Sunday 16 April 2017, 8pm
Fantastic double-header featuring two great songwriters in the form of Bob Theil and Simon Finn.
Simon Finn has been given another crack at the troubled profession of singer/songwriter, his story the stuff of legend: A lone wolf troubadour from the mid-’60s U.K. scene, he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Bert Jansch. The powerful Pass the Distance, released to critical acclaim, seemingly lost for- ever... Since, a new record has surfaced – capturing the past and the present, a seamless transition despite the quarter century Simon Finn has won over fans worldwide – including Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore and ex-Blur gui- tarist Graham Coxon – with his passion, his wit and his soul-shaking music.
Aside from his solo shows Simon also plays guitar in a band called Current 93, which were the cover story of the July Wire. In 2006 his original album, Pass the Distance, was made in 1969, with David Toop (author of The Rap Attack and Oceans of Sound) and Paul Burwell. It was produced by Vic Keary who ran Mushroom records at the time.
His 2007 release, Accidental Life, has also been recorded and mastered by Vic Keary. Playing on it are: Joolie Woods, David Toop, Karl Blake (Lemon Kittens) Keith Godman, with backing vocals from Danielle Dax and Rose McDowall (Strawberry Switchblade).
“One of UK's best kept secrets of the last 30 years.” – It's Psychedelic Baby
Bob Theil is a Scottish born singer-songwriter and guitarist, steeped in the tradition of the great acoustic troubadours from the UK scene circa 1965 and onwards. His songs and music recall what for many is considered a halcyon period when the likes of Roy Harper, Bert Jansch, Michael Chapman, Richard Thompson and Al Stewart to name a few, were plying their trade in the UK clubs and college circuit. His voice, writing and guitar playing are an eclectic mix of folk and rock influences.
Other obvious influences at the time were Bob Dylan, Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake as well as a mix of artists such as Jethro Tull, Rory Gallagher, Led Zeppelin, Genesis.
The use of mainly 12 string acoustic/electric guitar in his unique picking (finger and plectrum) style lends itself perfectly to songs that are an evocative mixture of Celtic atmosphere on the one hand, to at other times an acoustic rock sound that has been likened to Pink Floyd. In a way, this comparison is understandable given the Gilmouresque electric leads featured on a few tracks on his debut LP "So Far" (1982).
