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Manchester Craft: Unplugged
Sat 12th – Sun 13th Oct (1-5pm)
FREE
Manchester Craft & Design Centre is delighted to be part of the annual creative celebration that is Manchester Weekender 2013. As part of this years programme MCDC introduces a four-day illustration exhibition along with a weekend of fantastic acoustic music, hosted in one of the most characterful buildings in the city.
We are delighted to be bringing the best live acts from across the North West to the centre, as part of this years weekender celebrations. A host of acoustic musicians will play over the weekend under the unique setting of MCDC, so make sure you head over and see the best live musicians on the scene and it is completely free.
FULL LINE-UP:
Saturday 12th October
Emily ‘String’ Street (1-2pm)
Emily ‘string’ Street is a singer songwriter from the North West. Her key influences range from Blondie to Damien Rice via the Spice Girls. Emily’s witty observations of everyday life and unique humor identify cleverly with her audiences, exploring love, life and everything in-between. She draws you in with a combination of intriguing lyrics, beautiful melodies combined with sarcastic undertone.
For more info: CLICK HERE
The Bear Around Your Neck (2-3pm)
The Bear Around Your Neck is lyrically complex and poetically potent with wordplay inspired by Bob Dylan. Storytelling of the grittiest and darkest kind is one of the great strengths of Nathaniel Scott and this, combined with his unconventional vocal style creates a rather dark, honest and misanthropic mood to the overall tone of his music.
For more info: CLICK HERE
First Name Frank (3-4pm)
A man, a piano, a one bedroom flat, a laptop, a small collection of microphones, musical trinkets, and songs. FirstnameFrank is a simple new project from Frank Beaver, past-time band leader of a six piece vaudeville punk troupe, star27, and long-time teacher of piano, music, and media. Full-time reader, part-time painter, real-time drinker.
No promises, no deadlines and no complications; FirstnameFrank material will be uploaded here as it is recorded, and played live in venues as it is invited. While a one man band at its essence, collaborations in performance and production will happen from time to time and offers of such will always be welcome. FirstnameFrank’s debut album Flat Sounds was originally recorded in 2011 and has since been completely re-recorded twice. No versions of the album have ever been released. FirstnameFrank is currently working on the fourth version of Flat Sounds to be released in January 2014.
For more info: CLICK HERE
Richard Lomax (4-5pm)
Solo performer, based in Manchester, who plays guitar and sings (mainly) though is partial to the odd Omnichord – comparisons drawn have been wide and varied including Nick Cave, Frank Black, Bowie, Jeff Lewis, Lee Hazlewood, Scott Walker and Jonathan Richman.
Currently creates music under the name of Johnny5thWheel&thecowards with Stevie Guy of The Woodwards. Previously frontman of surf rockers, thee Uncomfortables. Has also played guitar, mandolin, ukulele, Omnichord and sung for FirstnameFrank and Avital Raz & The Chosen Ones.
“Richard Lomax is a madman. As he sings his drunken, manic, sea-shanty style songs, his eyeballs roll into the back of his head, his face distorts into scowls and frowns and he wails unexpectedly, becoming more than just a mouth-piece for the songs but at one with the despair the song depicts… compelling, screwed up and brilliant.” – Melissa Davey (Drum Media)
For more info: CLICK HERE
Sunday 13th October
Emily ‘String’ Street (1-2pm)
As above
Songs For Walter (2-3pm)
When it comes to family, many of us keep things close to our chests. But rather than keeping his kin hidden in a old dusty photo album, Songs For Walter’s Laurie Hulme is more likely to be found making a song about them. In particular his late grandfather Walter. One listen to the Songs For Walter EP and what you’ll hear is a stunning memoir of one extraordinary fellow and his strangely wonderful world.
Walter was a living, breathing story himself. From his much-loved caravan holidays in Scotland and Wales brilliantly depicted by Ukulele song ‘Tin Can’, to the bittersweet romance of lead-track ‘Meet Me At The Empire’ – a tale of Laurie’s grandparents’ first date to the Empire theatre – each song is like a yellowing polaroid taking you further into another chapter of Walter’s life.
But make no mistake; this is not simply a nostalgia trip. Equally inspired by Lou Reed and John Cale’s “Songs For Drella” the two releases of the EP is a personal musical anecdote exuding the kind of rawness to only come from a self-produced release. “I really love lo-fi stuff, there’s something so much more honest about it,” explains Laurie. “What you lose in quality you gain in character.”
“Songs that you feel have always been with you and remind you of all your favourite memories…life changing” – Jacob Graham ‘The Drums’
For more info: CLICK HERE
Mathew Gray & The Awful Truth (3-4pm)
Mathew Gray is a songwriter from Burnley now based in Manchester. His influences are the most lyrical of songwriters (Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Jake Thackray) and his songs are intelligent, comic and emotive. Now joined by The Awful Truth, with the most accomplished percussion, melodeon, harp and double bass players, they create a fantastic sound and will be playing throughout the summer including Festival No.6 in Portmeirion.
For more info: CLICK HERE
Literature Thieves (4-5pm)
Literature Thieves are a Manchester based female trio made up of Angela Hazeldine, Amy Clarkson and Cassie Elwood. Formed in 2011, they are a close knit group with tight harmonies and melodic simplicity. Self taught and displaying an urge to play plenty of live shows; they have frequented the Manchester scene for the past eighteen months. The trio have built a devote local following and are surprised by their ever expanding audience.
With a macrocosm of lyrical influences, the girls take their influences from the shared obsession with the moon, earth and life experiences mapped out within the stars. However, this really isn’t your run of the mill standard hippy bullshit, their musical influences also draw up their ‘pop / folk’ up bringing, drawing from Simon and Garfunkel, Dolly Parton, Buell Kazee and The Carter family, not forgetting Stevie Nicks or Kate Bush.
“All beautiful harmonies, gently strummed mandolins and plenty of heart-bruising lyricism, this was less a grand statement of intent from one of Manc music 2012’s most amazing new bands, and more a cosy campfire sing-along with three bessie mates you’d yet to make.” – City Life
For more info: CLICK HERE
To find out what’s on over the Manchester Weekender: CLICK HERE
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