Pavlov’s Cat

Posted by Sam on Jun 28, 2010 in Artists, Unsigned Mind at Fry's #3 | 0 comments

Does the name Pavlov’s Cat ring a bell? We know about 1904 Nobel Prize winner the Russian physiologist Pavlov & his experiments on dogs but cats are altogether smarter & more cynical.

Pavlov’s Cat is a project of London singer-songwriter James Hibbins & occupies the musical territory fast becoming recognised under the genre label “Acoustic”. fRoots magazine described the music as “determinedly acoustic” with “an eye on life’s shadowy side”.

Hibbins’ passion for acoustic music can’t hide a melodic rocker’s heart borne of early days playing with Damon Albarn & Graham Coxon and years fronting blues rockers Nexus.

Although the band have been described as sounding “melodic, powerful & very English”, the words “eclectic” & “intelligent” also keep cropping up.

Formed in 1999, Pavlov’s Cat has varied from solo performance to a 4 piece band. The current format is a duo with James & gifted multi-instrumentalist Bernard Hoskin.

Along the way Pavlov’s Cat have played venues & events from the 12 Bar Club to Cambridge Folk Festival, house concerts & BBC sessions and have shared the stage with Ezio, Jont, Dick Gaughan, Karine Polwart, Hank Wangford, Polly Paulusma, Sam Carter, Megson & Michael Chapman amongst others.

2002 saw the release of “Motes of Dust”, an 8 track mini album on AcoustiCity Records. Recorded in short, intensive stints it reflected the more organic, stripped down side of the band. Tracks including anthemic live favourite ‘Rain Song’ and a sparkling arrangement of the English traditional song ‘Death & the Lady’.

The 2004 album “Burlington Road” features 11 tracks varying from stripped down acoustic arrangements to harder edged full band songs & capturing the more energetic acoustic rock sound of the 3 piece festival lineup.

For 2010 the duo will be mostly grappling with new technology, writing & recording a project tentatively entitled ‘Old Dust & Patchouli’. New songs from the album have recently been appearing in the occasional live duo performances which include Cambridge Folk Festival & the usual selection of Arts Centres & dingy backstreet clubs.

Find out more about Pavlov’s Cat on their website, facebook, twitter and myspace.

PRESS

“….an interesting mix of traditional & original songs….…I really like it” Mike Harding BBC Radio 2

“This is British Acoustic Rock at its very best; punchy, vital, literate & politically aware” iTunes 5 stars.

The Melting Ice Caps

Posted by Sam on Jun 12, 2010 in Artists, Unsigned Mind at Fry's #3 | 0 comments

The blogosphere has well and truly taken The Melting Ice Caps, aka laptop-chamber-pop chanteur David Shah, to its heart. David’s first eight singles, released for free through his website over the last two years or so, have variously been labeled “angelic”, “brilliant”, “filthy”, “beautiful”, “erudite”, “lush”, “anachronistic”, “stylish”, “romantic”, “witty”, “succulent”, “politely ornate”, “carefree”, “original and imaginitive” and “genius”. Phew.

His live shows have been gathering steam (and yet more acclaim) through the occasional addition of off-kilter video backdrops, increasingly expansive (but not expensive) arrangements and, if you’re lucky, a touch of Rat Pack in the wardrobe department.

Now, Shah is raising the stakes once more, this time by turning The Melting Ice Caps into a five-piece live band featuring former members of Luxembourg and Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring, a current member of Gyratory System, and Fry’s Gig’s very own Samantha Ashleigh Hayhurst.  Expect to hear glorious new incarnations of David’s bitter-sweet pop songs.

Visit The Melting Ice Caps on their website, and myspace

This Blank Page

Posted by Sam on Jun 12, 2010 in Artists, Unsigned Mind at Fry's #3 | 0 comments

This Blank Page are a five-piece lineup from Colchester, Essex.
Not concerned with current trends and scenes in music, they play loud and atmospheric combinations of epic/prog/pop/funk/rock quenching the thirst for a catchy tune yet sprinkled with musical treats.
In January 2010 they performed on Sue Marchant’s BBC Radio Show recently competed in Band Quest UK as well as getting through auditions of Live & Unsigned 2010 to participate in the Regional Finals.
They released their new EP ‘Nature Of Emotions’ in April 2010.

Visit This Blank Page on their website, myspace, and Twitter sites.

Russ Sargeant

Posted by admin on Mar 8, 2010 in Artists, Unsigned Mind at Fry's #1, Unsigned Mind at Fry's #3 | 0 comments

Russ Sargeant is a bassist and multi-instrumentalist based near Birmingham.

Russ creates subtle layers of sound that emerge gracefully like cinematic soundtracks. His music is a rhythmic blend of jazz, ambient and world sounds. Russ writes and records in his home studio and performs live with creative use of live-looping using basses, guitar, percussion and vocals. Until recently he also played bass with local Soul/Funk/Blues outfit, The Cohen Brothers, gigging around Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Russ is now concentrating on his unique solo work.

Russ’ album ‘The Last And The First’ and EP ‘Beats In Rhythm’ are available from Bandcamp or altenatively click here to buy the album from the iTunes store.

Website/Blog

http://www.russsargeant.co.uk/

Social Network Links

Find Russ Sargeant on Twitter, Last.fm, YouTube and Reverbnation