South West Sounds in an annual UK music conference, which in the tradition of more widely known events such as In The City and South by South West, spotlights new artistic talent over the course of a few days each Spring.
Music Week enjoys a close relationship with the event - not least because it gives us an opportunity to get out of London and enjoy the surrounds of Totnes each year - but more importantly, we are involved in the creative process and compile a CD of the best talent from the area each year.
This week I made an early trip west to catch up with the team behind the conference and sift through demos for this years CD. Its a laborious process, but one which always manages to unearth a few surprises. So of the better songs this year came courtesy Cosmo Jarvis, The Sea, Seagull Strange, Slow, Walking Strange.
Job done and its back to London. As I write this I am travelling along one of Englands best train journeys, one which snakes along the south coast between Totnes and Dawson. Unfortunately the train carraige smells like vomit, but you can't have it all.
South West Sounds takes place between Bristol and Totnes on April 22 - 24 this year.
Over 300 artists. Rock, pop, indie, folk, world, classical, avant garde, dance, electronica, classical, jazz, big bands, punk, soul. Signed, unsigned. Managed, agents or just doing it themselves. Just starting, getting it together or a few years in. Recorded in bedrooms, back rooms and studios. This year's South West Sound Search was the biggest and best yet. Uncovering the most eclectic, exciting and high quality music the region has to offer. It took a panel of industry experts with millions of record sales to their credit, two days to get down to the final 15 that will go onto the South West Sound 08 Music Week covermount. The artists to be featured in April, in no particular order, are:
Cosmo Jarvis - Mel's Song The Locarnos - Give It To Me Straight The Sea - Don't You Want Me Astro Firs - Battery Power Carrivick Sisters - Down On The Sand Melancholy Moose Society - Say You Will Medallist - Brothers and Sisters The Scribes - Home Comforts Seagull Strange - Peter and The Wolf (demo) JMW Band - One Midnight Back When?? Gill - King of Me Slow - Seeds Tubelord - Night of The Pencils Scientist The Orange Pip - Proof of Propensity Walking Strange - Gambling
Chris Hawkins repeated our Tom Robinson BBC 6Music session, from last September, this week on his early morning show. To listen back just click here.
29th January 2008
As there's not a lot to report from Camp Seagull at the moment, apart from the fact they're busy working on new material, here's something to read... The best gig of my life?
10th January 2008: Happy New Year
Firstly... Happy New Year from camp Seagull.
With all suitably recovered from their Xmas and NYE high jinx, tomfoolery and, oh yes... plenty of shenanigans, a trip to the beautiful, historic, city of Bath was necessary for the first Seagull Strange gig of 2008: a headline slot at The Porter Butt.
After a pleasantly short, traffic-free, journey - especially considering the support band's trip all the way from Oxfordshire - they went through the usual routine of set-up, soundcheck... FOOD?
Considering Bath was the location, home of the Schwartz Brothers, there really was no choice but to pay a visit to the brothers Black for one of the finest hamburgers known to man, woman or beast. After filling their bellies, and enjoying a relaxing pint washing it down in front of a blazing fire at The Bell, they were ready to stretch some musical muscle.
Not expecting much of a crowd, considering it was a cold Wednesday in January, they were blown away by the healthy gathering that made the effort to attend their first Bath gig in over a year. If you were one of those in attendance then Seagull Strange salute you, for if there were such a thing as a professional audience member then you would all get the job with glowing references. They hope to see all you wonderful people again very soon.
Seagull Strange would like to wish one and all a very happy Christmas, and extend a big Thankyou to everyone who purchased our debut album and supported us throughout this last year. It has been a good year for the Seagulls, but one we hope to build on in 2008.
We are currently hard at work writing and rehearsing new material, some of which will be previewed on a Feb/March 2008 UK tour being booked to coincide with a possible, download only, single release.
With much to look forward to in 2008 Seagull Strange wish you all a very Merry Xmas and a mighty-fine New Year. x
19th December 2007: Live at Thekla, Bristol.
Tonight's the night people. Put on your gloves, scarfs and a nice warm overcoat and head to the boat for a slice of live Xmas Seagull. On stage at 9pm.
Over & out.
12th December 2007: A Broken Bone
So... the first piece of news received on the morning of Saturday 8th December, prior to the Seagulls leaving for London Town to headline the Shifty Disco Xmas extravaganza, was that the one they call Falafel, who wields the Seagull bass, had broken his arm when, in all his wisdom, he decided it would be a good idea to go snowboarding the night before at the Tamworth Snowdome. The second piece of news received on the morning of Saturday 8th December, prior to the Seagulls leaving for London Town to headline the Shifty Disco Xmas extravaganza, was that the one they call Gosia, who tinkles the Seagull ivories, had been struck down by a liver infection and would not be well enough to travel. Lordy, lord... what was to be done? Six were now four. Could it be done without bass and keys and no time to rework the tracks? Did they want to play without bass and keys? Would it sound like a bag of pants? So many questions. What was the answer?
After much deliberation it was decided that the show must go on and it would be better head to London and do the best they could rather than not try at all and let everyone down. As it happens the four remaining Seagulls still managed to play a blinder of a set and an absolutely splendid time was had by all. Bravo!
Over & out.
19th November 2007: Xmas Shenanigans
With Xmas fast approaching there are a couple of events for you to place in your festive social diary... if you haven't done so already that is.
On 5th December the Seagulls will pack the tools of their trade into the back of their trusty tour van, Martha, and head north, to the city of Manchester, to record a live session for Marc Riley's Brain Surgery on 6Music. Three days later, on 8th December, they will saddle-up Martha once again and head east towards Kilburn, North London, to play a headline set at the Shifty Disco Xmas party; which once again is to be held at Time Out's Venue of the Year, The Luminaire. Tickets, priced at 6 gold coins, are available now from wegottickets.com, and as it's Xmas there will be free goodie bags for the first 100 people through the door on the night.
Along with the good Seagulls, My Device will be playing a set, which will no doubt feature material from their new album Jumbo Fiasco, and there will also be a set from hotly tipped new band The Raid. The Race will be spinning tunes on the wheels of steel in between live sets, and there will be an NME vs. Artrocker DJ set to finish off the evening. Now if that doesn't set you up for a great Xmas then I'm the blind son of a one-eyed prairie dog.
Over & out.
13th November 2007: Single Review
Okay... Okay... so this should be in the press section. I know... I know... "What's it doing in the News section then?", I hear you ask. Well... when a review this glowing, and well written, is talking about one of your releases you want to share it with as many people as possible. So here it is. It's written by James Howard for Last Broadcast, and we love it... and them... obviously.
Okay... if anybody asks you didn't hear it from me, but were you to stroll down the corridors of Seagull HQ of late you would hear the unmistakable sound of fresh new material from you-know-who resonating throughout. And let's just say that if this is an indication of the colour of their second album then we're all going to be in for a bit of a treat.
Over & out.
12th October 2007: Seagull Strange Go Facebook!
For all you facebookers out there, Seagull Strange now have a facebook application to keep you up-to-date with all things Strange! To add this marvellous application simply find us in the directory or click here
Aren't we good to you?
7th October 2007
A big thankyou to all who attended our instore sets at the Virgin Megastore in Bristol yesterday afternoon... especially the ones that purchased copies of the album and single afterwards; we were pleasantly surprised by the sales figures. A great success. Muchos gracias, usted gente maravillosa.
We'll get some pics up just as soon as we get the Gallery reburbished. If you should have any snaps do please send them in to us at: info@seagullstrange.com
Today's the day people. It's time to run a comb through your hair, zip up your boots, saddle up the donkey, and start making your way to the Virgin Megastore (Galleries shopping centre) in Bristol, for not one, but two different sets from the one they call Seagull Strange. See your there.
Millins. Over & out.
4th October 2007
Did I mention that we have a new single out?
3rd October 2007: NEW SINGLE RELEASE
Have you bought it? "Love's Sick Disease" was released on Monday 1st October. It contains 3 unreleased tracks, "Sulla's Return", "Little Son", and another mighty fine Will Brownlie reworking of the title track, as well as a CD-Rom of the Bargus produced promotional video which you can sample just above.
It's available to purchase at selected HMV's, Virgin Megastores and from the usual download stores.
And of course you can find some wonderful reviews of the single in our Press section.
2nd October 2007: LIVE BBC RADIO WILTSHIRE SESSION
So... there we were, all tied up in our awfully inconvenient day jobs, yesterday afternoon, when we received a call to Seagull HQ from BBC Radio Wiltshire - "Would we like to take a trip to Swindon first thing tomorrow morning to play a stripped down acoustic version of our new single, Love's Sick Disease, live on Olly Dearden's show, as they'd like to try and help us get it into the Top 40?"
After a few hasty phonecalls, in an effort to swap shifts and secure time off from said days jobs, we were able to answer in the affirmative. "Oh, and would we be okay doing a cover of a 60's or 70's track as well?", they ask. Hmm... let's see... 12hrs to choose a suitable cover, rehearse it, eat (very important part this), get a nights sleep, ablution, breakfast, and travel to Swindon through rush hour traffic? Damned if we weren't going to give it a try.
After choosing a track and having a late night rehearsal session, we set off this morning at an ungodly hour, still rubbing the sleep from our tired eyes and stretching the stiffness from our joints, heading towards Swindon Town.
Despite the ungodliness of the hour, and the stiffness of our joints, all went well and a thoroughly good morning was had by all. Many thanks to BBC Radio Wiltshire for their invaluable support.
And did I mention trying to get our new single into the Top 40? It was released yesterday, 1st October;
it's called "Love's Sick Disease"; it has some great b-sides; it should be available from all the usual outlets; it shouldn't cost you more than a couple of pounds; it should give you a lot of pleasure and make right all that is wrong in your life. Should you experience any problems sourcing a hard copy, I highly recommend downloading it from iTunes or Napster - it's the future, don't you know!
We'll hopefully see you at our Bristol Galleries Virgin Megastore gig this Saturday. We'll be performing two different sets; one at 1pm; a second at 4pm.
Dr. Millins. Over & out.
2nd October 2007
Hello and welcome to the new look SeagullStrange.com!
So, what do you think of our new swanky interweb presence? Did we miss anything you want to see? Answers on a postcard to info@seagullstrange.com
A big thankyou to all who attended our instore sets at the Virgin Megastore in Bristol yesterday afternoon... especially the ones that purchased copies of the album and single afterwards; we were pleasantly surprised by the sales figures. A great success. Muchos gracias, usted gente maravillosa.