Live at The Old Stables....
February 23rd 2017 - Ben Glover and Jack Cooper
Two more fascinatingly talented artists take the stage at The Old Stables in February. Our main act, Ben Glover is a wonderful Irish talent, who's early life in the north of Ireland had a soundtrack from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. So, when he started playing gigs in the local pub at the age of 13, he played Irish music, of course, but he also slipped in songs from Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. In the summers of his university years, Glover paid his way across the pond by performing Irish folk ballads along with the songs of Christy Moore and the Pogues in the bars in Boston, while back home in the pubs of Ireland he was singing Dylan and Springsteen.
In 2009, Glover relocated to Nashville and immersed himself in Southern culture. He began exploring the locations that were closely associated with the music he grew up listening to — Hank Williams' tombstone in Montgomery, Alabama; Johnny Cash's childhood home in Dyess, Arkansas; Robert Johnson's grave in Greenwood, Mississippi. Those experiences informed and infused the soul of his acclaimed 2014 solo album, Atlantic. With his current album, The Emigrant, Glover continues to search for his place in the world.
Support for Ben comes from Jack Cooper. Jack performed at The Old Stables last May and with a set of original material with influences from Bob Dylan, Bon Iver, Ben Howard and Bruce Springsteen, combined with his strong voice and depth of performance, we are really pleased to welcome him back.
www.facebook.com/pg/JackCooperuk
January 12th 2017 - Tim Arnold and George WIlding
SOLD OUT
Tim Arnold was the main act at the opening night of The Old Stables back in November 2015. It was a sell out then, and it's going to be a sell out this time too! Tim is an incredibly hard working and versatile artist and musician, constantly re-energising and exploring new creative paths. Since his last appearance, Tim has been incredibly busy creating and performing. His recent soundtrack for the film, Blood Money, led Iggy Pop to compare him to none other than David Bowie - some accolade indeed. And Kevin Godley of 10cc fame, said of his recent single “it is 3 minutes and 43 seconds of razor sharp dystopian Pop that satirises our addiction to screen candy and a growing sense that nothing is worth anything unless it's on a screen or has one". It's so very exciting to gave Tim back with us again..
Support comes from Wiltshire based, George Wilding. George is a young and phenomenally talented young singer songwriter with a freshness to his style that cannot be manufactured. With many live performances over the last few years, he has gained a devoted following, and his recordings have been picked up by BBC Radio Two and received airplay from both Graham Norton and Janice Long.
www.georgewilding.com
December 15th 2016 - William the Conqueror and Josh O'Keefe
SOLD OUT
We are thrilled to welcome back William The Conqueror to the Old Stables. is the latest creation of treasure of the folk circuit, Ruarri Joseph. With 4 studio albums in under the name Ruarri Joseph, his latest creation is William the Conqueror and has hit a vein of creativity, recording 3 albums of new music in his shed!
William The Conqueror is all about three passionate musicians hell bent on staying in love with what they do. There are so many influences on their beautiful music, everything underpinned with the warmth and comfort of good old-fashioned roots music. What is undoubtedly unique is ‘William’s’ rich, earnest voice and the poetic nuance of a man clearly wise to the complexities and hardships of love and life.
In an age of soundbites and tweets, pastiches, genres and references, William the Conqueror, quite simply, makes real, original music.
http://www.williamtheconqueror.net/
Support comes from the wonderful Josh O'Keefe. Josh is young singer songwriter from Derbyshire already making it big on the country music scene in Nashville, USA. His debut EP, Written from the Heart, reached number 15 on the iTunes top 100 country albums chart, and he has signed a worldwide publishing deal.
https://www.facebook.com/joshokeefeofficial/
November 24th 2016 - Worry Dolls and Jamie R Hawkins
SOLD OUT
Worry Dolls have an aversion to writing “clichéd love songs” instead preferring tongue-in-cheek lyrics and clever, hook riddled melodies. The legendary broadcaster Bob Harris describes then as “a warm and infectious sound”. They are no strangers to radio, their brand of harmonic roots sounds like it is straight from the Appalachian Mountains has been heard on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.
Worry Dolls have played Glastonbury and toured with Joan Armatrading and their current tour sees them play Bristol Folk Festival, Under The Apple Tree festival, Newquay, Richmond and of course a stop at Cricklade!
They have just finished recording an album in Nashville with top producer, Neilson Hubbard, which is due for release early 2017.
"The brilliantly quirky duo Worry Dolls – a super-shiny beacon of joy in a dreamland far, far away from the persistently 'regular' sound of folk that's flooding the charts right now," - The Huffington Post
Support comes from the wonderful Jamie R Hawkins.
“a powerful mixture of storyteller, philosopher and poet”, his lyrics as “poignant and witty” and his performances, “emotive and captivating”, that’s how you get described when you win awards for your songwriting.
His song ‘Bloody Good Xmas’ won the acoustic/folk category in the 2011 UK Songwriting Contest and then went on to achieve a #2 position in the Amazon Download Charts. Since then, Jamie has gone from strength to strength, honing his craft both as a writer and as a performer, and can now usually be found either in the studio scribbling away in his dog-eared note book or performing his songs to the masses.
October 13th 2016 - Boo Hewerdine & Dan Whitehouse
SOLD OUT
Boo Hewerdine's work includes lead singer and creative force behind The Bible, formed in the 1980s, and reformed in 1994, as well as solo recordings and work for film. He has also produced records by several artists, including a long association with Eddi Reader. He has never seriously troubled chart compilers, arena tour promoters or the mainstream media, but over the last couple of decades Boo has quietly established himself as one of Britain's most consistently accomplished songwriters. He has written songs for K.D. Lang, Paul Young, Mel C, Marti Pellow, Chris Difford, David McAlmont, Brian Kennedy, Kris Drever, Sarah Jane Morris, Alex Parks, and Natalie Imbruglia to name but a few.
Praise for Boo Hewerdine:
“one of Britain's most consistently accomplished songwriters" – BBC, Colin Irwin
"one of the best songwriters we have" - Independent on Sunday
"one of the country's finest lyricists" - Birmingham Evening Mail
Support will be provided by Dan Whitehouse. A talented songwriter and storyteller, a modern day troubadour, Dan Whitehouse was born in Wolverhampton and has spent a lifetime in Britain's industrial heartland with a brief detour along the hippie trail when his parents decided to board the magic bus to Katmandu and San Francisco in the 1970s, and then to London as an eighteen year old, his prodigious talent making him a sought after guitarist. Between recording and touring Dan works as a community musician using music and songwriting in a therapeutic way with vulnerable groups of people such as those with learning difficulties, acquired brain injury or disaffected young people in PRUs (pupil referral units).
Praise for Dan Whitehouse:
“eloquent with his songs, simple fluttering melodies with deep, touching and often humorous lyrics." – Artree Folk Music
"..a reflective songwriter ... a sensitive singer, with blues and folk leanings" - South Wales Evening Post
September 15th 2016 - Vinny Peculiar & Jim Blair
SOLD OUT
Vinny Peculiar , famously christened the Tony Hancock of pop by UNCUT MAGAZINE, is the pseudonym of Alan Wilkes; a Manchester based performance poet and songwriter who’s bands have vicariously included members of the Smiths, the Fall and OASIS. He’s toured the theatres and concert halls of Europe opening for the likes of Arab Strap and The Divine Comedy and is a regular compere/performer on the Glastonbury Festival Acoustic Stage.
Vinny [aka Alan Wilkes] has been variously described as ‘An under sung national treasure’ [UNCUT Magazine 2014] – a warm hearted Morrissey [Q Magazine 2014] and the missing link between Jarvis Cocker and Roger McGough [Irish Times 2014].
Praise for Vinny Peculiar:
“'Vinny Peculiar, what can I say? Funny, great voice, nice hat, very entertaining and mad as a shithouse rat!” – Drowned in Sound
“Crashing poppily through Vinny's world of nostalgia and insight every song stuffed to the gills with melody and eccentricity, clever, funny and wonderfully weird’ - R2 Magazine
Support will be provided by a returning favourite of the Old Stables, Jim Blair.
Jim is a strong and original exponent of the Blues side guitar with an exciting and energetic style. Usually accompanied by his band Hiproute, this show will be Jim and his slide guitar. Never happier than when he is on stage as evident with the list of acts he has played with so far; Jason Mraz, Ben Howard, Newton Faulkner, Alabama 3, James Morrison and Martin Harley Band to name a few.
Praise for Jim Blair:
“'Sicker than Seasick Steve” – The Independent
Photo Credit - Zoe Barrie
August 18th 2016 - Blue Rose Code & Chloe Marie
SOLD OUT
Blue Rose Code is Edinburgh-born songwriter Ross Wilson. At the edge of contemporary alt-folk, Wilson's music evokes a meeting of Van Morrison and a young John Martyn, both shipwrecked with a bunch of Motown records
In the space of only a short few years and two stellar albums, Blue Rose Code, Edinburgh-born Ross Wilson, has gone from song-writing in the obscurity of an East London flat to being celebrated by the industry and fans alike as a legacy artist whose work stands alone. As BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Mary-Anne Kennedy said recently, “Blue Rose Code is one of those rare artists whose work makes you sit up and listen”
Performing live he is stunning, and this reputation led Edith Bowman to personally ask Ross to perform on the launch show of BBC At The Quay with Texas and Stornoway. Edith described Ross’ performance with a nine-piece band as “truly special and beautiful”.
Praise for Blue Rose Code:
“Blue Rose Code is a very important emerging singer/songwriter.” – Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
“This is simply beautiful, I am a folk convert.”- Emma Freud, BBC Radio 4
“An affirmation of love that links human relationships with the natural world. As sublimely paced as Astral Weeks-era Van Morrison.” – Folk Radio UK
“Ross Wilson’s mellifluous voice and fluid fingerpicking cast him as the natural successor to John Martyn.” – The Evening Standard
Support comes from Cricklade's very own Chloe Marie.
With a strong, pure voice, Chloe Marie is a very talented singer-songwriter, rapidly becoming established in the local area. Having recently graduated from the Swindon Academy of Music and Sound she is shortly off to the University of Gloucester to further her musical development. Chloe sings beautiful versions of some classic songs as well as performing her own material.
July 21st 2016 - Ben Cipolla Band & Chloe Foy
SOLD OUT
Ben Cipolla is coming back to The Old Stables and this time he's back with his band.
The BBC features heavily in Ben’s development so far; he has played live sessions for BBC London and BBC West and was discovered while busking by BBC presenter Clare Teal. He is no stranger to playing live with performances at Glastonbury, Weymouth Olympic Ceremony, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Wychwood Festival, Woodfest and was voted “Best Newcomer” at the Marlborough Jazz Festival where Clare Teal asked him to duet with her.
He is equally as accomplished a guitarist as he is a vocalist as his “The Guest House” EP will attest. He first played The Old Stables in February as a solo artist but returns to us with full band including percussion and brass section.
Praise for Ben Cipolla:
'“His vocals are like having liquid chocolate dripped in your ears, smooth and rich, a truly spectacular instrument.”
“so much energy and talent in such a young band”
“the place was hopping to their swinging jazz sounds, a phenomenal night out”
Support comes from the wonderful Chloe Foy.
Chloe Foy’s roots lie in a catchy, homegrown music that has been likened to sounds such as Laura Marling and Sharon Van Etten. Chloe imbues her songs with a lyrical lilt and rhythmic inflection evocative of much of the music she loves. Classically educated from the age of four, Chloe’s music comprises of carefully constructed arrangements that delicately compliment her cryptic lyrics.
Chloe’s most recent single, ‘In The Middle Of The Night’, received generous support from Steve Lamacq on his BBC Radio 2 & 6 shows, as well as favourable reviews from mainstream media across the country. After taking a year out to write, Chloe has returned to the live scene with a refreshing new sound.
‘definitely a name to watch’ – Folk Radio UK
‘…enchanting vocals and mature songwriting from this wonderful, rising talent’ – Thank Folk For That
‘Stunningly beautiful’ – The Mancunion
‘Sublime vocals’ – Stroud Fringe
June 23rd 2016 - Winter Mountain & Josh Wolfsohn
Winter Mountain hails from the wild northern shores of Cornwall, and is a blend of melodic songs, an extraordinary voice and heartfelt lyrics in a sound reminiscent of a time before digital recording when the emphasis fell on the importance of live performance and the essence of the song.
Indeed, it was these very qualities that inspired folk star Cara Dillon and her husband/producer Sam Lakeman to sign Winter Mountain to their 'Charcoal Records' label after watching a performance in Donegal, Ireland.
Winter Mountain released their self titled debut album in 2013 to unanimous critical acclaim with The Sunday Express naming "Winter Mountain" 'an utterly fabulous record' and awarding it a 5 star review, The Irish Post calling it 'A smashing album, a terrific, classy debut', whilst Maverick Magazine had this to say: 'Winter Mountain make them like they used to, and three cheers for that!'.
At present there are over thirty 5 star reviews on Amazon for the album.
Tracks from Winter Mountains debut album still receive regular national radio play from the likes of Janice Long, Dermot O'Leary, Clare Balding (BBC Radio 2), on RTE Radio 1 and from local stations in both the UK and Ireland.
Praise for Winter Mountain:
'A great gig, beautiful songs. You really must see Winter Mountain live' - Janice Long, Radio 2
'Amazing...awesome singing, such beautiful songs.' - Rosanne Cash
An utterly fabulous record' - The Daily Express
'Winter Mountain make them like they used to, and three cheers for that!' - Maverick Magazine
'A smashing debut album' - The Irish Post
'One of my favourite bands' - Clare Balding
Support comes from the wonderful Josh Wolfsohn.
We were so proud to have Josh Wolfsohn as the opening act at our very first Live at The Old Stables session. His wit-laden and edgy material went down a storm - and we had no choice other than to get him back for a return visit.
May 19th 2016 - William The Conqueror & Jack Cooper
SOLD OUT
William The Conqueror is the latest creation of treasure of the folk circuit, Ruarri Joseph. With 4 studio albums in under the name Ruarri Joseph, his latest creation is William the Conqueror and has hit a vein of creativity, recording 3 albums of new music in his shed!
William The Conqueror is all about three passionate musicians hell bent on staying in love with what they do. There are so many influences on their beautiful music, everything underpinned with the warmth and comfort of good old-fashioned roots music. What is undoubtedly unique is ‘William’s’ rich, earnest voice and the poetic nuance of a man clearly wise to the complexities and hardships of love and life.
In an age of soundbites and tweets, pastiches, genres and references, William the Conqueror, quite simply, makes real, original music.
http://www.williamtheconqueror.net/
Support comes from the wonderful Jack Cooper.
Jack Cooper draws from Bob Dylan, Bon Iver, Ben Howard and Bruce Springsteen to create egdy stories wrapped up in jagged acoustic guitar.
Jack favours alternate tunings and fingerpicking with different rhythmic strumming patterns to open up the sound of the guitar.
April 14th 2016 - Worry Dolls, Jim Blair & Tina Refsnes
Worry Dolls is two stunning musicians with perfect harmonies and melodies fresh from Nashville and the Appalachians. Described by Bob Harris as “a warm and infectious sound”, Worry Dolls’ music is packed full of sublime harmonies, atop a plethora of varied instruments. Many will have seen them performing at Glastonbury Festival, supporting Joan Armatrading on tour, or heard their music played on Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music. Now it's Cricklade's turn...
http://www.worrydollsmusic.com/
Our second act is the fantastic guitarist Jim Blair. Usually appearing as part of the 3 piece band Hiproute, this show will be just Jim and his slide guitar. He is an incredibly talented blues guitarist and is never happier than when he is on stage - check out the list of acts he has shared a stage with so far; Jason Mraz, Ben Howard, Newton Faulkner, Alabama 3, James Morrison and Martin Harley Band to name a few.
“Sicker than Seasick Steve” – The Independent
Our third act is the sublime Tina Refsnes. Hailing from the Norwegian capital of Oslo, Tina Refsnes is a singer-songwriter currently concocting a potent mix of English new-folk and poignant acoustic Americana.
"Gorgeous!" Lauren Laverne, BBC Radio 6 Music
"Uplifting, witty and genuinely affecting." CLASH Magazine
March 17th 2016 - Richard Walters and Findlay Napier
SOLD OUT
Richard Walters is multi faceted artist who, as a solo artist, has released three albums and four EP’s, all to critical acclaim. His music is no stranger to US television and has been used is shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, CSI:Miami Criminal Minds and Revenge.
As a songwriter he has worked with Bernard Butler, Dan Wilson, Gabrielle Aplin, Alison Moyet to name a few.
Richard recorded a successful ad campaign in Poland; so successful that the recording went to number at Christmas. He has just come off tour with number 1 selling artist Jamie Lawson.
“Something extravagantly special' - MOJO
'Hushed and haunting' - THE GUARDIAN
'Exquisite agony' - UNCUT
Findlay Napier made his name touring and recording with multi-award winning traditional Scottish folk band Back of the Moon. In his more recent projects “Queen Anne’s Revenge” and “The Bar Room Mountaineers” his song-writing took centre stage and was described by The Sunday Herald as “Genuine songcraft and wit following in the Difford & Tilbrook tradition”. Findlay is also well known as the host of Celtic Connections’ Late Night Sessions and for his Hazy Recollections concert series which showcases the very best in new roots music.
His new album, VIP: Very Interesting Persons, contains ten songs about real life characters that have led very interesting lives.
“One of the most intriguing and enjoyable albums…” Maverick Magazine
“Album of the Week” The Sunday Express
“…the first sensational album of 2015…” Liverpool Sound and Vision
February 11th 2016 - Anna Pancaldi and Ben Cipolla
SOLD OUT
London-based singer Anna Pancaldi is really going places. Her debut EP went to No.6 on the iTunes singer-songwriter chart, she starred and had one of her songs used in a Levi’s advert, and even has her own infusion of Gin available in high end department store Harvey Nichols! Anna’s haunting, deep and honest voice has been heard in support of the likes of Seafret, Paper Aeroplanes and Prides. This year will see her release her second EP and tour in the U.S. We are sure you will enjoy her unique talents as much as we do.
Support comes from the young and incredibly talented Ben Cipolla. Ben is a singer-songwriter from Wiltshire who began as a 14 year old busker, and has performed his own music ever since. He was spotted busking in 2012 by Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal, who says he is writing ‘terrific songs’. He is no stranger to playing live with performances at Glastonbury, the Weymouth Olympic Ceremony and was voted “Best Newcomer” at the Marlborough Jazz Festival. With his rich, jazz tones he is sure to be a resounding success at The Old Stables. Enjoy....
Doors open at 7.30pm.