BRIDGEFIELD - NEWS...
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...Here's what's happening. Scroll down to reach back into the murky depths of history ... if 2006 is the murky depths of history[Aug 2008] [Jul 2008] [Apr 2008] [Feb 2008] [Oct 2007] [Sept 2007] [June 2007] [Apr 2007] [Mar 2007] [Feb 2007] [Dec 2006] [Nov 2006] [Oct 2006] [Sept 2006] [July 2006] [June 2006] [May 2006] |
I'm beside myself with excitement today. We will be getting together with our potentially new vocalist, Ellie Morgan, this week, for a first run through the band's material.
Ellie has just come back from her hols where she has been plugging away at the songs. I am crossing fingers, legs, everything as it sounds like Ellie has enough material under her belt to get up and running very quickly. It can take months to get the right singer in place, and if it clicks with Ellie, we will have pulled off a major coup...with much appreciated help from Pete Lawrence of our great friends, Dream Capture.....cheers Pete for recommending Ellie to us...it was a great call. Beers will be forthcoming, fifthcoming and sixthcoming!!!
What else? I've got a new song in the pipeline, which I am going to coerce John into getting down...If he doesn't, I'll tell the world about his subscription to Foot Fettishists Monthly....dohhhhhh too late!!! The song is going to be called "Sardine Sandwich" and is a treatise on my experiences of the Hammersmith and City Line....which was ram-jam-packed this morning.
We'll be back soon, hopefully sooner than we all thought possible,
Mart
Bridgefield sadly announce that Tola has decided to withdraw from the band with immediate affect. Distance from our rehearsal/recording studio and from the majority of our gigs was the final killer. Best of luck to Tola as she begins the search for a London-based band.
Soooooooo......we need a new singer. Now don't be shy, if you've got what it takes to front a power rock/pop outfit like Bridgefield get in touch cos we want to hear from you.
Drop me a mail at bridgefield@bridgefieldmusic.com or at mart_a_kent@yahoo.com, and we'll set up a meeting and audition.
Other than that, just the matter of about five gigs which we played throughout June and July, in London and Bucks, all of which were rather subdued with the realisation that Tola would have to part company with Bridgefield.
We'll be back soon,
Mart
Following the high of our gig at the Whiteleaf in Princes Risborough in March, I thought, strewth, Bridgefield are ready for world domination, and what happens? Well, I'll tell you what happens. Our gig this month at the Antelope in High Wycombe gets cancelled because the council slap a music ban on them following the complaints of some old bag who's probably deaf anyway. Then our gig at Zulu's in Fulham gets cancelled on the whim of a new draconian management regime who'll doubtless burn in hell for their heresy. Evidently, they dont want to stage live music on a Friday anymore....well f*****g cheers.
Is this a trend? I thought live venues were on the up...evidently not. It's certainly getting harder and harder to get gigs.
We tossed around the idea of getting an agent to help us out with this, but then I thought, why not ask all of our Bridgefielder mates (you) to be agents. So I am making the following offer: if you can get us a gig at your local pub, club or venue, and it happens, you can have 20% of the fee...now let's make this sensible, we really can't go out for less than £100 to make this worthwhile, and for the time being it must be in the UK within a few hours drive of London.
If you can get something organised, drop me a mail at bridgefield@bridgefieldmusic.com or at mart_a_kent@yahoo.com, and we'll chew over the proposal...good and proper like!!!
See you at some stage soon, hopefully one of your choice!!!
Mart
I can't believe it...you see I'm not a full time rock star, nope sireeee, sorry to disillusion you. Sadly it is Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting at work, in London, yes, work, Sunday!!! What's going on f'fx sake. Still I get to update the website and I haven't done that for a while.
Loadsa gigs coming up, starting at the Whiteleaf Cross in Princes Risborough on 22nd March. looking forward to this as our old (well younger than me) mate Dave Quinton re-joins the band on drums to take the weight off of Kenny's already overburdened shoulders. Dave will be doing quite a few gigs this year with us as Kenny's schedule is ludicrously packed for 2008...still, it is his job, and I'm pleased he is able to make a decent fist of it.
The gigs page gives you details of our other upcoming gigs, but we've got some crackers coming up both at home in Bucks, and in London.
See you at some stage soon,
Mart
The 9th saw Bridgefield playing the BBC's West One Club in Gt Portland St, London W1...what an experience that was. We followed on from Wet, Wet, Wet who were filming in the nightclub in the afternoon.
On the downside, our Enfield gig at the Hollybush on the 12th Oct, has been cancelled; no reason given, no compensation...nothing. Well cheers for the that. It's hard enough getting gigs without this sort of thing happening. We had the date blotted out in the diary for months, and could have filled it had we known earlier.
Oh...the joys of running a struggling band.
Take care all, and see you at some stage soon,
Mart
This is the review that appeared in the Bucks Free Press on the 13th Sept 2007:
The weekend of the 8th and 9th September saw the historic surrounds of the Kings Head's courtyard, Aylesbury, play host to the rather more contemporary spectacle of seven local rock bands pooling their collective amplification to perform in aid of the Kids Company charity.
The Indian Summer ensured that large crowds gathered for each of the four sessions enjoying two sets each from the seven groups. Put quite simply, the quality of musical fare on offer was quite staggering, proving once again that Bucks is blessed with some awesome talent. Opening the show was festival organiser Mart Kent's feisty, angst-driven pop-rock 5-piece, with Tola Lamont's quite breathtaking vocals setting the bar at an early high.
Loz Jones, who appeared by kind permission of Jam Central Records, took on the mantel with a tremendously polished performance of his trademark guitar and keyboard rock, covering every square inch of the stage with his imposing and dynamic presence. The crowd lapped it up.
Juxstar, a dangerously energetic rock band fronted by the lovely Amy Bee's cafe jazz style voice treated the Weekender festival goers to two entirely different sets; an acoustic one for their lunch time session, and a highly charged electric set delivered in the evening. It was a triumph of creativity, and kept the crowd buzzing for some time.
By the time local boys Lightbox hit the stage, expectation from the crowd was high and the boys didn't disappoint. This is a band to watch for in the future. Five talented lads in the Razorlight, Radiohead, Chilis mould, however unlikely that combination seems, delivered a scintillating set full of emotion, tenderness and at times staggering power. Their music is mature, way beyond their years, and deserves total success.
Three-piece Dream Capture were next up. Vocalist Evette Judge fronting the band on lead guitar with Pete Lawrence and Paul Taylor on drums and bass respectively. The band have already been snapped up by Halo Records, not surprising really, they are superb. It's Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, Sheryll Crow, but with much more energy, and with Evette springing up onto the tables in the courtyard, acrobatics was added to the roster of entertainment.
Having toured in Yorkshire throughout the previous week, released an album on Saturday with ensuing radio and press interviews over the weekend, one would have thought Touchstone, an edgey prog-rock unit from Watford, would have delivered a jaded set. Not a bit of it, their wonderfully asymmetric material enthralled the crowd topped off by some exquisite three-part vocal passages. Musical perfection suffixed with the most imaginative cover of Tears For Fears, Mad World I've ever heard.
As Sunday evening's session drew to a close, MEDIUMdave took to the stage. There was only ever one place on the bill for this bunch of seemingly quiet and reserved individuals...last. MEDIUMdave are Slipknot, Lost Prophets, Rage Against The Machine..they are loud, loud, loud...oh and fast. This is pure theatre. Punk, metal, rap at it's most dynamic. Much like the local police, the crowd went bananas, and front man Adam Sawyers sprang from table to table like a kid playing Pirates in the gym. A brilliant set delivered, volume level records smashed, the Festival ended with everyone wanting more...maybe next year.
Thanks to all the bands for offering their services for free. Thanks are also due to the brilliant sound engineering of Bob Cronin, lights of Dave and Duncan Catterall, to Stuart Robb of Jam Central for all the support and help he gave to tournament organiser Martin Kent, and to Claire Bignell of the Kings Head for having the courage to allow 35 musicians to make one hell of a noise in her pub's courtyard. Thanks also to all the sponsors, especially The Chiltern Brewery, chief sponsors of the event. Kids Company will be around 1500 quid better off and we had a blast of a weekend.
See y'all at some stage soon,
Mart
Well....4 bands turned into 7, and the evening of the 9th Sept seems to have expanded into not only the evening of the 8th, but also both lunch times as well. THIS IS BIG!!!! Entitled "The Weekender", we are staging a 4 session festival in the Courtyard at the Kings Head in Aylesbury....and what's more, it is going to be entirely FREE! So you can come along 1-3pm and 8-11pm Sat 8th and 1-3pm and 8-11pm Sun 9th Sept for some scintillating, and totally FREE rock.
How does that work, I hear you ask? Must be the voices in my head again. Well, we are getting local and some not so local businesses to make the charitable donations, leaving us and the The King's Head able to let you all in for nothing.
The band running times are still being decided, but we are staging the following terrific acts: Bridgefield (obviously...derrrrr), MediumDave, Touchstone, Lightbox, Dream Capture, Loz Jones and Juxstar. I mean terrific as well. We have listened to all the acts and they are all on the bill based upon the quality of their music.
Again, watch this space for further news of the festival.
Next gig is this Friday, 22nd June at the world famous Kings Head in Fulham. We are onstage at 9:30pm so come and give us your support, we wann see you there.
See y'all at some stage soon,
Mart
Crikey...just when I thought things couldn't get more hectic...the real fun starts.
Tola and meself are organising a "4 band spectacular" charity concert - with all of the profits going to Kids Company, a charity doing sterling work on behalf of abused and under-privileged kids. The date is yet to be finalised but rumours are flying around and around, up, down, and back and forth between emails - that it will be 9 September 2007, in Aylesbury. So far, we have 2 bands confirmed for the bill - MEDIUMdave MEDIUMdave and of course the mighty BF! We are currently looking at other quality original acts to complete the line up for the night's entertainment.
Kids Company provides emotional, practical and educational support to severely underprivileged and abused children of all ages. Find out more at kidsco.org.uk - we are determined to raise as much as we can for them and tickets should be on sale for around a fiver so with 4 bands in one night...what better deal are you gonna get?!
Watch this space for further news and confirmation of the gig.
Next!!!! The new album has hit cdbaby.com and thus is available as a CD on the net for the first time, if you're too shy to buy a copy from one of the band members. From cdbaby, it should be only a couple of weeks before the mp3 versions of the tracks hit iTunes... then the fun starts. For now, the link to cdbaby is cdbaby.com/bridgefield3
....and finally, as if that wasn't enough excitement, we find ourselves forming a coalition with female-fronted, Oxford-based band Juxstar and will be supporting them at the Bullingdon Arms (The Bully), Cowley Road in Oxford, 4th May 2007. Get there early, we are up at 8pm followed swiftly by Juxstar at 9pm. Should be a dooza.
See y'all at some stage soon,
Mart
In brief cos there's far too much too tell yer good self about in one news item.....
1. The first run of CDs of our new album, "Give you More", is arriving from the manufacturers today, so if you want an advanced copy, mail me at mart_a_kent@yahoo.com to organise it...8 measley pounds and 50 paltry pence...and I'll even pay your p&p....can't say fairer than that (especially if you can't say s, f or th.....barrrrfffff fnarrrrggghhh). They will be available through our usual outlets...cdbaby and solarise...in a month or so.
2. Had a terrific interview with BBC Three counties Radio yesterday with the very lovely Kelly Betts. You can listen to that, if you're in the Bucks, Beds or Herts area north and west of London on one of 90.4, 92.1, 94.7, 95.5, 98, 103.8 and 104.5 FM....and possibly via Digital Audio or the internet, at between 6 and 7pm on Sunday 15th April.
3. Gig at the Civic this Saturday 14th is gonna be a doozer. We're appearing with 4 other fantastic acts: Fathom's Band, Chris Wickham, Bootstrap and the crunchingly awesome MEDIUMDave. So there will be something there for everyone. Be there otherwise we'll talk about you behind your back.
See y'all at some stage soon,
Mart
Our new single, Be Mine Tonight, is now available from the fantastic new unsigned web-site Indie Store. This is the first available track from the forthcoming album, Give You More, which will be released on the same site on 2nd April. Palpable? palpable, I'm palputating all over the place!!!!
Indie Store is the site that launched Koopa into the top 40, the first unsigned band ever to reach those dizzying heights...so go on, propel Bridgefield skywards as well.
See y'all at some stage soon,
Mart
The excitement is palpable (wha'da &*&* does that mean)...anyway, it is. The album, Give You More, has been mastered by those lovely folk at Sound Recording Technology oop near Cambridge, and the artwork given that professional touch by Dan Barrett. We're now awaiting the printed proofs for approval, then it's off to manufacture. We are getting to the point whereby we can announce the date of the release of our single, Be Mine Tonight, and then the full album. I expect those events to happen within the next month.
With the release of the new album, we now need to work hard to get the show together with our new Bass player, Paul Stocker. Paul is 13 tracks into the set as I type, and we expect that we will be up and running with a full show mid-April. Dates will be published shortly. p>
Meantime, we want to shoot a video, and would like you to be a part of it. Shooting will probably be on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon/evening in mid to late April. If you fancy coming along to shout and scream, and maybe consume a drink or two, drop me a line on mart_a_kent@yahoo.com . It will be completely free and should be a right good laff.
See y'all at some stage soon,
Mart
...wandering around the ghettos of Princes Risborough (that's in Bucks for those not in the know). What could we do, other than kosh him over the head and drag him into the studio, and when he came too he found himself a fully-fledged Bridgefielder.
Who is he? One Paul Stocker, a bass player of local repute from Tring in Herts. Paul has been plying his trade as a bass player with a local covers band which unfortunately (for them but fortunately for us) disbanded due to the emigration of several members.
Paul decided that he needed a fresh challenge, and what could be more challenging than getting the Bridgefield set under your belt...early results indicate that this is going to be doddle for Paul and that he is thoroughly relishing his place in the band.
A BIG WELCOME TO PAUL....and let's get cracking and get out there.
Saturday, 5th Mar 2007 - Bass Player Found...
After a number of years in the band Rob has had to withdraw from Bridgefield. This has been necessary because of family and work. Rob has been promoted with his day job and it will mean him having to work extra hours. Hence he will have no time for Bridgefield. This is a sad time for us as Rob is a great mate, a great performer and recording engineer and a great bloke. We will sorely miss him.
So, with a heavy heart, we are having to advertise for a new bass player. If you know anyone please get in touch. This is the ad we are running in NME online:
Bass Player wanted. Male or Female. For original female fronted alt rock/pop band. Based NW of London. Powerful/unique songs. 80s meets indie, guitar driven melodies/heavy keys/strong intense female vox. Must be experienced/capable/high standard/quick learner. Own transport/gear. 2nd Album release shortly/currently negotiating record comany interest/London gigs. Genuine opportunity for player who wants permanent band. Contact: Mart on 07771 561667.
Saturday, 3rd Feb 2007 - Bass Players
Brilliant...we've dunnit!!!! All recording has now finished for the new album. It's gonna be a 10 tracker and they all sound great. I've got John locked in the studio, as I type, mixing away. He's already 5 tracks in and counting. So I'm hoping we'll have a fully mixed album in the next week or two.
Now we need to pull the artwork together to produce the album inserts. Waiting for photos from Tola's pal Kate from the Puzzle gig last Thursday, and then we can crack on with producing the finished product...so watch this space. We are hoping that we can collaborate with Crash Records on this one as distribution of the album will be so much better through them.....exciting times.
See you all at some stage soon,
Mart
Sunday, 3rd Dec 2006 - Dunnit!!!!!!...
Buqqer &*!*(!. Just when the gigs start rolling in, we get a senseless cancellation. The Wheatsheaf in Dunstable have decided to stop staging original bands, so our gig on the 15th Dec is off, so don't go cos we wont be there...I can't believe that their business is so poor that they can't afford to pay a paltry £150 to stage some quality entertainment...I couldn't be bothered running a business that's on the edge like that...still their loss.
...and then in comes Crash Records and invites us to headline at the Social in Thame, on 14th Dec 2006. The evening kicks off at 8pm with two supports Dumb Angel and Tim Matthews.
This is our first (hopefully of many) collaborations with Crash and I'm really pumped up about it. We are hoping that this will develop into an appearance at the Civic in Aylesbury in April and some close work together distributing and promoting Bridgefield's upcoming album.....so watch this space. The Social is at The Social and Crash are at, er, Crash.
Cheers, Mart
Wednesday, 15th Nov 2006 - Some good news, some bad news...
Some weird goings on this week, but first to the point. Make a note in your diaries to catch us at the Puzzle, Middlesex St, London E1 on Thursday the 30th Nov at 7:30pm. The Puzzle is 2 minutes walk from Liverpool St Station. As usual, all maps and further details at the
Now the weird stuff. I'll keep it brief because it is a tortuously complicated story. My colleague and good pal, Mark Williams, is carving out quite a reputation on the motor racing circuit, and with a little sponsorship could win a prestigous racing trophy this year (if you've got the inclination to sponsor him, contact him through his web-site: Mark Williams Racing).
Well, Mark was racing last weekend at Silverstone in a car onto which he had emblazoned Bridgefield's logo and web-site (cheers Mark, can't tell how much we appreciate that). Whilst he was in the pit area who should turn up but a complete Sky TV crew together with the contestants for Sky One program, "The Race", and who were they? None other than Ms Dynamite, Jenny Frost (Atomic Kitten), Gary Numam, Les Ferdinand, Nigel Benn, Brian Johnstone (AC/DC) and a few other celebs....and who's car do they choose for a photo-shoot....yes, Mark's. If you page through Mark's web-site gallery page you'll see a plethora of shots of the celebs with the Bridgefield logo practically sticking in their ears.
Fantastic publicity for us, so once again, thanks Mark.
Just a brief mention that the band will be completing the recording for the new album this weekend. The final vocal track for a song called "Lost and Found" will be recorded by Tola on Saturday, and then we can crack into the mix-down. We still haven't named the album, so if you can come up with a name that we end up using, we'll give you a free copy and a mention in the sleeve notes.
Tuesday, 7th Nov 2006
Yay, the web-site has cruised through 100,000 page hits!!!! Less than a year after the site launched. We also celebrated having had our first day with over 1,000 page hits; last Friday, 20th Oct, was the day.
Geez...another month gone by. Chilling out on a Sunday morning after two electric gigs and some peripheral excitement attached to them. Go look at gigs to read about it. Kenny is finally blooded and the band is sounding better than ever. Rob nearly bounced his way off stage and into the Gents toilets which were inconveniently (geddit) situated behind the stage.
Back to record for the next few weeks and get the new album finished. Very much looking forward to the Puzzle gig at the end of November, and we are hoping to return to the Wheatsheaf in Dunstable in Dec (15th) and breaking into pastures new in Swindon (The Beehive)in Jan....keep an eye on the gig page.
Monday, 23rd Oct 2006
Sunday, 22nd Oct 2006
I realise that I haven't posted any news for a while. The reason for this is that my PC has been completely shafted up with viruses which have stopped me getting access to the internet and hence to my web-page editor. I don't know which sad b$$$$$$ds write these viruses programs, but for the amount of time they waste, they should be rounded up and executed by bongo-bongo.
Right, what's happening. Well last Saturday (16th) we played the Downley Donkey in Wycombe....it was a blinder. The place was heaving. Great sound, well done Nick, great lights, well done David, and we had Ross Elder of Burn fame playing great drums for us....nice one Ross. The band were terrific and Tola blew the world away....but we kind of expect that now!!! For me, the biggest triumph of the night was the first ever performance by our 16 year-old backing vocalist, Rosie Kent....first gig, nah, said Chris, the Landlord, dont believe it. But it was and she was terrific. We hope she'll go on to sing and play for us aplenty in the future....yep she plays keys, and is one mean tambourinist.
Recording is taking bounds forward. Tola has about 3 or 4 songs to record and we're there. The new album is shaping up to be an 11 tracker, and I make no apologies for that. Our last one was 15 and it was just too colossal a project. I'll mail out as soon as it ready....don't worry bout that.
Next gig is at the Fiddlers Elbow in Kentish Town, 19th Oct 8pm. Go to our Gigs page for more details Gigs. 3 poundingtons on the door and several other bands on to boot. See you there.
That's it for now.
Friday, 22nd Sept 2006
We've done it!!!! We've filled our drummer vacancy, but in a rather novel way. Having auditioned numerous drummers, some good, some not quite so, we've been fortunate enough to secure the services of Kenny Stone, a pro drummer from Windsor, of outstanding quality.
Kenny derives his living plying his trade as a session pro with various tribute and covers bands. All this left him with a desire to be a part of an original band playing its own material, to satisfy his creative urges. An audition hastily arranged, Kenny knocked us dead with his metronomic tempo and massively original percussive style. I kid you not, you must see him when he debuts for us.
With his other commitments and our desire to get out there again, there are inevitably going to be timetable clashes. This is where the dream ticket comes in. Ross Elder, another magnificent pro drummer from High Wycombe, has very kindly agreed to dep for us whenever Kenny is tied up and he is available. Ross is being kept busy playing with his rock covers band, Burn (check them out at http://www.burn-rock.co.uk/ ,although they will need no introduction to live music fans to the North and West of London). He combines this with his career as a drum tutor, and taking up the sticks now and again with Bridgefield is going to keep him riveted to his drum stool. His Bridgefield duties commence on Saturday, Sept 16th when we play the Downley Donkey with him.
Not only should you be there to check out Ross, but this is Bridgefield's first local gig in Bucks for some time. If you've not been up to London to see us play recently you've got some new material to catch up on. Details and map on our web-site at bridgefieldmusic.com/gigs.html#future. On stage at 9pm.
That's it from me. I'm off to dowse myself in ice cubes, with a splash of Pimms, then I might have a drink. Take care, have a great Summer, and see you on 16th Sept.
Thursday, 27th July 2006
THIS IS THE AD WE ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING FOR A DRUMMER
Talented Rock Drummer urgently wanted for original female fronted alt rock band. Based NW of London. Powerful and unique material - think Blondie, Garbage, Muse, Killers. 100% commitment required, together with good experience and strong ability/high standard of musicianship. Must be quick learner. Own transport/gear essential. Currently, we are distributing songs via internet and have gigs/showcases waiting. Genuine opportunity for right person.
contact Mart on 07771 561667 or mart_a_kent@yahoo.com
Don't despair though, we are in the throes of auditioning and should be up and running ready for mid-September.....so watch this space for further news.
Hope to be a bit more upbeat next time I post here, but for now I'm off to comfort eat a bumper-sized toblerone whilst I sulk away the evening listening to the Cure.
Thursday, 22nd June 2006
Wednesday, 21st June 2006
Who said running a rock band was easy. There is no simple way to say this, but it is with massive regret that we have lost Terry from the band. I'm not prepared to go into detail here, but he goes with our absolute best wishes, and I know that there is a band out there that will be as lucky as hell to get Terry to play drums for them. He's a joy to work with and is hugely dedicated and a smashing chap to boot. We are all totally p*$$ed off about the situation.
All this leaves Bridgefield drummer-less, and as such we have had to cancel the gig at the Britannia in Aylesbury on the 15th July. Our sincere apologies go to Stuart at JCR/Aylesbury Showcase, the landlord of the Britannia and also to all of you who were planning to come along to see us. We thought about getting a dep in, but with just 3 weeks to go, it would have sounded as rough as a bear's ar$e.
FREE BRIDGEFIELD BADGES - Just taken delivery of some rather fetching Bridgefield badges. If you want one...totally free... either see me after class, or go to the Contact page and mail me for one....I'll need somewhere to send it. Only condition is that you must wear it everywhere...even in the bath. First come first served till they're gone.
I'm off to bed now. The good ship Bridgefield is riddled with disease (well colds and s**t) and we're all feeling massively sorry for ourselves...actually all except Tola, who's not feeling at all sorry for us....read her new column at Planet Bridgefield.
Busy times...rehearsals start with Terry on drums this weekend and it will be interesting to see how the rhythm unit tightens up...can't wait. I think we're getting a bit soft...the new rehearsal rooms are carpetted and have a kettle....not rock'n'roll is it?...Remember to bring the milk Rob!!!
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