Monday, November 15, 2010

Posters & Gigs

Simon Tamblyn from Tape Hiss and Sparkle designed the poster for our 19th November show at Obz Cafe:


Adam Hill designed Art's poster for his farewell show on 1st December at Mercury Live:

Art has only 3 shows left with us, and Friday's show at Obz Cafe is the final opportunity to catch us with our semi-acoustic set this year.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Dear Johnny

My original intention was to quickly post an informative blog on where Dear Johnny is being held, and how the hell to get there - I myself had but a vague idea until about an hour ago.

However, I'm a procrastinator by nature and well prone to being sidetracked, so the result is this delayed post with a bonus update to our blog layout - which now includes a banner that people with poor eyesight / darker displays can also see, as well as a list of links to some of our favourite local things.

So on to the Dear Johnny information....

Dear Johnny is part of the Matt Black sessions - the DPK website has this to say about the sessions:

Celebrating Bilton’s easy-drinking “Matt Black” Bordeaux-blend, The Matt Black Sessions aim to change music events from clichéd, repetitive and formulaic, to unique, interactive and authentic experiences. Look out for a brand new, wildly innovative, absurdly affordable and insanely enjoyable session every month. With the best local musicians, fun themes for dress up, art & crafts, funky food, wine tastings, a cash bar, gourmet coffee and much more, Matt Black Sessions is the one party you don’t want to miss!

The Matt Black Sessions are hosted at the Bilton Wine Estate, which is on Annandale Road, Lynedoch. So you need to take the N2, take Baden Powell, turn left and keep going until you feel like you might be irretrievably lost. Bilton is then on the left just before the Spier hotel [which is just a smidge before Baden Powell joins with the R310 and goes into Stellenbosch].

Our two cover songs are well underway, including 4 part vocal harmonies and some possible shaker shaking! Music starts at 5pm, but you can get there at 1pm to enjoy the rest of what's on offer. We'll be driving back from supporting our friends The Sleepers at Synergy so will see you all in the afternoon :)

My only hope is that the wine drinking takes place post-performance, because wine and a reasonable hold on timing are not firm friends.

- Helen

p.s. the gig is on Sunday the 28th November


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The line from wake to sleeping

We're still getting to grips with Art's leaving, but we're preparing in earnest for his last handful of shows with us.

Our next gig is the semi-acoustic set at Obz Cafe on the 19th November, which includes our rendition of Henry Lee! Simon on his own as Tape Hiss & Sparkle will be opening for us. We're trying to get things going a bit earlier than usual, so Simon's going on at 9:30pm sharp, get there early!

In addition to the gigs listed by Linda in the last blog post, we're playing the Bilton Wine Estate on Sunday 28th November for the Matt Black Sessions. The theme is "Dear Johnny" this time. Here's a link to the DPK website for some more information: http://www.dpk.co.za/matt-black-sessions/. We're doing two cover songs in keeping with the theme, so if you're interested in both Irish Folk songs, and depressing rock music, then we're your band ;)

Today is classic "coal weather" so I leave you with the video for Florence & The Machine's Cosmic Love, which is awe inspiring and can soothe any heartbreak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EIeUlvHAiM


xH

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

New adventures and sad goodbyes

It is with heavy hearts that we must announce the departure of our beloved drummer, Art. In a decision to take a break from the music scene as a whole, Art is going to have a well-deserved rest and devote his time to pursuing other adventures. He will be sorely missed for his refreshing input in jamming sessions, quiet strength, and infectious sense of humour – not to mention his superb drumming skills which showcased our music so beautifully.

Coal will be playing a few last shows with Art behind the kit:

• Friday 19 November at Obz Cafe (acoustic) with Tape Hiss and Sparkle.

• Wednesday 1 December at Mercury – a huge farewell show featuring some of Art’s bands, including Andy Lund and the Mission Men, V.O.L. and Three More White Guys.

• Saturday 11 December at Zula with The Sleepers and The Great Apes.

Be sure to catch one (or all) of these shows to enjoy Coal for the last time in its current format. As for us ladies, we plan to experiment a bit more with percussive elements in our songs and are open to various options going forward. We look forward to our future, and wish Artur all the best for his.