Laura Rose @ Ronnie Scotts

Tuesday 26^th October

Laura Rose

@ Ronnie Scotts

On the first floor, above the world famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is Ronnie’s Bar. This is awesome. It was designed by the French architect Jacques Garcia and is used today for the same reason it was used for by the founders; to showcase new talent. Its walls have bare witness to some of the greatest jazz musicians in history and this Tuesday it was home to the quaint tenderness of Laura Rose Dickson. Her delicate eyes peer down at the floor, before locking her gaze onto the mesmerized many who have formed a tight half moon around the edge of her spotlight. Her lyrics are truly sincere, and Laura engages an audience the way any performer should.  The faint occasional falter of her voice goes unnoticed, because her natural talent is extraordinary.

 

Laura’s story is inspiring; after an injury that saw her unable to play the Cello again, she picked up a guitar with an untiring passion and began to play. We can’t help but watch Laura and be gleefully reminded of Sandy Dennie, yet her whispers of folk present subtle memories of Diane Cluck and Joanna Newsom.

Laura Rose and her 7-piece band are delightful and we are excited she will be playing Populace, and certainly will be a highlight in the winter twilight.

Still Corners @ The Social

Tuesday 19^th October

3 Bands

Over the Wall

Echo Lake

Still Corners

@ The Social

Venues Venues Venues. Big ones. Small ones.  Packed ones and tumble weeds.

The Social is a basement room of music loveliness. Or at least it was on the 19^th. Downstairs from the Alpine Bar, is the chilled out, intimate venue that Still Corners headlined on Tuesday. First to offer up their gift to the ear gods in the audience, was the slightly eccentric, widely eclectic rhythms of Ben Hillman and Gav Prentice who are better known as Over the Wall. it is always great to see people on a stage who look chuffed to be there. Its infectious and brings a smile to my face, there is 'owning the stage,' and then there's being a cock, which these guys were not.

The PA guy from The social, brings another added level to the entertainment, big smiles and music loving, if you’ve been, you know what I mean!

The Social's surroundings downstairs is really perfect for that intimate gig. However it didn’t sit, with the levels for Echo Lakes performance. Cracking band, so I’m a little pissed about the sound but it wasn’t set well. If you went and felt the same don’t give up on Echo Lake they are great, but on this occasion the venue drowned the vocals. The singer has an amazing voice and the guitarist was sick, so it was a real shame, just jump on to the t’interweb and you’ll see what I mean.

Whoever thought of the line to sum up Still Corners was more spot on than a Dalmatian; they sound like ‘The First Frost,’ this is so true. Amazing backing visuals, they were by far the most polished performance. The emotion and lyrics were inspiring, a real fit for the venue, great call on the song choices SC, top bananas. Once they start you could feel your eyes closing for a second. Not tiredness, they just envelope the audience with the feeling and emotion of the song. This sort of talent is so rare and I can’t wait for the new release of songs. In fact, in a more motivated state, I think I would consider breaking into their practises to get first glimpse on new material!

Perfect end to a nice little night.

Still corners sound is fresh and challenging, and to sum up their performance I will alas repeat myself; you really feel the songs, it goes through you, leaving your emotions in the hands of the artists and the songs, a scary yet exciting thought.

Photo's to follow (iPhone is too technical to work)

Advertising Extraordinaire - Editor - Blogger; Introducing: Mr George Wilcox.

George Wilcox is kindly lending his talents To The Populace Plays, the editing and organisation of The Populace Plays' Blog is quite the job and for him to offer his hands in help; I am forever grateful. George works for Tag Worldwide, a London based advertising agency, he possesses a great eye for tasteful design and a good ear for music. Naturally a first choice for involvement. He has offered his spare time (The little that he has) to bring you every update from The Populace Plays' performers and exhibitors.  

                                                          

George's first post will be a review of Still Corners who are performing with Echo Lake and Over The Wall on the 19th of October at The Social, 5 Little Portland St, W1W 7JD (Google Maps - Here). Its a FREE gig and if you're in the area It'll be well worth the journey. 

I look forward to George's postings and I am very thankful for his time and talents to be used in The Populace Plays. You can visit his blog at www.thoughtrooms.blogspot.com.


RR x

Mark Mumford (Mumford & Sons); 'King Charles is a hero'

Our Headliner, King Charles, is currently on tour with Mumford & Sons. Recently on Radio 1 a documentary on Mumford & Sons reviewed them and the ever growing folk scene. A scene in which I (Robert Reed) is dearly fond of and one that regularly inspires my work and life. Naturally, I couldn't miss out on this documentary and I wasn't at all surprised to hear the highly acclaimed King Charles to be present in the influences and friendship of Mumford & Sons.

"Mumford & Sons have brought folk music back to the masses and now we're so well acquainted, it's high time we met some of their friends. Folk has been covered in cobwebs for so long, yet in the last 5 years it has been dusted off and placed in the able hands of the young musical community. This is the story of that community." -  Radio1Doc: The Folklore of Mumford & Sons: 11th October 2010.

Named as one of Mumford & Sons three greatest songwriters of all time, King Charles is a character who revels in his artistic flair yet at the same time he has a sincerity that is touching to many hearts. 

"When its just him and a guitar in a room .. and his songwriting is just a genius." - Mark Mumford

You can listen to the full documentary here.  

Robert Reed's recent drawings.

www.reedillustration.co.uk

www.reedillustration.wordpress.com