Music for Cities – Tim Burgess, Peter Hook, Puressence…

Tim Burgess, Peter Hook and Puressence will play a SOLD OUT unique concert at Manchester Cathedral on Thursday November 15th. The evening is called ‘Music for Cities’ and is a charity concert to help young people living on some of the area’s most disadvantaged estates of Greater Manchester.

Tim will be will be accompanied by musicians from the Chetham’s School of Music, alongside bandmate Mark Collins (The Charlatans) on guitar, Martin Duffy from Primal Scream on keyboards and the musical arrangements have been created especially by the celebrated local composer Joe Duddell. Tim says “We heard about the plans at Manchester Cathedral and it was too good to miss. Such an iconic venue and a brilliant idea for a gig, I love gigs in churches but the Cathedral is another notch up. Normally the atmosphere is helped along by the audience enjoying a drink beforehand. I take it there’ll be some altar wine for everyone.”

The night also includes a one off chance to hear Peter Hook and the Light perform the mesmerising music of Joy Division’sUnknown Pleasures,’ to the haunting backing of a 16 piece choir put together specially by Choral Director Greg Batsleer. Hooky’s set is being arranged by film and theatre composer Alex Baranowski. Peter commented “There’s a real detachment from local government in some of these areas. It’s wonderful that local people are being given the opportunity to rise to the challenges. The fact the inspiration for this concert is coming from within these communities is truly awe inspiring. Joy Division’s music is grandiose – just imagine how atmospheric it will sound with those acoustics and the choir.”

Fans of Manchester band Puressence are also in for a treat, listening to the soulful voice of lead singer Jimmy Mudriczki with the choir as part of a full band performance in the 800 year old Cathedral setting.

The line up will be completed by Norway’s Silvert Hoyem and Bad Lieutenant’s Jake Evans, making this an incredible evening of music.

Clare Moreland, the head at Chetham’s School of Music says: “Music for Cities is a superb opportunity for the musicians of Chetham’s to work with some very well known names in the popular music world, sharing their skills and inspiring other young people who are performing and watching the concert.”

Joe Duddell, Professor of Music at Bath Spa University says: “Music enriches all our lives and is not just the preserve of the privileged. For Chets to engage in outreach projects in more disadvantaged communities in and around Manchester and Salford is great. The other charity beneficiaries, United Estates of Wythenshawe and Reclaim directly engage disadvantaged youngsters in creative projects, giving them a vital form of self-expression and keeping them off the streets and away from drugs and gun crime. Some of these youngsters will be performing on stage between the major acts.”

7.00pm Doors Open

7.20pm Jake Evans

7.45pm Sivert Høyem

8.20pm Puressence

9.10pm Peter Hook & The Light

10.05pm Tim Burgess
11.00pm Curfew

All profits will be split three ways; between the charities Reclaim, and the United Estates of Wythenshawe and Chetham’s School of Music.

Reclaim has won many awards both nationally and locally and is now recognised as one of the core projects delivering quality youth opportunities across Greater Manchester. The project is about helping young people build self confidence and reliance on their own inherent talents that even they may not have realised.

United Estates of Wythenshawe are a charity and social enterprise based who help young people to build opportunity, confidence and sustainable futures that do not involve gang membership, violence or substance abuse.

Chetham’s School of Music will use their share of the profits to help fund their new School Building – an incredible new resource for the city of Manchester where there will be free concerts for the public, a new Outreach and Community Centre to benefit children and adults from all backgrounds and abilities across the region and beyond, and a Music Technology Centre with facilities for everyone too.

Joe Duddell is the composer behind the celebrated collaboration between Elbow and The Hallé for Manchester International Festival back in 2009, and recent broadcast of Richard Hawley & BBC Philharmonic Orchestra on BBC 6 Music. He has also worked with Jimi Goodwin (Doves), James and dubstep pioneers Nero. Joe is also a classical composer with commissions from The BBC Proms.

Alex Baranowski is a film, theatre and dance composer who has worked with the likes of Danny Boyle on Frankenstein, Nicholas Hynter on Hamlet and Ballet Black at The Royal Opera House. Alex recently branched out into the pop world with ‘The xx Symphony’ – a collaboration between The xx and BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Alex Hulme – The Start EP

Impact Date: 30th July 2012

Label: Cityscape

A beautiful song and a wonderful melody (Sir Paul McCartney)

It’s been a good year for Liverpool based, Alex. He has just graduated from LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts) where  he played for its patron Sir Paul McCartney. He has also supported a wealth of artists including Willy Mason, Willis Earl Beal and Emmy the Great, 2012 certainly seems like the start of something good for this 21 year old singer/songwriter. Alex’s first two EPs caught the attention of BBC DJs, and festival programmers alike, but Alex’s third EP, The Start, showcases his best work to date. We advise you to listen to the EP in it’s entirety, the final track Sparks has become a firm favourite.

“I’m tired of always hearing down beat tracks from solo acoustic artists,” says Alex, “I really want to write the songs that people sing along to, the ones that make you want to turn them up, jump around and enjoy life!” The title track of the EP does just that. The Start is a pulsing, pounding, feel-good, acoustic pop song with glorious boy/girl summer harmonies. This could just be your feel good track of the summer!

Jack Robert Hardman – Lights of London

Impact date: OUT NOW on iTunes

jackroberthardman.co.uk

twitter.com/jrhardman

‘Lights Of London is the second single by 22 yrd old singer-songwriter/producer Jack Robert Hardman through Pleasant Pursuits / Essential Music.

Packed full of pulsating rhythms and intricate melody lines, ‘Lights of London’ tells the tale of a relentless desire to reach the bright lights of the big city. Fusing Hardman’s distinctive vocals and trademark production style, the song paints a dreamy picture of life in London, looking from the outside in.

Since releasing debut single ‘Famous’, Jack’s quirky pop music has attracted great excitement and interest from music scene luminaries such as  Huw Stephens (Radio 1), Tom Robinson (BBC 6music), John Kennedy (Xfm), and his local BBC Introducing presenter Linda Serck.

Quotes: listen to what Huw Stephens has to say about Jack below…

“His sound and writing have grown in range, and daring every time we’ve heard him”
Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

“Harks back to happier days like a pleasing meld of Belle & Sebastian and The Postal Service
Middleboop

“Jack Robert Hardman should come with a warning label: his insanely catchy pop will stick in your head pretty much forever. He’s a supreme talent with a unique voice and take on life.”

BBC Berkshire Linda Serck

You can also listen to a sampler of Jack’s album from our SoundCloud page:

 

Blind Atlas – Kodiak Bear

www.blindatlas.co.uk

Blind Atlas have teamed up again with the incredible animator Volkerfirma films who created the video for ‘My Proud Mountains’ which was ‘Video of the week’ on the BBC6 Music Nemone Show. The latest animation for Kodiak Bear  is for the title track to their debut album, which is due out in April 2012. The results are simply stunning.

Hailing from Denver, Colorado and disparate points around the UK, Blind Atlas came together in the bohemian suburbs of South Manchester, united by a shared preoccupation with drinking, failed relationships and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Led by singer/guitarist Ross Thompson, Blind Atlas concoct a new take on American alternative country and classic British rock ‘n’ roll, taking inspiration from The Rolling Stones and Townes Van Zandt right through to artists such as Calexico and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy.

Blind Atlas have notched up headline slots at some of the most iconic venues in Manchester, with dates planned around their forthcoming debut album. They recently released their ‘Iron wall’ EP which, along with their double A-side single ‘4th Street/For Carol“, was produced by The Earlies. Both releases garnered numerous radio plays including BBC Radio 2 (Bob Harris) and BBC6 Music (Cerys Matthews, Jo Good, Tom Robinson, Gideon Coe).

“… dramatic, spellbinding with a touch of darkness in parts make Blind Atlas a thoroughly hypnotic act … powerful and mesmerising… well worth your attention”.  [BBC]

“… grizzled vocals and a heart-wrenching lyric sheet … think Ryan Adams fronting The Black Keys, or perhaps Fleet Foxes with a Led Zeppelin fixation; and clearly all designed to soundtrack long, whisky-addled nights of anguished soul-searching.”  [CityLife/Manchester Evening News]

Jack Robert Hardman ‘Famous’

Impact date: 13:02:2012

www.jackroberthardman.co.uk

22-year-old Jack Robert Hardman writes and records his own brand of quirky pop music from his home studio in Ascot, UK. His intention of pushing the boundaries of production each time he records a new track has certainly been realised. You may have heard how, in the summer of 2011, Jack made his track ‘Sorry to George’ available as a free download. It attracted great excitement and interest from the blogosphere, being described as ‘dangerously addictive’ and ‘fantastically appealing’ by Eclectically Challengedsupport from radio came from John Kennedy (Xfm) and the BBC’s Tom Robinson , Huw Stephens and his local BBC Introducing presenter Linda Serck. See Music Week The Tastemakers below.

‘Famous’ is the first official single and is set for release through Pleasant Pursuits / Essential Music and Marketing. An acoustic blend of distinctive vocals and folk guitar melodies, the track’s intelligent juxtaposition of simple musical style with a lyrically complex theme showcases Hardman’s creative sensitivity at its best. The song tells of a youth’s insatiable desire to make something of their life, without any real plan on how to do it. In Hardman’s words “Famous captures the blissful naivety of youth that leads us to believe we can achieve anything.” You can check out the video below.

News:

BBC Introducing Masterclass:

Jack has been invited to the prestigious BBC Introducing Masterclass 2012 on Thursday 19th January at legendary Abbey Road and Maida Vale Recording Studios. In attendance will be; Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Wretch 32, Magnetic Man, Maverick Sabre, Jamie Cullum, Frank Turner, Brian Higgins (Xenomania), high profile music industry professionals and BBC Radio DJs:  Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, Tom Robinson, Jo Whiley, Rob Da Bank, Pete Tong, Tim Westwood, Ally McCrae, Daniel P Carter and Jen Long.

Music Week: The Tastemakers 13.01.12

Quotes:

“His sound and writing have grown in range, and daring every time we’ve heard him”
Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

“Harks back to happier days like a pleasing meld of Belle & Sebastian and The Postal Service”
Middleboop

“Jack Robert Hardman should come with a warning label: his insanely
catchy pop will stick in your head pretty much forever. He’s a supreme talent with a unique voice and take on life.”
BBC Berkshire Linda Serck

You can also stream “Famous” from our SoundCloud page:

You can also listen to a sampler of Jack’s album from our SoundCloud page too: