Great New Roots Gigs On The Way!! Tues 14 May to Weds 22 May – Tickets, Details, Videos…
Hi folks- we’ve got a choc-a-bloc 10 days coming up for you, with some amazing gigs on the way. On Tues 14 Dublin rocker Stefan Murphy comes to the Slaughtered Lamb, with support from Rob Corcoran and Ciaran Dwyer. Weds 15 May sees New Roots at Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston for a sold-out Sam Brookes show, and on Thursday 16th we’re at The Green Note in Camden for James Riley and his 4 piece band, with support from Our Man In The Field. We de-camp to The Harrison on the 17th & 18th for a Valeria Pozzo (trio) and Hugo M Hardy (trio) double-bill on Friday night 17th, followed by a brilliant New Roots Sessions triple-bill on Sat 18th with Samantha Whates, MG Boulter and Genevieve Dawson. On Monday 20th we’re at The Slaughtered Lamb for TURYA‘s ‘Echo’ EP launch, with support from Gus White, and we round off an incredible ten days on Weds 22 with the sublime Firefly Burning, as they launch their brilliant new ‘Breathe Shallow’ album at the beautiful St Pancras Old Church in Kings Cross. All details in the bulletin below, with lots more fantastic New Roots gigs for June & July up now on the website. Dive in!
Visit the New Roots website for allJune / July dates: www.newrootsevents.com
Listen to New Roots Radio: https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioNewRoots/
Tues 14 May: Stefan Murphy & The Athletes of Soul with support from Rob Corcoran / Ciaran Dwyer
The Slaughtered Lamb,
34-35 Great Sutton St, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 0DX
Ph: 020 7253 1516
10.00 adv BUY NOW / 12.00 door
Nearest tube Farringdon, 8 mins walk DIRECTIONS
Doors open 7.30 pm. Music from 8.15 pm sharp.
Stefan Murphy & The Athletes Of Soul is a collaborative concept from long-time, much respected Dublin rocker Stefan Murphy (The Might Stef, Count Vaseline). To date Athletes of Soul have included members of Black Angels, The Germs, Ariel Pink, The Pogues, Reigning Sound, Ash, Altered Images, One Dove, Fontaines DC, Badlands and The Republic Of Loose. Across his career Stevan Murphy has shared bills and tours with Jonathan Richman, The Fall, Black Lips, King Khan, Happy Mondays, Television Personalities, Jeffrey Lewis, Dead Boys, Alice Cooper, The Boomtown Rats, Rancid, The Stooges, Queens Of The Stoneage, Arcade Fire, and the Libertines to name but a few….Expect soulful roots-rock and garage-soul shot through with pure punk attitude.
Weds 15 May: Sold Out! Sam Brookes with support from Genevieve Dawson
Servant Jazz Quarters
10A Bradbury St, Dalston, London N16 8JN
Ph: 020 7684 8411
10.00 adv BUY NOW / 12.00 door
Nearest train station Dalston Kingsland, 2 mins walk DIRECTIONS
Doors open 7.30 pm. Music from 8.15 pm sharp.
Sam Brookes is reminiscent of Tim Buckley as he glides between the lower and upper registers of his four-octave range. His pure voice, evocative lyrics and soaring melodies have made him a rising figure in the alt-folk scene.
Inspired by the British and American folk revivalists of the 60’s, a sixteen-year-old Brookes began to write and perform while training as a gilder in his late father’s workshop. By his mid-twenties, Brookes had begun to receive serious critical recognition, his self-released album, Kairos, being acclaimed by The Independent as one of the stand-out records of 2014. Now in demand as a vocalist and collaborator, the long list of artists Brookes has worked with includes Scott Matthews, Lucy Rose, Newton Faulkner and Basement Jaxx.
Tempus, released 3rd May, sees Sam rework Kairos’s most arresting, intimate songs into richly layered acoustic versions with the help of producer Laurence Love Greed and some of the UK’s finest session players. This Tempus tour will see Sam performing a very special set of intimate duo shows with voice, guitar and piano.
“he excels at propulsive, narratively rich folk, delivered in a soaring, clear-as-a-bell singing voice” – The Sunday Times
“there are vast emotional reserves at work” – The Independent
“a stunning work on so many levels” – Folk Radio
Thurs 16 May: James Riley (Full Band Show) / Our Man In The Field
The Green Note
106 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1 7AN
Ph 020 7485 9899
10.00 adv BUY NOW / 12.00 Door
Nearest tube Camden, 2 mins walk DIRECTIONS
Doors open 7.00 pm, music form 8.15 pm sharp.
Anglo-American and raised in London, singer-songwriter James Riley followed his roots back to Nashville in 2015, where he met Grammy-winning producer Matthew Odmark. The result is the brilliant debut album Transatlantica, brimming with urgent, unguarded honesty.
Rileys distinctive contemporary roots music walks a fine line between timeless songcraft and soulful, modern vibrancy, all delivered with a strikingly candid folk voice. Since returning to the UK, James has been building towards the release of the Transatlantica album; putting out teaser singles, creating cinematic music videos, and performing at a slew of live shows and festivals. Highlights include Glastonbury, Wilderness, Shrewsbury Folk Festival and Maverick – and heads have begun turning. The past 18 months have seen James nominated for 4 UK music awards, national TV and radio coverage, and international tours on both sides of the Atlantic. The start of 2019 marks the threshold of an exciting new chapter for this transatlantic songsmith, and a long-awaited opportunity to share with the world the fruits of a hard-won musical journey. James Riley is an artist ready to hit his stride over the next twelve months.
‘[James Riley is] awesome….. like the Allman Brothers meets the Seeger Sessions’ Laura Marling
‘One of my highlights of the year’ Verity Sharp, Late Junction, BBC Radio 3
You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve heard Our Man The Field somewhere before. He records live with his band just like the best of his influences; Neil Young, Van Morrison, Credence Clearwater Revival, Ryan Adams and Wilco. His own sound is undefinable but familiar and has been compared to modern day artists such as Ray LaMontagne, Damien Rice, Foy Vance and Joe Purdy.
Fri 17 May: Valeria Pozzo (trio) / Hugo M. Hardy (trio)
The Harrison,
28 Harrison Street, Kings Cross, WC1H 8JF.
Ph: 020 7278 3966
7.00 adv BUY NOW / 8.50 door
Nearest tube Kings Cross, 5 mins walk DIRECTIONS
Doors open 7.30 pm. Music from 8.00 pm sharp.
After years of playing in various bands, working on records with David Gray, Caro and more, and sharing studios with members of Elbow, Hugo M. Hardy’slatest musical incarnation is an exploration to the core of his evocative songwriting. After losing loved ones and moving away from a familiar home, Hugo locked himself away in the French Alps with nothing but a guitar, a laptop, and music from Kanye, Sufjan Stevens and James Blake. By the time he brought himself back to the UK, he realised that he had written and recorded his debut album. A combination of off kilter, acoustic and electronic production alongside thought-provoking, introspective lyrics create an atmosphere that has been likened to Elliott Smith, Bon Iver and The Microphones.
WATCH HUGO M HARDY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-ha4NV5Hzc
Italian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Valeria Pozzo grew up surrounded by music. Classically trained in violin at the Venice Conservatory “Benedetto Marcello”, Valeria has been playing the professionally since a young age. In 2011 she relocated to London, going on to work with The Neil Cowley Trio, Antonio Forcione, ESKA, Nick Zinner, Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker, Rhys Lewis & The Relics, and Your Correspondent, with live performances at The Barbican, The Royal Festival Hall, The Purcell Room and on BBC Introducing. In February 2014 she released her debut EP ‘Here I live and Breathe’ collaborating with the Italian producer Marco Anzovino and songwriter Samantha Jones. Since the release of her album, she has been gigging regularly in the UK, in Italy, in Belgium and Spain.
WATCH VALERIA POZZO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WNwFBtCiMw
Sat 18 May: THE NEW ROOTS SESSIONS Samantha Whates / MG Boulter / Genevieve Dawson
The Harrison,
28 Harrison Street, Kings Cross, WC1H 8JF.
Ph: 020 7278 3966
8.50 adv BUY NOW / 10.00 door
Nearest tube Kings Cross, 5 mins walk DIRECTIONS
Doors open 7.30 pm. Music from 8.00 pm sharp
New Roots presents THE NEW ROOTS SESSIONS, a series of Friday and Saturday night events at the Harrison in Kings Cross featuring three superb headline solo artists on a triple-bill. Fully seated, tickets limited to 40 only- advance purchase advised.
MUSIC FROM 8.00 PM SHARP.
Scottish singer-songwriter and Rough Trade Records recording artist Samantha Whates is a hugely respected figure on the London roots scene. Her beautifully crafted, poetic songs retain a strong affinity with her Scottish roots, cultivating a sound that is thoroughly contemporary, rooted in tradition, yet uniquely her own. She recently formed new Rough Trade Records signings Picapica with her long time friend and collaborator Josienne Clarke, winner of the prestigious Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015. Her debut album Dark Nights Make For Brighter Days has been enjoyed both critical acclaim and extensive radio play (BBC 6 Music, KCRW, Resonance FM).
M G Boulter is a singer and songwriter living on the coast of the Thames Estuary, England. Releasing his debut album in Spring 2012 under the name The Whispering Pines, Boulter has been an integral member of leading UK Americana band The Lucky Strikes since 2007, starting out on bass before switching to guitar and vocals, as well as penning much of their material. Since accompanying Simone Felice (The Felice Brothers) on various dates including a prestigious Green Man Festival headline set in 2011, Boulter has become a full member of The Simone Felice Band, touring the US and UK, also opening shows as solo performer. As a much sought after pedal steel and guitar player he has also worked with Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Mumford & Sons, Emily Portman’s Coracle Band and Blue Rose Code.
“Gorgeous, in a word” ★ ★ ★ ★ Uncut
“Highly recommended” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Independent on Sunday
“Lovely.. ” ★ ★ ★ ★ Mojo
“Brings freshness to songwriting” ★ ★ ★ ★ Telegraph
“The best of 2016, no contest” ★ ★ ★ ★ The Morning Star
Genevieve Dawson is a singer-songwriter originally from Edinburgh, now based in South-East London. Bringing together a frank lyrical style with a wonderfully rich and soulful tone, her sophisticated sound pulls influence from jazz and folk in equal measure. She has recently completed studies in composition at Goldsmiths University of London, following in the footsteps of James Blake and Rosie Lowe, amongst many other esteemed alumni.
‘ [She] blends folk-roots with spicy infusions of off-kilter improvisation and ambitiously ambiguous harmony. Genevieve’s take is not unlike that of Hejira-era Joni Mitchell- her songwriting knows no upper bounds…see her at any opportunity you get’ Bittersweet Symphonies.
Mon 20 May: TURYA ‘Echo’ EP Launch with support from Gus White
The Slaughtered Lamb,
34-35 Great Sutton St, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 0DX
Ph: 020 7253 1516
10.00 adv BUY NOW / 12.00 door
Nearest tube Farringdon, 8 mins walk DIRECTIONS
Doors open 7.30 pm. Music from 8.15 pm sharp.
Nicki Wells, the exceptionally gifted singer and songwriter behind TURYA,takes inspiration from Indian classical music, which she studied throughout her teenage years in India. The name comes from Turiya, a Sanskrit word, meaning a state of pure consciousness, the silence experienced after sound. This influence is evident throughout her Nitin Sawhney produced debut album ‘Ocean’, and her brand new ‘Echo’ EP. TURYA’s uniquely original sound fuses elements of Western folk, roots and pop with classical Indian foundations.
Growing up in a small village in Wiltshire, Gus White began his career as a choir boy, discovering his passion for music at an early age. He studied Sonic Arts at Queen’s University Belfast and Popular Music at Goldsmiths University of London. He has been greatly influenced by folk artists such as Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake, and by the countryside in which he grew up, contributing to his particularly English and pastoral sound.
Weds 22 May: Firefly Burning ‘Breathe Shallow’ Album Launch with support from Samantha Whates
St Pancras Old Church,
Pancras Rd, Kings Cross NW1 1UL
12.00 adv BUY NOW / 15.00 door
Nearest tube Kings Cross 7 mins walk DIRECTIONS
Doors open 7.30 pm. Music from 8.15 pm sharp.
Firefly Burning launch their much-anticipated new album “Breath Shallow’ at London’s iconic St Pancras Old Church venue. ‘Breathe Shallow’ is a full-hearted expression of the 5-piece band’s distinctive minimalist art-folk featuring nine new songs that map the terrain of what it is to love and lose.
Written and recorded amid the reed beds and salt marshes of coastal Suffolk, in residence at Snape Maltings, the album marks the band’s return to the studio after 2015’s acclaimed ‘Skeleton Hill’. Together with legendary producer Tim Friese-Greene (Talk Talk) and engineer Joe Peet, they devised a hybrid ‘almost-live’ recording process, enabling them to distil onto tape the crisp intricacy and crystalline energy of their live sound.
Drawing on avant-pop, alt-folk, classical minimalism and Javanese Gamelan, Firefly Burning’s sound is “fresh, original and often audacious” (Mojo). For ‘Breathe Shallow’, the line-up has been augmented by bass synth and kick-drum, offsetting strings and vocal harmonies with a muscular momentum.
Borne out of a two year collaboration with Tim Friese-Greene ‘Skeleton Hill’ (2015), Firefly Burning’s second album, garnered critical success for its rich tapestry and originality. The band followed up the album launch with a UK tour supported by Arts Council England. In 2017 Firefly Burning developed a covers project with filmmaker Fred MacGregor, and in 2018 collaborated on a songwriting residency with emerging musicians at Brighter Sounds in Manchester.
“strange but soaring, dense but addictive…for anybody who wishes Kate Bush were a bit more arty or Steve Reich were a lot more folky” – The Times
“fresh, original and often audacious…old and futuristic at the same time” – Mojo
“Flecks of Gentle Giant, Joni Mitchell and Fleet Foxes…a contemporary folk album with art-prog leanings: if Bjork got into ‘The Wicker Man’ it’d be almost as unintentionally spooky as this… Cleansing” – Prog
“vital and indefinable”– For Folks Sake
“utterly hypnotic… intoxicating, beautiful and affirming” – Matchbox
Coming up in June:
Weds 5 June: Three Cane Whale The Slaughtered Lamb, Clerkenwell
★★★★★ FRoots Magazine ★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Independent On Sunday ★★★★ Songlines Magazine ★★★★The Mail On Sunday .TICKETS & DETAILS
Fri 7 June: Catherine Rudie & The Kisses / Sephine Llo at The Harrison, Kings Cross
‘We’re predicting big things in the year to come’. The Late Junction, BBC Radio 3 ‘Ones to Watch’ Edition TICKETS & DETAILS
Sat 15 June: The New Roots Sessions – Josienne Clarke, Benedict Benjamin,. Robert Chaney at The Harrison, Kings Cross
‘Extraordinary’ MOJO. ‘Exquisite’ The Observer. ‘..a voice that can trickle back over centuries’ Cerys Matthews, BBC 6 Music
Tickets released on May 19th – please see http://www.wegottickets.com from that date onwards.
Thurs 20 June: Findlay Brown at The Green Note
‘a rich-voiced master songwriter’ The Guardian / “Set’s the benchmark for gorgeous troubadour folk” MOJO / “A kaleidoscopic, nostalgic vision.” Interview Magazine. TICKETS & DETAILS
Sat 22 June: The Longest Day Festival at The Betsey Trotwood, Clerkenwell
A festival of UK alt-folk & contemporary roots music. 20 acts, 3 stages, £10 entrance, 3.00 pm until midnight.
TICKETS & DETAILS
That’s all from New Roots for now– if there’s anything more you’d like to know please drop me an email to newrootsevents@gmail.com. Cheers! Rory.
New Roots 