Miscellaneous - Profile

  by Owen Peters

published: 12 / 4 / 2015

intro

Owen Peters profiles our new series 'Is This Your Year?', in which we will be following the fortunes of five different acts over the course of a year

It never fails to amaze me the amount of time, application and dedication artists sacrifice just to get their music heard. Long journeys, sound checks, small audiences, limited or zero financial return in many cases. Why do they do it?. Once the applause and adrenaline have ceased , they pack up their cables, speakers, kit, and hit the road. Another gig another motorway. As Eddie Van Halen, however said: “ If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you'll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you'll get to where you want to be.” The writers at Penny Black Music have chosen five bands/singer songwriters, who have plans, aspirations and importantly, talent. We intend to follow six bands/singer songwriters throughout 2015, checking in with them every couple of months. So we asked them ‘Is This Your Year?’ Jo Bartlett: Singer-songwriter from Reading. Renowned over the years for her collaboration with the Yellow Moon Band and founding of the Green Man Festival. Laurel Canyons: Indie band from Sheffield, recently toured with The Crookes promoting their debut EP “Now We're Rebuilding.” Rapid Results College: C86-inspired indie guitar band from London, which includes in its line-up ex-Hillfields singer/guitarist Rob Boyd and bassist Mike Stone from the Television Personalities, Rotifer and Lucy’s Diary. They are currently working on their debut album. LOIS: Nottingham-based group who merge together 60’s music, rock and roll and funk. Their debut album, ‘The Polperro Bus Company’, came out last summer. Partisan Waves: New South London-based band, whose music escalates between Americana and Wedding Present-influenced indie rock. They are yet to play their first gig and are working on demos. Photo of Jo Bartlett by Alexia Arrizabalaga www.troubleshooteur.com

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