Tucked away somewhere within the depths of facebook, we’ve just stumbled across a special event that will be taking place next Monday at The Winchester (formerly Bartonka, the venue for their very first event) – Solid Air will be celebrating their 10th birthday. The fact that the event has not (as yet) mentioned on their own message board, or (as is usual Solid Air practise) has not been invited to ‘guests’ on facebook is not overly surprising, as Connie has never thought of himself as a promoter, although this online definition of the word would appear to suggest otherwise: pro•mot•er – [pruh-moh-ter] – noun – 1. a person or thing that promotes, furthers, or encourages.

Locally, no other person has done more to promote, further and encourage local musicians and songwriters to musically create and perform than Conrad Barr (with the Solid Air help of Paul Tucker until – to the best of our memory – 2007). That sentence should not be taken lightly. What Connie has done for the local music scene since oh… the 1980s(?) cannot be praised highly enough. Most importantly, Solid Air’s longevity is down to one important fact: Anyone who spends time with Connie will know that he is truly passionate about music and the arts. Local musicians will be fully aware that in the truest sense of the word he is an individual – a man who’s dedication and commitment to the local scene, and clear love of music make him an inspirational person to be around.

As for what’s going on next Monday, I’ll simply steal Connie’s words from the event he’s knocked up on facebook…

Exactly 10yrs on from tha 1st ever SOLiD AiR, in tha very same room, event 1,233 is our 10th Birthday Adventure. Founding member from tha 1st 7yrs, Paul Tucker, returns with his own songs in THE TROUBADOURS, feat Si Genaro on harmonica, Fearne’s bassist Nick & duo RABBIT, RUN feat Sara Massoudi & OTC’s Paul, plus KRISTA GREEN is back from summer abroad. Still waitin’ on word from GLOWGLOBES, but PARALLEL UNiVERSE will open, with Connie (hopefully) joined by cellist Sandy, Joey Daley on clarinet/flute/glock & Alix Digby on violin…

Connie and Solid Air, we salute you! Here’s to the next 10…

photo by Fiona Megapix

Tomorrow sees the opening day of this year’s Purbeck Folk Festival. Following the resounding success of last year’s inaugural event, the organisers have been hard at work putting together another quality line-up, held in a beautiful location with glorious views over the Purbeck hills. This year’s event is at Wilkswood Farm, in the village of Langton Matravers between the towns of Corfe and Swanage.

Organised by The Bournemouth Folk Club and Funnybone, the Purbeck Folk Festival has just been listed in The Independent as one of the “best ten gigs”, with the paper saying: “One of Dorset’s spectacular stretches of Jurassic coast is the host for this gem of a festival, with Megson, Martha Tilston and Dogan Mehmet on the bill at lovely Langton Matravers.”

For a comprehensive guide to everything this wonderful local festival has to offer, take a look at the official website. With a fantastic line-up of artists from 7pm Friday, until 7pm Sunday, plus a kids area including art and craft activities, an Open Mic Stage, a variety of workshops and a bar & food area (and the weather looking good!) this sounds like an idyllic way to spend a late summer weekend.

Weekend tickets will be available on the gate, £55 for adults includes Fri & Sat night camping, with day tickets also available – £15 for Fri or Sun, £30 for Sat (camping not included). For further ticket information including youth prices, as well as extended camping prices take a look at the ticket page on the website. Oh, and it’s free entry for under 10s!

We particularly love the fact that the organisers actively encourage musical spontaneity, offering kids and adults alike the opportunity to just bring their instruments and play. A peaceful, positive and uplifting atmosphere goes a long way to making a festival successful – get along to the Purbeck hills this weekend and you’ll enjoy just that.

Muddy Miles gigs have been some of the best we’ve witnessed on a local stage since the first time we let them loose on The Gander many years ago; that venue debut gig was one I’ll never forget for many reasons. Not just for the beautifully powerful music, but for the grace, warmth and genuine sincerity flowing from Goobie, Tariqur and Tom. Never have I had to work so hard to give a band some (much earned) money for playing.

The bond between the band members appeared unbreakable, seemingly built from a love of one another as well as the music. But, as Goobie has pointed out to us, “being in a band is just like a relationship.” Well, it appears this relationship has (for the time being) ended. Goobie cites “The reason for calling it an end for now is due to Tom’s commitments and dishonesty.” Clearly there are personal issues here, and an obvious bittererness about recent events, but whilst we wait for the band to return from this “hiatus”, we’ll just remember them for their truly inspirational music.

To end on a positive, Goobie also says “I wish the best to Tariqur and Tom in their future work and I am very sad to stop such a great musical project that I put my heart and soul into for the past five years. Thanks to all those people who shouted at me at the gigs, who wore the t shirts, and who came to every gig of ours.”

But, Goobie has clearly kept himself busy, both on solo projects and a new ensemble – The Peace Band – which sees him joined by Neil Gard, Jon Kearly from Neon Tigers, Al from Uncle Pablos Magic Potion and Matt Cleary from The Brothers Grimmer. “We’ll hope to get working on material soon, so fingers crossed. Think Nirvana unplugged, that’s the kind of thing we have in mind for our live shows… candles and shit.”

There’s also an abundance of quality solo work being produced, with ‘Maze Me’ being one of a few tracks available on Goobie’s solo Myspace page. “‘Maze Me’ is part of my solo work from an album I have completed called The Tree. I worked with Neil Gard on this, working on the record after work late into the evenings over plenty of cups of tea. I played all the instruments with the help of Neil on extra guitars, cellos etc. In the works are another two albums so we’ll see what we do with those once The Tree is out.”

It seems to have been forever coming, but at long last we’re on the verge of actually advertising the line-up for the Oxjam Bournemouth Takeover Event. Keep an eye out online, in shops, bars, venues, and finally… we can start actually selling tickets and raising money for Oxfam. We’re currently in the middle of a fundraising campaign, with our next event happening next Friday (3 Sept) at The Winchester with Matt Marr (full band debut), New Volunteer and Spiders. That same weekend we’re chuffed to be given the opportunity to run the Open Mic Stage at this year’s Purbeck Folk Festival. We’ll have some fun-time activity for kids there too, so if you’re there please come and say hi 

Right, so what’s this Oxjam Bournemouth Takeover Event going to look like? Well, we’re a few days away from revealing the final schedule, but below is a list of all acts currently confirmed. We have a superb launch party scheduled for Friday (22 Oct) night, five quality venues holding events on Saturday (23 Oct), and a fantastic closing party planned on Sunday (24 Oct) night. Full details will be confirmed very soon, as well as information on how, when and where you can buy wristbands for the weekend. Remember, every penny will go towards helping Oxfam and their fantastic work campaigning against worldwide poverty and injustice.

Here’s the conformed acts so far…

The Neon Tigers – Voodoo Vegas – Dusty Cuts – My Broken 101 – The New Governors – Mutant Vinyl – Disco’s Out (Murder’s In) – The Longest Day – Fearne – Matt Marr – New Volunteer – Zac Harris & The Blackwater Caravan – Rapids! – The Other Half – Jouis – Sarah Griffin – Nion Abeo – Animal Talent Show – The Pretty Marx – Kinnie The Explorer – Sola Infrared – Sirpico – Bel Casino – Hot Vamp Club – Silverlith – Andy Stock – Black Bart – The Family Buzzard – Head Of A Cuban Trojan – Revell Wins – The Metropolise – PR5 – Pretty Visitors – Voice Of Reason – No Turbo No Love – Willowen – Sepia Daze – Dita’s Dream – Not Made In China

As well as the above acts we still have a handful of bands still to confirm, plus… Freeway Poets, Retro Bombshell Burlesque, Rumble In The Jumble (tbc), a Town Centre Saturday busking pitch, plus superb djs in all venues. The tag line for Oxjam Takeover Events happening all over the country is Local Music – Global Impact, please… let’s make this an event Bournemouth can be proud of. Your support is hugely appreciated so please spread the love and spread the word…

We’ve been a little quiet with regards to updates over the last week, primarily due to an unexpected hard drive failure at bh one hq. Did we back up files, pictures, documents etc? Nah. Have we lost important information? Yeah, some. But… the reason for this short piece is to highlight the efforts of one man in particular who (as well as being a top geezer and highly competent Oxjam VSC Co-ordinator) has proved himself a skilled fixer of laptops, getting us up and running in double quick time with some nifty additional programmes.

Rob Cwik (like myself) has a boring day job. He too seeks pleasure outside of his work, and as well as his volunteer work with Oxjam Bournemouth, is endeavouring to connect street performers and artists in a positive light with the authorities through his business (with Kat Cash), ART:us CONNEX. He also plays and fixes guitars. So… bh one highly recommends Rob Cwik (pictured) for anyone who is struggling with their laptop or pc, from basic information and top tips, down to (what to me at least) is a complicated breakdown or failure. We can’t quote fees as he’ll more than likely help you out for a few beers (though don’t quote us on that).

Whilst we’re recommending folk, it’s about time we shouted about 79nights, a web and email services company set up and run by Rob Langdon, a West Country native now living and working in the Black Country. He’s been working in the IT and web industry since 1999 and has over 5 years experience working exclusively with the internet. You’re currently looking at part of his portfolio. A more affable fellow you will be hard pushed to find, and having worked with him closely (across the bh desk) for a number of years we couldn’t recommend his web skillz highly enough.

Thanks to both Robs for getting us back up and running so quickly. Now… Must. Start. Backing. Up. Files.