YMC chats with JON GOMM

Yorkshire Music Collective caught up with Jon Gomm before he embarked on his Autumn tour.


YMC: I think you have a very busy schedule ahead


JG: That's right, I'm releasing some singles and have booked a lot of gigs right up to about the middle of December, we'll be finishing it in Germany and will be playing in England, Scotland, Italy and Germany, so we are going to be all over the place and I'm really looking forward to it because I love touring.


YMC: I think you've already been touring in Europe this year?


JG: Yes, that's right it was mostly in the spring, I did Italy, Germany, which I'm doing again, Austria and Holland and various things around the UK so I've been really busy this year.


YMC: How did the European tour go, what would you say were the highlights?


JG: For me its just the travelling and the adventues, I wouldn't want to pick out one specific gig. For me its getting to know different cultures and getting to know different people and what they expect from a gig, some of them are easy. Germany is so easy, its probably different for different artists but for me I find performing to German audiences really easy because there are two kinds of German audiences in my experience, in the North audiences are quite quiet and the first gig I did, everyone was really quiet and I said to the promoter I don't think they really liked it did they and he said oh yes they loved it believe me, they just didn't react much but we sold so many CD's at that gig and then in Bavaria its the opposite its like playing in a pub in England, so people tend to drink a lot and get quite rowdy but they're a lot more appreciative than your standard pub, there are some great pubs in England to play in, but in Germany people pay to get in which doesn't always happen in your standard pub in England, and they just really get involved with the music and they just love it, so yes, some countries take more getting used to but its all a learning experience.


YMC: When I've talked to bands in the past they say you get treat a lot better in Europe, do you think this is the case?


JG: Well if you play in big city venues its probably about the same anywhere, but in smaller venues definitely, they're just more likely to expect that they have to feed you or they might have to put you up somewhere but you have to remember if you're from England and you're playing overseas then its more exciting for them because Britain in general is known as a place for music and as a place where musicians come from so if you go overseas you get a little bit of respect that you might not actually deserve because you haven't played yet. It does work both ways too, venues expect you to play a certain way a lot of the bands I know that play around the UK tend to treat it as a rock and roll experience and get wasted and stuff, which I've never been into doing at gigs, its part of the gig experience for some bands and fans in the UK  but it doesn't 
really happen so much in other countries and the venues will just think you're idiots, so you should be really careful with that.


YMC: You are also releasing a series of singles?




JG: It starts on September the 28th with the release of Passionflower. The project is called the Domestic Science series because all the singles are recorded at home, there is a piece of artwork with each one which I did, you can see all my paints here in the studio. The singles are only going to be mp3, there are no CDs, and are only going to be available on my website. It's funny because bands always say you have to be on Itunes and Amazon, because then you're something. It's incredibly easy to get your music on Itunes but I see my sales on Itunes at the end of the month and if I sell an album for 8 pounds then I'll get about 4 pounds, which is OK but why do they get so much because nobody is going on Itunes and browsing around and going I'll try Jon Gomm, I've never heard of him, they are going to Itunes and to buy my music, so why not get them to come to my website I can sell it cheaper and keep all the money, so everybody wins. The are pay what you want, you can pay zero if you want and a percentage goes to a children's home in Kenya which my mother works for. If you still want something physical you can buy a postcard from the website or a gig, it has the painting I did on one side and the lyrics on the other and a download code for the mp3. Its just fun really its not trying to be unique or gimmicky about how you sell music. I just thought it would be fun for me to to something a bit different from just making a CD. I like doing singles, its less stressful doing one song at a time.


YMC: How many have you planned to do?


JG: We're doing four, we might do five and see how it goes, its not dependent on sales, it depends how it goes for us really because if we find its taking a huge amount of work to get the single launched and do the promotion work we might be a bit knackered and may leave it at four. Then at some point next year I will do another album which may have some of the songs on and new ones as well. For me its just a bit of an experiment and hopefully it will be an experiment for people who buy music too, it might be a different way for them to listen to and buy music. 


YMC: Are you releasing the tabs with it too?


JG: Yes that's right, with each song there is going to be the guitar transcription, again its harking back to the old ways of releasing music so nowadays everyone does albums but in the heyday of popular music it was all 
about singles, then you released an album with them all on. To me that's really fun because instead of getting an album and having to digest all of it you can just get a little bit of it and you can digest it easily and really get into that one song, and then before that even people had to buy the sheet music and learn to play it themselves and gather round the piano in the drawing room if you were rich or in the pub if you weren't and all sing it and that's how people consumed music. So, I'm going to put on my website the actual proper version that I play, which to be honest there will only be really serious guitarists who want to try that because its quite difficult .


YMC: I was just thinking I can imagine people sitting round the pub playing guitar but can't imagine many Jon Gomms!


JG: That's true so there will be a regular easy version, just the chords so hopefully anyone who knows chords will be able to play it.


YMC: You recently had a redesign of your website and asked your fans to choose the design.


JG: Yes, in addition to people voting we also had a lot of useful comments about things people wanted to see on the website and there are also a lot of clever people out there who gave suggestions about the design, so it was incredibly helpful, since then I've just been doing it all the time. I've just done it today in fact because we're sending out songs to radio stations so I just go on facebook and twitter and put please can you tell me what radio stations might be interested in playing my music and people just come on and give me great ideas for radio stations I've never heard of or DJs I've never heard of, so they'll all now be getting my music it would be insane of me not to use this resource.


YMC: I think its one of the best things about the music, you have a downside with people taking music for free but its a lot easier to communicate and get you music out to more people


JG: Definitely, to me its about communicating with people who are interested in music in the same way that I am or just interested in my music and the thing about taking music for free to me its not that big a deal, it used to be I used to think it was a bad thing but I'm not so sure it is any more, I don't really mind the idea of people downloading my music for free but I'd much rather they did it from my website instead of listening for free on spotify or an illegal download site because on my website you can choose to download it for free or pay for it. Its being given a choice of stealing something or getting it for free legitimately or paying but its your choice. A lot of times people who use file sharing are doing it in a positive way its not about stealing stuff, some people are sharing because they want people to see what's so good about it.


YMC: Well to a certain extent I think that's always existed, I used to do mix tapes when I was at school to give to my best friends to share what I was listening to.


JG: There are a couple of people who still do me mix tapes, or CDs nowadays, they just burn me a load of stuff they think I'll like or want me to listen to. Leeds poet Johnny Solstice does that, he burns me CDs and they get me through some dark times. Mixtapes are fun, I used to give them to girls when I was a kid as a romantic gesture.


YMC: You have a gig coming up in Leeds soon?


JG: Yes on the 29th October at The Wardrobe, a Leeds Guitar night, its me and a guy called Erik Mongrain who's from Quebec and he's pretty well known, he does this style where he puts the guitar on his lap and taps the strings, he invented that style thats now become quite popular and he's been on Jools Holland and hopefully lots of people will have heard of him and come along and a guy called Giuliano Modarelli from Italy and he's doing some Indian influenced stuff and some jazz influenced too. He's an extraordinar musician, he soaks up influences from around the world like a sponge and I do that but I just scratch the surface of them and I do it like a modern chef, where I'll say I'll give this one kind of an indian vibe or I'll add some thai spices whereas he really gets inside the different cultures and styles and when he plays indian classical music for example its the real thing. It's on guitar and its done by an Italian guy but its absolutely the real thing, it's amazing. That should be a really good night.


The recorded interview is available on the Yorkshire Music Collective show on BCB Radio and also contains an exclusive song by Jon Gomm, click here YMC Show.


Find out more about Jon Gomm on his website.


Michelle Dalgety, Yorkshire Music Collective

KEEP MUSIC LIVE - YMC SEPTEMBER DIARY

Doesn't pretend to be a review as such, just an account of some of the great live music I get to see.


2nd-4th September is Bingley Music Live, I like this festival a great deal, its has a great atmosphere and good line-ups, this year it sold out. I had a press pass for this year, to cover the unsigned bands who were kicking off each day's events.


These are the subjects of separate blogs:


State of Error
Thirteen 16
Geek

Down The Machine

On 8th September went to probably the strangest music event I've been to which was a kind of fashion show with buskers at Harvery Nichols. I'm feeling a tad out of place here and thinking I might go when, wait what's this, Free Beer! Needless to say I'm staying. I catch excellent sets from Steph Stephenson, Jake from Raw Peaches, Down The Machine and The Coopers. Everyone attending has been given some gold coins to give to their favourite buskers as its a kind of battle of the bands thing. It's a very strange night but it's a rather cool setting, with people playing among the clothes. I saw a man dressed in Orange with a matching face, who almost made Down The Machine forget the words.


My original intention had been to go to Mojo's to catch Leeds Indie Radio's Live sessions. This is a really good monthly night, the performances are recorded and played on the radio. I get there very late and slightly worse for wear after large amounts of free beer. I am in time to see Rupert Stroud, who recently sent me his album and I was really pleased to catch him and his band live, thoroughly enjoyed the set.


All the sessions from that night are available from leeds indie radio Leeds Indie Radio

Louise Distras

On Saturday 10th September I helped to organise "Live lounge" in Saltaire, some 20 performers doing acoustic sessions in people's living rooms in Saltaire village. There were four "venues" and we had an amazing day, I spent the morning making sure performers were in place so didn't see too many acts, but I did manage to catch part of Sarah Carey's set and Mr. Gary C's too and I spent the afternoon in the music shop with Matt Bentley, Louise Distras and Miranda vs. The Crok. The lounges were closed at 4pm and we went up to The Countess of Rosse pub where the music continued most of the night, with impromptu sets from several of the days performers. Young rappers Tapestry and JSN ask John the guitarrist from Miranda vs. The Crok if he would play guitar whilst they rapped and it worked a treat. Link to Video


I decide to go into Bradford to catch a couple of performers at the Science Fringe Festival at the Playhouse. I am in time to see a great set from Crosscut Saw, blues band, and Quiet Rebellion (Shaun Hunter).


Sunday 11th I'm at the Northern Monkey first band I catch is Ballyhoo Eventide, a young Bradford band I've not seen before, good set. Next up are The Paper Smiles Leeds/Bradford threesome, they played a very good set, they've not been going that long and I was surprised by how much they have come on. Headline band tonight is Jack's Attic, 5 piece band from Pontefract. Great set as always by these talented lads. Individual talents that bond together perfectly and a great frontman. Good collection of songs.


Wednesday 14th September I'm at Bradford Playhouse for Geek's single launch. They are supported by Wakefield three piece Boxing Club, good solid set from this blues/rock band who are also very good company, great chatting with them too. Geek are dressed in lab coats as their gig is also part of Science week in Bradford. I had liked their set at Bingley but I enjoyed in much more today. They have a good rock sound although they have one guitar and keyboards and some good harmonies going on as they all provide backing vocals and the guitarrist and bassist alternative main vocals. Good set.

Kascarade

Thursday 15th I'm back in the playhouse to see an intimate gig from Kascarade. The support act is Ed Stones, its his first gig and he does a good job. This is followed by an acoustic set from Kascarade, the songs have a really different feel and with all 5 singing this sounds amazing. Looking forward to their full electric gig in a few weeks time.


Friday the 16th I'm at Cockpit to see Redwire. They are supported by The Artists a young Leeds band who have just released their second EP. I've not seen this band since the Centre Stage heats and am really surprised just how much they have improved, they play a very good set, ones to watch indeed. They are followed by Skint and Demoralised, 5 piece Wakefield band. I really like these, they have everything, great lyrics, catchy tunes, good stage presence. Really glad they are beginning to enjoy some success again. It's been pretty busy all night but now the place is rammed as Redwire comes on stage. All the Redwire faithful are out tonight and its a great atmosphere, one that Redwire really bounce off. Great set of old and new songs - though I notice the fans know all the words to the new ones too. Everyone is bouncing around and the set seems finished in no time, shame there is a curfew at the Cockpit as I have a feeling everyone would party all night.

Kevin Critchley Outfit

On Saturday 17th, I'm at The Well to see four Liverpool bands at a gig organised by Liverpool Bands page. It's a shame there aren't too many there as there are four talented bands, and its nice to see some new faces on stage for a change. The first band on is The James Whitehouse Band, bluesy/rock band, really enjoyed this set, great playing and some nice harmonies too. They are followed by The Kevin Critchley Outfit who I also enjoy a great deal. These are an acoustic rock band, they also have violin and cello. The last band I see on this night are The Trestles, another very good band.


Wednesday 21st off to a new night at The Library called Culture Shock. Great line-up for the first night. I get there around 8, supposed starting time, but the first act doesn't go on till about 9. It's worth the wait though because its Louise Distras who never disappoints and always wins a few new fans wherever she goes. Next up is New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack, the last few times I've seen them they've done an acoustic set and I'm looking forward to seeing a full band again. The new drummer seems to fit in perfectly, and the trio power out a great set of psychedelic rock. The Mexanines have arrived late and announce they are only going to play 4 songs tonight but by this time I have to go in any case to make it into town for the last train home. I don't think I'm the only person who needs to be home in decent time on a week night, something maybe promoters should consider when arranging nights. I'm sorry to miss Sharp Darts but will be seeing them at the weekend.

The Yalla Yallas

Thursday 22nd, its Bad Brains night at the Carpe Diem, always a good night of "punk and roll". First band is The Human Project, not seen these before but dead impressed. All four band members provide vocals so although they have a powerful sound with a lot of guitar and fierce drumming there are some great harmonies too. Want to see these again soon! Next up are Huddersfield rockers Mr. Shiraz - they've been around for a long time and it shows, this is a brilliant set. Fantastic night so far and the ones I've actually come to see are yet to play. The Yalla Yallas are the headline act, Rob Galloway has shed his boots and they're ready to go. I love this band, though your eyes have to dart about the place to keep track of the lead singer Rob Galloway - pretty soon he's up on bar, I'm not sure how he can balance there, sing and play harmonica! This is fast paced punk rock band, currently playing up and down the country.


Saturday 24th, Delius Lived Next Door in Bradford for Re:Freshers event. British weather is so wonderful, at an outdoor event here in August its was freezing and people had to be coaxed outside, now we're almost in October and the event is indoors but its warm outside! I've been looking forward to this one all weekend, on paper its a brilliant line-up.

Kath and the Mighty Menace

First up is Kath and the Mighty Menace, Kath Edmonds is a great frontwoman, her lyrics and playing style have a lot of punch, the drummer is hitting it like Animal from the muppets and the new bass player seems to have settled in just fine. They've played my favourite song Billy and The Pool Cue too. 


Next up are State of Error, pop punk band from Halifax. These young lads have been playing together for a very long time and always give it 100%. It's not long before the leas singer is up and down the venue to the surprise of a few punters. Followers old and new are swaying their hands and clapping along to the songs when instructed by State of Error. Great set!


The nex band in Kingheadlock, fronted by Christian Greogry's rap style vocals, with a varied style of music behind. I'm loving the reggae beats and people are starting to dance straight away. Very entertaining.

Sharp Darts

Next up are Sharp Darts, one of Bradford's great new talents. I think this a very well rehearsed group of young lads who seem to up their game with every gig. Individually they are all extremely talented and they all play together as one. The vocalist seems to have an uninterested look on his face until he begings to sing and then his face transforms and you can tell he is putting himself into this. Playing a set that increases momentum with every song, I'm always buzzing by the time they have finished.


This has been a great night so far and their are still 2 more acts to play. Music in the changeover is provided by Ebony B, who accepts requests in tweets and is playing some belters. 


The penultimate band are Scaramanga Six, a four piece band with 2 strong frontmen. I've been dying to see this band for ages and its a brilliant set. One of the best live bands I've seen, bought their album after the gig and am really chuffed with that too.

Middleman

And finally, its time for Middleman. One of my favourite bands. Their set is as brilliant as always, they are so hard to define, if you haven't seen them do so! The frontman raps at an incredible speed but then the songs move into catchy choruses and everyone is bouncing along. The bassist is practically a second front man, great vocals too. A slight technical hitch in the middle of the set meant that we were treated to a poem by Andy. Amazing! 


On Monday 26th I was at Carpe Diem for the Lyrically Justified open mic night which I've not been to since the fringe. I do love this crazy anything goes and everyone is welcome night. Enjoyed seeing Fred ex Red Pills new project and the jamming session.

Various Cruelties

On Thursday 27th, I was at Brudenell Social Club to see Various Cruelties. The night started with Cave Birds, not seen these before but was very impressed, will certainly look out for them again. Next up were Soul Circus. Not seen them for a while, I really like this band, good songs, great frontman and strong backing vocals. Various Cruelties is fronted by Liam O'Donnell who is from Leeds and this is a homecoming gig as part of a UK tour. First thing Liam does is tell everyone to move to the front and get involved and they do, the place is packed with friends and its a great atmosphere. The lead singer has an incredible voice, soulful, I prefer it when he's not on guitar too as I think he puts more into the songs when not hampered by the guitar. The band are great too. Excellent night all round.


Last gig of the month is at Milo on 30th September, first up is Penguin who I am really pleased to see after their short break. Excellent set as always from this young three piece band.  Its incredibly hot in Milo tonight, even more than usual. Penguin who put a lot of energy into their live show are dripping wet by the time they have finished. Next up are Whole Sky Monitor, post punk band, good set though I see about three quarters of it coz the heat is really getting to me. Next up are Midlands band Guile, kind of garage rock/blues band, good set. The headline band is Japanese Fighting Fish, I like this band a great deal but only catch half their set due to train times and overheating! Milo get some air conditioning!

Michelle Dalgety, Yorkshire Music Collective

Kascarade Present a Night of Live Music at The Playhouse

There have been a couple of weeks of uncertainty about this gig as Bradford Playhouse went into liquidation, fortunately the bookings have been respected and all the hard work that Kascarade have put into organising and promoting the gig is about to show its fruits.

Kascarade Acoustic Set

The event actually starts the week before for me as I have been invited to an intimate acoustic gig with Kascarade in the cellar bar of the Playhouse. 


A stripped down Kascarade are all sitting down and producing some amazing harmonies as all 5 members sing. Sometimes you need to see the acoustic version of a band to pick up on just what talented vocalists they have. 


It's a while since I've heard them full on electric and its the first time I've seen their acoustic set but I'm loving the different slant on the songs.


Finally the big day arrives. There is one slight mishap as Waiting for Wednesday all have food poisoning and are unable to attend. In view of this the organisers change their original plan of acoustics downstairs and bands on the main stage and decide to put everyone on the mainstage. Although this means that things are surely going to run behind schedule its a good decision in my opinion as all the acts can benefit from the great sound upstairs.


The first band on is The Rudiments, four piece indie rock band with a very 90´s feel. I've seen them a few times recently, they are good band to watch, always play a solid set and tonight is no exception in spite of the bass player having a broken wrist. 


Next its the turn of the first of the acoustic acts, The Red Pills, who are doing a stripped down set, the drummer is using brushes and there are 2 acoustic guitars to acompany the lead singer of this punk band. Entertaining.

Red Light City
Photo by Matthew Jerram

They are followed by Red Light City who play mostly covers but have a couple of their own songs in the set as well, good band, a few people are now up dancing and seems pleased to hear songs they know, I would like to here more of their own stuff, I liked the singers voice a lot and the backing vocals are great too.


Next up are New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack, unfortunately I have to make a quick dash across town to pick up some equipment and cannot see their set but was told by others there that they had played a good acoustic set and engaged the audience with some controversial comments. Having seen them both electric and acoustic in recent weeks I know what good things they are capable of.

Sharp Darts
Photo by Matthew Jerram

I am back in time to see Sharp Darts, 5 piece Bradford band. I really do enjoy this band, they just seem to get better and better, a collection of individual talents that gel perfectly together. The lead singer sings with a passion and maturity that defies his young face. Since I first saw them a couple of years ago, when they sounded a great deal like their influences they have developed their own style and are a solid band who pick up new fans every time they play.

Kascarade
Photo by Matthew Jerram

And finally it's time for the headliners to play. Kascarade, the 5 piece Bradford band, are on stage and kick their set off with Cover Me over, a catchy love song. Next up is one of the first songs I heard by this band a couple of years ago when they were Faze, Northern Reign, it shows how much this band have progressed with the addition of new members and also shows that they have also been able to build on some solid songs as this sounds great. Adding keyboards has given the band a really different sound and it works very well. Do You Believe is a regular song on Kascarade's set list, and people are moving closer to the stage. It's quite hard to define this band they have a good set of songs which are verging on psychedelic rock but at the same have catchy lyrics, and with all five members providing vocals/backing vocals there are some great harmonies over some solid rock tunes. To me they seem like a fusion of the best of the 60s and the 90s. The set is building in momentum with the lead singer changing between acoustic and electric guitar. I am really impressed by the live version of When the Lights are Low which was the single they released in aid of the Blue Lamp Foundation which is what this gig is raising money for tonight. The crowd is still jumping around despite the late hour and you can't help but groove with this band. They really rock it out with Stomp and finish an excellent set with Coming Back to Me. I'll be coming back to a Kascarade gig as soon as I can.


This was an all round brilliant night!

Michelle Dalgety, Yorkshire Music Collective

PRESS RELEASE - Pudsey Bands In The Park 1st October

Following the success of last year’s Bands in the Park, Pudsey Park will again play host to a great FREE afternoon of family fun and music, hosted by Radio Aire’s Danny Mylo. The event will take place on 1^st October 2011.

Pudsey Business Forum is once again giving local musicians a chance to play in front of industry professionals, as well as the chance to win some fantastic prizes. This year the winning band will not only receive 2 days of recording time at Cannonball Recordings, free rehearsal time at Eiger Studios, but will also have the opportunity to play on the Pudsey stage at this year’s BBC Children in Need.

After an overwhelming response from young local musicians, the final bands have been selected, and include local Pudsey bands ‘A Mile Down’ and ‘Boxsmash’. Please find attached a full list of the West Yorkshire bands in the final. 

Local music industry advisors will be on hand to give advice and invaluable feedback and will include:

Mickey Thompson (Leeds Festival Fringe

James Reins (Broken Heart Underground)

Kate Prothero (Music journalist and band mentor)

Aynz (Bludger)

Adam Williams (Leeds Indie Radio)

Darren Walker (Red Print and Embroidery/Freelance Musician)

Danny Mylo (Radio Aire)

Isaac Heywood (Rock School ),

The bands will be judged by:

Kate Prothero 

Darren Walker 

Tim ( Factory St Studios)

Mickey Thompson. 

The event promises to be even bigger and better than last year, and is a great platform to

celebrate life in Pudsey, as well as enjoy some great local music. There will also be FREE

refreshments provided, courtesy of Britvic. The event is to be held in aid of the Spina Bifida Foundation.

For more information, join our Facebook page Bands in the Park 2011.

Yorkshire Music Collective/I 'Heart' Indie with Geek at Bingley Music Live

Geek
I Heart Indie Photography

Sunday morning and the first band on is Geek, a four piece rock band from Bradford. There's already quite a good crowd here, Bingley festival goers like to come early and set up their chairs and blankets. I recognise a few of the young people down the front from the day before and as yesterday they are showing their support for the unsigned talent too. I like Geek's set, the guitarrist and the bass player alternate vocals and harmonise well with the vocals of the keyboardist as well. I wasn't expecting such a rock sound from one guitar and keyboards but they really pound out a good tune.

Geek
I Heart Indie Photography

After their set we try to catch each other numerous times in the backstage area but they are very much in demand and we agree to meet again at their single launch the following week.


So a week later I am at Bradford Playhouse and joined by Sean, guitarrist and vocalist, Andrew, keyboards and vocals, Laycock the drummer and Dave who plays bass and sings.


Obviously the first question has to be if they enjoyed playing at Bingley Music Live and they all agree on "awesome", an amazing experience and without a doubt the best gig they've ever played, and of course the biggest. As it was only a 20 minute set they'd had to whittle down their set list to contain their strongest songs and then they'd practised intensely for a month.

Geek
I Heart Indie Photography

I asked if they'd felt a vibe from the audience as there were quite a lot of people there even though it was early and they said it was fantastic, they weren't used to being so far away from the audience so they were quite surprised at the atmosphere and feedback from the public. I wondered if they'd enjoyed all the attention backstage with numerous interviews and if it had taken long to come back down to earth. They'd all come back down to earth with a bang as they had to work on the Monday!


The conversation moves to the reason we are in the Playhouse tonight which is the release of their single "Something in the Water", the gig is also part of Bradford Science Week. The single is available from their website www.geektheband.com and they also have some gigs lined up in Leeds to further promote the release. They are currently working on an album due for release next Spring. 

Geek
I Heart Indie Photography

I ask if they think they picked up a few new fans at Bingley and they said this was definitely the case, they had enjoyed talking to people after the set and had been surprised to see people they didn't know wearing Geek t-shirts and it had definately been a boost for them.


Geek had got their slot at Bingley because they have been taking part in a mentoring programme at Factory Street Studios, I asked what this entailed and they said it was a 6 months programme which taught you the aspects of band you don't normally have time for when you are rehearsing, such as the business side of things, promoting your band, getting gigs and media interest and they thought it had put them on the right track. 


So for the second time in a couple of weeks, I see Geek playing a really good set - dressed in laboratory coats for the science festival!


Michelle Dalgety
Yorkshire Music Collective/I 'Heart' Indie


Yorkshire Music Collective
I Heart Indie
Geek

Yorkshire Music Collective/I 'Heart' Indie with Thirteen 16 at Bingley Music Live

I am around early on Saturday morning so I am in plenty of time to catch Thirteen 16, the first band of the day, this is a very young 3 piece metal band from Bradford. They play a really good set and most importantly look as if they are enjoying it. They have a powerful sound for a three piece with some great riffs. I manage to catch up with them just after for a quick chat.

Thirteen 16
Chris Larner Photography

The lads introduce themselves, we have Squish who plays bass, Joe the drummer and Liam is the guitarrist and vocalist. I ask them how they think their set went and in a chorus they say awesome, it was their best gig. I 
ask them if they have a lot of gigging experience and they say they've done a lot of gigs but obviously nothing of this size. I asked how they had prepared for the gig and they said they'd given a lot of thought to the  songs, they'd even thought about shortening some of their songs too in order to fit in the 20 mins.


I wonder what they think playing at BML might do for them as a band, they think it has helped them gain some new fans and are excited that a lot of people have asked for a photo taking with them or asked them to sign things.

Thirteen 16
Chris Larner Photography

They tell me that they have been together for nearly two years after meeting at Rock School at Factory Street Studios, I ask if they had played individually before meeting up and they tell me they were all beginners when they started the rock school, Squish and Liam knew each other from school but hadn't played together.


I ask them who they are looking forward to seeing and they say that first they are really enjoyed Skindred last night and were looking forward to Maximo Park and Feeder today and are overjoyed that they have been able to play on the same stage.


Michelle Dalgety
Yorkshire Music Collective/I 'heart' Indie
Yorkshire Music Collective Facebook
I 'Heart' Indie Facebook

Thirteen 16 Facebook

Yorkshire Music Collective/I 'Heart' Indie with State of Error at Bingley Music Live

State of Error @ BML
Chris Larner Photography

Casting my mind back a few months I can remember a worried looking State of Error bemoaning the fact that they were drawn first at the heats for the BD1 Live competition to win a slot at BML and really didn't want to play first. They went on and played a very good set to the many fans who had come to see them as they always do. It was a particularly tough night as there was strong competition from The 27 Club, Remember The Hurricanes, You Had Me At Hello and Tiny Giants. Tiny Giants won the heat on the day and State of Error won on of the 3 best runner up places to go in to the final.


The final was held at St. Georges Hall, a good evening's entertainment with Kath and The Mighty Menace, King Headlock, Remember The Hurricanes, Ti Amo, Tiny Giants and State of Error. I was really pleased for State of Error who are are hard working young band and truly deserve a shot at the big stage. I chatted to them afterwards and they were more state of shock than State of Error, they were overwhelmed to have won a place at Bingley.

Mikey Green @ BML
Chris Larner Photography

I asked State of Error if Yorkshire Music Collective could do a little stalking on their big day and they were most obliging. I arrived early on and they agreed to come out and chat between setting up and going on and playing. They were the second band on the Saturday, playing after Bradford youngsters Thirteen 16.


I'm soon joined in the press area by Richard Hadley (vocals, guitar), Mikey Green (bass, backing vocals), Danny Moore (drums, backing vocals), Tom Partyka (lead guitar) and obviously the first question is if they are feeling prepared, Richard thinks that mentally they are but not physically, the rest of the band seem to think its the other way round. I ask them if this will be the biggest stage they have played on and jokingly the say they think its a bit bigger than the Piece Hall stage, Mikey says it was a tremendous feeling stood on the stage and feeling the sound of the drums, he said the whole stage was moving. I am wondering if they have chosen different songs for this set for a bigger stage and Richard says they have practised hard to fit as many songs into their 20 minute slot as possible. Some good natured banter starts among the band members who seem to think that Richard is not letting them get a word in edgeways and they let out a tiny secret that as much as they have tried their set is actually 21 minutes long. I ask Mikey if he thinks lead singers talk too much and he says yes they are basically prima donna's and reminds Richard he recently went home from a gig to straighten his hair. Richard defends himself saying he can't go on stage feeling his hair isn't right and the band start to tease him saying his hair is getting out of place in the wind. 

Richard Hadley @ BML
Chris Larner Photography

I ask if they think image is important to a band as well and strangely they all look at Tom who wants to know why they are looking at him as if he is a tramp, the band agree that image is important to 3 of them and before an argument starts I change the subject and ask what they are hoping to get out of today's gig. They say they want to pick up a few new fans and after the gig they will be handing out some promo CD's, they wanted people to not go from the gig thinking that second band was good what were they called, but that they could take something with them to remind them of the band. Conscious that time is moving on I let the band go backstage and I head off frontstage so I don't miss any of their set.


There's already a good crowd here considering its still quite early, I think its a lot busier than this time last year and there are a lot of young people at the front ready to watch State of Error. And here they are, they bounce on stage and their customary energetic performance begins. This band are so fun to watch and you can't help but bounce along with them. The photographers certainly have a difficult task, these lads are running around stage the whole 20 minutes, the guitarist and bassist swapping places continually.They are engaging the fans from the first note, encouraging them to wave or clap along and their catchy choruses soon have the crowd singing with them. They pull out all the stops and pack a great deal in their 20 minutes, personal favorites for me were Forever Waiting, Caught in the Rip, and Sunset Boulevard. I'm watching the crowd as well as the band and they are really getting into this band. After an amazingly fast 20 mins, the band remind everyone they will be giving out CD's and coming to greet people at the VIP entrance in a short while.

Later I head up the VIP entrance where the street team have been giving out CD's, I asked them how they were going and they told me they only and 1 left from the 100 they had brought with them, they said the feedback about the band was positive and I can tell that from the large number of people waiting for the band to come out and sign their CD's. The team is made up of family and friends, including talented young singer Sarah Carey who has featured on their album. I ask what they had thought of the bands performance and they all coincided that the band had deserved to have a shot at the big stage and had made the best of it. Next I talk to a group of young girls who have heard State of Error for the first time today and are clutching their CD's waiting for the band to come out.


When they do come out, they are literally swarmed by fans and well wishers and take time to talk to everyone and sign all the CD's, Mikey tells me that he thought they'd done the set in 20 mins because the nerves had made everything a shade faster.

Danny Moore @ BML
Chris Larner Photography

I asked the band if they had enjoyed themselves and they said it was awesome, the best gig ever with an amazing on stage sound which made a pleasant change, they had a buzz off the crowd's reaction but Tom admitted his legs were shaking with nerves at one point. I asked if they thought there might be more big stages for them now and they said they wanted to do Leeds next year, the dream would be to get on Leeds Festival without going through a battle of the bands competition, by reputation. 


I tell them I have been chatting to new fans and ask if that had been one of their objectives today, they said that had always been the plan, to make use of the opportunity they had been given and promote themselves as much as possible and one of the triumphs of the day had been to have a street team to assist with giving out new CD's.

Tom Partyka @ BML
Chris Larner Photography

I ask the band what the plans for the day are and they most coincide that they will be chilling and drinking a few beers, Richard says he will be staying sober and trying to sell a few t-shirts. They are unanimous that the band they are most looking forward to is Feeder as they have done a couple of covers in the past. Richard said so far for him the best band had been Skindred and was looking forward to the rest of the weekend. And as more fans appear I leave them to enjoy their day, though I do keep bumping into them throughout the day.


It's great that local bands are given a chance to shine at Bingley Music Live, its fantastic when they recognise that opportunity and make the most of it as State of Error did.


The interviews recorded with the bands were played on Yorkshire Music Collective show on BCB Radio on 8th September and is available on the listen again feature on www.bcbradio.co.uk

Michelle Dalgety for Yorkshire Music Collective/I 'Heart' Indie
Yorkshire Music Collective
I `Heart`Indie
State of Error website

Yorkshire Music Collective's weekend out at Rock and Rail

I've not been on Keighley Worth Vally Railway since I was a child so I thought the engines might seem small now but they are still huge! I arrived at Keighley station about 5 - the platform stage was already set up and I was waiting for the first music train to arrive. It's raining and cold and I'm feeling pretty glad that the Keighley stage is covered and the rest of the events will be indoors. The first acoustic performer of the weekend was Tim Moon. I really enjoyed this  collection of folk songs accompanied by an array of string instruments (I'm a bit too ignorant to know the names of them all) - it's so strange to be sitting on a train with live music. I am sitting in the performers coach next to the Jubilee bar and the music is piped all the way down the train. I'm thinking it might be a challenge for some performers, playing on a moving train with the speakers wobbling in front of you and jerks and stops at the stations. Not to mention a few tunnels that leave you in the pitch black dark!

I got off at Oxenhope, exchanged my ticket for a wristband and headed into the trainshed mainstage. I had been a few weeks before to see this location, it was full of trains then and I am totally blown away by the fantastic set up now in place. I'm listening to a sound check and the sound is amazing, its a real festival sound. 


First performance I catch here is a stripped down set from Ti Amo, with the lead singer Christy on acoustic guitar and vocals, backed by the drummer, Will. Its great to see that State of Error have come up to watch their friends before they head off back to headline the Keighley stage. 

Next up The Marmozets, great energetic set from this young five-piece band. Looks to me like they have a great future ahead of them.






Then a difficult choice you often face at festivals as you can't be in 2 places at once, do I watch The Mexanines or hop on the train with Ben Peel and The Wool City Folk Club? I watch a couple of  songs by The Mexanines and opt for the train, mainly as I am intrigued to see how all 8 of the Wool City Folk club are going to play their set on the small carriage. In good spirits and squashing together, they deliver a lively set to the delight of everyone on the train. 

Ben Peel & Wool City Folk Club setting up on the train

I make it back to Oxenhope in time for The Sharp Darts headline set, great performance from a band who look totally at home on the big stage. 

Sharp Darts Headlining Oxenhope Stage

Back on the train again, reaching the Keighley stage in time to catch the last couple of songs from the headliners State of Error. The crowd there are delighted with the Calderdale pop punk band who have played for an hour and a half. And so ends a really good first day.

Matt Bentley

Early start Saturday, I'm on the train at 12.30 to see Matt Bentley, who delivers a great set, accompanied by his father on a few songs. 

Mr. Gary C.

Next up is Mr. Gary C, who is joined for one song by his 5 year old son, though a little stage fright takes over. Maybe next year! I chatted to both performers when we got back to Oxenhope and they were both thrilled to have played a set on a train, or as Gary C put it, its every boys dream to play a guitar on a train.

Jack's Attic

Off into the train shed to see Jack's Attic who impress the local crowd with their psychedelic rock. I have been given a backstage pass today, the performers are being well looked after backstage, there's a buffet wagon and a carriage to chill out too. During the set changeover, I chat to You Had Me At Hello, a young Keighley band who have played earlier in the day and were thrilled by the experience.

Kath and the Mighty Menace

Next up Kath and the Mighty Menace, Leeds three-piece band. Another great performance, unfortunately the bassist is taken ill during the show, but Kath manages to finish the set by herself. Next up is Club Smith, I had seen them a few days previously in a small venue and enjoyed their set a great deal on the big stage. 

Kava Kava

The one of the acts I've most been looking forward to as I've never seen them live, Kava Kava. No disappointment here, fantastic set great funky sound, loved the live version of Bank Job one of my favourite Kava Kava songs.






I popped back stage for a quick chat with Louise Distras who has also enjoyed playing on the trains, Middleman are doing a photo shoot on one of the carriages, I'll be watching out for those. I bumped into the lovely people from Jam on Top studios who are organizing the Keighley stage. I decide I will try the fudge cake that everyone is raving about but before its my turn Middleman start to play, well worth missing out on cake for, great performance, I love Middleman, I've only seem them in small venues up to now, great to see them on the big stage too.

Jasmine Kennedy

During the changeover Jack's Attic said they were hopping on the train as they'd had an text saying there was really good band playing, so I decided to join them. There was indeed it was Silverlode who were going down a treat on the train. Caught the last part of their set and then it was Jasmine Kennedy's turn to play. I love seeing people's reaction the first time they hear Jasmine Kennedy sing, she has such an amazing voice.

Silverlode, on the train

Steve Craddock

 I didn't make it back in time for Operator 6, which was a shame as I had been looking forward to seeing them. Headline act of the Saturday was Steve Cradock, he asked for the barriers removing so everyone could get close to the stage, so it was really quite an intimate gig, finishing just in time for the last train to Keighley, with live set from Tom Hingley. Loved this bluesy set from Tom Hingley.














I start Sunday on the trains again, to see Miranda vs. The Crok, who as everyone are delighted to have played on a train. I get off for a bit at Keighley station and manage to catch a few songs by Andy Doonan and The Lightwalks, was very impressed with this set, hopefully they'll be playing in the area again soon. Back up to Oxenhope, which is a rock/punk day today, I've just missed Propane Penny and get there in time to see Sounds of Swami, who played a great set. Next up is The Yalla Yallas, I've seen Rob Galloway doing solo sets a few times and I really looking forward to seeing the whole band. Great set, cracking frontman! Last set of the weekend is Anne Marie (Skeletal Family) - brilliant set to close the weekend events.


Everything is in place to make this a great a event next year, it was the first year so attendance wasn't great, but everyone who went had a great time and all the performers were thrilled by the set up. More publicity and word of mouth should see this event grow in years to come, its such a unique idea it should be repeated.

Michelle Dalgety, Yorkshire Music Collective