A Diary of an album launch party
It`s just after midnight when I decide to have an early night, but end up watching an electrical storm split the skies over Edinburgh. May 7th has arrived with a real bang. We`ve been working on the release of “No Colour Too Strong To Paint” for several months in an effort to raise as much money as possible for The Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital and today was the day of reckoning.
The first task of the day was to deliver some bits and pieces to the venue. As it was a charity night we had permission to bring in our own rider for the bands, who were all playing the gig for no fee. Seven bands and a few volunteers amounted to 30 people, so we had a paltry three drinks each for them. I was then informed that no one had bothered to clear this with the manager in charge for the day and i wasn`t allowed on the premises. After much negotiation the manager kindly agreed to let us leave the rider there while she sorted things out.
I arrive back at the venue to find that they were willing to let us use half the rider, one and half drinks each. It was the least of my worries though. Anyone who has had a party of any kind must go through the “what if no one turns up” phase. I needn`t have worried as people start queuing early, waiting for the doors to open.
As the place begins to fill, the limited edition cd`s are selling well. Big hearted punters are buying the £6 disc and putting their change in the collection bucket. Even in times as tight as these, people are willing to delve a little deeper to help such a good cause.
David Winpenny has the unenviable task of opening proceedings and he pulls it off superbly. Just himself and his acoustic guitar, he quietens down the chattering audience who quickly warm to his well crafted songs.
The Remnant Kings are the first full band of the evening and the volume cranks up a little. The play a great set of indie rock, augmented well by their violin player, who adds an unusual texture to this style of music.
Next up are My Electric Love Affair, a band I’ve always loved. It has to be said that MELA are a genuine love them or hate them band. The audience opinion is split by the 10 minute trance inducing psychedelic songs. Those of us old enough to remember Suicide and Spacemen 3 will always warm to this lot though.
I`ve been listening to Steve Heron`s album for the last few months but have yet to see him live. Steve and his band certainly didn`t let me down. “Eleanor” was the first track I’d heard of Steve`s and the one that made me want to hear more, so i was delighted it was included in the set. His cover of “This Charming Man” was an inspired choice and had a certain Frantic Chant guitarist flailing about the dance floor.
It was during Steve`s set that it dawned on me that I was actually playing a gig and not just helping to organise it. With all the build up to tonight, I felt a little nervous for the first time in a good few years. Our set flies by in a flash and it`s time for our last song, “Reel Eyes”. Suddenly the stage fills up with members of the audience, dancing, singing and falling on their arses. Bouncers are pulling people off the floor before they get trampled on. This song is always open to some ad libbing from Stazy and relies on eye contact and wee nods to each other as we pick up the pace. The stage is so crowded by now, I can’t see any of the band, just bodies landing on top of me and my drums. We get to the end of the song, managing to get to the changes all at the same time. Afterwards we all agree that this is, by far, the best gig we have ever done.
The Steals are next on and are in fine form. They always deliver a full on, adrenaline fuelled set and tonight is no different. In Lee, they have a charismatic frontman who commands an audience`s attention. Their songs of good times and escapism certainly strike a chord with their crowd.
White Heath are a fantastic band, when I first saw them play I was raving about them to anyone who would listen. I was really looking forward to them tonight. The fact that they were on so late and the crowd had thinned out a little didn`t have any effect on their performance. Their singer has a voice that cracks with emotion and I was blown away by them all over again. I can`t wait to hear their debut album which should be out soon.
The night was tremendous success, the bands played to a great, appreciative crowd, we made a few quid for the hospital and the venue made a fortune behind the bar. I was going to go into detail about how shabbily we were treated by the venue and bouncers but their baffling behaviour wasn`t going to put a dampener on this evening. Even the rain that was now bucketing down couldn`t do that.
I`d just like to thank Ginger Music Promotions, Stephen Young, Dom Holt, all the bands and everyone who came out and supported this labour of love.
You can download the album from here http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/no-colour-too-strong-to-paint/id435410723
Join the Facebook page too, there will be more announcements coming soon that you won`t want to miss. www.facebook.com/charityalbum
No comments:
Post a Comment