15 September 2007: Back after the summer that wasn't
Sorry, in haste - a few gigs as emailed round. This Sun (16th): The long-awaited return of I Thalamus, headlining at the Spice of Life, Cambridge Circus. £5 cover (for charity), and we're on at 10ish..
Tues 18th: Tom & Berry - the jazz duo return after our month off. Usual deal - we're at the Hoxton Apprentice, Hoxton Square, which offers very nice food and drink and occasional celebrity sightings; we’ll be on from around 8.45pm.
Tues 25th September - Staff will be playing at the Social, 5 Little Portland St, Fitzrovia. Wallpaper magazine recently named this the best-designed bar in the world, so it’s probably just about hip enough for us. We're on around 8.30pm.
Thurs 27th September - I Thalamus will return to the Troubadour. The gigs there are always fun, and it's my birthday so it would be great to see some familiar faces there. We're on first - 8.30pm.
29 July 2007: Sparker at large
Two more Sparker gigs - Wednesday 1 August at the Troubadour, and (after EC4 at the Barbican - hour-long slots at 6.15pm on 3 and 4 Aug as per the last entry) a rare return to Brighton for me on Tuesday 7 August, when we're playing the Joogleberry Playhouse.
For anyone who's not been, these Sparker gigs are acoustic sets with Steve on guitar and lead vocals, and me on cello and backing vocals. You can hear some of the songs on Steve's myspace page.
10 July 2007: Don't let her get away, Mommy
Another Sparker gig - this Friday the Thirteenth at the Apple Tree, 45 Mount Pleasant, Clerkenwell WC1. Kick-off at 8pm.
Then jazz at the Apprentice on Tuesday 17th - music by Tom & Berry from 8.45pm as usual, with a debut appearance by Ocky the drummer. Thanks to the new PM for correcting my email address to match the band name.
And for the diary: EC4 will be doing a couple of free foyer gigs on Fri 3
and Sat 4 August as part of the Barbican's Mostly Mozart festival.
7 June 2007: The telescreens take over
The Staff gig tomorrow, which was going to be at the Windmill, is cancelled as Grant is stuck in the Big Brother house. Sorry about that.
Soon after the two EC4 concerts and the jazz gig in Hoxton (see the last entry), Extraordinaire will be playing a picnic-type outdoor concert in Battle, East Sussex, on Sunday 30 June - get in touch for more details if you're interested.
And then, on 2 July, I'll be doing another acoustic gig with Sparker - 9pm or thereabouts at the Slaughtered Lamb.
13 May 2007: I can't see the world's formed trees
Tom & Berry return to the Apprentice on Tuesday 15 May - usual 8.45pm start for the music, and it's sounding like a busy one so worth booking if you want to eat.
Then on 8 June I'm told I'll be donning a business suit to play some cello for Staff in Brixton - details to follow.
The EC4 orchestra and choir will squeeze into St Bride's for the midsummer concerts on 20 and 21 June, with a programme of popular classics to warm the heart of any Classic FM DJ, if hearts they have. And as a result, the June Tom & Berry gig will be on 26 June, i.e. a week later than it should be according to the third-Tuesday rule. And the day before prime ministerial handover.
24 April 2007: Catering to all tastes
I'm playing in the St John Passion with Extraordinaire, a Baroque group I've played with a few times, on Friday (27 April) - details via the website. And another Sparker London gig, this time at the Water Poet, Spitalfields, on election day (Thursday 3 May) - we're the first band of four, on at 8pm. The Antics are headlining.
14 April 2007: Hot hot hot
Late notice for the second month in a row: apologies. The next Tom & Berry appearance at the Apprentice is on Tuesday 17 April. I'm sure the terrace will be popular if this fabulous weather / global-warming catastrophe continues. We'll start our first set around 8.45pm as usual.
In other news, I'm pleased to report that my head surgery seems to have been more or less successful and my mental and aural faculties have returned, so I can stop singing the hole-in-head blues. Tom
19 March 2007: I'd rather have a bottle in front of me
I've forgotten about this, so sorry for the late notice, but tomorrow, being the third Tuesday of the month, sees Tom & Berry return to the Apprentice. We'll be on around 8.45pm as usual.
It's possible I forgot this because I've been busy at work. It's also possible I forgot this because the surgeon at Guy's who removed some of the contents of my head a couple of weeks ago stole some of my brain. Tom
22 February 2007: Court Circular
Prince Harry is in the news, as it's been announced today that he's being sent to fight in Iraq. Not something I'd normally comment on here, but I was interested to see the cover of this evening's londonpaper - now I know how you react if you're third in line to the throne and are contemplating being sent to the front line.
"The young prince hit the Troubadour bar in Earl's Court with a group of friends from his gap-year trip to Botswana to catch a showcase of up-and-coming singers."
Huh. I didn't notice him there, but I hope he enjoyed the Sparker sets; there was a good selection of other bands too - Jo Harrop was excellent. Tom
20 February
Quick update - I'm told we're on at 9.30 at the Troubadour tomorrow, with the set split in two - three songs then, three more at 10.30. Unusual deal... T
8 February 2007, London
Tom & Berry return to the Apprentice on Tuesday 20 February - probably the start of a third-Tuesday-of-the-month pattern. 8.45ish as always.
Then the very next night, as trailed earlier, Sparker will be playing the Troubadour - an acoustic set, with Steve himself on guitar and lead vocals and myself on cello and backing vox. Doors open at 8, but we're probably on at more like 9. More precise timing when someone tells me.
Work on the album has started. 13 songs at the current estimate. Don't hold your breath, but do watch this space. Peace out, Tom
10 January 2007, London
Happy new year. You could kick it off with some jazz - the next Tom & Berry date is 16 January - usual 8.45pm start at the Apprentice.
A reminder about the EC4 concert on 5 February at the Barbican. The offer's still in place at the moment - see the last entry.
And I'll be playing cello with Sparker at the Troubadour on 21 February - more details nearer the time.
New year's resolution: record a third album. Tom
25 November 2006, London
Apologies for the period of silence: my PC got a nasty infection and had to go to hospital. Tom & Berry have taken some time off for a couple of professional engagements, but will return to the Hoxton Apprentice in January: dates to follow.
Meanwhile, the orchestra I play in, with attached choir, will play the Barbican Hall again on 5 February 2007, and tickets are already on sale. Mention "EC4 Music offer" for a fiver off the more expensive seats.
Finally, in the unlikely event that watching me goof off with a band is your thing, the first video on Sparker's myspace page is for you. Tom
13 September 2006, Rotherhithe
Two new Tom & Berry dates at the Hoxton Apprentice: Wednesday 27 September (when I'll be turning 27 yet again) and Monday 16 October. As usual we'll aim to start at 8.45pm and suffer a 15-minute delay. Tom
31 August 2006, Rotherhithe, London
Finally I'm more or less settled in my new flat, with my computer out of storage and hooked up, so the online silence ends.
Thanks to everyone who came to the Tom & Berry gigs on 8 and 23 August - there should be some more of these soon, so watch this space.
I went to a terrific Sparker gig last night at the Ocean Rooms in Brighton - it's almost as much fun for me to be in the audience than to be on stage with them (and I escape the soundcheck). Catch them live if you get a chance.
Meanwhile, apart from unpacking boxes and assembling flat-packed furniture, not to mention the day job, I'm busy writing the first few songs for a potential third album. Tom
27 June 2006, the A23
Writing in haste as my final retreat from Brighton is underway - moving from my flat and my storage locker there to a bigger storage locker in London. Also moving from one temporary address in London to another...
However, the Tom & Berry gig in Hoxton tomorrow night is on, and we'll also be doing two in July: the 12th and the 28th, usual place, usual time.
Finally, EC4 is playing the Barbican's Mostly Mozart festival - just some free foyer music on 20, 21 and 22 July, from around 6pm each evening. Tom
15 May 2006, London
Played a great recording session with Sparker at the Levellers' studio in Brighton. There should be an excellent EP coming out of this.
Meanwhile congratulations to the Hoxton Apprentice from its occasional house band, now known as Tom & Berry. The Apprentice won two awards for the best social enterprise at the Edge Upstarts.
Finally, EC4 will be back at St Bride's on 21 and 22 June. We're performing Mozart's C Minor mass and the Dvorák cello concerto (no, I'm not the soloist), plus an original work by my friend Ed Knollys. Tickets are already on sale from St Bride's. Tom
30 April 2006, Brighton
(The flat found a buyer, but I still have visiting rights for now.)
Thanks to everyone who came to the recent gigs, which were great fun. The audience on 19 April even included the wonderful Elaine Delmar.
We'll be back at the Hoxton Apprentice on Tuesday 16 May and Tuesday 23 May. The usual deal - we'll be on from around 8.45pm - so come along for dinner or a drink if you can. Tom
28 March 2006, Brighton
Sadly, this may be one of my last blog entries from Brighton, as I've just put my flat on the market.
News of some gigs coming up: I'm playing with Sparker at the Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth on Friday 31 March. The headline act is Jake Flowers, whom we've met at the Troubadour. I have some doubts as to whether this blog is widely read in Shropshire, but if you are in the neighbourhood, please come along; the evening starts at 7.30pm.
Then I'll be back playing some jazz with Joe McBassist at the Hoxton Apprentice restaurant on Tuesday 4 April and Wednesday 19 April. Both evenings we'll be starting our set around 8.45pm. It's worth booking if you want a table for dinner, or there's usually space to perch at the bar. Tom
25 March 2006, Datchet, Berkshire
I'm away, this one time, at band camp, rehearsing with the string section of the EC4 orchestra. An interesting contrast with January, when a kind of impromptu folk/rock supergroup assembled in a converted barn in East Sussex for a few days' rehearsing. Then we got some great Sparker recordings done, some I Thalamus bits, and even three demos for me. Sorry, nothing you can hear yet - but I am writing quite a few new songs.
The difference between folk/rock and classical musicians? On this showing, the rehearsals are quite similar; the string players party harder, while the rockers prefer wholesome walks in the countryside. Tom
25 January 2006, London
As trailed in the last entry, I'm playing piano with a new jazz band (double bass and sax). Our first gig is at the Hoxton Apprentice restaurant, 16 Hoxton Square, on Tuesday 7 February. Our first set is slated to start around 7.30pm.
That's the night before I Thalamus headline at the Troubadour - we should be onstage around 10pm on the 8th.
Then the jazz band (minus sax, I think) will be back at the Apprentice on 14 February, when they'll be doing a special Valentine's menu.
Come hear the music play... Tom
7 January 2006, Brighton
"A new year of creativity" as my friend Rose likes to say. Time will tell if that's right - but one new year's resolution I have is to be a better blogger, or at least a more frequent one.
I changed jobs, and now have a bit more time and a lot less money.
I was a bad blogger at the end of last year, so it's too late to tell you that on 25 November I played a gig at the Poetry Cafe with the poet Ruth Valentine, or that on 27 November there was yet another sell-out EC4 orchestra concert at the Duke's Hall, including Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms.
Sparker's been busy too, with some recording, and it's pointless my now pointing out that Steve and I were interviewed and played a little live session on Juice FM Brighton on 28 November.
I Thalamus has slimmed down to a six-piece after we banished Simon 'funny noises' Todd to New Zealand via a farewell extravaganza (well, a private showcase in an underground studio at Old Street) in December.
But the band is busy - Grant will be interviewed on 11 January (repeated at 11am on 16 January) on Resonance FM - and they'll be playing an album track or two. The first live outing of the new year is a return to the Troubadour on 8 February. We'll be onstage at 10pm; more details in the venue's listings.
I also have a new jazz project on the way - watch this space. Meanwhile happy new year... Tom
11 October 2005, Worthing
Christmas shoppers may be interested to know that 'the pedalling tom yates' is finally available to buy online thanks to the good people of NightCafé, who are also displaying the cover on their homepage.
I'm changing day-jobs, from strategy work in local government to policy work in central government. This is still not quite the 12 hours a week in a record store that musicians generally prefer, but it should cut out most of my travel, and I hope to spend whatever train time I save on the music.
If you're looking for something else to listen to in the meantime, 'Poetic Justice' is an album from 1999 by Buddy Mondlock, and it's wonderful. Tom
12 August 2005, London
I Thalamus are returning on Wednesday 24 August to the Troubadour, with a new CD of Brel songs to promote. 263-7 Old Brompton Road, London SW5 9JA. It's a great little venue. Doors open at 8pm and we're on at 9.30pm; cover is £5. More details are in the venue's own listings.
28 May 2005, a train somewhere
I'm always away at the moment (Rome, Birmingham and Croydon are the recent destinations), but somehow I'll get to the I Thalamus gig on Wednesday 1 June at the Troubadour, 263-7 Old Brompton Road, London SW5 9JA. Doors open at 8pm and we're on at 9.30pm; cover is £5. More details are in the venue's own listings.
EC4 Music are playing St Bride's Church, Fleet Street on 22 and 23 June. It's a great programme including the Duruflé Requiem and Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, and I'll be sitting in for the lead cellist, who's, er, on tour with McFly. Tickets (for EC4, not for McFly) will be available from St Bride's.
My broadjam pages now include all the songs from the new album. Tom
2 May 2005, London
Thanks to everyone who came to the two recent gigs. The next I Thalamus outing will be an acoustic set at the small but famous Troubadour on Weds 1 June - more information to follow.
Two sample tracks from the new album are now on the samples and links page - click to listen, or right-click (ctrl-click on a Mac) to download.
I'm working on putting the new album onto my broadjam pages, but meanwhile, you and heaven's here still regularly appear in broadjam's alt.folk chart - heaven's here is at #9 at the moment. Tom
19 April 2005, London
Okay, I'm trying to post to the blog myself for the first time - new flat, different computer, magical wireless link...
The Sparker gig, featuring among other things Steve's brilliant new song with the even more brilliant title of 'Suicide Song to a Microphone', should be fun as the Freebutt gigs always are, so come along from 8pm on Thurs 21 April. £3 cover. 1 Phoenix Place, Brighton.
I Thalamus are following up our successful gig at Cargo in February, and plugging the album as usual. It's not a headline slot now, so we're on stage around 9pm; the night starts at 8pm. Fri 22 April, The Water Rats, 328 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1. £5 with the flyer which you can find in Grant's gallery.
If this works, I'll be filling up this page in no time... Tom
22 March 2005, Brighton
Hello all, welcome to my new 'blog. The idea is that as long as I'm not gigging my own songs I don't really have enough information for a monthly newsletter, and sure enough there have only been 6 of those in 2 years, but I'd like to keep you (or at least the website) updated with what I'm up to. So I'll be posting short entries here much more often, probably about totally irrelevant things some of the time – drop me an email if you have any suggestions.
For now, just a heads-up about two gigs coming up. For those of you in Brighton, Sparker will be playing the Freebutt on 21 April. And on 22 April, I Thalamus will be headlining the Water Rats, London. I'll post more info (times etc.) here when I have it. Tom
