As well as being quite the violin player, Barbara is also big into her photography. Here are some shots she took a while back of a rehearsal we had on the roof of my studio.
kelvedon
On friday I had the best gig of my life, hands down. Nice to know after all these years and all these venues there are still gems to be discovered.
The venue is called The Institute and is in a old village in Essex called Kelvedon. The website can be found here – http://www.liveattheinstitute.co.uk/
Barbara and I were supporting Dan Raza, who incidentally got his first gig at the venue when I had to pull out due to illness last summer. He rocked their world so much they invited him back to headline with me as support.
Thanks to Matt Hill AKA quiet loner for the black and white photo below.
the golden hour show
I have just about recovered from my little jaunt up to Scotland – first time I have left Hackney in ages!
Above is the poster from ‘The Golden Hour’, the night I played in Edinburgh, and there was a lady called Julia Sanches in the audience who took some pretty good snaps:
you can see the full album on her flickr account here – http://www.flickr.com/photos/14221047@N07/page2/
‘welcome to modifythevan’ compilation
Two of my songs, ‘These Days’ and ‘Shakes And Shudders’ are featured on the ‘welcome to modifythevan’ compilation just released by my label modifythevan. You can hear and download it from Jamendo – http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/39356.
With beautiful cover art by Caitlin Hinshelwood and featuring the music of Blue Swerver, Madelaine Hart, Jonny Berliner and Richard Godwin, it is well worth a listen if you want to discover some great new artists.
golden brown
[audio:https://www.robingrey.com/mp3/goldenbrown.mp3|autostart=no]
Last month I spent another day recording with the wonderful Dean Firth but this time I brought some friends along.
My favourite take of the day was this cover of ‘Golden Brown’ by The Stranglers which I have uploaded for your listening pleasure here – https://www.robingrey.com/mp3/goldenbrown.mp3
I am hoping to do much more live recording work like this. Capturing a live performance with an ensemble is such a different experience to over dubbing instruments in my little studio!
Christian Lewcock – Percussion and Backing Vocals
Iain Macleod – Banjo and Backing Vocals
Barbara Bartz – Violin
Dean Firth – Electric Bass
the last show of the year
I have my last show of the year this thursday at Iktoms in Camden – my twelfth performance in two years for the brilliant Kevin Molloy. There will be music, lego, banjo, sweets, violin and colouring pens and pencils as well as a secret guest whose name cannot be advertised due to another high profile show… what what.
Thursday, November 20 from 8:30pm
The Liberties Bar, 100 Camden High Street, Camden, London, NW1 0LU
http://www.myspace.com/iktoms
After this show I am going into a cave to plot my next album which currently looks like it might be recorded in a farm house in Tuscany next easter if I am a good boy.
Kevin put together compilation cd of iktoms artists recently which featured ‘The Finchley Waltz’ – I am not sure how you can get hold of one but I am sure if you poke him on thursday he will have some on him – it is a great listen, featuring loads of my favourite artists.