HEY EVERYBODY! OUT OF THE BEDROOM IS TAKING A WEEK OFF FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, AND THEN WE’RE BACK AT THE MONTAGUE BAR, BUT ON SATURDAYS!
AS OF SATURDAY 7 JANUARY 2012 OUT OF THE BEDROOM WILL BE ON EVERY SATURDAY AT 8pm (7:30pm is pretty much the latest sign up time for performers booking one of the open slots).
OOTB Presents… Jamie Hay!
Hi everybody, how’s it going?
Right, this week’s featured performer is relatively new compared with some, it’s Jamie Hay. He’s been a regular attendee at OOTB all through 2011 and has really come on, so pop in tomorrow (Tuesday 6 Dec) and check out his featured act set. You know, of course, that there will be at least EIGHT open floorspots filled with the cream of Edinburgh’s performing songwriters. I am constantly surprised by the high standard of performers that grace our little stage at OOTB, even after all these years. Anyway, that’s at The Montague Bar on St Leonards Street if you can make it, and the evening starts at 8pm (or 7:30pm if you want to sign up for an open slot).
And i have tons of other events to tell you about this week as well. First of all i just want to mention though that as of 2012 we are going to be running OOTB on Saturdays, and not Tuesdays. For most people, we hope this will be an improvement. Same location, same times, but on a Saturday. So our final Tuesday will be December the 20th (with Henry Bird as our featured act) and our first Saturday will be January 7th (with Michael MacFarlane as our featured act). the other thing i was going to mention is we’ve now filled up all the featured act slots until the first week in April, which i think is great, and that’s a testament to the high amount of great talent we’ve got coming through the doors at OOTB. Long may it continue. So yes, if you want to check who the next few featured acts are at any time, that’s one of the many pieces of useful information you can find on our website at www.outofthebedroom.co.uk.
But before i launch into this week’s featured gig listings, i just want to try a little social experiment, if only to clarify something in my own mind. Once you’ve read this email, can i just get you to click “reply” and send me a wee email please? As an incentive, for everyone who does reply, i’ll send you a few links to downloadable mp3s of my songs (songs which aren’t available on my website, i mean). Basically, we have hundreds of subscribers, and i just want to see how many people have actually opened and at least skimmed the mailout on any given week (in this case, this week). so yeah, please just send me a reply, you don’t need to spend any time thinking of something to say (though feedback is always appreciated), it’s just so i know how many people have read this week’s OOTB email, and i’ll send you some exclusive mp3 song links of mine in return. Thanks!
Okay, this week’s gigs, some of them quite unmissable. I’m in a hurry this week, so i’ll copy/paste (and italicise) the blurb rather than giving you my usual characteristic rundown, in most cases. DO check out the artists and bands. As usual i have tried to bold them all so you can pick them out and google them (or whatever) before you go along to the gigs. And please let the organisers of these gigs know you heard about them from OOTB, if you would. It’s nice for us all to make friends with each other.
Tue 6 Dec: OOTB featuring Jamie Hay of course, details as above.
Also on Tue 6 Dec: Same night as OOTB, but for the final time, since we’re moving OOTB to Saturdays in 2012, it’s Acoustic Edinburgh, free entry, 7.30pm at The Third Door (beneath Negociants): Headlining are Abagail Grey, on their Winter & Icicles tour. Abagail Grey is the creation of highland singer-songwriter, Claire Campbell. Both a classically-trained pianist, and traditional fiddler, she is regularly joined by two harpists, trumpet, bass and drums and her music has been described as “serene, elegant and beautifully crafted” (The Scotsman), and her debut album was hailed as “one of the best folk albums to come out of Scotland” that year (Daily Record).
Our other touring band are the wonderful Brighton-based Seadog. Signed to Folkwit records, they play music with cello, guitar, clarinet, glockenspiel, melodica, accordion, samplers (and more) that has been compared to the Mamas and Papas, or The Byrds. Source magazine described them as “steeped in an era where Nick drake and Neil Young records roamed the land…beautiful and ethereal vocal harmonies”.
As if this wasn’t enough (!) we have the singer, accordionist, sawista, pianista, yodeller, and redhead, Brigid Kaelin (her words, not mine!). Newly relocated to Edinburgh from Nashville, she is properly brilliant – last time I saw her she was wowing the customers of Favorit in the small hours by playing an impromptu set on the saw, but she has also played in on stage with Elvis Costello. And rounding off an extraordinary night of music, we have a welcome return to Acoustic Edinburgh from charismatic singer-songwriter Becca Fox.
Wed 7 Dec at Sneaky Pete’s, there’s another chance to hear Seadog performing live, £5 admission. They’re a touring band, so this week’s pretty much your only chance: It’s on Wednesday at Sneaky Pete’s. The gig is listed from 7-10pm and is £5.
Also on Wed 7 Dec, it’s the final ever Secret CDs: Secret CDs 49 featuring: Adam Holmes and The Embers, Blueflint, Emily Scott and Katie (ex-Dull Fudds)
Venue: The Voodoo Rooms Speakeasy, 19a West Register St, EH2 2AA Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Doors Open:7.30 p.m.
Entry: £5 – including £2 discount on all CDs bought on the night, free raffle ticket and cake!
The forty-ninth monthly Secret CDs night is at The Voodoo Rooms Speakeasy on Wednesday 7th December. It’s the last live gig we’ll be promoting, for a while at least, and we thought we’d go out with a bang with four of the finest acts to have graced Secret CDs.
James Igoe says, “It’s been four years almost to the day since Secret CDs launched in The Phoenix cellar bar and it’s time to move on… but we’re going out with a bang! The four acts playing could easily have a career in the music industry given the right management, money and luck. Adam Holmes absolutely packed the Voodoo Rooms back in May and since then he’s had some rave reviews – expect good things to happen in 2012. Blueflint are one of the most established acts in the Edinburgh acoustic scene and packed The Bongo Club for their recent CD release. Emily Scott coincidentally had her own packed CD release at Third Door the next day and her music is a thing of wonder. The brilliant performer Katie Forbes is a force of nature, completely engaging and not to be missed. Alongside the music we’ll have some extra things going on as it’s Christmas and the last do. I’m sure it will be a positive night all round for those who love to hear quality music beautifully played.”
Also on Wed 7 Dec: It’s Marie Naffah (a touring musician, so hear her while you can) performing live at the Tea Tree Cafe on Bread Street, though i don’t know what time. The internet will know, or Maria is planning to play an open slot at OOTB on Tuesday so you could find out the details from her then.
Thu 8 Dec – It ‘s a Conscious Collective Christmas party at Henry’s, here’s the blurb: Conscious Collective bringing you the another evening of diversity of arts culture from in and around the city of Edinburgh. This event we have Acoustic Roots,Africa, Latin America Celtic , Beat boxing, Hip Hop fusion bands…
CONSCIOUS COLLECTIVE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL SHOW
Henry Cellar Bar 8-16a Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BJ
Doors 7:30pm till 1am
Cost 4 pounds entry
Open Mic first hour for Rappers and Poets plus dj Miro on decks
The Conscious Route Band
Sacre Noir/Savage Sound System Ft Riddlah (UVbeats) and Werd (S.o.S)
HEAVY SPECIAL GUEST RAPPER ??????????
Dj Miro
Jugalbandi ( Celtic / Folk / Jazz)
Le Combo ( Instrumental Acoustic Roots Music)
Also Thu 8 Dec – Marie Naffah is playing at The Wee Red Bar. Again, i’m not sure of the time, not sure how much it costs to get in, that’s all i know, but she’ll be in attendance at OOTB on Tuesday so ask her then.
Also Thu 8 Dec – open mic nights are on at Walkabout at the Omni Centre, and Noble’s in Leith, as usual (as far as i know), also The Ale House has their weekly folk session.
Fri 9 Dec – The Ale House open mic night, of course, from 9:30pm in, where else but… The Ale House on Clerk Street.
Sat 10 Dec – It’s the Calypso Brown duo at The Ale House, presumably from 9pm or so. Calypso Brown is awesome by the way, as anybody will know who’s seen her perform (for example at the highly exclusive Edinburgh Unlimited gig she recently did). So why not go along?
Sun 11 Dec – well during the afternoon there’s an open mic at Bannerman’s on the Cowgate which is very welcoming: it’s called the Bannermans Acoustic Sunday Sessions and it runs most weeks between 3pm and 8pm. The address is Bannermans Bar, 212 Cowgate, edinburgh. The open mic is run by Ali Chisholm and Ritchie Beeby on alternate Sundays. Acoustic and electric guitars and percussion is provided. All musicians and instruments welcome from guitars to bagpipes,violins and beatboxers! We welcome one and all. The open mic is followed either by covers band Cranachan or on the first Sunday of the month by excellent blues band Jed Potts and the Hillman Hunters. all absolutely free!
Also Sun 11 Dec – The Listening Room at The Blue Blazer from 8pm of course, open mic plus featured act, and this week the featured act is TBC! Well, there’s an act i’ve heard before and really loved, so go along and put a bit of mystery into your life.
Plus check out the latest Labelled Independent podcast (link is in the sidebar), for some interesting local independent music, and get in touch with them if you want your music to be featured, too.
Phew! Right and that’s it for this week. I’ve got just as many interesting events for your diary next week, the place is bursting with great events that everybody should switch off their TVs and come along and participate in. You only live once. Now click reply, and let me know you read this email, please. 🙂
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom
OOTB Presents…
Right. Hello.
How are you doing? Apparently it’s something called “christmas” soon, and we’ve all got to stop our regular routine and do something else for a bit. So, our final OOTB of 2011 will be Tuesday 20 December, and we’ll be back on your radar on Saturday 7 January.
“Saturday!?!” i hear you exclaim with a wild hint of disbelief in your tone, well yes, we’ll be running OOTB on SATURDAYS in 2012, INSTEAD of Tuesdays. Now aren’t you glad you’re one of the few people that actually reads these emails? What a faux pas it would be to turn up on a Tuesday in 2012 at The Montague Bar and be left high and dry like an out of date packet of crisps that had somehow got lost down the back of the fridge.
Right, now that’s out of the way let me tell you about THIS TUESDAY. It’s OOTB number 452, and our featured performer this week is Jim Bryce. I first heard Jim Bryce at the Edinburgh Songwriters’ Showcase, and he’s unique. I once saw him do a three song open mic slot, and each song he used a different instrument to accompany himself. And that’s at The Montague Bar on Tuesday 29 Nov from 8pm (or 7:30pm to sign up for an open slot), and it’s free. Now look, the slots get filled up quickly. We do usually have a few people who turn up maybe 7:40, 8pm, or later even asking for a slot. It really is first come, first served, so do be prompt to avoid disappointment. Sometimes the list is full by 7:31pm.
Now i’ve got a ton of special events to tell you about this week, and i want to draw your attention to www.outofthebedroom.co.uk as well. I often list various weekly things in this newsletter, but i don’t mention them ever week. Please do go and check out the website for previous announcements about things that happen weekly (if you get what i mean), like the stuff at the Captain’s Bar, the stuff at the Ale House, the open mics at Nobles and Walkabout etc etc. Here’s this week’s stuff though. Click the links, by the way, this email takes ages to put together every week. And come to the gigs too, you’ll enjoy them. 🙂
On Tuesday it’s OOTB featuring Jim Bryce, of course, details as above.
On Wednesday, it’s the final day of November Solo Album Month, so i’d better get that final song written for my next CD! Check out what the various participants have come up with this month.
On Friday 2 Dec, there’s a really special one off event happening at 42 Royal Park Terrace, Edinburgh, EH8 8JA – it’s a “house concert”, which is something i think Edinburgh is BEHIND at catching on to, so my hat’s off to the organiser of this one, well done. House concerts are always good fun. The performers this time are Ian Sclater, Kat McKenzie and Cloudland Blue Quartet. You’ll have heard all of them at OOTB (as well as The Listening Room, Secret CDs and Edinburgh Unlimited), and they’re all very good. Plus they’ll be performing a specially prepared set together as well as doing their own material. It’s at 8pm (Doors 7:30pm), Bring Your Own Bottle, and it’s a suggested donation of £5. TO ATTEND YOU NEED TO EMAIL info@douglasinscotland.co.uk IN ADVANCE. See you there.
Also on Friday 2 Dec, it’s The Mine at Cabaret Voltaire. This month it’s Meursault, plus mystery guests. All this for £6 plus booking fee.
On Saturday 3 Dec, the Ale House on Clerk Street have got Jack Badcock & Roddy Johnston performing live, probably from 9pm (that’s a guess, but an informed one). And it’ll be free.
On Sunday 4 Dec, in the AFTERNOON (3pm start) it’s a FREE gig at The Jazz Bar on Chambers Street. There are three acts, and at the end there’ll be a bit of a jam session. The three acts are Reubam, Erin Todd, and Calum Carlyle.
On the evening of Sunday 4 Dec, it’s The Listening Room featuring Dave Keir. He’s fairly new on the Edinburgh scene, but he’s blisteringly good both as a songwriter and musician, so don’t miss this. I’m serious. It’s free FFS! And that’s at 8pm at The Blue Blazer on Spittal Street on Sunday 4 Dec. By the way those of us who attended The Listening Room last night for Darcy DaSilva‘s set were thoroughly enchanted. If you weren’t there you missed an incredibly good performance. Difficult for me to believe music this good is free admission these days.
Ironically i just realised i’ll have to miss Dave Keir‘s set myself, because i’m playing a gig in Glasgow that clashes. But you guys aren’t so there’s no excuse for not going along! 🙂 (unless you live in Glasgow, in which case i hope to see you there!)
And that’s it for this week. Clear your calendar and get yourself along to all these gigs. You only get one life to live! And i’ve got a ton of stuff for you next week too, and the week after, so get prepared. ALSO, tell all your friends. Your friends like good live music, too you know, why not combine it with whatever christmas outings you’ve got planned?
And the other thing is, if you remember, please mention that you heard about these gigs from www.outofthebedroom.co.uk when you go along to these things. The more connected we can make this scene, the better it will be for everybody concerned, and the more quality music we can offer you all. It depends on the audiences though, and this means YOU.
Okay, see you out there in musicland!
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom
Well, this week’s featured act practically needs no introduction, it’s Matt Norris! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Matt Norris as a solo act! As far as i know it’ll be a moonless night this Tuesday at The Montague Bar (from 8pm, or 7:30pm to sign up for one of the open slots), so it should be very special indeed. Open slots as usual, silver bag of dreams, how could you live with yourself if you missed it?
Hey before i forget, i just saw this music related article on the BBC website earlier, and thought you might want to see it. Very interesting, i thought. It’s about music and memory.
Now, remember to check out the latest Labelled Independent podcast, link on the left hand side there, and also do you remember the Hog The Stage competition last year? Where an uncountable number of real local bands compete against each other to perform at the Hogmanay street celebrations? Last year’s winner was Kitty The Lion, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience, by all accounts. Well it’s happening again this year, under the new name of Hog The Street. So go and visit the site and vote for your favourites. If you’re a performer yourself, you can enter to try and win that coveted slot this year yourself. I’m even on there (vote for me! yay!)… So yeah, a good opportunity even if it does feel like a battle of the bands. 🙂
Okay this Thursday (24 Nov), for £3 (or £2 for students), at The City Cafe, there’s a new night called Acacity, it’s a new fornightly live acoustic night in the City2 at the City Cafe on Blair Street, and on the 24th it’s the incredible Stu Goodall Band headlining with support from The Aspect and Kerrie Lynch.
ALSO on Thursday 24 Nov at The Wee Red Bar, it’s a Party For Palestine fundraiser. It’s a 7pm start, it’s £3 to get in, with all takings going to the Right To Education Campaign at Birzeit University, Palestine and food is provided by the Mosque Kitchen. Hip hop band Master System will be performing as will i (Calum Carlyle). There will also be some dabke dancing and a traditional performance on the oud, as well as a DJ set.
You know about the Thursday night folk session at The Ale House on Clerk Street at 9pm, and the Ale House open mic on Friday at 9:30pm, and also the Captain’s Bar have got music on every night, sessions, as well as gigs. I heartily recommend checking them out though they have too many listings for me to say here.
Something else i wanted to tell you about is an open mic called the Bannermans Acoustic Sunday Sessions which runs most weeks between 3pm and 8pm. The address is Bannermans Bar, 212 Cowgate, Edinburgh. The open mic is run by Ali Chisholm and Ritchie Beeby on alternate Sundays. Acoustic and electric guitars and percussion is provided. All musicians and instruments welcome from guitars to bagpipes,violins and beatboxers! We welcome one and all. The open mic is followed either by covers band Cranachan or on the first Sunday of the month by excellent blues band Jed Potts and the Hillman Hunters. all absolutely free!
Also on Sunday, as you know it’s The Listening Room from 8pm to 10pm in The Blue Blazer on the corner of Spittal and Bread streets. This week (Sunday 27 Nov) i want to draw particular attention to this because the featured act is Darcy DaSilva. She’s very good, and she’s from out of town, so don’t pass up this opportunity to hear her music in the intimate environs of the Blue Blazer.
Also on Sunday 27 Nov, The Last Of Barrett’s Privateers are supporting Loch Lomond at Sneaky Pete’s at 7:30pm, not sure what the admission cost is though (it didn’t say in the FB invite, though tickets will be available on the door).
Yeah, that’s about it. I have a ton of December stuff to tell you about but i’ll get to that in the next couple of emails, so keep reading each week. And come along to OOTB, if you don’t you’re missing all the best stuff. 🙂
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom
Well, it’s OOTB 450 this week, but we feel as young as a fresh spring lamb, and this week we’re presenting the incredible Dan Gillan as the featured act! He’s deep, he’s purple (wait a minute! no he’s not, must have been some sort of spelling mistake there…), but above all, he’s a very good songwriter and performer. Not only that but you get tons of excellent performers doing floorspots as well. It’s possibly the best free night in Edinburgh at OOTB, and it’s the performers that make that happen, every single week! And that’s at The Montague Bar on St Leonards St, at 8pm (7:30pm to sign up for a floorspot) on Tuesday.
While i remember, it’s November, and this means it’s NASALMO, which is a challenge to write and record an album all in the month of November. There are two or three OOTBers doing it, so they say, though so far i think i am the only Edinburgher actually uploading my songs onto the site. Anyway, check out the songs that have been written these last two weeks, and see what you think. You can help a lot by signing up to the site and giving your feedback on the songs. Songwriters love that sort of thing. Also, if you’re a songwriter, sign up and write an album, you’ve still got two weeks, what are you waiting for?
What else to tell you? The eighth Labelled Independent podcast is now online, conveniently linked to from the sidebar there on the left hand side of this email. Check it out.
Ah, i’m always mentioning the Ale House open mic on Fridays from 9:30pm and The Listening Room at The Blue Blazer on Sundays from 8pm (featured act from 9pm), but i need to mention some others to you too. For instance on Thursday there’s an open mic in Noble’s in Leith (from 8pm possibly?), also on Thursday there’s one in Walkabout at the Omni Centre (from 9pm i think), and there’s a folk session from 9:30pm on Thursdays in the Ale House on Clerk Street too.
This week there are tons of things on of course. Here’s a free gig at Noble’s in Leith on Friday at 9pm for example. And here’s a new event at The Auld Toll on Wednesday. Sounds like a good one. Hmm, Donna Maciocia’s band are launching their new EP on Saturday. That sounds pretty good, and it’s at 7pm at Sneaky Pete’s. Please let these gigs know you heard about them from OOTB by the way, it doesn’t hurt for our name to be out there, it promotes the spread of good music around the city and not just in its own wee circles.
No review this week, which is a pity. Obviously if you fancy writing a review of an OOTB night, just come along and do it, so long as i have it in my sweaty paws by the following Sunday, then it’ll go in the email and on the website.
That’s it, see you out there in musicland!
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom
Well, we might be the first ever Edinburgh open mic night to make it into a second decade! Anyway, it’s quite appropriate that the featured act bringing us into our second decade is none other than the smooth and sophisticated Lisa Rigby! She’s a proper star, that’s all i need to really say, and if you need any further reassurance of that fact, then pop along to OOTB tomorrow (Tue 8 Nov) and judge for yourself.
It’s an 8pm start (7:30pm to sign up for one of the open slots). the open floorspots are allocated on a first come first served basis, they’re limited to three songs, fifteen minutes or less, and your performance must be entirely original material (no covers!). And that’s at the Montague Bar on the corner of Montague and St Leonards streets.
Then on Wednesday (9 Nov) it’s quite a huge edition of Edinburgh Unlimited, in Medina (now known as the Third Door), and that’s at 45 Lothian Street (near Bristo Square, next door to Negociants). It’s only two quid to get in, it’s an 8pm start (doors 8pm, music at 8:15pm), and this month the four bands are: Confushian, Supermarionation, Conscious Route, and Metaltech! Something for everyone. It’s going to be awesome, but don’t take my word for it, come along and hear for yourself.
And of course Friday is the Ale House open mic night from 9:30pm, and Sunday’s the Listening Room at The Blue Blazer from 8pm, both are free, both have open slots available, and both are guaranteed to be a boatload of musical fun and hi-jinks.
One last thing, just mentioning the Labelled Independent New Music podcast. It’s Edinburgh based, and it’s a platform to promote new original music, so have a listen! Also, if you’re a musician, maybe you could think about contacting Steve Boniface, who runs the podcast, and get yourself featured in an episode.
That’s it, see you on Tuesday, on Wednesday, and beyond!
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom
And hello once again, one and all. I hope this update finds you well, and ready to party because THIS WEEK Out of the Bedroom is ten years old. To celebrate, we’re having a covers night (ironically!) at The Montague Bar on St Leonards Street, and that’s tomorrow night (Tuesday 1 Nov) at 8pm (with a suggested time of 7:30pm to sign up for a slot, first come first served). This week, for one week only, we’re allowing cover versions, but we particularly want to hear your covers of other OOTB performers’ songs, so you’ve got ONE DAY to learn something if you haven’t already. 🙂 And that’s free admission, tell all your mates, it’ll be a party.
Then on Wednesday 2 Nov at The Voodoo Rooms it’s Secret CDs, featuring Freeloadin’ Frank, Jill Hepburn, Norman Lamont and the Invisible Helpers, and Gordon Ballboy. Definitely a must-see, and it’s only £3 admission! And that’s at 8pm on Wednesday.
Then on Friday 4 Nov we’re having our big OOTB celebration party at Cab Vol on Blair Street, and the performers on Friday will be Fraser Drummond, Ross Galloway, James Whyte, and Caro Bridges. Only £5 admission for that one, but it’s a prompt 7pm start (6:30pm doors) and we won’t be running late because we’ve got a 10pm curfew. Plenty of other stuff will be happening at this event too, by the way, we’ve got one or two surprise floorspots lined up and of course the silver bag o’ dreams!
Huge thanks should go to James Igoe for the Wednesday and Friday events, he really pulled together a whole lot of people from OOTB times past and present and it’s going to be a very satisfying evening as a result I think. Here’s to another ten years!
That’s it for the listings this week, obviously the Ale House open mic is also on on Friday, and the Listening Room at the Blue Blazer on Sunday, and plenty of other things all over Edinburgh, but I can’t list everything here. One thing I will mention again though, is a very nice chap who’s promoting local music on his podcast, here are the details:
Steve Boniface – Labelled Independent, the New Music Podcast. Episode #6 Out Now!
Subscribe to the podcast
Listen to individual episodes
Find links to all our featured Labels, Artists & Events
Donate to the podcast, and win prizes!
And one last thing, for the second week running, we’ve got a review of OOTB! This could become a tradition! So without further ado, I’ll sign off and I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Daniel Davis, our chairman, and reviewer for last week.
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom
OOTB 447 Tuesday 25/10/2011 The Montague
Performers: Roisin Russell, Jill Hepburn, Sam Porter, Tau Boo, Jimi Lee, Richard Bale, Dale Radley, Damian Casey-Boyce, Jamie Hey, Ross Galloway, Paul Chilver
As I arrive at The Montague, the room is packed, which is always a good sign. Not only that but many old-timers have crawled out of the woodwork tonight. Indeed I’m thinking that the woodwork must be pretty empty tonight.
Roisin Russell
I arrive just as Roisin is finishing her set; don’t berate me, I’m not on the rota to review I just fancied writing one on the spur of the moment. All I can say about Roisin is that she is a great songwriter with the voice of an angel.
Jill Hepburn
Jill goes back to the early days of OOTB and was one of the nominations for performing at the 10th anniversary next week. The friendly twang-buzz of a banjo is always a nice change and always puts a smile on my face. Jill’s set is an exercise in relaxed competence, both in playing and vocal delivery. It is a treat to hear her excellent if infrequently heard talents.
Sam Porter
Its the first time I’ve seen Sam – so welcome if it is your debut. Sparkly finger-picking underpins his first number. His first lines however have me mentally reaching for the EQ. He has a brassy tone that says whiney american (although the song is not) – think teenage dirtbag and you’ll be in the ball-park. You need to open your throat. However as he sings more gently it warms up and improves. Although I’ve not seen him perform before he is obviously experienced and full of confidence. His second song reveals a really sweet falsetto that should feature in more songs. His last is a stompy bluesy 4-chord affair and is more of a character piece with incredibly rhythimic delivery possibly with a carribean/jack johnson influence. Nice set.
Tau Boo
The newly behatted Craig now comes with chorus and delay pedals, just in case you hadn’t already been pulled into his hypnotic tones it just got more atmospheric. His deep velvet diaphonous delivery of intensely personal songs washes over and through you. If there’s an album of this material it may well replace your current 3am album of choice. Lose yourself in the timewarping beauty of ‘Reverie’.
Jimi Lee
Jimi plays something that frankly looks like a game-boy and sounds little more sophisticated than Super Mario Brothers. He is accompanied by random tambourine from a stranger. There are no lyrics so its hard to comment on the songwriting, and I can’t really tell whether its all programmed or whether there is a performance aspect to it. The tunes are fine-enough examples of that genre if one of the least everyday experiences at a songwriter’s night. That’s for sure. If you want an audience it will need more than a guy sitting down with a game-boy – so have a think about this if live performance is your market. If lo-fi dance and dubstep are your thing he is looking for people to collaborate – so get in touch.
Richard Bale
This appears to be his first time at OOTB and possibly his first time playing in public. It’s a little scrappy and nervous, but this is what OOTB is all about and we’re very glad that you brought your songs out of the bedroom and into public performance. Keep coming and you’ll be surprised how quickly you improve. His first song is about a girl he has been obsessing over – we’ve all been there.
Dale Radley (Featured Act)
Dale has recently finished her studies and it’s great to see her playing in public again. She has brought with her an all-star band of some of the finest musicians inEdinburgh. There’s Fraser Drummond on sax and whistles improvising hooks and solos like there’s no tomorrow. John Farrell adds all those chords and flourishes that rest of us can’t reach on guitars, Ross Galloway on conga, and Stuart Clark supplying his trademark lazy-grooves on cajon. The set is a rip through Dale’s greatest hits and despite the group never having rehearsed together it just works in the way that quality musicians can communicate. In my book one of the finest featured slots of the year.
Damian Casey-Boyce
His first is an improvised song all about OOTB, The Montague and JY. We’re flattered – you can come back.
Damian is definitely the most rock ‘n’ roll performer of the night. Sharp, grooving and confident. We like.
Jamie Hay
Jamie is one of the success stories of OOTB this year. When he first came along some months back, he visibly shook with nerves and struggled to get his songs across. Each time he performs he just gets better, and more confident; last night there were no signs of nerves at all. Well done sir! Oh, and Calum covets your guitar.
Ross Galloway
I can never quite put my finger on why his songs work. They are not over-complicated and nor is his playing, but it is simply beautiful. Tonight it’s just a short set from Ross, but he’s one of the performers at the 10th anniversary celebrations next week so come along and get your fill there.
Paul Chilver
He’s waited all night to perform, and Paul finishes off the night admirably. He’s relatively new to OOTB, having come to us via The Listening Room, and he’s certainly developing. Looking forward to hearing Paul’s future appearances at OOTB.
Compere: Calum Carlyle
Sound: Malcom McLean
Review: Daniel Davis
OOTB Presents… OOTB 447 with Dale Radley + a lot of other stuff!
Right, i’ve got tons of stuff to tell you this week, so here goes…
Okay, it’s Dale Radley who’s our featured artiste at OOTB this Tuesday (25 October) at The Montague Bar, she’s really very good. Go and google her if you don’t already know this, but remember to come along to OOTB and hear her performing live for half an hour, and it’s free! Also, there are tons of open floorspots as usual, and they tend to get quickly filled up with excellent performers, so you’re getting an excellent night out, for free. And that’s 8pm at The Montague Bar (7:30pm to sign up for a floorspot).
Next, just a couple of reminders, next week (Tue 1 Nov) it’s our big covers night at OOTB so learn some cover songs, preferably of other OOTB performers. Also, i’ll just specify that you CAN still do your own songs. OOTB will never prohibit you from doing your own songs, that’s what we’re here for. But for one night only, to celebrate our tenth anniversary, it’s covers night NEXT week.
Also next week, on Friday 4 November, it’s the big OOTB tenth anniversary extravaganza at Cabaret Voltaire, it’s a fiver to get in, and you can buy tickets in advance here. And the acts performing on the night will be: Rossco Galloway, Fraser Drummond, James Whyte and Caro Bridges!
Right, back to this week, remember to go to the Ale House open mic on Friday, it’s on Clerk Street opposite the old Odeon and it starts at 9:30pm.
Then on Saturday 29th October there’s an event on at 7:30pm in the Dalmeny Street Drill Hall (on Dalmeny Street, not surprisingly) in association with Word Power Books. There will be a gaelic singing choir, some readings from various books, by their authors, and i (Calum Carlyle) will be doing a live set too. There’s a bar, and admission is free. They actually are running a Radical Book Festival for several days, and this is just one event, so check out the list of stuff, plenty of it is free.
Oh yes! And i also wanted to just mention that at OOTB we’re always looking for people to compere the evening, to do the sound desk, possibly even to write reviews. We do the compering and the sound desk on a rota basis, so if you’re interested in doing these things, then let us know, by speaking to us at The Montague, or by replying to this email, and let us know your availability and we’ll stick you on the rota. We won’t fling you in the deep end, obviously we’ll have an old hand from OOTB there to assist you, but yes, it’s always good to get some new blood surging through our ten year old musical veins!
And just so you know, the next Secret CDs will feature: Jill Hepburn, Freeloadin’ Frank, Norman Lamont and the Invisible Helpers, and Ballboy.
And the next Edinburgh Unlimited will feature: Confushian, Conscious Route, Supermarionation, and Metaltech.
But i’ll give you those details in full in the next couple of OOTB emails. Till then, keep on chooglin’…
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom
Better late than never, eh?
Right well this week at OOTB, the featured act is Naledi Herman! She’s got a great voice, and she’s written some fantastic songs. Also we’ll have the cream of Edinburgh’s songwriting community performing in the open floorspots too, so get yourself along to The Montague Bar tomorrow (Tue 11 October) evening for that, it’s an 8pm start (7:30pm to sign up for one of the open slots).
I’ll give you the rest of this week’s listings but DON’T GO AWAY, because i’ve got some important stuff for you nearer the bottom of this email.
Right, on Wednesday it’s the next installment in the Edinburgh Unlimited saga, if the good lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise, the lineup for this month’s Edinburgh Unlimited will be: Chris Yendell (he’s great, you’ll have seen him at OOTB recently), Calypso Brown (she’s also great, you’ll have heard her at OOTB recently, as well as elsewhere), Luke Scott Dumper (again, he’s great, why would we book him otherwise? He’s come all the way from Plymouth for this gig!), and The Whiskey Priest (he’s here from the USA, on tour in the UK promoting his new CD album and this is his only Edinburgh gig). All that for ONLY £2, and it’s at Medina (or The Third Door, i think they might now be calling it) (it’s next door to Negociants, anyway) at 45 Lothian Street on Wednesday 12 October at 8pm.
On Thursday, i don’t know about you but i’m going to the Cameo at 7pm to see Scorsese’s new George Harrison documentary.
On Friday, there’s the Ale House open mic night, at The Ale House on Clerk Street, opposite the old Odeon, and it starts at 9:30pm, it’s always a stoater of a night so if you’re on the fence, just go along, it’s great.
Then on Saturday Sir Tom Watton, and yours truly (Calum Carlyle), rock the Ale House. I think it’ll be 10pm onwards, something like that. Might be 9pm. 🙂 It will no doubt be drunken fun and hilarity, anyway.
Then on Sunday at The Listening Room at The Blue Blazer, the featured act is Sir Tom Watton! He’s a busy chap. He’s also very good, so come along. It starts at 8pm with some (notably excellent i’m sure) floorspots, and then it’s Sir Tom Watton to follow.
right, here’s that important stuff i mentioned. You all know by now that in a few weeks we celebrate OOTB’s tenth anniversary! Well, here are the details of our big tenth anniversary extravaganza. It’s only a fiver, and you get four full length sets from performers down the years, plus tons of other OOTB related fun and games. It’s at the Cab Vol Speakeasy on Friday 4 Nov, at 7pm (don’t be late, seriously, it’s going to be prompt!) – Now, we know some of you no longer live in Edinburgh so please get in touch (by replying to this email) if you want to crash at somebody’s house OR if you can offer to have somebody crash at your house, then please also get in touch, we’ll do our best to put you all in touch with each other and it’ll all be smiley faces all round.
That same week we’re having our ONLY covers night of 2011 at The Montague Bar on 1 November, so learn those covers now, don’t leave it to the last minute! We particularly enjoy covers of other OOTB performers, so don’t be shy to email or IM each other asking for chords, lyrics etc. Covers of your favourite recording artistes, and of course your own original material are also allowed, but for one night only, 1 November will be covers night at OOTB.
By the way i really want to mention a couple of things about OOTB, i get emails asking me this the entire time, so let me just say: We don’t pre-book any slots except the featured act slot, the slots go on a first come, first served basis on the night, no exceptions. Also, we have a longstanding policy of only giving featured act slots to performers who have played a few times (at least) at OOTB in one of the “normal” slots. That’s just for your information, folks. 🙂
Also, i think i mentioned this last time, but there’s a very nice chap promoting local music on his podcast, here’s the blurb:
Steve Boniface – Labelled Independent, the New Music Podcast. Episode #5 Out Now!
Subscribe to the podcast
Listen to individual episodes
Find links to all our featured Labels, Artists & Events
Donate to the podcast, and win prizes!
Also, i wanted to mention this other thing too, from Scottish Connection, it’s a weekly video broadcast on the web, featuring local Edinburgh songwriters, one each week, every Friday night at 9pm, it’s a two hour show, check it out!
It’s called Scottish Connection Online and obviously if you’re a performer then that’s even more reason to get to know about all this stuff.
Okay, i can tell that’s about all you want to see me type this week, so take care, bon voyage, and happy trails for now…
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom
Hi again everybody,
This week at OOTB, as well as a lot of open floorspots which will be filled with the cream of Edinburgh’s live performers, we’ve also got Chris Yendell performing the featured act slot. He’s really good, and it’s always a good atmosphere when he’s playing, so come along, you’ll have a good time. It’s 8pm as usual (7:30pm to sign up for a floorspot) and that’s at The Montague Bar on St Leonards Street (formerly The Maltings) tomorrow (Tuesday 4 Oct), and it’s free as usual.
Also this week, it’s Secret CDs on Wednesday 5 October, at the Voodoo Rooms for only £3 you get four excellent acts performing live! The acts this month are: Miasma, Bob Hillary, Pol Arida, and Emma Forman. All four of these acts is great, in my opinion, and it’s a very eclectic selection too. Plus, Pol Arida plans to simultaneously broadcast the gig in Second Life (TM), so if you want to spend some time in cyberspace, you can do that on Wednesday too.
On Friday it’s the very enjoyable Ale House open mic as usual (at the Ale House on Clerk Street at 9:30pm on Friday 7 October), and it’s free of course.
And on Sunday it’s the Blue Blazer/Listening Room, on the corner of Spittal and Bread Streets. This week the featured act is Calum Carlyle, trying out a bunch of new songs, recently written as part of 50/90. Come along and hear a lot of songs being performed for the first time. The open mic section starts at 8pm, and the featured act is at 9pm and it’s free.
Another thing i wanted to mention is the Labelled Independent podcast. It’s a real collection of actual independent artistes, very interesting to listen to, and if you or someone you know is an independent artiste, you could be featured. Check it out. To subscribe for free on iTunes, search the iTunes store for ‘Labelled Independent’ or follow this link through the Apple website: http://bit.ly/
So the first week of November is a big week for us, as it’s the tenth anniversary of the first Out of the Bedroom. To celebrate this, we’re having a “covers night” on Tuesday 1 November at The Montague Bar, please try to learn a song (or songs) by another OOTB performer, to perform on the night. You’re still allowed to do your original stuff of course, but we’d encourage you to do covers of your favourite songs from OOTB as well. And that’s on the 1st November, so you’ve not got long to get organised!
But Wait! Also that week, on Friday 4 Nov, at the Cabaret Voltaire Speakeasy from 7pm til 10pm it’s the big tenth anniversary OOTB extravaganza! We’ve got four live acts, and some other fun stuff too, plus the ubiquitous silver bag of dreams. It’ll be a fiver entry, and the four acts are: Rossco Galloway, Fraser Drummond, James Whyte, and Caro Bridges And The River. Well worth it. 🙂 A special mention should go to James Igoe of Secret CDs fame, also a founder member of OOTB, without whom this event would not have been possible.
And that’s it, see you out there in musicland, people, take care till then,
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom
