Moneytree takeover the Hamptons!

Well, what can I say...

So far in my whirlwind Sotones adventure, not once have I seen one man trash the stage in such rock and roll fashion. By the second song the microphone was crashing to the floor, and by the third song, the drum kit was in pieces and the snare drum almost had a foot put through it. And this was (mostly) the work of one man. Having not seen Moneytree before, its fair to say that it was surreal to say the least. 

Though, lets start at the beginning. 

Ann the arc, Sotones newest grunge trio, started the night off in perfect order. If you like dissonance, distortion, and really loud things, these are the band for you. Not to say they are melody-less! Just imagine Lonely Joe parker and a loud grunge band, and that essentially is what you have! Loved them!

Then came Shapes. Ah Shapes, what to say about Shapes...

Mathmatical-technical-jazz-hardcore-o I believe is the technical term for their music...

But most importantly, they were instrumental. But in this case, you didn't need a voice. Their twenty minute odyssey of riffing and what I suspect was improvisation (though correct me if i'm wrong) mixed with their excessive use of loop pedals was never boring. In fact, it was pretty good!

Then it was Moneytrees turn. 

Eventful, surreal, and mildly rock and roll, are just a few words I'd use to describe their set. First song was straight in to the chaos, and by the third song the stage was in bits. To put it in further detail, basically, Campbell stood on the bass drum, fell off, almost put his foot through the snare and landed sat down on the chair. 

The whole set was a mess of similar chaos, and a sing song of It Ain't mine. Having not seen them before, I didn't know what to expect. I didn't expect that. But I fucking loved it. If you get the chance, go see Moneytree. Even if you don't like there music (which you do, I'm sure) you'll still have a killer time. 

Dear Brontide, if for some reason you're reading this, I apologize, i missed your set. Its nothing personal, I'm sure you were wonderful. 

Best 'Curates' night I've been to so far, without a doubt (sorry Haunted Stereo and Lonely Joe Parker). It was a stunt filled, Loud, and very rock and roll evening. Worth the five pounds (which I was later reimbursed with) without a doubt!

Until next week, or some when before then

Your friendly neighbourhood Intern.

P.S. Monday, Do you DIY festival Part 2, Old Queens Head, Islington. 12pm til 12am.

Tidy!

Tomorrow (Friday night!)

Tomorrow night at the Hamptons is the Moneytree curates evening! 

Many good band is playing including Moneytree, Ann the arc and others.

Get down there, its not very expensive at all! And to be honest your paying for quality!

I (sam) will be there, and I well and truly hope to see you there!

If you have a good (and I mean a GOOD) reason not to be there, I'll tell you all about it in another post saturday or something. 

I really should start keeping up to date with blogging! 

More from me Saturday!

Sam the Intern!

 

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124089964272523&ref=mf

All the details are right on that link there!

Do You DIY? festival

We're REALLY excited to be taking part in a unique free festival / experiment / mashup taking place over the May Bank Holiday (Monday 3rd) at the Old Queen's Head in Islington.

Do You DIY? is a coming together of independent, DIY-minded labels, artists, producers, fanzines, media, promoters and club nights. Throughout the day (midday-midnight) there will be a plethora of records, listening booths, zines, discussions, DJ sets and yes, performances.

Already confirmed are indie favourites such as Fortuna Pop!, Fierce Panda, Memphis Industries etc and we're completely flabbergasted that in their wisdom the organisers have asked yours truly to put in an appearance as well! Accordingly we will have a stall and a big crew there including Lonely Joe Parker / Jackie Paper / Moneytree joint sets, as well as new grunge trio Ann The Arc.

The whole shebang runs from 12pm-midnight, and is FREE before 6pm.


We'll be running a minibus up from Southampton for peeps that want to come for the ride.

For full listings, deets etc:
http://www.theoldqueenshead.com/do-you-diy/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107485545960139

Ejector Seat Arts - FREE festival in Southampton

Hey peeps,

our mates (and super promoters) Ejector Seat are this year running a free arts festival in Palmerston Park on June 5th.

As well as music, performances and exhibitions, there's going to be loads of interactive arts events and workshops, including two by us: Jimmy will be running a 'How Not To Start An Indie Label' session, while Lonely Joe Parker and Andy Harris (Haunted Stereo) will be doing a songwriting workshop.

The whole thing goes on all day in the sunshine! Wahey!!

More info all the time, check it out here:
http://www.ejectorseat.co.uk/

May Day FREE Show + Get records delivered to your door!

Ello peeps,

Lonely Joe Parker here. We've had a hectic few months to kick off 2010, with releases by Haunted Stereo, Moneytree, JayEtAl, the Beaux Hardts, Moulettes, nato and myself to get off the ground, plus not one but two 'Curates...' nights at Hamptons (thanks to everyone who came and partied, got any pictures?)

But! We've still managed to put together an AMAZING free show for you all on May Day, and we're also very excited to tell you that this week we're launching a brand-new mail-order service.

Get Sotones records! Wherever, whenever!

We have always wanted to respond to your demands and make our artists' music as widely available as possible. Although virtually the whole back catalogue is available online through all good stores and Spotify, nice things like CDs, tapes and vinyl have, up till now, only been available at gigs and a few stores in the South (like Rough Trade and various Oxfam Music stores). We know this has been pissing you off, because you keep emailing us to say so!

Having discussed all the mail-order options available we decided to keep costs down. By working in-house we can manage this, and stay true to the DIY ethos of labels that inspired us, heroes like Dischord and Chemikal Underground. We're really excited that now our fans can get high-quality physical releases at the lowest possible price, wherever they are.

So, as of TODAY you can order acclaimed releases by Moulettes, Haunted Stereo, Moneytree, Jackie Paper and Lonely Joe Parker - the service will expand over the coming weeks to include the entire Sotones back-catalogue.

To get the ball rolling, with every order placed this week we'll stick in a free copy (while stocks last) of our very first ever sampler, the individually-numbered, hand-assembled, Kruger-Magazine-endorsed 'Vol.11', which includes early tracks by Blakfish as well as Band Of Skulls...

What are you waiting for? Go hit the store now: http://www.sotones.co.uk/shop.php


May Day FREE Extravaganza!

Every year we like to throw a big free party for everyone to welcome in the summer, and this year is no exception. It will be exceptional, though, in that we're also celebrating our third anniversary! So we've pulled in a brilliant bill of bands we all love, as well as some genuinely exciting emerging talent (and you know how picky we are)...

So on May Day (thats, like, the FIRST of May...) we're taking over the Hobbit in Southampton for an entire day of music and festivities. It's totally free whether you dip in to catch a few bands and enjoy a BBQ in the sunshine-y beer garden at the back, or hang tough for an unbelievable 8 HOURS OF MUSIC. We very much hope you manage to catch every single artist though as they are all very talented people that will aurally pleasure you in various diverse ways. There will also be cheapo drinks and BBQ in the garden. Plus Bank Holiday sun*.

Line-up confirmed so far includes: Anja McCloskey, Moneytree, Lonely Joe Parker, Pete Lyons, Sons and Lovers, El Raccoon, Baku Bankai, Viva Sleep & Nato

Join the Facebook event to get updates about the line-up, stage times and Campbell's top burger combo predictions.


So that's all for now, see you on May 1st for a big fat party!
Oh yeah: don't forget to vote!

Love, laters, ludo,
Sotones xx


*I'm actually going to go out on a limb here and guarantee good weather. Sue me.

Right, okay...

Right, despite what it looks like, I have done a blog in these past two months. So don't feel neglected! But for some reason, the other blogging sight (podbean) the bastards, seemed to have locked me out of our account for some reason. So Im redirecting my blogging efforts to this reliable site!

So, whats been happening the past month and a bit? I inevitably hear you ask...

To tell you the truth, not much. Although, what is happening soon (tomorrow) is the release of Lonely Joe's single shanty with the Moulettes. Which I love, by the way! Its so shanty and jaunty, it actually smells like rum... Go buy it! Go! Go! Go! 

Anyway, so my month has been pretty boring. And haven't been to the office as much as I would like, so Im gonna work on that, but the few times I did, I pretty much annihilated the PRS work. I think we're pretty much finished with it, which is a relief. For both me and you, as, unless Im wrong, Ive gone on about it in every post to date. 

But its on to bigger and better things now! Things Im not quite sure what they are, but they are bigger and better none the less! Not that spreadsheeting and such for hours isn't fun...I'm just saying...

And Im pretty sure soon it must be time for Moneytree's new album right? You bet I'm looking forward to it. I wonder if I have to buy this one? Or theyll just give it to me... Either way, Im getting my hands on that album. Make sure the second it comes out, you go find somewhere and get hold of it! Or spotify it...whatever....

'til next time, Sam the Intern (STI)

Sotones 90-minute special on Resonance FM

This saturday, acclaimed London arts & community station Resonance FM will be devoting a 90 minute show to a special look at what we do!

Moulettes, Campbell Austin (Moneytree) and Lonely Joe Parker will all be LIVE in session, and there is also a short documentary (which you can hear here)

Tune in to the Dexter Bentley Hello Goodbye Show from 11am on Saturday 13th February