OOTB 453 featuring Jamie Hay

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