DIY TOUR - BECKY LOVATT, REN SPITS AT MAGPIES, KATIE RAINE & PERKIE

Hi all!!! Its been a few weeks since my last gig (which I didnt blog about) so I thought id update on here :)

I played at the Maze in Nottingham last night, in the upstairs room as there was another (heavier it must be said) gig happening downstairs. Never been in the upstairs room but it was pleasantly cosy and instantly relaxing, and perfect for an acoustic gig!!!! As usual Parisa had waved her magic wand on a dull room filling it with her fluffy fairy lights, flowers, drapes and table cloths, she really does a good job at making a room more homely!

So, it got to 8pm and the room started to fill up quite quickly, I was really pleased with the turn out, the room was full so it was lovely to play to them. I opened up about 8.20pm and people were still coming in so by the time I'd finished there were lots of faces to play to :D

I played a new setlist, but did my favourite songs so I really ended up enjoying the set so much more than some of my others. This was definitely the best one yet! I worked it so it was original, cover, original, cover (etc) just because people dont know my original stuff so well yet, so it breaks it up when you sing a song everyone will know! Anyway heres the setlist!

1. Alive (which is on youtube) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF0mi3Lhsp8
2. Many of Horror (Biffy Clyro cover)
3. Everybody (original on the new EP due out 24th Oct 2011)
4. Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri (i have done a keyboard cover on youtube) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fGhx4LXASQ
5. (I've had) Enough (original on the new EP)
6. The Scientist - Coldplay

Everyone seemed to enjoy it, well, they all shut up when I was playing, watched and clapped at appropriate times so I'll take that as a good sign!!!!

So, thats me, what about the others?

Ren was next up, and she was fantastic! Singing about politics, and other world issues, and making the audience laugh with her tales of her first tattoo and antics in the recent student protests. A great voice with well written, thought out songs, everyone loved her! Oh, and musical bumps was a great idea to get everyone involved!

Then Katie Raine took to the stage... wow she has a very unique voice with a great 'rasp' to it. Although she had a sore throat it really didnt matter, the songs were great, the guitar (and ukulele) were fantastic and well used, with some great rhythms and meaningful lyrics.

To close the show, we had Perkie. If you havent heard of Perkie, or heard any of her stuff, you HAVE to check it out, such a lovely lady with a fantastic voice and superb songs, I can tell you now, you will not be disappointed!!!! She used to play keyboard for the Kingblues but left to play her own stuff, and you can see why, shes amazing!!! Using just her keyboard and voice, she sang about all sorts of things, politics, old people, protests, all sorts, it was fantastic! Her voice is so unique too, youll have to see her to see what I mean, you wont be dissappointed!

So anyway, a fantastic night all round, and if you get the chance to catch the girls while theyre on tour, definitely do, its a great night!

Follow their tumblr blog here: http://perkiekatierentour.tumblr.com/

And dont forget to check out my website: http://www.beckylovattmusic.co.uk 

My EP will be released for download on the 24th October 2011, and I will make hard copies available too to sell at gigs etc.

Next gig: 3rd September, Party in the Park, Tibshelf, 1pm

JUST AN UPDATE FOR Y'ALL...

I havent blogged in over a week, and Im having withdrawals, so Im going to update you as to whats happening with me and my music...

So, if you follow my blog youll know that I am releasing my debut EP in late summer/early autumn. I am pleased to report all the songs have been recorded now, and im currently deciding whether to put a bonus song on or wait and gather more material for an album... if you have any opinions on this please feel free to comment!

Iv also finished my promo shots for my website and EP, the lovely Cara Jade Photography (find her on facebook) took the shots, and they look fantastic!!! Very pleased with them so far, just waiting for the rest to come back but you will be able to find them on my website when I have them. Heres one of the pictures I have from the shoot though, what do you think?

Which leads me nicely onto my next update, my website. Iv designed it myself, so let me know what you think. It pulls together my facebook, twitter, soundcloud, blog, and youtube to one place, and gives a bit of background on myself. www.beckylovattmusic.co.uk

Lastly! I have a few gigs coming up...

10th August - Jamcafe, Nottingham - open mic - FREE
25th August - The Maze, Nottingham - Myself, Katie Raine, Ren and Perkie are providing the entertainment for the night! Fantastic talent, a great venue, amazing people... get yourselves down! £3 suggested donation on the door - the link to the event is here - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=230907473607679

3rd September - Party In The Park, Tibshelf Community School Sports Field... if your local get yourselves down!!!! Live music and stalls, think theyll also be a beer tent...what more could you want?

And that sums up my updates!!!
Thanks for listening ;)

Bek x

VIDEOS OF MYSELF @ ACOUSTICKLE, THE MAZE, NOTTINGHAM

Here are the videos from when i played at the maze a few weeks ago, let me know what you think...

November (original song) by Myself....

Alive (original song) by Myself ...

Feeling Good (Muse) by Myself...

I did three other songs but they weren't recorded...i hope you enjoy these :) xxx

WHEN I PLAYED AT ACOUSTICKLE, THE MAZE, NOTTINGHAM

Well im packing them in now...last night i played a 30 minute set @ the maze in Nottingham as part of the Acoustickle night organised by Parisa Eliyon. If youve ever been to the maze, youll know its fully kitted out for any band and can hold quite a few people. It is available to hire out for gigs etc so if your interested you should check out their website - http://www.themazerocks.com/

Anyway back to the night in hand...Parisa did a fantastic job of turning the Maze (which is a bit like an underground rock venue) into a cute, chilled out venue with her little box of tricks! Fairy lights, flowers and candles all round...so we had the venue, now all we needed was the music...

I was first up (about 8.30pm), and played about 25mins of covers and originals. I started with P!nk - Perfect. This is one of my favourite songs at the moment, and its very recent so i try and get in one which isnt an old classic, i suppose to show im not a one trick pony!! I then went on to do my own track - Runaway, which is pretty self explanatory (you can check it out on my youtube channel BEX9637). I then did a new one - a cover of teenage kicks by the undertones but with a very acoustic twist on it, just to bring the tone down a bit as the first two songs were quite upbeat. I enjoyed doing that one but i dont know if il be doing it again, it wasnt my favourite.

My next two songs were both originals - Alive and November (again both on my youtube channel). Alive is pretty rocky, whereas November is a bit more pop folk in style. November is probably one of my strongest songs, and since Johnny Wright (manager of the Jonas Brothers, Britney, Justin Timberlake, etc) even saw the song on youtube and complimented me on it, iv tended to do that one!! Hey, he knows right!?!

I ended the night with my favourite cover - Feeling Good by Muse. Again i recorded this song recently for youtube :) Its one of my favourite covers to do as the guitar part is so simple, yet i can show off my vocals...

(There will be videos of my last 3 songs in next couple of days when the guy who recorded them puts them up, so i will put those up in a few days).

I only got to see one other act as i had to rush off, but he was definitely worth seeing...Richard Howell. A singer-songwriter with quite a David Grey style of songwriting, but with a bit more upbeat guitar. I'd say a cross between David Grey and the Goo Goo Dolls...both of whom i love so he ticked my boxes. If you ever get a chance to check out this guys set, seriously do, his songs are definitely worth the listen, and he makes the audience feel really comfortable and at ease while your watching him... His songs are brilliant as well, and hes a great guitarist, so if you like good music, youll like this guy!! He has a few songs on youtube that i found so check him out!!

So yer, all in all a great night! I will be going back soon i enjoyed it that much! :)
Thanks to Parisa for letting me play...and the maze team also for holding a great night...
Bex x

<<< PS, do you like the converse!?! my beautiful shoes!

OPEN MIC NIGHT - JAMCAFE, NOTTINGHAM

So, Id heard about this cute little cafe in Nottingham that turned into a cool chilled out venue on a Wednesday Night. That, i can confirm, is an accurate description. Organised by a singer/songwriter called Andy, who opened the night with his awesome Newton Faulkner/Jose Gonzalez style, he organises a fantastic night. If you ever get the chance to pop down, definitely do, this is the cutest little venue youll find, with people who just appreciate music and like a good live artist to serenade them of an evening.

I went on about 9.45pm and did 4 covers... i opened with The Verve 'Sonnet,' then Jamie Scott 'Standing in the Rain,' Pink 'Perfect,' and ended with my own version of Muse 'Feeling good.' Which i recorded...

The night went great, my song choices (chosen by my boyfriend Mat, myself and friend Harry) were a great choice and went down well especially the very well known two in there.

There were some other great performances from a duo (i cant remember their names sorry), with a guy playing guitar and girl singing who were very much like a Katie Melua sound, gorgeous to listen to. A guy, Aiden, who sang like Johnny Cash, and did a couple of country/ folky tunes, and there was also a guy who was very similar to Gavin Degraw, but with a guitar and not keys.

So that was a brief little summary, ended up in the bar afterwards so i didnt get to see everyone unfortunately, but it really is a great chilled out night if thats what your after. Its up in the Lace Market, near Ice Nine and Baa Baa so if you get a chance on a wednesday night, head on up there for a great treat. I will be going back very soon, i loved it :)

Thanks for everyone who came to support me lastly, you know how much i appreciate it (Mat, Matt S, Matt O, Harry, Pearse, and Guy (who turned up after id sang...better late than never i suppose)).

This monday, 13th June, i am playing a half an hour set at the Maze in Nottingham (Mansfield Rd), so if anyones local pop up and say hi, its 7.30-8pm.

Love,
Bex x