it's been a while. we've been hibernating, and writing new songs (some of which will appear in demo form on this blog soon i'm sure), and booking new tours. but mainly hibernating.
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| this is how it's done - a professional hibernator at work. |
BUT... two really exciting things have happened. here they are:
1. No. 5 HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD.
of course, this is great news. our live album No. 5 has been selected by the independent music awards (IMAs) for the shortlist in its 'live performance album' category, an award that is both judged by a panel of industry types (including tom waits & suzanne vega!) and voted for by 'the people' (that's you). we're delighted to get a nomination from the IMAs in particular since they really do represent a voice for the independent music scene, or as they put it, "honor exceptional independent artists, traditionally ignored by mass media and big box retailers".
we're hoping for that reason that the energy of the album and the honesty of the recordings will hold their own with the panel of judges. or something.
we wouldn't mind a little moral support though, so please, if you can, bob over, log in and vote for us, and ask your friends to do the same. send them to the website or to the facebook profile page if they haven't heard anything yet/for a while.
you can vote here - there is a log-in, but it's not complex, and your help would be very much appreciated.
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| this is what an award-nominated album looks like. |
2. MAT HAS WRITTEN A FREE E-BOOK ON BANJO PLAYING.
mat has been writing this book for ever, on tour, in hotel rooms, at service stations, and finally it is finished. it is called 'a small clawhammer banjo book' and is an introduction to the clawhammer style of playing 5-string banjo, full of ideas, examples, techniques and tunes.
the book has recceived some very good feedback and been featured on a bunch of banjo blogs (including one with an amusing rude name). here are some quotes lifted off mat's swanky new website:
“a delightful book. easy to read, clear, fun and personable.”
- carolina bridges, deering banjo company
“a small clawhammer banjo book is an excellent starter guide to the 5-string.”
- uk bluegrass
you can download the book for free from here - we hope you'll enjoy it!
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| this is not from mat's book. but it is true. |
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