GROUCHO UNPLUGGED OCTOBER 2019
Entry Requirements: 18+
GROUCHO UNPLUGGED IN ASSOCIATION WITH YOUTH MUSIC & LGM RECORDS
Groucho Unplugged present intimate songwriter showcases, amalgamating some of best talent that the music industry has to offer, with the latest up and coming artists.
Previous performers include The Lightning Seeds, Daughter, EMF, Turin Brakes, Ed Harcourt, Chris Difford, The Magic Numbers, Barns Courtney, Carmody, Dan Croll, Fiona Bevan, Ren Harvieu, Kathryn Williams, Mark Morriss (The Bluetones), Goldheart Assembly and loads more.
MON 28th OCTOBER DOORS 7PM HALF PRICE HAPPY HOUR FROM 9pm
Our events are now in association with YOUTH MUSIC, so we would ask that in exchange for your FREE Guest List to see such illustrious artists in an intimate environment that you donate £5 to an amazing charity. More info below.
This month's performers include:
KARIMA FRANCIS
ROBERT J HUNTER
WAITING FOR SMITH
HATTIE WHITEHEAD
DANIELLE CELESTE
KARIMA FRANCIS
Karima has toured the UK and Europe extensively with her captivating performances – She has graced the major stages supporting such artists as Paul Simon/ The Stereophonics / Jack Savoretti / Patti Smith and Amy Winehouse
Having begun playing drums at 13, Karima Francis self-taught guitar and songwriting at the age of 18. Not long after, her debut The Author was released on independent record label Kitchenware Records, produced by the gifted Ken Nelson (Coldplay, Paulo Nutini). She was named as a number one act to watch by The Guardian. The Author effortlessly found common ground with Francis’s audiences. It’s a song-driven album, entwined with melodic textures and innovative musical progressions. This emotionally rich album was met with critical acclaim for both her vocals and songwriting. Francis’s performance on BBC’s iconic music show ‘Later with Jools Holland’ was the icing on the cake for the Author’s success.
Francis returned with her second album ‘The Remedy’ produced by Flood (U2, PJ Harvey, Smashing Pumpkins). Prior to the release, Francis spent some time in LA where she wrote her most crowd-pleasing single ‘Wherever I go’ with the likes of Linda Perry. Released on Vertigo records, the Remedy’s betterment proved just how prolific Francis is as an artist.
Karima Francis self-released her third album ‘Black’ to fans only produced by Dan Austin [Doves / Cherry Ghost / Kid Wave], Co Produced by Francis. Black’s ambient sounds went hand in hand with Francis’s astonishing vocals.
Francis is now experimenting with new sonics and wider musical arrangements, whilst in focus on production and writing her fourth album, making us all eager of what's yet to come…
‘Songs will always be the passion and expression in my work but I’m exploring the sounds and sonic further now and it feels like I am working with a new canvas, some of the more traditional framings have been expanded’ - Karima Francis ’19
ROBERT J HUNTER
Alderney born Robert J. Hunter is taking the blues scene by storm with his gruff, powerful voice and the wild thud of overdriven foot stomping blues guitar. The Robert J. Hunter Band’s unique sound echoes Rory Gallagher, The Faces, Gary Clarke Jr, Free, The Black Crowes.
The band are turning heads across the UK and Europe with their constant touring, perfecting their truly original blend of blues and rock n’ roll. This is a road worn, dirty blues band that have been honed to super tight perfection by sheer hard work and volume of shows.
Previous releases, ‘Hurricane’, ‘Suitcase Blues’ and ‘Good People’ have received rave reviews worldwide. The band have achieved success reaching number one in the iTunes Blues Chart on several occasions and have earned national radio play on BBC Radio 2, BBC Introducing, Planet Rock and global independent radio play.
The Robert J Hunter Band have supported the likes of Wilko Johnson, The Animals, the Kris Barras Band and Sari Schorr to name a few. They have recently been finalists in the UK Blues Challenge and The International Songwriting Competition (ISC).
“An incredibly exciting act on the blues scene, you’re going to really love them” - Whispering Bob Harris, Radio 2
“Incredible strength in the diversity of his song writing coupled with sheer hard work and volume of shows make The Robert J Hunter band one to watch – miss them at your peril.'' - Blues in Britain
WAITING FOR SMITH
After breaking his back out in the French Alps during avalanche training, Waiting for Smith spent a year in bed recovering where he learned to play guitar. Waiting for Smith took his name from the first drummer, Smith, who constantly failed to show up. WFS’s debut single Monkeys in My Head premiered in Clash Magazine earlier in the year and got 17,500 streams with airplay across the UK, Canada, USA and BBC Introducing. His new single Trade It In is out in March to start a waterfall of single releases throughout 2019. Produced by Tom Fuller (Clean Bandit, Years & Years, Tom Walker, & Jess Glynne).WFS has also just recorded an EP for an international TV and film company at Abbey Road Studios. He’s been offered a headline show at O2 Academy Islington and an O2 tour of the country following the release of the second single, Trade It In.
HATTIE WHITEHEAD
“Hello old friend, it’s been a while” is the opening of Hattie Whitehead’s new EP Old Soul. It’s been three years since the Richmond-born singer songwriter released her debut EP Home, which led to radio play on the BBC and Amazing Radio, and a sell-out gig at St Pancras Old Church in London. Since, she has performed at a raft of festivals such as Latitude, Secret Garden Party, Wilderness, Field Day and Cambridge Folk Festival, supported the likes of Beth Rowley, and won the third prize in Glastonbury's Emerging Talent Competition.
Her family’s diverse favourite artists, from Paul Simon to Miles Davis provided a solid musical grounding and significantly shaped Hattie’s melodic and heartfelt style. Her jazz inflections have drawn comparisons to some of the musical greats she grew up listening to – Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, John Martyn and Jeff Buckley. Her love of modern alternative, folk and indie bands has further developed a style comparable to current artists such as Bon Iver, Laura Marling, Jose Gonzalez and The Staves. What they all have in common are melody, emotion and soulfulness.
DANIELLE CELESTE Danielle is a Bristol based 23 yr old Country Influenced singer songwriter who is blessed with a 3 & ½ Octave vocal range. With two Nashville writing trips under her belt, including sessions with Jeff Cohen (The Shires)
Look out for new music forthcoming early 2020
YOUTH MUSIC
Youth Music are a national charity investing in music-making projects that help children and young people aged 0-25 to develop personally and socially as well as musically. They work particularly with those who don’t get to make music because of who they are, where they live, or what they’re going through. They believe in practical, creative music-making of every possible genre, style and technique. Everyone has the ability to make music.
They support children and young people to build their confidence, resilience, and self-esteem. Projects funded by Youth Music help to break down barriers at all stages – helping children develop an early love of music, providing diverse role models, introducing young people to a wide variety of potential career paths, and working with the music industry to make its practices more inclusive.