Bands in the Basement

Jo Hamilton

davec@rechargedradio.com (Recharged Radio) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:25:00 +0000

Jo Hamilton joins Jordan for a chat in the studio this week to enlighten us on some of her influences, the stories behind the songs and what we can expect in the future. On top that we are treated to the fabulous 'Pick Me Up' taken from Jo's album 'Gown'.

johamilton.Com

Bio

“When Jo sings, something thaws that I didn’t even realise was frozen. It’s a magical thing. Jo Hamilton is elemental, gazing out at us with empathy, affection and hope, but perhaps also with the melancholy of some-one who couldn’t stay anywhere long enough to feel like she truly belonged. Perhaps it’s this distance that makes her perspective unique”. - Sweet Billy Pilgrim (2009 Mercury Music Prize Nominee).
Stemming from a nomadic family with roots in both Kenya and Jamaica, Jo Hamilton was brought up in a house two miles from the nearest neighbour in the wilds of northern Scotland. Her parents moved constantly in her youth, which saw her spending periods in Turkey, UAE, Kuwait, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
In her late teens Jo studied classical viola in Edinburgh and at Birmingham Conservatoire. During this period the first hints of a solo talent began to emerge; she quietly recorded an early 3-track EP with the help of guitarist/drummer/producer Tom Livemore (the Ripps/Carina Round/Glen Ballard), and then went on to create a self-produced album of early songs (Palace Place) with the help of other musicians.
It was during the recording of Palace Place that she first met producer Jon Cotton (subsequently producer of Scott Matthews’ Ivor Novello winning Elusive), with whom she remained in touch over the next four years.

In the meantime, Jo began performing more widely, supporting Damien Rice and Michelle Shocked, and touring with Colin Vearncombe (Black) in the UK. She contributed viola and vocals to Kirsty McGee’s first album, and was invited by Fairport Convention founder (and discoverer of Nick Drake) Ashley Hutchings to sing lead vocals and play viola with first the Albion Band and then his new band the Rainbow Chasers on several European tours.

While welcomed by the folk world, Jo continued to develop her own very different, much darker and more layered material. She worked on developing sounds with Tom Livemore and a live band, and started using a computer for the first time to write. She travelled to Cambodia, making field recordings on a little minidisc recorder which accompanied her everywhere - recordings which were later incorporated into her work.

Back in the UK, the combined songs she’d accumulated with Tom, on her sequencers and in Cambodia began to take shape as an album. On hearing the sketches, Jon Cotton signed her to his production company Poseidon, and over the next two years they developed the songs into the album Gown.

As the album began to take shape Jo and Jon Cotton developed a short film about it which became her electronic press kit – shot largely by Jo herself in Slovenia, Italy, France and the UK this film became another labour of love, taking nearly a year to complete in its own right.

Simultaneously, Jo collaborated with award-winning illustrator/animators Dave Neale and Jordan Cadby on the accompanying album sleeve and animations; many of the animations featuring on the electronic press kit.

Jo Hamilton’s music exudes empathy. It is a commentary reflecting our own hopes,
our glories and our tragedies; a commentary which somehow manages to
harness the overwhelming nostalgic emotion of the old Gaelic lullabies of
her childhood and apply it unflinchingly to a complex multicultural world
of iPods and urbanism - often with devastating effect. She has the ability
to bring rare emotional depth to bear on the modern world, and as the TV
flickers out and credit cards are declined, she reminds us what it is to won-
der at the world and that while we can still do so, there’s always hope.

Jo’s debut album Gown has been produced by Jon Cotton (producer of 2007’s Ivor Novello winner Elusive by Scott Matthews) and will be released on Poseidon Records on September 21st 2009.

Karl Culley

davec@rechargedradio.com (Recharged Radio) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:26:00 +0000

Karl Culley joins us in the studio this week for another edition of 'Bands in the Basement'. Karl Culley has been a favourite on Recharged Radio over the past year, both for his incredible songs and his unworldly guitar playing talent. During this session, Karl surely didn't fail to impress on both counts, whether it was wowing us with the melodic complexities of Suffering (For Your Love)', or getting us dancing to the beat with the addictively rhythmic 'In Her Nature'.

Bio -

Karl's first memory is one of travelling through the dark. Heading to a now forgotten destination in the back of his parents car drifting in and out of a dream. Paul Simon's voice sparkled soporifically in the air. Years passed.

On the eve of his 18th birthday Karl was given an acoustic guitar by his father who had himself played, entertaining Odeon cinema audiences during intermission as a boy with his band The Whirlwind Trio. Karl taught himself a few chords and almost immediately began writing songs, exploring a wide variety of subjects. Karl is a published poet and his lyrics, likewise, display a talent for imagery and a pre-occupation with otherness and that which is beyond our grasp - "My songs are about being stuck, being affraid, love, alienation," says Karl," metaphysics, light, dark, stuff like that."

After a few years fronting an indie band called The Mindermasts Karl stopped writing songs to concentrate his energies on poetry, prose and painting. But committing song ideas to a 4-track tape recorder sometime later rekindled Karl's love of song-writing and soon he was gigging in and around Yorkshire, in Leeds, York, Hull, Manchester, and Sheffield, including festival appearances and radio sessions.

Karl Culley has somehow managed to distill his many influences (listen closely for wisps of John Martyn, Elliott Smith, Paul Simon, Nick Drake, Kelly Joe Phelps, Richard Thompson, Bob Dylan, Tori Amos, Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe) into something uniquely his own in which a compelling tension ensues between breathtakingly visceral frenetic finger-style guitar and the vunerable spectral quality of his voice.

"I'm somewhere else when I play. I sing with my eyes closed. When the song's over and I open them again, it seems that i've been away," Karl tells of his live performances. "It's both cathartic and meditative for me to perform."

Karl continues to live in Harrogate, North yorkshire, where he was born in 1979.

Ross and The Wrongens

davec@rechargedradio.com (Recharged Radio) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:55:00 +0000

Ross and The Wrongens are the latest band in the studio to take part in our 'Band in the Basement' feature. Full of energy and raring to go, Ross and The Wrongens get off to a lightning start with the irresistibly catchy 'That Magic Feeling'. Up next is the charmingly melodious 'Forbidden Love', then finally finishing on the foot tapping riffs of 'Make You Right'.

Bio:

They came together at the start of 2009. Got on the web January 27th @ www.rossandthewrongens.com

The band like “anything that’s good” from sinatra to the pistols, you can fill in the blanks….

Since forming, they have performed at o2 Academy Islington, Barfly Camden, The Dublin Castle Camden, The Fly London, Bar Music Hall London,The Windmill Brixton,Tommy Flynns London, Camden Rock London,The Last Days of Decadance London, Tunbridge Wells Forum, Tap n Tin Medway, Absolute radio to 1.2 million listeners, were finalists in BT's Sound of the Summer festival, Ross solo supported Chris Difford of Squeeze, did the London to Brighton mini run where they played at Crystal Palace Park London then on a route master London bus on Madeira drive and at Hectors House in Brighton, the Hertiage Motor Centers launch party, and back for the festival for 50 years of the mini celebrations, supporting Russ Swift, stunt driver for the Italian Job movie. This event was a media only event, drawing together over 200 of the world’s leading media professionals (Tv, Radio, Press).

The song ‘That Magic Feeling’ was nominated for best pop song at the Exposure Music Awards 2009, and received air play on BBC Kent Introducing, as well as other various internet radio stations.

BBC Radio Kent’s Top drive time DJ Andy Garland has taken a shine to the lads, championing what they’re up to their songs and live performances.

The bands future is to make great records and have a great time and, with a start like this, it won’t be too long before they claim that future!

The Fancy Toys

davec@rechargedradio.com (Recharged Radio) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:01:00 +0000

Dynamic Duo 'The Fancy Toys' join us in the studio this week for electrifyingly enjoyable set, full of imaginative hooks and quirky melodies. Dazzling us first with the catchy 'Gypsy Eyes' , then sauntering on to majestically melodious 'King and Queens' and finally ending with the mind blowing, and Recharged favourite 'For You and Me'.

Bio -

- Finalists of Metro's 'Best New Band 2008' competition.

- Nominated 'Best International Act' - Balcony TV Music Awards 2009

- Finalists of The Next Big Thing 2009'.

"The Fancy Toys have mustered some impressively jaunty, craftily catchy tunes. They will find fans across a wide variety of audiences." (Metro Newspaper - 16/09/08)

THE FANCY TOYS' RECIPE...

Take 2 guys, give them some toys, a big appetite, a vast imagination, a quirky sense of observation, a ticket to visit the world - shake them really hard, and that’s it! You get a delicious and delightfully refreshing cocktail...

James Duncan and Mickaël Téo have been writing, playing both live and in the studio, with many artists since they were really pretty young. They have performed at some of the most prestigious venues, all over the world.

With the Fancy Toys, they unleash their creativity, challenge themselves through the use of different and unusual instruments, explore new sounds and caress various emotions and the front row!

Trying to describe their style is impossible: There is literally nothing like it. You might be able to spot a few influences here and there but these will soon whizz off somewhere else in an exciting and unusual way.

The Fancy Toys live performance is a unique and unforgettable experience, so if you haven't seen them yet, have a look at their gig diary or send us an email and we will keep you informed.

iMMa

davec@rechargedradio.com (Recharged Radio) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:09:00 +0000

iMMa joins us in the studio for the first 'Band in the Basement' of 2010, and they certainly didn't disappoint. With a blend of soulful voices and melodic arrangements, iMMa captivated the Recharged Radio studio and ensured the New Year started in style!

Rachel Kenedy

davec@rechargedradio.com (Recharged Radio) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:08:00 +0000

Rachel Kenedy joined us in the studio for what was to be the very last 'Band in the Basement Session' for 2009. With soothing vocals and beautiful piano playing, Rachel was a surefire hit in the studio. Starting off with the bouncy 'Maddy Mayfly', then sauntering into the powerful 'Judas' before finally finishing the night with a breathtaking rendition of 'Sparrow'.

Kitty and the Canopeners

davec@rechargedradio.com (Recharged Radio) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:07:00 +0000

Kitty and the Canopeners brought some warm festive cheer to our studio this December. With their folky riffs and beautiful vocals, Kitty and the Canopeners fitted right in to what has been a great year of live performances at Recharged Radio.

Karim Fanous

davec@rechargedradio.com (Recharged Radio) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:08:00 +0000

Karim Fanous is down in the studio to play us some extracts from his EP. Make sure you listen to this weeks Friday Forum podcast to get all the latest on Karim Fanous's newest release.

Jespa

davec@rechargedradio.com (Recharged Radio) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:25:00 +0000

Hard to pronounce but a joy to listen to, Jespa are down in the studio.