Having released debut album The Hardship Diaries via a rapturously received Pledge Music campaign in March, Dave McPherson embarks on one last run of shows before his band InMe hit the road once more.
Dave will perform dates at Liverpool’s The Shipping Forecast on Monday, January 30th, Manchester’s Castle Hotel on Tuesday January 31st and The Cockpit 3 in Leeds on Wednesday, February 1st.
This year Dave has embarked on a number of tours, notable with the eclectically talented Devin Townsend and Fightstar front-man Charlie Simpson, as well as numerous headline shows across the UK. Over the summer the musician also played the mighty Download Festival,Sonisphere Festival and Beautiful Days as well as smaller but equally vibrant settings such as the Y Not and Two Thousand Trees Festival.
The Hardship Diaries displays another side to McPerson’s musicality and has allowed the artist to develop his own sound. Every song on the album shows off the musician’s talent as a composer and songwriter and has received stellar reviews.
The Moons announce their eagerly awaited June tour taking in 12 dates including Liverpool’s Shipping Forecast on June 3.
A five piece from Northampton, The Moons were founded in 2008 by singer, songwriter and guitarist Andy Crofts, formerly the bassist in The On-Offs and today Paul Weller’s keyboardist and the group have just finished recording their second album, Tales Of The Unexpected, the follow up to 2010’s Life On Earth.
The album, a 14 tracker, was recorded over three weeks at Edwyn Collins’ West Heath Yard studio in London with Edwyn and Seb Lewsley producing four of the 14 tracks and it is signature Moons, defined by strong songwriting, delicious harmonising and tight musicianship. Influences range from Joe Meek and Syd Barrett to The Zombies and the high points are many, including the startling Jennifer Sits Alone, the garage nugget Double Vision Love, a frenzied reworking of live favourite It’s Taking Over and the duet Something Soon with Paul Weller.
The group have just appeared on the JD Set celebration of the Smiths as a guest of Primal Scream’s Mani, which was aired on Channel 4.
The Moons’ line-up is completed by keyboardist Tom Warmsley, bassist Adam Leeds, drummer Ben Gordelier and guitarist James Edward Bagshaw. As a member of indie band Sukie, James wrote a 2008 Number 1 indie hit Pink-A-Pade.
The Moons’ debut album 2010’s Life On Earth was an indie Top 30 hit and a HMV One To Watch. Paul Weller played piano on album track Wondering and played guitar on track Last Night On Earth.
Sold out headline slots at London’s The Borderline and 93 Feet East followed as did a storming show at the Isle Of Wight’s Summer Madness festival. The group also supported Ocean Colour Scene on a country wide tour culminating at London's Royal Albert Hall.
The Moons play
3rd of June – The Shipping Forecast, Liverpool
The beauty of the simplicity is the key element of the beach-pop band Sonny and the Sunsets.
Sonny Smith formed a band in 2007 together with Shayde Sartin, Tim Cohen, Tahlia Harbour, Ryan Browne and Kelley Stoltz. Shortly after the band released their debut LP called "Tomorrow is Alright". In April 2011 Sonny and the Sunsets released Hit After Hit with the little help from Grace Cooper from The Sandwitches, and John Dwyer of the Oh Seas.
Hit After Hit come together with the "100 Records" art project. The custom built jukebox consists of 100 songs written and recorded by Sonny Smith and 90 international artists have created100 different album covers.
Supported by:
Rumjig
Built On Tradition
The Rennos
Ruarri Joseph brought a little bit of laid back Cornwall to Liverpool on Saturday night. With just him and a friend on stage we were treated to an accoustic set that took us through his fairly large repetoire of songs and which saw him bare his soul on stage as his lyrics mainly come from personal life experience.
With the crowd shouting there admiration to Ruarri throughout the gig, you can see that he is building up a firm group of dedicated followers after taking a break in 2009 and this tour marks his return, complete with new album, Shoulder To The Wheel.
You can see the influences of Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and John Martyn in his music, yet still manages to bring his own originiality and modern twist to this genre of music, mainly through his personality which exudes on stage.
This gig was definitely one to bring out the "happy" in people with his bounce along, toe tapping music covering his three albums. For his finale, he actually asked the audience what they wanted to hear, (a first for me) which gave it more of a personal touch. After a few minutes and a lot of different songs being requested, it was mutally decided on a mellow little number followed by a rare performance of "Tales of Grime and Grit" a totally infectious track that gets not just the toes a tapping but the entire body.
All in all this was an excellent intimate gig and I for one am now hooked on his music
MusicmafiaUK has been in conversation with Ruarri Joseph ahead of his UK Tour and visit to the Shipping Forecast in Liverpool. Read what he had to say to us and his thoughts about the new album Shoulder to the wheel
Can you tell us where your influence and ideas came for the new album “Shoulder to the wheel” ?
The record kind of came from nowhere. I had no preconceptions about the end result, I was just writing, recording and mixing all at the same time, like a stream of consciousness, and then suddenly found I had another record under my belt. When I think about it now there’s an underlying theme of hope and light at the end of the tunnel I guess, optimism in the face of adversity and what not, but it really wasn’t planned. The previous year had been pretty insane and it was the first time I’d done any real music for quite some time, so I was doing it for myself. I knew nothing about gospel music but loved the idea of music that gives you faith and truth, so it’s an interpretation of that if anything.
You play the Shipping Forecast in Liverpool on Saturday. Have you played Liverpool before and what are your impressions of it if you have?
Yeah I’ve played Liverpool a few times, always a pleasure. The people are super friendly. When I was a kid we lived next door to a guy from Liverpool who used to play a Hammond organ at full volume. I’d stand in the garden and be loving it. He gave me an LP of the Kop choir singing all their different football songs (the clean ones), which was my first record. He said I could have it so long as I supported Liverpool! It’s a cool place
.
What type of gig will the people coming to see you expect to see?
We’re playing a bunch of duo shows, so it’s me and my friend Al who plays electrics and anything else with strings. We still mix it up a load. Some old, some new, the odd request, whatever. We take each show as it comes and try to make sure the audience is happy. I hate any show where the singer tells the audience to be quiet. We’re there for them.
The Shipping forecast is a great venue for intimate gigs due to its outlay. Do you think your music will reflect well in these surroundings?
I hope so. Like I say, each gig is totally different. Sometimes they’re quiet and intimate, sometimes rowdy as hell but it’s good to be versatile. I’d like to think we could make it work whatever our setting.
You have 2 other albums (both sides of the coin/Live at the acorn) how does the new album compare to the other 2?
Actually I have three other albums. My first album was called Tales of Grime and Grit and came out on Atlantic records in 2007 but I no longer own the rights to it so I don’t know what they’re doing with it. That record was made within the major system, so big studio, producer, mix engineer, budget, but as much fun as it was, I’m not sure it suited me. The second record (both sides of the coin) I’m still really proud of as I’d done the brave (or stupid) thing by leaving Atlantic and poured my heart and soul into it, doing everything including releasing it through my own label which was tough going but really satisfying. I pulled out of the promotional tour on that record when my eldest became ill and had to be taken to hospital for some time, so I always feel it had more to give but wasn’t meant to be. I was a dad and a husband for the next 8 months and then Shoulder to the Wheel popped out. The new record is the most ‘me’ a record could be. I wasn’t writing for a label or to prove anything, just purely for the love of music.
How has the tour been so far and what has been the reaction of the audiences?
We start tomorrow so I’ll let you know.
What’s next for Ruarri Joseph?
I’ve been writing and recording some new stuff and got the rest of the year between shows and festivals to piece it all together. Just trying to stay afloat and happy for now.
You can catch Ruarri on Saturday 9th April in Liverpool at the Shipping Forecast
