Reviews

Bluebird at the Bluecoat and other creative catch-ups!

Hello!

The last few months for me has been very creative/collaboratively swayed and I’ve had a lot of fun in the process…

Here is a bitesize update of some selective things I’ve been involved in and more will follow!

The most recent venture for me is happening this Saturday at Bluecoat Liverpool. I entered a songwriting competition a few months ago that was being run by Monkey Mind Productions in Nashville. After putting forward 3 of my songs I was picked as a finalist for a masterclass and songwriting feedback session taking place at Bluecoat under the banner ‘Bluebird at the Bluecoat’. We are given the opportunity to perform a song for the visiting Nashville songwriters/industry professionals and Bob Harris. I’m very excited (and a teeny bit nervous….:) but good nerves for sure). More to come on this……!

Check out the details here.. http://monkeymindproductions.net/the-bluebird-at-the-bluecoat/

BIG CLOUD: Earlier this month I went to visit Big Cloud Productions to be interviewed and perform songs for their excellent podcast. The man in charge is Steve Stroud. We had a great time., he asked some really interesting questions and we chatted guitar and music geek for at least a couple of hours and over about 4 cups of coffee 🙂 We also discovered we were playing music in New England at the same time a few years ago! I managed to squeeze in 7 songs. Here is the vid for this, enjoy:

ROOTS & FUSION: In the below link you can hear my latest session with Roots & Fusion. Always a pleasure to work with Rick and Aaron. Great session from June this year! (2015)

BREAK THE MAN: July saw the finished album that I had the pleasure of playing guitar, harmonica and backing vocals on, as well as designing the cover. This was ‘Break the Man by Kwalaparla’. A Western theme featuring gallows and heartbreak. Here’s a fab and deserved review by FATEA Mag.

http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/2015/KwalaParla.html

Coming up next week is my time to visit Bay TV in Liverpool and play some songs in their studio! More updates and links on that when it’s done and out.

I’ll be back with more updates as they come in and to fill in the blanks from the last couple of months 🙂

Bye for now.

Jo x

many many things .. :)

Hello Feb…… ……!

Not really knowing where to start but I’m so happy with how Chasing Tales EP is going down and my songwriting generally is ticking the right boxes. Makes the hard work feel soooo worth it.

Last week I went along to BBC Radio Merseyside to record a session with Dave Monks for BBC Introducing. I’ve been wanting to get on the show for a while and we finally managed to sort out a date. Brilliant! The show was aired on Saturday and can be listened to again for the next few days so if you get chance, I recommend. I played Chopping Wood and This Garden and did a bit of an interview. My bit is at 30.39s but if you want to chill for a bit long I’d say have a listen to the whole show. Thanks BBC Introducing!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7td

Reviews – wise. I’ve just managed to pick up a copy of R2 magazine that I was told had a short review of Chasing Tales in. Here it is!

R2 review – Chasing Tales 2014

BBC 6 Music! I has some awesome news this month too in the form of BBC 6 Music MIXTAPE. My song This Garden was picked by Tom Robinson for inclusion on his show a couple of weeks ago.

BBC Mixtape 10 Feb 2014

Tour –

I have many dates lined up for far for this year. This weekend brings :

Fri 21st Feb – The Basement, York. Supporting Mulholland

Sat 22nd Feb – Songbook Sessions @ The Zanzibar, Liverpool

Sun 23rd Feb – Beerfest @ St Bridgets Church, West Kirby

For upto date gigs head to GIGS

Hope to see you there!

Jo x

Gig & Review updates!

Chasing Tales reviews and gigs updated on the website constantly… the latest addition is this fab one from Blues Matters Magazine.…

Chopping Wood video / Tom Robinson / Folkstock Xmas & Blues Matters

Hello All!

Swishing into December are we, doing whatever each of us likes to do or not do! 🙂 Me personally I like to leisurely drink coffee and stay in where its warm..

Busy times musically!

First up. Last month we filmed a vid over two days to compliment my crowd favourite Chopping Wood. This song has been making people happy. So I contacted the fab Mr Andrew Ab and he sent the finished product to me this week and I couldn’t wait to share it.. I suggest sitting yourself down with a brew and taking 4 mins..(until the end of the song of course) and soaking up this little visual delight. I’m really happy with it and so seem those who have thus far seen it..and who can say more than that.

Secondly. Last month Chopping Wood was picked by the one and only BBC 6 Musics Tom Robinson for his Fresh on the Net blog. I then was emailed an excellent message to say the same song had been selected for Tom’s BBC Introducing Mixtape show. Happy? Well..just a little bit 🙂 Here’s the show that went out with my song on it!

http://freshonthenet.co.uk/2013/12/mixtape20131202/

The Fresh on the Net site is also an amazing resource for musicians looking for tips on how to optimise their opportunities..

Third. Last weekend I headed down to Hertford Corn Exchange to perform as part of the Folkstock Christmas show. I did the festival in the Summer and I can’t recommend it enough for the future. I was treated extremely well and the acts were all top quality. Last sunday was a full day of free music. Check out these guys if you can and keep an eye on the festival for the future!

Pic from the day by Helen Meissner..who also took some vid footage and made an awesome compilation here…. as well as being the boss of Folkstock!

definitely not least… one day last week whilst browsing the internet I came across this little gem..

If you cast your eyes to the bottom you will see what made me happy 🙂

Blues Matters is a great mag featuring all things blues and somethings that push the boarder of traditional blues. I like this ethos a lot being that my music is not especially traditional to any genre. These guys have reviewed my EP and it is in the current issue with favourable words. Once I have my copy I shall be posting a picture of the review.

Until next time enjoy this time of year however you need to! Many good vibes from me and if you’re looking for gift inspiration I would recommend my EP Chasing Tales…. naturally!

Jo x

Chopping Wood vid / Reviews / 6Music & Gigs

The last days of November and teetering on the beginning of my fave month of the year! Chasing Tales EP has been out for 2 whole months now and I’ve had some cracking feedback so far! Have a look at the reviews here, I’m so happy to say the least. Much of it has been along the lines of- ‘great EP!, when’s the album coming out!’.., inspiring to say the least and to those who have asked that I’m already writing…

My immediate plans are to get out and about and do a good run of gigging this new material. I have been doing my musician admin duties to the fullest since the release and I have a gig list here and I’m adding to it all the time. If I’m not coming near you and you have ideas of venues please give me a shout and I’ll see what I can do!

Last weekend we got some people together and made a video for my song Chopping Wood. I teamed up with the excellent Andrew Ab who is clocking up quite a portfolio of videos by some fantastic artists. We made a campfire and ate burned marshmellows and it was great fun, even having a pink face from being so hot! The vid will be out before Xmas.

Chopping Wood has also being picked by Tom Robinson for play on his Mixtape show on BBC 6Music over the next week or two. It was whittled down and included in Fresh Faves Batch 85 and had a little climb from there.

I’ve had great news of things to come which I will divulge in good time.

Until December is in full swing enjoy the warm up to the end of the year and the beginning of the new. Soak up the Autumn. Head over to pick up / download your copy of Chasing Tales at Bandcamp/Amazon/iTunes/CDBaby and if you are looking for a great prezzy for someone I highly recommend it.

Speak soon

Chasing Tales Launch – What a night! Get your copy :)

Happy Days., I’m really still coming down from Friday nights Chasing Tales EP launch at View Two Gallery, hosted by the fantastic Liverpool Acoustic and with and awesome line-up (Little Sparrow, Me & Deboe, Anna Corcoran).. full house and lots of happy music lovers.

It’s been solid work for me since September last year with starting to write the first song (Woollen Hearts) and I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.

The EP is now available to buy from all the usual suspects –

Bandcamp / Amazon / iTunes / CD Baby

There are limited number of CDs available so get in there quick if you love the tactile music experience, I know I do. I will be taking these to gigs as well until they run out!

This is what the reviews are saying about the EP so far..

‘Delicious, laid-back, folk-tinged Americana’ – Folkwords

‘Unorthodox, uncompromising, simply brilliant’ – FATEA

‘always played with a great sense of maturity, an ear for the rhythmic and an ability to place words in such a way that the guitar is more than an instrument to her, it is more like a confidant, a co-conspirator in her music and Chasing Tales once exemplifies this confidant and genuinely very cool woman’s ability’ – Liverpool Sound & Vision

FIND THEM IN FULL AS WELL AS REVIEWS FROM THE LAUNCH

wt/; Blythe Cooper from Chasing Tales EP Launch Liverpool. pic by Adrian Wharton 2013

Sketch by Ken Martin, View Two Gallery Liverpool. 2013.

Chasing Tales EP Launch Liverpool. pic by Adrian Wharton. 2013.

wt/ Andy Jones. Chasing Tales EP Launch Liverpool. 2013. pic Adrian wharton

Chasing Tales CD pic by Russell Cottier

Find more pics from the gig on FACEBOOK 🙂

Big thanks to all those that were involved and made it down and for those that didn’t pick up your copy of the EP and indulge in some new music.

See you at the next gig near you!

Jo x

Next up for gigs

4th Oct 2013: Live session w/t The Foxs Den Show (Vixen 101.8FM) – 9pm

15th Oct: Writers Block, Lomax, Liverpool

17th Oct: Acoustic Lounge wt/Gerry Murphy – Vintage Radio

18th October 2013: The Rifleman, Stalybridge supporting Patsy Matheson

17th Jan 2014: Live session w/t Roots and Fusion (Pure FM)

20th June 2014: Beverley Folk Festival

Chasing Tales EP Launch Invite

EP Launch Invite – Jo Bywater Chasing Tales EP

I’ve been excitedly preparing for this date and here it is! I would like to invite you to my EP launch and latest installment of new and original music.

Date: 27th Sept. 2013 @ View Two Gallery, Liverpool. I’m very pleased to be doing the launch with the award winning Liverpool Acoustic. The line-up is amazing – Little Sparrow, Me & Deboe, Anna Corcoran and Me (plus special guests).

In order to buy tickets in advance head to: http://www.wegottickets.com/liverpoolacoustic you will see the event with my name attached.

The EP is also in collaboration with Searching For Dandelions (www.SFDRecords.com) label/collective

Chasing Tales is Acoustic Blues slide guitar meets finger-picking brain food. Raw and finely-crafted beauty with a dark twist, soothed with harmonies, melodies and textures. A worthy follow-up to 2010 album Cycle Grace Pulse Break in creative growth. The EP features guest performances from Andy Jones (Just by Chance) and Blythe Cooper and was mastered by Russell Cottier (Parr St. Studios). It is released in collaboration with Searching For Dandelions Label/Collective. Cover Artwork by Jo Bywater. The first review for the EP has been provided by Ian D. Hall for Liverpool Sound and Vision: http://www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2013/09/04/jo-bywater-chasing-tales-e-p-review/ Chasing Tales will be available from CD Baby, Bandcamp, Amazon, iTunes and at shows. There are limited CD copies available to buy at shows and online.

It would be a pleasure if you could join us at the launch! For those not able to I hope you enjoy this next chapter of my creativity 🙂 for updated info go to http://www.jobywater.com. Jo x

‘This Garden’ a song to bring in summer – free download

Hi all,

Well for as much as I’ve been having a hibernate and writing lots so far this year I also appear to have done much! 2 new songs under my belt all good and strong: Last month I set free ‘Woollen Hearts’ into the ether and this month I have my newest ‘This Garden’.

I had a play around with some new textures on this one and added some harmonies and a sprinkling of flute, thanks to my fab Blythe Cooper. The song is about having somewhere that brings you back to your recharged state. Somewhere that reminds you of home (where ever that is) and who you are when things my shake you away for a bit. I wrote this on my newest acoustic guitar (Taylor 314) and as it was crying out for some finger-picking that is exactly what happened. The guitar has been beautiful to play on and I’m very much looking forward to doing much more writing on it 🙂

You can listen to the song here! It is a free download at the moment so feel free to sing along, upload it to your Ipod etc….

Over the last month I did my first gig at Threshold Festival, Liverpool and was filmed over the weekend by Addistock and Liverpool Live TV performing Woollen Hearts. You can see both of these vids on my Videos page. I had a wonderful review of my gig thanks to Ian @ Liverpool Sound and Vision.

For April….well, tomorrow I head to finish my session with Addistock by playing a cover song that will be revealed soon enough 🙂 I shall also be live on The Tillerman Show (www.liverradio.co.uk) 4pm – 6pm from The Lomax, Liverpool.

More updates to come soon! 🙂 Until then enjoy the music and create!

See you soon

Jo x

Festives, newness, Southern Comfort and Lime

As my final mail of 2011 I mainly wanted to say thank you to everyone who has supported and enjoyed what I’ve been upto creatively this year whether it be music or art. Cheers! And thanks to those I’ve shared the gigs with. It’s been a great and varied year. My favourite!

2011 started off with my album released and ready to gig. I spent the year sending messages to magazines, reviewers and radio shows and got a significant amount of positive feedback. All the reviews i’ve had so far are on my website and I’ve had some great local help from Seven Streets, LSU, Liverpool Acoustic, Radio Merseyside, Nerve and this month Good Vibrations gave me my final review of the year.
Nationally I had positive reviews from FATEA, R2, MU Mag, The Girls Are and Americana. In terms of radio I had a fab experience on ICON Radio, KVFM and ‘Folkscene’ on BBC Radio Merseyside after being invited by Mr Stan Ambrose. As his only guest I had the whole show and had my entire album played. Definately a moment of pride and acheivement. There’s has also been great support coming my way from Bob’s Folk Show to the South!

Over the last 12 months my gigs were a little chocolate box of mixture. December culminated in two great gigs, the penultimate in LLanberis, Wales after which I went mountain biking in Snowdonia and the final gig of the year at Sound Women in Huddersfield, which was preceded by a traffic-laden, 4 hour journey from Liverpool!

Work – wise I’ve spent an incredible time building up my guitar students and also taken on more commissions art-wise. The most recent two being illustrations for a childrens book and a painting for a present I’m half way through for a customer in USA.

My plans for 2012 are of the writing kind. New music for the new year and the forming of a tour, possibly Europe. I’ll definitely be gigging as ever around the UK. Plans for the capital city are afoot. 31st Jan I will be playing live in session on Bob’s Folk Show. http://www.radiowey.co.uk

My album Cycle Grace Pulse Break is for sale at http://www.cdbaby.com.jobywater2
My blog and updates are as ever to be found at http://www.jobywater.com

The shows I’ve done and art I’ve created will very soon be on the site!

Again, many thanks and I wish everyone the best for the end of 2011 and most definitely 2012!

See you there

Jo x

Radio and Snowdonia giggage

Hey all,

Last week was a great experience for me having the opportunity to perform live on Mr Ian D Halls radio show at Liverpool University Station. I had the priviledge of playing 2 of my own tunes and having a little chat with the man himself in his championing of Liverpool music, both old and new. Ian gave me a great album review earlier on in the year for LSM so it was a pleasure. A very hospitable experience was had. Part of the show was that I choose an influential song. After having 2 months to make this decision I still managed to show up at the station with 8 CDs in my bag…..finally resting on ‘Indifference’ by Pearl Jam. It was a toughy! I then went on to play a set at CUC for Ronan Boyles night. A satisfyinly musical day. This coming Friday (2nd Dec) I shall be heading to KVFM to play on the Christmas edition of the Orange Show with Alicia Rose and a whole host of local musos. Should be a good one.

The last few months have been decidedly art-based and with my art and guitar tuition ventures starting to take off all is looking good. Bring on my birthday, Christmas and the New Year! I also became an Auntie for the first time in November. Happy Days 🙂

Next gig is at Heights Hotel, Llanberis Wales on 11th Dec, then Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield 16th Dec.

Jo x