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!
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