2018 - Page 10 of 24 - STAGING Maverick

Getting to know The Sharpeez

Q 1: Who is in the band? A: William “Bill” Mead is the lead singer and guitarist (and main songwriter). Loz Netto (ex-Sniff ‘n’ The Tears) is lead guitarist, Brendan O’Neill (ex-Rory Gallagher and Nine Below Zero) drummer and Baz Payne is bass player. Q 2: Where and when was the band formed? A: The first version of the band was formed in London in 1984 and played the pub and club R&B scene, with the likes of Dr Feelgood, Eddie and the Hot Rods and The Stranglers. Filling such famed venues as The Nashville Rooms, Hope and Anchor, The Marquee and the Golden Lion. Q 3: What recordings has the band released so far? A: Our fifth album “Wild One” has just been released by 3MS Music. The album which we recorded in France, (with recording engineer Paul Madden, who has worked with The White Stripes, Jack Bruce, Robin Trower, The Stranglers and many others), has received widespread critical acclaim and much radio airplay across UK and Europe. We were in the Top 20 of the IBBA chart based on airplay. Q 4: What style is your music? A: What we call “Maximum R&B”. It is rockin, loud and will get your feet moving and your hips swaying. Great driving music, great dancing music and a focus on strong original songs. Two guitars, drums, bass and vocals that guarantee a good time in the flesh or on our albums. Q 5: Who writes the songs on the latest album? A: Bill Mead penned six of the nine songs, co-writing the other three cuts: “Bullet” with Strawbs member Brian Willoughby and Nashville-based Cathryn Craig, “Stiletto Heels” with former Sharpeez guitarist Pete Goodey and “Desperate Man” with Pete Feenstra. Q 6: You got a break some years ago, when you were booked to open for a star band? A: Yes. The support band to The Stray Cats pulled out on the day of the gig, and we got a call to save the day. When we got there, the place was full of Hell’s Angels and I wondered if we’d get out of there alive when they heard us. But they loved what we did, and we went down a storm. Q 7: You were offered a record deal with a major record label some years ago? A: Yes. The manager of the band Fischer Z got us a contract with A&M. But this fell by the wayside at the 11th hour after issues with two of the band members. Q 8: You (Bill Mead) were so upset about losing the record deal and that big chance, you quit the music business? A: I did. I was so disillusioned with the band and the music business, I sold all of my equipment and focused on my family and a day job for some years. Q 9: So, what made you come back? A: I had made an album by then and my two daughters got to hear it one day and learned all the tracks off by heart, and they loved the record. They were sad that their Dad had quit the music scene. We were sat having a meal in a pub one night, music came from the back room and my daughters went to investigate, to find a jam session just starting, by chance. There was no bass player and they put my name in the frame and I was asked to step in. I got the buzz and the bug for playing live again. Q 10: You regularly tour in Europe and over here. Which is best for audience response? A: I love playing live in the UK and mainland Europe, equally. The buzz comes from being well received and people wanting to take home your music in the form of CDs. The venues we play usually want us back, and we had a full-house for our CD launch gig at The Half Moon in London recently. So, I figure we must be doing something right after all these years! For more details on The Sharpeez: www.sharpeez.webs.com

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An insight into the Cinelli Brothers

News / Editor

Q 1: Who is in the band? A: Marco Cinelli is the lead singer and guitarist, his brother Alessandro is the drummer, Enzo Strano on bass, Rollo Markee plays harmonica and Alberto Manuzzi is on keyboards. Q 2: Where and when was the band formed? A: In London about two years ago. Alessandro moved here from Italy and Marco from Spain. Q 3: What recordings have you released so far? A: The debut album, “Babe Please Set Your Alarm”. Self-released in May 2018, to great critical acclaim. A dozen tracks; nine originals and three covers by Prince, Willie Dixon and Don Covay/Aretha Franklin. Q 4: What style is your music? A: Authentic Chicago and Texas blues with a soulful, modern edge, played with passion and from the heart. Q 5: Why blues and how did you become influenced by that genre? A: As kids back in Italy, we (Marco and Alessandro) would dance in the warm Mediterranean sunshine to the glorious sounds of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, from our father’s record collection. We were hooked ! Q 6 : Was anyone in your family musical and when did you both start to play instruments ? A : Our Father played guitar and drums in church. Marco picked up the guitar at the age of 11, while Alessandro started playing drums when he was seven. Both took lessons. Q 7 : Marco, guitarists will be interested in your technique and the equipment you use. A : I play an Eastwood Arline Tuxedo guitar that I bought second hand in Milwaukee, Wisconsin five years ago. I use thick strings, dropping the tuning in D, and I never use a ‘pick’ (plectrum), only my fingers. No pedals or effects. Q 8 : What was your aim when you recorded your debut album, “Babe Please Set Your Alarm” ? A : To make an authentic blues album with a modern twist, to sound like the records our Father used to play at home in Italy. To achieve that, we needed to go old-school and record to analogue tape. Playing live in the studio and working fast. We cut 18 songs in three days and chose 12 for the album. Q 9 : The band plays live here and overseas. Where have you toured so far ? A : As the band : UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. My brother and I have been to the USA several times and sat in there with blues players, in Chicago and New York. Q 10: Who is this album dedicated to? A: Our main influence is the legendary blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter Little Walter. He is the reason we do what we do. So, we dedicated the record to him – and to our parents; who encouraged us to learn to play our instruments and to get out there, see the world and perform. For more information about The Cinelli Brothers and to buy their album “Babe Please Set Your Alarm”: store.cdbaby.com/cd/thecinellibrothers www.cinellibrothers.com

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Arkansas Dave UK tour starts this weekend!

News / Editor

It’s a romantic cliché to find an escape in music , but living that life is a different matter. Ask Arkansas Dave about growing up in a broken home, with fundamental Christianity on one side, and crippling drug-addiction on the other, and you can see in his eyes that this is no easy ride, and that at times music really was his only friend. Chasing his dream of music, Dave played in bands, funding his music with a succession of jobs where he had to find his feet quickly – from busboy to assembly-worker in a trash-bag factory. His wake up call came at the edge of a breakdown with a cataclysmic weekend epiphany. He headed home for a rare visit, and was persuaded to play a few songs to his family. The response he got from his grandfather sent his mind racing, only for him to find out the next week that his grandfather had died 24 hours later. Determined to clean himself up, and sort his life, Arkansas Dave enrolled on an audio engineering course at Media Tech in Austin Texas, driving into town with a trailer loaded with all his possessions, ‘like something out of the Beverly Hillbillies’. And that’s where everything changed – the college was housed at that time in the famous Arlyn Studios, home to sessions from Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Ray Charles. Dave with his musical co-horts took the night shift at the studios – laying down tracks and learning the ropes. A succession of bands followed, picking up a strong local following around Austin. The final part of his musical education saw Dave touring North America as a member of old bluesman Guitar Shorty’s band, where he learned ‘what it took to be a professional musician’ Fast forward to 2016 and Dave has written the album he’s always wanted to create – a wide ranging blues-rock based record that tells the story of his life, but resonates with all of us. The project just needed one more ingredient, so enter the Swampers, the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. In a blistering eight-day recording session at Fame Studios the band laid down the backing tracks, and Dave returned to Arlyn to complete the vocals. So the next chapter of Dave’s life is about to be written as he pulls his band together and takes his album out on the road – this time on a road that he’s building…. 6th July – Maverick Festival, Ipswich 7th July – Maverick Festival, Ipswich 8th July – The Stag Inn, Hastings 11th July – The Doublet, Glasgow 12th July, The Atkinson, Southport 13th July – The Green Note, London 14th July – The Pennoyer Center, Pulham St Mary 19th July – The Chapel Arts, Bath 20th July – Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival 21st July – Summertyne Americana Festival, Gateshead 22nd July – The Sun Inn, Dedham

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The Devil Makes Three back with CHAINS ARE BROKEN

News / Editor

The Devil Makes Three is set to return with Chains Are Broken on August 24. The 11-song set was produced by Ted Hutt (Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly) and recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios in El Paso, TX. CHAINS ARE BROKEN is The Devil Makes Three’s first album of original material since 2013’s acclaimed I’M A STRANGER HERE and follows their widely-praised 2016 collection of covers, REDEMPTION & RUIN, which heralded the groups second #1 on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums Chart. Instead of their traditional revolving cast of collaborators in the studio, The Devil Makes Three stuck to its signature power trio of Pete Bernhard, Lucia Turino, and Cooper McBean – with one addition. This time, they invited touring drummer Stefan Amidon to power the bulk of the percussion, as the band seamlessly translated the spirit of their must-see live show into a studio recording. For as much as The Devil Makes Three remains rooted in troubadour traditions of wandering folk, Delta blues, whiskey-soaked ragtime, and reckless rock ‘n’ roll, the band nods to the revolutionary unrest of author James Baldwin, the no-holds barred disillusionment of Ernest Hemingway, and Southern Gothic malaise of Flannery O’Connor. In that respect, Chains Are Broken resembles a dusty leather-bound book of short stories from some bygone era. “I always want our songs to unfold like short stories,” affirms Pete Bernhard. “You could think of them as chapters of a book. This was a much more personal album about what it takes to be a writer of any kind – and what you have to do to make your dream possible. It was really the headspace I was in. It might have something to do with getting older. You start reflecting on life and the people around you. I was doing that in these songs. That’s what makes the record more personal. I’m pulling from these things. Some of it is about drug addiction. Some of it is about the things you sacrifice. Some of it is about the detrimental things we do for inspiration. Nevertheless, they all have some sort of narrative.” The Devil Makes Three will begin touring in support of Chains Are Broken with shows in the UK. Dates are as follows: Mon 10 Sept NOTTINGHAM Rock City Basement Tue 11 Sept GLASGOW Oran Mor Wed 12 Sept MANCHESTER Deaf Institute Thu 13 Sept BIRMINGHAM Hare & Hounds Fri 14 Sept LONDON Islington Assembly Hall

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Sam Palladio at Summertyne Fest!

News / Editor

Stars from the hit American musical drama Nashville will take to the stage at this year’s SummerTyne Americana Festival at Sage Gateshead. UK actor and musician Sam Palladio plays Gunnar Scott in the award-winning series, which follows the lives and tragedies of rising and fading country music stars in Nashville. He will be joined on Stage One stage on Sunday 22 July at 7.30pm by his good friends Striking Matches, who have contributed no less than nine songs to the Nashville series, which sparked a ratings surge, not to mention huge critical acclaim for the fresh and exciting duo. Completing the Bluebird style line-up is bright young Nashville star Sarah Darling who co-wrote the song Anchor from her hugely well received Dream Country album with Sam Palladio and has also contributed songs to the series. This year’s Festival, which kicks off on Friday 20 July, will include a mix of legendary Americana heavyweights, cross-over artists and breakthrough talent from both sides of the Atlantic. Graham Nash, Shawn Colvin, Natalie Merchant, Steve Earle and Iris Dement are among the headliners. Tamsin Austin, Director of Performance Programme at Sage Gateshead, said: “Striking Matches are a dynamite live act and audiences have always loved seeing them at Sage Gateshead and will really enjoy the chance to see them again alongside Sam and Sarah Darling, who are all great friends. “Sarah Darling is a rising star with Sage and SummerTyne audiences and received a fantastic response from audiences when she supported The Shires in 2017 and at her own gig earlier this year.” Sam grew up in the southwest of England and got his acting and musical big break playing the role of soulful, country songwriter Gunnar in ABC drama Nashville, created by Academy award-winning writer Callie Kouri and executive music producers T Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller. Sam found himself immersed in the worlds of Americana, folk and country and was able to make music with some of the finest musicians and songwriters in the world. He had found the perfect platform for the dual career he always dreamed of. His other television and film credits include Channel 4’s ‘Humans’, BBC’s ‘Episodes’ with Matt Leblanc, ‘Runner Runner’ starring Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck and Lucasfilms’ animated musical ‘Strange Magic’. Sam’s blend of modern Americana is influenced by the folk and rock sounds of the 1960s and ‘70s and classic storytellers like James Taylor and Paul Simon. SummerTyne Americana Festival attracts visitors from across the world for a sizzling celebration of Americana music in and around the spectacular setting of Sage Gateshead, on the south bank of the river Tyne. SummerTyne is a must for all music fans, bringing together established and new artists from America, Australia and the UK. Visit www.summertyne.co.uk or call Ticket Office on +44191 443 4661.

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Little Big Town exhibit opens at Country Music Hall of Fame

News / Editor

Grammy-winning vocal group Little Big Town have been paid special attention this week, drawing excited music fans to the Country Music Hall of Fame owing to an exhibit dedicated to the foursome. Neon signs used on the album cover for Pain Killer, Karen Fairchild’s wedding dress and costumes lined with LED lighting from the 2014 CMA Awards are amongst the host of items on display to the public. Also on display will be the story of how the group came together, its early struggles, and each band member’s personal childhood experiences. Little Big Town members Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook have released hits including The Road to Here (2005), Tornado (2012), Pain Killer (2014), and, most recently, The Breaker (2017). The exhibit, titled The Power of Four, will last until June 9, 2019.

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Thousands flock to Ramblin' Man Fest in Maidstone for outlaw country

News / Editor

Thousands of people headed to Maidstone in Kent at the weekend as countless musicians took to the stage. On Saturday, Southern blues country rockers Thomas Wynn and The Believers took to the Outlaw Country Stage to perform tracks from their album released last year (WADE WAIST DEEP). Wynn and sister Olivia have roots in rock music, but have made strides in country and folk music, winning awards for both. The Adelaides followed, taking inspiration from the Dixie Chicks and Dolly Parton to perform some well-known country classics, before leading into some of their new material. Jelly Baby and Whiskey In The Dirt were the crowd’s favourites, drawing dancing and cheers. Me And That Man also took to the Country Outlaw Stage, drawing crowds of people, while Skinny Molly proved a firm favourite with ear-splitting drums and guitar, appealing to rockier country music fans.

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David Leask – 'Six in 6/8' review

Top Picks / Editor

David Leask Six in 6/8 Self-released ✭✭✭✭ Six of the best from the award winning wordsmith Originally from Scotland, David Leask is now regarded as one of Canada’s leading song writers and numerous awards have made the music world sit up and take notice. His work draws from roots rock, Celtic and country although this rather short offering focuses very much on story-telling, anthem-like ballads, all played in his favourite 6/8 time signature. No less than 19 musicians add their talents to the album which was recorded in various studios from Toronto to Montreal, Nashville to Alabama. Justin Abedin’s excellent electric guitar is prominent on four of the six tracks but Leask appears to have selected specific musicians to suit particular numbers. This is certainly apparent on Red Balloonwhere Loretto Reid (flute, whistle, concertina), Rob Ikes (Dobro) and Doug Romanow (accordion) elevate this to the stand out track on the album. A charming tale of a child letting a balloon slip out of her hands and then remembering her mother’s words, when her first love deserts her; ‘let it go, let it fly’. All the songs are however, superbly crafted and David Leask possesses fine vocal talents although at times he attempts to sing slightly out of his range. When You Think No One Loves You, with its simple piano arrangement, is another superbly written ballad. This one’s certainly worth checking out; such a pity though that only six tracks, spanning just 23 minutes are featured. John Roffey www.davidleask.com

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Carrie Underwood confirmed for The Long Road fest!

News / Editor

Carrie Underwood, the seven-time GRAMMY Award winning country superstar, has been added to the line up for the three-day long The Long Road Festival. Taking place in Leicestershire from September 7-9 2018 the brand new music and lifestyle event will see a host of talented artists and musicians take to the stage from across the country, Americana and roots spectrum, which includes The Shires, Lee Ann Womack, Billy Bragg, Angaleena Presley, Catherine McGrath, The Wandering Hearts, Una Healy, Ward Thomas, Joshua Hedley, Charlie Worsham, Elizabeth Cook, Danielle Bradbery and many more. Underwood emerged from the promise of her 2005 American Idol win to become a true multi-format, multi-media superstar, spanning achievements in music, television, and film and propelling her to international stardom. A seven-time GRAMMY Award winner, she has sold 64 million records worldwide and recorded 26 #1 singles, 13 of which she co-wrote. She will release her new studio album, Cry Pretty – which features the hit lead single of the same name – on 14th September, a few days after her performance at The Long Road. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this exciting new festival that celebrates the heart and soul of country music on a global stage!” Carrie commented. Taking place within the grounds of Stanford Hall and curated by Tennessee-born country music specialist and radio presenter Baylen Leonard, The Long Road will present one of the UK’s largest, most authentic celebrations of country, Americana and roots music featuring five stages of live performances, authentic down home cookin’ and a wide range of themed outdoor activities. The festival has also partnered with an array of organisations including BBC Music Introducing, who will host a stage fronted by presenter of BBC Radio 2’s weekly country show Bob Harris showcasing a selection of up and coming country and Americana acts. Harris will also broadcast tracks from the festival on his weekly country show, which airs every Thursday at 8pm on BBC Radio 2. The Birthplace of Country Music, The Bluegrass Situation (BGS), The Americana Music Association UK, and independent UK label Loose Records, will also all be involved in bringing artists to the festival to showcase an array of international talent. The full line-up to date is as follows: Carrie Underwood Lee Ann Womack The Shires Billy Bragg Aaron Watson Angaleena Presley Brent Cobb Danielle Bradbery Ward Thomas Una Healy Charlie Worsham Ashley Campbell The Lone Bellow The Wood Brothers Elizabeth Cook Joshua Hedley The Wandering Hearts Caroline Spence Zack Logan Catherine McGrath Frontier Ruckus Folk Soul Revival Dori Freeman Andrew Alli The Brummies Logan Brill American Young Striking Matches Laura Oakes Luke Winslow-King Ruby Boots Ferris & Sylvester Andy Brown Kashena Sampson Danni Nicholls Parker Millsap Yola Carter William The Conqueror Jarrod Dickenson Dimpker Brothers Danny and The Champions of the World Megan O’Neill Two Ways Home Holloway Road Kevin McGuire Twinnie Jess and The Bandits Gary Quinn Treetop Flyers The Arlenes Joana Serrat Cardboard Fox Worry Dolls Tickets start at £45 and are available from www.thelongroad.com.

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Sonia Leigh and Friends: Studio 3 Sessions

Live events / Editor

Sonia Leigh set to release her full-length album on 15th June, 2018, paralleling her summer UK festival performances Sonia Leigh moved around frequently throughout her childhood, spending time in five states across the Bible Belt and Midwest. This filled her early life with changing scenery and half-packed moving boxes. Throughout, though, music remained a constant presence. “Growing up, my dad played music,” Sonia told Curve magazine, “He was a writer, and I’d listen to his songs that he wrote and I’d steal his guitar. As soon as I learned a few chords and I could change them fast enough, I started writing songs too.” Sonia became colored in many genres of music along her way. Influenced at a young age by her grandfather singing Hank Williams songs at family gatherings, soaking up her father’s own writing and record collection. It’s no surprise to mention her mothers classic rock favorites crept in and held a major roll in shaping her talents. In her early teens, the angst of the then-emerging grunge scene immediately set fire to a brand new trail and opened up a whole new world for Sonia’s musical wanderlust . Naturally, Sonia drew on every influence when she began writing and performing her own material, which she’s done since she began dreaming up her own songs in her bedroom. Along the way, this shape shifting singer-songwriter has honed both her craft and evolved her own genre-crossing style. “I grew up listening to country music with my Dad,” Sonia remembers, “but rock slowly became one of the biggest parts of the picture. I just loved it all, and I wanted to play it all. I was never someone who wanted to play only one style. I just wanted to play music.” Sonia’s passion for music transcends genres’ boxed-in boundaries, enabling her to maintain an expressive individuality, with energy and edge. She’s toured across the world with the likes of Melissa Etheridge, Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, and country legends such as Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. Back in her adopted hometown of Nashville, she’s become a popular songwriter on Music Row, with a pair of #1 hits to her name: Zac Brown Band’s ‘Goodbye in Her Eyes’ and ‘Sweet Annie’ (both featured on the Grammy-winning album ‘Uncaged’). Sonia Leigh has earned a reputation as a songwriter who stretches country music far beyond its traditional limits. Now, continuing to develop her solo career, working with new sounds, collaborators, and jumping genre boundaries with ease. Sonia is drawing in and on everything from pop. hip hop melodies and country storytelling to the no-rules spirit of grunge, combined with the energy of rock & roll. Catchy hooks and clever lyrics are Sonia Leigh’s trademarks. Her 11-track studio album ‘Sonia Leigh and Friends: Studio 3 Sessions’ shows an organic, honest, and raw approach. Recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios Sonia collaborates with hand selected UK musicians/artists including, James Tranter, James Dudley and Luke Davis from Broken Witt Rebels, sprinkled with a collection of surprise cameo’s. From the smokey vocals and catapulting guitar’s on ‘Jack is Back’ to the upbeat classic rock nod of ‘Alabama Bound’ and the witty, worldly-wise lyrics of ‘My Name is Money’, there are many gems on Sonia Leigh’s latest effort. Surprises such as a beautiful piano rendition of Claude Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’ and a never before recorded version of her penned number one hit for Zac Brown Band “Sweet Annie”. including a Tom Wait’s group sing along coupled with some brand new songs. There is something for everyone here. Sonia is most excited to pair up and work closely with Supa Jam a new music program that allows children and young adults from all back grounds in the UK to learn their musical path, with guidance from expert mentors in the industry. She will be headlining the Supa Jam stage at The Black Deer Festival Friday, 22nd June. You can also catch her pregame show Thursday, 21st June at the Hertford Corn Exchange. Check her website sonialeigh.com for info and don’t miss your chance to see this one of kind live. ‘Sonia Leigh and Friends: Studio 3 Sessions ‘ is available now for pre-order on iTunes and due to release on 15th June, 2018. Sonia Leigh and Friends: Studio 3 Sessions pre order link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/live-in-london-studio-3-sessions/1383365546 Website:http://sonialeigh.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonialeighmusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/sonialeigh

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