22 February 2006

Cabaret Voltaire (a*se/elbow)

Thanks to everyone who came along to the Cabaret Voltaire gig. The set went well, despite not playing live for donkeys, and Ash from Saint Jude’s Infirmary came and helped out on a couple of songs again, so many thanks to her.

There was a bit of confusion regarding the name of the band which resulted in two people who enquired at the doors being told that, no, there wasn’t a band called The Folk playing that night. Quite clever really.

To clear it up we’re called The Folk (featuring The Gadgee). The Folk part is the actual band or collective which may get involved in other musical projects over time. I know Liam was talking of getting a Krautrock thing off the ground at some point, he’s recording other people and it’s really up to him what the name The Folk gets attached to. The Gadgee is me, obviously. The reason we’re playing as The Folk (featuring The Gadgee) is that we are playing the songs I write at the moment, albeit those songs have been whipped into shape by all three of us.

Anyway, it’s just as well we turned up to play, whatever we’re called, because we brought a decent crowd along and it was good to meet people who’ve heard of us and seen us live since the first gig at the hall in the Forest CafĂ© (see many early posts). Apologies to those who tuned in, turned up, and got turned away. We’ll make sure it never happens again. The photo is the only graphic evidence of the gig that shows all three of us, the fault of our live photographer on the night who was so distracted by the music that she only got the camera out on the last song. Sacked!

Still recording at the moment, then its holiday time for Bobby and myself. Before that we hope to have some gigs announced for May. We may even be venturing out of the well-charted waters of the Leith Canal!

06 February 2006

The Folk (featuring The Gadgee) would approve


Hello. We've got a myspace account now.

See you at the gig. Looking forward to playing with the Witchitaw Linemen Alphas.

A couple of other things. Saw Saint Judes Infirmary play an in-store at Avalanche on Saturday and very good it was too. Their album is now out and it's called 'Happy Healthy Lucky Month'. It's on SL records. Liam recorded and produced some of it, sang on it, Bobby helped them out too, and I went along for about 20 minutes one day and added vocals to Church of John Coltrane. For that we've been kindly added to the sleeve notes, although I'm now in danger of giving away my true identity.

Hamish Henderson is proof that you can survive being brought up in Blairgowrie, being a bi-sexual at Cambridge, arresting a German paratroop commander and become all but banned from BBC Scotland for political beliefs as well as write poetry, songs, books and bring to attention some very worthy traditional singers and storytellers (like Belle Stewart). I think I served him in the Royal Hotel once. Certainly remember him kicking about the town and being impressed (with these working class eyes at least), by his old school demeanour and plus-fours. I've been dong a little research recently about the local folklore and songs of my place of birth. Read about the man here.