When the Warm Times Come by Andy Roid

 

It's the time of year for gifts and Andy Roid's (Here & Now, Music of the Andys) latest single release 'When the Warm Times Come' is just that, a real Yuletide treat. 'When the Warm Times Come' was written to celebrate the Winter Solstice in 2019 and incorporates a wonderful poem of the same name by Norman Lies. As you'd expect from Andy's music it's deeply atmospheric, all rich textures creating almost tangible soundscapes. The opening eerie drone slowly twists and morphs into a haunting retro 80's sci fi style vibe, through which weave threads of the mystical and magical, of something approaching or emerging, dawning, it's audio but you can't help but experience it almost cinematically. Andy's an electronic/synth wizard for sure. To my ear some Andy Roid tracks have something of the 70's weird to them, a sense of something mysterious just out of view in the shadows, something unearthly or otherworldly maybe, there's definitely some of that going on here. Bassy yet sharp reverberating electronic sounds mark your arrival in an alien space, a strange futuristic world, then the introduction of Norman Lies earthy pagan flavoured poem juxtaposes the two worlds of scifi and nature sending them swirling and blending seamlessly. Wonderful stuff. It works perfectly as a captivating aural accompaniment to our strange times, and in the poem we find hope, an understanding of the timelessness of the seasonal wheel balanced with an anticipation of better times to come. Lovely. Go check it out, and his other releases on his bandcamp whilst you're there.

Andy Roid

It was sad to hear recently that the 'Music of the Andys' have ceased as a musical combo, as their post put it 'the goose (of perception) has flown'. What a shame, man, there was a certain magic there, something hypnotic and even shamanistic in their sound, certainly a sound full of energies. Thanks and applause must go out to Andy Roger and Andy Burrows for their sterling work and many great live performances...bravo!  There's still some cool Music of the Andys stuff on their bandcamp page to check out. On a brighter note, it turns out the goose doubles as a phoenix and both musicians continue on, Andy Burrows with the fabulous Here and Now Band, and Andy Roger with a smashing new Andy Roid project which has oodles of potential. Andy Roid's first release is Guru Hoodoo, and it's 24 minutes of great.  You're taken on an aural journey all hypnotic and strange, there are plenty of fabulously odd sounding samples and trippy loops, it's as ambient as feck in a wonderfully weird, at points eerie, way. Andy creates richly textured and deep soundscapes which though constantly evolving, morphing and shifting focus, maintain a cogent path. At a couple of points there are echoes of surreal 60's TV soundtracks, you could imagine Steed running about a tripped out dolls house or something, all filmed weird angles and perspectives. Lovely stuff. I can't wait to see where this goes, nor can I wait to catch him live, should take a bean bag though, this is the sort of music you want to lay back and dissolve too. Check it out.

On the fifth day of Christmas

On the fifth day of Christmas music gave to me The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender. And wow, what a weekend that was! Sublime bands in salubrious surroundings enjoyed in good company, it doesn't get much better than that. The last few years have throw up obstacles which have meant I've not made it to the festivals or gigs I'd often planned to, I feared it was going to go the same way for The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, though the Gods and Goddesses smiled upon me and with a little help from my friends (as the Beatles said), at the last minute I was travelling to the Isle of Avalon and on to that hostelry of fine repute, The King Arthur.  The weekender was more fun than I could have imagined. We, like many, camped on the edge of town at the Isle of Avalon Touring Caravan Park, very nice, good atmosphere and within easy walking distance of the town. I have to admit to getting a bit too wasted on the first night, I blame....well, I don't blame anybody, it was a fine evening, even if I did require supporting on the walk back. I took a more measured approach on subsequent days. We didn't get to see all the fantastic bands, although as you'd expect the ones we did gave stella performances. We saw current favourites like The Cary Grace Band, Magic Bus and Music of the Andys, new bands (to me anyway) such as Zub Zub and Tim Hawthorn and the Archetypes and long time favourites and legends in the form of the Invisible Opera Company, Kangaroo Moon and Here and Now. It was magical. And, Here and Now's Andy Roger giving me shout out before 'So glad your here' was a lovely gesture, brought a tear to my eye and was the cherry on one hell of a weekend cake. I was so glad I was there too, to have seen such fabulous bands and enjoyed the company of so many lovely people was a real tonic. I salute all involved.

On the first day of Christmas.....

On the first day of Christmas music gave to me 'Andience' from the 'Andy's', and my first gig of the year. Relatively new, Music of the Andys have already established themselves as a band with depth and substance, and oodles of potential. I say relatively new, that is as a band, Andy Roger is long term twiddler and twister for the legendary Here and Now Band and really knows his electronic onions, and guitarist Andy Burrows is....Well, I don't know, he must have come from somewhere, though I know not where. Unless of course, he's magic, and if you've seen him play then that's a credible suggestion. Anyways, together they create the finest of auditory immersions, wonderful musical textures and landscapes, surfed over by blistering spaced out guitar. Smashing stuff, from nice fellows. Word is there's an album just over the horizon, which will be most excellent, and in the meantime there are few tracks already available on Bandcamp, such as the drifty trance 'Goose of Perception'.  You want to get in now, next thing you know they'll only be playing stadiums and you'll have missed out. Don't say I didn't warn you.  

MOTA Music of the Andys @ Unit 23 Totnes 17.6.2017

Excited, car packed with camping gear, we made our way west to the picturesque town of Totnes, down in Devon, and to the excellent Unit 23 venue, in order to see the magnificent Here and Now Band, supported by the equally magnificent Music of the Andys. We'd been to Unit 23 back in March to see Gong and Magic Bus supported by The Invisible Opera Company of Tibet (what a top evening that was), though arriving only shortly before the gig we had no time to explore the town. Today we arrived in plenty of time allowing us time for a good look around, what a lovely town, full of character, good pastries and cake.  After a lazy afternoon milling about it was off to unit 23 for the evenings entertainment. First up, Music of the Andys. If you've not heard the Music of the Andys you've been missing out, and if you have, then you'll understand our excitement at seeing them again was well placed. As has become their style, the 'Andys' gifted us a unique and entrancing set of psychedelic trance. 'Andience' is how the band describes their sound. Andy Roger, keyboard wizard and professor of synth-tastic sounds, looking studiously out from his nest of wires and gizmo’s, laid down a solid foundation of deeply layered hypnotic beats and spaced out sounds, creating a rich flowing sound-scape through which Andy Burrows deftly thread some wonderful noodled guitar, not just noodling, mind, Andy 'B' uses his guitar in a bewildering range of ways to create a plethora of mind melting sounds, and has a whale of a time doing so, by the look of it. Together the 'Andys' created a wonderful musical universe to become lost in, and the audience were loving it, shuffling throughout and showing their appreciation noisily at the end of each track.  We first saw Music of the Andys last year and they were good, though over the last year their sound has grown exponentially, deeper and more layered, producing a tight style which easily moves from the heavy trancey drone of tracks like the 'the Banger' to the more drifty meditative trance flavours of 'the Goose of Perception'. And, each time we've heard these tracks, they've evolved in some way from the last performance, each time they have slightly different aspects and qualities to them, 'Andience' is clearly fluid.  What a splendid start to proceeding, another stellar performance, bravo, Music of the Andys!

Music of the Andys have a couple of tracks available on Bandcamp, check them out; with any luck there'll be an album at some point. 

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 2, Friday 14th April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 2; festy styled ambient wizards Music of the Andys, smiley techo combo Zub Zub, and the legendary, and I mean 'legendary', Here and Now Band (of course including the Music of the Andys pair).

Music of the Andys virtual gig on Visual Radio Arts

https://www.facebook.com/visualradioarts/videos/1832552796957247/

The Music of the Andys performed a live set at Visual Radio Arts in Frome which was streamed live on friendface this evening, and fantastic it was too. I don't need to describe it as it available for you to watch and enjoy, both the musical content which is top shelf, but also the interview sections which are treat and rather funny. Obviously it'll never replace a real gig, though these virtual gigs aren't a bad thing to add into the mix. Enjoy.  

Music of the Andys @ The King Arthur, Glastonbury 6.1.2017

Less than a week into 2017 and we're at our first gig of the year, Music of the Andys at the King Arthur in Glastonbury; a great band in my favourite venue. It might be a bit of a journey (2 or so hours each way), but the 'Arthur' never fails to facilitate top evenings, and is always worth the travelling. For those who don't know (you need to sort that out!) Music of the Andys are Andy Roid (Andy Roger) of Here and Now on keyboards, synths and assorted twiddly stuff, and Andy Burrows of, er..., remiss of me as it is, I don't know if Andy B is in any other bands, on guitar.  Two bloody good musicians, and jolly nice chaps.  Music of the Andys have only existed for a year, though you'd never guess that by their tight sound and clean performances, and for just two fellows (yeah, there are three people in the photo, I'll get to that) they create a big sound that fills a room to bursting.

First though there was a support act, Shifty. Shifty are a four piece, Andrew Shackleton on laptop (I know there's more to it than that, but I don't know what it is) Andrew Schofield on vocals, harmonica and drums (he also had a utility belt of musical things), Graeme Lawson on guitar aMauve La Bichend Paul Boswell on bass. I'd not seen Shifty before though thoroughly enjoyed their performance. I don't really know how best to describe their sound, they're dancey, with electronic elements, rocky segments all delivered with punky gusto (here's their promo). Front man Andrew Schofield was very animated and I loved his use of harmonica. Great festival music, I reckon. I was saying to a friend I could imagine bouncing about to Shifty in a festival marquee. They played a good set. I think (though I could be wrong) that they're a relatively new outfit, and with that in mind, I for one look forward to seeing how they develop.

After a quick change over, the 'Andys' wasted no time in setting about opening trans-dimensional portals to a plethora of swirling soundscapes. The 'Andys' skill in forging amazingly textured soundscapes, deep and sumptuous musical worlds to get lost in, is a wonder. We've seen them a few times now, and at each performance they just keep getting better, which is some achievement as their first gig (first one we saw, anyway) was a corker. From the get go the Andys began our immersion process. Andy Roger is a master of keyboard and synth, appearing to effortlessly create wondrously textured ethereal musical vistas on demand, which he did to great effect. Studiously draped over his stack of keyboards and twiddle boxes, head in close, as if communicating with them, Andy R built up layer upon layer of lovely trippy sounds, on a foundation of wonderful hypnotic trancey beats and rhythms. Maybe there's some crazy symbiosis going on between man and machine? He's also known as Andy Roid, remember. The foundations of their musical universe established, Andy Burrows now set about overlaying it with some magnificent guitar work. Andy Burrows really knows how to make the most of his guitar, he's all over his fretboard like a rash, his fingers a blur, not only that but he's using the whole guitar as an instrument, tapping it here, stroking it there, doing whatever it takes to get his desired sound. Like a guitar wielding silver surfer, or more aptly the silver shredder, Andy B's guitar noodling glid with ease through the musical universe they'd created, stitching it all together. These guys know their onions! Tracks this evening included: the 'Goose of Perception' (a favourite of mine) a long floaty ethereal number which you simply melt into and drift along with, just beautiful; it also includes a great sample of performer Matthew Silver (good choice). There was the 'Banger' a much heavier droney number with a powerful and repetitively hypnotic back beat (like a steam hammer) overlaid with great synth twiddling and some far out shredding and noodling showing off Andy B's guitar skills. Finally, as a special treat, for their last track 'Killed by Yoga' (a new track) they were joined by Mark Robson (of Kangaroo Moon and Here and Now) on didgeridoo. Killed by Yoga has a softer hypnotic drone which slowly built up as it phased in and out, pulsating almost. A magical musical meditation, beautifully performed by three music yogis; the addition of the didg was inspired.  The end of each track was met with enthusiastic applause, well, it would wouldn't it. Well played, sirs!

But then, it was over. Well, the Andys continue to surpass themselves, I for one could have listened to more and I know I wasn't alone. That was a memorable set, I thank you. I think the Andy's enjoyed it too, which is nice. Word on the street is Music of the Andys will be releasing something in the coming months, and if you can't get to see them (though I recommend you do), whatever they release will be well worth getting a copy of. In the meantime to sample their magic, check out 'the goose of perception' on their bandcamp page.

As usual the Arthur was a treat, nice staff, nice regulars (we saw Annie, though she ignored us) and a great sound. It's mad that we'd travel 4 hours (round trip) to a venue with such regularity, but the 'Arthur' really does consistently come up with the goods, booking after booking of class acts. Looking forward at their 2017 calendar, so far this year looks like more of the same.....fantastico! Cary Grace was at the show tonight, if you've not seen Cary live, you must. I saw on the Arthur's calender that she's got a couple of performances pencilled in, one with The Luck of Eden Hall (or at least some of them); I can't wait.  I must mention that Shifty's Andrew Shackleton provided some lovely visuals which complimented the Andys music perfectly, well played, sir.  

Well, what a top night and what a great musical start to the new year. Cheers y'all! Much appreciated.

The Cary Grace Band and Music of the Andys @ The King Arthur, Glastonbury 30.9.2016 (part 2)

Well, the Music of the Andy's had done a superb job in warming up the audiences musical receptors, which were now crackling wildly, and a nicely packed room waited with excited anticipation for tonight’s headline act, the fantastic Cary Grace Band. If you've not heard of Cary Grace, that's something you really need to address, as you're missing out on some top sounds. The Cary Grace Band are a five piece: Cary Grace on guitar and analogue synth, Victoria Reyes on keyboards and other things, Andy Budge on bass, David Payne on drums and Owain Hutchings on lead guitar (although the band has seen additional temporary members such as Steffe Sharpstrings, Graham Clarke and John Garden in the past).   

From the out set their performance was right on the money, each track masterfully delivered, each band member playing their part to perfection. Andy Budge provided some rich and full bass lines, and did so with gusto, really belting it out at points, whilst looking as cool as a cucumber throughout. Whilst David Payne's such a powerful drummer and so blistering was his drumming this evening, I watched as the bands logo on his base drum literally blow off in pieces. Get in there! Combined, Payne and Budge made creating a strong rhythm section look effortless and did so with finesse, creating some mighty tight rhythms. Then there was Owain Hutchings on guitar, who last time I saw the band had shared guitar duty, tonight though as solo lead guitarist I think we saw more of his skills and, man, he shone. Owain delivered some far out and nicely performed noodling in a psych rock stylee and looked like he was having a lot of fun doing it too. Now, I do love keyboards (I know I've mentioned this before), and Victoria Reyes again delivered a solid performance on keys, but not just that, she also gifted us with some great oboe (or at least I think it was an oboe, to get technical it was a blowy thing) action, lending some lovely jazz flavours to some numbers. Victoria also has a lovely voice, which she used to good effect, when she joined Cary on the harmonies, which were beautiful. Oh, and then there's Cary Grace herself. Cary has such a great vocal style and range, and she can hold a note clearly and cleanly for what appears an age.  Tonight her voice was on top form and sounded fantastic, and as with when I saw her previously, her whole performance was transfixing; mesmerizing, man, Cary really has a powerful stage presence. I've come to the conclusion that playing synth must be incredibly complicated and mentally taxing, as synth players always look so serious, that said, there are a lot of buttons, knobs and slidey things to contend with. Tonight Cary's studiousness clearly paid off as she created some sumptuous musical textures, old school synth sounds are just so much richer, man. The band were firing on all cylinders and it sounded out of this world! I loved it, we all loved it. Tonight’s performance was different from the last time we saw the band. I thought tonight’s set felt and sounded heavier, with a far rockier aspect. Hey, that's no complaint, it was a slap up feast of psychedelic rock flavours and the audience were lapping it up, showing their appreciation with rapturous applause between tracks. By the end we'd all feasted like musical Mr Creosotes, that said, we could have still fitted in a waffer thin number, though sadly with only a minute left before the music polices curfew, it was not to be. The band, all smiles, appeared to have had a great time too. They'd played some great tracks from across Cary's catalogue tonight and a few masterful covers, original interpretations of some classics, I especially enjoyed their rendition of Bowie's 'Bitch Queen' (which I understand is released on an upcoming fruits de mer records release). I know, I say it often, but when you're absorbed in great music you want it to go on and on, though as is the way, all too quickly the gig was over. But just...Wow! What a great performance. A band of first class musicians, each expert in their art/s, who together tonight created pure magic in Avalon. Cheers y'all.  

I was also lucky enough to pick up a copy of The Uffculme Variations, Cary Grace's live set from this years Kozfest (which I was gutted to have missed), where the band (minus Owain Hutchings), was joined by the legendary Steffe Sharpstrings and Graham Clarke. I can't wait to get my ears round that. 

A big thanks to The Music of the Andy's and The Cary Grace Band for such brilliant performances, and thanks to The King Arthur for putting them on. Finally, I mustn't forget to note that, yet again, the sound at the King Arthur was spot on. Well played, dudes!

The Cary Grace Band and Music of the Andys @ The King Arthur, Glastonbury 30.9.2016 (part 1)

Through England’s green and pleasant land we wended our way to Avalon and that magical edifice of fine beverages, good people and sublime music..... the Arthur. I love the Arthur, such a great venue. Tonight we'd been drawn by two incredibly groovy bands: The Cary Grace Band supported by The Music of the Andys.

We'd arrived in Glastonbury in good time, which afforded us the opportunity for a drink before the gig and to soak up the atmosphere; we always meet nice people in the Arthur, real people, interesting people. So, we'd no sooner sat down when we were joined by a incredibly smiley woman, who proceed to communicate with us through exaggerated facial and hand gestures, all interspersed with the occasional incoherent mumble before finally, still beaming, proudly stated, 'Frome!', 'literally, from Frome!'. Later we learned her name was Annie, and she was literally, from Frome. Annie was a sweetie, yeah, she was caned, pinched sips of our drinks, spilling some on us, but she was a gentle soul and it was a pleasure to spend time with her.  Soon though it was time to leave Annie 'literally from Frome', and enter the musical world of the Andys. 

Music of the Andys are a two piece: Andy Roger on keys, synths and all things buttony and Andy Burrows on guitar. And, man, do they create a sweet sound or what! We'd seen them in Bournemouth only a couple of weeks previously and  were blown away. We couldn't believe our luck that they were supporting The Cary Grace Band. How best describe the Music of the Andys? Well, they're a bit like this.... Tonight Andy Roger again looked studious as he moved between innumerable keyed and buttoned devices, pushing this, flicking that and twiddling t'other, like some mad musical professor. But, man, did he create some magic, as from his devices he birthed a multitude of spiralling musical galaxies before turning them into atmospheric fractal soundscapes you could immerse yourself in. Pure bliss, you couldn't help but smile.  No wonder he looked studious though, it must be mental, he has more buttons than a pearly king; I wouldn't know where to start. Now, Andy Burrows, there's a fella who knows how to make the most of a guitar, his fingers blurred up, down and across the fretboard, performing some top shelf noodling. But that's not all, Andy (B) didn't just play the guitar, he turned it into something else, tapping it, stroking it, doing whatever was required to achieve the sound desired. And, man, did it work, he gave Andy Roger's swirling soundscapes focus and direction with some of the most excellent and understated guitar work you'll see, making it look easy.  Together they took us via floaty hypnotic drone and noodle on a journey through their tripped out and trancey musical imaginations. Or as Andy Roger described it.....Andient, and he'd know. Nice! It was far out, man, and the audience showed their approval with hearty applause. Both the Andy's too, appeared to have had a good time, having a laugh and a bit of banter. At one point getting a bit punk rock when Andy (B) appeared to spit his plectrum at a Andy (R), oi oi! It's always nice to see performers enjoying themselves. All too soon though, it was over. I for one could have listened to more, their music is so engaging and immersive and I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that. A top set, from a top band on what was shaping up to be a top evening. I can't recommend enough that you get and see them, I guarantee you wont be disappointed. To sample their magic, check out 'the goose of perception' on their bandcamp page. Big up the Andy's!

Now, you'd be right to think that that would be a top night on it's own, which it would, but they were the support.  Next was: The Cary Grace Band.

Music of the Andys @ Chaplins 15.9.16

Not a poncho or pan pipe in sight, music of the Andes my arse! Of course I'm joking, although virtually everybody I'd mentioned the Music of the Andys gig to looked at me puzzled, thinking I was talking about an upcoming Peruvian pan flute band performance. Well, I wasn't. Music of the Andys are Andy Roger (recently of Here and Now) on synth/keyboards, Andy Burrows on guitar and Andrew Shackleton doing projections/visuals. I'd heard a couple of tracks on their bandcamp page and liked what I heard. Though, tonight’s performance was really something else.  A mind melting blend of flowing synth soundscapes, hypnotic trancey repetitive rhythms, all interwoven with some magical guitar noodling. They rocked!

The venue was Chaplins/The Cellar Bar in Boscombe, a small venue for sure, but with a big heart and a really great atmosphere and sound. The type of venue we desperately need and need to support. Up on the diminutive stage, Andy Roger looked intensely studious as he fiddled with knobs, jangled keys and pushed this and that, it must be quite a feat, all that going on. I've noticed synth players always look so focused, but as Mr Roger proved tonight, all that studious work can really pay off. Then there's Andy Burrows who has a great guitar style and really worked his instrument, his fingers a blur at some points as he worked every inch of the fretboard. Together they created musical magic. Man, I really was blown away by the quality of tonight’s musical fare. I was expecting good, but what we were served was something else, several notches higher than just 'good'.  The Andys created a richly textured and immersive sound, a big tight sound which filled the room, which for just two guys was good going. Quality stuff. Behind them Andrew Shackletons overlaid groovy visuals unquestioningly added to and complimented the musical soundscapes. All round a top evenings musical entertainment, although too too short.

The Andys next musical outing will be on the 30th supporting Cary Grace at the King Arthur in Glastonbury, for sure a gig not to be missed.