Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen

Anton and myself have just spent several thoroughly enjoyable days in the Danish capital meeting some fantastic musicians and generally soaking up the vibe. We flew out on Wednesday, Antons flight was badly delayed (he can fill you in with the details) and we eventually arrived at our very kind hosts (Fredrik and gang) who we got in touch with through Couch Surfing at around 21:30. We kicked the trip of as we meant to carry on and promtly knocked back several bottles of wine……

On Thursday I had an audition at the Rytmisk Musikkonservatorium (rhythmic Music Conservatory) in the morning, which was the main reason for the trip, and in the afternoon we had a chance to meet up with Marc and Morten from the College and fellow auditionee from Switzerland, David, to have a bit of a jam – two tracks attached – massive thanks to all those guys for being so willing to meet up and play, they’re all fantastic musicians and it was a real pleasure playing with them. Much curry and drink followed later in the evening… then some more wine back at the house. Unfortunately for Anton he had to be up at about 6am to catch his flight back, don’t think he was too chuffed in the morning, but I wouldn’t really know as I was dead to the world…

Copenhagen Session part 1
Copenhagen Session part 2

Friday, final interview stage of the audition was fine and by some happy fluke I had a chance to sit in on a rehearsal with Stormchaser (Django Bate’s band at the College) which was a bit of a roast-up but great fun. More jamming in the afternoon, food at Fredrik’s and then headed to Christiania (think that’s what it’s called), which is a crazy self ruled area of the city that seemed like some kind of hippy commune/24hr music festival, where we to saw a band called Orpheus who were excellent.

Just relaxed on the final day – park, zoo, coffee etc – and Kasper (couchsurf friend) kindly took me too a fantastic record/coffee shop in a trendo Camdenesque part of the city. After nearly missing my flight home I’m now back safe and sound in Manchester and very, very tired.

So, big thanks to everyone who made us feel so welcome and hopefully we’ve planted the seed for many Anglo-Dane collaboration!

Beats & Pieces Live @ RNCM

Thanks a lot to everybody who could make it down to the RNCM last night for our gig before Guy Barker’s Amadeus Project, hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! I’ve now uploaded the recordings as I promised in amongst all my waffling, so do take a listen. The piano is unfortunately a bit low in the mix but otherwise I think they’ve come out ok. Leave any comments below and please pass on the mp3s to anybody who you think might also enjoy them – I won’t sue, I promise…

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Noise Upstairs Jam feat. The Red Box

This month’s featured artist is Concrete Moniker co-founder Josh Kopecek aka The Red Box.

All are welcome to join in via the traditional “name-in-a-hat” method.

Direct all questions to this page.

FUEL CAFE BAR – WITHINGTON – MANCHESTER – 9PM – FREE ENTRY

Thursday Morning Mind Melting

For at least a few months now we’ve been hosting a Thursday morning group practice session at my house in Withington. I wanted to talk a little about it on this blog and hopefully get some of the participants to comment below (nothing offensive please Ben). How the groups normally run is that everyone turns up at mine bright and early at 10am (….10:30/11:00…..?) we get straight down to work (after tea, bacon butties, pointless banter etc….) and go through til about 13:00. We try and cover some work on rhythm, improvisation, listening/aural and harmony using various drills and group improv, normally the session ends when someone (Anton) breaks down in tears because Rod is shouting at them for not being able to clap 5 over 4 while counting in multiples of 7 backwards and singing a tone-row through their nose…. I’ve had a fantastic time working in these groups and I’d like to thank everyone who’s attended and had their own input to the sessions.

So, if you’ve attended the group drop a little message bellow saying hi!

Great stuff,

Sam

Big Up to the Moss Project!

Just thought I’d mention that the Moss Project have released their first album and it’s getting absolutely rave reviews. Good job lads! If you’ve not heard their prog-jazz-nu-rock sound then check them out here or pop down to the album launch at Matt & Phreds on the 13th of March (tonight……). Here’s a review of the CD from the MEN;

What’s this all about then?

Efpi Records represtents a group of Manchester based musicians and promoters exploring the various areas of improvised, jazz and experimental music. The founding members are Anton Hunter (aka The Bearded Guitarist) [The Noise Upstairs], Sam Andreae (aka Ben Cottrell) [Freedom Principle] and Ben Cottrell (aka Sam Andreae) [The Beats & Pieces Big Band].

Efpi Records is a continuation of the projects each of us already runs and a place where musical ideas can be shared and developed. We are currently planning the release of our first few E.P’s and will be making live recordings and informal sessions available through our Blog and Podcast. The website will be kept updated with upcoming gigs and general nuggets of information about Efpi Records and other artists close to the label.

Much love and please get in touch if you’re intereted by what we’re doing.

Sam, Ben & Anton.

Noise Upstairs Jam @ Fuel

Free improv jam session featuring DIVA ABRASIVA – improv-noise quartet all the way from Edinburgh. Anyone can join in the fun by putting their names in our hat. Full details and sound clips from past events at www.myspace.com/thenoiseupstairsmanchester

Andreae/Panter Duo Live Recording

Alright! Me and Fin recently performed our Duo at Sandbar, it was absolutely terrifying but we did enjoy it… For anyone who missed it here’s a selection from the night. We’re hoping to do a studio recording in April and some more gigs in the summer. Cheers, Sam.

Andreae/Panter Duo Live at Sand Bar 17/02/09

(left click on the links to listen or right click, then “save link” to download)

All Purpose Lorry Hire Take.mp3
Improvised Suite.mp3
JuJu.mp3
Semi.mp3
The 60′s.mp3
The Bass, Dely, Samples One.mp3
The Lamb.mp3
What Is This Thing Called Samfin’.mp3