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Nth Degree Community Update - February 2009
For all of you who keep checking this site now and then, Hello and thank you!
The winter has seen exciting activity across the Nth community in the form of excursions abroad for some of us, album projects being finished and lots of collaborative ventures with one-another.
Newly acquainted but equally welcome and passionate about community are young progressive rock band from Poole; Oposium. Formed around multi-instrumentalist and visionary, Richard McLester, this group know a thing of two about how to put on a memorable show. Pianos are their main victims with one being drowned in the sea for a video shoot and others being ignited and exploded. One of the reasons for this is that Oposium features the talents of an organ scholar, Sam Hanson, and Richard is also a dab hand on the keys. The band released their debut full studio album 'Life Under the Sun' on their own label last year to critical praise. Check them out at www.oposium.com
Tom Whitman has released his debut full-length album entitled 'The Breaking In of Light' on Risen Records. The much-anticipated record features familiar Nth faces such as Mike and Grant from Bosh, Mark from brother john and his old sparring partner, Tim Mayo. The 10 tracks are an excellent effort for a man who has only been 'on the scene' since Nth Fest 2007. For more info and to hear some of the tracks visit www.myspace.com/tomwhitmanmusic
Matt Giles spent most of last summer being congratulated for writing one of the most moving and inspiring new songs around, 'The Grace of my God'. The Exeter-based songsmith went into the studio and recorded the track as a single, which is now available on itunes through Honeycomb Records.
A round up of other news is that Animal, the surfwear clothing giant, have selected a number of tunes by The Plymouths to use in their marketing campaigns. Audio1 have had a change of personnel on bass guitar duties. Phil Le Cheminant, who has been with the band since Glo days, has decided to step back and take on a more 'behind the scenes' role. Ex Narrow Path bass player, Duncan Odgers has taken his place. Duncan has been pretty busy since moving to Southampton from Cornwall in 2007 including touring the UK with US Revivalist and Worship Leader, Roy Fields. [dweeb] have taken a huge step to becoming a full-time band with Tim and Badgerman leaving their part-time jobs to push things forward. They are currently demoing new material which has taken a slightly more dance-orientated direction. Canterbury's post-rock outfit, Eben, are heading into the studio this Spring with Steve Harding, one of the producers behind Electralytes latest album. The results will be released through Risen Records as and when. Bournemouth based producer and DJ, Steach, has finished his album for ICC. Steve will be playing most of the Bible weeks around the UK this year promoting it and leading worship. Bosh are set to go into the studio to record some new songs. The results are likely to contribute to a decade spanning compilation of old studio material, live recordings, unreleased songs and new tracks. The band aim to have the collection out for the end of the year. The Repercussion have bid goodbye to Dom, their bass player of 4 years, and a replacement has been found. The band are currently writing for an album they plan to record nearer the end of this year.
Nth hotspots for live performances and hanging out are as follows...
- Grace Festival, Glastonbury, May 1st - 4th. Acts include [dweeb], Bosh, brother john, Matt Giles and Tom Whitman, Dylan Thomas.
- Pentecost Festival, London, May 29th - 31st. Although unconfirmed, an Nth Fest at Dublin Castle looks likely to happen on Saturday 30th.
- Creation Fest, Woolacombe, Devon, August 7th - 9th. Nth acts confirmed so far; [dweeb], Bosh, more tbc.
Well, I hope that brings us up-to-speed with some of the things we get up to. Hopefully we'll get a gathering in the diary before long. I'll keep you posted on that.
Lots of love
Dave
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NTH FEST TO MOVE TO AUTUMN '09
Due to waiting on God about next year's fest, we have decided that it should go ahead, but later in the year than previous times. We are looking into some big names from the States at the moment. More on this as it comes in. Suggestions for the festival content welcome. Email info@nth-fest.com.
SIMPLE REASON TO WORK WITH RISEN
The ever-growing indie record label, Risen Records, will release the bands last album, due on February 2nd for their final gig. The band announced it's split late last year.
TOM WHITMAN RECORDING DEBUT ALBUM
After the success of Toms EP 'Transparent Lives' which came out earlier this year independantly, Tom has begun recording a full length record for Risen Records. Working with long-time partner, Tim Mayo and producer Mike Griffiths; the predominantly acoustic collection has the working title 'When Love Loses its Disguise'. The album is due in the Spring.
NTH EVENING IN BOURNEMOUTH
On Wednesday the 5th, Nthers from all over gathered at The Portman in Bournemouth for an evening of catching up, listening to live performances from Tom Whitman, who has just come on board with Risen Records,Tom Maynard and new blues power-trio,Rootberry. We welcomed 'Jones' into the community too, and had a two hour jam session. It was a tremendous time, and details of the next one will follow soon!
BOSH RELEASE NEW LIVE EP
As work resumes on 'Sound The Alarm', BOSH have found time to put together an 'official bootleg' of 5 tracks taken from their performance at The Portman in Bournemouth on their 'Middle of Somewhere' tour late last year. The CD features songs from VII, Looking Up, Sound The Alarm and a previously unreleased song, 'The Proximity Plea'. The CD was created to tide the band over as they recently sold the last few hard copies of VII. Some of the new album tracks are nearing completion and previews will follow in the new year.
THE REPERCUSSION WORKING ON NEW EP
The Dorchester four-piece have stated they're taking a new direction which they will reveil in the coming months.'
NTH FEST HEADLINER CONFIRMED
[dweeb] will have the top spot at Nth 2008, along with big slots from Brother John and The Plymouths.
JOHN TARDIF FORMING NEW BAND
Three years after 16 Hungry Pigs went their seperate ways, songwriter John Tardif (who incidently designed the famous nth logo) is in the process of putting together a new live band for his 'The Plenty' moniker. John has been a central part of Nth Degree since its very first conception in 2003. His music can be heard here: http://www.myspace.com/theplenty.
[DWEEB] ON TELLY
On Sunday 7th October at 10pm on BBC 3, [dweeb] will feature in a documentary called 'Singing with the Enemy'! The concept of the show is to take two bands, both with strong and contrasting ideals that permeate their music, and get them to live together and write and record a track together!
It was a great week and should make for some interesting viewing... even though we haven't seen the final edit yet! So if you fancy seeing [dweeb] in action on the BBC for an hour then put this date in your diary, set your video recorders, sit down with a cuppa and enjoy!
Remember - Sunday 7th October at 10pm on BBC 3
THE PLYMOUTHS RELEASE NEW MATERIAL ON THEIR MYSPACE
After several months of hibernating in their Bournemouth underground cave, The Plyms are back with three new recordings to support their upcoming gigs. 'San Fransisco', 'Underdog' and 'Silence' are now up on www.myspace.com/theplymouths. Check them out live as they headline at The Joiners, contribute to the Oxjam gig at The Old Firestation and support The Hoosiers in Norwich. Check out the myspace for details on all these gigs.
THE REPERCUSSION SET OUT ON TOUR
Becky, Max, Dan and Dom take in 10 dates from Weymouth to Blackpool, Leeds and Norwich among others. The band will be playing new material as well as much of their latest album, 'Rushing Away'.
RECORDING NEWS
[dweeb], now officially signed to Risen Records, have been tracking for their album in the last few weeks. 'It Came From Outter Space' is due in November. November will see Freeslave working on a new EP that will be produced by Julian Kindred. This will be ready for the Spring. Spring is when bosh are planning to release their next album which they begin recording in October. Tom Whitman, after a good few months of gigging his debut EP; 'Transparent Lives', will record a full album also due next year. The songsmith has recruited 16+ songs for the sessions due to start soon. Also reported to have a new album in the works is Electralyte. Watch out for new releases from The Plymouths to be available at their upcoming gigs.
STL TO DISTRIBUTE RISEN RECORDS RELEASES
In an agreement clinched late last week, Send The Light, the UK's biggest distributer of Christian goods, will carry Risen Records releases. The company, which owns Wesley Owen bookshops, will be placing albums by bands such as [dweeb], brother john, the repercussion and bosh, and solo artists such as John Prockter and Matt Giles, in most Christian bookshops and stalls in the country. Risen are only the third label they have agreed to work with.
MATT GILES TO TOUR IN THIS AUTUMN
The Exeter based troubador is planning to tour his recently released debut album 'Undone' across the South of England. The sets will feature Matt playing his powerful and beautiful songs in a stripped back, unplugged fashion. Matt has already begun writing new material for a second album.
CONGRATULATIONS MARK AND BECCA WOOD!
Brother John violinist Mark Wood tied the knot with his finace Becca last Friday. We wish them all the best in their marriage.
STRONG NTH CONTINGENT FOR SOUL IN DIDCOT - SUNDAY JULY 29TH
Brother John, The Repercussion, Bosh and Matt Giles will all be contributing performances to the festival in Oxfordshire on Sunday.
FOUR KORNERZ TO PARTNER WITH YOUTH FOR CHRIST
The London based band will be YFC's frontline band and will work with the organisation to reach young people with the Gospel. Four Kornerz lead singer Deji comments: "This adds a new depth to what we do as band. Four Kornerz and Youth For Christ have a shared passion and vision to positively impact youth culture in a relevant way. And we are very excited about this alliance."
GLO BECOME AUDIO ONE
For the best part of the last ten years Glo have been a familiar fixture on the live scene . They have recently taken on a new guitarist changing the former four-piece into a five. They have also ditched their usual lineone gear and opted for amps instead. Expect a new website and recording from them soon!
BROTHER JOHN PLAN BEST OF
After four years since their 'Sing For The Light' EP, Bro J are seriously considering putting together a 'best of' type package which would include tracks from their 2002 debut 'Amp Unto My Beat', 2003's 'Sing For The Light', 2004's 'Lost' single and maybe some rare live takes. The CD may be ready for the summer.
Label mates BOSH are also considering a similar move as both their 'VII' and 'Middle of Somewhere' albums have sold out of 'hard copies' but can be found on itunes.
Also on itunes are fellow Risen Records. The Repercussion's recent album 'Rushing Away' and the 'Sing For The Light' EP from Brother John. Matt Giles and [dweeb] will both be releasing debut LPs on Risen later this year.
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