I'm Pretty Excited

 Load-in is arranged, songs, a long set is rehearsed, tech-spec sent and... I'm pretty excited about this one in particular!

Contemporary Tom's

 

Photo by sister Sue Tarplee-Williams 

Contemporary Nightmare 

We Are Nomad - photo by Tim Lee

Em - photo by Tim Lee

I've learned to at least try never to have any preconceptions as to how good a gig is going to be, but have to admit that the good feelings I had about this one turned out to be more than justified. In spite of considerable difficulties with the sound through soundcheck, Mike (from We Are Nomad) was as ever thoroughly well prepared but had some real issues for a while... But it was all sorted in time for the show. 

As if Mike didn't have enough of an event to sort, he and the other 50% of We Are Nomad , Rona were first up, and what a spellbinding and chilled start to a great night they were. We'd specifically asked them to focus more on original material for this one and it was great to hear their own songs including their epic "The Ocean". 

Next up were brand new band (this would be their third ever gig), namely youth indie-rockers Contemporary Nightmare I knew front-man Dylan Bugg from both his previous band The Buggs with brother Owain and from the fact that I taught them both guitar when they lived in Cheshire. To say we (I think I can confidently speak for everyone there) were impressed was an understatement. A teen band 3 gigs in are supposed to be really rough, battling with the basics like staying in time, maintaining a solid groove and holding a good melody under the pressure of the public gaze and not wanting to let yourselves down... These things typically take many gigs to begin to master before a band goes on to flourish. These lads definitely have "it" - straight out of the box - hugely enjoyable set. 

When it came to my gang The Blue Yellows we felt ready to take some risks on some newer material as well as some old favourites. Everyone seemed to love it. 

The night was certainly massively enhanced by such a thorough approach to sound from Mike, a superbly atmospheric light rig provided by Pod (Jason Podmore), plus a dry-ice machine (I think we're supposed to call it "haze" nowadays having been laughed at by a student working in light shows for calling it "dry ice"!). On top of that, many great photos were taken by Tim Lee, Martin Edwards & others many of which will appear over the coming months no doubt (with credits of course) in our socials and so on. On top of all this, the venue itself - Tom's Tap and Brewhouse - well, we just love the place and love playing here. Not only are their beers, ciders and other beverages and food top notch, but like any great places the personalities of the people running the joint really makes a difference and they have really built a community - one with all the right vibes and a real focus on egalitarianism and inclusivity. 

I will certainly have missed people out in this something of a thanks-fest post but as ever - the people who really make the difference are you lovely lot who come to the shows. YOU give us the energy, you share the emotions and excitement of making this mad, roller-coaster of feelings that is a live music show; thank you so much! 

Mike was prepared on the desk well in advance 

Back to the Tap

18-11-22

A gig at Tom's Tap was among a string of gigs that were among the 1st that we preemptively cancelled when it was becoming clear just how serious Covid was turning out to be not long before the 1st lockdown was announced, so it felt especially good to be back at this absolute gem of a brewery come comedy & music venue. With We Are Nomad's Mike on Sound and our good friend Tim Lee opening with an engaging performance of his emotive songs, it was set for a great night. Lovely to see good friends and new friends, thanks to all for coming along on such a dark and drissley night. 

Thanks to Tim for the great photos on top of the great songs. 

Tim Lee was in great form

Organising a €{$$ up in a brewery!

December 7th, 2018

*What could possibly go wrong, as they say!!? Well..

*The previous venue owner mistakenly deleted the event (which she was still tagged into- my fault d'oh) meaning that 50 or so folk who said were going or interested were informed the event was cancelled...
*At the end of one song, the 'dramatic ending' involved me falling into the guitar rack and symbols behind me!



Other than that it was a lovely night playing for Rickety Wireless, Sean and Jacqui at Tom's Tap and Brewhouse were great hosts who were friendly and really looked after us.

Thanks to all who survived the cancellation notice and came along!

View this post on Instagram

Played a really fun gig tonight at @tomstapandbrew with #RicketyWireless. Thank you to everyone who came along! 😘 #gig #musician #band #brewery #Crewe #trio #poprock #concert #craftbeer #Craftale #craftbrewery #cider #gin #funtimes #funtimefriday

A post shared by Jonathan Tarplee (@jonniegitahhr) on Dec 7, 2018 at 4:34pm PST

Because of the working environment of a brewery,
 and the stage being immediately in front of the big, brewing casks, a
lot of the general, malty crud from the floor had trasfered onto
my effects pedals, warrenting a good clean the next day.