Tuesday, 7 February 2012

The Old Brown Jug to host Stoke folk talent


Fig1: Courtesy of Aaron Mobberley
Listen to these artists now at the top right hand of the page!

Aaron Mobberley, 19, is set to perform at the Newcastle-under-Lyme pub on Wednesday 8th February.

The pub provides an Indie/Rock Unplugged night on most Wednesdays.

His recently recorded EP, Commitment, will be available for free on the night.

BBC Introducing from Stoke voted Aaron’s track ‘Crayons’ as part of their top 10 songs of 2011. 

He said: “I wasn't expecting my track to be enjoyed as much as it has been. A massive thank you to Rob Adcock and the guys at the BBC for their support and advice.”

Rob Adcock, of BBC Introducing from Stoke, said: “In my humble opinion, one of the most talented musicians in Staffordshire and Cheshire.”

Aaron has played previous Staffordshire gigs including The Sugarmill, The Underground and The Acoustic Festival of Britain.

He said: “I think the Stoke music scene is underrated. We have such a wide variety of music in such a small city. If you were to visit several venues in one night, you are bound to find one of Stoke's hidden treasures.

“The Old Brown Jug is a great venue to play at. I think I enjoy it so much because of the fact that my college friends and me used to meet there most Wednesdays. It's like a second home to me now.”
 
Since recording his EP he has visited Abbey Road Studios for the BBC Introducing master class.

The night will be headlined by Middlesbrough act Dressed Like Wolves with support from Aaron Mobberley, Cult Party and Heritage.
Fig2: Courtesy of Aaron Mobberley, Aaron Mobberley


Rick Dobbing, of Dressed Like Wolves, said: “I have a Wikipedia page which blows my mind. I didn't even make it myself, honestly.

“It was amazing going on Balcony TV and the local BBC radio to play some songs.”
 
Adam Woolliscroft, 25, manager of The Old Brown Jug, said:
“Our Wednesday nights are generally very good. 
 
We have a steady crowd most weeks and through summer it
gets busy with DJs playing in the beer garden.

“The local music scene is doing well at the moment. There are plenty of decent young bands about regularly filling venues
in the area - like The Sugarmill and The Underground, for example.”
 
“All The Young seem to be making waves not just in Stoke but all over the UK.”

Aaron is heavily influenced by the harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel and The Beach Boys.

Aaron said: “I am currently listening to Fleet Foxes, Heritage, Tallest Man On Earth, and Kings of Convenience amongst others. Jim Mcshee's new EP has also had quite a few listens too.”

Fig3: Courtesy of Adam Cooliscroft, The Old Brown Jug
He has been described as 'Heartbeats' singer Jose Gonzalez mixed with The Crosby Stills and Nash.
“I can pull out features of certain songs that people have mentioned.”

Dressed Like Wolves’ songwriter and lead Rick said: “I like loads of old emo bands like The Get Up Kids and Death Cab For Cutie. I think they're emo anyways.

And I like Bright Eyes, Carissa's Wierd, Ben Cooper and big Phil Elverum. Henry's Dress have been a big influence on some newer stuff.”

He added: “The recording process for the EP was great fun. Sam Bloor, from The Bunker Recording Studio, understood the exact sound I was going for.”

Aaron, on lead vocals, guitar and harmonica is backed by producer Sam Bloor on guitar, bass, percussion and backing vocals, and James Tildesley, also on bass guitar, as well as organ and percussion.

He has a dream to continue writing and recording and venture outside of Stoke with his backing band.

Aaron's EP, Commitment, is available for free download on his Soundcloud page.

You can find out more on Aaron on his Facebook and Twitter pages.

Listen to Dressed Like Wolves on their Bandcamp page or find out more on Facebook and Twitter.

Find out more to check out the gig at The Old Brown Jug’s website.

Below is Aaron Mobberley's BBC Introducing from Stoke performance of 'Crayons':


Tuesday, 31 January 2012

January Review 2012


Fig1: Courtesy of laviddichterman, James Blake - January star man

Here's a little review of what I've been listening to and reviewing over the past month. 

Below I've listed some of my top albums and top singles of January which haven't necessarily been released this year but have been my favourite listens recently. 

Please let me know what you think and don't hesitate to leave your own opinions!

And don't forget to join the blog, it's so quick to do and it would be great to know who's following and how many people are reading!




                                  Top 10* Songs 

Fig2: Courtesy of sterno_inferno, tUnE-yArDs






    *Youth Lagoon - Cannons (couldn't get it down to 10!)


Fig3: Courtesy of scannerfm_flickr, Fleet Foxes

Top 3 Albums






Stoke-on-Trent folk star set for The Sugarmill album launch

Courtesy of Jim McShee, Jim at BBC Introducing from Stoke
Jim McShee, 20, is set to launch his debut album at Stoke-on-Trent’s The Sugarmill on Saturday 11thFebruary.

The bluegrass and country meets modern Indie and folk musician will release the EP entitled ‘The Coffin Nail’.

Jim said: “I can't wait to finally get it out there. My good friend James (of James Statham Productions) and I have spent a really long time putting it together. 

It's going to be such an exciting release, and I can't wait for people to hear it.”

Danni Brownsill, 24, Promoter at The Sugarmill, said: “We are seeing a wave of great new acoustic talents in the area and Jim is at the forefront of the scene.

It’s the second time Jim is headlining The Sugarmill and when he’s on stage he commands the audience. He is an incredible live performer. It’s a brave thing to do for a local artist, especially when it’s just one guy and his guitar.”

Jim performed a live in session for BBC Introducing from Stoke on Friday 27thJanuary.

He performed live the EP title track ‘The Coffin Nail Blues’, heart-warming EP track ‘Bloody Knuckle Blues’ and a cover of Katy Perry’s ‘The One That Got Away’.

Courtesy of Jim McShee, The Coffin Nail EP
He said: “I've known Scott (Thomas), from the show, since I started playing live last year. He expressed his interest recently on how he wanted me to come in and be part of the recently reintroduced live sessions that the show would be hosting. 

Naturally I snapped up the opportunity. It was a really fun experience.”

The Staffordshire man has created a unique sound originating from the likes of Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen.

At the moment my iPod is pretty limited, but I’ve been listening to a lot of The Handsome Family, Old Crow Medicine Show, and First Aid Kit. It’s a shame I listen to stuff that nobody knows about.”

Fellow Stoke-on-Trent folk musician, Aaron Mobberley, 18, said: “I love the raw qualities of his recordings and his heart felt lyrics. 

He describes his stories very well in one song and you understand his troubles as if they are your own.”

Aaron studied Music Technology alongside Jim at Newcastle-under-Lyme College.

If you see him live you will experience great showmanship, superb guitar playing and a raw honesty to his performance.”

Jimhas been playing local venues for several years and is now looking to the future.

Hesaid: “Don't get me wrong, I love playing locally, and the local crowds are always so warm and welcoming, but I feel it's about time that I started branching out a bit. I really want to start touring and playing outside of the local area more.”

Courtesy of Jim McShee, Jim is set to grace the stage again
The music scene in Stoke is hotter than it’s ever been, at the minute. It's always kind of been Metal and Indie that have been prominent within Stoke, but at the minute there are a lot of styles that seem to 'fill the void', as it were.

For example, there's the whole acoustic thing going on, that I'm extremely proud to be a part of, alongside some really talented artists.

The acts supporting Jim will include Emilio Pinchi, Ben Owen, Karl Bayley and Jon Dimiceli.

You can buy tickets for the event here and keep up-to-date with Jim on Facebook and Twitter.