Formerly know as ‘Showcase UK’ the night, hosted by Xan Phillips, has demonstrated a fantastic commitment to the south coast over the past five months. It has not only played artists demos and new releases but also given new acts the opportunity to perform in public without the pressure of bringing an audience.

Monday November 2nd sees the beginning of ‘Demo Cellar’s’ end-of-year season of performances by established and new artists from the South Coast.

NOV 2 JIM CHORLEY
NOV 9 NICK TANN
NOV 16 JAZICA (singer Frankie + guests)
NOV 23 CHICAGO 9 – blues band
NOV 30 THE WIDOWMAKER
DEC 7 THE REAL RAJ
DEC 14 THE VISITORS
DEC 21 XMAS PARTY with THE FAMILY

ABOUT SHOWCASE UK
However ‘Showcase UK’ has not gone away. It is now the backbone of projects initiated by Xan Phillips, the broadcaster and journalist whose passion for bringing the UK’s new talent to the public’s attention has propelled him the world of book publishing.

Wednesday, November 18 see the publication of ‘Holywood Star’ the autobiography of singer Eamon Nancarrow. A boy who grew up in Holywood, County Down dreaming of becoming a rock star and a man whose journey to fame and fortune brought him in contact with some of the most strangest of characters and amusing situations that have graced the lower levels of rock and roll. Eamon is a great singer and the reason his talent didn’t receive the wider acclaim it thorough deserved will be revealed quite quickly in the first five chapters. But in those pages you will begin to realise Eamon has a fantastic knack for observational humour and an uncanny ability to remember all the funny moments he has witnessed. This is a book to buy as will as give and is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.co.uk.

Holywood Star: The Life and Times of a Rock and Roll Misadventurer
Paperback: 356 pages
Publisher: Showcase UK; 1st edition (18 Nov 2009)
ISBN-10: 0956390005
ISBN-13: 978-0956390004
Price £9.99 or less

Jassica

Jazica love their synths, guitars, drums and best of all they love writing great pop songs. The people love Jazica too and have so far voted them into the final six of the “Road To V”.

If they win they will not only open the V Festival, in front of thousands of music lovers, but they will also be the second Southampton act in a row to win the competition. Last year ‘The Rebs‘ triumphed; will 2009 be Jazica’s year?

This podcast was recorded at The Joiners in Southampton before Jazica headlined a shortly arranged gig at the end of June. You’ll hear from all of the band: (above L2R) Chris on guitar and sythns, Kev on drums, Frankie on vocals and guitar & Nick on bass.

Jazica live at The Joiners

The conversation is interspersed with a smattering of music from their excellent mini-album ‘Illusions’ which veers from tracks that could grace TV commercials to songs that should fill the darkest of clubs.

They were great live. Slick and energetic. A real treat and hopefully the act that wins. If you haven’t voted yet place your ‘X’ here:

http://roadtov.com/artists/jazica/

http://www.myspace.com/jazicamusic

Singing and Winning

These two are responsible for Saints Aid, a musical extravaganza which is raising money to help Southampton’s football team.

It started as a one day event but has now spread around the city, rapidly turning into a weekend of gigs and entertainment.

As Lee told me: “The idea started when David Reid from Olympian offered to play a gig to raise a few pounds for the club. Glynn Root from Fingermen also said his band would like to play. I spoke to to Nick Illingsworth about moving the event to St Mary’s and making it an all day affair. After this myself and Nick joked about being Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in red and white stripes, so Saints Aid was born!”

Headlining at St Mary’s on Saturday 23rd will be The Rebs and Dlugokecki. On Bank Holiday Monday The Artful Dodger will be back home at Oceana on the 25th May in a unique performance specially for Saints Aid.

On Friday 22nd Melodee Rockmore will be ending eight hours of music at the King Alfred in Northam Road. And on the same day a heavy rock night at Louisiana Nightclub, Leisure World.

Showcase UK is also taking part and tonight Monday 18th we’re having a preview night at the Soul Cellar, playing tracks by all of the artists taking part in Saints Aid, call it pre-match training if you like but we’ll be raising money for the team and building the anticipation for the weekend to come.

Musicians from around the city, and even beyond, are trying to save the Southampton FC, according to Lee: “It’s part of the feeling in the city of people wanting to do something to help the club but do not quite know what they can. As we have asked for local musicians, the bands have approached us in their droves. ”

“The response has been both overwhelming and quite inspiring. The support for Saints-aid has been fantastic and it has snowballed into something quite enormous, which is why we have had to use over venues and take it all over the city. It just goes to show how much the football club means to the city of Southampton.”

For more details and ticket information visit www.saints-aid.co.uk

‘Showcase UK’ at the Soul Cellar in Southampton is expected to become the place to hear the latest recordings from south coast musicians.

Every Monday night from 11th May Xan Phillips will be playing four hours of albums, singles or demos all from CD and all made by unsigned and independent acts.

If it is made in the south it is made for ‘Showcase UK’.

Many venues have gigs for local music but very few dedicate a whole evening to this kind of music. In fact it could be a UK first.

The evening is hosted by Xan Phillips who currently writes a new music column for the Southern Daily Echo and also presented the Original Showcase on Original 106fm until the station shut down.

A fine selection in house

The Soul Cellar serves food until 9pm and also has the best range of continental lagers (pictured) in Southampton. Another great reason to support this venue and the night itself.

Plus the Soul Cellar also has free Internet access so the audience can give instant reactions on Twitter or Facebook.

The ‘Showcase UK’ evening starts at 7 and finishes at 11pm, with free entry.

Xan is always looking for new music: from beats to folk, indie to jazz, metal to soul – they might be unsigned but they are not unloved. Contact Xan here

Updates and playlist will be available from the Showcase UK section of www.xan.co.uk

Showcase UK at the Soul Cellar
78 W Marlands Rd
Southampton, SO14 7FW
023 8071 0648
www.soulcellar.com

Showcase UK flyer

DUMA

The judges of the Dorset Unsigned Music Awards have decided that Achilles, Dusty Cuts, Otto, The Douglas Firs and The Goodfoot will be in the final, May 2nd at the Royal Bath Hotel Bournemouth.

In the write up of the first semi-final I waxed lyrical about my admiration of the X-Factor’s Simon Cowell’s honesty (Judging the DUMA semi-finals).

There’s no need to continue with that but it was maybe slightly ironic that while his other project ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ was airing it’s first heats of the season we were at the last semi-final for the DUMA, at a pub that seemed to mirror the town in which it was located.

On arriving in Wimborne Minster you have to negotiate a road system designed to protect the inner town from cars and anyone, without a map or directions, trying to find a pub called Pudding and Pye.

However after a variety of 3-point-turns and olde English exclamations I managed to drive past the venue and then spend another ten minutes trying to retrace my route.

In doing so I discovered that Wimborne is a wonderful yet ancient place that deserves a proper investigation. In some ways it is similar to Weymouth, which I saw for the first time last week and currently describe as a cross between St Tropez and Winchester.

The only difference is that Wimborne has a Minster and no harbour.

Once inside the Pudding and Pye you have a classic old English pub with an inviting collection of odd shaped rooms and a ceiling you could easily bang your head on. Most importantly, plenty of helpful staff behind the bar.

And they were needed because the second semi of DUMA was a busy night, with the another five popular bands looking for a place in the final.

Once again Heidi and Ian and myself were judging the merits of these acts, although in the back of our minds we knew that there were two acts from last Saturday who were the ones to beat.

The overall impression I received from the two semis was that very few of the acts seemed to realise they were in a competition and relied on their music to get them through.

The best I can describe their stage clothes would be dour, their energy lethargic and there were maybe be one or two that had the collective spirit which could see them making a living from this profession.

So full marks go to ‘Crystal Arcade‘ for their energy and enthusiasm especially the guitarist who seemed to be putting everything possible into his performance even though most of the audience couldn’t hear his licks let alone chords.

In fact Ian commented that it was a bit like watching the TV with the sound turned down. I would quite happily add that judging by the movement of his hair we’d be watching an underwater shot of a sea anemone in a strong tide.

Also giving natural entertainment were the singers from both ‘The Goodfoot’ and ‘Dusty Cuts’ while the whole of ‘Otto’ performed a fantastic set, full of harmonies, smiles and optimistic energy. Otto also possess a bass player with a rare gift – he can keep people dancing while playing a solo.

In the final they will be up against the casual surfing vibe of ‘Achilles’ who filled the room with a jazz like infusion of ambient dance.

Suzy Douglas (and log) photo by Sophie Court

But for me the most intriguing act we had to judge was ‘The Douglas Firs’. Their sound and look would suit the film ‘The Village’ and I wasn’t far wrong as they later informed me that ‘Twin Peaks’ was the source of their inspiration.

This would also explain why singer Suzy Douglas clutched a log during one song. As props go it is brilliant and if anyone in the audience objects she can always thrown it at them. You never know it might catch on with people bringing twigs and roots to future gigs.

Before we go any further I must credit Trevor Hill, the other half of Devils Music, for his ability to keep the acts flowing through the night. This is the fourth year of DUMA and the slickness was inspiring. It isn’t easy getting five bands on and off stage and the pace was perfect.

After the last notes had left the stage the judges sat down with organisers Trevor and Richard Stannard to decide which five of the ten acts would make the final at the Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth (May 2nd).

The judges were only unanimous about three acts and the last two slots in the final caused a lengthy discussion. It’s great fun hearing now people judge, what their tastes are and ultimately how they decide on who goes through or not.

On paper, and on stage, it is fair to say we were all delighted with the five that went though making the final a very interesting night.

Our job of judging is complete however I don’t envy the final judges, the owners of the fabulous prizes as well as DJ Rob da Bank, but I have a hunch which act will get the photo shoot and recording session, however the three slots at the festivals… it’s wide open.

You can see full details about the prizes and find out more about Devils Music here.

A thin crowd were throughly entertained by the first act of the evening, Loz Bridge and the Box Social. Although sometimes it’s a bit disconcerting when the band sit and the audience stand but that’s the case when it’s their acoustic line-up.

Featuring Loz on piano, Andrew Foster on guitar/banjo and Matt E sitting on a cajon – a Cuban/spanish box drum which you play with your hands.

It’s a remarkable instrument which adds enough bass to the mix so that you are not too disappointed about the missing double bass player.

Also missing were my table and chair, glass of wine and a smoky atmosphere which would have really suited the mood as Loz and the band mix blues and jazz with a touch of modern day reality.

They had everyone’s attention with the haunting ‘Sarah & the Wolves’ a song about unfair dismissal and a subject rarely covered by bands like Coldplay, or even Radiohead.

And then you have ‘Witches’ which has the catchy “I hate my job” chorus and is no doubt the anthem for most musicians unable to make a living from their art.

My only complaint is that Matt E had to “sit out” the song ‘November’. I’m sure he could find something percussive to gently waft while Andrew Foster uses his effects peddles to wrap sonic landscapes around the crooning Loz Bridge.

Maybe he could just read a book. Something dark to suit the mood; Edgar Allan Poe is a suggestion.

Due to conversations with the above and others I missed all but the last song of the second act “The School” so can’t really pass comment apart from my usual “more effort in the stage gear required”.

The night’s headliners were ‘The Boy Least Likely To’ who I was ashamedly unaware of but they were such a fun act they won me over very quickly with their infectious, good time stomp and harmonies which seemed to spark up the pleasantly full room.

Formed around the duo of Pete Hobbs (instruments) and Jof Owen (singer) this seven piece smiled their way through a set of merriment that quietly hides a dark and sinister side.

“A lot of our lyrics are sad anyway,” Jof told me, “that’s kind of our trick to undercut the upbeat stuff.”

They describe their music as ‘Country Disco’ which does it justice but there is also a pure and natural Englishness about their sound which might be why they are loved in America and little known in the UK.

According to Jof: “America seems to understand us a little bit better. They seem to get the tongue in cheek, they get that we are not entirely serious and the sounds that we use are because we think they are quite funny.”

It’s the kind of aural flavour that gets XTC such great respect but enough awareness among the general public and it fills their second album “the law of the playground” which has taken two years to release thanks to legal wranglings with their former record company.

In fact in the past two years ‘The Boy Least Likely To’ couldn’t have record any new tracks as their old company would have owned those as well. It is a valuable lesson to anyone who still wants to get signed to a record label and maybe the resolution of these problems brings out the big smiles on stage.

From the new album the best example of their dark side is the song “I box up all the butterflies” which says enough really. The lyrics are wrapped up in the shades of summer that only an English band can create while hiding the definitely un-politically correct content within.

They are definitely a band for the economic crisis as plenty of people need uplifting and even if the feeling only lingers then at least music, in this case, has done its job.

Loz Bridge’s song is the natural anthem for the frustrated musician who needs a day job to survive and has to suffer the pain of the 9 to 5.

The former Suburbian singer wrote it from the heart and office chair and it is naturally an audience favourite although in this time of financial crisis I am sure many people will be singing along while hoping that the boss doesn’t hear their true feelings.

The second song on the EP is the set opener China on which Andrew Foster on banjo and Matt E on drums drive it along with a true head nodding vibe.

Its a perfect EP to re-create the live experience and any new fan will be delighted with the purchase.

But for me this collection wins with the two songs that some people seem to causally pass by. Both “November” and “Sarah and the Wolves” are classic songs that ooze a blues/jazz feel yet hold a commercial edge.

They are also a place where Loz’s piano and Andy Booth’s double bass can add their charms.

Maybe its the age I’ve reached that sees me leaning towards these tracks but there aren’t many people writing with this kind of feel and, if I had a record company, I would be pleading with Loz to deliver an album full of these songs.

However it is unlikely I could persuade him as the forcing of songs into straight jackets is something he did with Suburbian and now he says: “I made a contentious choice not to go in that direction. I’m keen to go in whatever direction is appropriate for the song. Either people like it or they don’t.”

Either way you’ll love this EP and, if you do hate your job, you’ll have something to hum as the boss walks past.

Here’s what they look like in the flesh…

Unfortunately I am not going by plane, boat or courtesy of Rolling Stone magazine: it’s the virtual world of Second Life that’s calling and I’m off to a bar called The Blarney Stone.

If you are unaware of Second Life then think of it as a computer generated world in which you control a character that can interact with all the other inhabitants.

You can buy land, buildings and clothes and it has become established enough for a few small countries to open embassies.

Early this Sunday morning (3am) you can take your character to the Blarney Stone and watch a live feed of Dlugokekci’s gig which, according to the organisers, is a first for South by Southwest.

However live music in Second Life is nothing new and it’s thought a dozen or so similar events happen every day.

But it is an apt reminder that keeping on top of technology is a must for musicians and followers alike.

The virtual world will not replace real, in your face, gigs but you need to find an audience at least Second Lifers are pro-active.

In this case where band and fan part company will be the start time and possible graphic card limitations on the computer.

But it won’t be long before bands will be adding Second Life accounts to their portfolio of Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube.

First published in the Southern Daily Echo Friday March 20th