Letham Nights

It’s a brand new year but it’s the same high quality tunery and tomfoolery down at the hall in 2013. Kicking off our new year programme were the most excellent Sienna and Woodenbox.

Woody Guthrie was well into his twenties before he took up his music box in earnest. Sienna don’t want to wait that long. Powered by Danny McAtear and Stella Reilly’s stunning vocals – like a super-charged Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris – Sienna mix original materials with right on the money cover selections to create a pitch perfect Americana soundscape. Old Crow Medicine Show’s ‘Wagon Wheel’ was a simple delight with harmonies that could cut glass and Danny McAtear’s performance of ‘This Love of Mine’ was as good a vocal performance as any heard we’ve heard at Letham Nights. There were times (especially with the introduction of Stella’s wonderful flute playing) that it seemed The Polyphonic Spree had sneaked into the wings and were giving it their full choral charms whilst at others Sienna upped the power output and it might have been Arcade Fire in full flow. An encore of Woodie Guthrie was a perfect touch. Bound for Glory? Hell yeah!

Make no mistake. Woodenbox are loud. Storming onto the Letham Nights stage with booming vocals, skin shredding drum strokes and rock riffs a-plenty Ali Downer and his boys gave the dancefloor a monster work-out. Fans of Speghetti Westerns must have been delighted with Draw The Line’s whistled finale calling to mind Ennio Morricone at his atmospheric best. Woodenbox combine elements of folk, rock and ska and deliver them all with a piratical zeal which can’t fail to excite. All this was topped off with a finale that got faster and faster and faster before a four on the floor stomp of an encore that got everyone up and stamping their feet.

Unlucky ’13? Not a bit of it.

Upcoming:

Woodenbox – BLC, Lerwick, Shetland – Friday 15 March

Sienna – PJ Molloys, Dunfermline – Saturday 16 February

Out with the old and in with new. Some of us may barely have caught breathe since the go-round of aural lovelies that was LN2012 but it’s  a rolling stone that gathers no moss so get out yer dancin’ clogs and get a load of what we’ve got coming up down at the hall in 2013.

Tickets available here!

2nd February – Think you know folk music? Then think again as the “mariachi folk sextet” Woodenbox join us to spread a little love with their horn fuelled melodies and toe-popping rhythms. Formed in 2008 over their love of a fine sandwich, spaghetti westerns and The Beatles combined with an adoration of all things Mariachi, particularly ponchos. Over the last 4 years, the band has gone on to become one of the most exciting live acts around with sell out shows from Scotland to Texas. “Jovial Caledonian jock rockers come across like Dexys covered by the E Street Band – horn led perky pop with a Mariachi twist” – Uncut

Support comes in the form of Sienna.  Sienna have been whipping up a storm across the country in recent months with outstanding performances at the Kinross Music Festival and at King Tut’s in Glasgow supporting Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher.  Using elements of Americana, Folk and Rock-a-billy, Sienna are influenced by a wide range of artists from the folk stylings of Mumford & Sons to the upbeat melodies of The Guillemots and Kassidy. With their compelling harmonies and witty arrangements, Sienna experiment with their musical abilities to the fullest extent, resulting in a unique song style.

Tickets available here!

6th April – Miss Quincy & The Showdown are a smokin’ hot all-girl trio featuring electric guitar, upright bass, and drums. Channeling The Runaways, The Black Keys, and Big Mama Thornton, Miss Quincy doesn’t fit the classic girl singer/songwriter mold and The Showdown isn’t your average all-girl band. You won’t find them singing pretty pages out of their diaries, instead you’ll find them starting a party everywhere they play by getting down and rocking out with raunchy roots & blues and straight up rock n’ roll.

The David Latto Band are a dynamic Scottish duo comprised of experienced songwriters David Latto and Gavin Brady. Drawing their influences from a diverse range of artists and songwriters- their largely acoustic sound taps into the vastness of the American country music tradition whilst paying respect to their Scottish roots. ‘Latto evinces an ability to tap into the melodic and lyrical traditions of a culture three thousand miles from his home and imbue it with vitality’- Americana UK

Tickets available here

8th June – Regulars to Letham Nights will be no strangers to the catchily named Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher. Their reputation as one of the best live bands on the circuit continues to grow as their relentless Summer festival performances saw audiences bawl and giggle in delight, finding this unknown quantity by chance and word of mouth. Garnering extensive regional radio plays and live sessions for the BBC London and Bob Harris saw the band step up to approach a wider audience, leading them back into the studio in October to demo their sophomore effort which offers progression and promise of bigger things to come. “I have rarely, if ever, been as overwhelmed and enthralled by a live performance ….. ..Suffice it to say that this is a band who will instil faith once more in the value, vibrancy and magic of live music.” Glasgow Music

The O’s have travelled to Europe, Hawaii, and everywhere in between during these last two years, capturing hearts and accolades along the way. It began with first album, “We Are The O’s” (2009). From winning “Best Of’s” all around Texas to climbing to #2 album on the UK Americana charts. From being heard all over MTV and the History Channel to being dangerously handsome and charming. The O’s are off to a helluva start. Live shows are an all-out party – Just two dudes playing a banjo, a guitar, a lowebro, kick drums, harmonicas, beautiful harmonies, and a tambourine. It’s always wheels-off.

So that’s the first half of the year lined up nicely and, we think you’ll agree, it’s a stonker! Don’t forget to keep up to date with our facebook, twitter and blog and please remember to spread the love by sharing,liking, retweeting and so on. See you all at the hall!

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Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs in the World

More rising stars take to the stage for first Letham Nights of 2013

Saturday 2nd February 8pm

Tickets available here

“Mariachi folk sextet”, Woodenbox first came together in 2008 and over the last 4 years, the band has gone on to become one of the most exciting live acts around with sell out shows from Scotland to Texas.  Having caught their high-octane set at the Big Tent Festival 2012, we think the Letham Nights crowd will lap them up and the dance floor will be bouncing!

In March 2012 the band were invited to play at SXSW and took time out of
recording to represent the Scottish Arts Council at the worlds biggest music
festival. This resulted in the band being championed by Uncut magazine, radio 6 music,
radio 1 and Radio Scotland. Woodenbox are back to take 2013 by storm. Following the success of their debut record ‘ Home and the WildHunt’ in 2010, the band toured extensively playing tours of the U.S, mainland Europe and playing some of the U.Ks biggest festivals. 2012 saw the six peice band holed up, cooking their second album with acclaimed producer Paul Savage ( King Creosote/Franz Ferdinand/Deacon Blue). The album is scheduled for release in April through Olive Grove Records.  You can also download their EP Vanishing Act from the website

In their own words…
‘We wanted to produce something more in tune with our live sound as we’ve been touring for so long now that we developed so much material on the road. We strove to make something creative and original using our unique collection of musicians. Paul helped us pull together 10 of the best songs we’ve ever produced, months of agonising over perfection have resulted in something we are all really proud of’

The band are taking in a tour of Scotland to preview the new record alongside old favourites…….
Tour Dates
2nd February Letham Nights (YAY!!!)
15th March Shetland
16th March Aberdeen
30th March Stornoway
31st March Inverness
6th  April Aviemore

Meanwhile, the youthful and precociously talented Siennahave been whipping up a storm across the country in recent months with outstanding performances at the Kinross Music Festival and at King Tut’s in Glasgow supporting Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher.

Band members Danny McAtear, Andy Clarke, Ross Mathieson, Ben Watt, Stella Reilly and Calum Anderson recently spent time in the T Pot recording studio at Path of Condie, resulting in a new recording of five tracks which will be launched on the 12 January 2013.  Production and final mixing of the tracks was managed by Robin Wynn Evans and the band members are delighted with the end result.

On Friday 11 January 2013 Rick Fulton of the Daily Record wrote: “The six piece Kinross folk band release their second EP tomorrow at the New Year’s Revolution event at King Tut’s in Glasgow.  The group fit in perfectly with the idea of the 15 nights of new Scottish bands performing at the iconic venue.  What they have achieved on this five track CD is leaps and bounds from their first. This Love of Mine is as incredible and powerful as anything you’ll hear from the likes of Adele or Emeli Sande.”

“Stripped back to voice and piano, it alone should catapult the band to the big time but there is so much more on offer.  Songs Better off Dead, and Drop in the Ocean are a pop-pickin’cross between Mumford and Sons and Deacon Blue, Oh Woman is a languid ballad in the style of Rattle & Hum era U2 that sends the same shivers down your spine as Velvet Underground’s Pale Blue Eyes, mixing a gorgeous melody with a jazzy double bass.”

“A must-listen-to in 2013, Sienna have made it to music’s Formula One”

To hear more about Sienna, please use the following links:

www.siennabandmusic.com

www.facebook.com/SiennaBandMusic

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/siennamusicUK

Further information can be obtained from Sienna’s Management by contacting landdrostmusic@gmail.com

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Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs in the World

Bradley Wiggins, Sarah Storey, David Weir, Jess Ennis, Andy Murray, Mo Farah… yeah, yeah. All those Olympians and Paralympians did quite well right enough.  But here in the village, on the seriously classy music front, it was a stellar year for Letham Nights too!  Having started in late 2008, Letham Nights has now been going for over 4 years with 27 gigs showcasing the talents of over 60 different acts.  In 2012 it took us a while to get off the ground but when we did, we really took off.

The Banana Sessions

LN#22  – The Banana Sessions

It was not until 3rd March that the Banana Sessions kicked off our year with a virtuoso performance ably supported by local songmaker Amy Rayner and Lynne and the Letham Lullaboys.

Roberta Pia and the rest of the Bananas provided “A mixing of tempos and musical flavours that one can only describe as a euphoric aural anarchy that led the crowd down a rabbit hole – and a Prodigy medley (all of this with acoustic instruments remember) very near took the roof off”.  Full Review >>

LN#23 – Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher

Then in April, Dundee supergroup, Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher came calling.  Oh my!  That was some night.  All of the band apart from Stevie Anderson were familiar with Letham Nights from previous shows as Luva Anna or Mr Gavin McGinty.  But this performance was a whole new prospect.  Opening with a typically soulful set from Xander Duffy and then a blistering blues lesson from the Boston Tea Party, the evening came to a thundering climax with the brilliant AMWWF showcasing why they have become the hottest prospect on the Scottish music scene. Full Review >>

LN#24 – The Gillyflowers

Midsummer arrived and the Gillyflowers bloomed for another Letham Loveliest Night of the Year. Led by the prodigiously talented Kirsten Adamson, with her Dolly Partonesque vocals and infectious country-pop-songwriting, the band gave a storming performance, thrilling the near-sell-out crowd.  As is now a bit of a tradition for the Loveliest Night, we had an array of fine open mic talent on display from Gary Anderson, the Anthill Mob, Sophie Attwood, the Coaltown Daisies, Seven Sons and Mick Pritchard.

LN#25 – Ambulances and Plum

August saw the return of Ambulances to Letham Nights for the first time since 2009. This effortlessly cool five piece combined three part boy-girl harmonies with a laid back delivery which at once impressed and delighted both their devoted following and those new to the band.  They were supported by the inimitable Davy Sausage (of whom there is only one!) and the unimpeachable Plum. Plum (aka Shona Maguire) combined her crystalline vocals with layers of electronica and instrumentation to stunning, haunting effect. Full Review >>

LN#26 – Picture the Ocean and Aurora Jane

When September beckoned, we reckoned it was about time we went international again. And so, to another packed hall, we were treated to a simply stunning trio of acts from as far afield as Canada, Australia and… Corby, Northants who turned the Fife air tickled pink with merry melodies, happy harmonies and vivid virtuosity. Picture the Ocean, Aurora Jane and Jez Hellard. We loved them and they loved Letham and the songs and sounds are still ringing in our heads.  Full Review >>

 LN#27 – A Christmas Bevvy

Returning for their 3rd visit, the Bevvy Sisters helped us to round off the year in style.  Once again playing to a packed out audience, Heather McLeod, Roberta Pia and Kaela Rowan treated us to 3 sublime voices blending together in sheer sonic delight, with the rhythm section of Dave Donnelly on guitar and James McIntosh on drums driving us onto the dancefloor.  A night of beautiful music was magnificently augmented by the contribution of the Coaltown Daisies performing their last gig of 2012.  The Daisies have had a stellar year too and we feel sure you will hear more of them in 2013.  Full Review >>

So there you go. Stellar indeed wouldn’t you say? Not bad going for a wee venue out in the sticks run entirely by volunteers…

Look out for our exciting programme for 2013 – a few delicious surprises coming your way!

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Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs in the World!

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the Hall

A bevvy of revellers were having a ball

The birdies were hung from the lanterns with care

In hope that great music would soon fill the air…

… and my oh my they weren’t disappointed. No sirree! The eagerly anticipated return of the Bevvy Sisters and The Coaltown Daisies was always bound to be box office catnip and so it proved with a Letham Nights sell-out. The hall practically bulged with party people from near and far all intent on a bit of a winter knees-up.

Those great chums of Letham Nights, The Coaltown Daisies, did us the honour of opening our festivities. Only a heart of stone can fail to be set a flutter by these girls’ mixture of simple acoustic playing and pitch perfect cowgirl harmonies. ‘Hands’ has become a fast favourite with Daisies fans and it was, predictably, a highpoint amongst highpoints this evening. A great strength of The Daisies is the rapport they establish with the audience and no crowd appreciates this more than a Letham Nights crowd. Great banter, two birthday cakes and a last minute Abba cover beautifully showcased a charm that rivals their talent.

The littlest birds may sing the prettiest songs but don’t think The Bevvy Sisters don’t know how to get deep down and dirty too. The Letham Nights veterans really know how to rock the party. Blending amazing voices and terrific musicianship with intelligent song selections and great original material the Bevvys set souls soaring and the dancefloor roaring. Mixing spirituals with country and blues and motown with TV commercials the Bevvys kept the influences rushing by. As momentum built breaks from the dance floor became a near impossibility yet that didn’t stop a crowd nearing exhaustion from bellowing for an encore. Rock my soul indeed!

The avian influence didn’t stop there. We were honoured by the attendance of a close-knit flock of arctic terns and their steward (and great friend of Letham Nights) Deirdre Nelson. Sadly, some of the birds seem to have escaped. If anyone sees one please usher it back to the hall as these are very social birds and, after all, one good tern deserves another. Boom Boom!

Yes, they are back!  The wonderful Bevvy Sisters…!

15th December 8pm Letham Village Hall

We did not hesitate when we were offered the chance to bring the Bevvy Sisters back to Letham for a spectacular Christmas Bevvy.

The Bevvy Sisters mix equal measures of sweetness and sass, grit and glamour, heartbreak and hilarity, cut with a dash of potent Scottish spirit.  Their radiantly triple-layered voices and artfully wide-ranging repertoire have won fervent acclaim and an ever-swelling fan-base across the UK roots scene. The Bevvy line-up teams longtime vocalist Heather MacLeod and one-man band David Donnelly with Kaela Rowan and Banana Sessions frontwoman Roberta Pia. The Bevvys’ signature creative alchemy, spanning genres from country to jazz, gospel to original indie-pop, resounds with renewed vitality standing out from the crowd in both style and substance. More intoxicating than ever: pure vocal magic, distilled to the power of three.

Originally formed as an offshoot of all-star swing combo The Loveboat Big Band, The Bevvy Sisters simultaneously channel the heritage of such classic sister-acts as the Beverleys, the Andrews and the Boswells, while their own diverse backgrounds and collective songwriting skills reinvent the female trio formula. Debut album St James Sessions, launched with a sold-out show at Glasgow’s world-famous Celtic Connections festival in 2010, won glowing reviews and UK-wide airplay, while captivating live shows continue to extend their fan-base. Besides headline appearances including Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Belgium’s Schotts Weekend, the Big Tent Festival and Orkney Folk Festival, they’ve collaborated with English folk star Eliza Carthy, Scottish super-trio Lau, and in an international project involving iconic fiddler and singer Dave Swarbrick, Canadian reggae artist Jason Wilson and Scotland’s legendary Dick Gaughan.

A wee taste of what you are in for:  Bevvy Sisters – Up Above My Head

And yes, they are back too! The Coaltown Daisies!

The Daisies are no strangers to Letham Nights and we are delighted that they have agreed to support the Bevvy Sisters for our Christmas extravaganza.

A wee update from Cupar Blues and Beyond. Check the dates below for some great acts coming up between now and May…

The Blues and Beyond Club is a company limited by guarantee (providing no profits to its members) and was set up in February 2005 with the specific objectives of

• Keeping music Live
• Having a good time
• Donating to charity when reserves allowed

Since 2005 we have  provided over 65 sessions with the opportunity for over  50 different bands and solo acts to appear with some appearing more than once .Our policy is to bring bands back which were popular but also find new acts . Most of your ticket price goes to paying the bands with the remainder covering administrative expenses which we keep to a minimum.
Gradually our reputation for providing good quality music in a friendly atmosphere has spread and we are now regular participants in the Fife Jazz and Blues Festival in February. Also in February we have been invited to host the Scottish Regional heat of the New Brunswick Tourist Boards battle of the bands.

Over the next few months we hope to provide you with a good mix of acts but we can only do so with your continued support .Part of our ability to continue has been due to our patrons being willing to buy tickets in advance .Our policy is to try to give regulars a discount of £2 for tickets bought in advance .Our programme for the next few months is

November 2
Solo John Hunt Band Baby Isaac tickets £9 .

December 7
Solo Sandy Tweedale Band Rev Doc and the Congregation £9 if bought on November 2.

2013
January 11
Black Cat Jook Band £6

February 1
Steve Nimmo performs solo then the Nimmo Brothers £10 if bought  by 7 December. Event at Elmwood College Cupar .Tickets on sale from Nov 2.  This event is in association with Jazz Scotland as part of the Fife Jazz and Blues Festival.

February 23
New Brunswick Tourist Board Battle of the Bands tickets £6 up to 11 January. Event in Corn Exchange. Hear 6 new unsigned bands battle it out for the opportunity of an expenses free trip to Canada and win £1000. Bring this to the attention of any bands you know and direct them to www.TouristNewBrunswick.co.uk for entry details

March 8
Solo Al Hughes and band Groove-A-Matics featuring Johnny Whitehill. Last winners of the British Heats of the New Brunswick battle of the Bands. Tickets £7 if bought by Feburary1 .

April 5
Act to be announced

May 3
Act to be announced

We hope you will support us in keeping music live so bring plenty cash with you on Nov 2 to get plenty discount!

Charlie, Bryan, Noel and Madun

One two three. Un deux trois. Ein Zwei Drei. Whichever way you say it we were thrice blessed at Letham Nights #26. A simply stunning trio of acts from as far afield as Canada, Australia and Corby, Northants turned the Fife air tickled pink with merry melodies, happy harmonies and vivid virtuosity. The fact that our guests for the evening conjured forth two four piece bands and a solo support from a squad of five musicians should have alerted everyone that there was a bit of pixie dust in the air. And it wasn’t just the musicians who were cooking. Once again The Doorstep Bakery were on hand with amazing pizzas and garlic bread from their wood-fired oven.

Jez Hellard was the honorary local act for the evening travelling as he had a mere 351 miles from Corby, Northants and so it was he who started us off with some huffin’ and puffin’ and some mighty fine ‘moothie’ playing. The harmonica was then swapped for the acoustic guitar and Jez treated the hall to a beautiful arrangement of ‘Southwind’ which segued into a jaunty highland air. You’ll wait a long time to hear Greg Brown’s ‘Jesus and Elvis’ juxtaposed with a 200 year old ditty about a poor sailor lad whose just come home from sea. ‘Newry Highwayman’ was delivered with all the gallows attitude it deserves. Then it was the turn of the harp again and a moothie tango which had to be heard to be believed. Jez finished with a great rendition of Boo Hewerdine’s song of dustbowl migration ‘Harvest Gypsies’. Ace!

Picture The Ocean then took to the stage, the glimmering crackle of guitars, keyboards and cymbals gaining heat before catching into the full flame of ‘Wake Me Up’. Second song ‘Sick With You’ showed off the beautiful harmonies and interplay of Jesse Dee and Jacquie B’s voices and the cute mirrored guitar and keyboard lines got heads nodding and toes tapping. Powerhouse Matt Blackie kept things rolling along on the drums and Aurora Jane provided some of the slinkiest laid back bass grooves our humble hall had ever seen. Jez was back on stage to lend some bluesy soul harp on ‘Anywhere’ in which the country flavours (Canadiana?) gave way to a dirty funk wig out. The quality didn’t let up throughout and the Letham Nights faithful gave a huge roar of approval at the set’s end.

Except what was this? A rather familiar set of faces was back on stage moments later. But something was different. Jesse Dee was now on bass (complete with the coolest bass face ever seen)and Aurora Jane was upfront to deliver some of her own offerings. Aurora Jane has taken her guitar to at least three of the four corners of the world and this can be detected in the range of influences brought to bear. African rhythms, gritty vocals (a product of a sore throat apparently but none the worse for all that) and searing guitar licks got everyone in the place swaying heaving and bouncing up and down until some (this correspondent at least) needed a rest. The Picture The Ocean configuration was restored for an encore featuring one last bout of disco-dancing and a gorgeous version of Tom Waits’ Picture in a Frame to leave everyone warm and fuzzy and heading for home.