Local Music

December 29

FINE TUNED'S FINEST

A selection of favourite moments from Fine Tuned in 2007, including Olo Worms (the one Dr Phil forgot to play), Angel Tech, Rasha Shaheen, Babel, Emily Breeze, Dr Meaker and The Hinkley Veltones.

FINE TUNED TRACKS

OLO WORMS - Fingers And Thumbs
OLO WORMS - Flakes
ANGEL TECH - Calm Down
RASHA SHAHEEN - Breathe
BABEL - Tell Me It's Love
EMILY BREEZE - Badlands
DR MEAKER - Double Bass
HINKLEY VELTONES - Baby, Don't Leave Me
HINKLEY VELTONES - Man Of My Intentions

December 22

MEETING THE MUSOS
The three members of Jetking met via the internet, by finding each other's music and answering adverts. Over the last two years they've been busy honing their songs and their act and recently began gigging to immediate acclaim. But Jetking have become something of a cyber phenomenon after their Myspace page was hacked. They were picked up as a cause celebre by the American press and suddenly they were getting hits on their website in the thousands. Directly from that they've attracted the attention of promoters in the capital and record label interest. They currently have a limited edition EP out called Magic and are next performing in Bristol at the Fleece on Thursday, January 10 with Fabric and Triggerfish.
http://www.jetking.info/

GETTING THE GOSSIP
After a decade in charge, Steve Parkhouse is moving on from the Folk House. His time at the community education centre and venue has seen it play a vital role in the development of Bristol's acoustic music scene. He's bowing out after January's Acoustic Music Festival.

An e-petition's been set up by the Bristol Rocks website to encourage people to protest about the city council's decision to drop plans to build a ten thousand-seater arena near Temple Meads station.

The popular Battle of the Bands contest at Moles in Bath has been one by the Bristol act, Let's Tea Party - who also triumphed a few days later in another similar competition held at Bristol University.

Under 18s in the Bristol area, who often miss out on gigs because of venue licencing restrictions, are getting a matinee show at the Thekla today specifically aimed at their age group - Fortune Drive and The Naturals are on the bill.

Alfie Kingston's album, Creatures and People's Ways has just had its full release - it's on Whimsical Records.

TOP GIGS

3hostwomexicansandatinofspanners, My Own Flag and The Get Outs are adding some serious volume to The Croft's Christmas party tonight - admission is free.

The former Whalebone Polly frontwoman, Kate Stables is at The Cube tonight in her incarnation as This Is The Kit.

Tomorrow afternoon, Sunday December 23 a winter warmer is offer at The Coronation Tap with acoustic music courtesy of John Fenlon, Phil King and Pete Roe.

FINE TUNED TRACKS

JETKING - Weasel MD
JETKING - Reasons To Disappear
WEARY BAND - Funny Old Thing
MASSIVE ATTACK - Teardrop
LET'S TEA PARTY - Reptiles
THE NATURALS - Boxes
ALFIE KINGSTON - She's Scary
3HOSTWOMEXICANSANDATINOFSPANNERS - Public Order Offences Keep Solicitors In Work
THIS IS THE KIT - Two Wooden Spoons
PETE ROE - Princesses And Toads

December 15

The Master Chaynjis were live in the studio with Rob Salvidge. Listen to the interview here and find out more about the band via their MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/themasterchaynjis

December 8

MEETING THE MUSOS
The Bristol singer-songwriter, Roger Tarry has not only built up a loyal following in his home city, but is increasingly in demand abroad, especially in Germany. His album was picked up for release in the country by Billydog Records and regular tours there have followed. Roger's currently recording the follow-up to his album, Last Time I Was There, which he's hoping will be released next summer. He's next in action at The Folk House with Bucky, The Hinkley Veltones and Caroline Martin next Thursday, December 13.
http://www.myspace.com/rogertarry

GETTING THE GOSSIP
Bands who want to play at next year's Glastonbury Festival can now put in their demos to a contest being run by the Q magazine website. The 12 judged best by the listening panel will take part in a battle of the bands in Pilton next Spring with a slot on one of the big stages up for grabs as a prize.

Rose Kemp has announced a series of collaborations with artists including SJ Esau, Team Brick, Humanfly and Farwest Zombee. Next February she's joining the Freeborn John tour, a folk rock opera in which she appears alongside the Levellers, New Model Army and her mum, Maddy Prior.

Some of Bristol's musos can be seen in a short horror film called Blackbeard, which has just gone up on Youtube. It was written by Anton Maiof from Geisha and Nick Talbot from Gravenhurst, was directed by Mr Maiof. He also supplied the music in the guise of My Ambulance Is On Fire.

Static Caravan has just released the new 7" single by Safetword - Pope Joan and Dandelion Clock are available via various outlets, including the online store, Norman Records, which has made it their single of the week.

TOP GIGS

Tomorrow, Sunday December 9 it's the tenth anniversary concert of The Gasworks Choir at St Georges in Bristol.

Also tomorrow Sunday December 9, the Louisiana in Bristol plays host to Gagarin, who return after a two-year hiatus. They're joined by Amelia Tucker and The Colliding Lemons.

Tuesday, December 11 it's the Access to Music showcase at The Croft in Bristol. It features acts including Compact Spoon, Digging Your Grave, Incurentus, The Charmers, Car Crash Hawks, Skycoil and Johnny Post Mortem.

FINE TUNED TRACKS

ROGER TARRY - Driving Song
ROGER TARRY - Walk With Me
DR MEAKER - Movin' and Groovin'
ROSE KEMP - Fire In The Garden
MY AMBULANCE IS ON FIRE - Blackbeard
SAFETYWORD - Pope Joan
GASWORKS CHOIR - Something Inside So Strong
GAGARIN - Departure
LADY NADE - Thinking Of Words

December 1

MEETING THE MUSOS

Jane Taylor is a singer-songwriter who unexpectedly found a national audience when her CD, Montpelier, was picked up by the Radio Two presenter, Johnnie Walker. Since then she's shared the stage with artists including Jools Holland, Bill Wyman and Seth Lakeman and is currently working on the follow up to Montpelier with Colin Elliot, bassist and producer for Richard Hawley, at the helm. Jane can be seen at Bar 27 in Taunton tomorrow, Sunday, December 2 and at The Cube in Bristol on Sunday, December 16.

GETTING THE GOSSIP
The Bath four-piece, Fabric have been asked to change their name or face legal action. Fabric is the registered trading name for a club and record label in London. Meanwhile, the band's debut album is being launched in Bath tonight at Invention Studio, with support from Rich Maya, Stanton Delaplane and Rob Phillips. It's officially released on Monday, December 3.

The local record label, Dreamboat has just released its new sampler for 2008. It's available from the label's website or from Bleep dot com and features acts including Robin Allender, the Rollercoaster Project and The Gala Band.

Chapter XIII have just finished recording their forthcoming new single, Valentine - it'll be in the shops and available to download early next year.

A new record label called Brown Punk has been set up by the Bristol ex-pat, Tricky with the Island Records boss, Chris Blackwell. The label's showcasing its Bristol signing, Laid Blak at The Thekla on Monday, December 3.

TOP GIGS

Tonight, Saturday, December 1: Rita Lynch, The Great Admirers and No Such Error are at The Junction on Stokes Croft.

Tomorrow, Sunday, December 2: A Hot and Cold Party (raising awareness of climate change) is being held at Bristol County Sports Club on Colston Street. Local acts include Rasha Shaheen, The Kick Inside and Let's Tea Party and there will also be films, crafts and photography at the event. All profits will go to Oxfam.

FINE TUNED TRACKS

JANE TAYLOR - Feels Good
FABRIC - Hold Me Now
AZALEA CITY PENIS CLUB - Sign Language
CHAPTER XIII - Miss Me When I'm Dead
LAID BLAK - Red
THE GREAT ADMIRERS - Frankie
UNDERCUT - Hot In That
RASHA SHAHEED - Breathe