Sat 14
Blueswamp Southern
£5
plus acoustic set
www.myspace.com/blueswampsouthern
Blueswamp Southern germinated in 2005 when Bob Dayfield started having his boy along to play bass for some acoustic blues. On a couple of occasions Al Shotter joined in on the harmonica, and not long after, a full band was forming. Now also consisting of Nick Hough on extra guitars, Geoff Bates on vocals and percussion, and drum help from Gordy Taylor and the enigmatic Jimbo, Blueswamp Southern have an electric and an acoustic act that has garnered all sorts of people liking them, even people who don't like things.
Tue 17
Mazarine Blue
£4
plus support
www.myspace.com/mazarineblueband
Mazarine Blue (comprised of singer-songwriter Gordon King, formerly of Father Hen) are an Americana influenced alternative rock band. Described as if "Merle Haggard joined the Velvet Underground", Mazarine Blue's music veers between ethereal and delicate love songs to primal, almost unhinged rock. Drawing on their eclectic influences, and on the back of recording their soon to be released debut album and currently working on a project with various international film directors, Mazarine Blue offer something exciting and rewarding as a live band and on record.
Wed 18
Derrin Nauendorf
£7
plus Tony Alles
www.derrinnauendorf.com
Renowned for his intense live shows and raw emotive music, Derrin Nauendorf’s music is hard to categorise,made up from many roots styles, blues, folk and Americana. Untamed acoustic guitar, cutting lyrics, a powerful, evocative voice and honest songs, delivered with passion, but twisted to a unique sound. “First impressions? One Australian guy with an acoustic guitar and his mate with a homemade drum kit. What would you think? Me too. I then listened to this live album and Derrin, guitar, sidekick and drums proceeded to blow me away.” – David Blue, Net Rhythms.
Thu 19
Edwina Hayes
£8adv £10door
plus Carissa Lee Broadwater and Mark Wynn
www.edwinahayes.com
"A very talented young lady" - Michael Parkinson
"A wonderful young woman, so gifted and full of song, with a voice as sweet as the angels" - Nanci Griffith
"Like a soft blanket" - Perez Hilton
"Haunting honeyed solo songwriter" - The Guardian
"Haunting vocals" - Time Out
"A true pleasure watching and listening to this talent at work" - Virgin Radio
Fri 20
Dawson Smith
TOOK THE NIGHT Album Launch
Dawson Smith & The Dissenters
£5 (refunded if you purchase an album!)
plus Mick Ridgway's Mojo Hand
With guest artists featured on the album including Sally Barker, Mick Ridgway, Lee Spreadbury, Caroline O'Donnell and the Mexicali Brass.
www.dawsonsmith.com
www.annsonrecords.co.uk
Roots-rock troubadour Dawson Smith releases his new studio album 'Took The Night' at a special album launch gig here at the Musician. Expect hard-rocking bar room blues, Americana and some classic rock & roll, courtesy of his band the Dissenters, featuring the red hot Howard Smith on lead and slide guitar, Steve Cooke on bass and Graham Summers on drums. Come down and join in the fun of what should be an album launch party to remember!
Sun 22
The 8th Annual Prostaid Jazz Bash
£10
feat. The Welland Valley Stompers, The New Orlean Hot Shots, Andrew Hall's Memories of New Orleans, Steve Fearn & Friends and The Lazy Alligators.
Daytime show (Mid-day til 6pm)
www.prostaid.co.uk
Also featuring raffle and refreshments.
In memory of Dave Rae.
Tue 24
Horus Music presents...
Grace And The Magic Roots
£5
plus Nancy Dawkins, Weikie and Scott Adams
www.graceandthemagicroots.comli.com
With their magical, captivating energy Grace & the Magic Roots bring a youthful and diverse sound to traditional inspired folk music. Full of dimensional variations, twisting time signatures, and haunting melodies, the songs are rich with layers of intertwining instrumentation, drawing on influence from roots reggae, klezmer, and good old English folk.
Grace's stories on subjects such as Scottish witches and the Devil are underpinned by the dynamic pulse of the musical accompaniment; Jennie on fiddle, Baz on guitar and Lawrence on cello.
Weaving tunes with the warp of folk tales into the weft of Grace's own joy and fear, this Leicester based acoustic string quartet will leave you feeling somewhat bewildered, and mystifyed.
Wed 25
The Toy Hearts
£6adv £7door
plus Rebecca Pronsky
www.thetoyhearts.com
www.rebeccapronsky.com
The Toy Hearts are one of the UK’s hottest acoustic acts right now, their style of music neatly placing them at the forefront of the resurgence of interest in folk and Americana music. 2010 saw this hard working band touring across the UK, Europe and the USA. The culmination of their work so far being the national release of their third album ‘Femme Fatale’ in September, which was recorded in Nashville TN earlier in the year. Fronted by sisters Hannah (mandolin) and Sophia (guitar), accompanied by banjo/dobro, bass and fiddle, the band draws upon the genres of Bluegrass, Western Swing and Gypsy Jazz for inspiration. By combining original songwriting, sweet sister harmonies, hard driving rhythms and energetic performances, The Toy Hearts have developed a truly unique sound that leaves their audiences breathless and ready for more!
Thu 26
Alejandro Toledo & The Magic Tombolinos
£7adv £9door
plus guests
www.magictombolinos.co.uk
The Magic Tombolinos, fronted by the charismatic Argentine – Alejandro Toledo, seem to have come from out of nowhere, not only storming the world music scene, but bursting its banks in the process and leaving audiences breathless, elated and shouting for more!
With members hailing from Italy, Portugal and Costa Rica (in addition to Argentina), the group have woven together a cohesive, lithe and exuberant sound, despite their varied musical backgrounds. Elements of Balkan, gypsy, jazz and flamenco music (all performed with an assured swagger), coupled with their energetic off-the-scale live shows, have invited comparisons to bands such as Gogol Bordello, Mano Negra (Manu Chao), Rodrigo y Gabriela and Fanfare Ciocarlia.
“They don’t do energetic, they do nuclear!” - Rob Brydon
“Be sure to catch them live, and bring your dancing shoes” - Songlines
For more info visit www.magic-teapot.co.uk or www.liveinleicester.net
Sun 29
Blue Rose Code
£5adv £6door
plus Jinwoo and Theo Miller
www.myspace.com/bluerosecode
From Edinburgh and Durban (SA), via the Isle Of Lewis and Bethnal Green come London alt-folk 3-piece, Blue Rose Code, with a growing legion of fans that includes Lou Rhodes, James Yuill and Polly Paulusma.
Imagine a younger Van Morrison gone down tempo after being shipwrecked on a remote Scottish islet with only Chet Baker, John Martyn and a few classic albums for company. Then imagine him thrust straight into the chaos and hubbub of East London and you could come close to the yearning songs, distinctively Celtic tones and timeless melodies of Blue Rose Code.
"Self-styled ‘Caledonian soul’ from Blue Rose Code, who flash the influences of Van Morrison and John Martyn and add subtle jazz notes."- TIME OUT
For more info visit www.liveinleicester.netor www.magic-teapot.co.uk
ALL TICKETS: http://www.themusicianpub.co.uk/
