bowker

Recording! new songs – new album

Hello!

I have now started recording my second album. I’ve spent the last year in my creative cave, gathering enough songs that I can be excited and proud of to put together worthy of an album. 12 songs in total, yes! I made it.

Admittedly I got a teeny bit waylayed as I spent time on some amazing collaborations with other artists (Bowker, Tiki Black, Operation Lightfoot) and also had the pleasure of playing guitar on the Kwalaparla album Break the man. I have also acquired a small collection of commissioned pieces for BBC Radio Merseyside Pure Musical Sensations show (Anyone Who Had a Heart (yes, a Cilla cover…), Always Feel Like Home & Faith on Hope st.).

Admittedly…………..I also got a bit more waylayed as I entered into a personal mission to get fit (Crossfit / Running / Hiking / Mountain biking) and eat clean, get some decent sleep, early mornings and drink less..(much less)…so, rock n roll….I know, but I feel amazing….. and…it feels GOOD!

But now….I’m ready. In motion.

So I have a little quick video to share with you that I’ve just recorded at home as a taster of what’s to come. The album is pretty much a mixture of acoustic guitar and slide guitar songs. Some solo, some with guests 🙂 I’m excited.

But for now….

Enjoy x

news! Gigs & Collaborations & Chrimbo songs

Just a quick update before Christmas REALLY kicks in!

1) I have an incredible gig coming up for my first of 2015. It is a real honour for me to be invited by Blues Matters Magazine to perform on their JAKS stage at The Great British Rock & Blues Festival in Skegness on 25th Jan. I will be performing a 1 hour set at 1.15pm on the Sunday 🙂

Here is the poster for the event., if you can make it please come along!

2) I’ve done two ace collaborations recently, both very, very different!

I performed and recorded backing vocals and guitar on a beautiful track by Songwriter Tiki Black called Free Like Smoke..

This will be available to buy on 15th Decemer.

Also as of 24th November the excellent concept album Sail to the Deep by Bowker was available to purchase. I composed/sang vocals for this on The Dream (Valentina pt 2)

Aaaaand 3)…. last but not least!

I have my very own Christmas song coming out called Christmas Come Home as part of Searching For Dandelions Christmas vol. 3. It is written, ready, the artwork is done and I will be back with a confirmed release date..

What a year 🙂 x

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.

Collaborations #1 – Bowker!

I was very excited to be asked to lay down a vocal track for Bowker a few months ago. One of the biggest musical challenges I’ve undergone, possibly! and the first time I’ve been required as just a vocalist… no words either 🙂 This great band from Southport – have an impending album launch to be held at Lomax, Liverpool on 11th October, at which I’ll be making an appearance. Keep your ears open for the track as it becomes available!

The album is called Sail to the Deep and from what I’ve heard will be a chunky riffs power trio collection of musical delights. They are releasing through Searching For Dandelions, the very same which I released Chasing Tales through. Well worth a check out!

Jo x

Jo Bywater