line up is guitarist Jay Talenjad

Samuel James Routledge (http://www.samueljamesroutledge.com)
"A young man with a voice as rich as the pictures he paints with his words and music, Samuel James Routledge will take you by surprise and remind you that simplicity can be extraordinary" - Michelle Hussey, BBC Introducing In Manchester.

Saturday, 20th July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

The Cream Tease (http://www.thecreamtease.com)
Direct from the south coast, the Cream Tease Burlesque show promises a night of frivolity, fun and mischief!!
A high class Burlesque show where fire twirling beauties meet Las Vegas showgirls, comprising live vocal talent, breathtaking choreography and bathing belles

Allow the delectable ladies to coax you into the ethereal world of the Cream Tease!!

Sarah Proudfoot & Tom Mitchell (http://www.facebook.com/sarahproudfootmusic) / (http://www.mitchellmusic.co.uk)
A Bristol-based acoustic duo combining melodic vocal harmonies and chiming rhythmic guitars into songs about love, heartbreak and injustice

Ben Hammersley (https://www.facebook.com/benhammersleymusic)
Ben Hammersley, is a nineteen-year-old musician who honed his songwriting whilst growing up in a musical household in Oxford, England. Last year, his songs caught the attention of Icelandic multi-instrumentalist/producer Ólafur Arnalds, Their collaboration led to the production of Ben's debut release 'Solace EP' - set to come out over the summer.

Wednesday, 10th July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

Pimlico Road (http://www.pimlicoroad.co.uk)
Pimlico Road play vocal harmony acoustic Americana, sprinkled with folk, rock & pop influences, Pimlico Road are Keif Anderson= Vocals/acoustic guitar, Holly Anderson = vocals, Liz Poynter = Vocals, Gary Holder= Double bass & Stephen Cass= drums

Daniel Dobbs
Singer-songwriter (info coming soon)

Laneway (http://www.lanewaymusic.com)
Tucked amongst the forested hills of Natural Bridge by a rippling creek is a stone floor cabin that is home to Louise O'Reilly and Paul Hannan

From here seeps the sound of the death of 1000 summers

The sounds of Laneway

Their dreamy landscape of country-tinged folk-surf pop is both instantly familiar and distinctly unique and has seen them acclaimed as some of the best songwriters from Australia and awarded them the Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship

Lucy Fox (https://soundcloud.com/lucy-fox-12)
Singer-songwriter from London.

Saturday, 6th July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

BearSteps (http://www.bear-steps.com/)
'Bearsteps are a four-piece comprising brothers Rob (lead vocals, guitars) and Alex Collins (keyboards, vocals), Henry Brereton (drums) and Sam Wilson (trumpet, keyboards, vocals). They combine four different songwriting personalities to create an alternative blend of folk, blues and acoustic rock.'

Blackwell (https://www.facebook.com/WeAreBlackwell)
New band fronted by singer/songwriter/musician Andrew Balkwill

Carlina Walton (https://soundcloud.com/Co_star)
Wonderfully talented singer-songwriter

Fred Page ( https://soundcloud.com/united-mgmt/sets/fred-page-e-p/s-f98Iz?)
Fred Page is a 23 year old singer-songwriter from London, England.
He is currently writing and recording his debut album to be released on Virgin EMI later this year

His solo acoustic performances showcase his unique writing and vocal style

They are something not to be missed.

Tuesday, 9th July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

Anushka Jagtiani (https://soundcloud.com/anushka-jag)
Acoustic folk/country singer-songwriter, strangely reminiscent of Kate Bush

Rachael Sage (http://rachaelsage.com/)
Award winning US singer, songwriter and producer

For Sage - who is also a poet, actor and visual artist, as well as a longtime record label owner (she founded MPress Records a decade ago) - music has always been her primary form of self-expression.

MALLiE (http://www.myspace.com/mallieofficial)
Mallie is a 21 year old singer set to take the music world by storm

Originally from Bournemouth, now living in London this young songstress has created a soulful pop vibe, which is influenced by rock, reggae and stadium anthems

Mallie draws on a mixed bag of influences such as Aerosmith, Stevie Nicks, Queen, Mariam Makeba, Jacob Miller, Bob Marley and Gwen Stefani conceiving music that intoxicates your senses

Zoë Hazel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw3zRXIFM_w)
Zoë Hazel is Scottish but grew up in Catalunya (north of Spain) since she was 3. Her music has been described as dark, melancholic, soulful with quiet but powerful vocals

She mixes English, Catalan and Spanish in her lyrics.. Normally writing about the curious things we all get up to in this crazy world...

Sunday, 11th August 2013

The Black Heart, 3 Greenland Place, Camden, NW1 0AP

Irish Punk at its Finest Since 1990!

From an Irish pub to an Academy Award winning movie: The Mahones have come a long way in 23 years! Heralded as pioneers of the Irish punk scene, and internationally recognized as one of the best and hardest working punk outfits around, The Mahones are back with Angels & Devils, their eighth studio album

Created in 21 days in several different countries, Finny McConnell produced Angels & Devils at Red Rhino Studios in Montreal, after recording sessions with his band mates in both Belfast and Amsterdam

The Mahones' last album, The Black Irish, was voted Best Punk Album at The Independent Music Awards, and the band was determined to follow-it up with an even bigger, better sound

It was the recording sessions in Montreal that made the cut for their latest studio release

The Mahones formed on St

Patrick's Day in 1990, and have been working on their own brand of Irish punk ever since

With a working class ethic and a love of classic punk, Finny McConnell formed the band to combine his love of punk rock and his Irish culture

Alongside Finny McConnell are Dom "The Bomb" Whelan (drums, vocals), Katie "Kaboom!" McConnell (accordion, vocals),Sean Winter (mandolin, banjo, vocals) and Eryk "Chainsaw" Chamberland

For the past 23 years The Mahones have released a slew of successful albums, and are world-renowned for an energy-packed, electrifying live show that has garnered them a worldwide base of dedicated fans.

Sunday, 21st July 2013

Half Moon Putney, 93 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 1EU

The Gift play soulful, symphonic rock

They blend hard riffs with classical shades and aren't afraid to sing pastoral songs from the heart

Like Muse with more muscle and The Mars Volta with tunes, The Gift's music demands to be heard

It wrestles with contemporary sounds and issues

It's awake, committed and alive

The band members share a love of rousing rock, complex time signatures, wild key changes and ambitious concepts

They also love the simple beauty of a strong melody, and sprinkle it liberally over all that they do

Their lyrics want your attention, too. You'll hear about the stuff that counts…. the leaders who lie, the children who get lost, and the hearts that still beat briskly beneath the wounds of years.

Friday, 5th July 2013

The Troubadour Club, 265 Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9JA

An Army of Lights (http://www.anarmyoflights.co.uk)
Hailing from Northampton UK, An Army of Lights produce grand, alternative indie rock consisting of soaring vocals, tight harmonies, and delay soaked guitar lines

With a NME featured self titled debut EP and shows across the UK with the likes of The View, Dog is Dead, Turin Brakes, Brother, New Cassettes and Bleech, as well as appearances for BBC Introducing, Google and Thorpe Park, there is certainly no sign of slowing down for the indie 4 piece

Los Pelos Rizos (http://www.myspace.com/lospelosrizos)
Los Pelos Rizos is London's critically acclaimed Gypsy Funk band, described as: "bursting with layers of eclectic energy wrapped in Latin rhythms". Featuring violin, trumpet, guitars, mandolin, bass and cajon, they have a regular following, a residency at The Troubadour and played to jubilant audiences at The Edinburgh Festival

For the Roses (http://www.facebook.com/WeAreForTheRoses)
For the Roses bring a soulful blend of folk and pop to their original music

Catchy melodies, fantastic song writing and stand-out vocals have been winning over audiences across the country

Bethia Mitchell (https://soundcloud.com/bethia-mitchell)
Bethia Mitchell is a Singer-Songwriter from Leicestershire With influences from modern artists such as: Joni Mitchell, David Gray, Amy Winehouse and Newton Faulkner, mixed with a passion for the delightfully time-whethered tones of artists such as Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald

Her timeless voice and classy but catchy melodies make for a spellbinding experience and keeps her audience captivated in every performance from which she can often command complete silence in even the rowdiest of venues.