Though we’ve only played there once before the welcome we got at the Cwmaman Institute has tattooed itself indelibly onto the hearts of Bruise. A super community based arts center, with a lively schedule of events which include a regular Thursday night gig. We had made our life a bit easier by borrowing a PA and we were being assisted by dear friends Peter, Huw and Pip so it was all very relaxed. The set started off on an up with ‘Nobody Else’ ‘Stranger in you’ then settled down with ‘The Prize’ which is turning into a wonderful and understated live track. ‘Silvertown’ ‘Coldburn’ ‘Little Victories’ ‘Alright’ and ‘Jennifer’ was the final track in the first set. This audience had doubled in size since our last visit and the applause seemed to have quadrupled, these lovely folks roared and clapped, I was swept away. The second set started with ‘Excuse Me’ ‘Mr Rat’ ‘3 Ravens’ Which felt monumental, it was a dream to feel the slow build as the track develops from almost unaccompanied vocal introduction to the huge loop, Juno, guitar and drums instrumental outro. And once again, as if performing the song had not been enough for us the audience wrapped us up in a wave of applause and appreciation, enticing Jim and I to better and better performances. At about this point we hit our stride properly. When Jim and I lock in it is the such a glorious feeling for me, my shoulders relax, the rhythm arm is effortless physical memory that builds and falls in a seductive way, I get to sing, really sing, explore the joy of having a voice and using it. And to feel and understand what class Jim has as a musician, how he manages to combine accuracy with emotionality and how this acts as a skeleton for the whole musical experience to hang off. Wonderful, WONDERFUL! So the rest of the set ran ‘Don’t Make Me Wait’ ‘Miss Bigfish’ ‘Blueline’ ‘Girls Best Friend’ ‘The Game’ ‘The Northern Line’ – much requested that night and received passionately, ‘I Don’t Like You’ and taaa daaa! The End, except for the encores, all three of them. Thank you people of Cwmaman we loved it and we’re looking forward to coming back!
The Musician in Leicester is a pucca venue that I feel deserved better from us, but that’s just my point of view and I didn’t encounter any one else who felt the same that night. A short set as part of a multi-band night, a delight for me to hear some wonderful guitar work, a young folk band trying out their chops and an accomplished songwriter presenting himself to a familiar crowd. The place was a bit on the quiet side and I was washed out after 2 days intensive rehearsals, so when I look back at our short set I see a low energy and uncommunicative front woman and though we delivered the songs with assurance I am having difficulty reconciling myself with what I brought to the night. Anyway, that’s my problem; I’d like to thank John & Snakeman for their wonderful support, Stevie for the opportunity and everyone who bought an album for trusting what they heard. Mark my words, next time there’ll be a show, Oh Yes!
The weekend of the 22 and 23rd April Jim and I were privileged to be playing an increasingly rare event, a completely unamplified performance, nothing, nada, not an amp, not even a microphone to sing into, Hot Gossip, Henley on Thames, WOW! Under these circumstances I go through a process of sounding out the room, sort of feeling my was around with my voice, getting some understanding of what resonates where and how quiet I can be before I get lost. It happens very fast and with Jim and I both on acoustic guitars we were offering up song after melodic song within minutes of arriving. Both nights were wonderful atmospheres. I was provoked by the intimacy of the set up to talk about the songs in quite personal terms, and that doesn’t happen very often at all. We felt so appreciated it was a delight for us. Thank you to Michael & Lorraine and to all those who came along to these two magical little happenings!
Easter Sunday saw us going back to old home ground in Canning Town and The Bridgehouse II and visiting old friends ‘That Legendary Wooden Lion’. The Bridgehouse II is set in an industrial corner of Canning Town, with a broken window or two, surrounded by pylons, sandwiched in between railway lines a middle class woman like myself might think twice about going in. However I’d be wrong, this venue is SET UP, a tasty house drum kit, all the amps you need, a lightshow that blows me away, friendly staff, tip top PA and a soundman who knows how to work it. We opened up with a short acoustic set on strong form after our recent acoustic outings, then we got to kick back and enjoy TLWL’s wonderful show, the costume changes, the time signature changes, the whole great big prog-ness of it all always makes me feel I’m watching them on a huge stage. After diverse hour long set from That Legendary Wooden Lion we took to the stage to close the evening with the electric duo line up, and frankly we kicked ass. Pumped up by what I’d just seen, pissed off because London Transport had made it impossible for the audience we just let go. Superb. Thanks for dancing, thanks for all the handshakes. We’ll take a bow XX

Little Victories Tour - the 3rd leg (?)

It’s only been a couple of weeks but tons has happened. There was the Hob in Forrest Hill, very satisfying and a really good musical experience for us. The venue likes us to open with an acoustic set and we like to do that too. It’s always a little quiet until 10.30 ish there so we crooned and chimed and the lovely audience listened attentively. Because we’ve been performing acoustically quite a bit lately there’s a lovely confidence and connection between Jim and I and the vocals are really intermingling so sometimes even I can’t tell who’s singing what. It was a lovely thing and we were really happy to play a tender set to those who had come specially to see us. It hit about 10.30 and we were ready to play the 3 piece electric set with brilliant Bob Kelly on bass. We kicked off with Excuse Me which feels huge in that line up, monumental, then ‘Mr Rat’ and I could feel the change in atmosphere, how the energy was rising and as the set progressed. It was a total delight, with complete confidence we roared through stocky and slender songs, lifting people up, shaking them around then dropping them back down again. There was dancing, singing along, everything I want. Thank you particularly to Stephanie who grabbed the mailing list and got loads of people to sign up, Roderick and Pete who traveled long distances to be there and the Scottish contingent for being such a great vibe! Alright!!!

We had a little advertised acoustic session down at Yellowfish studios in Lewes on the 30th March, just a couple of songs but in very good company, all filmed and due for release when the editors have done their thing. We were privileged to meet Arthur ‘FIRE’ Brown and he liked what we did, which is good because we like what he does! Also we loved hearing Mike Mayfield’s set and then basking in his guitar virtuosity (it’s a word!) as he accompanied Sophie Corbett (of the diminutive bespectacled king of comedy Ronnie fame) as she sang ‘Proud Mary’ and then collaborated, in front of our very eyes Mike and Arthur add-libbed a blues number about mostly hamsters I think, though other subjects were touched upon. It was a wonderful evening; we hung out with the talented and lovely Jo Harman and her slightly less talented and slightly less lovely but slightly taller PR manager Mark Ede. We left having had a wonderful time and would like to thank Gary Hutchins for being graceful host. As soon as I get the edit I’ll be posting it on our facebook sight www.facebook.com/bruiseuk

Thursday 31st we were in Swindon. It was our first visit to The Beehive but I felt sure we’d feel at home there just from their web presence which represents them as a venue that takes its music seriously, supports the visual arts too and has a good open mind. We were not disappointed; a friendly reception from the locals, a stunning pint of Speckled Hen on offer amongst other good ales, and something that was very welcoming was the landlord Andy bought it for us. By the time the PA was set up we realized how many people we had in common with the folks who drink at The Beehive and I felt thoroughly at home. We started with an acoustic set which we swooped through joyfully to listening ears, nodding heads and tapping feet, then we kicked off with an electric set and the place started to fill up and warm up. A very cool group of diverse folks made us feel so welcome there, from retired bespectacled types to long haired metal types and every thing in between. I’d like to thank Ross for coming from Bristol to see us play, we’re really delighted you’re enjoying the albums and we’ll look forward to seeing you again. As we were packing up a young man swayed out of the pub and started making his way up the hill, he turned and said “v’you enjoyed Zz Beehive?” and I’d like to say unequivocally ‘Yes, young man, we DID!’ .One more accolade to bestow upon this small creative hub, they have the best collection of tunes on their i-pod shuffle we have encountered.

Friday 1st found us re-visiting The Britannia in Crickhowell, a place which has gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and wanted and this night they had really excelled themselves. Ashley and Pedro at The Dragon Inn were putting us up in a beautiful room directly across from the venue, perfect! And Thank You. We loaded into the venue and were welcomed by a small group of friendly faces, (hello Dai, hello Jan!). We had planned to open up with an acoustic set which we did, but we’d hardly struck a note and a huge crowd of youths came through the door and started to exuberantly appreciate the music and atmosphere. After about 5 songs Jim and I gave up trying to sing over the buzzing crowd, downed our acoustic guitars and played an electric set, then another one. It was great to feel the room rise with us. This is what they had come for. I love doing what we do and I particularly love it when a crowd is as generous as these guys were. Totally a pleasure, and when we finally closed for the evening there were a few folks who were not taking no for an answer, so we grabbed them and our acoustic guitars and played traditional songs and romantic songs in the back room winding down in the most relaxed manner. A treat for us, this place has a warm place in our hearts.

The King William Inn in Glastonbury was our second new venue of the tour and we had no idea what to expect. What we got was a room with good acoustics and sight lines and a few people, a very few people. At the start of the gig there were maybe 3 people at the bar and a table of very music friendly types (musicians themselves gigging round the corner and spending their brake with us – that is top class behavior). The sound was good for us so even though the atmosphere was a contrast from the night before, we knew we could keep ourselves happy and put on a good show. The venue was on some sort of beer based route so people would come in drink a pint and move on, this is hard work for us. It’s really difficult to create an atmosphere and virtually impossible to connect with anyone. Once we got into the second set though things did pick up for us, there was a couple paying attention, then another couple, then there were 2 more couples, then 2 of the musicians from the band around the corner came back after they had finished their commitments (two thumbs up!) and Jim and I had a small but enthusiastic audience. These people made all the difference to our night, we left the venue knowing that we had been heard and that makes a BIG difference. Though I didn’t manage to get every one’s name thank you to Liz and Dan, Jakey and Hayley, the musicians (I can’t read your email address, do get in touch) all those who took the time to listen, and finally thanks to the warm and lovely Catherine and Jimmy. Cheers!

Our last date on this tiny tour was The Horseshoe in Bristol, we had been looking forward to this gig and rightfully so. A Lovely big pub with a small music venue, enthusiastic music lovers, friendly staff, just what we wanted. Familiar faces and a top sense of anticipation as we were setting up. The folks in Swindon had been spreading the word and we felt lucky to meet Ken Pustelnik the drummer from The Groundhogs who had been pointed in our direction. We were pretty tight by this stage, 4 gigs in a row is a wonderful way to sharpen up the show. So we did what we do and were welcomed like heroes in the break. We dived into the second set and the audience really got involved, there was much singing and hilarity as we played ‘I Don’t Like You’ and we got 3 encores, 3! Thank you to Linda and, ooooo now my brain fails me, but you bought us a pint and consequently you can have our first born. We really appreciate the support shown us by this venue and these good people, let’s do it again!

Thanks to all involved for a Tip Top tour!

Little Victories Launch

Gigs gigs gigs that’s what we’ve had, loads of them, all over. A quick mention for the Hoxton Underbelly (27th Sept) we played a half hour set which was a real pleasure. Mateo the Sound engineer did a bang up job with nothing but a line check and enabled us make a real impact grabbing the audience shaking them up and putting them down in a better place. It was an intimate little gig which was made even nicer for us because we met some longtime Bruise fans for the first time, Richie & Louise thanks for coming and thanks for bringing friends.
1st October, the day before my birthday we took our first trip down to Whitstable’s grooving Neptune, a serious music pub in a seriously beautiful location. On this night however it was pissing it down, waves blowing in off the beach, things were not looking good. By the time we were set up there was a happy smattering of familiar faces (Mr and Mrs McBride get special mention) and an expectant clutch of regulars. I really liked the space, Jim and I had room to ourselves, with great sightlines around the quirky boozer. And more importantly a wooden floor, with my amp sat on it letting the bass frequencies of my Laney really rumble. We built up a good momentum, balance was lovely and the crowd grew, and the rain fell and the wind blew. We rocked em, we soothed them then we rocked them again. Very nice rise and fall, both sets and particularly nice to have bar manager Darren come up to us after just one set and say, ‘we want you back, we’re loving it’. Feeling good, we loaded out in the horizontal rain and we’re looking forward to going back!
The new album arrived in the doorstep a few days later and we were ready to start Bruise’s Tiny Tour in earnest.
6th October we returned to one of our favorite venues The Latest Music Bar in Brighton for a very special night hosted by the charismatic full on talent that is Z-Star. It was a 6 band night everyone contributing a couple of songs, we played acoustically at the very top of the night then had the pleasure of listening to a collection of acts with Z-Star jamming in with percussion and vocals, the lovely Jo Harman taking a few impromptu tracks. I’m still singing some of the songs I heard that night. All preceded by a lovely session on Radio Reverb with Jeff Hemmings, always, always a good vibe. This was a great start to our involvement in this years Brighton Live festival.
7th October we were back at The Latest Music Bar to launch the new album ‘Little Victories’. Totally looking forward to this night and with very good reason, we’d hardly got through the door and were greeted by Stephen and the good news that downstairs were John and Jan from Folkmob. It was a great welcome and felt like the true beginning of this tour. Emberhoney opened up with an atmospheric set, then we hopped up and delivered half an hour of new material, songs from the new album, it felt good, it felt fresh, it felt sharp, then just for a moment it felt a little precarious. On the last song I was troubled with crackle, nasty ‘your amp’s about to die’ crackle, but it made it through. We sold the first copies of the new album and we were on our way home. It looked very much like the Folkmob contingent were going to continue a great night out in Brighton, we wished we could have stayed and joined in. Thank you so much to all who came along.
Saturday 9th October was the London launch at the spice of life, it feels very much like home territory and everybody there contributes, the guys at Substance Music and the crowd who show up, Katy, Johann, Peter, Gail, Leia, Frank, Jose, James and their friends and strangers and their friends, it’s just a good vibe, it just IS. The place was rammed Bob Kelly was on Bass we had a great time, 35 minutes of music, and an encore…or was it two? Whatever it was it was a treat, and coming off stage after a storming gig everybody was glowing. Late arrivals told us of bouncers saying ‘you’ll not get in tonight’ Sold Out signs on the door and the usual comfortable chatty mayhem slow dispersal, count out the money, hump the gear upstairs and swing off home. Aaaaahhhhh, Nice! Come on the rest of the tour!

Bruise “Little Victories” Review
By Ashley L. Pieciak

We’ve often heard before, what’s in a name? I’ll be the first to admit I have judged a band by its name and when I first received this album to review I was expecting something along the lines of face melting metal. Which is why I was shocked when the music coming out was as far from metal as one could get.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t love this band. I am enthralled by the gentle melodies and soothing quality of the vocals. This is just the type of music I love having in the background when I’m relaxing and it’s not often I get to do that so it’s even more special that the music actually helps me to relax and focus on the task at hand. I’ll even find myself zoning out to the music and just…being.

With some bands you have a favorite song, one you listen to over and over again, and Bruise is no exception. While I really like all of their songs off of this album, my favorite is Jennifer. It’s the most upbeat song on the album and I love the unexpected change in tempo. This whole album is worth listening to over and over again. To say that it has a special place on my iPod is saying quite a bit because I only put the music I really LOVE on there.

I am very lucky to have been given the chance to hear their music. This is one of those bands that my friends haven’t heard of yet and I know that when they do they’re going to love Bruise too. I really appreciate the fact that this band is basically just two people making music and enjoying the ride that comes with it. I’ve said this before, and every time I mean it from the bottom of my heart, if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing everything suffers. You can’t set out making music simply to make money, because if the money doesn’t come you’re going to be upset and the music will show that. The members of Bruise are making music and loving every (well almost every) second of it, just for the pure fact of sharing their passions with others, and I can’t wait for the next album.

I always sign off my reviews by telling my readers to open their minds, and with Bruise this is more important than ever. The name is deceiving, but once you take that first listen, you won’t be disappointed.

∞Ashley L. Pieciak∞
Music is life. No music = No life
Educate yourself and open your mind.

Bruise - "Little Victories"

Review by Mac MacLaren, Editor, Lemonrock Gig Guide, January 2011.

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Bruise - an iconic, quirky duo with lasting pop appeal, do, perhaps, what it says on the, er, CD case.

Let me explain. On hearing the first track, "Emilie", you are suddenly struck - not with anything physical - but by sounds, ideas, words, that leave a lasting mark. After the first listen, you may find yourself observing the mark, and remembering how you got it. But unlike a physical bruise, this one may not fade. Instead you'll want to re-immerse yourself, and you will be rewarded not by pain, but by pleasure - feelings of recognition, safety, belonging. Bruise songs can do this because they are exceptional songs. "Emilie" takes an innocent chord progression and weaves in a moving backdrop of instantly pleasing melodies and musical textures, and it's done with skill, flair, and astonishing energy.

Tonally, Isobel Morris is vaguely reminiscent of Natalie Marchant (10,000 Maniacs), Annie Lennox, or a turbo-charged Heidi Berry perhaps... but is instantly recognisable as the voice of Bruise: gentle, tremeloed, compelling, breathy, vital.

Track 2, "The Prize", has me shaking my head, again. I know this song so well, but I have only heard it twice. Sparsely arranged, packed with words that trip you up with their phrasing, it's another example of understated production, allowing the song to reach out and jostle you with a big wink.

"Jennifer", a bitter warning to both parties involved in a flirtation assault, has a great vocal harmony hook, and perfect measures of synth sounds and sequenced riffs. By now, you will have realised that there's no fat on these bones - just layer upon layer of musical goodness.

"The Northern Line" shows how a song can be so melodically simple and yet so effective - a breezily paced, multi-harmonied, chugging pop gem.

"Little Victories", starting with nothing more than a guitar and a shakey-egg, reminds us of Isobel's ability to shape words into imploring phrases packed with imagery; I see the couple in the story, holding hands - probably on a packed tube carriage on the Northern Line - silently hating and loving each other while they peek a glimpse of someone's Metro journal. These songs stick in your mind.

"Three Ravens", the only non-original track, is a haunting production that fuses folk with rock and electronica, suggesting that Jim Kimberley's production ideas know no bounds.

Bruise songs are not pure pop: the jangly, alt-tuned guitars and discordant vocal harmonies veer some songs off towards the jazz sphere, but Jim's multi-tasking mixing techniques also make you ask yourself at times: "is this dance music, or alt-emo, or grunge?"

Like me, you shouldn't worry about categorisation, but allow yourself the luxury of an hour in which you can indulge in some of the most original, melodic, accessible and engaging modern music you're likely to hear this year. Highly recommended listening.

Bruise – Little Victories (Pop la Disque)
A bruise is a painful experience, discolours the flesh, and takes a while to heal. Listen to this album and all of the (almost) exact opposites are on show for you. It is totally painless (agonizingly good, in fact), a purple patch of music that immediately hits you with its unique take on all things, from down and dirty to wonderfully caring. This is quality music, and is as easy to love as your pet cat, even when the tail swishes and the claws are out. The lyrics range from a deceptive simplicity (as on “The Northern Line”: “I’m just ten minutes on the Northern Line… Don’t waste your time… I’m just ten minutes on the Northern line”) to “How Lucky”, a story about being betrayed by the lies of a male lover: “It’s all fine, fine… Until your heart breaks… And then you have to admit… That your greatest mistake was pretending his lies were real”.
The album just purrs along, until the penultimate track, “Three Ravens”, a faux folk song that doesn’t really work, and doesn’t fit the overall mood, either.
These sharp and detailed messages are delivered with a fine vocal dexterity by the duo, although for the most art it is Isobel Morris who does the lion’s share (or should that be lioness?). Whatever the mood, the tempo, the backing, the voices blend quite beautifully, and the two aforementioned tracks are probably the highlights in a very well lit set.
One ‘Bruise’ then, that gives no discomfort at all, and is very likely to spread.
www.myspace.com/bruiseuk
Kev A.
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