Coming up soon!

If you don't know what January Songs is all about then head over to januarysongs.tumblr.com for hours of videos and music. Then go and buy your tickets over here!

SYB x

December 2nd at The Windmill

David Tattersall

Jack Hayter

Christmas Party!

More info over here and get your tickets here.

Twitter

Facebook

The Tamesis Dock!!

Ahoy me hearties!!!

Freschard

The Wilderness Of Manitoba

The Lobster Boat

The stragglers......

Free Lobster Boat Downloads!

With the show on Tamesis Dock just one day away get yourself a free download of two tracks from The Lobster Boat by David Tattersall and Howard Hughes along with a cover of one of their tracks by SYB favourite Darren Hayman all courtesy of Where It's At Is Where You Are

Howard Hughes & David Tattersall - He Can See Her by wiaiwya

Howard Hughes & David Tattersall - The Lobster Boat by wiaiwya

Darren Hayman - He Can See Her by wiaiwya

The album will be on sale at the show or you can pick up a copy from WIAIWYA.

Tickets are available here and will be on sale until around lunchtime on Tuesday.

SYB x 

Poster For Next Week

Tickets are really starting to shift so if you want to make sure of your spot on the boat, save yourself a few quid and get one now from wegottickets.

See you next week,

SYB x

A taste of things to come on Tamesis 27th September

Hello,

Here's a few videos of the acts playing our show on Tamesis Dock in a couple of weeks.

The Lobster Boat

The Wilderness of Manitoba

Freschard

Columbus & Crusoe

Tickets are available here

SYB x

The Lobster Boat, The Wilderness of Manitoba, Freschard and Columbus & Crusoe - 27/09 Tamesis Dock

Hello there,

We're really excited to announce that we've got ourselves a new venue, Tamesis Dock, a converted 1930's Dutch barge moored up opposite the Houses of Parliament!

For our first gig here we've not got just any old show for you, this is going to be absolutely blinding! So, on September 27^th we have:

The Lobster Boat

Dave Tattersall (The Wave Pictures) and Howard Hughes (Coming Soon) playing songs from their brand new debut album (out now on Where It's At Is Where You Are!), The Lobster Boat also features Franic Rozycki (The Wave Pictures), Billy Jet Pilot (Coming Soon) and Jaune on the drums.

Howard Hughes & David Tattersall - the Lobster Boat by wiaiwya

You can find a few live videos here on their tour diary.

The Wilderness of Manitoba

Hailing from Toronto, Canadian folksters The Wilderness of Manitoba bring their chamber-folk to SYB

The Wilderness Of Manitoba - Orono Park from tinyOGRE on Vimeo.

http://www.thewildernessofmanitoba.com/

Freschard

From Berlin via New York, Paris and Burgundy Freschard, along with Stanley Brinks (fka André Herman-Düne) play gorgeous, witty, french indie-pop.

www.freschard.bandcamp.com

Columbus & Crusoe

London Based C&C complete the line-up with their brand of english folk-pop

Columbus & Crusoe - Heavy In My Heart from Jack Barraclough on Vimeo.

http://columbusandcrusoe.tumblr.com/

You can get advanced tickets for this here and don't hang about, this one's going to be a bit popular I reckon!

Cheers,

SYB x

Friday's Special Guests

Just a quicky to let you know we've added Vile Imbeciles as headliners for Friday's show at the Windmill. Here's a taster for you:



Vile Imbeciles - Apathetic Innocence by CameronDevlin

Party at The Windmill this Friday!

Our next gig is fast approaching we're having a bank holiday party at the Windmill this Friday!

We've got the first ever gig by Sons of Guns who are Rosie and Mark from SYB favourites Vanilla Nightmare.

We've also got The Mother Folkers back to SYB again, anyone who saw them last time will know they're not to be missed!

And finally we've got DJ Reck playing a full length set. You should have a listen to the mixtape he kindly put together for us, it's bloody brilliant!

DJ RECK Presents Stroke Your Beard Mixtape Vol 1 by DJ RECK>>

All this plus a few surprise acts for just £3!

Doors at 7pm with music kicking off around 8.

See you there!


Facebook Event


Twitter


Facebook Group

Sunday 17th July - All Dayer at The Windmill

Hello,

Our next gig is approaching fast and we've got a wonderful line-up for our show on Sunday:

Yngve & The Innocent
The Outdoor Types
Milkwood
Blank Jack Davy
Loud Like a Lion
And The Bear
Ross Davies

Doors at 4 with music kicking off at 5

£5 including a fantastic FREE BBQ!


Facebook Event

Facebook Group

Twitter

The Windmill

Next Show - Hideaway 7th July

Hello,

Our next show takes place at the Hideaway this Thursday. We've got a cracking little line-up:

The Little Pictures
Peter Delaney
Laurie McNamee
Lumiere Chieh

Just £3 on the door.

Doors at 7, music kicking off at 8 sharp

Facebook

Twitter

Hope to see you there!

SYB x

Glastonbeard at the Windmill Saturday - Free!

Hello,

We've got a FREE gig coming up for you at the Windmill this Saturday:

Hana Piranha
TEN
Wishful Thinking
Ali Warren
+ more to be announced

Facebook Event

Kicking off at about 7ish and, in case you missed it, it's absolutely free!

See you all down there.

Love,

SYB x

Darren Hayman - Sold Out!

Yep, I'm afraid tickets are completely sold out for tomorrows gig with Darren Hayman, 30lbs of Bone, Ralegh Long and John McIvor.

For those of you who managed to get tickets, get down there early if you want a spot on the grass, it's going to be a busy one!

Music starts at 8pm on the dot.

Cheers,

SYB

Stroke Your Beard Compilation

We've just about recovered from our birthday at the Windmill, we had a lovely time and I hope those of you that made it down had a cracking time too.  Thanks to all the bands that played on Saturday and everyone that's helped make our first year such a success!

On Saturday we also released our compilation album, featuring no less than 18 fantastic songs from acts that have graced the SYB stage over the last year.

You can pick up a copy at any of our gigs for just £3.  Yep, £3 for all this:

Blank Jack Davy – I Read It, I Sang It

And The Bear – Young Man Beware

Darren Hayman & The Secondary Modern – Winter Makes You Want Me More  (Soup 2009)

Dan of Green Gables – Goodbye John Andreas

Rosie May – Never Had a Plan

Renny Jackson – Ballad of a Private Man

Ali Warren – Accessories Not Included

Jack Hayter – Quotes

Adam – My Blue Moon

John McIvor – Johnny and Addicted

Milkwood – Five Stories

Wishful Thinking – White Elephant

Enderby’s Room – Lakeside

Dan Michaelson & The Coastguards – Something Awful/Dancing

Vanilla Nightmare – Eagle (Acoustic)

Moustache of Insanity – What’s the Point?

Scott Rudd – Bullshit Love

Loud Like a Lion – The Life Guard

Moving into our second year we’ve got some cracking gigs coming up. For our next Hideaway show on the 2^nd of June Darren Hayman returns, with support from 30lbs of Bone and Ralegh Long. Tickets are selling fast, if you haven’t got one yet then head over here sharpish.

SYB

DJ Reck is going to knock your bloody beard off - Check out the Mixtape!!!

Good day to all! How the devil are we? Christ it's been a while but we have some wonderful news for you.

On the 14th of May we have Stroke Your Beards very 1st birthday - One year old!!

And on this special occasion we have none other than DJ Reck coming on down to spin the vinyl - Because he is an absolute legend and a hell of a good bloke, he's gone the whole hog and made a cracking Stroke Your Beard Mixtape for us - It kicks ass and it's free to download so check it out at...............

http://soundcloud.com/dj-reck-3

He's got plenty of music to share around so pick his noggin and send many a message of encouragement!

DJ Reck! DJ Reck! DJ Reck!  

All our love
Stroke Your Beard x

Photos from the 22nd???

Hello Beards! 

It was a pleasure to see you all at The Gallery Cafe last week. We had a great time and our thanks go out to all the artists who made the show possible.

So! From the top, let me introduce:

Talking Timber (joined by James Cox)

Fang

Blabbermouth

Ali Warren talking rubbish on a microphone (and trying to pretend he knows what he's doing!)

Jack Hayter

And Rosie May

An interview with Rosie May.

Rosie May is an honorary beard. Honestly she's lovely and a damn good musician whilst we're at it! With this is mind we figured it was high time we asked her a few questions and if you like what you read, please feel free to pop down to our Gallery Cafe show on Saturday to give her listen! Ladies and gents, we give you Rosie May...............

Hello Rosie! Hows your day been?

Hello Beards! It's been really lovely thank you; birthday cake for breakfast with a blue sky above - a sterling start to the day!

A little birdie told me you moved up from the West Country to the big city, what was it that made you fly the nest?

I was planning on going to university in London to study music, but whilst at Glastonbury, in my mentally-malleable state, my friend And The Bear convinced me to move to London with him for a few months, to pursue my music. It was a huge jump for me, as an eighteen-year-old who had an academic plan ahead, but I decided it would make a great gap year. Almost a year and a half later and I have no plan to go to university! I believe I made the right choice, as I have been able to focus on my music, singing and song-writing more than if I had to simultaneously juggle it all with essays.

How has London living been so far? Is there anything you miss about home?

It has been an intense period of ups an downs. When I first moved here I thoroughly hated it, increasingly so. I was lucky enough to make a load of great friends quite quickly and they made it feel worthwhile. I think it was mainly the stress of London; it's a culture-shock and a half, the transition from a remote little hamlet in Somerset to the capital city... I knew how valuable a move it was to be here, amidst the busiest music scene in the UK and I just kept telling myself to 'hang in there'. By the time Spring came along, I knew my way around, had friends to see and lots of gigs to play – London was beginning to grow on me and my desperation to get back home was lifting. Nowadays, I absolutely love being here. I have brilliant musical friends and connections and always something exciting on the horizon to work towards. Most days are still stressful but they are never boring. I miss Somerset all the time; the natural landscapes, fresh air, muddy walks, being at home - the good life; but my life is here now.

How is the songwriting going? Can we be on the lookout for a new album?

I've taken a fair bit of time out of performing recently to focus on some new material. I've had the problem that I think most songwriters do at some stage, which is having about ten songs on the go at the same time and not knowing which one to work on and finish first – thus, finishing none. In the last couple of weeks, however, I've felt a had surge of creativity and feel like I'm sparkling with ideas all the time. I've been writing a fair amount of poetry recently, too. Now I just need to merge my melodies with my rhymes! As far as an album is concerned, I'm certain there will be one (maybe a sneaky little EP too) before the Summer, and you Beard-Strokers will be the first to know about it!

We know you as roots folk and blues artist, are you involved in any other projects? How do they compare?

Funny you should ask that, ever-inquisitive Beard, because I'm also involved in a huge and very different project to that of my Rosie May stuff; I play guitar, sing and write as part of a band called Bubbz And The Black Notez. We're a Western/African fusion band that's loosely based around hip- hop, dub and electro. I'm one of four members; three girls and a bloke, with a live set-up that combines the qualities of a live band, a DJ and an MC. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the team, writing that style of music and generally thinking in a very different way as to what I'm used to with my folk music. There's an astounding contrast between the two in just every single way – the laid- back, jolly nature of folk music in comparison to the elitism of the 'cool' pop world. It's a sometimes daunting experience, being in the heart of the two very different worlds and trying to keep the plates spinning, but definitely a valuable and ever-exciting one.

Our website: www.bubbzmusic.com

What do you think of London’s music scene? Is it the place to be?

As I haven't really experienced any others, I can safely say it trumps Taunton's music scene! It is a fantastic place to be, especially for people on the folk scene. There are brilliant open mics every night of the week, thousands of like-minded musicians waiting to be heard and to listen and a crowd that is more open-minded than any other you will find in the UK. The only way I made the great friends I have in London was through gigging; I simply love how you can go to an open mic on your own and leave with a whole new bunch of friends and contacts. One gig nearly always leads to another and before you know it, people know you through word of mouth and you're making a name for yourself. I'd recommend spending a however-long period of time to gig around London to every musician, no matter what their style.

Come on then, whats the worst gig you’ve ever played?

Oh no, I hate recalling really bad ones... I tend to block them from my memory, but now you've jogged it, and this one gig, even thinking about it, makes me come over all queer... It was in The Hideaway, of all places! A fellow songwriter I'd met was putting on a night there and he asked me to play. It sounded like great fun but as it got closer it started to fall apart. When it came to the night it had filtered down to just us two playing. The only people that came to watch were his friends (and my one friend) and, although there was an impressive number of them, they were probably the most stiff and humourless group of people I have ever met, let alone played for. As The Hideaway is such an intimate little venue, it made it even worse. Despite being jokey and supportive whilst their friend was on, they were silent but completely unreceptive to anything I said or sang – it's hard to describe, but basically it was horrifically awkward and I was up there, squirming for about half an hour straight...

The music seems to be going well for you, what is your image of success?

My image of success for myself is one where I can see myself comfortably financially supported my music, a constant and fresh supply of exciting projects and events to part in and with people who enjoy my music all over the world. Although it is at the centre of my life and the choices I make, I feel that it's very important for it not to take over everything in my life, as I will not feel satisfied if I have no time for other things I love doing, such as travelling. Music funding my travelling and playing music as I go; now that's the life for me!

It seems appropriate as we’re on a blog to ask you about your own blogging? Is blogging something you do because it’s fun or is there are means to an end? What does it mean to you?

I am a fierce blogger. I find great comfort in the idea that my thoughts and activities are being documented, even if it's only me who is reading them. So many little thoughts, lyrical lines and significant events occur in my day-to-day life that I feel like some could be overlooked and forgotten about, as if my there isn't enough room for them all in my head. By having an easily accessible diary I can keep a record of them and then let them from slip my mind, happy in the knowledge that I can remind myself of them later on. I use Tumblr, which is a very straightforward site with its own little subculture. I am addicted to my blog and have, on many occasions, been late to social events simply because I was stuck into some long-winded post, describing the ins and outs of my extra-ordinary walk to Morrisons. The best thing about having my blog is meeting my, now, pen-pal through it; real, handwritten letters that give us both the same feel as blogging but with a greater purpose.

My Blog:  www.singingtomatthew.tumblr.com

And to top it off how about your five favourite songs at the moment?

Ne Me Quitte Pas – Jacques Brel The most heartbreaking lament, with such honesty and desperation in his voice and words. The lyrics are incredible, find the translated meaning, the English version doesn't even compare.

Milord - Edith Piaf

Another chanson-Francais, I'm learning this song to eventually play live – it's such a fiery and dramatic song, almost theatrical. Very fun to sing! I fell in love with her voice ever since watching La Vie En Rose.

Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros This has been a favourite for a while now and I'd classify it as my song of 2010, an upbeat, folky

number that make me so happy that it brings a lump to my throat!

Dream - Priscilla Ahn Since getting out my old loop pedal, this song has been on replay in my head. I'm not usually into

the pure and angelic kinds of voices, but she elevates you in this simple yet beautiful song.

Let It Die – Feist

This is one of my favourites songs to cover at the moment, I think she is one of the best songwriters of our generation and, oh my, does she have the most gorgeous voice ever! Musically, my idol.

And for those of you who can't wait till saturday please feel free to check out Rosie's Myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/rosiemayuk

What have we got hear then?

Hello you lot, hows life?

Last night I was traipsing through the beard archives and upon my travels came across an old video of Adam from way back in 2010! Take a peak.........!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBtCX-08wO0

Photos from the beard!

From top to bottom we have "James Cox and The West Street Gables," "Polly Tones" and "Rosie May" with "Ali Warren" (I'll leave it up to you to decide who is who in that one!)

Fancy checking out the acts for the 22nd? I thought so much!

Rosie May - http://www.myspace.com/rosiemayuk

Blabbermouth - http://www.myspace.com/therealblabbermouth

Talking Timber - http://www.myspace.com/talkingtimber

Jack Hayter - http://www.jackhayter.com/

Fang - Should you be interested in what a hairy old guy with a uke gets up to in his spare time check out the 'UKEYLOVE' open mic podcasts on iTunes.

Thought you might like this..........

It was on the 18th of May 2010 that Stroke Your Beard first kicked off their clogs and had a listen to a bit of Darren Hayman. So in light of us just finding a wonderful video of his we thought we'd share it with the lot of you! Here we are..................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bopPCZ-OjzU

With love

Stroke Your Beard x

Next show - 22nd of January - The Gallery Cafe!

It's the first Gallery Cafe event of 2011 and I must say we're all very excited indeed! Looking forward to seeing you all and have a great day x

Some friends of ours.................

http://www.thestoryofyoursong.blogspot.com/

Alex is a lovely chap and we certainly like what he's doing so if anyone else fancies playing i'm sure he would be happy for you to get in touch! x

Anyone fancy a gallery cafe show?

Stroke Your Beard - Thursday 6th Jan - The Hideaway!

Good day to you all and a very happy new year! How was your Christmas? More importantly any new years resolutions on the warpath? Well we've got one of our own, it's to grow a much bigger beard! To start this off we've got our first show of 2011 kicking off this thursday! Looking forward to seeing you and all our love, Stroke Your Beard x