Hey all,

Below is a web flyer for my last Behind The Mic gig of 2009. Thank you to all you fabulous art lovers who have supported the night over the past year. I have plans to take BTM up a notch in 2010 and hope you’ll continue with me on the journey…more details in the new year! If I don’t see you on December 9th, have a great festive season!

Jen x

For our gig on October 14th I’ve hand picked a few cherries from the alt-country and folk orchard and oh how succulant they are! Details below…

Marcus Foster

http://www.myspace.com/marcusfoster

Marcus Foster is a London born musician and studies sculpture at the Royal College of Art. He grew up listening to Tom Waits, Bob Dylan and Sister Rosetta Tharp giving him a raw, honest and timeless sound. His songs are currently featured in two motion pictures; Twilight and Five Dollars a Day and he’s just returned from a tour of America. ‘Let Me Sign’ is written by Marcus Foster and Bobby Long.

The Cedars

http://www.myspace.com/theonlycedars

A UK based Alt-Americana quartet, with soaring vocals, infectious rhythms and blasts of slide guitar and banjo. Plying tales of lost love, revenge and rural homicide, The Cedars manage to straddle the divide between the dancehalls of the 20’s and 30’s and what’s going on in the scene right now.

“…this choice cut from a thoroughly juicy selection serves as a splendid introduction to a band currently at the forefront of the UK’s alt.country scene…”
R2 Magazine (Rock n Reel)

Her Make Believe Band

http://www.myspace.com/hermakebelieveband

Performing as a 4-piece band, Her Make Believe Band are renowned for their exciting and assured performances and well-crafted songs that beautifully blend their country, pop and jazz influences. Described as “sugary harmonies and classic songwriting coming together to create a truly gorgeous sound” by Rahda (MNYC at Proud Camden and Folkadot, London) and as “the best live act we’ve ever had” by Matt (Showcase 55, London) the full band version of Her Make Believe Band brims with lush guitars, vintage keyboards and stunning vocals.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14TH
The Library, 235 Upper Street, (opposite The Union Chapel)
London, N1 IRU. 8pm.

We had to make a very last minute relocation to The Brickhouse for this weeks gig due to a licensing issue with The Library. Despite this however, it turned out to be a great night in what transpired to be a very cool venue. All the acts were remarkable in their own unique ways and we had lots of fabulous feedback. Some piccies…

What a talented crew of artists we have lined up for this Thursday. Please do visit their myspaces and listen for yourself….

Behind The Mic at The Library, Thursday March 19th

235 Upper Street, Opposite Union Chapel, Islington. Nearest tube: Highbury & Islington. 8pm start.

Tickets: £3 if you’ve confirmed attendance on our Facebook event invite. Check it out here.

Hosted by our favourite vampy performance poet, Sophia Blackwell

Special Guests include:

TALLULAH RENDALL

http://www.myspace.com/tallulahrendall

‘One of the top Up and Coming Artists’ - Evening Standard
‘Tallulah’s got a wonderful voice’ - Shirley Bassey

KAYO CHINGONYI

Multiple slam winnning poet who’s performed in venues as diverse as Buckingham Palace, The Tate Modern and Stratford Circus.

CHARLENE SORAIA

http://www.myspace.com/charlenesoraiajones

A BRIT-school graduate and prog-rock enthusiast who does a neat line in smooth-voiced, Feist-style alt-pop. Finalist, Glastonbury New Talent 2008

ADAMS & REA, comic duo

“The songs are splendid…delicious deadpan” The Guardian

LAIL ARAD

http://www.myspace.com/lailarad

“Sparky melodies and lyrics full of warm wit and wry domesticity.” Time Out

Whoop! January 09 is starting off on a high. From Monday 12th we’re commencing our weekly Behind The Mic radio show on Resonance FM. Every Monday between 10-11pm we’ll be interviewing BTM artists, hosting live sessions and playing some great new music.  Just tune in to 104.4 FM or alternatively online via www.resonancefm.com. Guests for Monday include poet Tamsin Kendrick and mistress of music, Madam. Future guests include Claire Tchaikowski, Jake Morley, Sara Schiralli, Dan Raza, Sara Pascoe, Rosie Oddie,  Idan Rabinovici, Elena, Talullah Rendall and more. Presented by Rosie Wilby (Funny Women of the Year Finalist) and myself - if Rosie remembers to turn my mic up.

Other news…

On January 22nd we’re bringing our eclectic and high quality brand of nights to a new venue opposite the Union Chapel, endearingly named The Library. The venue is run by the Fratelli’s Management and boasts a divine wine list and food menu devised by a Michelin starred chef. The emphasis on this launch will be on spoken word; highlighting why it’s popularity is on the rise and it’s influence on music in the mainstream. So, to this end, we’ve invited back the brilliant Gideon Conn plus George Pringle, the wonderfully colourful Dockers MC and Andy Craven-Griffiths.

January 29th see’s our return to the rather glam Soho Revue Bar.  Typically, we have another stirling line up with lap tapping genius Jake Morley (’On the verge of making it’ The Times) highly acclaimed comedian Sara Pascoe (dubbed by Time Out as one 2008’s rising stars) Jinadu from the 4* rated The Beauty Room (Q magazine) plus Poetry Idol winner Joe Hakim. More details on that next week.

Above left, Madam. Above right, Tamsin Kendrick.

http://www.myspace.com/madammusic

http://www.myspace.com/tamsinkendrick

I can’t believe it’s time again for our festive Behind The Mic. The play on A (version) will reveal to you my ambivalent feelings towards Christmas (which I shall refrain from developing on here) so I’m just going to inform you of the plan for December 17th…

We’re all meeting up in the Piano Lounge at the Soho Revue Bar from 7.30pm and 5 fabulous singer songwriters plus the odd poet and comedian will be sharing their talents and insights into the world whilst we drink, eat and (when they’re not performing) chat with our lovely amigo’s. Because the West End isn’t cheap and there’s overheads to cover, entry is £6 in advance from Event Brite (love this new service - I’d recommend it to anyone putting on events!) or £8 on the door. I did have some credit crunch tickets available at £3.50 but they’ve gone now.

Here are the artists…

Gideon Conn - http://www.myspace.com/gideonconn

Roxy Rawson (of course!) - http://www.myspace.com/roxyrawson

Scott Raba - http://www.myspace.com/scottraba

Sara Schiralli - http://www.myspace.com/scottschiralli

Nicol - http://www.myspace.com/nicolsongs

Plus I have a couple of secret special guests who shall be taking to the stage.

Did you catch the snow last night? Unexpected and utterly beautiful. It settled for a couple of hours in North London before disintegrating into miserable grey slush come midnight. I tried to take some pictures but unfortunately the camera on my new Blackberry isn’t very good at all.  Anyway, I am tres excited, there’s beauty of a different form to be delivered tomorrow.  Yes, indeed…tomorrow see’s the next monthly installment of Behind The Mic at the Soho Revue Bar. The line up is fabulous and an absolute treat for those fortunate enough to join us. There’ll be a talent scout joining us and a journalist from Mojo Mag to review Gideon (the great) Conn. I reckon I’ll pop to the shops and get some treats since it’s the eve of Celtic New Year too. Mmm, sweets. Grr…beef gelatin.

Here’s info on tomorrows line up:

BEHIND THE MIC AT SOHO REVUE BAR

A stunning monthly showcase of the best new talent in music, spoken word, comedy and performance at this glamorous Soho venue.

“Always eclectic, surprising and entertaining” Neil McCormick, Music Critic, Daily Telegraph
**** Remotegoat

Soho Revue Bar, 11 Walkers Court, Brewers Street, Soho, London, W1F OED.

Doors: 7.30pm Showtime: 8pm. £8/£6 in advance (available from www.wegottickets.com)
Contact: Jen 07968 756 449 www.myspace.com/behindthemic06

Hosted by Katherine Ryan “The UK’s Funniest New Woman”

www.katherineryan.co.uk

Special Guests include:

Gideon Conn

Described by some as a Hip-Pop Acoustic infusion reminiscent of De La Soul having a tussle with Badly Drawn Boy, Gideon Conn certainly has something different to offer. Tricky to define, Gideon strikes the perfect balance between laid-back and lacing up your best dancing shoes. (Recently toured with Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip)
http://www.myspace.com/gideonconn

Smoke Feathers

Born on a river, raised by a river…roots reggae, sunny pop and leftfield soul from this highly talented singer songwriter.
Get ready to love Smoke Feathers! This has to be said … simply sublime. The London Paper
http://www.myspace.com/smokefeathers

Excentral Tempest

One of the most rousing spoken word artists in London, Excentral Tempest is a multiple slam winner and her passionate delivery, message and artistic wordplay appeals to hip hop heads and literati alike.
http://www.myspace.com/excentraltempest

Milly Blue

Former singer with the Basement Jaxx, Milly is currently working on a new project with Benedict Mann on double bass and a sensational classical pianist to bring to you stripped-down jazz standards and the odd original. Stunning.
http://www.myspace.com/millyinblue

Andy Hickie

Finalist of Glastonbury’s New Talent Competition 2008, this Welsh/Irish travelling singer songwriter will woo you with tales of love, loss and liberty. ‘Folk & Roll’.
http://www.myspace.com/andyhickie