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Spring 2016 

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Photos by Robert Van Spanje  Well that turned out to be an incredible month for artPACKT, we travelled far and wide to cover many a country. Plans are in motion to do it all again soon. Stay tuned.  Nov 2015 1/11 The Boogaloo, London, 🇬🇧 2/11 Mr Wolf's, Bristol, 🇬🇧 3/11 The Wonder Inn, Manchester, 🇬🇧 4/11 Henry’s Cellar Bar, Edinburgh, 🇬🇧 5/11 MONO, Glasgow, 🇬🇧 6/11 The Big Comfy Bookshop, Coventry, 🇬🇧 7/11 House Gig, Birmingham, 🇬🇧 12/11 The Wolfhound, Haarlem 🇳🇱 13/11 House Gig, The Hague 🇳🇱 14/11 The Home Of Art, Amsterdam 🇳🇱 15/11 House Gig, The Hague 🇳🇱 16/11 House Gig, Haarlem 🇳🇱 18/11 Cafe Monumentje, Amsterdam 🇳🇱 19/11 House Gig, Laatzen, 🇩🇪 20/11 The Beanery, Amberg, 🇩🇪 22/11 House Gig, Nuremberg, 🇩🇪 24/11 t Berlin, Berlin, 🇩🇪 25/11 Vogelchen, Berlin 🇩🇪 26/11 Karambolage, Dresden, 🇩🇪

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Interview with Mike Nisbet - On Tour!

Why Music?

 Music makes me feel good, it's answers the questions, helps me out, makes me dance, cry, laugh. I hope that by making music I can make people feel the same

You recently recorded a new album, how did that come about and who did you have join you playing on the record?

 We're still in the process of creating the beast! By 'We' I mean myself and Sam Fitz (Steam Plough Recordings), who is manning the desk and making sure I sound as sweet as possible. AS far as players it will be largely myself, for 95% of the sounds. Rosie bans will be supplying backing vocals on one track. it looks like she'll be the only addition. I've been wanting to make an album that was super stripped back for a while now. It's really tempting to spend days and house finding the at special sound, but with the limitatins around right now,it all lends itself to making something this naked and hopefully honest,

What is your favourite guilty pleasure?

  Guinness 

How much does being 'Scottish' play as part or not in your art?

Probably far more than I think. The music of Scotland definitely slips in and I still spend alot of time playing with Scottish musicians. But if there is influence it's an unconscious one.

Has your music changed since moving to London?

Without a doubt, there's so many good players in London, so much to learn, so many people to hear also. There is such a great melting pot of cultures that it's got to be bleeding in weather I wanted it to or not. It's a good place to keep me inspired and on my toes.  

What is your favourite thing to do other than music?

Cooking, then eating, and drinking! Nothing better than a long day then heading home to make a big meal and share it with friends, sink a few beers. That really makes me happy.

What was the last book that blew your mind and why should anyone read it?

 Will Oldham on Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, it's a fantastic insight into an incredible songwriter and artist. It's all written out as once big interview with the man. He's someone that sees the creative process in a beautiful was an would lioke to keep it that way. Its about the connections and the people you play with. If you want to play music with people, this book has some great advice. 

You're needing uplifting, what tunes do you pump out the stereo? 

 William Onyeabor - 'Fantastic Man' no doubt about this one. This guy is a genius. 

Sunday afternoon, sun is shinging through the window, you're pretty hung over and your soul is wilting, what do you need to hear?

Kurt Vile - 'Wakin On A Pretty Daze'  

Lets cut the Jubber-Jabber, talking about music is like dancing about archtecture, so in 5 words why should people come see you live?

Folks songs that'll get you in the feelings! 

Oh and my moustache is looking pretty well groomed these days

Thanks Mike!!  You can catch Mike playing at the following shows:

7/06  House Gig GLASGOW

8/06  House Gig TROON

9/06  The Royal Oak EDINBURGH

10/06  Crainlarich Hotel CRAINLARICH

11/06  St Louis Cafe GLASGOW

12/06  Tarscbhaig Hall SKYE

20/06  Ramones Museum BERLIN GERMANY

22/06 The Beanery AMBERG GERMANY

24/06 House Gig NUREMBERG GERMANY 

26/06  Noon - BREMEN GERMANY

[rosiebans-deactivated20160904]

On a grey and nondescript Wednesday night in Norwich, three shining beacons of light enter the city armed with their instruments, their voices, their bubbly personalities and their flaming red hair. The Blueberry, a hidden gem of a pub music venue tucked behind a row of terraced houses adjacent to...

[rosiebans-deactivated20160904]

Rosie draws the straw for opening spot, dazzling and delighting with some energetic piano, songs and her beautiful, beautiful voice put to stunning affect on a sustained note during Family Man. The songs are varied, lively and high quality as is this the patter … The night has now had a fair few...

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Interview with Rosie Bans. Self release, music and tour.

Rosie Bans is on tour with two of our other acts this summer.  We had a little chat with the lady herself to discuss her thoughts on music and general life things!

Why Music?  

Well I am no good at anything else!  Seriously though, when I was in school I quite enjoyed science, and like most kids that went to high school the same time as me science equalled CSI!  I was gonna be a forensic scientists…apparently.  I have no idea why and where that idea came from.  Anyhow, I always played music.  Was always singing and playing the keyboard at home, and I knew I was quite good at it but it wasn’t “realistic” according to my careers advisor in school.

My piano teacher sat me down and said look, you don’t need to go to uni and do science if you don’t want to.  You can go and study music.  There is no pressure on you, you are only 16 and if it doesn’t work out then so what?  You can chose another route.

So that was me!  Off to college at 16 to do music.  I have never regretted it one bit :)

What is your favourite guilty pleasure?

It’s not even a guilty pleasure, I don’t feel guilty one bit.  I love 90’s pop music, Spice Girls, Eternal (loooove them), Destiny’s Child, TLC…the list goes on!  Harmonies and catchy choruses, what’s not to love!?!?

Other than the live show, what is you favourite thing about touring?

Meeting tons of new people in a short space of time.  I love that part of it.  New faces, new accents, chatting to all kinds of people from all walks of life.  From the lady in the BnB cooking breakfast to the sound man that’s just had a baby and is stressed out his nut, to the house gig host you have just met and is putting you up in their home for the night and cooking your dinner!  Wow, what a privilege to meet all these folk.  I love that!

What is the most difficult and the easiest aspect of being an artist? 

Most difficult is the constant battle between using your time to make money, and using it to make art.  Occasionally they overlap but there is always a niggle in the back of my head reminding me I have a bill to pay, or the rent is due soon and the definitely influences my decisions on a daily basis.

The easiest aspect… that’s quite a hard one!  It’s only recently I have found it easier to be myself.  100% who I am on social media, on record, in person, on stage.  I battled for a while with how to perform and what kind of stuff I should say.  The moment I let my guard down people started listening and approaching me.  

Another thing I find incredibly easy is embracing gratitude.  Being grateful for every single tiny OUNCE of direction, help, encouragement and support.  If you don’t find that part of this job easy you need to check yourself. 

How much does being a 'female' artist play a part in you, and your art?

Not much.  I am a feminist, as are most of the people I have around me in my life.  Being female doesn’t make a difference to me at all when it comes to my writing.  

The only time I feel like it affects anything is when I am gigging in venues.  Sometimes you get ignored, especially if you are gigging with a band.  Sometimes it's assumed the male guitarist is in charge, not the girl singer, so direct all their questions at them…even when they are told otherwise.  It doesn’t happen too often but occasionally. 

You've recently self released an E.P, how much of an influence does a self release have on you?

It’s brilliant!! I had a really strong idea of the sound of the record, the great thing about being independent is that you can achieve whatever sound you desire!  I am my own producer, along with my great pal Duncan Menzies, and between us we agreed on every sound, guitar tone, drum sound, and went back and forward with our mixing engineer, Gareth Small, at Down and Left Studios in Denmark Street to make sure we had the sounds we wanted.  UNLIMITED CREATIVE CONTROL.  I wouldn’t want it any other way!

What was the last book that blew your mind and why should anyone read it?

Dani Jonson “First Steps to Wealth” - holy shit.  It’s changed my whole attitude to money and to my wealth and to how to run a business.  READ IT.  You will not regret it.  

You're needing uplifting, what tunes do you pump out the stereo? 

If I’m down I like a good soulless lyrics, something about ‘da club’!! Also, any full on pop stuff, I am LOVING Ellie Goulding and Chloe Howl right now.  If I’m angry it’s got to be Amanda Palmer.

Sunday afternoon, sun is shining through the window, you're pretty hungover and your soul is wilting, what do you need to hear?

I don’t go in for the slow numbers at all.  Even when it’s chill out time. Tori Amos would be my woman, I love songs like “father Lucifer”, quirky lyrical tracks that I can put on repeat. 

You are about to explode with excitement because you and all your friends are heading out to party, what on the hi-fi right now?

Okay so number one - I’m sorry but that would never happen.  Parties have never got me excited, and I am more like Mark from Peep show than Jez.  Growing up I used to love all the old Happy Hardcore tracks “We are the children of the night!!” that reminds me of partying as a teenager!  Now though I’d probably opt for some Fleetwood Mac, Bill Withers, some disco tracks in there too (it’s been a while since I’ve partied, can you tell!!).  I’m more of a whisky sipping talker than a full on drunken partier I’m afraid! hahaha!

Lets cut the Jibber-Jabber, talking about music is like dancing about architecture  so in 5 words why should people come see you live?

Because I’m ginger and funny!  

Rosie Bans is on tour this May with artPACKT Collective.  You can check out all the dates HERE as well as download her free E.P. Be Bold from HERE.

Tickets for the launch gig on the the 23rd of May at Torriano Bar can be found HERE.

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Our guys in action! Working out of town tour 2014.

DATES

23/05  Torriano Bar LONDON LAUNCH GIG

24/05  The Imp BRISTOL

26/05  Mr Wolfs BRISTOL

28/05  The Blueberry NORWICH

30/05  Timperley Taverners MANCHESTER

31/05  ORT Cafe BIRMINGHAM

5/06  The Pavilion ST ANNES

7/06  House Gig GLASGOW

8/06  House Gig TROON

9/06  The Royal Oak EDINBURGH

10/06  Crianlarich Hotel CRIANLARICH

11/06  St Louis Cafe GLASGOW

12/06  Tarscbhaig Hall SKYE

20/06  Ramones Museum BERLIN GERMANY

26/06  Noon - BREMEN GERMANY

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Got fans?! Do house concerts! by Rosie Bans

So, this concept dawned on me only last year.  I was invited into a fan’s house to do a show in their living room.  (Well I actually asked!)  It was the best gig I have ever played!  I was welcomed into a lovely warm environment, given food, drink and amazing Brummy chat.  Then I played a show in front of a packed room of kind friendly faces, who were listening to and engaging with my music.  

What an amazing experience!  It all came about as I was becoming increasingly frustrated with the London gigging scene.  Especially where some promoters where involved.  There are SO many promoters in this city and I know only a small handful of really honest, hard working, dedicated and music loving promoters in London, and it has taken me three years to find them.

I heard someone say “if a band can’t bring a least 8 people with them to a show they are not worth my electricity”.

How is that in any way constructive, helpful or compassionate?  An artist provides their art, you provide the electricity to run the computer to formulate the promotion campaign that you will them implement to ensure your evening is the most successful it can be because you have booked such a fabulous act!  

The job description is in the name, dickhead.

The formula is all wrong!  It’s terribly broken!

I have a long list of names I never want to work with again.  It’s not that they are not lovely people, or that they don’t have integrity in their work, I am sure they believe fully in what they are doing and that they are right but they are looking at the whole thing from a totally different angle than I am.  

So, I asked myself “why should I work with any other human being if we are not both striving towards achieving the same goals?”  

My goals:

To connect with people

To promote my message using music and receive feedback

To create genuine and long lasting friendships

To be able to express my voice in a safe and comfortable environment

To earn a living from playing live music.

With the current system that the UK is working on at the moment it is becoming harder and harder for artists to earn a living from performing and is unbelievably hard to be a career artist by using the same old method of going through a promoter and playing at a venue.

So I found an alternative!  An alternative that allows me to fulfil ALL…yes EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE of the above goals - and so much more!  You know what, I was never once warned that I would “receive no money if I didn’t bring 10 friends”.  Never was I told “if there isn’t a great turn out we may not book you again” before the gig (a great confidence boost, to be judged on your turn out and not on your music).  My host did not make me feel inadequate by boasting about the “up and coming” artists that played there last week, or go on about his own reputation in the industry.  And he knew my name.  Seriously.  This has happened on too many occasions where the promoter didn’t even know my name.  How is that even possible. 

No, I received nothing but a RITZ style welcome and it’s a warm glow that I still have in my heart. 

My first house show made me feel special, significant, connected.

So I urge all artists that are doing what I am doing to get a message out to your fans!  ASK them to host you - they will, and they will be so excited about it! Not only that but the will become genuine friends, people you can ask for an opinion for the rest of your career.  

Enjoy their praise and allow them to enjoy your music in return.  You will have such a rich and mutually beneficial relationship and fucking hell, isn’t that what it’s all about?!?!?  Make it about people and people will make it about you!  Together you will keep each other pushing forward and upwards, creating and sharing art and having a blast doing it!

Thank you to the promoters doing it for the love, that is why we are doing it too.  Thank you to the fans that are hosting shows - you are keeping the artists fed, watered and able to KEEP CREATING!  

Thank you for reading.  I’d love to know your thoughts!  Get in touch! 

BE BOLD.

Rosie x

Rosie is on tour this summer around the UK and Europe.  Check out www.rosiebans.com/gigs for more details.

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Interview with Anna MacDonald. Tour, Music and Life.

We caught up with the fabulous Anna MacDonald before she heads of on tour this May to have a quick chat about her music and life!!

Hello Anna! Thanks for thanking the time to chat with us.  Here are some quick fire questions for you!!

Why Music?

Music is a big part of every family gathering we have regardless of where that gathering happens.... At least now I get to decide where to sing ;) When you're so used to music it can't be anything else!

You recently recorded a new album, how did that come about and who did you have join you playing on the record?

Recording my last album was amazing fun. I had met Sardinian guitarist Roberto Diane while I was playing at the Colonsay Festival. The organiser had asked me to pick him up from the airport which I agreed to then he told me that Roberto didn't speak much English..... that turned out not to be true! At the same time Roberto was building a studio in his home town and needed a vocalist to try it out. It's tough but someone has to do it.

What is your favourite guilty pleasure?

Guilty pleasure... chose only one? hmmmmmm chocolate.

How much does being 'Scottish' play as part or not in your art?

Being Scottish is a massive part of who I am and I think that is reflected in my writing. Love it or hate it where you are from influences you and luckily I love it

You've recently self released an album, how much of an influence does "Self Releasing" have on your work?  Do you impose boundaries prior to writing the record?

When I'm writing I never think about recording or releasing songs so it doesn't make a difference at the beginning. When recording there are so many ways you can go in terms of musical direction that I really enjoy being able to ask musicans I love to get involved. Self releasing can be a tricky road but there are loads of other artist out there doing it to learn from and none better than my artpackt buddies.

What was the last book that blew your mind and why should anyone read it?

Mans search for Meaning by V. Frankl is an incredible book. cortex unravelled.

You're needing uplifting, what tunes do you pump out the stereo? 

I love Ryan Adams Heartbreaker and/or New York if I'm looking to just chill. They are both great albums and I discovered them while I was working during the summer holidays. They always take me back

Sunday afternoon, sun is shining through the window, you're pretty hung-over and your soul is wilting, what do you need to hear?

Oh maybe the same as above or something new that I've heard. I'm a real fan of Ian Andersons radio show for new stuff or Mike Hardings show.

You are about to explode with excitement because you and all your friends are heading out to party, what on the hi-fi right now? 

Fleetwood Mac, Ella Fitzgerald, maybe some Beyonce...... (another guilty secret)

Lets cut the Jibber-Jabber, talking about music is like dancing about architecture,  so in 5 words why should people come see you live?

For great chat and songs.

Please check out Anna's Website HERE, her Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.

Anna is off on tour this year and will be perfuming at The Torriano Bar in the 23rd May in Kentish Town London as a launch gig.  Tickets for the gig can be found HERE.

[rosiebans-deactivated20160904]

So, this concept dawned on me only last year. I was invited into a fan’s house to do a show in their living room. (Well I actually asked!) It was the best gig I have ever played! I was welcomed into a lovely warm environment, given food, drink and amazing Brummy chat. Then I played a show in front...

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WHO WE ARE.\nA pack of artists, joining the pact to make good art. That’s it.\nMake the pact and join us too. artPACKT.\nEast London, UK.