Bands and Musicians

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Launceston's  Acoustic Cafe on 29th July was a roaring success.  

Isaac Haynes, Hannah Dawe and Marcus Cole

 

Isaac on drums, Hanah on keyboard and Marcus on guitar
Hannah, Issac and Marcus gave a great performance at Jerichos Acoustic Cafe in Launceston

The first group to kick off the evening were the ever popular Hannah Dawe on vocals and keyboard, Marcus Cole vocals and guitar and Issac Haynes on Congas and vocals.  These three friends from Launceston college gave a great performance as they always do.   For this evening  they played  a couple of original songs, one called "Hit and Run" to which Hannah wrote the lyrics and Marcus and Issac added the music, another was  Hannah's song called "Miss Lonely"  

Hannah said she loves to write her own material so I am hoping to hear some more new songs in the near future. She  also has ambitions reguarding her future within the music scene and I wish her the best of luck with everything she does.

Isaac, Hanah and Marcus at Jerichos in Launceston
Isaac, Hannah and Marcus at the Acoustic cafe

The set also included  their cover versions of "California", "Shine", "Only exception" and the one that really surprised us was their version of  "If you got the money". This was a brilliant performance that got the audience clapping and cheering and raised the atmosphere by several degrees.   

Hannah, Marcus and Issac are always very enthusiastic about playing at the Acoustic Cafe and one of the questions they always ask is "Can we play at the next one?"  Well you need to speak to Jamie Murphy about that but I am pretty sure it won't be long before we see you all again. Well done to all of you 

 

Left Nut Jack and the Square Needles

 

Left Nut Jack and the Square Needles describe themselves as a  five piece alternative instrumental band.  

Now this was something completely different and quite amazing.  The group was made up of five friends from Launceston college who claim to be unable to sing so prefer to stick with playing instruments. The members of the group are Jack Grime on trumpet, Will Samuels on saxophone, Phil Leslie on bass, Duncan Whale on guitar and Olly Simons on cajon drum  

Left Nut Jack and the Square Needles perform at Acoustic cafe
Amazing group Left Nut Jack and the Square Needles

They played one original song called "Easy" and cover versions of "feeling good" (Michael Buble), "By the way" (Red Hot Chilli Pepers), "She said" (Plan B) and "I feel Good"  Left Nut Jack and the Needles are obviously a popular group of lads judging by the crowd of enthusiastic followers that accompanied them to Jericho's  

Left Nut Jack and the Needles play at Acoustic Cafe
A great performance by Left Nut Jack and the Square Needles

When chatting with Jack on Face book after the event he asked me  "Who do I speak to about doing next months one at the cafe? and then said "I hope they will have us again as it was so good on Thursday night.  We loved it."
Going by the huge round of applause as they finished their set I think you will definitely be back. Well done guys. 

Left Nut Jack and The Needles are keen to play their music and would love to entertain you. Find them on Facebook

 

Hannah and the Madding Crowd

 

The Madding Crowd play at Jericho's in Launceston
Hannah and The Madding Crowd at Launceston's Acoustic cafe

 

Hannah and The Madding Crowd are from the Okehampton area and have been playing at festivals, concerts and gigs for a number of years. They have been the support band for many well known acts including  Al Stewart, Kathryn Tickell,  Julie Felix, Roy Harper and Roy Wood.
Graham describes their style of music as indie-folk and acoustic-pop. 

Graham Crocker plays lead guitar, mandolin, slide guitar and vocals, he is also Hannah's Dad and  Phil's Father in Law. Hannah Power sings the lead vocals and is  a songwriter. She is also Graham's daughter and Phil's wife. Phil Power is the rhythm guitarist, sings vocals and is a songwriter.  Phil is also Hannah's husband and Graham's Son in Law. 

Phil, Hannah and Graham play at Acoustic Cafe in Launceston
Phil on Guitar, Hannnah on Vocals and Graham on guitar at the Acoustic Cafe in Launceston

 On this occasion they played three of their own songs called "Turn to me", "From the Sun" and "Free Spirit". They also performed their own cover versions of  "Closer to Fine" (Indigo Girls, "Lucy in the Sky" (Beatles), (Which got people singing along with great gusto), Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell), Attention (The Waifs) and 15 Years (The Levellers). 

This was a brilliant selection of  songs and was really appreciated by the audience. I am sure there would have been a lot of dancing and jigging about given a bit of space in the packed out room. There was certainly a lot of foot tapping, and head nodding  going on. This was an excellent performance you gave us and very much enjoyed by all. Thanks  for coming along.

  

Robbie Ceredig-evans

Robbie is a talented keyboard player and singer from the Penzance area.

Robbie is also a recent new member of the popular local band called "Six is Out"

Jamie Murphy and Robbie Ceredig-Evans play at Jericho's Acoustic Cafe
Jamie accompanies Robbie at the Acoustic Cafe

Robbie has been studying for his music degree at Truro College where he met Jamie and the other members of Six is Out. They were impressed with his musical abilities and was invited to join the group

Robbie performed solo on his cover versions of  "Ain't no sunshine", "High and dry"and "Easy", and then Jamie joined in on guitar for "Human nature", Don't stop the music" and "Free falling"

This was an impressive act by Robbie and Jamie and delighted all of the people in the room. Well done to both of you.

You can see more pictures and read more about Six is Out here

Robin Vizard

Robin Vizard playing guitar and singing at Jerichos
Robin Vizard at Launceston's Acoustic Cafe

Robin Vizard is a singer/songwriter and musician from St Agnes in Cornwall and a bit of a legend down that neck of the woods. Robin appeared on his own this evening but is sometimes accompanied by other musicians performing as  The Robin Vizard Band.

Robin's songs are a mixture of  folky pop and based on a personal view of the irony of everyday life and written with an underlying twist of humour that makes one wonder about ordinary daily events and raises the question, What is the sense of it all?

His songs include titles such as "Easy Come, Easy Go",  "Sadie's a Lady",  "Falling Apart at the Seams", "A Million Ways", "Down All the Days",  "Captain Zero", "Slow Motion", "Doing My Head In", "Bipolar Bear", "Stornaway" and "Puma in the Shed"

Thanks for sharing you unique style of  music with us Robin. It was great to meet you

A brief roundup of the Acoustic Cafe in Liberty House Launceston on 29th July 2010

 This event was extremely well supported by many talented artists covering a wide range of musical styles to suit the varying taste's of the large crowd of people who came to listen.

Mel and voluntary staff served up huge amounts of  Lamb Moussaka and Vegetarian Goulash main course and a choice of Banoffee Pie or Cheese Cake for dessert.

The people who sat upstairs were able to watch and listen to the the acts as they played, via the video camera link which projected  live video feed onto a large screen.  Many people commented on this feature and they all thought it was a brilliant idea. I have to agree.

Jamie Murphy and Mike Osborne
Jamie (event organiser) and Mike (sound technician)

Jamie Murphy did a brilliant job of organising the event and Mike Osborne excelled as usual on the mixing desk. The sound quality upstairs and downstairs was spot on.

The Acoustic Cafe, held at Jericho's on the last Thursday of every month.

This was another wonderful evening of quality entertainment. Thanks to everybody who helped to make this the very successful event  it was.

And a big thank you again to everyone who kindly gave me permission to take photographs and write about it on this website

The next Acoustic Cafe at Jerichos in Launceston is on the Thursday 26th August.

Contact Launceston's Acoustic Cafe on Facebook here

Read more about Liberty House, Jerichos Brasserie and The Acoustic Cafe in Launceston 

Please feel free to leave a comment in the comments box.

Selwyn


Rita Hosking on UK Tour

Visits no8 Cafe in Launceston

Rita Hosking, a powerful singer/song writer and her talented  husband Sean, performed to another packed house at No8 cafe in Launceston on Thursday 22nd July.

Rita Hosking and Sean Feder performing at No8 in Launceston
Rita Hosking on Guitar and vocals, Sean Feder on banjo and backing vocals

Rita and Sean from Davis in North California share a passion for playing Americana, folk, country and bluegrass music. Rita Hosking's first taste of singing began as a child at the local church and her first musical instrument was a good old fashioned washboard.

A lot has happened since then and three years ago Rita gave up her job as school teacher to take up her musical career full time. She has won several awards and her albums are continually receiving much attention. I think you made a good choice Rita.

Rita has played at many festivals and concerts in America and is currently on tour in the UK.

This was Rita's first visit to the UK and it was a special time for her down here in Cornwall because Rita's great grandfather was a Cornish miner who travelled to America along with many others a long time ago to try out their mining skills in California. These Cornish immigrants to America became known as Cousin Jacks. Cousin Jack is also the name given to Rita's support band.

Rita Hosking performing at No8 cafe Launceston
Rita Hosking plays guitar and sings for a full house in Launceston

Rita told a brief story before beginning each song which gave meaning and understanding to the lyrics. These consisted of the memories of her childhood days and the simple rural life as it was for her, growing up in Montgomery Creek in the mountains of Shasta County in North California. Inhabitants of Montgomery Creek were known as "Monkey Crickers" She told us.

Her albums are like a diary of events telling a tale of forest fires, the loss of family, friends, the struggle for survival, a near death experience, pain and fear, all turned into song, and sung with such passion and feeling that I could almost see a tear  in her eyes as she sang.

Sean Feder performs with Rita Hosking at No8 cafe Launceston
Sean Feder banjo player with Rita Hosking

One of her songs "Cool Black Water" reflects on the fear of bad news when having a loved one working deep underground in the coal mines doing a very dangerous job to provide for the needs of the family.

"Are You Ready" came to her as a question of choice; Live or Die? In her mind, as she lay in a coma, her answer was no.

The song "Kitchen Table and Chairs" was born of discussion about  what should be saved in the event of the potentially devastating  forest fires which occurred in the area, encroaching on the family home.

For Rita all the feelings and emotions she has experienced throughout  her life carry the seeds of song which she is then able to develop and share in her own special way with people from all over the world.

Rita's influences are many but perhaps the greatest were the traditional songs sang by her grandparents to the family at christmas time, and inspired by the ordinary everyday lessons of life in a small town rural community.

Sean Feder plays dobro at No8 cafe in Launceston
Sean Feder on dobro

Rita's husband Sean Feder accompanied her with backing vocals, banjo and dobro. Sean also plays percussion and bass guitar, and is a member of the group "Country Jack". Sean kindly explained to me a little about the dobro which he played.A fascinating instrument with a wonderful sound in the hands of  someone like Sean.

Rita Hosking and Sean Feder on tour in the UK

Thank you To Rita Hosking and Sean Feder for sharing your time, your stories, your talent and your love of homegrown country music.

I wish you all the very best as you continue on your musical journeys through life.

Special thanks again to

Colin Hill who certainly knows how to pick a crowd pulling act,

Adrian Harvey for providing the venue,

Graham Sleeman who did a great job again on the mixing desk

and all the people who gave me permission to photograph and do a write up about another great night of music at No8 Cafe in Launceston, Cornwall.

Well done and thanks for another great night out.

No8 Cafe and coffee shop is found in Westgate Street Launceston opposite the post office.

Telephone number -01566 777369

Read about Drew Nelson who also played at No8 Cafe

Selwyn.