Here’s this month’s Music Monthly with Pete Roch from Assorted Records…
Back again for Assorted Records blog part 2! So whats been happening in our little Assorted world since last time?
Wolseley Beer Festival
Going back a few weeks now to the 16th June, were we took a trip up the road to Woseley to the Beer Festival at the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, were Sophie Bohanan, Georgia Stanway and Tammy Davis all helped to cheer up the hundreds of damp festival-goers on what was a washout. Luckily this didn’t deter the hardened festival veterans, and as the day went on enough beer was consumed for everyone to forget about the rain and enjoy the food, music, face-painting and general revelry.
Amongst our own performers, there were also other local musicians, including the Dave Barron Band.
The day was all wonderfully compered by the lovely people at Stafford Radio (the one in the Windmill, not many radio stations can boast that!) and the sound was provided by the fellows at Tremor Audio.
Roll on next year when I’m not driving!
Number 15
Last Saturday we had a wicked night over at Number 15 (Coffee Shop on Greengate Street, opposite The Swan Hotel) in Stafford at the Jazz, Blues and Cocktails evening that we organised. There was a plethora of local talent, 3 acts in all, and all for £3 on the door, bargain!
First up was Keryl Colwill, a singer/ acoustic guitarist, accompanied on occasion by a wonderful Sax/ Clarinet player.
Second on was sultry blues of Pete Wearn, from the local Stafford band, .44 Pistol. A mixture of his own original material and some outstanding covers including a blues up version of Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes and a track from the father of the blues, Robert Johnson.
Finally we reverted back to Jazz in the form of Couch Chameleons, a trio of musicians consisting of Drums, Saxophone, Keys and Vocals. If you weren’t there then you missed a real treat, they produced their own unique versions of some classics, Easy, Mustang Sally and a shed load more!
We’ll keep you posted about the next instalment!
Stafford Castle Festival
Last weekend saw the Stafford Castle Festival taking place once again, it was a Sunday full of quality local music!
Representing the Assorted gang were Sophie Bohanan and her newly formed band, consisting of Josh Chick and Tim Hawkins on guitar duty, and …. on drums, they took to the main stage at 1.30pm and sufficiently rocked everyone’s socks off.
Next up was Georgia Stanway and Tammy Davis performing in the more secluded acoustic tent, joined on to the food deli, a good mix.
Other than our very own Assorted talent, other highlights for me had to be Stafford sextet, High House, if you saw them then you’ll understand why. .44 Pistol also took to the acoustic stage later on in the evening to bring us some of their foot stomping shenanigans. Another performer on the acoustic stage that I was very impressed with was Helena Raby you can check her out at https://twitter.com/lalalalahelena/
Stone Music Festival
The two weekends ago also saw the Stone Music Festival come to town.
If you managed to get down there to see some music over the weekend, you most likely would have seen me equipped with nothing more then an iPhone taking some snaps and having some chats with the folk of Stone, which will all be featured on the @stone_mafs twitter account, but it’s not too late to get following, and share your photos from the weekend with us.
There was a great mixture of music throughout the weekend, with all corners of the musical spectrum being catered for, from acoustic singer/ songwriters to the Stone Schools Jazz Band, all the way through to the two headline acts of the weekend, Slyde (the UK’s premier Slade tribute act) and Re-Take That, (who go one better by being Europe’s premier Take That Tribute).
Local Hidden Gems
.44 Pistol
I did briefly mention these guys further up the page but they really are that good that they deserve another shout out. .44 Pistol are a young, high energy electric blues band. Slide guitar driven, stripped back & dirty, they bring together the laid back country blues of artists such as Mississippi Fred McDowell with the raw electric sound of contemporary bands like the White Stripes. Up-tempo, rough & ready this is music to drink, dance and stomp your feet along to. Find them here! https://www.facebook.com/fortyfourpistol
Upcoming Things You Need to Know About
Sophie Bohanan – O2 Academy 2 Birmingham
Theres a few upcoming gigs that I’d like to bring to your attention, firstly Sophie Bohanan and her entourage will be taking to the stage of the O2 Academy 2 in Birmingham in September, so if you want to come support our local talent, either get in touch with me or you can buy tickets here
Leek Summerjam – Leek Hockey Club
This is happening on the 4th August, where coincidently….you can see Sophie Bohanan, Georgia Stanway, Tammy Davis and Jake Chandler all in the acoustic tent, and Cardinal opening up for the festival on the main stage. This is set to be an absolutely quality event, with Craig Charles taking the headline slot with the DJing Soul Train. OWOOGAHH!! Many many many local musicians will also be there including High House. Tickets are priced at £15 and are available from the Leek Summer Jam website at https://www.leeksummerjam.com/
This month I have mostly been listening to…
Grace by Jeff Buckley
To be honest I could probably put this album in the ‘this month I have mostly been listening to’ heading every month, I think I have an unhealthy obsession with our Jeff. Now I can’t really say anything new about this seminal album other than if you haven’t heard it, go and listen to it, you most definitely will not be disappointed, there’s so much more than the over-used version of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.
Find out more about Assorted Records at www.assortedrecords.com or on their Facebook page at facebook.com/assortedrecords
