BBC Introducing

Stay busy create keep warm!

This month has been creative and busy. Keep moving keep warm 🙂

A few weeks ago I mentioned I had been asked to provide vocals for the fab band Bowker. These guys have written a concept album called Sail to the Deep and needed someone to be their ‘Valentina’. I was really honoured to be asked, it was also a pretty big challenge but very exciting! I have never just provided vocals before and for this one it was also vocals with no words…so…listen I did…over and over to the amazing atmospheric chunky guitar/bass/drum track they sent me. After I felt I’d suitably absorbed the music I started to get a feel for the character and it was a lot of fun singing my heart out for this.

Bowker album sleeve

The launch was a few weeks ago at Lomax, Liverpool and I went along to perform. Cracking night. Here are a couple of pics.

me as ‘Valentina’

The song was included on the Roots and Fusion radio show last week so for a listen head over to the mixcloud 🙂

The album is released in November.

Another guest appearance for me came in the form of Tiki Black. Tiki is a fantastic songwriter and though we have crossed paths at gigs and she has also been very supportive of my music, we had not yet worked together. Tiki asked me a couple of months ago if I would play some guitar on her track ‘Free Like Smoke’. It’s a beautiful song and when I had a closer listen I could really hear some vocal harmonies in there too. So, I jumped in and had a play. Luckily for me that was appreciated…. The track sounds great and I will update when and where this will be available once I know. This was also featured on Roots & Fusion and can be heard here.

SUMMER STUFF– Over the summer I had lots of fun playing at various festivals. One of which was on my doorstep at the Sefton Park Food & Drink Festival. I had the opportunity to combine my two favourite things of coffee and music and played at the Liverpool Live TV/Quills Coffee stage. LLTV were ace enough to wield their video skills and recorded my song Woollen Hearts…

and finally…..

This weekend I discovered that my song Sun shines under water (from Chasing Tales EP) was included on Tom Robinson’s MIXTAPE (BBC6 Music Introducing.. Fresh on the Net): I have been lucky enough over the last year to have 2 other songs (Chopping Wood & This Garden) from the EP also featured on the show. It’s a top resource for independent musicians and I’m very proud.

That’s it for now! You’ll find me walking around in the Autumn air finding inspiration for new songs.

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

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!