Gigs Galore

Posted on 3 December, 2010 by

Just back from a lovely run of gigs on the Alex Cornish tour where I was playing double-bass for Alex as well as doing the support slot.

Here’s how the stage at The Bush Hall looked just before I went on – such a lovely venue:

Massive Thanks to everyone who came out to the gigs in Edinburgh, Cambridge & London and for all the kind words about my set and about my DEBUT EP!

Yep – the EP is finally finished, but not officially released yet. Apparently the way to do it is to try and get some reviews and then officially launch it amidst a fanfare of trumpets and facebook adverts. I’ll be getting it on iTunes and other online retailers but that will take at least 6 weeks so I’m planning Feb 2011 for an official launch date.

The pre-release hand-made limited edition version is available at gigs until then and through this website shortly!

Talking of gigs, I’ve got a few really nice ones in December to wrap up the year:

I’m opening up the last Acoustic Edinburgh of 2010 on Tue 7th, then I’m very excited to have been invited to play a special edition of Eddy’s Acoustic Night in Kirkcaldy which is being recorded live for Celtic Radio.

Facebook event HERE & here’s the blurb:

“Eddy’s has organised a special night for your regular host Vivienne as a thank you for helping to provide a regular platform for local musicians. The night will be hosted by Celtic Radio Glasgow Presenter Mary K Burke and will include some of the regular open mic artists who have supported the evening all year. Also invited to join the evening are guest artists Edinburgh based band ‘Jake Cogan & The Liberty Roses‘, Glasgow band ‘Clova‘ and ‘Paul Gilbody‘ who has worked alongside the likes of KT Tunstall, Horse, Karine Polwart, The Skids and Andi Neate. Mary K Burke, a presenter of Celtic Radio Glasgow and previous Eddy’s guest, will also be performing alongside William Patterson A wonderful evening of live acoustic music to celebrate what has been a brilliant year with many talented musicians coming through the door at Eddy’s. The night is being recorded live by Celtic Radio and will be transmitted on Mary K Burke’s show soon after. Hope you can make it – starts at eight !”

Last gig of the year will be at Nobles Bar in Edinburgh for another of the regular showcase night hosted by award-winning tunesmith Andy Tucker.

All details on my Gigs Page!

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Autumn gigs

Posted on 3 October, 2010 by

Quick update on some gigs:

London peeps, I’m very chuffed to announce that I’ll be supporting acclaimed songsmith Alex Cornish at the prestigious Bush Hall in London on Thursday Nov 25th.

This is a Christmas extravaganza gig for Alex featuring string section, backing vocalists and his band and tickets are selling like hot cross buns.  I’ll be playing double-bass for Alex but also opening up the evening with a solo set to warm your cockles.

I’ve been beavering away on my EP so at the risk of writing some words I may have to eat later, I’m trying my hardest to get it finished so that this can be the official launch!

GET YOUR TICKETS ONLY FROM: HERE

Meanwhile, if any of you fancy a jaunt up to St. Andrews next week, I’m playing at the fortnightly Acoustic Moods event hosted by Malice Productions.  I’m the headline act so feeling quite special.  Also billed are Dirty Bunker and Steph Hay.

Facebook event listing here and here’s a pic of the poster from the 1981 film Chariots of Fire…

New songs are in progress and work on the album’s progressing nicely.

Catch you soon!

Paul

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Alex Cornish Tour

Posted on 5 September, 2010 by

What better way to unwind at the end of  a busy Edinburgh Festival than to go off around the UK on tour with promising singer-songwriter Alex Cornish?

I’ve been playing double-bass for this man for a few months now and it’s quite inspiring to see what can be achieved as an independent musician in this 21st century music industry.  The dominance of the major labels has waned and through social networking and affordable music production technology, the opportunities available to indie artists have never been better for those willing to take them – Nizlopi at UK No. 1 anyone?

This is a subject I’m likely to witter on about at great length as it’s close to my heart but until then, check out what can be done with a bit of focus, hard slog and a lot of talent at www.alexcornish.com

His new album Call Back is out at the end of this month and it sounds amazing (though, I reckon lack of double-bass was a foolish omission… ; )

I bought Alex a load of beer and tricked him into letting me do a couple of support slots when he  was less mentally astute.  Next one is Sunday night in Newcastle-upon-Tyne at The Head of Steam which is the last night of the tour so hopefully see you Newcastle peeps there!

Lovely gig last night at The Railway, Winchester (see new video above) – thanks for all the kind words (and for arranging the Sushi – you know who you are!).

Pic: a Corn Dog (Alex’s rap name, should he decide to pursue a hip-hop direction)

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Edinburgh Fringe bubble wrap

Posted on 20 August, 2010 by

So it’s been a busy month with 14 gigs of sorts, but all good.

Disappointingly, yesterday’s gig at The Three Sisters was cancelled due to residents in the Cowgate complaining about the noise…

Possibly buying a flat in Edinburgh’s busiest street for nightlife and expecting it to be quiet during the worlds largest arts festival is foolish?

Pic: Cowgate resident prepares for the Edinburgh Fringe

Anyhow, tonight I finish my Fringe run of solo gigs at The Underbelly Cow Cafe with a wee showcase from 11:30pm til 2am with some of my musical friends.

Free entry so come along if you’re in the area.  Also billed: Douglas Kay, Alan Davison, John Sloan, Rob Howell, Marisa Brown – should be a great night.

For those of you in the borders, tomorrow night sees the only Fondoo event of 2010 at the glorious Eastgate Centre in Peebles.  This will be well worth a trip so hopefully see you there!

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Edinburgh Fringe Gigs

Posted on 3 August, 2010 by

It’s that time of year again when you can’t walk two paces along the road without being given yet another flyer and having someone beg you to come to their Fringe show.

Before the Fringe officially kicks off on the 5th though, I thought I’d take this opportunity to beg you to come to my Fringe shows!  On the positive side, they’re all FREE.

Yep, I’m proud to be taking part in this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Free Festival which aims to “put the alternative back in the Fringe” in the face of ever increasing Fringe show prices.

I’ll also be doing some shows in the Underbelly Coo Cafe – dates/times to be announced soon so check my gigs page (or subscribe to the gigs RSS feed if your down with Web 2.0).

My first Fringe gig is this Thursday at the Pear Tree – 6:30pm so pop in after work to slake your thirst.

Also, I’ll be doing some special collaboration on some of these gigs and revealing some new songs!

If you really can’t wait then here’s a wee promo video which you can find on the Free Festival Facebook Page.

My Fringe Gigs

Thu 5th August 6:30pm – The Pear Tree

Mon 9th August (midnight) – The Underbelly Cow Cafe (cowgate)

Sun 15th August 5pm – The Pear Tree

Thu 19th August 6pm – The Three Sisters

Now, although my gigs are free, one bunch of Fringe shows you shouldn’t hesitate to pay for are the Acoustic Edinburgh Festival shows every Tuesday in Medina.  At only £7/6 for three hours of the highest quality original acoustic music you’re likely to hear, I really believe this is the best value music event on the Edinburgh Fringe.  Get your tickets at the box office!  Full listings on www.acousticedinburgh.com

Wow – handsome bloke on that flyer…

Since I’m on a roll plugging Fringe shows, I’m also out and about with my double-bass and playing for these fine singer-songwriters:

Alex Cornish – August 18th – The Corn Exchange (supporting Amy MacDonald)

Andi Neate – August 19th and August 20th – The Jazz Bar

Alex Cornish – August 24th – Acoustic Edinburgh Festival

Have a great festival!

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We’re Jammin’

Posted on 31 July, 2010 by

So we all know that the music industry has been turned on it’s head and indie artists are constantly looking for new ways of marketing themselves via new media.

As a result of the enterprising approach of Edinburgh based musician Douglas Kay, I’ve been immortalised on a jam jar to help promote his latest album “Into Your Head” through his “Onto Your Bread” range of home made preserves.

This honour was bestowed upon me for guesting on double bass & backing vocals on a few tracks on this very fine album.

Find out more about DKB at www.douglaskay.com

Meanwhile, here’s a pic of us on tour together in Australia last year playing Mojo’s in Fremantle…

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Festival Frenzy

Posted on 14 June, 2010 by

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!

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Sushi?

Posted on 28 May, 2010 by

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!

3harbours

Line up as follows:

THE LIST LIVE MUSIC TENT : 12 noon to 8pm

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Fake Frown

Posted on 8 April, 2010 by

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!

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Autumn Leaves

Posted on 19 November, 2009 by

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!

intoyourhead

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

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