TAMIAD

tamaramusic.co.uk

2012-02-13T14:14:00.003Z

Yes! I finally have my own website that links to everything I do, solo and collaborative. You can check it out here. My new solo EP also recently got a review from Music in Oxford blog. Read it here.
EP II is all written and ready to be recorded. The Martyrs start recording our album on Sunday and we can't wait. Phew! Blog will resume its normal volume of banter soon.

T x

Amazing Radio: The Other Woman Show

2012-01-09T12:13:00.001Z

Last night I got played on The Other Woman Show, hosted by Ruth Barnes, along with some fabulous songstresses. If you missed it then you can listen again here.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-05T11:15:00.000Z

My Dear Friends, Happy New Year! I hope my first missive of 2012 finds you very well indeed. I had a most refreshing Christmas vacance, taking in a little sea air and watching too much Poirot, it would seem..
While I was away I wrote a song called 'Waiting for You' and made this little video of it.
Waiting for You from Tamara Parsons-Baker on Vimeo.

It's still in its early stages (written and recorded within a few hours) so let me know what you make of it. I was thinking some cello might sound good on it..

Photo by Pier Corona

I've already played my first gig of the year. It was the Pindrop acoustic night at the Port Mahon on the 2nd January set up by Seb Reynolds. There were loads of great acts including Joe from Borderville, the Epstein, a band I saw first a year ago, Swindlestock, and the people's favourite, Huck, of course, with his new brand of baladeering. Huck's forthcoming narrative, cross-genre album of intoxicating Americana, 'Alexander the Great', is shaping up to be something quite else. You can see videos from the night here.

Swindlestock by Pier Corona

I'll be taking a little break from live performance for a month or so. I want to concentrate on recording and writing new songs. Plans for the Martyr's album are finally coming together. I can't wait to get back in the studio with the boys, o the boys.. I'm also looking forward to recording my second solo EP at the end of the month. O yeah! I have a fresh batch of my first solo EP, 'Lover', waiting to wing their way to your door. These solo EPs will form a sneaky little series. You can order the first, the white disc, from the store if you haven't already got a copy. It is available to purchase online from here. It'll also be available on Itunes "soon". I'll keep you updated..

Although I won't be performing live for a while I will be starting work on another new project "The Loft Sessions". These will be live acoustic sessions, recorded in my attic, featuring collaborations with a whole host of Oxford's finest. The first session will be up by the end of the month (fingers crossed) featuring a very talented chap I met up with before Christmas. So, till then keep on feeding "ze little grey cells, n'est-ce pas?"

Merry Christmas! It's my 60th blog!

2011-12-13T12:33:00.000Z

If you didn't make it to the Jamboree last Monday, boy, did you miss a great night! It was a festive frenzy with George forcing Christmas hats on the audience. He had a vision, a sea of bobbing red and white. He got in return - steely eyes and quaffed bangs.. The Martyr's headlined what turned out to be an eclectic night of music and poetry with a whole bunch of performers, all very different but almost all uncannily unified by an inclination towards bestiality and innuendo. Weird! It was a great laugh, though our set ended with me almost trashing tommy's drumkit but remembering, first, that I'm not really that "rock and roll," and, second, drum kits are expensive. Damn you conscience! Thanks to everyone who made it down to celebrate the "Jingly Jamboree" and our see our last gig of the year.

And what an amazing year it's been! The Martyrs formed in February and played our first gig at Mr Wolves, Bristol, in March. My solo songs were played on BB6 Music and London Radio and at about the same time we slickly converted from a 5 piece to a 3 piece band, around Easter. Having signed to Big Red Sky Records, we supported the fabulous Secret Sisters in May. We then recorded our debut EP in the same month, before appearing on The Joanne Good Show and BBC London Radio. And then there was the nervy journey to meet Tom Lewis from Decca Records in June (OMG!).
We played loads of awesome festivals including Cornbury and Wilderness Festival in July and August. Spetember was the gig that almost never happened at The Croft, Bristol, which turned out to be one of the most fun gigs ever. I recorded my solo EP, "Lover", in September, which has just arrived through the door (so if you want one for a stocking filler, head to my store and I'll get it in the post). Another highlight was when The Martyrs and I were filmed on the roof of the O2 in October and then supported Charley Coombes and the New Breed for BBC Intro O2 Upstairs. November was about chillaxing and rehearsing with Tom Sharp, our new guitarist. The Toms are weary from "beers, beers, beers" (so good, apparently, they named it thrice..), Huck's red leather hang-over suit is beginning to curl at the edges (a sure sign of overuse) and me, well, I need a whole tanker-load of beauty sleep.

Hopefully see you in 2012 for another epic year, and our debut album. Eek! Merry Christmas!

Upstairs at the O2

2011-11-03T12:29:00.000Z

Photo by Becks Compton

What a night! The Martyrs and I had been looking forward to this gig for quite some time. It was an awesome line up. ToLiesel played a fine set as in streamed the undead masses of ghouls, gremlins and some guy dressed up as a tall box?!? Samuel Zasada were brilliant as always. I loved the way they were dressed up as dead music icons. Buddy Hollie on bass and Billie Holiday on keys were especially cool! By the time we got on stage the O2 was heating up nicely. It was great to play to such a big crowd. The best part of the evening might just have been turning round to see Humphrey and Tommy rocking out in their Zoro masks! Actually, bringing our new guitarist, Tom Sharp, on stage for the first time for the final three songs might just beat that. It's a mighty honour to be playing with Tom! Charly Coombes and the New Breed brought a classy end to what was a really fun night of bands, booze and bad-ass costumes. Thanks to everyone at the O2 Upstairs team and BBC Introducing. Click on the pictures here to view more images from the night. There will also be a special feature on the BBC Introducing in Oxford show this Sunday. Tune in from 9pm.

Tamara and the Martyrs on the Roof

2011-10-27T11:30:00.001+01:00

The Roof Team

On Monday night we clambered up the fire escape of the O2 Academy and played our new song 'Get Him Out,' for the cameras of the O2 Upstairs/BBC Introducing team.The sun quickly set and the wind was ahowling, which led to a spooky scene for the video. Just right for the Halloweenweekend show. If you still haven't heard then we are playing at the O2 on Saturday night with Charley Coombesand the New Breed, Genuine Freakshow, ToLiesel and Samuel Zasada. Thanks to Vicky, Dan and Sam for making such a cool video, here it is:

EP Review by Oxford Music Scene Magazine

2011-10-19T15:05:00.001+01:00

Oxford Music Scene Magazine have reviewed our EP in this month's issue. Read the full review here on page 26. And, if you still haven't got your hands on a copy, then you can purchase one in our store here.

'Reclaim the Night' Launch gig

2011-10-12T13:52:00.003+01:00

Monday night was all about charity.It was 'Reclaim the Night' at the Port Mahon organized by Nicola JanePeters to raise awareness about violence against women.

First on stage was Jazz singer and pianist, Rachel Hughes. She opened with anew song of hers called 'Sometimes Love is Poisonous.' After a softly spokenpreamble in which she explained she'd have to reapply frozen peas to herscolded thumb between numbers, her voice was an unexpected delight, rich anddeep. Her songs were heartfelt and personal and the audience drank it in insilence.

Up next was Anna Hobson, a poet I've seen perform before at the Oxford PrideFestival, which she helped organize last summer. Her poetry is dark andvisceral, performed with confidence and a sharp wit. I especially liked 'A Tale of Modern Courtship'. Read more of her poems here

Claudia and Jessie closed the first half with an awe-inspiring bunch of operaticarias. From Dido's Lament to The Flower Duet from Délibes' Lakmé, there wassomething to suit every taste. Claudia sang in Italian and Jessie inEnglish. Both with pantomime eyebrows and thespianic gestures, they zigzaggedthrough different operatic registers with ease, making us all well up oneminute and belly laugh the next. It's funny how even when presented ironically,Dido's song still triggers a very real emotional response. There's something init, innit? My favourite performance had to be Jessie singing The LaughingSong from Strauss' Die Fledermaus. A rare and wonderful thing to see, especiallyfrom two meters away!

Exonic, an MC from Witney, opened the second half. Her music blasted outover our heads as she snapped into the mic. Her performance evoked in mememories of marveling at the verbal dexterity of Laura Dockrill and KateTempest . With a style all her own, though, she tampered with the lyrics ofpopular songs, sharpening and bending their meaning. The audience were plentywarm by the time I got on!

I chose to open with a cover of 'Behind the Wall' by Tracy Chapman, inkeeping with the theme of the night. It's a haunting accapella piece aboutdomestic violence, and has been a favourite song of mine since I wassmall. I then tested out a few new songs and got a lot back from a delightfullyattentive audience.

Lucy Aryton then took to the stage to share some of her poetry. In a highlyskilled performance, Lucy took us on a journey through the poetic past of apolitical activist to an increasingly political present. She charmed us toowith tender observations, reaching deep into childhood memories. I especiallyliked her poem about her best ever summer.

Hannah Bruce saw us to the end of the night. Her cold-kindled, husky voicefitted the close of the night perfectly. Everyone sat huddled around thestage, as the room began to emanate a kind of Autumnal festival vibe. Ihad to watch from the door as the room was at bursting point. Hannahclosed-up with a stunning rendition of 'Me & A Gun' by Tori Amos.

I won't lie. It was so nice to be part of an all-female bill, and to play for alargely female audience. This night stands as proof of all thefantastic female talent that exists in Oxford today. The best thing for meabout the event was the atmosphere. Despite any nerves the performersmight have had, all these were dispelled once on stage thanks to such afriendly and warm audience, who were as quick to hop on stage to help move apiano or pin up the lights as they were to applaud the huge variety of acts onshow.

If you want to find out more read some info here or join the march on the 28thOctober in Glouscester Green.

Solo EP available and the Martyr's album begins...

2011-10-05T11:32:00.002+01:00

Humphrey hams it up

Since our journey to the South the Martyrs and I have been slogging away in the rehearsal studio, learning a batch of new songs. Tommy 'Octopus' Longfellow has been getting creative on the drums and trying to prove he ain't just a pretty face. Humphrey 'The Squid'Astley continues to nauseate with his bravura axe wielding. He evenfinished off one recording session with a bit of slide guitar using a ham and salad bap.

Can it get any more ROCK & ROLL?

The weather was so good on Saturday that we decided to spend the whole day in the dark windowless rooms of Studio 101 recording 'Charon's Boat' for the album. This is the first track we have laid down for the album and we spent the day getting the bass and drums just right. It's quite a complicated song to record asmost of the action takes its cue from the vocals, so with no vocal toguide us timing was no walk in the park.

It's great to have finally started recording our album. We aim to haveit complete by the end of the year, ready to take on tour in 2012.

I've now finished recording my solo EP 'Lover' and the first order of CD's should arrive at the end of the month. Ifyou fancy one sent to your door, as soon as they come in, you can pre-order them from the Martyr's store.

The Croft, the Beach and lots of Wet Feet...Martyrs on Tour! (well, kind of)

2011-09-21T12:08:00.000+01:00

Lone Ranger at the back

Ace weekend in the Martyr's camp! Friday night's gig almost didn'thappen. Our convoy of 2 vans were as tight as anything at the petrolstation inside the Oxford ring road, but the closer we got to The Croft, Bristol, the more disparate our happy caravan. I arrived in vanone (call name: "big black mamma" - yes, we did have radio contact) asthe night began and checked out the two music rooms, taking in a littlethrash girl-punk metal, nioce. The boys, however, (call name: "lonerangers") failed to hit the M4 and a steely battle of attrition againsttime and Bristol's dreaded one-way system ensued. Just as we werebilled to come off the stage, I began a solo set thinking all hope waslost, when the boys burst onto the stage, 3/4 inch jacks and cymbals inhand, and set up like Tasmanian devils behind me. The crowd werebuzzing by this point and ready for something loud so we gave themLOUD. We played a frenzied set of 6 songs before my A string gave upthe ghost midway through the last song, Payday Slag. It was definitelyone of our most fun and frantic sets. The late start meant Humphreymissed his train home so he was forced to saddle up once more alongside"lone ranger one" and ride down to Devon for a weekend of surfing andcampfires. "Welcome to Dennis," he muttered scratchily over theshort-wave talkie as we entered Devon on the M5. After some heavilysardonic dreams he awoke on Saturday afternoon a broken man, so webundled him in a boxcar at Tiverton Parkway, heading North, and set acourse for Putsborough Sands and some 6 foot, onshore slush.

We arrived via Pheasent Country and the winds were racing. We traded inour drums and guitars for wetsuits and surfboards and "hit the surf!". It was all getting a bit spiritual before Tommy almost knocked himselfout with his surfboard, during a rad freestyle move called "biting theboard without opening your mouth." He rose from the brine, dreadsakimbo, with blood gushing from his toothy grin. Luckily he had onlymanaged to bite a chunk out of his lip and his pearly tombstones wereall pretty much present and correct. We packed up and flew the windybeach in search of food and shelter.

In the evening we revisited a favourite haunt of ours in Mortehoe andset the world straight again with beer, fish and chips and whisky chasers. Come bedtime the wind roared and rocked our vans as the rain like nails hammereddown. No one slept a wink and I almost froze to death. Who's idea wasthis?
The next day we decided to visit the old Victorian seaside town ofLynton, twinned with Lynmouth and famed for its cliff railway andvalley of the rocks. The brochure read: "fun in any weather" - Tommywould probably agree. This is bullshit. We bid farewell to Tommy, as iffor the last time, who strolled on into Lynmouth Gorge like a ghostfrom 1958.

Can't wait 'til the next Martyr's weekend tour!

Arty Farty and Farewell to Ute

2011-09-14T11:25:00.004+01:00

Well, what a weekend it was! Inspiring, fun and not a little emotional.First, Friday Night saw me singing solo at the 'Artists "not working"night in The Project Room,' Jericho, Oxford. Toni Le Busque, our favourite badge-making,Dunt-based artiste, was showing off a load of her massive black and white drawings.
It was a great opportunity to see the variety of her work. My favouritewas the piece called called 'There Are Stars in the Dirt, There Are Stars in Your Hair, There Are Bits of Stars Everywhere'. After much shmoozing and sucking onstubs of beer d'Alsace I played a few songs, including some newbiesfrom my new solo EP (ready for release any day now).Here's a sneaky peek of the front cover by Toni Le Busque, of course!

EP front cover

The Project Room was a great space to play in and the audience werefriendly, attentive and very much captive (since it's a particularly'intimate' space). I met some lovely and talented people including anenthusiastic cello-playing Dr of Physics and the artistJeremy Darge (who inspired the band name: The Inventions of Jerry Darge). A big thanks for Emma Titcombe for putting the night on andfor Toni for asking me to play. Dear artists, please put on more nightslike this!

Ute's final Oxford gig

"Why emotional?" I hear you cry. Well, Saturday night was the night ofthe mighty Ute'slast Oxford gig at Blessing's Force's take over of Modern Art Oxford.This isthefirst time I've been to one of these nights and I was pleased to seeOxfork supplying some yummy food to go with the mix of art and music. Ute playedan outstanding finalgig and the atmosphere on and off the stage was intense. Especiallyduring 'TheInnocent Taylor' when they crowd joined in screaming "WHY," whichseemed to be thequestion on everyone's lips. Read their announcement here. I've seen Ollie playin various bands throughout our school days, one of my favorites wasTinderbox. I remember the first time I saw Ute play - it wasmesmerizing.. Their sound has changed and evolved so much since thenbut watchingthem perform has always been inspiring. You also couldn't hope to meeta nicer bunch of guys. I wish them luck in whatever 'incarnation' theytake next. RIP One of Oxford's finest bands.

We're off to Bristol on Friday. Come and say hello if you're down that way.

Solo EP, Camden Town and a video to make your momma proud...

2011-08-30T12:16:00.002+01:00

This month I have been working on my new solo EP 'Lover'. I've been in the studio putting the finishing touches to the 5 tracks that will feature on the EP and I'm hoping everything will be finished in the next couple of weeks. Cover art-work has been designed by our badge-making guru, Toni Le Busque and there will also be some stunning art-work by Elisa Muliere.

We've been making some kitten steps in Europe by contacting local radio stations and venues about a tour we are planning in the New Year. I can't wait to go back to Germany and Italy, and a trip to Holland may also be on the cards. Last night we celebrated the Bank Holiday with a Gig at Proud Camden. It's a huge warehouse/gallery in the middle of Camden Market and was a favourite haunt of Amy Winehouse, R.I.P.

For more gig listings check out the poster below designed and illustrated by the dangerously talented Ross Williams:

We have also been busy discussing the making of our 'Payday Slag' video which is turning into an exciting project. Fancy being in the video? We need a bar full of filthy revelers - I thought of you first!
More details to follow soon so stay tuned in.

Payday Slag played on BBC Oxford Introducing...

2011-08-22T11:00:00.002+01:00

...listen to the show here:

BBC Oxford Introducing

New Video: Payday Slag

2011-08-17T11:15:00.000+01:00

Our good friend Bruce Markos filmed our song 'Payday Slag' at The Cellar a few weeks ago. Check it out:

'Payday Slag' by Tamara and the Martyrs - Lemon Coloured Gloves from Bruce Markos on Vimeo.

Wilderness Festival and time for a nap...

2011-08-09T12:13:00.002+01:00

We've been taking it easy this last week since our gig the other week at the Cellar with LPS. Summer has been incredibly busy. Now it's time to kick back a bit. The boys are currently away on a week's tour with The Epstein in Holland so I'm enjoying the peace and quiet of my acoustic guitar. I've been trying to write 5 new songs a month but this is no easy thing to do when the sun is shining. Anyway, whose putting together plans to record a debut album in September/October time? O yes! That's us. We're going to record at least 10 tracks and take 'em on a mini album tour across the UK in the New Year. The West Country has treated us well, and with a few more London gigs approaching, who knows? Our next gig takes us to the squeaky streets of Witney.. This event is hosted by Witney Art Studios in collobaration with Toni Le Busque, the wonderful lady who designs all our badges. It's going to be a chilled out acoustic night with Samuel Zasada and Blowhole and it's FREE! In other news we've also been confirmed to play Wilderness festival this weekend and Arcane Festival in September. More details to follow soon.

Tamara and the Martyrs Soundcheck

2011-07-28T10:37:00.001+01:00

Here is a video of us soundchecking 'Charon's Boat' at the cellar on Tuesday night for London Poetry Systems. Video by Bruce Markos

The Martyrs Sound Check from Bruce Markos on Vimeo.

Truck Fest, Dance Fest, Cake Fest...

2011-07-27T12:37:00.007+01:00

Mooching at Truck

Well, we just about made it back from Truck Fest in one piece. Tommy and I went down on Friday night, arriving just in time to put up the tents before the rain came down. It didn't last long and with the festival buzz in the air everyone was looking forward to a great weekend. We mooched around the site checking out some of the new stages and extended areas. Our highlight of Friday night had to be watching The Rock of Travolta. They came on at 12:00am and the FM ten was already packed. Their set got stronger and stronger, reaching a crescendo with the 'Last March of the Acolytes'. The whole crowd was singing that killer guitar riff as they left the tent.

Saturday morning's hang over was patched up with copious amounts if iced coffee (only £1), Rotary Club hot chips, and sunshine. We wandered down to the Cabaret tent in time to catch a great set from Mr. George Chopping. My favourite poem was Swanny which had the crowd in fits of laughter. Shortly after Thomas Truax got us back on the bottle with a very curious set of instruments littering the stage. He proceeded to play them all singing wild stories and jumping into the crowd when the sound cut out.

We then hot-footed it to the main stage to catch half of the Richmond Fontaine band play a beautiful set. I've never seen this band before but know a lot about them as they're probably Tommy's most favourite band in the world, like, ever. I think they might now be one of my favourite bands in the world, like, ever, too. They played an incredibly moving set and the songs were beautifully tragic. After we dried our eyes we remembered to have dinner this time (Mmmm veggie burger) and vegged out whilst watching an outstanding performance by the Fixers. Then it was back to the Cabaret Tent to check out the burlesque dancers and The Long Insiders. There was a great atmosphere in the crowd, lots of whooping at the talented burlesque dancers as the men in the audience struggled in vain to keep their bulging eyes in their heads. The Long Insiders were awesome and a great appetizer for The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, who headlined the night. By this point the crowd were well up for a boogie. We got a great spot right at the front and loved every minute of it. It was a small stage for seven rabbits made even smaller when they invited some of the crowd to dance up there with them. Baron Macbeth poured his heart and soul out to the audience and jived his way through the set. Johnny Moto caught the end of their show above with added laughter from Tommy. With two encores it was a gig to remember and we shimmeyed over to the cake tent to shake some moves until the sun came up, or the cake ran out - I can't remember which happened first.

Richmond Fontaine

Sunday was a more relaxed affair, it needed to be after 4 hours sleep. The weather held out and we found ourselves in the Wood Tent listening to the quirky but wonderful songs of Rachael Dadd and her Saxophonist. She sang a song about her husbands 2 cats which he found as newborn kittens one day in his sock draw. Again, great song writing and the perfect thing for a lazy Sunday. We also hung out at the Truck-a-Doodle-Doo printing press, reading about the weekend's events while the Oxford Playhouse's site specific performers lined up and danced in front of us. As the evening grew old we headed back to Boxford where the cake and dance tent awaited for one last farewell dance. We sat among the teenage hoards and festival dregs 'til a hot young punk assaulted Tommy. We couldn't decide whether to get security or just leave them to settle their angsty differences. I went to bed.

Back from Bath, off to Truck and then a shower.

2011-07-22T11:47:00.004+01:00

The Martyrs and I have had a pretty crazy week kicking off with a spot of recording on Monday at Studio 101. We're demoing some tracks to record for our new Album, which should be available in all good bargin bins of independant record shops in Oxfordshire a little later in the year. For a sneaky listen to what we've recorded (and much much more) you can join our Ongaku Lounge and receive the demos that noone else will ever hear! Tuesday saw Humphrey and I rocking out acousticly at the Gloucester Arms. I've never been to the Gloucester Arms before. I thought it was for metal-heads and hell's angels. It is, but is not as intimidating as it should be and I met a real mix of music-lovers. Thanks to everyone who came down to show their support.

On the road

Last night was one of our best gigs yet at a quirky pub called the Pig and Fiddle in Bath. We re-worked an old Huck and the Handsome Fee classic 'Thinkin' on a Problem' which went down well. The crowd were great. We supported a local band called The Idiot Savants who were very funky. Their sax player was awesome, and Tommy and their drummer were inseperable, gushing over dry-rides and high-hats. If you're in Bath I'd reccomend you go and see this band. And so now it's time for a little R'n'R at Truck Festival. I'm looking forward to catching Bellowhead's set tonight and the Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band tomorrow. See you there!

Grahame Greene and so was the salad...

2011-07-11T16:44:00.004+01:00

Enjoying a spot of Ploughmans

The other week Humphrey and I went to an evening dedicated to the author Grahame Greene and inspired by 40s British culture. We performed a song I wrote years ago about his book 'The End of the Affair' and Humphrey read an excerpt from it. There were also readings from other Oxford artists including Richard Walters and Baron Macbeth from The Orginal Rabbit Foot Spasm Band. The night was organised by Oxfork, a pop-up restaurant group that is soon to open a cafe on Magdalen Street (where the old bike shop was). The event was held in the crazy and gorgeous Rotunda at Grove House. We found out that Grove House was actually Grahame Greene's place in Oxford, and the round building we were in was where his wife kept her doll collection. You can have a listen to our performance recorded live on the player below. If you want to read more about the night, well - just the delicious food really.. click here for the Oxford Mail's review. If anyone else knows more about the Rotunda or any neat facts about Graham Greene's life in Oxford - let us know. He's one of my favourite writers, and if you've not read 'The End of the Affair' then get yourself a copy. It'll make you weep.

Pictures and recording from our live set on BBC London Radio 94.9 FM

2011-07-04T17:43:00.012+01:00

Last Sunday Humphrey and I trekked up to London to appear on Joanne Good's The Late Show: Sunday Sessions. Despite the thick traffic and blistering heat we managed to make it to BBC Studios in enough time for a sound check. Phew! Scoundrels were also playing some songs on the show and Humphrey realised whilst speaking to their lead singer that they had played a gig together before in Oxford. This was Huck and the Handsome Fee's last show with Scoundrels and Kill it Kid, which I couldn't make because I'd lost my voice. What a small world it is. After sound check there wasn't much more we could do apart from find shelter in some London pub, eat chips and try not to get too nervous. We passed the time trying to name as many Oxford acoustic acts as we could. This didn't take long so we moved on to women we'd seen rocking out in Oxford bands recently. After a couple of hours we went back to the studio to listen to the Scoundrels play some tunes and then got ready for our live set. Joanne Good and her team were so welcoming and friendly and it was a very relaxed affair. As soon as we started playing Hang My Picture all my nerves disappeared. If you missed the show then you can hear it again on the player below. Thanks to all who tuned in and all the support.

Tamara and the Martyrs on The Late Show with Joanne Good: BBC London Radio 94.9 FM

2011-06-26T10:40:00.003+01:00

Tonight Tamara and the Martyrs are playing live on Joanne Good's The Late Show. The show is broadcast on BBC London Radio 94.9 FM from 10.00pm and we are on from 11.00pm. Tune in to hear us play live of listen back by clicking here:
Wish us luck!

Music In Oxford review Riverside Festival

2011-06-24T10:25:00.000+01:00

Playing the second stage at Riverside

We got a rather nice review of our set at Charlbury Riverside Festival from the folk at MusicinOxford. The Festival was great fun and some of my favourite acts of the day were The Rock of Travolta, Welcome to Peepworld and Desert Storm. Read the review here.

A Honey Pot of Acoustic Goodness: Jess Hall, Tamara and the Martyrs, Goodwin Sands

2011-06-14T13:45:00.000+01:00

Goodwin Sands

Last night saw a honeyed mix of musical talent as part of the Oxfringe festival. The Honey Pot is one of my favourite pubs, and the back room can be one of the more intimate performance spaces in Oxford. Tom and Leanne create a friendly and warm atmosphere, and treat musicians well. They also cook some of the best pub grub around. The evening was kicked off by singer/songwriter Jess Hall. It was the first time I'd seen her perform. The spell of her clear, soft voice floated me in from the bar where I was nursing my bowl of massive chips ("Oi, hands orf!"). Huck and I then graced the stage with a few Martyrs songs. The atmosphere in the Honey Pot was perfect for some acoustic strumming. Each act even coaxed in the smokers, who were braving the 'warm summer air'. Headlining was a dutch band, Goodwin Sands. What a pleasant surprise! I knew the guitarist, Pete Barnes, from my uni days, when he used to rock out in his Bath-based band, 'A Neat Science'. But Goodwin Sands is a folk band, and a folk band through and through. I definitely think he's found his musical calling. This isn't just any old folk though, it has a real mesmerizing quality, and the lead singer, Anna Curvers, has a delicate and precise magnetism that has you hanging on every word. When the whole band offer backing vocals and switch instruments between songs the deal is sealed, these guys can really play. The carefully crafted compositions are executed with finesse, and as I watched the band I noticed that they're all smiling - and so are the audience. This is feel-good-folk at its intricate and smiley best. Goodwin Sands are touring the UK so catch them if you can, more info here.

Tamara and the Martyrs website launched

2011-06-13T11:52:00.000+01:00

Today we have launched the Tamara and the Martyrs official website. You can keep up to date with all the latest Martyrs business and we even have an online store! You can visit the page by following: http://www.tamaraandthemartyrs.com/

Tamara and the Martyrs release their first EP 'Hang My Picture'

2011-06-02T10:48:00.002+01:00

We are very excited to announce that our first EP 'Hang My Picture' is released this month by Oxford based label Big Sky Records. The Martyrs and I have had a great time recording the 4 tracks for this EP which is now available from Itunes for the fabulous price of £3.16. We will begin recording our 10 track album at the end of June and will keep you updated on it's release date. If you're coming to see us play any of our many gigs and/or festivals over the coming month then you can get a copy of the EP directly from us, complete with CD artwork and a free badge...and all these things will soon be available to order from our new website which will also be launched later this month. Enjoy!

Tamara and the Martyrs first reveiw in Nightshift: Secret Sisters gig at the O2

2011-05-27T09:39:00.002+01:00

We have had our first review and it ain't half bad. You can read it here: http://nightshift.oxfordmusic.net/2011/jun.pdf

Thanks be to Nighshift Magazine.

Supporting the Secret Sisters in Oxford

2011-05-11T12:18:00.002+01:00

So, last night we supported the Secret Sisters at the O2 Academy, Oxford. It was my first time at this venue, but the boys have rattled those walls many a time in their Sextodecimo days. I was quite nervous because the place was packed out, but after a few sonic gripes we settled nicely into our set, and Humphrey was grinning every time he picked up his bass. The crowd were great, so attentive and friendly despite the beer being £4 a can!

Backstage with the Secret Sisters

The Secret Sisters were really friendly, down to earth Southern girls. Their set was stunning, punctuated with funny anecdotes and sisterly jibes. It sounds like they've enjoyed the first leg of their UK tour, with crowds warming to them everywhere they go. After us came Simon Lynge, who announced that he'll soon be opening up for Emmylou Harris. He introduced himself as an Eskimo from Greenland and told other-worldly stories of a pastoral youth, watching the glacier fog roll in like a big slug, and mischievously robbing skulls from stone graves - apparently there's no topsoil in Greenland so you have to bury bodies under piles of stones.

Anyway, we're heading down to the Isis on Friday - so come and say hi: Mayhem.

Recording, Mayhem and "arrest those men"

2011-05-04T12:07:00.003+01:00

"it was them, Officer"

A lot's been going on since I we last spoke. So listen up. The Martyrs and I have been gigging plenty and we had a great time in the borough of Witney, playing Witney Music Festival and Witney's Rapture records day. We also hot-tailed it to London - and Tommy's passion-wagon broke down on the way back (15 miles from Oxford). Maybe shrunken heads hanging from the rear-view mirror aren't so lucky after all..

We had a photo shoot with a mighty-fine photographer called Bruce Markos. It was all good clean fun until the boys turned on me having raided the props cupboard. When I was pressing charges at the local constabulary the policeman said it wasn't often a victim could produce such accurate evidence of an assault. I thanked him kindly, and that was last we heard of the matter.

Passion-wagon R.I.P

This weekend we've been holed up in the recording studio. Every time Humphrey picked up the guitar the song gradually morphed into 'Here comes the bride' (more than a little annoying) so we ended up letting him out to watch the royal wedding. He assured us that they were "happy tears" when we re-clothed him at the end of the ceremony. Tommy said he wouldn't mind doing this sort of thing for a living (recording music rather than dressing sobbing monarchists), but he was eating a big pink slice of French fancy cake at the time - so we could hardly take him seriously. It looks like we are going to have 4 kick-ass tracks by the end of the week. A massive bunch of thanks must go out to our loving Engineer and tea-matron, Mr Martin Newton of Studio 101 and our mixologist and drum-mic god, Jimmy Heatherington.

We're now looking forward to supporting the Secret Sisters next week on 11 May at the O2 Academy. This venue will be a first for us so we're excited. If you're around on Friday May 13th (lucky for some) come and enjoy some sunshine and fine tunes from us at our next event: Mayhem

Rocking Out Acoustic Style at The Cellar

2011-04-05T12:30:00.024+01:00

Ju from Little Fish
http://www.brucemarkos.com/

Thanks to all of you who came along on Thursday for what turned out to be an awesome night of music. It was great to finally see Bethany Weimers on piano and I love her new songs - very dark, beautiful. She's recording at the moment and the album will follow soon so watch that space. Samuel Zasada have bulked up since I saw them last. It really suits their songs, with some incredible vocal harmonies still ringing in my head.
You can find out more about them and their next gigs here. Ju and Ben from Little Fish completely rocked the stage and got the audience singing sweetly along to their songs. I loved Ju's new beat song - especially the onstage self-lynching! Check out what's going on in the fish bowl here. We got a real buzz from our first Oxford show and can't wait to set up another Cellar show. There's talk about doing one that focuses solely on the local femmes fatales. [Better give Undersmile a call..] Celebrations spilt well into one of the darkest Fridays on record, but we're back on track and looking forward to this Thursday's gig at the Port Mahon. I leave you with a video of my song 'Billboards' recorded on Thursday night.

The Band's First Gig, BBC6 and Radio Cherwell

2011-03-22T15:59:00.005Z

That red mic sure matches my arms

It has been a busy few weeks for me and the band. We had our first gig at Mr Wolf's in Bristol on Monday 14 March, and were supported by the awesome Mr Duke who had us laughing into our free noodles. The venue started to buzz by the time we hit the stage - quite lucky for a Monday night. It was ace to finally play out to a live audience and to catch up with our pals in Bristol. Even T-Lo's parking ticket couldn't bring the mood down.

The very same night in London my track 'Hang My Picture' was played on Tom Robinson's BBC 6 Music show "Fresh on The Net," which was pretty awesome. Big thanks to Ruth Barnes and Tom Robinson for that.

Huck and T-bone on Radio Cherwell

Last night Huck and I were interviewed for Radio Cherwell in Oxford which was quite an experience. The show is played to all the NHS Hospitals in Oxford, but before you start self-harming you can listen in online too. It was lots of fun watching Huck set the world to rights through a fluffy green mic. As soon as the show is up I shall let you know.

Now we're looking forward to our big Oxford debut at the end of the month with JuJu from Little Fish, Samuel Zasada and Bethany Weimers. After that it will be playing in the Regional Finals for the Live and Unsigned Competition.

Hope to see you there at the Cellar on the 31st March.

Tamara Parsons-Baker on BBC6 Music

2011-03-15T15:47:00.003Z

My track 'Hang My Picture' was played on Tom Robinson's BBC 6 Music show Fresh on The Net on the 14th March. You can hear it again here on BBC iPlayer, I'm on from 1:32.

And read more here.

Oxford Mail Review

2011-03-02T18:03:00.007Z

www.brucemarkos.com

'By the end of the first number, Tamara is sounding strong and confident, reminding me of a sort of “Siouxie Sioux, Unplugged”, while Bunny notes a brightness to her singing that has grown since we last heard her.'
Read the article in full here

French London Radio plays Hang My Picture

2011-02-16T15:33:00.000Z

Artwork by Elisa Muliere

Check it out. My song 'Hang My Picture' was played on French Radio London by Ruth Barnes last week. Listen to the show here: http://www.frenchradiolondon.com/french/musique/

(On the right hand side of the page scroll down to 'Mardi' and click on 'Recouter' under 8 February)

Live and Unsigned: Regional Finals

2011-02-14T12:40:00.007Z

Good news from me. Yesterday I auditioned against hundreds of auditionees to secure a spot in the Live and Unsigned Regional Finals. Acts that made it through auditions will now take part in a live Regional Final Showcase in front of thousands of spectators and a professional judging panel, including judges from Kerrang, NME Radio and Radio One. The best auditionees from their Regional Final Showcase also get the opportunity to play support slots with a selection of major headlining acts. Woot!

So, I shall be competing in the Bedford Regional Finals on the 2 April and have 2 free tickets for the live show to give away. For more details and a chance to win, please email tparsonsbaker@gmail.com by the Saturday 26th February when the winner will be picked at random.

Gig at the Port Mahon TONIGHT!

2011-02-03T12:13:00.001Z

I shall be performing at my first Live and Loud gig tonight. It will all be happening at the Port Mahon from 8.00pm. Accompanying me will be the glamorous Mr Humphrey 'Huck' Astley and Mr Jonny P Mills shall be opening the night at 8.30pm. £4 entry and the facebook group is here. I will have a few limited edition CDs for sale and lots of free BADGES! See you there x

Badgeification

2011-01-27T15:05:00.003Z

It's nearly February so I've decided to celebrate.. with badges!

These badges are designed by notorious polymath, Toni Le Busque-Badgetarian, and have on them Toni's own special take on my song lyrics. Each is unique and you can get your hands on one just by joining my mailing list.

Gigs!? Next week I'll be playing at the Port Mahon with Mr Humphrey Astley on guitar and Mr Nizou Ben Ayed on keys. It'll be a little smidge of what my new band has been working on - so do come on down for a listen and to pick up your badge! This night has been organised by a new website called Live and Loud- it's my first L'n'L gig so I don't know how it'll turn out - could be interesting. The FB page is here. Be there for 8.00pm if you can - and it's £4 on the door.

I can now confirm that my new band 'Mara' will be playing our first Oxford show at the Cellar on the 31st March (more acts TBA soon) - so, as the Venerable Chopping puts it: "Get out your diaries! Get out your diaries! Moleskin, iPhone, Filofax..."

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T16:48:00.007Z

Happy New Year! The holidays are gone - way to fast.. but at least the rivers have thawed and the swans are free from their ice-traps. True Story!

A New Year always brings on a little reflection and I have decided to kick start this one by entering Live and Unsigned 2011. My audition is in 6 weeks (ARGH!). At the moment I'm trying to figure out which song I should audition with. I have 2 minutes to prove to a judging panel made up of radio presenters and record labels that I'm a worthy contender, so choosing the song isn't easy. Any ideas?

The album artwork has arrived and I've included a little sneak peek of the front cover. Elisa Muliere has done an amazing job, painting an image for each track. It was an interesting experiment to see how (or if) a painter could translate my music into visual art. Elisa is a poet with a paintbrush so I asked her only to draw what she heard in my songs, without any direction or request from me at all. All I'll say for now is that the result is unsettlingly cool..More news on the album to follow.

Billboards: Video

2010-12-21T14:59:00.000Z

Check out this video of yours truly singing 'Billboards' which will be on the new album.

Tamara Parsons-Baker from Henry Stead on Vimeo.

Billboards

The Common Room Review

2010-12-10T11:11:00.005Z

Check out this neat review of The Common Room music weekend by Tom Jowett. Huck and the Handsome Fee played on the Sunday and enjoyed a great weekend of live music at the Jericho Tavern.

The Fee have also just had some rather exciting news about a gig we're playing in February. More news to follow in the New Year.

The hardest thing about being in a band is naming it.

2010-12-08T14:48:00.009Z

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat... and, with two practices under our belts, the new band is burning to start gigging. The way things are going I think we will be ready by March. 2010 has been a year bursting with music and definitely the best fun so far. Joining Huck and the Handsome Fee and hopping over the pond for our US road-trip tour was an experience I'll never forget. I recorded my solo EP with Humphrey in Martin's Studio 101, and then finally formed my own band. Sounds pretty busy already and I've not even got onto all the great gigs like: supporting Simon Armitage (article here), and Borderville at the Jericho Tavern - Caroline Bird, Yo Zushi and Ute at the Isis - and Ulysses Storm at the Cellar; The Fee headlining London Poetry Systems' April show at the Jam Factory with Laura Dockrill and Luke Kennard; and our fearsome US launch show with Undersmile. Oh, and Glynn Maxwell at The Vaults. So many great bands, poets and artists - racking up the memories! The EP, including artwork by the darkly brilliant Elisa Muliere, will be ready for the start of 2011 to kick-off what I hope will be another year of hard work, exciting times, and plenty of plenty of music.

Gigs this month:

16th Dec: SOLO GIG: I'll be playing at the Brickworks. They are featuring architecture work by Christine Murphy and Christine Murphy, Iris Michailou, Widget, Adrian Buckle and more.

17th Dec: Huck and the Handsome Fee will be supporting Undersmile's album launch at the Bully with Desert Storm and Komrad.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me thus far and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

T x

The First Rehearsal

2010-11-29T12:46:00.000Z

So, the new band had its first rehearsal on Friday and it couldn't have gone better, especially considering I hadn't even heard two of the members play before. I was in a few bands at school and I love being in the Fee, but I've never had my own band playing my songs. For some reason I'd always seen myself as an acoustic solo artist and, despite secretly craving a band, I always ended up joining other people's rather than starting my own. Friday felt like the beginning of something special. I feel really lucky because not only are the band all grimly talented, but we're also having loads of fun with the songs. 'Real Bad Lover' is one of those songs in which you can really let yourself go and explore the building chaos of a pretty warped story, bringing in some slightly sinister cabaret sounds into the mix. It contrasts dramatically with 'Hang My Picture', which is soft for the most part, but then gently builds to a huge sweeping sound that snaps back down in an instant. Each member has a real style of their own - but what's great is that we all seem to be able to mould these together without steering the song away from the story I'm telling. Such a sensitive bunch of mercenaries! We've got another rehearsal next week and I can't wait, I have such a good feeling about this.

New Song: Hany My Picture

2010-11-20T18:45:00.001Z

Just a quick note to let you know that 'Hang My Picture' from my new album of the same name has just been uploaded to myspace. The album is due to be finished ready for release in the new year. Enjoy!

Listen here.

New EP and more...

2010-11-05T16:06:00.001Z

Things are steadily coming together for my new solo ep and new band. Elisa Muliere has been working hard on the artwork for the ep which will be entitled 'Hang My Picture'. Once the artwork is finishedthe disc will go into production, and an album launch will follow. I can't wait!

The members of my new band have been chosen and the first practice booked, now all I need is a band name. Tamara and the Hurricane has been suggested after the famous NOLA cocktail and, just as powerful but less popular, meteorological hiccup, but I think I'm back to the drawing board on this one. Suggestions welcome and greatly appreciated! Answers on a postcard..

Huck and the Handsome Fee have finally rediscovered their feet after the America trip. We played our first gig back in Oxford last week at the Cellar for Halloween. Undersmile (link) played a juggernaut of a set and we are very pleased to announce that we will be supporting their new album launch on 17th December. The Fee will shortly be expanding its sway over Manchester and London, so watch this space!

Oh, and here is a nice blog by the southbank centre with a review of my song 'Lover' which I played at The Jericho Tavern in support of Simon Armitage.

Nawlins

2010-10-12T23:49:00.008+01:00

New Orleans. Oh how we miss you with your stormy cocktails, haunted houses and howling horns. After watching ZZ Top and Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers in Dallas we drove all night (9 hours) to reach NOLA.
Hell, we can sleep in the day and, by golly! "we've got a gig in 12 hours?" Tommy, Bat and Henry took shots of powerful hyper-caffeine juice, and Huck and I rolled in and out of consciousness making sure everything was in order. "Yerp! Argghh." We crossed the Eads Bridge as the sun rose. I rubbed the half sleep from my shrew eyes, looked out and saw that we'd finally made it to "The Big Easy".

Central New Orleans feels massive when you first arrive. We trudged to our first gig at Checkpoint Charlie's (at least the beer was cheap) I felt I'd never find my way around this place. But little did I know, it was yet another grid city, and I do love my grids. After a day it was a pleasure to be able to walk everywhere instead of drive for ages just to have breakfast. We were nicely settled for 5 days in NOLA and there was gumbo to be munched and beer to be drank. It was like a vacation on vacation.

Shouts of "Who Dat!" bounced around the french quarter. "Who is that?" We pondered... It wasn't long before a busty, blonde bar maid explained that it was the chant for The Saints, the local football team, who had a game that weekend. The response? "Ain't Nobody!" of course, and we joined in all the way to the next bar. Well, when in Rome...

The Hurricane's flowed and we found ourselves squished into The Spotted Cat for a bit of swing-time. Little did we know but we were in for a treat. I asked a fellow punter for a light. By a stroke of luck it was Mr Mike Menke - and he informed me that the band about to come on was Davis Rogan (of "Treme" fame) and his amazing band. It was a "totally awesome show, man WHO DAT?" Well, it would be after a night full of Hurricanes. The evening rolled into the morning and all I remember is ending up in some rock bar playing pool whilst Henry and Tommy snuck pickled gherkins into Bat and Huck's beers. "Cheers!"

The Circle Bar was a fantastic place, situated on the only round-a-bout I saw in America. The atmosphere was warm, friendly and quite rowdy. There was a smattering of fine bands and it was shaping up to be a great gig, our final one in NOLA. The crowd seemed to like us and even danced to Christine. I didn't know it was possible. We were followed by one of the best bands I've seen for ages, Agent Ribbons. Our new pal Mike came along to see us, and recorded the whole thing too - so be prepared for The Fee's US sessions coming soon to a Woolworth's near you.

So how does one top of all that before flying to New York? Well, an afternoon in a swamp feeding marshmallows to alligators and an evening listening to traditional jazz in Preservation Hall seemed like a good idea. "Argh, big lizards playing trumpets!"

Austin TX

2010-09-29T19:29:00.000+01:00

Austin knows how to treat a lady. Fine flat beers by the pitcher at smoky Lovejoys, spirit-spilling lakes, rivers and preserves (all for diving, dipping and dunking). And, would you believe it, a tasty veggie option can be found every now and then. 4 days in Austin took us to one of the best open mics, one of the most fun gigs, swimming in the beautiful surrounds of the Hamilton Pool Preserve and a glimpse of the biggest carp in San Antonio (and I'm not talking about Huck in his Speedos). We glimpsed some of the most beautiful sights God's country has to offer from the budget and totally forgettable base camp of an astoundingly well placed Super 8 (5 minutes walk from the iniquitous 6th St.)

We've all fallen for Austin and a lot of that is thanks to Grant Ewing from the Triple Crown in San Marco. This bar is how I imagined bars should look like in America (scuttling roaches included). It's dark with neon lights flashing behind the bar. Shelves stacked with gloopy liquors and a local and friendly vibe. The talent of the musicians here is the highest we've seen yet with Grant opening the night with some of the most powerful vocals I've heard. You also need to check out the beautiful Ashleigh Stone. "I used to live in London and loved it so I'm gonna play this song for all y'all English folks - it's called London Towne."

Steve from 'Steve 'n' Steve' who resembles a hybrid of Herbert Hunke and William Burroughs crawked to Huck: "You went to California? We call it granola, it's full of flakes, fruits and nuts." Huck chuckles in agreement: "it sure was like that for us." The pressure is on. There is a lot of interest in our small group so we better do the night justice. There is nothing to worry about here though as the folks are so encouraging and in the mood for dancing.

The gig goes well and I think it could be the best response yet. As the night winds down Dame Ella is suddenly projected onto the screen behind the bar and sings her heart out to a happy and swaying Fee. We've found our bar.

So, how do you cap off a night like that? Well, hitting a stray wheel down the freeway at 70 mph is not recommended, but we did it all the same. 'Longette' went down screeching into the central reservation next to a very fast fast line. We had to change the tyre in the pitch black at 3 am while Texans tried to pick us off one by one with their oversize pickups. Perhaps we'd had too much fun and needed a good dose of Karma. Either way, there ain't nothing like a tremendous thump to the car to sober you up.

Albuquerque Blues

2010-09-16T17:01:00.002+01:00

Sitting on the plane from New York to Albuquerque I'm reminded how much I love flying and how much I hate small children. One little pug-faced kid sits in the seat in front of me and spends the whole flight staring at me sipping his complimentary beverage through the space between the seats.

I vaguely recall a Bill Hicks sketch where a child on the plane starts tapping him repeatedly on the back of the head. "They're so cute when they're that small," dotes the child's mother. The child then decides to take his seat belt off and skip around the plane. When he gets to the plane door he stops and fiddles with the handle. Bill whispers to the child's parent, "Wait, lets just see what he does?" and the child opens the door and gets sucked out into the clouds. "You're right," chirps Bill: "The smaller he gets, the cuter he is. Hey, Stewardess! seeing as we have a breeze in here, mind if I smoke?" If only...

Alby

The boys greet us at Albuquerque airport and we hug. They take us straight to Diner 66 for a slap up meal, and I learn that chips are crisps - not fries. I love Albuquerque. We spend the next day driving around in the blasting heat. The wind is blowing, but that just makes the air feel like one big hairdryer. We trawl through pawn shop after pawn shop, and finally find my guitar in Grandma's Music and Sound. It's a beautiful new Fender with all the trimmings. I christen him 'Alby'.

Cowboys at the State Fair

We arrive at The Brickyard on Route 66 with all our kit and growling bellies. A pint and a slice for $4.25? Hell yeah! There is an interesting crowd gathering, of all ages, and we wonder how our set will go down. There is a heavy blues vibe here and our friendly host, Chris Dracup, is a superb player. This guy is blues on tap. We open with Passion Man and the crowd seems to really like it. Even the dug-up gal in the corner whoops with delight. We're applauded with two encores and sell a fair few Cd's. "We're travelling across your fine country, which ain't cheap. So, wish us luck and give us money," croons Huck.

We chat to most of the crowd. They are all very enthusiastic about our trip and have a million suggestions of what to see and where to play. Our circle grows and Chris buys us a round of tequilas, which nearly sees the end of me. He asks if we want to jam. Tommy and Bat get up for a 12 minute electrifying blues round. After a few too many beers I play a solo set joined by Jeff "Cajones" who plays the cajon beautifully. Tommy decides he should really get in on the cajon action, and joins Huck for a wonderful rendition of Stolen Car. It feels good to be back with the boys and to have a great gig under our belts - after what seems like an age apart.

Next stop Austin via Roswell. Bring on the UFOs...

NYC Baby

2010-09-15T02:20:00.002+01:00

There's no denying it, New York is huge, unrelenting and very very American. After finally getting through border control (passport check, finger prints, eye scan and a whole bunch of questions), h and I booked a room at the JFK Inn (don't go there!) and tried to sleep through a night broken by intermittent death screams and police sirens. After what seemed like the longest day in history, we'd made it, we'd finally made it - but what was this 'it' that we had fallen into?

The next morning we headed to Willamsburg on the L train and met out trusty pal, Cal, who shoved us into the nearest diner and proceeded to deface our map with things to see and do. Back at her studio/warehouse/squat she took us out to the roof to admire the Manhatten skyline and started pointing out a few neat things like the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge.

Manhattan Skyline

Now, don't get me wrong, it's an impressive skyline. So why am I so underwhelmed by New York? Admittedly I have only been here 2 days and so perhaps I should say I am underwhelmed so far. I haven't even scratched the surface - but walking around I'm left with the confusing desire to feel amazed, but the true feeling is: 'what's all the fuss about?'. Perhaps I'm in shock. Has the jet lag killed all my senses, and turned me into a roaming zombie? Or is it all a little too familiar?

New York reminds me of London. A louder, smellier and substantially larger London perhaps, but still just another big city. Maybe it's because it's an English Speaking country. I didn't warm to Tai Pei much, a few years ago, but still I was fascinated by the people and city enough to enjoy the visit. Perhaps I'm more impressed by things I cannot understand, things that are removed from my culture. I feel like I've sat through this movie before. That's not to say that being here is easy, or a walk in the (Central) park. The best thing to do, I reckon, is to let it swallow you up a little.

It's impressive though how a city which at first seems so incomprehensibly big, quite quickly appears totally manageble. I like how New York works. The grids of streets and avenues. After a day here I feel confident enough to skip out of the grid knowing that it will catch up with me again in it's sensible and exhaustive style.

AwesomeMassiveCocktailThatBlewMyHeadOff

New York is like a group of small villages but, instead of being seperated by trees, they are seperated by looming skyscrapers. The most striking thing about New York for me though is how friendly the people here are. One Manhattan hotel porter looked up from his desk and greeted Henry and I flamboyantly: "Hello ladies!" He was one of the most helpful, friendly and just downright chipper New Yorkers we met. He was also the most embarrassed for a while when he realised his mistake: "I'm really sorry, a big mistake on my part. It's the hair, I think, oh I'm so sorry." People are just so goddamn nice. New York sure has one up on London in that respect.

Next step Alburquerque and The Fee reunited.

Tonight at the Isis Tavern

2010-08-06T10:53:00.001+01:00

T-Bone and Huck support some of Oxford's finest

bands tonight at the Isis Tavern. The marvellous

Mr George Chopping shall be hosting the event with

UTE to headline. We're on at 7.30pm so get there

nice and early.

Facebook Event Page

New Huck and the Handsome Fee Website

2010-08-06T10:44:00.001+01:00

Look, we have a shiny new website here:

Huck and the Handsome Fee

Oxford Bands.com Review Myspace Tracks

2010-07-10T10:57:00.002+01:00

The folks at Oxford Bands have reviewed our myspace tracks. Read more here.
We also have a new face book group so you can keep updated with all the latest America news including our launch gig.

This is how our journey looks so far, I better get some driving lessons...

Morning Glory

2010-06-25T10:48:00.003+01:00

I would just like to thank everyone who came to our gig last night. Huck and the Handsome Fee had their best show yet and deserve a cold shower after all the sweat dripping from The Cellar's walls. Bright Spark Destroyer were thunderous and Above Us the Waves warmed up the stage beautifully. Huck and the Handsome Fee are looking forward to playing Cornbury Festival on Sunday 4th July at 3.30pm. We are then bombing back to Oxford to play The Rabbit Foot Street Party with The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band. This will be at The Bear pub from about 7pm.

I'm off to Munich to swagger about in a dirndl for a few days. In the meantime get your peepers around this bit of genius.

Yours ever,
T-Bone

Short but Sweet

2010-06-25T10:35:00.001+01:00

The boys at OxfordBands.co.uk have reviewed charlbury festival.
Read more (or less) here

Secret Gig at the Chester Arms, Oxford 7th June 2010

2010-06-08T16:40:00.006+01:00

Here is some footage taken from last night's secret show at George's Jamboree Open Mic in the Chester Arms, Oxford.

Huck and the Handsome Fee from Henry Stead on Vimeo.

Vimeo: Huck and the Handsome Fee

Negative Huckability

2010-06-04T15:54:00.003+01:00

One of the things I love about singing with Huck is that I never know quite what he's going to do next.

For example, he might decide just to scream down the mic, instead of going for that nice harmony we worked on the week before. He could curl his lip at any moment, and with a wink of an eye, beckon me over to slur together into one mic. Or he might even just stop singing altogether and let me take the reigns.

But this 'improv' style can also irk me a little. It is nice to know where you're going, what notes you are aiming for, and it feels good when you meet in the middle and create the sound you wanted. But it's safe. Not boring, as such.. but who wants to see the same thing over and over again? Isn't that what CDs and films are for? I think one of the points of live performance is to give the audience and yourselves something new, something different to the recording, something more. Not so different that when people listen to the CD they think it is something else, but the realms of performance need to keep on being pushed. Otherwise we lose something - something we might not find again. So when I see that little glimmer in Huck's eye, I know that whatever happens next, I just have to suck it up and not be afraid of not knowing.

Come see it all happen tomorrow night at the Wheatsheaf. We're supporting the Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band.

What is the Cheese Like in America?

2010-05-25T14:32:00.005+01:00

So, it is about time I properly updated the Huckiad and informed you of The Fee's, and my solo, plans for the next coming months. We had our first 'band meeting' last week after a 4 hour rehearsal. We managed to pound out "Christine" for the duration. We discussed our tour/trip to America. A big thanks to the wine and Wooky hole cheese that facilitated this meeting, without which I'm sure we wouldn't have made it this far. America is shaping up to be quite the trip of the year, with the boys planning to get a nice little van and drive from Seattle, down the West Coast via San Francisco, LA, Las Vegas, through Death Valley onto Phoenix, Arizona and Denver. I'll be joining them in Texas if they've managed to survive that long without me, where the second leg of our journey begins. I shall keep you updated from here on in.

In other news, The Fee will be making a music video with Big Face Art, based in London, and I'll be mixing my solo stuff next month. I still haven't decided on a cover design, but I have a few artists in mind. Perhaps I'll create a shortlist and ask you to vote for your favorite.

See more at BigFaceArt and BigFaceJam.

Check out this video of Henry Stead performing Attis. This was taken from the LPS night we performed at in the Jam Factory, Oxford.

HENRY STEAD - Attis from Big Face Art on Vimeo.

Love and Affection

2010-05-18T23:04:00.009+01:00

I saw Joan Armatrading live at the beginning of the month and she performed this song. Truly one of the most outstanding female guitarists I've seen. Enjoy.

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The Fly review Red Stripe Music Award @ The Cellar, Oxford

2010-05-09T17:41:00.003+01:00

'With his studded jacket removed to expose what looks like a filthy string vest, the drummer from Sextodecimo, a face that screws through slightly terrifying expressions even during the calm opening to his set, and two more old-school glamorous members, Huck is nothing if not visually arresting. And the music soon catches up with the image; ‘Passion Man’ rolling along like Os Mutantes swapped their Rolling Stones records for the Pixies. But his set never really recovers from the hitch of breaking all the strings on his guitar. It feels like there's unfinished business here.' (Chris Bennett)
For more go here.

The Oxonian Review of Huck and the Fee

2010-05-04T21:58:00.004+01:00

Check out this review by the Oxonian Review of the London Poetry Systems gig on the 10th April 2010:
'The evening finished with a performance from local Oxford band Huck and the Handsome Fee, which continued the theme of incorporating poetry and performance. Many of the numbers in Fee’s repertoire began as written works. Reworking these pieces into songs allows richer and more immediate access to their emotional depth and enlivens the interpersonal drama of their narratives. This is particularly true in virtue of the Fee’s co-vocalists, Humphrey Astley and Tamara Parsons-Baker. Between Astley’s tortured, thespianic vocalisations and Parsons-Baker’s impassioned and gracefully sombre style, these two expertly share the often weighty burden of their material’s characters and themes.'
By John Maloney

To read the full review more click here
To see a glimpse of the event...

Me and The Fee

2010-05-03T15:19:00.004+01:00

Tamara Parsons-Baker

I suppose it’s unhealthy prejudice, but forgive us for thinking that Tamara Parsons-Baker was going to be chortling jodhpurred lass singing nasal, plummy songs about palomino geldings. Imagine our surprise in being confronted with a beautifully clear voice that trickles through the air like a limpid stream above some subtle guitar.

By David Murphy
Oxford Bands

Huck and the Handsome Fee

Humphrey 'Huck' Astley is a veteran of the Oxford music scene, having played bass with notorious extreme metallers Sextodecimo since their inception a decade ago. Although a lover of rock as well as the avant-garde, his heart was often in the traditional genres of blues, country and folk, and it was only a matter of time before he gave them their dues. In the summer of '09 he transplanted Sextodecimo's powerhouse drummer Tommy Longfellow from one stool to the other and recruited bassist Matt Halliday (who makes time between full-on duty in Borderville and occasional moonlighting with Stornoway and Richard Walters) to fill out the Fee sound.

Tamara Parsons-Baker, a singer-songwriter in her own right and perhaps Oxford's finest female vocalist, cut her teeth at the city's myriad open mics, where she and Astley would often duet; her joining the band was the natural course of action. The result is a combo that plays hard and soft and fun and fierce, in a style they like to call 'the New Butch'. With the Tom Waits songbook in one pocket and some lipstick in the other, Huck and the Handsome Fee are poised for 2010.