It’s Time - Think of a Song Productions

It’s time – once again – to get on our bikes. a Band named Brian takes to the road, returning to Wales for another epic cycle tour. Plus, we’ll be teaming up with local environmental groups for a Bath Fringe special…

Brutally Frank

Infectious rhythms and memorable hooks underpin honest truth-telling in some of a Band named Brian’s most powerful writing to date. Brian addresses universal truths by way of personal observation. His delivery is raw, unpolished and brutally frank.

Together with fiddle player Rob Whale, the duo cycles from venue to venue, raising environmental awareness – and spirits – through the medium of song. Two parts Billy Bragg to one Part Levellers, with a touch of Johnny Cash, think of Brian’s as like a more middle-class Beans on Toast (Haloumi on Sourdough?).

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry… you may just dance!

Audience Response to Previous Shows & Tours

“loved every minute!”

“messages are not only loud and clear, they are gentle and sublime”

“brilliant violinist… at one stage reminded me of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons”

“freeing, fun and captivating”

“bloody awesome!!!”

“profound and relevant to our time”

“gave me great comfort”

“a true artist”

Pre-Tour Warm-up

Before we head to the hills, we’ll be doing a one-off show at the wonderful Bell Inn in Bath. If you don’t know it already, you really should. It’s a community-owned hotbed of creativity and bohemian bonhomie. The first ever Band named Brian took place there in 2008, so it’s a joy to be appearing at what is arguably the cradle of Brian!

Shindiggery

As ever, the first tour-date proper will be the inimitable Hobo Stage at Shindig Festival in Malmesbury. The site was formally WOMAD’s preferred venue. However, it has been alleged that the land owner has dealt arms to Israel. So, what better place to speak out on behalf of the under-represented and repressed victims of that country’s hateful leadership? I’m very much looking forward to seeing what headline act Bob Vylan has to say on the matter!

Truly Grapeful

One of our favourite haunts, both to perform and just to hang-out, is The Grapes in Bath. Ellie and her team have transformed what used to be a dour, fruit-machine and TV-screen laden city centre pub into a vibrant meeting place for young and old alike. Music ranges from jazz sessions, to trad folk and contemporary bands. Sunday afternoons are always well-attended with an attentive and discerning crowd. Sounds like you? Come along!

Fringe Benefits

Not strictly a tour date, this one. So, there will be a separate page coming shortly to explain all. Suffice to say, this will be a one-off, theatrical event, in which we engage one of the country’s finest academic minds in a unique musico-social Q&A. Intrigued? You should be!

I Could Tell You But…

Next stop: Newnham on Severn. But where exactly is only for the cognoscenti. We last travelled across Wales two years ago, stopping en route to play an Arts centre at the edge of the Forest of Dean. Sadly, like many of its kind, this venue was underfunded and run by well-meaning but inexperienced volunteers. The event fell through at the last minute but we were hosted by a wonderful couple who, this year, are opening their home for a living-room gig. This will be for a select, invited audience only, so – unless you are one of those – I’m afraid we can’t divulge anything further.

Tapping Into The Beacons’ Spirit

Similarly, on our last Wales tour, we had to take refuge in the Brecon Tap after our planned date in that town also fell through (another arts centre – what can I say?). The Tap is a cracking place, with fine ales, great food and a lively vibe. Local promoter Angus King is hosting and we know this is going to be a great night. We nearly did a spontaneous, acoustic set on our last visit but had already enjoyed the hospitality too much to be in a fit state by the time that opportunity arose!

Llandovery Hope & Glory

A highlight of our previous tour was the wonderful Whitehall pub in Llandovery. A real community hub and a real-ale haven, we pioneered Sunday afternoon music there under the warm welcome of former owner Anne. The current landlords have now embedded that as a regular feature, so we’ll be proud to return and help keep the flame burning.

One notable connection we made at that previous gig was a local promoter and DJ named Brian. I know – what are the chances…? (100%, as it turns out.) Anyway, he’ll be celebrating a milestone birthday on the weekend of our Whitehall appearance. So he’s invited us to play the previous night at Llandovery Rugby Club, along with a host of other top acts. I’m sure that will be a thoroughly civilized and restrained evening.

Stone Me!

Back in the late 90s, I performed on drums with folk-rock supergroup Madigan (I wonder where they got that name?). The other band members were all established figures within the folk scene and would regularly go to play sessions and gigs at a legendary hotel in Pembrokeshire, named ‘Druidstone‘. But I was never invited (aaaahhh!). So, it’s been a long-held ambition to play there as ‘a Band named Brian’. Incidentally, I chose that name as riposte to my former eponymous band going out with another drummer after we’d officially disbanded (booohhh!).

Back to Our Rwts

On a recent, non-musical trip to the Pembrokeshire coast, my wife and I called-in at a cafe-bar in Broad Haven, called Rwts. This establishment has a relaxed, progressive vibe, does great breakfasts and, later in the day, a range of pizzas. I saw they were holding open-mic events on Sundays, so asked whether they’d be interested in also hosting a gig for an original artist. They would! And they’ve been very helpful in arranging a PA and being flexible with dates to accommodate our cycling itinerary. We’re looking forward to a great evening – weather-permitting, on the terrace.

Local Hero

On our first jaunt across Wales, we played at the amazing Trehale Farm, a creative, lawless outpost in the wilds of Pembrokeshire. On that occasion, we shared the evening with the wonderful Abbie Jebbers. Abbie is a free-spirited singer-songwriter with thought-provoking songs and a deep, Joni Mitchell-like tone. We asked her for suggestions of local venues and her top choice was Ffwrn in Fishguard. It’s a self-proclaimed restaurant, bar and events venue. And if it’s good enough for Abbie…

We’re Only Here For The Cwrw

Two years ago, we had a lovely mid-week gig at Cwrw in Carmarthen. This is a well-established venue that attracts some really top artists, so it was a joy to play there. This time we’ve been offered a Saturday night, so we’re hoping to build on our previous success and get in a good crowd. And, in case you were wondering, ‘cwrw’ is the Welsh word for ‘beer’. Seems like a good fit to me.

Paradise

From Carmarthen, we’ll be peddling to Swansea and the Elysium Gallery bar. According to a certain search engine, Elysium is a Greek imagining of the afterlife, described as a ‘paradise for heroes and the righteous’. So, once again, we should fit right in. This booking came as a result of an introduction by Canadian singer-songwriter Caleb Tomlinson. I saw him and his partner in song Logan Mckillop at St James Wine Vaults in Bath on their recent tour, which also took them across Wales. We swapped details and agreed to help one another with gig contacts. It’s worked for me!

Any More For Any More?

It’s possible we’ll be adding one or two dates to this already burgeoning schedule. In particular, we could do with something around the Cardiff (or Caerphilly) area, to plug the gap before our final push home to Bath. So, if you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear them. Otherwise, we hope to see you at one of these dates.

At a Glance

Apr 07	The Bell Inn	Bath
May 21 – 24	Shindig Festival	Malmesbury
May 31	The Grapes	Bath
Jun 04	Private Gig	Newnham on Severn
Jun 05	Brecon Tap	Brecon
Jun 06	Llandovery Rugby Club	Llandovery
Jun 07	The Whitehall	Llandovery
Jun 10	Druidstone Hotel	Pembrokeshire
Jun 11	Rwts	Broad Haven
Jun 12	Ffwrn	Fishguard
Jun 13	Cwrw	Carmarthen
Jun 14	Elysium Gallery	Swansea