Hi folks,
Thanks for all the
positive feedback you gave us after the Royal Albert Hall show. Our 20th
anniversary year started off so well, we were especially disappointed when we
were forced to cancel our annual Abbotsbury bash. After 2011's great weather,
when the local roads became impassible this year, we had to abandon the event
for the first time in 15 years. However, we are hoping to put on the same
line-up next year, so please watch this space.
It's been a busy summer with both major festivals and work on our new studio
album ?Wake the Union' to which we are putting the finishing touches even as
we write! The record is, in a sense, a conversation between the English and
North American influences that lie at the heart of much SOH music. Born out
of our love of the acoustic and roots music of both countries, more recently
reinforced by touring and recording with North American musicians such as
Richard Shindell, Slaid Cleaves and Leonard Podolak, the CD is intended to be
a journey through the heart of two landscapes united by a common tongue and
musical heritage. A touch of Folk, a hint of Blues and a tiny pinch of
Country are all here. Martin Simpson, Seth Lakeman, BJ Cole, Andy Cutting,
Paul Sartin, Cormac Byrne, Leonard Podolak, Paul Downes, Phil Henry, Hannah
Martin, Rex Preston and Jenna have all been enlisted to help us kick-start
the old Ford Mustang down the A303 on its journey West! As ever, Miranda is
on hand to add her wonderful double bass and vocals.
Many of the
sessions and behind the scenes activity surrounding the making of the CD have
also been filmed. Since those first rough versions in early June, to
recording Martin and Andy in a hotel room on Sark in July, and finally Seth
and Cormac in August we have a fantastic record of how the songs have
progressed from the first writing ideas to the final CD and subsequent live
versions. Two songs, 'King of the world' and 'No man's land' also came out of
workshop sessions at Dartington and Herstmonceux Castle. When it's all been
finally edited we're hoping to release a ?Making of Wake the Union' DVD.
In the meantime for the upcoming tour we're delighted that our special guests
will be Matt Gordon & Leonard Podolak. Both are major figures on the
North American folk scene. Leonard also toured last year with Steve in the
Cecil Sharp Project, teaching him some Appalachian dancing along the way.
Fiddles, banjos and flatfooting - you have been warned!
Later in the
year Steve and Phil will be hosting a two-day residential session of informal
concerts, discussion and music in the wonderful setting of Portmeirion in
North Wales. Details can be found on the website.
So please
come and see the shows, check out the new album, sign up online and drag
along those reluctant newbees!
All the best
Steve &
Phil
www.showofhands.co.uk
www.mirandasykes.com
www.facebook.com/showofhandsmusic
www.twitter.com/showofhandsnews
Before the Autumn tour Steve is also out and about in late September.
Wed 19 ELY Folk Club, The Lamb Hotel. 01353 740999
Thu 20 WINGFIELD Suffolk., Wingfield Barns 01379 384 505
Fri 21 CANTERBURY Kingston Barn 07799 790 738
Sat 22 WALLINGFORD St Mary's Church www.wegottickets.com
Wed 26 CHELTENHAM Woodmancote V Hall sold out
Thu 27 BROSELEY Salop, Birch Meadow Centre 01952 882684
Fri 28 CROPREDY St Mary's Church 01295 750 633
Sat 29 SOUTH PETHERTON David Hall 01460 240 340
Sun 30 CULLOMPTON Kentisbeare Village Hall 01884 339 69
Wake The Union Tour Autumn 2012
SHOW
OF HANDS with Miranda Sykes
From North America,
special guests Matt Gordon & Leonard Podolak
Oct
Wed 10 DONCASTER Civic Theatre 01302 342349
Thu 11 BUXTON Opera House 0845 127 2190
Fri 12 LONDON Cecil Sharp House 0844 888 9991
Sat 13 PORTSMOUTH New Theatre Royal 023 9264 9000
Wed 17 STAMFORD Corn Exchange Theatre 01780 766455
Thu 18 LYTHAM ST ANNES Lowther Pavilion 01253 794221
Fri 19 EXETER Great Hall 01392 667080
Sat 20 TRURO Hall for Cornwall 01872 262466
Wed 24 TEWKESBURY Roses Theatre 01684 295074
Thu 25 BASINGSTOKE The Anvil 01256 844244
Fri 26 POOLE Lighthouse 0844 406 8666
Sat 27 YEOVIL Octagon Theatre 01935 422884
Nov
Thu 8 KENDAL Brewery Arts Centre 01539 725133
Fri 9 LEEDS City Varieties 0113 243 0808
Sat 10 SALFORD The Lowry 0843 208 6000
Wed 14 IPSWICH Corn Exchange 01473 433100
Thu 15 DARTFORD The Orchard 01322 220000
Fri 16 HASTINGS White Rock Theatre 01424 462288
Sat 17 GUILDFORD G-Live 0844 7701 797
Sun 18 AYLESBURY Waterside Theatre 0844 871 7607
Wed 21 SHREWSBURY Theatre Severn 01743 281281
Thu 22 LINCOLN Drill Hall 01522 873894
Fri 23 GATESHEAD The Sage Gateshead 0191 443 4661
Sat 24 WIRRAL Floral Pavilion 0151 666 0000
Wed 28 SALISBURY City Hall 01722 434434
Thu 29 CARDIFF St David's Hall 029 2087 8444
Fri 30 BIRMINGHAM Town Hall 0121 780 4949
Dec
Sat 1 SKEGNESS The Great British Folk Festival 0845 070 4734
Email
updates
We are
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which has the advantage of reducing costs and environmental impact.
If you
currently receive both the emailouts and the printed newsletters and you
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sending an email to gwen_at_showofhands_dot_co_dot_uk
giving us the postal address to be discontinued.
CONTACT
DETAILS
For all matters concerning Show of Hands, please contact
Vaughan
Pearce +44 (0) 1392 873513 vaughan_at_showofhands_dot_co_dot_uk
34 Monmouth St,
Topsham, EXETER, Devon EX3 0AJ
Publicity:
Jane Brace +44 (0) 1243 789554 j.brace_at_virgin_dot_net
INTERNET
www.showofhands.co.uk
Use the Show
of Hands website to check out the latest news and concert details, to order
CDs, DVD's & books, and to access the message board and post your
comments.
www.longdogs.co.uk
The Longdogs
website puts fans in touch with each other, with discussion forums and a
large photo-gallery.
Show of Hands
tour production by
Puxley Sound, Lighting Video and Events
+44 (0) 1392 364900
info_at_puxley_dot_com
www.puxley.com
Steve and
Phil's instruments made by David Oddy +44 (0) 1392 219547
Electronics by John Godsland, Orchid Electronics +44 (0) 1392 438844
DATA PROTECTION
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