After couple dates in Germany this last February, Tomas Thunberg a.k.a Old Lost John is currently in UK for few gigs… Check his website to listen to his recent live performance and be sure to check his british schedule.
Geordie, there’s also a special show for you, right around your corner : hope you’ll find time to join !
This is the schedule:
May 10 2008 8:00P - Cavendish Arms (Stockwell) London, United Kingdom
May 11 2008 6:00P - Come Down and Meet the Folks (The Apple Tree) London, United Kingdom
May 14 2008 8:30P - The Bee’s Mouth Brighton, United Kingdom
May 15 2008 8:00 - The Rooms St Leonards-on-Sea, United Kingdom
May 16 2008 8:00P - The Smugglers Hastings, United Kingdom
After months of hunting Sam down and constantly harassing him via e-mail, I now have the interview with Sam for you all to read. Sam has been making noises in the London folk scene for quite a while now but hopefully this will be the year he breaks through to a much wider audience. In one review I read he was compared to an English version of Ray LaMontagne and although I can see why that comparison was made Sam is a much more accomplished guitar player than Ray and for me he has a completely different style, more folky and less country for one. He is an astonishing guitar player as you can see from the youtube clip I recently captured when I saw him play at the tiniest venue ever in Bom Banes in Brighton (posted). In my opinion I would draw a comparison to perhaps John Martyn for his folk style and Nick Drake or Bert Jansch for his guitar playing ability. Now i know that’s high praise especially when just about every new english finger picking folk singer comes along is compared with Drake but he really is that good, he plays the guitar like he and it are one but all done in such an effortless way, it’s a joy to watch. When you hear Sam’s voice live it takes you slightly by surprise, I feel he let’s it rip a lot more than he does on his album and I guess this may be where some reviewers get the Ray LaMontagne connection, still i would love to hear him really belt a few songs out on his album just to show his vocal range which is clear he has when you hear him play live, again it’s astonishing and a joy to listen to. He is due to release a new album Far from you in the very near future and of course I will keep you all updated on any news of that. Has a few dates coming up but one special one is the Union Chapel in London on 7Th June which if you have never experienced a concert there is a must see, breath taking acoustics which will suit Sam and his music perfectly, a ‘must go to’ gig.
In the meantime here is the interview that Sam was forced kindly agreed to do for us along with a couple of mp3’s that he has allowed for YCD to post. Please support this independent artist, he’s a superb talent who i think is on the brink of greatness. If you don’t believe me go and see him live, you will not forget it. Enjoy
YCD - So firstly, could you please tell us who you are and where you are from?
Sam - My name is Sam but my full name is Samuel James Beer, I think that sounds rather grand but everyone calls me Sam so Samuel has never really stuck, Actually people only called me Samuel when they were cross with me.
I have moved around quite a lot in my life as my dad’s work took my family to several places, my first years were spent in Spain although I was born in London.In the end I came back to London to go to Art School and I have been here ever since.
YCD - Ok, might as well ask you now, promoting anything right now or recently released anything?
SAM - I will be bringing out my first album in a couple of months called Far From You.With out sounding over confident I think it is going to be the best and most true thing I have made to date.I am in the middle of recording it and its going really well.I really respect and admire the players I am playing with on the record and I’m recording it in a great studio so its going to be something special when its finished.I’m really enjoying the process and am happy about what I’m doning…
YCD - So where can we get a hold of this?
SAM - You will be able to get the EP through my myspace page and through Itunes ect but we are in discussion with labels and distributers so it should be available all over,I can\t say any more than that at this stage.
YCD - You recently played the Union chapel in London, how did that go?
SAM - I would say it went really well! I have wanted to play there ever since I saw a gig there a few years ago. It is a wonderfully atmospheric place to play and I was lucky enough to play for a very good audience, people really got it and that made it all come alive.
YCD - What are the biggest obstacles you feel a singer/song writer faces today?
SAM - That is a tricky one for any musician and there are a lot of obstacles. It all depends on what you want and where you want to go.
You are only as good as your next song and that can be the biggest obstacle.Most of the barriers are in your own head and for one reason or another I think musicians have an internal struggle that is lifelong and that is the journey to become the best you can be.
YCD - Ok, I don’t know if you are aware but they have recently found an old law that says all musicians since time began are allowed to take any song from anyone they like from any moment in time and claim it as their own, Which one are you having then?
SAM - That answer changes on a daily basis and this one is really difficult. I feel like I am having to save one puppy from a house fire and watch the others cook, do I only have one songshit!
(TWO CUPS OF TEA LATER)
Grant Spivey (Live) by Victoria Spivey.
I heard this song on a compilation CD when I was coming back from a show in Exeter and it completely transported me. I was on a busy train and I think I was moving a bit and really getting into the songI got some odd looks from people around me as I was probably looking a bit special (if you know what I mean).That song devastates me every time I hear it.She sings about her father (Grant) and the song has so much movement and feeling. She is rough around the edges and completely natural.
I would never be able to play that song.If any of my songs come close ill sleep well at night.
There are so many other songs I could have picked for so many reasons
YCD - What’s your guilty pleasure?
SAM - Instruments! They are my heroin as it were.. I love old instruments and am lucky enough to say I own a couple of beauties. Old guitars that have been played a lot in my opinion have something very powerful within them. I could go on and on
YCD - What’s your best musical experience so far and why?
SAM - Again that’s difficult.When ever I truly connect with another musician that is something very special and moving for me.When I connect with a player it feels like we are talking and exchanging something highly personal and open.When ever that happens I am knocked over and I remember why I am doing this.I feel the same when the audience really gets it.
YCD - who’s currently rocking your stereo?
SAM -Quite a lot of story tapes
YCD - What band/artist would you most like to play with?
SAM - Neil Young, Danny Thompson (Double Bass), David Rawlings (Gillian Welsch’s guitar player),Tom Waitts, Joni Mitchell Nina Simone,I would be terrifiedto play with all of them and would probably make a tit of myself. But their all just people, they all have mothers.
YCD - What are your hopes and fears for you in the future, musically?
SAM - I fear my guitar will go out of tune and I won’t be able to write any more songs
I hope my guitar stays in tune and that I do too.
Many thanks for the interview and we here at you crazy dreamers wish you all the best for the future.
Just came across the album May be some time by Brighton born but now London based artist Jon Redfern after reading about his latest release Acoustic. Man, what a debut album this is !! Signed to the brilliant revealrecords label (Nels andrew, Kris drever, joan as policwoman) There’s strings, Piano, some lush guitar playing, a great voice and he even manages to have some sax in there without it sounding cheesy. Obvious comparisons with John martyn and Nick drake are mentioned in just about every review you read but he does add his own style to it too with elements are electro in one or two tracks and some poppier more accessible moments. Stand out tracks for me are Home at last (Which really reminds me of a song i can’t quite think of right now and it’s annoying the hell out of me) and I love the sun, the latter you can hear a stripped down version on his latest release also. I’m listening to the album with the sun just setting out of the window, it’s a nice spring evening, the smell of fresh cut grass wafting in from outside, new flowers everywhere, glass of wine in hand and this album seems to be the ideal soundtrack for such a beautiful evening.
Let’s pursue our little tour on the French music scene. More and more artists are leaving the French language adopting English in their songwriting process and I can’t blame it - what’s about a french version of this blog ? For Renaud Brustlein also known as H-Burns, the language matter doesn’t even arise… As soon as you’ll hear the first notes of his second album - How strange it is to be anything at All - you can’t almost imagine dealing with a French artist ; sure if accent can betray, his musical roots are far to be drawn from our national landscape.
H-Burns cited L. Cohen, Dylan, Smog, Oldham, Van Zandt amongst his influences and I guess none of them could deny a part of paternity in this folk album. H-Burns first full length, ‘Songs from the Elecric Sky’, was a pure - and beautiful - acoustic album. The brand new songs collection received the participation of Syd Matters and Thousand & Bramier. And for sure, this friendship gave to our Ardéchois folk singer a new dimension. A new dimension or a larger horizon with the addition of various instruments - such as banjo, mandoline and a musical saw and some superb arrangements… A larger horizon but without loosing this single point of view which allured me on his debut album ! And as usual, when all the songs deserve to be listened, here’s the opening track :
It’s official. Mike Mangione’s “You Don’t Wanna Leave” from his album Tenebrae has become my #1 driving song lately. This infectious and catchy tune has been on repeat in my car for a couple weeks now. Roll down the windows, crank up the sound and driiiiiiiive. Perfect. (I have my blog-buddy Olly to thank for alerting me to this fantastic musician. He has not let me down yet with his recommendations. Thanks Olly!)
While “You Don’t Wanna Leave” is my favorite on Tenebrae, the whole album is just stunning from start to finish…it is beautifully arranged and acoustic, soulful, foot-stomping at parts…poignant and heartbreaking in others. I’ve really connected with his lyrics on a number of songs. I’m even gonna go as far as say it is my favorite album I’ve heard so far this year. (Yes, a 2007 release but I’m a little bit late to the party….better late than never I say!).
Some musicians lack consistency for me sometimes….definitely NOT Mike. I fell in love with each and every song on Tenebrae. “I’m Sorry Again” was the first to tug at my heart, “First Time: Please Forgive Me” and “Now That It’s Done, Won’t You Come Back” got me thinking “Ooh damn white boy got soul!”.
I could continue gushing on and on about Mike, but I think you get the idea by now. Any fan of the singer/songwriter genre will just love this album in my opinion. You would be doing yourself a major disservice by not purchasing Tenebrae.
…and if my words are not enough to convince you, maybe these will:
-Tenebrae is named one of the best local albums of 2007 by the Illinois Entertainer - Illinois Entertainer Top Albums of 2007,
-”The Killing Floor” is named one of the best songs of 2007 by Indie-Launchpad - Indie-Launchpad
Mangione’s vocals can be heart-breakingly delicate at times, comparable to how James Blunt only wishes he could sound. - Chris Kreklin, OnMilwaukee.com
“It’ is always a good thing to hear young artists still making music that springs to mind at those key moments when the art and one’s life experiences shed deeper meaning on each other.” “Tenebrae is definitely one of those albums that will easily fall into this category and is a definite must have for any fan of folk and Indie music genres.” - L. Anne Carrington, INDIEMUSICSTOP.BLOGSPOT.COM
Tenebrae, “8 out of 10″ - Americana UK
“Tenebrae is completely against the spirit of the time, and therefore has become timeless.” - House of Rock (Germany)
Anyways, Mike was nice enough to grant You Crazy Dreamers a little interview so here it is. I hope you enjoy his music as much as I have! I’d also like to say what an incredibly nice guy Mike is. Musicians who actually take the time to reach out to their fans get major props from me. I connect more with musicians (and their music) who actually make time for their fans and make themselves accessible. I think it is wonderful. It builds a loyal fan base. Respect to you Mike.
YCD: Who or what inspired you to start making music and how long have you been at it?
Mike: My brother Tom inspired me to start making music. We liked a lot of the same artists growing up, well to be honest I liked who he liked and he had good taste. When I was ten I was listening to a lot of Dylan, u2,Peter Gabriel and Zeppelin. Those guys would be my entertainment as a child. I looked up to them and was comforted by them but it was my brother Tom who made me want to write. He wrote a couple songs in his teenage years that were very passionate tunes. When I heard those I wanted to do the same, I was inspired to write something that could move someone else the same way his music moved me.
I have had a guitar in my hand writing songs since I was thirteen, so 15 years
YCD: If there was one song you wish you would have written what would it be, and why?
Mike: Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, I can’t explain it
YCD: If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing now?
Mike: I am not sure but I would have a paycheck and some kids…
YCD: Is there anything new you are working on now?
Mike: My hairline, my weight, and my style. As far as music goes yes, a lot. After Tenebrae was written I told myself not to write anything for a year. Anytime an artist finishes an album they start writing for their next and think their last one was shit….even if it has been done for 3 months. Unless you are Ryan Adams you should give yourself time to work the album and promote it…so that’s what I tried to do. It lasted 8 months and I started writing and have continued doing so.
YCD: What was the first record/album you ever bought?
Mike: I think the cassette of Zeppelin III, my brother didn’t have it.
YCD: What are you currently listening to?
Mike: Hear Is What Is by Daniel Lanois and Mule Variations by Dr. Tom Waits
YCD: What is your favorite song to play live?
The one where everyone gets quiet and listens… It changes based on the audiences involvement.
YCD: Can you tell me a little bit about your band members? Who plays what, etc…
Tom Mangione, my brother, is co writer with me, plays the electric “tone” guitar and is our road manager. He has no idea how good he is and is probably the most talented and consistent of the bunch.
Patrick Hoctor is the cello player, he is the innocent Reason in the group. A quit spiritual man, he provides focus for the group when it is needed. He also looks like Tom Brady, a little.
Kristina Priceman is our Violin player and token female. She grew up with a lot of guys and is more of a dude than I…..one of the funniest girls I have met rapped up in a little cute package making her a joy to be with.
John Collins plays upright bass. He is the eldest of the group. Always wears orange and can miss a show by getting caught up in a discussion on either philosophy, food or Queen songs.
Our drummers change with the tide
YCD: How has your music evolved from when you first started playing?
I am more focused on the idea in the song now. When I started I would just try to write something that sounded neat. Now I am really trying to get something across. When I started I didn’t have one idea I cared enough about to be honest with in a song. A lot of things can persuade you when you write and when I started it happened too easily. Now, I feel too strongly about the Idea of the song to sacrifice it. For me it is all about the sacred, anything else I am not interested in. That’s not how it used to be when I started. I was too focused on the distractions of growing up. Also I use more than two chords now….sometimes
YCD: Which musician or band would you love to work with?
I want to work with Daniel Lanois, Emmylou Harris and Dylan. I also want to work with Duane Lundy, who produced Tenebrae again. I would love to do another album with him; he is a mind reader….and that saves money.
This is going to be a really personal post as I want to share with you part of my culture. Well for sure, speaking about music reveals something always personal, but this time, i’m going to speak about my roots !
Even if I’m living in the Pyrenees for couple years now, my heart-town is a small old harbor on the west coast of France called ‘Le Croisic‘ in French, ‘Little Cross’ in English and ‘Ar Groazig’ in Breton.
Brittany is my roots and historically a Celtic country with its own language : le ‘Breton’, and its own “Gwenn ha Du” Flag.
On my Father’s family side many were fishermen. Shanties, sing-along and other drinking songs are always my favorites - sounds a bit weird to shout them out in the middle of my current mountains… I’ve maried my wife - 10 years ago - under the sound of a single biniaoù - a kind of bag-pipe - playing ‘Amazing Grace‘, and we both opened the dancing time on ‘The Fairytale of New York‘ from the Pogues !
So I would like to introduce you to a part of this rich musical heritage : Gwerz ! With Kan ha Diskan (call and response singing), gwerz is the most common typical Breton vocal music. As many of ancient languages, Breton survives ages with oral tradition, story-tellers and singers. A Gwerz is a kind of lament where lyrics prevails. Most of the time, it describes tragic events.
For introducing this really specific singing, Denez Prigent is undoubtly the best and by far the most accessible singer. Denez is one of the leader of the new brittany songwriter generation mixing modern music with traditional instruments - uilleann pipes, bag-pipes - and singing - ‘gwerz’ and ‘kan ha diskan’ Breton styles. With five albums already released, his reputation exceeds our regional borders. Denez recorded couple duets with Lisa Gerrard, one was choosen by Ridley Scott for the movie ‘Black Hawk Down’. Even if this song is under the scope of the RIAA, I couldn’t resist to post it - may the record company understands my sharing point of view! Gortoz Az Ran (I’m Waiting) is also available on Denez’s Irvi album.
The other song i’ve selected is ‘Copsa Mica’ which is one of the most shivering live song i’ve ever heard. It’s a “gwerz” about the most polluted city in Europe : Copşa Mică in Romania. The original version has been recorded with Romanian singers Ludmila Dinova, Ivelina Baltcheva and Elena Bozova, and is available on the ‘Me’ Zalc’h Ennon Ur Fulenn Aour‘ full length.
Thanks to my friend Brigitte, native from another celtic country - Eire, who translated the Breton lyrics into English via a French version. Even, if it’s not an easy song - due to the use of Breton language, please be sure to listen it till the end and feel its entire power delivered with his unique voice and bag-pipes !
Guest_2370 : just stumbled across your site today. good stuff. i think you might really like the new e.p. by Tall Tales, entitled Earthling.
Guest_1410 : ok...i looved this movie too..but whats that song thats playing when they are gardening with Joses dad? its just instrumental and some ai ai ais or something..its so beautiful..i want to know what it is.
Olivier : Oups sorry All... i've deleted couple valid comments while removing a list of 500 spams !
Sam : Kevin Pawlak thought I should email you about a new EP my band is putting out. He reviewed it favorably recently. Wanted to send you the information.
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After couple dates in Germany this last February, Tomas Thunberg a.k.a Old Lost John is currently in UK for few gigs… Check his website to listen to his recent live performance and be sure to check his british schedule.
H-Burns cited L. Cohen, Dylan, Smog, Oldham, Van Zandt amongst his influences and I guess none of them could deny a part of paternity in this folk album. H-Burns first full length, ‘Songs from the Elecric Sky’, was a pure - and beautiful - acoustic album. The brand new songs collection received the participation of 
So I would like to introduce you to a part of this rich musical heritage : Gwerz ! With Kan ha Diskan (call and response singing), gwerz is the most common typical Breton vocal music. As many of ancient languages, Breton survives ages with oral tradition, story-tellers and singers. A Gwerz is a kind of lament where lyrics prevails. Most of the time, it describes tragic events.
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