Grahame Greene and so was the salad...

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

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

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

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

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

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'

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!