It’s that time again! Come and celebrate Christmas with us at Sam’s Brasserie on Sunday 21st December. We’d love to see you there!
FEATURED ARTIST – NOVEMBER | DJ Alex
Favourite artists…
Obviously Michael Jackson! I am also a big admirer of Otis Jackson, Jr (Madlib/Quasimoto)
Favourite album…
Michael Jackson’s ‘Off the Wall’, truly a masterpiece of an album. There is literally a song for everyone on that. A strong favourite for me would be ‘Get on the Floor’.
What does the future hold…
Gigging about as much as possible in London at the moment, in hope that one day I can travel the globe playing songs tailored to each city I visit.
Grew up listening to…
I grew up listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac, Donna Summer, The Police and Ghanaian High Life, all through my mother. I would often be rummaging through her record collection finding all sorts of music.
Artist/producer we should check out…
Trudie Dawn Smith, South London native. With so much to offer musically and a journey ahead, I’d say definitely look out for them.
Claims to fame…
I was in a Kylie Minogue music video a couple years back. She even followed me down Soho in one section of the video.
Best gig you’ve seen this year…
Madlib at Koko’s. He’s a real inspiration to DJs both in how well he selects each track as well as performing them.
FEATURED ARTIST – OCTOBER | Cecilia
Which artists/performers are your greatest influence? …
I’ve been influenced by so many musicians throughout my life from various genres and countries. Out of the many fantastic harpists I’ve heard, there are a couple that really stick out for me for completely different reasons. Marissa Robles, a wonderful Spanish harpist who lives in the UK has influenced me so much as a player over the years, her way of teaching and clarity of performance is always an inspiration. My teacher of many years, Daphne Boden has always been so supportive and taught me so much over the many years I have known her.
What does the future hold? …
I graduated from The Royal College of Music this summer so am currently embracing freelancing! Currently, I’ve got a few recitals and cruises lined up which I’m very excited about.
Grew up listening to…
When I was younger my parents constantly had classical music playing in the house which is probably where my love of harp and orchestral music came from. Since being in London I’ve been making an effort to discover as much as I can.
Career highlight…
I recently performed at The Wigmore Hall which is an incredible and intimate venue to play at. I have also been fortunate enough to play at several private events for HRH Prince Charles on his personal harp!
Claims to fame…
I think my biggest claim to fame has to have been playing in a commercial for Walkers Crisps and being fed crisps by Stephen Fry….!
Listen to Cecilia’s duo, Aeolia, perform ‘The Christmas Song’ HERE | Watch Cecilia in the Walkers Crisps advert HERE | And HERE’S Cecilia being fed crisps by Stephen Fry!
A ROUND UP | Halloween at Camino
This weekend our freakishly good DJ’s will be helping Camino get their Halloween parties started!
There’ll be DJ sets on Friday 31st at Camino (Kings Cross, Blackfriars & Monument) from 6pm – late, and there’s double the ghoulish trouble at Kings Cross, with a second night of Halloween fun on Saturday 1st November!
FREE entry & prizes for the best costumes. Good luck!
Click here for more info.
Music for Venues | The Yellow House
We’ve been working with The Yellow House on their live music programme for over four years now and we’re about to break our usual ‘last Thursday of the month’ rule and shift to the first Saturday of the month.
The live music will also be moving from the bar into the dining room and will now feature a mix of soul, acoustic and jazz acts.
The Live music on Saturdays be launching on November 1st! So watch this space for further details coming soon!
Oh, and did we mention that their pizzas are FABULOUS!
A ROUND UP | Goodbye London, ‘Hei’ Norway
Earlier this month we said goodbye to SG act Kelly Dickson and Werner Kristiansen, who left London for one of the world’s happiest countries, Norway!
We are incredibly sad to see them go although reassured by their promise (after much begging) to return for the occasional gig.
Kelly and Werner have been with us since the very beginning, and have been involved in pretty much every gig we’ve booked! They’re not only incredible musicians but super-pro (aka extremely professional) and stupidly nice! So it makes seeing them go all the more difficult (tissues please)…
We wish them the very best of luck with their adventure in Norway, and we can’t wait for the first excuse to go over and visit!
FEATURED ARTIST – SEPTEMBER | DJ Ray
Favourite artist/s…
Way too many too choose but if I had to make a choice right now Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, ATCQ, Common, J.Dilla and Robert Nesta Marley they all pretty much highlight what I love about music.
Favourite album…
This is an easy one, my favourite album of all time is Marvin Gaye “What’s Goin’ On” funnily enough my favourite Marvin Gaye song is “Let’s Get It On” which is not on that album. Sly and the Family Stone’s rendition of “Que Sera Sera” and The Five Stairsteps “Ooh Child” are my all time favourite songs though.
What does the future hold…
I live for each day so don’t really plan too far ahead. Though saying that I’d like to start my own clothing label one day and I am planning to take a course on pattern cutting. I like how some fellas these days are making an effort in their appearance and see a gap in the market for well-designed tailored men’s shirts.
Grew up listening to…
I grew up pretty much listening to everything, my dad loved Jazz/Motown and my mom loved easy listening artists and Filipino folk music which I’ve recently started exploring, my earliest memories of record shopping/collecting would be in the 80s heading down to Our Price on Marble Arch with my dad so I could get the latest Street Sounds / Electro compilations for my birthday so my friends and I could breakdance in the garden. I still have and play those records today
Artist/producer we should check out…
SevnthWonder, Phazz, TroyBoi and Snakehips are producers I’m currently feeling. Artist-wise, I’m keeping a close eye on Sinead Harnett and really loving “Goddess” album by Banks at the moment.
Claims to fame…
I do extra work so right now I’m in an advert with Lorraine Kelly, it’s funny I don’t watch or even own a TV and I was DJing one Friday evening in Camino Kings Cross and suddenly my phone and facebook was blowing up with messages from my friends who had just seen the advert. I am also in a film called “Anomaly” and am in a shot with a good friend of mine Noel Clarke and Ian Somerhalder. Unfortunately, I didn’t get invited to the premiere so still haven’t seen flick yet.
A ROUND UP | SG’S NEW WEBSITE!
Welcome to our brand new website!
We’ve been so excited about launching the site because we feel that it represents us and our wonderful artists, perfectly.
So please have a look around – we hope you like what you see!
A huge thanks go out to Sam Devito, Tom Scott-Malden and Suj Gadhania (web monkeys/uber friends), for their design, creativity, and for their infinite patience.
Special thanks also go out to…
Garrett & Garrett Videographers & Photographers
Garrett and Garrett are an award-winning videography team based in London. We began working with just recently, but from day one have been blown away by their creativity, skill behind the camera, and their positive attitude. We cannot thank them enough for the videos and photography they have done for us.
If you are ever in need of a promotional video – these are your guys!
Murray Clarke Wedding Photographer
Murray is a fantastic photographer who took the shots of us in and around Sam’s Brasserie in Chiswick, which we used for the ‘about us’ page, and whose work also features elsewhere on our site. He also very kindly let us use one of his photos on our new homepage! Murray has recently featured in several wedding blogs and magazines.
Planning a wedding? Need a photographer? You do the math!
Philip Hardman Photographer
He’s photographed the likes of Ed Miliband (no, not the now infamous bacon sandwich shot) and his clients include Tatler, Land Rover, Evening Standard and Jaguar. We love his photography and were thrilled when he offered to work with us on a few projects including photographing Irene and her band performing at the Forge for the London Jazz Festival last year.
FEATURED ARTIST – AUGUST | Louise
Where does the inspiration come from for your songs? …
In general, my lyrics come from things I am feeling, going through or observations/stories about other people. Musically, melodies often pop into my head and then I tend to sit down at the piano and work out what chords work underneath.
Which artist is your greatest influence? …
I don’t have one particular artist who has influenced me but I have always loved Soul and Hip Hop. I’d say production wise my tracks are influenced by neo-soul artists such as D’Angelo, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu.
Tell us some news…
I AM going to do an album (hopefully by the end of this year).
Career highlight…
Supporting Roberta Flack at The Indig02 in May this year.
What does the future hold…
who knows? But I want to get my music on Radio 2. that is a big goal of mine. Oh and obviously I would love to perform on Jools Holland’s show.
Best gig you’ve seen this year…
Justin Timberlake at the 02! Incredible show. He is an amazing performer, I love all his songs and his band and dancers were all amazing.
Favourite album…
Lucy Pearl – Lucy Pearl
Someone we should check out…
Cecelia Stalin. Incredible Swedish Jazz singer based in London. Her voice is out of this world. She gives me goosebumps!
Claim to fame…
Ed Sheeran is an extra in one of my music videos! (for my track ‘A Little While Longer’) I sang on a Vaseline advert a few years ago. I have played at Glastonbury, and I recorded a track with Example just before his first album came out! We went to the same university.
A ROUND UP | Bar Pepito, Camino & Marriott
We are now providing Spanish guitarists for Bar Pepito in Kings Cross, a gorgeous Andalusian bodega, specialising in sherry, tapas and hand carved jamón. Our flamenco artists will be performing on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm. (N.B. Castanets are obligatory.)
We’re also super excited to now be working with, not one, not two but TRES (that’s Spanish for three) Camino venues!
SG DJ’s will be throwing down soulful latin, old skool, and commercial flavours at Camino in Kings Cross, Blackfriars and Monument.
Marriott, West India Quay
Last month we helped launch the brand new terrace of the Lobby Lounge at the London Marriott West India Quay Hotel. DJ Zulu provided the chilled and eclectic soundtrack. Starting September 11th, we will provide a DJ every Thursday evening in the Lobby Lounge. Make sure you pop in; it’s a fabulous space, with an incredible Gin selection and cocktail menu (we intend to work our way through it four drinks at a time), and of course – great tunes!
FEATURED ARTIST – MAY | Helen
Favourite artist…
Impossible to pick one! Sheila Jordan, Sarah Vaughan, Mel Tormé.
Greatest Influence…
Carmen McRae.
Current listening…
Tom Waits’ albums Closing Time, and The Heart of Saturday Night, on vinyl re-issue.
Someone new on the scene we should check out…
Laura Jurd and Kwabena Adjepong.
Tell us about your upcoming album…
‘When First I Saw You There’ has originals & standards with some lush production, featuring a choir, strings and horns! I can’t wait for people to hear it! It’s due for release next month…..But you can pre-order a copy HERE.
Highlight of your career…
Singing to a packed audience at Kings Place with The London Vocal Project for the Kenny Wheeler/Norma Winstone ‘Mirrors’ album launch on my Birthday last year!
Other projects…
Singing to a packed audience at Kings Place with The London Vocal Project for the Kenny Wheeler/Norma Winstone ‘Mirrors’ album launch on my Birthday last year!