Showing posts with label Will Roberts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Will Roberts. Show all posts

Thursday, 10 July 2014

Talk at Treffos Independent School - with Tom Sayer and William Roberts (aka The Skyward Lemons)

A couple of weeks ago, I was visiting my friend Will Roberts in Anglesey, near where I went to university in Bangor, to do some recording of my new album, which is currently being arranged and mixed. During this time, Will and I went in to a local school to give a talk to the uppers class in Treffos Primary School. Having studied The Beatles recently and just returning from a day-trip to Liverpool the day before, the children were eager to learn about music journalism (from me) and music production (from Will).

As a part of our visit, Will played a couple of The Skyward Lemons' finished tracks to the class whilst they did drawings with charcoal, rubbers and coloured chalks on sugarpaper. Afterwards I played a couple of my songs on acoustic guitar and sang, as shown below.


It was a great experience for me to be able to share some of my experiences with the children, and give them some more information about what the music scene/industry is like today, compared to when The Beatles exploded onto the scene in the 1960's. It was really pleasing to see that a lot of the children already played instruments and that music was a big part of their lives already. I know that I didn't really get hooked on music until my early teens, so they have all got a few years head start on me already!

Will playing the piano during lunch break
The Uppers Class at Treffos with charcoaled hands and faces
Will and myself joining in the drawing fun
Playing one of my songs to the class whilst they drew


I'd like to thank Milli Evans for inviting us in to the school and hosting our visit and the Treffos Independent School for supporting and nurturing the children's education in such a practical way. I could tell from how the children spoke about music that it could well play a part in their professional lives many years from now, and I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to talk about what I do to such a young and receptive audience who I am sure all have bright futures ahead of themselves.

http://www.treffos.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Treffos
@TreffosSchool

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Busy In Bodffordd and Bangor

Just a quick update as to my whereabouts this week. I have returned to my university city of Bangor for the week to do some recording with my good friend Will Roberts in Bodffordd, of some very old material: I mean songs from up to 8-9 years ago, re-recorded, arranged and mastered into a brand new album/EP.

Day One: Worked out the track list and laid down the vocals and guitar for some of the tracks. In the evening I hosted the Open Mic at The Belle Vue in Bangor, my regular haunt from my uni days. The place was packed from start to finish and I saw some great new acts perform as well as some familiar favourites, who had all developed a lot since I'd last seen them perform.

Day Two: Finished off the guitar, piano and vocal tracks for all of the songs. Started a rough drum track for the first song, the wind, and I'm excited for how it's sounding! Here is me hard at work:




Tomorrow, we'll be working on some of the arrangements after stopping by at Treffos School on Anglesey in the morning to give a talk on music journalism to the year 6 class.
More to follow tomorrow. :)



Monday, 16 June 2014

Maida Vale - New CD Reviews Coming Soon - Album Recording

Just a quick update on what's been going on and what is to be happening soon.

Maida Vale

Last week I went to see the BBC Symphony Orchestra play at Maida Vale. The programme was a series of pieces by Swedish composers, with two of the composers including Gothe being present for the concert to introduce their pieces.

The tickets were free through the bbc website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tickets/. They often have concerts, tv shows and all other kinds of things available so see which you can get tickets for just by registering to be with a chance of getting free tickets for a great variety of shows (there are a lot in London).

I have been to a few shows this way and all have been fantastic. I would strongly recommend that you check out the website and see what is coming soon to apply for tickets.

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CD Reviews

I have been in touch with a lot of local acts and will be writing a lot of EP/LP reviews over the next few weeks. These include:

Half Crown - Everything Goes LP
Carrie Tree - Home to the Invisible LP
Fools Empire - This Is Not For You EP
InMe - Destinations EP
Wild Rivers - All The Lights LP
Ed Prosek - Willow Tree EP
Phoria - Display EP
Jacko Hooper - For You EP

It looks like it will be a very good few weeks of listening for me!

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Album Recording

On the 23rd June, I will be heading back to Bangor/Anglesey to record an album with my good friend Will Roberts. He was a course-mate whilst I was studying Music and Creative Writing at Bangor University and is a very talented producer, guitarist, pianist, vocalist and all round musician. He is currently playing in a band called Doll Circus as well as doing his solo project, called The Skyward Lemons. Check them out. I'm really excited to be returning to my university city, host my old open mic once more and record this new record with Will's help. Should hopefully have something to bring back with me to see at gigs.
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First of the EP/LP reviews to follow soon. Keep up to date on here on follow me on @tomsayeruk