Coming up...

I've a very busy few weeks coming up, and am really looking forward to it all! Some canny suitcase packing is required once again, but I reckon I've got it down to a fine art now...

On 1st and 2nd Aug, Admiral Fallow will be heading out to a couple of festivals: Kendal Calling (Calling Out stage, 6pm) and The Glasgow Mixtape (Glasgow Green, 7:30pm). Then we've a day at home before the first of two chunks of tracking for our next album. 

It's also going to be great to tutor at the Folkworks Junior Summer School again - last year was just brilliant. I'll be part of a concert celebrating 25 years of the Summer Schools, Elvet Methodist Church, Durham on 15th August.

Then it's straight back to the studio with the band to continue work on our new songs. There are sure to be photographic updates of the process over at AF's Facebook page, so keep an eye on that for more information on our zen recording rituals.

Snippet

Thank you to all who tuned in to my Concert Window broadcast last night! Big cheerses also to Robyn and Laura who hosted the gig in their flat, and Blair McMillan at CW for inviting me to play.

Next solo outing is at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony Celebration on Glasgow Green! More info here...

Latest news

I had an absolutely wonderful week on Fair Isle and Shetland with Inge Thomson's 'Da Fishing Hands' project; lots of special moments and memories. Plans are afoot to perform Inge's new music again sometime within the year, so keep your eyes peeled for updates. Here's a lovely review from the Hillswick concert.

Coming up next is Admiral Fallow's Duke Street Expo gig for the East End Social on 31st May. Our show at the Everlasting Arms Church is now sold out, but there are a number of fringe performances happening that afternoon. I'll be playing some solo songs at Florrester's flower shop at 2pm! For the full fringe line-up, go here...

And if you're at a loose end the evening of 4th June, tune in to my half hour solo broadcast for Concert Window. It's going to be a house concert, so there's a good chance you'll see my pals' faces too: always a treat.

Signing off for now - this afternoon, singing workshops for New Rhythms for Glasgow's Belt it Oot programme await!

Big White Hunter & The Kimono Girl

I've just been sent this video from filmmaker Tom Harrison, who Admiral Fallow collaborated with for our Glasgow Film Festival event at the beginning of March. It's lovely to see it, and to have a reminder of the night. Tom's work is fantastic; here's what he says about this particular piece:

Originally the first part of a 2013 monthly project, this version was included in Admiral Fallow's recent 'We Are Ten' event at the Old Fruitmarket on 1st March 2014, as part of the 10th Glasgow Film Festival. Beautifully scored by Sarah Hayes, this is the live recording from the event. 

*Hunter passed away following a battle with cancer, early Friday morning, 12th April, 2013. This, and other recordings, are a lasting memory of him. (He kicked the arse out of cancer for longer than anyone predicted, a gent.)

12anomalies - an attempt to enforce creativity, in spite of the daily grind. 12 months. 12 films.

January #1: An abstract response to family. Spliced film, inked, textured, scratched, manipulated, analogue and digital, in response to audio capture.

facebook.com/12anomalies @theopenfire

[vimeo 91469012 w=500 h=281]

Big White Hunter & The Kimono Girl (with piano accompaniment from Sarah Hayes.) from Tom Harrison on Vimeo.

Da Fishing Hands

I'm really looking forward to beginning work on a brand new project spearheaded by Inge Thomson, also featuring Fraser Fifield, Steven Polwart and Graeme Smillie. It's a new body of work with music by Inge and lyrics from Lise Sinclair. 

Da Fishing Hands is a collection of songs and instrumental pieces commissioned by Fair Isle Marine Environment and Tourism Initiative (FIMETI). The project highlights the influence of marine heritage on Fair Isle and raises awareness of the significance of the sea in the survival of this island community.  You can read more about the project in Inge's interview with Folk Radio here.

23rd May - Fair Isle Community Hall

24th May - Hillswick Hall with special guest Martin Simpson: tickets

25th May - Mareel: tickets

 

 

Spring news

These last couple of months have shot past. I had a great time supporting Anais Mitchell in Gateshead's Little Theatre; For Folk's Sake said some very nice words about the evening here.  Then work continued in earnest for Admiral Fallow's self-curated night at the Glasgow Film Festival; we wrote new music for ten short films of a few minutes each, and performed it at the Old Fruitmarket underneath the big screen.  It was an enjoyable challenge for us all! Special thanks must go to Tom Harrison for all his hard work throughout the project. I've been doing some tutoring for New Rhythms for Glasgow, a fantastic organisation who provide a whole range of music and arts opportunities in the community. It's well worth checking out their programme of events.

Next up, Wildings will be back in the studio at Gran's House, to complete the tracking of our debut album. The three of us have been busy with separate commitments over the past few months, but it's always a lot of fun when we get together. I'm looking forward to playing some more tunes with Fiona and Jen this weekend!

Watch this space for more news soon, including a trip to Shetland and a gig in cyberspace...