Summertime and time to crack the tents out and sing & drink around campfires late into the night. Apologies to those who were kept awake by my Buckfast inspired rendition of Led Zeppelin‘s Ramble On at the Kelburn Garden Party last year! I vaguely remember a lengthy beat-boxing duet with Freemoore before crawling into my tent as the sun rose.
Anyhow, this season is shaping up well kicking off next Friday with a solo set at The Village as part of the Leith Festival, headlined by Burnsong winning songsmith Andy Tucker and The Scattered Family.
Following weekend I’m back in Glasgow for the West End Festival and I have a string of gigs during the Edinburgh Festival’s Free Fringe. Check my Gigs Page for details.
I fully expect to finally have some release worthy recordings together in time for the August gigs in the form of my debut EP! This will be a taster release in advance of my album for launch this Autumn.
In other festival news I’ll be playing the following gigs on double-bass:
Sat June 19th – Insider Festival (with Gecko 3)
Sat July 3rd – Cornbury Festival (with Alex Cornish)
Sun July 4th – Kelburn Garden Party (with Alex Cornish)
Fri July 23rd – Wickerman Fesitval (with Andi Neate)
Tue Aug 24th – Acoustic Edinburgh Festival (with Alex Cornish)
Hope to see you at The Village on Friday!
Another crazy month comes to an end and since my last post I’ve spent 8 days in my wee artists retreat in the Scottish Borders working away on my album, been on tour to Holland, Belgium and the Scottish highlands with Gecko 3, done 11 gigs up and down the UK (from Brighton to Inverness) playing double-bass with awesome singer-songwriter Alex Cornish, taught African Gumboot Dancing to 7 primary school classes and beat-boxed in the Scottish Parliament with 100 voice choir Inchorus!
Update on the album coming soon and hopefully some exciting news but meanwhile, Summer is here and if you’re fancying a day by the sea with some incredible music come down to the 3 Harbours Seafood Festival in Prestonpans on Saturday May 29th at lunchtime!
Line up as follows:
THE LIST LIVE MUSIC TENT : 12 noon to 8pm
So much has happened since my last post, from breaking my ribs in a snowball fight and singing with the living legend who is Bobby McFerrin to jamming with some Moroccan musicians in Marrakech and beatboxing on STV.
I’ve also been beavering away on some new songs and next week I will finally get to return to my secret retreat in the Scottish borders to complete work on my debut album! Can’t wait.
Meanwhile, I’m doing a lovely wee gig this Friday in Maggie’s Chamber (above the Three Sisters, Edinburgh) with some fine acts including my very talented pal Kat Healy. Hope to see some of you there!
So it’s been a while since the Fringe which was as fun and hectic as ever with some stunning acts at Acoustic Edinburgh (even though I somehow managed to play with one of the acts every night). It was great to sit in with Rosie Brown again and hear tunes from their beautiful 3rd album. If you aren’t aware of Rosie’s music, I strongly suggest you check it out. All of her albums are regularly on my iTunes playlist.
In Sept it was straight off to France for a mini tour with Gecko 3 where we had an amazing weekend at the incredible Le Brevedent Chateau Campsite. We played their end of season music festival which embodied all that I love about France – great food, wine, (cider), a ferocious passion for music and not least a camaraderie, friendship and hospitality that is second to none.
October saw me join Andi Neate at a weekend music festival in Ullapool which was 2 gigs a night, then to the Arch Inn for an evening of live music, then back to the house where we were staying which was full of fine musicians jamming into the morning.
During all this I’ve been helping Douglas Kay to mix his long awaited 2nd album which is finally launched tomorrow night at The Voodoo Rooms (see gig listings). I do some double bass and vocals on the album and I’ll be doing a solo support set and then sitting with the DKB. This event is as significant to the Edinburgh music scene as a visible passing comet so don’t miss it!
Tonight I play with Andi Neate at The Lot and on Saturday I’m performing solo at the last ever Fondoo – the finest music showcase in the Scottish Borders which will be sadly missed. I’m also very excited to be sitting in with the incredible Hoochie Fig on their long awaited return to the live circuit. If you can make the journey another event not to pass up.
A couple of gigs in December and then I’m getting stuck into my album in earnest.
Catch you soon!
Paul
I can’t believe it’s August already. I was still coming down from my wee jaunt down-under and in between organising Acoustic Edinburgh and some exciting other plans (to be revealed) I’ve been away with Gecko 3 playing at the lovely Kelburn Garden Party and Knockengorroch festivals, the Wickerman festival with Andi Neate and working on forthcoming albums for Douglas Kay and Vicky Gray.
Now the Fringe is in full swing and I’ve got 4 solo dates this month (see gig diary) including tomorrow night as part of this years Acoustic Edinburgh Festival 2009 where I’m very excited to be playing on the bill with the incredible Polly Paulusma.
Last week’s event with Gecko 3 was a gorgeous atmosphere and I’m doing a bit of a Jools Holland this year by also sitting in on double bass with our remaining two headliners – the stunning Rosie Brown and the amazing Andi Neate.
The line up this year as absolutely stunning so if you can get along to one of our Tuesday night’s you’ll have a smile on your face for a long time after.
Last night was the first of my slots at the Underbelly Coo Cafe “A-coo-stic Night” Moonlight Sessions and it was a lovely atmosphere. I was treated to a set by the incredible Chris Gorman – great songs and amazing voice. Well worth checking out. Thanks to all you guys who came to see me : )
I’m back there on the 23rd and a return to The Aragon Acoustic Sunday on the 30th. Meanwhile, see tomorrow when I open up at Acoustic Edinburgh!
Expect new songs : )
So, 2 years ago I played at the Caledonia Harley Club‘s Wallace Rally in Stirling as part of Andi Neate‘s entourage (or is that chapter?).
This year we’re back! 4 days of bikes, beer and bands with yours truly opening up on Thursday. I’ll be doing a solo set, followed by a solo set from the lovely Inge, then we’ll both be joining Andi Neate for the headline as her band (me on double-bass).
Now, if you don’t drive a Harley, and you haven’t pre-booked then you’re not getting in, so to make up for that – here’s a picture of me on a bike…
A couple of free gigs coming up at the start of June though – Acoustic Edinburgh on June 2nd and I’m back to the Aragon Acoustic Sunday sessions in Glasgow on the 7th.
Hope to see you at one of those!
Where did Winter go? : ) I’m not a fan, so I headed to the Southern Hemisphere for 5 weeks which is why it’s been so long since I posted. Since getting back I’ve been a busy bee rehearsing and gigging with Gecko 3, Andi Neate, The Gospel Truth Choir and Dajo. I’ve also been helping my mate Douglas Kay with a bit of mixing for his new album which is a nice follow on from us doing a bit of touring together in Western Australia.
More on the tour in another post but I have to tell you about my next solo gig which is this Friday in The Tron basement (Hunter’s Square, Edinburgh). Headlining is the incredible Susanna MacDonald and there is support from Bag of Bags (who’s tech spec includes a cello, clarinet, and musical saw, amongst other instruments)!
Hopefully you can make it along!
This Friday May 8th 8pm!
I’m delighted to be part of the next Artists for Gaza event this Friday (Feb 20th) at The Roxy Art House.
As you can see from the flyer the line-up is stellar. Doors at 5.30pm and I’ll be on at 6.00pm for a 25 min set.
Come and enjoy fine food, beverage and an evening of incredible music in aid of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
It’s an early one but it’s Friday so come “straight fae” work!
Tickets are £10 but that’s a fair price to pay for any of those acts. There’s a clown as well…
See you there!
Paul
The Roxy Art House
2 Roxburgh Place
Edinburgh
Midlothian
Scotland
EH8 9SU
Phone: 0871 750 0077
What are you up to tonight then? I reckon the safest place to be is in The Lot on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket listening to some lovely acoustic grooves provided by yours truly along with Mat Clements (percussion), Vicky Gray (fiddle) and Udit Duseja (vocals) so put aside your superstitions and make like Stevie.
Also on the bill is Norman Lamont and his band.
Where: The Lot, Grassmarket, Edinburgh.
When: 8pm (on stage 8.30pm)
Tax: £4
Also, if you’re on the west coast, I’ll be heading over to Glasgow on Sunday to play once more at The Aragon Acoustic Sunday sessions.
Where: The Aragon, 131 Byers Road, Glasgow.
When: Sun 15/2/9 8.00pm
Tax: FREE
Also on the bill is the incredible Dinny.
Hopefully see you at one of these!
Do you remember your first acoustic gig? Mine was busking with my mate Fergus in Belfast not long before I moved to Edinburgh. Ferg was over in Edinburgh for a visit and after some busking we decided to try and play somewhere (warm) to an audience who wanted to hear more than Sweet Home Alabama… I’d heard of the Edinburgh Songwriters night in the basement of The Tron and there I made my Edinburgh live debut.
Busking
That songwriters night inspired many local musicians and eventually evolved into Edinburgh’s premier open-mic night Out of the Bedroom. So, I’m very honoured to be invited back to where it all began and to be their featured act this week!
I’ll be joined on percussion by Mat Clements and possibly a guest vocal appearance by the legendary Udit Duseja.
I’m on stage at around 9.15pm for 30 mins but it’s an open-mic night so bring your guitar and get down for 7pm to get on the bill.
FREE ENTRY.
See you there!
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