ROD CLEMENTS

Rod Clements is a Northumberland based singer/guitarist/songwriter who first came to fame in the early 1970’s as a founder member of Lindisfarne and writer of their first hit single, Meet Me On The Corner (1971). He also played bass on Ralph McTell’s no.1 record Streets Of London and has had close associations with many leading figures in the acoustic music revival, notably legendary guitarist Bert Jansch.

Rod now works mainly as a solo artist, performing his own material in a broad, rootsy style featuring his trademark slide guitar.

Rod Clements @ Bubbles in Ashington

All Acoustic managed to catch Rod Clements at a live gig at Bubbles in Ashington earlier this year and it was a fabulous experience and very intimate gig which was provided by Acoustic Magic. The gig had a selection of acoustic acts on to start the night off with , then Rod finally took to the stage to finish off the evening with his amazing slide guitar playing and enticing lyrics that drew you in to his story’s and song’s. We also managed to grab some photos from the evening thanks to www.nocturnal-images.co.uk

Thanks again go out to Rod for taking the time to answer the questions and for supporting All Acoustic…  and here they are!!

Which instruments do you own and play live? I have a lot of guitars but on solo gigs I stick to two: a 1995 Japanese Regal Dobro Resonator guitar tuned to open D, and a 1968 Harmony Sovereign DeLuxe in standard tuning. Most of my other guitars are weird old Japanese electrics in various states of disrepair. You can see some of them on my website www.rodclements.com.

What was the first tune(s) you remember learning? The guitar part from Sandy Nelson’s Let There Be Drums (1961), and then Rebel Rouser by Duane Eddy (which is very similar).

Does your family have a musical background? Not really. My mum learned piano but gave it up. My dad was a classical music fan who sometimes took me to concerts at Newcastle City Hall when I was a kid.

Which famous musicians have or still inspire you? Bob Dylan, Bert Jansch, Ry Cooder, Steve Earle, David Lindley, Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, Jerry Douglas, Oscar Peterson, Charles Mingus, and many many more.

How long have you been writing your own material for? I first tried writing songs in about 1967.

Have you ever had music lessons, been to a college of music or are you a self taught musician? I’m entirely self-taught and I play by ear. I don’t read music and I’ve had no formal training.

What has been your best Live gig or performance experience and why? Out of a lot of high spots (see below), if I had to pick one, it would be playing with Bert Jansch at Ronnie Scott’s Club in Soho in 1975. It was my first live appearance with Bert, and playing with one of my guitar heroes at such a prestigious venue really meant a lot to me.

How often and for how long do you practice? Not as much as I should. Practice is very important to any musician’s early development and when I first started, I spent my entire summer holiday in my bedroom playing along with the radio, which (although I didn’t realise it at the time) was great ear-training because I never knew what was coming next and had to figure out what key it was in, etc. Nowadays I tend to practise for specific goals, for instance learning a piece or working out a new song.

List any achievments you think you have managed to complete and think was important to your music career? Writing Meet Me On The Corner which was a hit record in 1971, paving the way for Fog On The Tyne to become the biggest-selling UK album of that year. Playing all over the world with Lindisfarne and coming home to Newcastle City Hall. Recording two albums with Bert Jansch. Releasing four (so far) solo albums under my own name.

What are your goals over the following 12 months regarding your music? Mainly, to record & release a new album of new songs, more acoustic-flavoured and roots-based than my recent studio work. To play at more new gigs, and hopefully get overseas a bit more.

Below is  Rod’s Myspace page and homepage links .. please pop by and have a listen..

HOMEPAGE – www.rodclements.com
MYSPACE – www.myspace.com/rodclements

Here is a Track from his album “Odd Man Out” which is available at his homepage above.

“TAKING THE BACK ROAD HOME”

Rod also managed to take time to answer the JUST FOR FUN section below too…

* Person or thing you would most like to be reincarnated as: A cat – preferably one of my own cats, if that’s not a logical impossibility.

* If your house was on fire what one thing would you take with you as you ran out? My Harmony Sovereign acoustic guitar.

* If you could go back to a particular period in history when would it be and why? The 1960s again, please – but only if I can keep the knowledge and experience I’ve gained since then. Why? Because it was a time of tremendous creativity and opportunity in music and all the arts. If I had to go back further, I’d like to be a talent scout in southern USA in the 1930s and discover Robert Johnson.

*  What is your favorite food and drink? Food: Italian. Drink: Real ale, Islay malt whisky, black coffee (all in fairly small doses nowadays, and not with Italian food. Except the coffee maybe).

*  What’s your pet hate? TV programmes which cynically encourage bullying and aggression – especially ones featuring overpaid foul-mouthed chefs.

* Any last words, quote or statement? Thanks, you’ve been a great audience. Keep supporting live music.

Thanks again for the special appereance by Rod Clements at All Acoustic..  and for taking the time to answer the questions and making this possible!!  Until Next Time!!

Rod’s live appearances are handled by Allie Fox at Foxy Music. Tel 01750 720538
www.foxy-music.co.uk

Jon Gomm

The next artist to be featured on All Acoustic is the amazing Jon Gomm.

Jon Gomm is a singer-songwriter and acoustic solo performer, with an incredible virtuoso guitar style, where he uses one acoustic guitar to create drum sounds, basslines and sparkling melodies all at the same time. The emphasis is still on the songwriting and soulful vocals however, and his original material is influenced by everything from Robert Johnson to Radiohead, Roni Size to Prince.

www.jongomm.com

Jon’s debut album Hypertension – totally self-produced and self-released – has sold 4,500 copies at gigs and from his website alone. His mailing list is at 6,534 at the time of writing, and is increasing exponentially. He performed over 100 shows in 2004, and nearly twice that in 2005.

…..Jon managed to squeeze in time to answer some questions below!

*     Which instruments do you play and how long have you been playing?
Guitar, since I was old enough to hold one!

*     What was the first tune(s) you remember learning?
Too long ago. But I do remember having to stamp my foot while I played one note over and over, counting ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR like a seargent major!

*     Does your family have a musical background?
Not really, my dad is a huge music fan and took me to loads of local gigs.

*     Which musicians have or still inspire you?
Millions.Three of my biggest influences are Michael Hedges, Nick Harper and Bob Brozman.

*     How long have you been writing your own material for?
I wrote my first song when I was 6. It was really awful of course, but I remember it.
*     Have you ever had music lessons, been to a college of music or are you a self taught musician?
I had guitar lessons since the age of 4, and I studied at The Guitar Institute.

*     What has been your best Live gig or performance experience and why?
There’s too many to recount. Probably my first solo gig in Leeds. Tiny sweaty room, people standing on each other so they could see me play. I was shocked.

·    How often and for how long do you practice?
I play every day or I go mental. I can play for 10 minutes or 10 hours.

*     List any achievments you think you have managed to complete and think was important to your music career?
I don’t really go in for those kind of measurements. Important gigs or star colleagues. Byfar my biggest achievement is that I’m still here, doing it.

*     What is your goals over the following 12months regarding your music?
I have a new CD coming out, which has been waiting to be released for 2 years. It’ll be a huge weight off, and an exciting time.

….You can find out a lot more about Jon Gomm at the addresses below!

www.jongomm.com – OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE

myspace.com/jongomm – MYSPACE PAGE

youtube.com/jongomm - YOUTUBE PAGE

and you can also find him on facebook. And twitter.

……Jon also answered a few more questions from the Just for Fun section below!!

*   What Person or thing you would most like to be reincarnated as:
A cat.

*  If your house was on fire what one thing would you take with you as you ran out?
Wilma. Wilma is my guitar. I’m assuming my cat started the fire and ran off.

*   What’s your pet hate?
Greed.

*    Any last words, quote or statement?
Last words? Erm, Kiss me, lardy!

Once again thanks to the fabulous Jon Gomm for taking time from his heavy schedule and answering the questions for us at All Acoustic. Theres also a Video added to the Video Page which you should check out.

Until Next Time. Cya..

Miles Hunt

Miles Hunt has been the singer, rhythm guitarist & principle songwriter in UK based band The Wonder Stuff since 1986. The band continue to write, record & play live to this day but he also finds the time to indulge himself in solo pursuits, sometimes accompanied by other members of The Wonder Stuff,  sometimes not.

I had the chance to catch the brilliant Miles hunt at a live Acoustic Magic gig in December at  Bubbles Bar in Ashington and was amazed at the whole show and standard of the night and also how much of a down to earth and all round nice guy he is. He also had Erika Nokalls with violin in hand , along for the ride and the two worked together like clockwork. I managed to grab some photos form the night too from local photographer Scooby Snaps and thanks go out to Jason for letting me use these on this page.

Also , March 2009 sees the release of another Miles & Erica album, recorded throughout 2008, titled “Catching More Than We Miss” which we cant wait to grab … and if you haven’t already then stop by his myspace page to listen to some of his great new tracks…

Heres some questions Miles took the time to answer for us ….

* Which instruments can you play and how long have you been playing?

Guitars & Drums, since I was 11 or 12.

* What was the first tune(s) you remember learning?

Don’t really bother learning other people’s material. But I guess I was pretty pleased with myself when I figured out things like “Sweet Jane” & “Waiting For The Man” by Lou Reed.

* Does your family have a musical background?

Yeah. Dad was a jazz drummer & tutured me as a kid. His Brother is a professional musician, keyboards & brass.

* Which famous musicians have or still inspire you?

Mike Scott of The Waterboys. Damien Dempsey. Richard Thompson. Joe Strummer was doing his best work at the time of his untimely death just a few years ago.

* Have you ever had music lessons, been to a college of music or are you a self taught musician?

I had several drum lessons from Dad when I was a teenager & two guitar lessons that bored me. I’ve always enjoyed figuring it out for myself.

* What has been your best Live gig or performance experience and why?

Too many to mention. But I would say the more recent ones, smaller gigs, doing acoustic stuff. The big stuff in the 90’s was okay, but it all fades into a blur.

* How often and for how long do you practice?

An hour or so, usually the day before a gig. I’m not much of a rehearser.

* List any achievments you think you have managed to complete and think was important to your music career?

I’m in The Wonder Stuff, we’ve done six albums. I released an album with a band called Vent 414 in ‘96 or ‘97, that was recorded by Steve Albini – still one of my proudest moments. I’ve done four solo(ish) albums, the most recent being my favourite. I’ve literally done 1000’s of gigs, all over the world. It’s been a great ride.

* What is your goals over the following 12months regarding your music?

Keep on keeping on.

..below you can findout more about miles hunt and his music….. and listen to some of his new tracks..

www.myspace.com/theactualmileshunt

www.thewonderstuff. com

Thanks again to Milo for taking time out to help out with All Acoustic and answering the questions.. and also thanks to www.scooby-snaps.co.uk for letting us use these great photos. Dont forget to stop by their site to see more images from the night.

Jason..

Tony Kehoe

Its been a little while since the last update but theres plenty new good things on the horizon and all acoustic is back on track  so heres the next artist to be featured here at All Acoustic.

Tony Kehoe

Tony Kehoe is a singer songwriter from Liverpool in the NW of the UK and we stumbled upon this guy through the Its a Frogs Life podcast’s freinds.. heres a little tony has to say about himself!

“Around about the same time as humanity limped doggedly , biting and scratching and reinventing new ways of choking itself both physically and emotionally into what it likes to call “The new Millenium”, I (the above) , first picked up a guitar . I had spent most of my time before this monumentous occasion ( the new millenium that is and not me picking up the guitar) idlly doodling my thoughts on scraps of paper or leaving them to autumnally fall upon the deaf ears of those around me . So to my delight , on returning some fifteen years later to my hometown of liverpool and finding I could sing my thoughts into this new found instrument , was indeed for me , a moment of eureeka ( I,m not sure about those in the immediate vicinity ). Since then , I have been writing and performing my songs ( and still they autumnally fall) to those around me . My mother thinks I,m marvellous and can see me going places (as far away as possible probably) , but considering that I,ve already been there , I think I,ll just hang around here for a while and write another”

Tony also gladly took the time out to answer our questions for us too….

* Which instruments do you play and how long have you been playing? Guitar and harmonica ? About eight years .

* What was the first tune(s) you remember learning? Leaving on a jet plane .

* Does your family have a musical background? Yes . Entertainment runs through the veins .

* Which famous musicians have or still inspire you? Frank Zappa

* How long have you been writing your own material for? Eight years

* Have you ever had music lessons, been to a college of music or are you a self taught musician?
Never been to a college . Completely self taught .

* What has been your best Live gig or performance experience and why? Sale arts centre , manchester around four years ago . I was unexpectedly invited onto the main stage to open the second half of a full house ( around 1200 people) after performing in the bar area during the interval .I didn,t even use the P.A. due to the wonderful acoustics from the contemporary design of the building and threw the stage manager into a tailspin because of the nature of my appearnce . It went down a storm and pulled the rug from the whole idea of “performance” which I consider to be a slightly bogus concept anyway .

* How often and for how long do you practice? I,ll pick up the guitar at untimely intervals during the course of the day and “float downstream”

* List any achievments you think you have managed to complete and think was important to your music career?
Having comleted my first album ( It,s no coincidence), I am now about to release the second ( Not everything must lead to nothing ) .The most important thing to happen to me musically is to have formed a good working relationship with Paul Robotham at Fynk studios . Everything else is just rehearsal .

* What is your goals over the following 12months regarding your music? To start recording my third album .

Heres a link to Tony’s Myspace Page and music!!

www. myspace. com/kehoesongs

…and heres some more questions Tony took the time to answer from the Just for Fun section…

* Person or thing you would most like to be reincarnated as? Sam Houston

* If your house was on fire what one thing would you take with you as you ran out? My guitar of course !
* If you were on a desert island and could take two things with you what would they be? Guitar and tape recorder .

* If you could go back to a particular period in history when would it be and why?Mid town America in the 1950,s . Home made apple pie and Elvis . Wow !

* What is your favorite food and drink? Beans on toasted granary bread topped with a poached egg and sprinkled with grated cheese , yum yum . Oh and don,t forget the brown sauce .

* What’s your pet hate? People that park their cars on the pavement .

* If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why? New York for vibracy .
* Any last words, quote or statement? The lord giveth and the lord taketh away . Man , it,s a vicsious circle .

Big Thank you to Tony for popping by and answering the questions for us here at All Acoustic.

John Taylor

Next up for the feature on All Acoustic is  John Taylor , a solo singer songwriter from Glasgow. John has  played in a lot of bands over the years and also released an album a few years ago when they were signed to a German record label and sold a few albums, but  he never quite made the impact they thought they would …. so now …. He is back with a great,  intimate acoustic sound and  his  new solo album “Bring the Stars Alive” .. John has returned with heart felt lyrics and soulful tendencys in his voice.. Telling us how it is and showing us how it should be done……

John kindly sent us over a copy of the album for review and shall be featured soon so keep and eye out for it showing up on all acoustic…

Heres our favourite track from the CD…We hope you like it as much as we do!

“Pull You Through” by John Taylor

Heres the questions john kindly took the time to answe for us ….

* What was the first tune(s) you remember learning? “Tell me why” by Neil Young, from the album “After the gold rush”.

*  Does your family have a musical background? My Dad used to drink and play guitar, he should have been in Nashville, he sang like Johnny Cash and wore a handlebar moustache, and all he left me was a record called “A boy named Sue”

* Have you ever had music lessons, been to a college of music or are you a self taught musician?  I studied music at the University of Life,  it’s the only place pure sole exists.

* What has been your best Live gig or performance experience and why? I used to play in a Rock band and we toured Germany, one of the shows was in Hamburg Square, it was the first time I played in front of thousands of people.

What a rush….

* What is your goals over the following 12months regarding your music? I want to get some airplay, play some festivals and set up the foundations for future releases. “I want the world and everything in it.”

Heres John’s websites which you can find out a lot more about him and his music..

www.myspace.com/taylorfolk

www.johntaylorsongs.com

Heres some questions john had time to answer from the Just For Fun  Section…

*   Person or thing you would most like to be reincarnated as? I would like to be reincarnated as Jimmy Page so I could be a guitar wizard and be responsible for writing “The song remains the same” and “The rain song”.

*   If you were on a desert island and could take two things with you what would they be? A Spiderman outfit and a packet of brown shoelaces.

*   If you could go back to a particular period in history when would it be and why? 1969, that’s when I think music was at its best, Led Zeppelin and Neil Young were breaking through, very exciting times indeed.

*  Any last words, quote or statement? “Keep on Rockin in the free World”

The first artist up to be featured of 2009 .. and a great one it is.. again big thank yous to John for taking time for this and sending the CD.. lookout for the review coming soon.

Jason.. All Acoustic

Paul Liddell

Something a little special is next up on the bill for All Acoustic , and if you dont already know or have caught a live show by Paul liddell then you are really missing out on some Acoustic Magic.. Im not going to say too much about him and let his write up do the talking…..

Paul Liddell is already somewhat a veteran of the acoustic music world, having released two solo albums and an EP, and an EP with his band ‘Delphians‘. His second album ‘A Lighthouse Keeper’s Diary‘ was released on his own label ‘Regulus Music‘ and was distributed in stores around the UK by Universal/Absolute.

Paul is an experienced live performer too. His raw and unpretentious delivery combined with the use of live sampling, guitar percussion and layered vocal harmonies provide a great platform for his wonderful songs to shine. As well as touring UK venues in ‘06, ‘07 and ‘08, Paul also performs between tours, averaging about 10-12 shows a month. Paul has also toured in America, whipping up a storm in several little coffee houses across California. While he was there he performed on a TV show filmed in Time Warner studios in Hollywood, and got his song ‘Brighter Lights’ placed on a nationally distributed and TV advertised folk compilation CD. Other live highlights include a show-stopping performance at the Beverley Folk Festival, and a memorable show at the Piperine Free Festival in Milan (where Paul decided to let Sting take the headline spot!). Other artists Paul has shared billing with include Beth Rowley, Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), Karine Polwart, Polly Paulusma, Kathryn Tickell, Nick Harper, Amy Wadge and Nerina Pallot.

Paul’s songwriting and performance have been recognised throughout the industry, claiming awards for ‘Best Male Artist‘ at the International Acoustic Music Awards, a finalists place at the Independent Music Awards, and a winning place in the International Songwriting Competition ‘07.

2008 saw Paul working with acclaimed film director Tony Kaye on some music for his upcoming film project ‘Black Water Transit‘. The film is currently in post-production. As well as working on a couple of film projects in the UK, Paul also has contacts in America looking to place his songs in movies and television.

Heres the title track from his EP “New Thing Coming” for your listening pleasure!!!

“New Thing Coming by Paul Liddell”

Paul took time from his hectic gigging schedule to answer a few questions for us….

* Which instruments do you play and how long have you been playing? I play guitar, drums, bass, keys, trumpet, mandolin and cello (badly). I also sing a bit.

* What was the first tune(s) you remember learning? It was ‘Streets Of London’ and ‘House Of The Rising Sun’. I can still only fingerpick like the style of ‘Streets Of London’.

* Does your family have a musical background? My Mam sings a bit (she does BVs in my band). My Dad played soprano sax and bass. Good genes.

* Which famous musicians have or still inspire you? People that write great songs, or exciting music. I don’t really go in for the whole technique/widdly style of playing, so no virtuosos here.

* Do you write everything yourself regarding your original music? Yes. I have collaborated in the past, but I like writing alone best.

* Have you ever had music lessons, been to a college of music or are you a self taught musician? I went to college for 2 years doing a BTEC in pop music, which basically involved getting drunk and farting around. It was fun though! I had a couple of singing lessons while I was there, because I didn’t want guitar lessons and I had to have some tuition or get chucked. The lessons were great, actually. It felt weird to be singing in a contrived plummy English accent, but it was really helpful in the end. I haven’t had guitar lessons.

* What has been your best Live gig or performance experience and why? I can’t pin it down to one event. I gig a lot and I’ve had loads of great (and terrible) gigs. My gig at The Glass Centre in Sunderland was pretty good (even though I was ill), my slot at Beverley Folk Fest was great, the Lighthouse Keeper’s Diary album launch at Hyena Café. I could tell you the worst ones much more easily, because they stick in my mind and haunt my nightmares!

* How often and for how long do you practice? Never. Ever.

* List any achievments you think you have managed to complete and think was important to your music career?

Albums Released:
Sketchy Little People
A Lighthouse Keeper’s Diary
Delphians EP
New Thing Coming EP

Gigged With: Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), Nerina Pallot, Karine Polwart, Polly Paulusma, Kathryn Tickell, Nick Harper, Amy Wadge, Ezio, and Sting (at the Milan Free Festival ‘06)

* What is your goals over the following 12months regarding your music? A new album, better gigs all over the UK, more commercial recognition, world domination, etc.

Below you can find some links to find out a bit more about Paul and his music….

www.paulliddell.com

www.myspace.com/paulliddellmusic

* Any last Words, Statement, Fact or quote? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge that we have lost in information? – T S Eliot.

Thanks once again to Paul for taking time to whiz through our questions.. I hope you all like the track as much as we do here at All Acoustic and we’ll catch you soon with the next artist.

Simon Todd

Simon Todd is a singer / songwriter born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He now resides a few miles north, in the South East Northumberland village of Holywell.

The son of a pianist and arranger, Simon wrote and performed songs from an early age. Self-taught on guitar and piano, he has formed, lead and performed with a number of bands in the North East region, including being a founder member of the once renowned outfit ‘Morgan Le Fay ’.

Gifted with a powerful voice and considerable range, Simon has, over the years, honed his songwriting into a craft, placing equal importance on the lyrics, melody and chord structure. “I am attracted always first to songs”, he states, “not to the artists who perform them. A great song is a great song, regardless of how ‘cool’ or fashionable the singer or band performing it are perceived to be at the time”.

Having written well in excess of five hundred songs, “Some good, some not so, but always more melancholy than upbeat.” he will joke; Simon all but disappeared from the live scene entirely.

However, early in 2008, encouraged by friends and acquaintances, he again began to make sporadic appearances in the region, before spending a week in Crete with accomplished Nashville recording artist and producer, Kevin Montgomery, at ‘Song’s In The Sun’. Spending this time with Kevin, with other likeminded souls, and having the pleasure of briefly sharing a stage with the legendary Tommy Allsup, one-time guitarist with Buddy Holly, Simon returned home with a rejuvenated hunger.

He can now be caught ‘live’ regularly as a solo acoustic act, and as a part of Acoustic Magic, a collective of UK musicians, predominantly from his own region. “When you do it like this, there’s nowhere to hide, no cheap excitement, just you, the guitar, the songs and an audience”, he states.

Simon is currently recording tracks for his debut solo CD, ‘Contracts For The Sale Of Land’, which is expected to be available in the early months of 2009 and he kindly sent us a sample track which you can have a listen to below….

RHYME AND REASON by Simon Todd

Simon took the time to answer some questions for us below….

* Which instruments do you play and how long have you been playing? Guitar, bass, some piano/keyboards and I can drum a bit. I played the trumpet when I was a kid but gave it up as, when it came to music, I refused to be told what to do. No idea how I’d get on if I picked one up now, Oh, and I’ve got an Irish Bouzouki, but I’m just learning. I’d like to think that I could get a tune out of most things.
Have been playing guitar since I was 11 or 12, but was never one for trying to be a guitar hero. I play well enough to accompany what I write. I can noodle a bit, but I’m never going to be Hendrix or Page, and have no desire to be, if I’m honest.

* What was the first tune(s) you remember learning? Now I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I started trying to play the main theme to the first movement of Dvorak’s 9th symphony, on a guitar.

* Does your family have a musical background? My Father played the piano and was the arranger for a 50-piece big band in his hometown of Peterborough. He gave it up when he married and came north, though he did have a piano for some years after that. When I was a kid, he’d taxi me around with my gear, but I don’t ever recall a single word of encouragement from him. It’s a relationship that has spawned a number of songs.

* Which famous musicians have or still inspire you? Costello is still the best lyricist I have encountered, and is my hero in that area. Lennon & McCartney for making the complex sound simple. Neil Finn is a hero, as is Justin Curry. All true singer-songwriters inspire me, Springsteen, Slaid Cleaves, Kevin Montgomery (who I feel honoured to have as a friend), Boo Hewerdine, Michael Penn; I saw Gilbert O’Sullivan at the Sage recently. He’s written some great stuff over the years. And Barry Manilow could teach a few of today’s so-called songwriters a thing or two, in my humble opinion. No seriously.
On the guitar – Johnny Marr, and I still really rate Midge Ure.

* Do you write everything yourself regarding your original music? Yes, I’m an absolute control freak. I have co-written a few things, but I’m not good at it. In June 2008 I spent a week in Crete with Kevin, Tommy Allsup, Dale Dorman and a bunch songwriters and performers of varying styles and ability. On the second day, Kevin paired us up and gave us 30 minutes to write a song (or at least the guts of one). The guy I was with didn’t have a chance (which was fine with him, as he was, by his own admission, a little on the lazy side). Obviously, this became known, so when someone joined the group a few days in, I was paired up with her to repeat the exercise, perhaps to teach me a little humilty. So we sat and played around with a few ideas. Then I went away, came back to her about 45 minutes later and told that I’d finished it. Outrageous behaviour. Anyway, she’s called Lynda Lucas, and she plans to record the song sometime soon I think.
When I was in bands I always hated booking gigs and practice rooms etc. But when it came to writing and arranging, there was no stopping me. Don’t get me wrong, I always encourage input from a band, but by the time I bring a song to that forum, I already have a good idea of what I want.
I used to say; “I’ll write the songs and leave all that other stuff to the non-creative garbage”. That used to encourage some heated debates, I can tell you.

* Have you ever had music lessons, been to a college of music or are you a self-taught musician? As mentioned above, I was taught the trumpet, and I was also taught the fiddle when I was very young, but that takes severe persistence, as it takes a lot of dedication to move on from that fingers-down-a-blackboard, strangled cat noise that beginners make.
Everything else is self-taught. I can read a bit of music, but as soon as I know what I’m supposed to play, I don’t look at the dots, but do my own thing. Wow, what a rebel (sic).
I used to do a bit of acting in my youth (luvvie) and did have a voice projection lesson from Patricia Hays of the RSC, and a phrasing / breathing lesson from a guy called Ian Wallace, who was a local operatic tenor.

* What has been your best Live gig or performance experience and why? I’ve played in front of a few large crowds in my time, but two moments at Songs In The Sun in Crete 2008 stand out for me on a personal basis. The first was playing Rhyme & Reason, a song I wrote during that week. Being accompanied by Dale Dorman on drums and Tommy Allsup on lead was special, as was singing True Love ways, again accompanied by Holly’s guitarist, Tommy.

* How often and for how long do you practice? Not as much as I should, and that’s a fact. I get bored too easily, and as I get older, seem to get both a little complacent and easily distracted. As a result when playing live I’ve been known to forget a lyric or stumble on a chord sometimes, because I start to think about irrelevant things such as what I’m doing tomorrow or what I’m cooking for dinner next week. I don’t try to hide it, although perhaps I should. It brings me down to earth and stops me getting above my station. Maybe I’m turning a little feeble minded?

* List any achievements you think you have managed to complete and think was important to your music career? Other than the Songs In The Sun stuff above, it’s more a story of what could have been. Egos and bad timing saw me split from Morgan. A small label, due to sign ‘What Next’ went bust the day before, after WEA pulled their funding.
I’m not a great self-publicist and have always erred on the side of caution, so I never pushed myself fully down the music career path. I’ve played with and met the good and the bad. It’s been an interesting journey.

* What are your goals over the following 12months regarding your music? I’m currently recording my debut solo CD. It’ll be ready early 2009 and will be called “Contracts For The Sale Of Land”. I’m recording it at home in my mini studio, playing everything myself, and taking a long time over it. That done, I’d like to continue to play live, maybe sell a few CD’s in the North East and beyond so that more people can hear my songs. Not a great ambition, but it’s achievable, and all mine.

You can find out more about simon todd and his music below at his myspace page..

Simon’s Myspace Page

Simon had time to answer a few more questions for us ….

* Person or thing you would most like to be reincarnated as? I’d like to have another go at being me, but take the gamble and push the music, just to see what might have been.

* If your house were on fire what one thing would you take with you as you ran out? I know I’m supposed to say a guitar or something like that, but I think it’d be my Insurance policy.

* If you were on a desert island and could take two things with you what would they be? A guitar, and a large crate of strings. I have the little hands of concrete

* If you could go back to a particular period in history when would it be and why? Can I have two?
1. 30th June 1979. I’d stop Debbie walking in front of that drunk driver.
2. I’d go back a few years to see my mate Jaz, and try to convince him that he had a congenital heart defect that would kill him if he did nothing, and that Sara was pregnant, and that there was still time.

* What is your favorite food and drink?
Beer & Curry. Love a drop of red wine, gin, JD, cider, …… oh dear.

* What’s your pet hate? Just one? I could write a book. I love a good rant.
I have to have two.
1. Bigotry, of any kind.
2. People singing with phony accents. I like a southern twang and Cindy Lauper’s New York drawl, but not coming from the mouth of someone from Leeds, Bristol or Southampton. Sing with your own accent and be proud.

* If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why? Here. North East England. I might like a little less rain and a little more sun, but this is best place on Earth.

* Any last Words, Statement, Fact or quote? “I should like to bury something precious in every place where I’ve been happy, so that one day when I’m old and ugly and miserable, I can come back and dig it up, and remember.” – Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh

Thanks to Simon for contributing to All Acoustic ……… Jason

Kevin Pearce

Kevin Pearce is a singer/songwriter from Colchester, Essex in England blending powerful emotion fuelled performances with contemorary and alternative songwriting.

Having already extensively performed within the UK, supporting the likes of Scott Matthews, Sandi Thom, Neil Halstead and Boo Hewerdine and now internationally known after his tour of the USA playing along side Everclear, Nada Surf, Andrew WK, Saul Williams and the sugar hill gang. Kevin now awaits the release of his debut album next year.

Kevin managed to send us a track as a taster for you all.. “For Her” which completely hooked us on his music and we cant wait for his album to become available……You can hear the track below.

“For Her” by Kevin Pearce

Kevin also managed to answer the questions for us which you can find below..

* Which instruments do you play and how long have you been playing? guitar, bass, paino, drums , mandolin and vocals. Ive been playing since i was 10

* What was the first tune(s) you remember learning? I think it was “something in the way” by Nirvana.

* Does your family have a musical background? um..well i guess you could say they are all musical void! thats there musical background

* Which famous musicians have or still inspire you? nick drake, john martyn , tim buckley. and alot of contemporary classical composers too like Gorecki` and Arvo part.

* How long have you been writing your own material for? Ive been writing now for about four years.

* Have you ever had music lessons, been to a college of music or are you a self taught musician? Im completely self taught.

* What has been your best Live gig or performance experience and why? Playing at a festival in Richmond VA, USA, as the sun was setting.

* How often and for how long do you practice? I seem to just play as and when it calls me to these days. but i used to do about 2 hours a day.

* List any achievments you think you have managed to complete and think was important to your music career? Completed my debut album , toured the US, supported sandi thom, scott matthews, neil halstead and boo hewerdine .

* What is your goals over the following 12months regarding your music? To release my debut album and also an e.p of which have recently been completed.

You can find out a lot more about Kevin and his music at the following places around the internet…..

www.myspace.com/kevinpearce

Kevin managed to answer a few more questions for us in the Just for fun section…

* Person or thing you would most like to be reincarnated as: A hedgehog!

* If your house was on fire what one thing would you take with you as you ran out? my guitars.

* If you were on a desert island and could take two things with you what would they be? My girlfriend and my guitar.

* If you could go back to a particular period in history when would it be and why? 1973 , to see pink floyd tour dark side of the moon.

* What is your favorite food and drink?
italien food, and guiness to drink!

* What’s your pet hate? People shouting down mobile phones as if they think it will make the signal of the phone clearer!

* If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why? Scotland. , the scenery, the people and the history….. amazing.

* Any last words, quote or statement? ” never teach a pig to sing. it will waste your time and annoy the pig! “

Thanks alot to this outstanding singer/songwriter for helping out with the hompage by answering the questions for us…and sending th track…also thanks to “Rave Squad Photography” for letting us use these photos..   Until the next artist..

Jason….

Dave Fudge

Dave Fudge is a Newcastle based singer songwriter who after over a decade of living gigging and busking in New York, San Francisco and Paris has returned to his Native North East to release his first self produced solo album. Unsatisfied with indoor gigs where he only reached the narrow twenty-something Head Of Steam / Mr Lynch hipster crowd, Dave decided to apply what he had done underground in NYC and busk on the streets of Newcastle and Durham.

Finding a familiar backdrop to that of the New York Subway in the Tyneside Metro he can be seen most weekdays and every weekend entertaining the com-muters and selling his “I LOVE DAVE FUDGE” t-shirts to the Myspace generation. This viral marketing and DIY approach to merchandising (he hand prints the t- shirts in his home studio) has caused quite a stir amongst the city’s teen-age population making them sought after items, causing some of them to call themselves the “Fudgettes”.

Dave can be seen gigging locally weekly and every Sunday hosting the Too Far North acoustic showcase at Nancy’s Bordello in Newcastle from 2 p.m. -5 p.m.

Heres some questions Dave kindly took the time to answer for us……

* Which instruments do you play and how long have you been playing? Guitar, acoustic and electric, struggling right now with beginning graded piano.

* What was the first tune(s) you remember learning? Tangled Up In Blue- by Bob Dylan

* Does your family have a musical background? My Grandad played the spoons and harmonica at the local working mens club.

* Which famous musicians have or still inspire you? Jay-Z, Oasis, Dylan, The Stones, Derek & The Dominoes, The Animals,Beck, Milton Nascimento, Jobim, The Beastie Boys, Eric B & Rakim, Coltrane just to name a few.

* Do you write everything yourself regarding your original music? Yes

* Have you ever had music lessons, been to a college of music or are you a self taught musician? I am currently studying graded (ABRSM) piano and music theory, I am finishing my last year in BA (Hons) Music Enterprise Degree at Newcastle College, I have a 1st with distinction in a Fd Degree in Music Production from Newcastle College and I studied performance under Stephanie Bruce at Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco.

* What has been your best Live gig or performance experience and why? Elvis Costello at the Philidelphia Amphitheatre some time in the mid Ninties, His first song was like an encore and he kept that up for two hours, also he was an awsome guitarist, which was quite a surprise.

* How often and for how long do you practice? It depends….. when Im working on new material it can be for several hours… and the busking tends to keep most of the tunes in my head and under my fingers ……. plus I get paid to practice.

* List any achievments you think you have managed to complete and think was important to your music career? Moving to the States, Moving back to the UK, Deciding to Busk and I played on stage with Patti Smith once , we sang Happy Christmas War is Over, she had a horrible habit of spitting on the stage between songs ?????

* What is your goals over the following 12months regarding your music? To keep doing it, writing, busking, performing, recording and Im developing a series of song writing works for schools and community groups called “ Song Writing from Idea to Download”

* Where can people find out more about your music or keep in touch with you?

MYSPACE PAGE
OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE

Some more questions Dave managed to answer for us…

* Person or thing you would most like to be reincarnated as: A Cat.

* If your house was on fire what one thing would you take with you as you ran out? My Cat

* If you were on a desert island and could take two things with you what would they be? My Cat & My Wife

* If you could go back to a particular period in history when would it be and why? Last week then I might have done more revision for my first GCSE Maths Exam.

* What is your favorite food and drink? Cheese, Boardeaux

* What’s your pet hate? People who act less inteligent than they are!!!

*If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why? Brazil, attracted to the mix of culture music and environment.

* Any last words, quote or statement? Spread the Fudge

Thanks Once again To dave for answering the questions for us here at all acoustic.. and hopefulll catch up with you over the christmas busking around the town.. Jason.

Clear Blue Skies

“Clear Blue Skies” are an acoustic duo from Northumberland in the NE of the UK , and are a definate MUST SEE!!!. The duo consists of Derek & Hairy who both share a great passion for live music which shines out in thier performances as the whole night seems to be a bundle of fun from the start. These guys have an impressive history and have shared the bill with some impressive artists.

They both are also currently running a night called “Acoustic Magic” which grabs four great artists from the NorthEast , including themselves , all playing a set on one night and promoting as much original material as they can, and also hitting every venue they possibly can with their “Acoustic Magic” show.

The guys also have four new albums out…yes not one…FOUR!!.. These two seem to be songwriting machines and just cant stop firing them out!!.. and you can find a track called “Here You” below which is one of our favourites….

“Here You” by Clear Blue Skies

All in all these guys are a great duo to catch and have a great feel to all their shows, and if you havent already caught them, keep an eye out for “Clear Blue Skies” as there gigging across the whole country with a very impressive giglisting and they’ll be sure to put a smile on your face………

Derek had the time to answer the questions below for us…

* Who are you and where are you from? We both live in Northumberland,UK

* Which instruments do you play and how long have you been playing? I originally only sang but now im playing guitar with the acoustic Gigs and have only being playing for One year.

* What was the first tune(s) you remember learning? Crow …….. I wrote it.

* Does your family have a musical background? My little brother plays the drums.

* Which famous musicians inspire you? Im more of a lyrics person so the likes of Bob Dylan, Eddie Vedder and loads more to many to list.

* Do you write everything yourself? I write the lyrics and some of the music but mostly the music is co-written by the partner in crime…. Hairy.

* Have you ever had music lessons, been to college of music or are you a self taught musician? Completely self taught.

* Who are your favourite musicians? Groups? Mostly ones I have met , the likes of Pearl Jam, Half Man Half Biscuit…loads more again.. tom many to list …

* What has been your best Live gig or performance and why? I like them all in different ways.

* How often and for how long do you practice? I like to play buskers nights as a way of practice.

* What is your goals over the following 12months regarding your music? To share it with thousands and help as many artists as I can reach the same people. 4 new albums out and 150 live shows.

* Where can people find out more about your music or keep in touch with you?

www.clearblueskies.com

www.myspace.com/clearblueskies

The “just for fun” questions…..

* Person or thing you would most like to be reincarnated as: a better me.

* If your house was on fire what one thing would you take with you as you ran out? My phone with family and friends numbers on it.

* If you were on a desert island and could take two things with you what would they be? A pub and a crowd of musicians.

* If you could go back to a particular period in history when would it be? Always now.

* What is your favorite food and drink? Indian food… Orange … Lager if it involves alcohol.

* What’s your pet hate? ignorance

* If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? A real sized house in Northumberland.

Thanks once again to “Clear Blue Skies” for taking time out of there hectic gigging life to answer these questions for us…BIG UP to “Deg and Hairy” and until next time.. bye from us at “All Acoustic”