BBC FOLK SINGER OF THE YEAR 2011
Kris was nominated for the 2011 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Folk Singer.
Kris and Eamonn UK Tour
Dates added for April check Gigs page
Tour Dates Oct,Nov,December
New dates are up in the gig area, including DMW and Lau shows
**** The Guardian
The Guardian gave Mark The Hard Earth 4/5
and The Herald featured Kris on the Sunday Magazine front cover
SIGNED ALBUMS, OUT NOW!
Mark The Hard Earth released officially digital & physical on March 8th. You can hear tracks on myspace now. Initial CD's in a slipcase, CD WITH LIMITED EDITION SIGNED EXTRA BOOKLET available whilst stocks last from www.reveal-records.com and www.lau-store.com
BBC FOLK AWARDS 2010
Lau have been nominated for Radio 2's BBC Folk Award 2010 Best Group and Best Live Act, the results are announced in London at the award ceremony Feb 1st. Thanks for your support.
FREE DOWNLOAD NEW TRACK
The title track from the new album "Mark The Hard Earth" is available as a free download for 28 days from The Independent website as part of a 30 track compilation by Reveal & Navigator Record.Hope you enjoy it
www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/navigator--reveal-records-mixtape-giveaway-1819588.html
LAU Arc Light Tour Dates
Hello, there are loads of new Lau tour dates from June to December 2009 just on sale have a look at the gig guide. Album recording is going well, Tim O'Brien, Ewen Vernal and John McCusker all featuring and John's producing again.. more soon thanks,til then hope to see you at LAU shows.. www.lau-music.co.uk
IRELAND MUSIC AWARDS
Kris is nominated for Best Male at the 2009 Ireland Music Awards. The ceremony takes place August 1st.
APRIL TOUR
Following a sell out Union Chapel show in Feb 09 with Heidi and John, Roddy and Boo.. Kris will be doing some more duo shows with Heidi playing songs from their respective catalogues together as a duo, two sets. Dates start in Bury on April 2nd and finish in Market Harborough on April 15th.
RADIO 2 BLOG
All 3 members of Lau have written blogs for Mike Hardings Folk Blog more details at his BBC website
SPIRAL EARTH interview
If you head over to SPIRALEARTH.CO.UK there is a new Kris Drever interview, DMW artist page and numerous downloads and much more
LAU win BBC FOLK AWARD
LAU won Best Group for a second year running at this years BBC 2 FOLK AWARDS
LAU ALBUM / SOLO ALBUM!
Two new albums coming in 2009. The first will be "Arc Light" by LAU (expected late spring). The follow up to "Black Water" is expected in Autumn 2009.
Kris Wins Award
Kris won Scottish Trad Music Award for Best Instrumentalist at the recent awards held in Glasgow.
2009 TOURING NEWS
Hello, just added dates from January 2009 to May 2009 for Drever,McCusker,Woomble and the duo tour (solo material) with Heidi Talbot plus LAU dates aplenty.. look forward to seeing you in the months ahead.Thanks for your support
LAU TOURING NOVEMBER
Check the gigs page for new LAU touring!
BEFORE THE RUIN
DREVER McCUSKER WOOMBLE ALBUM OUT NOW
CD LPwithCD or DIGITAL
SOME GIGS POSTPONED / CANCELLED DUE TO FAMILY HEALTH
Hi we are very sorry to report today that some concerts in September and October have had to be cancelled / re-scheduled. EDINBURGH, STIRLING, GLASGOW are still happening with full line up.
Bury is happening but without Roddy Woomble.
This is due to an urgent and unforseen private family health matter and we will do all we can to reschedule them during the Feb tour. Thank you for your understanding.
LEEDS CITY VARIETIES is Cancelled please return tickets for a refund.
LONDON UNION CHAPEL is now rescheduled for FEB 13th 2009
CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION is rescheduled for FEB 10th 2009.
INVERNESS IRONWORKS - (New date to be announced)
LIVE DVD
New Live Concert Dvd is OUT NOW
www.codamusic.co.uk/product-detail/34768/Kris+Drever/Live+Dvd
filmed with full band in Glasgow infront of 1,400 people its documents the Black Water album and behind the scenes footage.
DREVER McCUSKER WOOMBLE
New Album " Before The Ruin" released Sep 15th on Navigator Records. Tour starts September 24th @ London Union Chapel with Support From Heidi Talbot and Boo Hewerdine!
LAU LIVE ALBUM
Navigator Records Release LAU Live on April 28th featuring new songs sung by Kris and new tunes too.
AWARDS..
LAU nominated for BEST ALBUM, BEST LIVE ACT, BEST GROUP and BEST MUSICIAN ( Martin) @ BBC FOLK AWARDS 2008.
LAU up for nomination at Scottish Traditional Music Awards 2007 BEST ALBUM BEST LIVE ACT..
thanks for voting if you did x
ALL GOOD REVIEWS !
MOJO MAGAZINE (**** May 2007)
A full page review and interview feature. "Kris Drever is a serious talent"
MAVERICK MAGAZINE 5 STARS (March 2007)
'As marvelous as it is timeless, this record puts folk back in it's rightful place. '
'It's only when you listen to artists like Kris Drever that you realise just how vital and relevant Folk music is'
'Every song on Black Water is a passionate tour de force'
'BLACK WATER IS AN ALBUM THAT WILL BE AS RELEVANT TWENTY YEARS HENCE AS IT IS TODAY'
(MAVERICK 5/5***** march 2007)
Daily Telegraph 17.2.07 ALBUM OF THE WEEK (FOLK)
'Maturity and flair flow from every track'.'If this is not already a first album to treasure, sneak previews of another, from Drever's trio LAU, due out in a couple of months, suggest that better still is to come'.
'Drever's debut aligns ancient with modern. A poignant picture of modern Britain and makes the standard live anew. ' Album Of The Week (The Sunday Times)
SONGLINES - 4 STARS ****
" Assured Debut.."
'A strong natural singer and top notch guitarist. The folk revival has a new standard bearer' (Q Magazine)
'One of the best singers I have ever heard. His emotional range is outstanding.' (Eddi Reader)
'Many moments of rare beauty. Further confirmation that folk music is kicking and screaming into the 21st Century' (The Sun)
KRIS WINS FOLK AWARD!
Kris Drever walked away with the HORIZON AWARD @ the BBC 2007 FOLK AWARDS ceremony held in London on 5th Feb. He also played with living legend Rosanne Cash and Chris from Nicklecreek!
A nomination for Best Traditional Track completed a successful night.
LAU - Lightweights And Gentlemen
LAU (reveal 17) is available to pre order now from Amazon and will be in a shop near you or available from this site in March 2007 - initial copies of the Cd will be numbered and include a bonus track , whilst a beautiful DOUBLE VINYL LP comes with not only a totally exclusive bonus song ' Basil' but also the entire album on CD thrown in free!
Aidan O'Rourke Kris Drever and Martin Green are LAU. 3 songs sung by Kris and plenty of wild instrumentation from the boys on the remaining tunes!
KRIS INTERVIEW
By Claire Kimber:
1)When did you start recording the album?
KD: I think a couple of months ago - we did it in little blocks of 2 or 3 days at a time because everyone involved - myself included - had a lot of gigs and other work on. It’s a nice way to do it actually and it resulted in less stress.
2) Are all the songs you recorded on the final version - how did you choose the songs for inclusion?
KD: Yes all the songs we recorded are on the album. As far as selection goes, it was something of a mixture - some are songs that I've been singing for a long time, others were songs I've always fancied singing but never quite gotten round to, and around half were ones I got through the research process I started when I was asked to make it.
3) How do you build the songs - are they already demo’d or did any come about whilst you recorded?
KD: In nearly all cases I came to the studio with songs arranged for guitar and vocal and we would just decide what else should be on as we went along. That said ‘Braw Sailin...’ was arranged a couple of years ago for a tour with John McCusker’s band who I sing and play double bass with. Also, I had a fairly good idea about the instrumentation I fancied before we began.
4) It is some list of guests (!) - were you able to get everyone you wanted ? Did you record them in various locations?
KD: I didn't really have a wish-list, John and I have worked with a lot of those people in a variety of different projects and they were, for that reason, the best people for the job. It’s always exciting, and clearly I'm in a priviliged position, especially with it being a debut and of course I'm delighted to hear all those people on one record.
There were only two locations for the main part of the process - at Pure in Yorkshire and to a lesser extent at Paul McGeechan’s in Glasgow (where we recorded Donald's harmonium and Eddi, Roddy and Frank). The mastering took place in North Berwick with Calum Malcolm.
5) Obviously Jon McCusker is a name alot of people know as a musician ( indeed he arranged and played on all the songs on Black Water) - what was it like handing the reins of production over?
KD: I'm not responsible enough to be a producer and wouldn't relish the prospect so it was something of a no-brainer for me! Also he's a friend i've worked with a great deal, so there was no shortage of trust there.
6) How did you meet John McCusker?
KD: I moved to Edinburgh (for the 2nd time, the 1st being something of a disaster) from Orkney when I was 20 and started getting gigs as a session player with a variety of different bands and travelling in the States and Europe. It’s a relatively small scene and so I knew who John was and visa versa. I think I probably met him in Sandy Bells or the Royal Oak - both of us fairly gifted at speaking shite we got on grand, and he started giving me the call to come down and record bass and vox for various projects he was involved in.
7) You and John McCusker are still relatively young - yet you have both many years at the top level in your profession - what goals do you still have to aim for ?
KD: I cant speak for John but personally I dont set goals - I just play as often as I can and try to be a better musician; there are so many things that I can’t express on the instruments I play so it’s mainly about trying to find ways of achieving those things. When I say ‘express’, I dont mean my anguish or inner spirit-child or any such trash, just being able to think a noise or phrase and translate it directly to what I’m playing.
8) Are you pleased with how Black Water turned out?
KD: Yes, delighted really! I’ve never considered myself as a solo performer (of course it’s not strictly a solo record - there's about ten other people on it) and so to get something together which makes me sound good and has my name on it is very satisfying.
9) What is your favourite track and why ?
KD: That’s a tricky one, - but I'll go for ‘Navigator’. It reminds me of a number of good times in one of my favourite pubs and it’s got a lot of space in it.
10 ) What your favourite memory from the recording sessions?
KD: Probably the day in Glasgow listening to Donald Shaw putting the harmonium and joanna down - he's such a tremendously classy player and he instantly transformed some of those tracks. Or maybe the ‘Honk Toot’ with Ian Carr - he and I wrote that tune together maybe a year or two previously and it was our world premiere as a guitar duo!
11) How do you feel the overall sound of Black Water differs from your catalogue of previous work?
KD: I couldn't honestly say. Have you ever recorded your own voice and played it back to yourself? It’s impossible to remain impartial. I would say though that I'm very proud of all the recodings I've done however lo-fi or naive. It is after all called a record for a reason; a record is a memento of how you sounded on the day you did it...
JOHN McCUSKER INTERVIEW
Interviewed by Claire Kimber.
1)When did you start recording the album?
JM: I think we started it in June. It was all done very quick, we had the drummer Roy Dodds for one day and the bass player Ewen Vernal for one day...the whole thing took about three weeks from starting, to the end of mixing. It’s a great way to make a record I think, because it’s focused and keeps the energy and excitement levels up.
2) Are all the songs you recorded on the final version - how did you
choose the songs for inclusion?
JM: Yeah...all the songs are on the record. Again I think it’s better to record the twelve songs and focus on them rather than recording loads of stuff and not being able to make up your mind! Kris had most of them already and played them to me to see what I thought...I loved both the Sandy Wright songs straight away. I asked my friend Boo Hewerdine if he would write Kris a song and he wrote loads of brilliant songs...I think me and Kris loved about five of Boo’s but already had loads for the record so only ‘Harvest Gypsies’ went on...but got loads for the next record! I taught Kris ‘Braw Sailin on the Sea’ which is one of my all time favourite folk songs.
3) How do you build the songs - are they already demo’d or did any come about whilst you recorded?
There were no demos. We wanted to keep the album quite simple and not layer it with loads of instruments. Kris did all his guitar and vocals in a few days and then Ian Carr added his wee bits and after that the songs already sounded quite big. Roy and Ewen did their bits and then we just added little touches, but only things we thought would add to the song instead of adding stuff to try and make it sound big. Kris sounds great with just him and an acoustic guitar so I didn’t want to lose that intimate feel.
4) It is some list of guests (!) - were you able to get everyone you wanted? Did you record them in various locations?
JM: We’re very lucky that our friends happen to be amazing at playing music or singing, or both! I always love Michael McGoldrick playing on records but he was mad busy so he was the only one I would have wanted but couldn’t get this time. Eddi and Kate and Roddy are all fans of Kris so they were all delighted to sing on the record...which is a great compliment to Kris and very lucky that we can just phone three amazing singers up and they say...”nae bother, I’d love to!”. Most of the musicians were recorded in Yorkshire but we had a great day recording in Glasgow. In one day we recorded Donald Shaw from Capercaille who is totally brilliant and then Eddi Reader and Roddy Woomble came down and sang...that’s a good recording session! Andy Cutting only lives an hour away so he drove down for the the afternoon...he is one of our favourite musicians in the world and were so glad he could come play.
5) Obviously John McCusker is a name alot of people know as a musician (indeed you have arranged and played on all the songs on Black Water) -
you have now produced many great records too - do you see the your future career in production or a bit of both?
JM: I’m very lucky that I can spend time in the studio making records with Andy Seward...who I’m really lucky to have as an engineer. He brings so much to every record I do, and is someone who not only makes it sound great but has got great ideas and doesn’t let me put crap things on records! But then I get to go on tour and play with Kate Rusby and Eddi Reader and lots of great folk. I love having both. Even though it’s been mad busy I haven’t got sick of being in the studio...really looking forward to doing the next record.
6) How did you meet Kris Drever?
JM: The first time I remember seeing Kris is in our favourite pub Sandy Bells. I was looking at the people playing in the session and I remember seeing this really tall fella playing the double bass and thought he was great. Then he played tunes on the banjo, then played the guitar brilliantly for people playing tunes and then he sang a song and totally blew me away. I went over to him - drunk - and said, ”We have to be pals!”. He’s a great fella and we’ve been great friends since.
7) You started young (Battlefield Band) and both you annd Kris are still relatively young - yet you have both many years at the top level in your profession - what goals do you still have to aim for ?
JM: I was 17 when I went on the road with Battlefield Band and it’s been an amazing journey; since then I don’t really have any goals...I think like Kris, I’m really happy and lucky to be able to make a living out of playing folk music. I’m glad that after 15 years of doing this I still get excited about the next gig or making the next record. I suppose what I hope happens is that we get better at doing records and make ones that people want to hear and love...and I would quite like to play with Bob Dylan and Neil Young!
8) Are you pleased with how Black Water turned out?
JM: Yes - I’m totally delighted with how it turned out. I think we’ve captured what people love about Kris. I think he’s made a great first album. I think most people with their first records will look back and not like them very much because it’s so hard making your first one... but Kris I think has made his first one, one to be really proud of and I think we’ll stick it on in 10 years time and still enjoy it. Having said that, there are always wee things I would change but that’s only because I turn into a freak about records!!
9) What is your favourite track and why ?
JM: I love ‘Navigator’ because I love the way Kris sings it, and Kate and Roddy sing beautiful on it. It’s so simple - only two tenor guitars and harmonium. It really moves me. I also really love ‘Harvest Gypsies’ and ‘Braw Sailin on the Sea’.
10) What’s your favourite memory from the recording sessions?
JM: We had a total laugh making it because myself and Kris and Andy Seward are big pals. Also we are great friends with everybody that played and sang on it so every day a new friend would come and hang out. Watching Kris and Ian Carr playing their guitars on ‘Honk Toot’ was brilliant...I can’t imagine any other two guitar players making that noise - there is a compliment in there somewhere! I still love watching the tracks build up and getting Kate and Roddy and Kris singing on the one track was a highlight for me.
11) How do you feel the overall sound of Black Water differs from say
your work with Kate Rusby and Roddy Woomble (both of whom used similar guests but end up with very different sounding records)?
JM: All the records we do sound different to the last one because whoever is doing the record brings with them a different set of influences, and wants the musicians to play and sing in a certain way. I think it’s a compliment to the musicians that they can come play on loads of records and sound different on them all...they cater for what the artist wants - I think that makes a brilliant musician. The obvious reason Black Water sounds different is because Kris is at the centre of it all. We both wanted it to sound not overly produced or polished and try and make it sound fresh and exciting...I hope we’ve managed that a wee bit!