Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?

Subject: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: alanabit
Date: 27 May 02 - 04:20 PM

I have been listening to some wonderful music from our US colleagues recently. In particular, Sorcha Dorcha and the superb Ten Penny Bit have rarely been off the CD player. (These bands feature Mudcatters In Obu and Robin 2 respectively). Michael R's Greenhouse are pretty good too. I have been thinking wistfully that I wonder when I am going to see and hear them live. Like most 'catters I guess, I have neither the time, resources nor pull to set up tours. On the other hand, I do have a fair amount of local knowledge and can hand on contacts, telephone numbers etc which I could share with any musicians who are likely to be on tour over in these parts. I know that the idea of a Mudcat tour was mooted some time ago and it would do no harm to have another look at that thread and see what useful ideas/concensus came out of it. I am not doing much more than thinking aloud here, but essentially my question is, "What practical help can we offer to other Mudcatters who plan to play in our area?" Who has some bright ideas?

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Amos
Date: 27 May 02 - 04:25 PM

P'raps you should procure a grant from the Gummint to bring those rough-edged colonials over in the interests of cross-pollination!! That is probably the biggest single hurdle -- the high cost of first class seats on that funny looking supersonic airplane!! :>)

A

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 May 02 - 04:33 PM

They'd probably take one look at most of us and ban us from the posh planes.

The main expense of foreign trips though isn't necessarily the fare, it's the expenses of living when you get there. It ought to be possible to organise something.

Subject: BS: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From:
Date: 27 May 02 - 05:29 PM

Cross-pollination!!! I've heard it called a lot of things, but not this.

Lots of the Americans took home Brit Brides. Also left a few War Babies behind.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Llanfair
Date: 27 May 02 - 05:37 PM

I'm always happy to offer accommodation to anyone visiting Wales, except if they are allergic to animals, and then I can find alternatives locally.

I would love to visit the US, so, whenever the trip over the pond is sorted, count me in.

Also, if anyone has any gigs for me in the UK, I can get to most places for free, all I need is a comfy bed to sleep in!!!!

Bill Sables is the man with the plan. He's checking out chartering a plane.

Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: greg stephens
Date: 27 May 02 - 06:34 PM

Overpaid oversexed and over here. Come across if you're hard enough

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Gareth
Date: 27 May 02 - 06:47 PM

Greg - That may be "Folk Tradition", but it ain't diplomatic.

On the other paw, should we charter a rusty old tramp steamer ? With a good 'Shanty Crew' ?

And pray we don't divert via 'Fiddlers Green'

Gareth

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: InOBU
Date: 27 May 02 - 07:02 PM

Having just lost a dear friend a few hours ago, I am completely chuffed to hear such praise of my band, and it couldn't be better timed, thanks. Here is an idea... once the Mudcat CD comes out, lets look at getting grants on both sides of the puddle to do some musical exchange program, not only the Engish speaking bands (I could be funny and say, the Irish speaking bands as well)... but really there is John the Ferryman, Rollo's band over in Hamburg, and during these dark days, wouldn't it be grand to organise some nice cultural get together? Maybe we need to get a vertual committee together to do a little grant research on line... and we can use the CD as the organising tool. In the grant of course, a bit to support the Mcat. Maybe we should start a thread on this... eh?
Larry
PS again thanks...

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: greg stephens
Date: 27 May 02 - 07:08 PM

Larry InObu Sorry about your pal. Anyway, get yourself over, my house is yours, the chair's on the verandah, the whisky's in the jar, the kettle's on, and my banjo's ready. Greg

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Bobert
Date: 27 May 02 - 07:26 PM

Hmmmmmm? Seems to me it should be relatively easy to set up a resource room where Catfolk could offer accomodations to other Catfolk. Anyway, ol' Bobert will go on record here of offerin' 2 or 3 nights lodging in my English Double Decker bus which has been turned into a cottage and has most of the conviences of home. I live on the Blue Ridge Mountain 10 miles south of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia which is 60 miles northwest of Washington, D.C....

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: greg stephens
Date: 27 May 02 - 07:32 PM

I'll be there, Bobert.That bus sounds great. Anypints of bitter, chips, mushy pes and gravy?

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 27 May 02 - 08:08 PM

That bus sounds cool enough for me to travel the 60 miles from DC to Harpers m'self! I can't offer anything so interesting, but I do have a spare room moments away from Washington DC to offer most any Catter who is looking to gig/travel in this area (UK, American, Canadian...whatever).

I know it would be an *amazing* thing if I could land enough gigs to justify my band jumping the great pond. Any booking agents in the Isles read here? I can send demos! ;D

In all reality, it would cost a great deal to transport and pay a 6 person band. We'd love to do it, but I think we'd have to be the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem to get enough $$$ to make it worth the while.

I'll keep the dream going, though...

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Peg
Date: 27 May 02 - 09:14 PM

spare room in Boston here (but not if you're allergic to cats). Lots of places to play traditional music. My sometime bandmates and I are thinking of organizing a ceili in October; sort of Samhain themed. We have one fine local seanachie we want to ask to tell a story, but wouldn't mind another. Any other spooky or dark songs of samhain (or faery or witches etc.) would go over great...

BTW, I shall be in Great Britain in June, roughly June 15th thru July 1st. Planning to be in Edinburgh/Aberdeen in Scotland, a bit in London, a bit in Banbury/Oxford, Avebury/Devizes, and hopefully to Glastonbury as well. I don't come with a band but I sing a pretty mean traditional a cappella/sean nos style if I do say so meself...

peg

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Charcloth
Date: 27 May 02 - 09:47 PM

hey I'd be willing to put up a room for folks visiting the Cincinnati area, maybe have a jam or two. We've been talking about visiting Scotland &/or Ireland but just for visiting (I could be persuaded to peform a time or two though)Anyway it would be cool to see a few of other catters there

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Bert
Date: 27 May 02 - 11:11 PM

I just typed in a message but Microsoft decided that you didn't need to read it.

Any Mudcatters going anywhere, just post your itinerary, there will be another Mudcatter out there willing to give you a bed or at least a bit of floor space.

But we can't do it if we don't know. Start a thread and keep refreshing it. We're here for you.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 May 02 - 11:40 PM

As to traveling about........Some of you may not have been around for the Great Mudcat Tour when Allan C. (of West Virginia) and Bill Sables (of Yorkshire) toured the USA staying with 'Catters all along the way......the great couch tour if you will. Their trip covered the US clear out to Colorado and up through Montana and ended back at Mudcat Central.....The FIVE threads devoted to their travels begins HERE. You can also listen to the archived "Mudcat Radio" that they did at the end....a very magical night for many of us.

I was also thinking that it was just about this time last year that Bill returned with Young Sam Pirt and Ian on their first trip here and what a wonderful time we had when they stayed here.

Suffice it to say that a 'Catter wanting to go anywhere in this country or the UK and parts of Europe as well as Australia can find many other 'Catters willing to share the good times, the good music, the good food, and the great friendships. On the other hand, I'm located a third of the way across the US just off of the main east/west Interstate and damn near no one ever stops here! I guess it's the uncontrolled flatulence or something.............

Spaw

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 May 02 - 11:45 PM

Yep, I have to admit that she does. Heard Peg in Boston on several occasions.

If you decide to visit Michigan, your accomodations are ready. You will have to put up with Esmerelda the talking cat. And she will talk your ear off. She even talks more than the 10 year old. But it is good conversation...........LOL. You are welcome at my place, folks.

Mick

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: alanabit
Date: 28 May 02 - 03:09 AM

There's lots of good stuff coming over here. Keep it coming folks. As I said, I'm essentially only thinking aloud here, although I would like to mould it into something more concrete. The two major expenses for a band crossing the pond are the travel and the cost of living when you get there. 'Catters helping one another out with accommodation is great, but there are other things we can do. Let's imagine a situation where a band from say Kentucky comes over. They have three or four big festival gigs and maybe a few town festivals but virtually nothing from Sundays to Thursdays. I could put them onto Irish Pub gigs which while not well paid, at least provide beds and stop the bands from burning money on those in between days. You can hope to make a bit of money in between by busking, but you are more likely to be successful there with the aid of a little local knowledge. You don't want to waste time and money travelling to places where it is either banned or pitches are overplayed. Local knowledge is also the best help when your car breaks down, you don't speak the language or you urgently need certain equipment etc. These are all things I can help with. Keep those ideas coming. I like what I have been reading so far.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: alanabit
Date: 28 May 02 - 04:13 AM

Can you PM me Celtic Soul? I think I had a look at your site when we were swapping CDs. I recall that you used costumes and a bit of a show. It might be possible to give you one or two e-mail addresses which would be worth checking out for work on Mainland Europe.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Peg
Date: 28 May 02 - 11:43 AM

I can attest to the kindness of several Brit Mudcatters who have all offered me lodging when I have travelled there. So far have only stayed with Micca and the Popular Halfwit! Hope to see both of them this time around, too. and maybe Liz the Squeak. Will be staying briefly with Jock Morris in Scotland as well. My trip is just not long enough...

Mick, where did you hear me in Boston? Just curious.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 May 02 - 11:44 AM

I guess most of us have links with at least one folk club and can therefore get you at least one extra gig, probably won't pay much but would be good fun.Certainly the west wing at Chez Gomez is available to all, hot and cold running cats and all the bodrhans you can eat *BG*.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Peg
Date: 28 May 02 - 11:44 AM

I can attest to the kindness of several Brit Mudcatters who have all offered me lodging when I have travelled there. So far have only stayed with Micca and the Popular Halfwit! Hope to see both of them this time around, too. and maybe Liz the Squeak. Will be staying briefly with Jock Morris in Scotland as well. My trip is just not long enough...

Mick, where did you hear me in Boston? Just curious.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 28 May 02 - 11:59 AM

I'm coming down to D.C. with the Gospel Messengers on June 15, and we're all being put up by Mudcatters, as far as I know. It's not only a great help financially, but it's a great way to meet and get to know fellow 'Catters. I think the idea of posting an intinerary is fine, although most places that run concerts and clubs have a ready list of local people, 'Catters and otherwise, who are happy to provide lodging.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 May 02 - 08:41 PM

Sour warning note. One thing to remember is that posting addresses and so forth in open threads isn't a good idea. PMs on the other hand are secure, but you still need to make sure you know whom you are talking to, and whether you can trust them.

I just thought I'd put that reminder in, because it's so friendly on the Cat, most of the time, that it's possible to forget that not everyone who reads it, or even writes it, is necessarily friendly or trustworthy. I'm not really paranoid...

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 28 May 02 - 08:43 PM

Hey, Alanabit...

It may be my techno-incompetency, but I tried to PM you and failed quite gloriously. In fact, it told me you don't exist...The 'Cat must be existentialist.

In any case, I'd appreciate your PMing me if you have the time...I'll respond there. In the meantime, I think I'll have to take "Mudcat 101" from my sister so I can jump into the 80's technologically.

Thanks!!

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Robin2
Date: 28 May 02 - 10:25 PM

Alan,

Thanks for the kind words about Ten Penny Bit, I'm blushing....

I know when I toured Denmark, I left the US with $80.00 in my pocket, and with the kindness of people sharing homes and tables, only spent $40 of that in two weeks. Getting there is the hardest part. We were lucky enough to have a savvy person secure a grant from the Danish government to pay our travel. Anyone good at writing grants?

From this end, I have a ton of contacts I'm happy to pass along for people to send demos to. PM me if you think you'd like to come through Kentucky/southern IN area.

Perhaps there could be a permathread for touring mudcatters? A grassroots effort by people interested in the music (not just the profit), promoting mudcatters across both sides of the pond. This thread is a great start, I'd like to see it continue!

Again, thanks Alan for the kind words.

Robin

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Big Mick
Date: 28 May 02 - 11:55 PM

Peg, I heard you when I came to Paddy Burke's last summer with Shay Walker, Barry Finn, Dan Milner, etc. I was in town for six weeks or so and attended 3 or 4 of the sessions. You did several as gaeilige, and a number of others. Did a very nice job on the stuff you did in Irish.

Mick

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: alanabit
Date: 29 May 02 - 05:56 AM

I'll get back to you either this evening or tomorrow, when I have a day off Celtic Soul. As I said, I can't fix up major gigs for people, but I can hand on contacts, web sites and phone numbers which I come across. I don't think one can overstate the value of local knowledge either. Here's an example: When you look at the map of Austria, you think it's only about 200km from Linz in the North to Graz in the South. That will be two hours, won't it? Anyone who has done that trip will tell you that you must either cross the Alps or drive around Vienna. I'm sure that there are plenty of similar facts which I would need to know about America. I personally know nothing about getting grants. Being a singer/songwriter disqualifies me from being cultural enough to get that sort of support (or indeed playing most places). However, I should imagine that bands like Ten Penny Bit or Sorcha Dorcha would have every chance. Let's keep this thread up until someone writes in with a really bright idea.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 29 May 02 - 06:46 AM

Bobert: any songs about Harper's Ferry ?(apart from John Brown's Body). Just a general interest, as an admitted Science Fiction nut,several "alternate histories" centre on the raid on Harper's Ferry

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Pied Piper
Date: 29 May 02 - 09:54 AM

This sounds like a great idea; however getting money for folk events in the UK is notoriously difficult. Now if it was an Opera, or an avant garde clasical or jazz event you'd have no trouble. All the best PP.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: alanabit
Date: 29 May 02 - 02:51 PM

It might be difficult in the UK, but there are events and festivals on mainland Europe which pay reasonable money. If we can get some interest from bookers there, we could start talking about breaking even.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 29 May 02 - 03:39 PM

Any groups touring in the Colorado area, contact me. I may be able to help line up at least one paying weekend gig. And, sure, my band would love to tour the British Isles. Any venues available for a loud American Blues and R&B group? How solid ARE those pub walls, anyway?

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: GUEST,alanabit without cookie
Date: 30 May 02 - 09:57 AM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Robin2
Date: 30 May 02 - 12:01 PM

Radio play can help a lot when it comes to getting bookings. Looking into radio stations that would be willing to play indi artists would help to land bookings when the time comes to tour that area. Always helps to have somewhat of a fan base before you get there!

For instance Alan, is there any radio stations that you know of in your area that might play some mudcat music?

We have several radio programs produced here in Kentucky that would accept cuts for review. Anyone interested, PM me and I'll look up the contact info.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: mooman
Date: 30 May 02 - 12:37 PM

If a trip to the US/Canada is on and Bill manages to charter the plane...count me in like Bron above!

If he can't...I'll do it myself anyway (I've been meaning to do a tour round some of the US/Canada Mudcat centres and to meet as many transatlantic colleagues as possible). Because of existing summer teaching commitments in India, it probably won't be till next year though.

mooman

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 02 - 12:46 PM

Actually, the British government does have a cultural arts fund which can be used for travel expenses by British artists coming to perform in the US. I've no idea what it is called, or who administers it, but I know there are established professional British folk artists who have used those grants to get here.

As I recall, there must be US sponsors and gigs already lined up in advance, but that shouldn't be too difficult to organize.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: alanabit
Date: 30 May 02 - 01:31 PM

I like what I'm reading here. Don't you live in Brussels mooman? It's only two hours west of me, so maybe we should get in touch. Robin2 is dead right of course. Radio is a help - and yes - I do have contacts in a couple of the smaller local stations and there should be some chance of getting some airplay. The majors is a different story... Essentially they are ring fenced against anyone who is not supported by a major record company. That is not the point though. We have to concentrate on the things we can do rather than those which we can't. Local publications are also a useful medium. In some rural areas they are so short of news that they print an obituary every time a cat gets run over. You have a good chance of picking up some useful coverage in one of those.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: mooman
Date: 30 May 02 - 03:47 PM

Yes alanabit...I'm in Brussels and I'd be delighted to get in touch with you. You can PM me your details and I'll do the same.

Very best regards,

mooman

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: alanabit
Date: 31 May 02 - 03:11 PM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 31 May 02 - 05:30 PM

No worries, Alan...when you can. And you're spot on, yes...terrain, etc. plays a big part. Thanks for being willing to share your information. I know we wouldn't expect you to actually coordinate gigs for us. We'd be happy with the contacts, and go from there. It's a dream...if it can be made real, cool...if not, no harm in persuing it. Thanks again!!

Subject: RE: Brits and Yanks - a constructive thread?
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 05:28 AM

You're welcome. You and Robin should have received some stuff per PM by now. Hope it was useful.