Communion Oxford are very proud to present Pete Roe, Louise and the Pins, Pale Seas, Dan Whitehouse and the Method on Sunday 27th May 2012 at The Jericho Tavern, Oxford.
With such an ace line-up what better way to kick off the summer than an evening at the Jericho Tavern?

Pete Roe
Having toured with the lovely Laura Marling many a time, Pete Roe has stepped into the limelight with his EP ‘The Merry-Go-Round’. Recorded entirely live and solo, ‘The Merry-Go-Round’ really shows off Pete’s tender vocals and storytelling capabilities, as a result he’s been likened to Bert Jansch and John Martyn.
www.peteroe.org

Pale Seas
Pale Seas have been making waves of hype online and are an awesome live act. Formerly known as Netherlands, Pale Seas are a Southampton born, London based Dream Folk band, they’re truly unique and we love them. They are currently making their way around the country with EP Something or Nothing.
www.placestohaunt.com

Dan Whitehouse
Singer/Songwriter Dan Whitehouse has been compared by listeners to James Taylor, Cat Stevens and Tom Baxter. Dan writes music steeped in timeless roots traditions, laced with lyrical twists that narrate modern life. Following on from his 3 EPs (The Balloon, The Bubble, The Box), his debut album to be released on 23rd April 2012 is acoustic at heart, sensitively embellished with a creative band of musicians who add their distinctive sounds to Dan’s muse.

+ Special Guest

Doors: 7PM

Tickets:  £5 adv. from here

Communion Belfast brings you the lanch of the long-anticipated, Farriers debut album, “Years Ago In Our Backyard”. In keeping with our push to bring over acts from the UK & further afield, we’re delighted to announce that we’ll have Three Blind Wolves returning to Belfast to support Farriers on this launch show. The last time we had anything like this was the Napoleon EP launch with Nathaniel Rateliff, which sold out. We have a feeling this one will be going the same way.

Sunday, 27th May 2012, The Black Box, Belfast.

Farriers

The Co. Down based band will released their debut album, “Years Ago in Our Backyard” on Sunday 27th May the album features 10 tracks written and recorded at Hillhouse Studios.

The culmination of 3 years work, the album draws on influences of Americana and Irish folk sounds and takes the listener on a journey through truthfully uptempo folk, darkly alcoholic gospel and heartfelt moments of melancholy.
The process of deciding on what made the album was a tricky one, but through their live shows and enthusiastic crowd interaction, the final tracklist fell into place. The album includes live show favourites such as San Remo, a tale of a small town that lies in the path of a bigger journey , The Fire’s Burn, which tells of unforgettable nights out with friends, and new songs like the title track Years Ago In Our Backyard, a song about long lamented youth in sprawling North American cities.

http://farriers.bandcamp.com/

Three Blind Wolves

Loud, hairy, and unpredictable, Three Blind Wolves are four young Glaswegians delivering country rock with a razor sharp edge. Drawing influences from Neil Young, Creedence Clearwater Revival and even Led Zeppelin, the boys have sold out venues across Scotland with their wild stage presence, transfixing harmonies and captivating performance.

The band released mini-album Sound of the Storm on Communion Records in March 2011 to critical acclaim, with track Emily Rose bagging a well-deserved place on the July MOJO magazine cover CD and sealing their soaring momentum with a coveted place on the BBC Introducing stage at T in the Park 2011 and securing slots at major Showcase Festivals Eurosonic, SXSW and CMW.

http://bandcamp.threeblindwolves.com/

Gareth Dunlop

Born and raised in Belfast, Gareth Dunlop has been crafting songs and a career which has seen him named 2011 Young Songwriter of the Year at the Annual Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival, have songs featured in numerous hit television series including Cougar Town,One Tree Hill,Private Practice,Army Wives,Life Unexpected, and more. He’s opened for Jeff Beck, Jools Holland, Nanci Griffith, Angus & Julia Stone, Paul Carrack, The Steeldrivers, Imelda May…not to mention Snow Patrol performed Dunlop’s song, Firefly, with a full orchestra and invited him to join the band on stage as the lead vocalist for their special homecoming performance in Belfast.

This is what he does. It’s what he’s always done. Not a stranger to Communion Belfast, it’s an absolute delight to have him back on the stage and we look forward to hearing what he’s been working on recently.

http://garethdunlop.com

Doors 7:30pm

Tickets £7 are available from communionmusic.co.uk/live and blackboxbelfast.com

We’ve got yet another fantastic lineup for the next San Francisco show on Monday, 7th May at Cafe du Nord.

Skinny Singers

Skinny Singers are Tim Bluhm and Jackie Greene.

skinnysingers.com

John Fullbright

With the release of ‘From The Ground Up’ (Thirty Tigers/Blue Dirt Records), Oklahoma singer/songwriter John Fullbright is certain to join any conversation about the best new artists in music today. Firmly rooted in a variety of musical styles, John draws on what has come before but without imitation. Forget labels when you listen to John Fullbright. He is not folk, not Americana and not pop, but possibly the best definition of them all. Fullbright’s earliest songwriting heroes, Townes Van Zandt and Mickey Newbury certainly infuse this record, but so do Jimmy Webb and Randy Newman and many of Fullbright’s lesser-known songwriting friends from Oklahoma and Texas.

www.johnfullbrightmusic.com

Breathe Owl Breathe

After years of writing one-off children’s stories, Micah Middaugh has created a limited edition canvas-covered book that reads from outside covers inward, ending at the center. And in the middle, slipped between a hand cranked copper block printed sleeve, are two new Breathe Owl Breathe songs pressed onto black 70 gram 7″ vinyl. A project that took close to 3 years to complete, and all within the confines of his home studio (Cavern Lantern Wonder Welding) in the Jordan River Valley of Northern Michigan. Every single cover, page, sleeve, and block was made in Michigan.

www.g-rad.org/breatheowlbreathe

honeymoon

The dictionary defines a honeymoon as “any new relationship characterized by an initial period of harmony and goodwill”; this was the intention when Monterey/Bay Area singer/songwriters Lauren Shera, Christina Bailey, and Sara E. Bollwinkel began playing music together in early 2010 as a collaborative to showcase their individual songs and the music they began writing together: an indie-folk blend with traditional roots and pop sensibility. Each of the three young women have a unique and powerful stage presence that commands an audience’s attention as they trade off lead vocals and switch between instruments with ease; combining pristine three-part harmonies with masterful arrangements played on guitar, banjo and violin. The ladies are accompanied by Matt Bollwinkel on bass and Mark Quinn on drums, rounding out their sound perfectly. Between their original material and their choice selection of cover songs, honeymoon manages to weave the nostalgia of Americana music with the force of indie-rock in a way that is undeniably moving and unique. Since they formed, this energy and talent has consistently lead new fans to discover their music and become enthusiastic supporters of the group. Whether they are baking pies or making music, the harmony and goodwill are always present with this wonderful group.

www.honeymoonismusic.com

Jackie Greene

At age 31, Jackie Greene has accomplished what many artists strive decades for. He has recorded seven albums of original work, an EP, DVD, and a recently released book of lyrics. Greene has been involved in many high-profile side projects. Included in his endeavors are performing with Levon Helm at Levon’s famous ‘Ramble’ and featured performer at Warren Haynes annual Christmas Jam. He is currently planning a summer tour with a new ensemble, Trigger Hippy, featuring Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes and Joan Osborne. There will also be a series of shows with Jackie Greene, Bob Weir, and Chris Robinson as an acoustic trio.

www.jackiegreene.com

Doors: 7.30pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets: $10 adv. available here

Everyone loves something for free. Fact is, we love bringing you great, new, exciting music and we’d do it for free every night if we could. Still, this is a chance for us to give something back, a party to celebrate the wonderful nights of music we’ve had together. Without you, these would not have happened. So, get your dancing shoes on and come party with us.

We are proud to bring you some of the UK’s youngest, freshest talent in Belfast’s newest bar, The Hudson on Friday, 27th April 2012

The Filthy Six

The Filthy Six are the most exciting, authentic soul jazz outfit in the country today and have established themselves as one of the finest live acts around. Their hip-shakingly powerful mixture of jazz, funk and soul will rock your socks off. Fact.

With their latest release, “The Fox” due out on Acid Jazz records on 16th April, we cannot wait to enjoy a night with the Filthy Six!

thefilthysix.com

The Jepettos

A band from Derry, who launched themselves in 2012 to great acclaim. Influenced heavily by the airy vocals of Sufjan Stevens and the quirky lilt of Lisa Hannigan, this 5 piece woodwind and string ensemble is headed up by husband-wife songwriters Mike and Ruth whose collaboration creates a natural yet unpredictable sound.

Check out lead single “Goldrush” on their website. You’ll start to get the idea.

facebook.com/TheJepettos

Saul Ashby

We are delighted to introduce you to Saul Ashby and his band, who are undertaking a Communion UK tour and this will be their first stop in Ireland. Saul releases his debut single, Debutantes, on Fly Records, a label who launched the careers of Mark Bolan 40 years ago. Raised in London and having studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Ashby trained as a jazz drummer before moving to New York and finding his true passion as a songwriter. His debut single is a vibrant and contemporary twist on classic guitar-stop music from artists like Elvis Costello and Edywn Collins.

saulashby.com

+ Special Guest & ATFL DJs

Doors, 8pm. Tickets not required, because it’s FREE!

Sunday, 6th May 2012 at Notting Hill Arts Club, London

Communion are proud to present yet another jaw dropping 7 band bill for this month’s Communion. First up we have Nathan Holme with his wonderful, looping, melodic weirdness. Next is one of Kent’s finest folk singer songwriters, Lucy Kitt. Tom the Lion skips from naked piano ballads, driving guitars, and percussive electro, to stargazing folk.

Leaders of Men are are a new exciting five piece from Dublin rumoured to be the next big thing. Let’s Buy Happiness join us off the back of their support tour with Primal Scream. Even in a scene as vibrant as the current one in Brooklyn, Savoir Adore bring something entirely unique and exciting to the table with their addictively lush slant on pop. Amber States are an indie folk 5-piece formed in London in 2010. At once uplifting and melancholic, their songs are crafted from strong melodies and beau. Topped off with Marcus Foster and ATFL DJ’s.

Doors: 6pm

Tickets: £7 adv. available here

It’s with great pleasure that we announce the latest bands to join Bushstock Festival 2012:
Amber States, Daughter, Dog is Dead, JP Cooper, Matthew and the Atlas and Nick Mulvey.

Full lineup here.

Buy Tickets

Communion Oxford – 22nd April 2012 – Jericho Tavern

Henry Parker
Henry Parker is an incredibly talented guitarist and singer/songwriter born and bred in Oxfordshire. With his band ‘Magical World’, Henry will transport you back to the sound of 60s folk and blues artists whilst putting a fresh young spin on this classic style.

The Fallows
The Fallows are an acoustic indie/folk band based in Coventry and winners of BBC Introducing (Coventry & Warwickshire) Artist Of The Month for February 2012. “This is real music from real life. Every lyric and note is carefully crafted from pieces of stories, past feelings and the hope of new experiences. Bags of great songs and energy promise a gig that is buzzing with passion.”

Prita
Prita Grealy’s live sound ‘Hip-So-Fo’ is unique crossing genres Hip-Hop, Soul and Folk with the use of live loop pedal layering. Her striking voice and look captivate audiences with her warm persona fans describe her show as ‘uplifting, inspiring and like watching open-heart surgery’.

Joyce the Librarian
This Bristol based group have a gorgeous warm sound and will not fail to make you smile. “Their sound is understated but undeniably beautiful, simple guitars and flashes of cello and trumpet back softly-spoken lyrics.”

Doors 7.30pm

Tickets £4 adv available here

For his first ever European show outside of the UK, Matt Corby will be heading to Germany to play at the Roter Salon in Berlin on Friday 27th of April. Tickets on sale now via the link below. More European shows and info to be announced later in the year.

We look forward to meeting some of our German friends there.

Adv. tickets available here

Communion returns to the Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco on Monday, 2nd April 2012 with a stellar lineup!

Kacey Johansing
http://www.kaceyjohansing.com/
“Angel Island” - http://youtu.be/9eX7fCFQGbA

Hosannas
http://www.hosannasmusic.com/
“Be Careful” - http://vimeo.com/12569966

Joseph Childress
http://josephchildressmusic.com/
“10,000 Horses” - http://youtu.be/Qn32Igq6nvU

Levi Strom
http://levistrom.com/
“The Lone Wolf” - http://youtu.be/R6qyhxo-eRA

Doors @ 8:00PM – Show @ 8:30PM
Tickets: $10 adv/$12 door
Age: 21+
Purchase Tickets here

Communion & The Hope Live present…

LIZ GREEN
www.lizgreenmusic.co.uk

http://youtu.be/j-KeXVln0bE

+ support from ALABASTER DE PLUME (www.alabasterdeplume.com) and a special surprise guest!

Monday, 2nd April 2012 at the Hope, Brighton

The least exotic thing about tragi-comic pop artist Liz Green is her name. No Alela here – according to family lore the twenty-eight year old Green is descended from a Liverpool line that includes executioners and rag and bone men. It’s at least certain that she carries on an ancestral tradition of storytelling, as her debut album O, Devotion! testifies.

If she can imagine it, she can bring it to life. That’s why her first album includes a single inspired by Holocaust chronicler Primo Levi and sung from the part of a self-reliant refugee (‘Displacement Song’) alongside the tale of an inveterate funeral-goer a la Harold and Maude (‘Luis’ – a Metro headline ‘Luis Squasilli from Mexico has been to every funeral in his home town for the last twenty years’ was the jump off point here) and the astonishingly visceral, unashamedly bleak album highlight ‘Gallows’, exploring the inevitability of a bad end. And this is not even counting the hushed and “desperate clarity” and dignity of ‘The Quiet’ which is “about looking in through the windows of old people’s homes – at old people looking out” which delivers the exquisite gut wrench of the following lines ‘O my skin is thin now/ And I can’t hold you/ Within these paper hands/ I’m much too weak to stand.’

Even cheerier moments such as the near-anthemic ‘Midnight Blues’ and the ultra-melodic faux-chanson of ‘French Singer’ (delivered at the piano on this new version) are not so straightforward. “People have had this played at their weddings,” she says of the latter, “And I want to explain to them that it’s the romantic dream of how love might feel by a young girl who’s never had any. Perhaps the dream you have of love is the most romantic love of all.”

A lifetime in gestation, it’s no wonder the timeless classicism of O, Devotion! took its sweet time to hatch. “This has been a lesson in letting go. I think part of me wanted to keep the songs to myself. I was so scared of being misinterpreted or misunderstood. But I’m happy to give them over now, for people to take whatever they want from them,” says Green.

Incidentally that title came from a dream wherein a man, maybe Son House, sang to sleeping Liz. All she remembered of his song on waking were the words ‘O Devotion’. “I searched everywhere for it – thinking it was likely a song I had read about but not heard, but I couldn’t find it” she says. “The longer this album took to make, the more it seemed to suit it. Devotion is love and frustration, hope and desperation, exhaustion and joy. Without a level of blind devotion, it wouldn’t have ever been made.”

It has and we are swooning, or in Liz’s final words, it’s all about “capturing a little bit of soul”. Job done Liz Green.

Last few £6 tickets available exclusively here!

Doors open at 8pm – hope to see you there!