Lots has happened and now its almost Christmas and we still haven't even started our present shopping!!
We have, however, done lots of other things on our check list:
a) sing a christmas song with a beautiful, talented singer.
CHECK.
(you can watch our Jose Vanders session here, it'll warm your cockles!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D61oQAxlMD8
b) do some wonderful gigs with some amazing bands
CHECK.
(you can join us this saturday for our final shindig before christmas, with the lantern society, and Danny Champion of the world ((just shimmy over to our "live" page for details))
c) appear in the observer.
CHECK
OK this one is just self indulgent! thanks so much to Ross Noble for mentioning us in his column on saturday.
We wish you all a VERY merry Christmas and hope to meet many more of you in the new year.
15-12-2011
Well, well, well...
Lots has been a happenin' since the last entry. At the moment I have sticky fingers from a chocolate bar that I just ate...so ill summarise:
Here are our brand shiny new videos, we really hope that you like them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u26r6NCkI7w
and for something a little chirpier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73_4Yx5Mcc8
xxxx
18-10-2011
Something is around the corner.
If you are wondering which corner I am talking about, just have a look out the window. (If you are reading this from a. a submarine b. a countryside retreat c. the ocean, this may not work for you!) But for everyone else, there is an album around that corner that you're looking at! Don't believe me? ...see for yourself soon!
Thats right, we are currently in our back room, working our socks off to stuff as much music and cobblin' goodness into one cd as we possibly can.
Be the first (or the 2nd) to hear about the release by clicking on this dangerously long link. (dont worry it wont hurt!)
http://kestoncobblersclub.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=638046ffa1bb37c3f166f7c17&id=40c9f04313
see you around that corner!
18-04-2011
She was not your cotton wool, no she was there to break the fall.
Maybe we were just a fling, but flings turn into bigger things!
.......
just copy and paste this link to reveal all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQM3cdMkdMY
05-02-2011
First thing's first. Jolly New year.
Yes, 2011 is upon us.
The birds are singing (well at least the birds that are trapped inside my swish new alarm clock that wakes you up with: "a burst of sunshine and the sound of nature" that I got for christmas!)
I'm sure we all ate and drank enough over christmas to get out our corkscrews out and make an extra hole in our belts, and now it is time to get back to the Cobblers HQ and make more music. That's exactly what we are doing. Matt is writing and news on the grapevine is, this next one's a "corker"! Although it wont be released till the album, we are planning to record your new year "Shoes-off session" in the next couple of weeks.
So keep an ear open!
Second thing's second...tuba Dan is leaving for China at the end of the month so we have embarked on a journey of trying to find a replacement for him for the next year. We would love to hear from you if you know anyone that plays, or has played the tuba. Just give us an email!!
Hopefully see you on Saturday, with any luck...at our gig at Nambucca, on Holloway Road.
Come and say "hello" to us, and "goodbye" to dan.
tear in my eye!
-- Jules
10-01-2011
Tomorrow is a thursday. Every body knows that. But what everybody may not know is that in the town of Brixton, south London, In the old Ritzy cinema, something is a rumblin'.
Its a night of music, jollity and comedy all in the name of charity. With no entry charge, we ask you to come along and watch us busk while you decide how much we are worth. Every penny will go to Oxfam. So, here's hoping that you are free to come along and that you like what you hear and that our hats are so full, that not even Julia can fit in them at the end of the night.
And Julia can fit in anything!
27-10-2010
When my brother Matthew and I were younger, our Mum and Dad took us to folk camps.
In the evenings, we'd sit around in a big, dis-used school hall surrounded by candles and all muddy from the camping, and watch as the "older ones" drunk beer and sung round in a big circle, with knots in the their hair and bells on their shoes.
They'd sing songs with so many verses that your hands were sore from clapping along. And the bits where everyone joined in were busy with different accents and slurring and words and sounds and laughing.
I didn't always understand the stories...they were in a funny language which sounded a lot like the one I knew, but with extra tipple, and more "countryside"...but I always knew where to sing. or whistle or clap.
That feeling...the cosy, late night solidarity of music amd story-telling is, what I believe is the esssence of folk.
And we want you to have some.
Thats why, for the next couple of months we are playing some of our gigs in smaller, more intimate, folk venues. We will be unplugging our instruments, stamping our feet even harder, and having a splendid time.
Please come and join us. All the information you need should be on our "live page" and if you can't find it, just drop us an email. chinawag@kestoncobblersclub.com
04-10-2010
Yes my lovely. patient friends....our EP has FINALLY landed!!!
We are so excited about this one. Months of blood, sweat and serious tears have gone into this (and you thought I was dramatic!)
It is called "Welcome to the club" and is a nice introductory selection for all you new Cobblers, and of course, our faithful oldies. It has a couple of absolute corkers, a couple of old favourites and a secret track of out single for anyone that didn't get it the first time.
We really think your'e gonna wear your shoes out tapping along to this one!!
strap in and click here!
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/welcome-to-the-club/id390756074
or we are also on amazon.
For all you cd lovers, we are just finishing our homemade limited edition of the disk. In fact, its not only the EP, but also a very special Cobblers kit.
Drop us an email or come along to one of our gigs to get one.
IF YOU ARE FREE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, COME ALONG TO THE CAVENDISH for an evening of merriment and EP-based goodness!
The cobblers.
06-09-2010
Never have we troden foot behind the scenes of such a well organised festival before.
Admittedly, Leefest 2010 was the very first festival we have played at, but from the large beaming smiles on the Cobblers' faces as the slightly rain-damp crowd cheered and screamed after our set, I'd say it is our best festival yet!
Its all for charity, and was built up my some friends in their back garden with and an incredibly dedicated team of family and crew. So impressive! So was the rest of the lineup, with Futureheads, Does it Offend You Yeah among others.
Thank you so much for having us...what an increible weekend!
The Cobblers.
16-08-2010
In the old days, if you showed me a dealine, I'd show you a grimace. If you're lucky you may have got a blushed face or witty excuse. My work at school was always last on the pile and my dates always thought I was "fashionably late".
But in the last few years I feel like I have turned a corner (be it small) and I now set my watch 5 minutes fast just to give me "The fear". Yes folks, I am usually (nearly) on time and the Cobblers certainly are, but the arrival of this EP is bamboozling us all.
So for all you lovely fans, friends and family who are eagerly waiting for it land, here is the truth...
My dog ate it.
Ok, so thats a small fib, but we have had a couple of technical hiccups which are slowing things down.
So, we emplore you...please stay in your seats and keep your hands inside your cart...
the "Extended Play is on it's way". We promise.
-- Love Jules, and the cobblers.
04-08-2010
The morning was like any other. Julia stood, shut-eyed at the bus stop, longing for the arrival of the bus (and subsequently all her hopes and dreams!) As she limply flopped to the floor and slung her feet up onto the pavement, a warm, harmonious blanket of noise shimmied its way out of her ipod into her unsuspecting ears. "Golly gosh, what is this lovely little thing that leaps into my head and dances with my soul?!!!" she asked.
* * *
(do you like the nifty asterisks?!)
Indeed, coming from my mp3 player this morning was the newest version of Fly Boy, one of the tracks on our fothcoming EP. With its beautiful orchestral aura and swishy finishing touches, it was barely recognisable. Who would think that all of this came from the deepest darkest depths of our parents' back room? So, I would like to thank Matt in advance for doing all the recording and twiddling needed to make such delightful sounds. We are so excited to unleash them upon you! Proud of you Matt.
(he will probably make me remove this by noon, so watch this "space")
-- Jules.
21-07-2010
Everyone loves a bit of the film Grease when they are young, and Matt and I were certainly avid watchers as nippers. But it wasn't until about a year ago that I realised that the lyrics to the song Summer Nights DIDN'T go:
"Summer heat....boiling the meat....."
I told myself I would never confess, and now it seems to be slap bang in the middle of the World Wide Web, but somewhere amidst my ramblings and humiliation I do have a point. If only I could remember it.
Ah yes. Its hot, hot, hot today, (I think the point I was originally making was that it feels hot enough to fry a steak on the patio!) and in this weather, all you "winter wardrobe" lovers, might be wanting to (reluctantly) slip into something cooler. Well, we have just the ticket. One of our Cobblers' Tshirts should do the trick!!
Copy and paste this link for a lovely poster with us all looking ridiculous, sporting the new range!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5429838&id=195085284244
Enjoy the sun. and I recommend you use a barbecue!
-- Jules
10-07-2010
What a tremendous time we had on thursday night, supporting the mighty Seth Lakeman at the stag theatre. Not only did we get to play with one of the nu-folk legends, but we received so many lovely comments from the audience that we left the theatre blushing!
Thank you to all those who came along, and here's to many more gigs that make us beam from ear to ear.
--Jules.
06-07-2010
Something wonderful happened at the end of last week, the sun came out. And London went mad! While people all around town threw on their flip flops, and lazed in parks..we relaxed in the sunshine for another one of our "shoes off sessions". After a warm afternoon and balmy evening, and nearly every instrument we own covered in grass, here is a little video for you. Enjoy.
15-05-2010
Oh dear, after that terrible title I feel that I ought to give you something to apologise. So here it is...after months of cold, topless people everywhere, we have made some lovely tshirts for you! Alas, I cannot tell you what is on them, but it should keep you (and your fellow tube passengers) entertained for a while...and they are guaranT'd (get it!) to handsome you up on a Monday morning. They should be available for you to buy in a couple of weeks, after the boys have road-tested them...but until then, you’ll just have to jog on the spot to keep warm.
Keep your eyes open, more information to follow. (ah and that reminds me, there is a new video in the pipeline. Think "You-Go" but crazier! )
xxx
15-04-2010
Speculation has been rife for the past couple of months;
Rumours have been growing around the area of Cudham, a flurry of frantic phone calls made from a phone box in Farnborough and a rather frantic claim of Identity theft in the village of Downe.
'Who is the strapping young fellow who stands on stage with you guys every night playing the tuba?!' Peter Samson, Leaves Green.
Well speculate no further Peter; for I can now reveal that the gentleman in question is no other than Keston resident and local 'calf of the year' winner Daniel Slade!
Daniel attended Keston Nursery and Primary school with Matthew and Tom, playing Tuba with them in the school band and progressing through the ranks with The Bromley Youth Music Trust, finishing his spell with them in their prestigious concert band and symphony orchestra.
Now Studying at The London School of Economics, Daniel divides his time between European politics and playing with the Cobblers'; A Juxtaposition waiting to happen!
So throw away your dusty bass guitars and lay down your double bass, for 2010 is the year of the Tuba!
The Club House
15-03-2010
Yesterday, The Cobbler's subjected a poor barmaid to an hour of unnecessary bar tendering. With only four people in our local pub (an outcome that we put down to it being Valentine's Day) and those four being us four; The maid was but a whisker away from shutting up shop early and going home to be with her very own Valentine.
Dedication however, prevailed and we were all rewarded with a few shandies (a cola for our designated driver, who also moonlight's as a pretty good drummer) and at about 10 minutes past the hour of ten, the subject of Keston Cobblers' Club's overdue E.P. release was broached.
The last few months have been fairly busy for the band; what with the actual forming of Keston Cobblers' Club, writing songs and all that malarkey… but after much deliberation we have concluded that now is the time to unleash some more of our songs for your ears!
The date of the release isn't set in stone, but, if all goes to plan then we hope to get the tracks out to you in time for you to catch at least one months worth of summer listening; Perhaps for that lazy weekend road trip to the coast, or that balmy summer night's barbecue in the back garden.
We'll be in the studio (Or the Lowe family music room as it's also known) for the next couple of months; re-recording a few of our current demos as well as adding a few shiny brand new songs. Think of it as a little prequel to the bigger album that will follow. Until then; we'll be gigging frequently, so check out our live page if you fancy a winter shindig to warm you up!
---Suffice to say, the barmaid did go home in the end, at a respectable time of 10.30. ---
The Club House.
14-02-2010
Alright, its not free...but we are so grateful to all of our friends, fans and family who reached into their pockets to help support our recent single, You-Go. If you haven't got it yet, you're missing out!!....just click into our club shop for details. Thanks again to those who bought it, come and find us at a gig and we shall adorn you with a lovely club badge to say thanks.
20-01-2010
Thats right Club....we have got some more dates lined up and we would love to see your faces!!
Had a great demand for tickets for the 12th, thanks y'all, really looking forward to playing at Fiddler's. For anyone that is not free or doesn't fancy turning up on the door that night, please come along to the next, or the one after, or the one after that!! (see "live" page for details).
16-01-2010
We would like to say a huge thank you to Johanna Mentel, aged 9 who goes to Keston Primary School. After hearing our song and seeing our video, Johanna told her teacher who then put a little note in the school news letter.
Also, our lovely friend Alison who is in year 6 helped put an article in the newsletter too, and we are extremely grateful to her and her family for their support with the single and help with our music video.
Matthew, Julia and Tom from the band used to go to Keston Primary and are really chuffed that the kids and parents from the school can listen to "You-Go" and find out more about the band.
Thanks Johanna and Alison!
12-01-2010
It is the 11th Jan and that means our debut single You-Go is out for download!! We'd really appreciate if you could help us out and download it, or perhaps tell your friends to download it, or both!!
11-01-2010
The debut single will be released on 11/jan/2010 and you can download it from all good online stores, including Itunes, Napster, Indiestore, Cd baby and Textatrack. We are so grateful for all the support we have had so far, and hope that more of you will buy the single when it comes out. :)
10-01-2010
We finally have City gig dates, which we would love to see as many people at as possible. We will do our best to make you proud (those that have been waiting!) Please click on the "live" button above for more info. hopefully see you there.
09-01-2010
At the end of last year we made a video for the "you-go" single. It was so much fun and the results of months of hard work. I still have nightmares of thousands of paper birds flying towards me! Thank you to everyone who helped, especially Ninian Doff and James Sheehy, who filmed and edited the whole thing. To Helen from Eco My Party who provided all the beautiful decorations and partywear, and to all our friends and family who relentlessly held paper clouds above their heads for hours on end! Its such a relief to finally have a snippet of my incessant imagination out of my head!
08-01-2010