Home Sweet Home Concert

Odd things happen when you go for a hair cut at Ken’s in Braunton, North Devon. Ken’s salon is a place not only of inspired hair sculpture but a place of cultural diversity and good vibes. So it came as no surprise that whilst getting my bi-monthly quiff I was introduced to Joel a world-class singer songwriter from Switzerland that just happed to passing through Devon visiting long time friend Ken. It was suggested that Joel should play some gigs whilst he was in Devon but sadly Swiss time was running out for and Joel as he had to hit the road in his camper and head off into the sunset on Monday morning.
So Ken decided there and then to put a show on in the salon. Text messages were dispatched emails were send and on a sunny afternoon on Sunday 11th April the first Home Sweet Home Concert took place. Too many folks show up to fit into the salon itself so the event spilled out into the sun filled garden.
First on the bill Douglas E Powell a regular on the Southwest music scene playing his blend of 60’s inspired folk with moments of Americana.

Visiting travelling musician Joel followed with a set a self-penned gospel inspired acoustic ballads including a tear-jerking version of a French acoustic pop tune accompanied by Douglas E Powell on the harmonica.
Another local song writing standout Brendon Taylor played a set of finger picked acoustic beauties from his soon to recorded studio album and Sarah Cox strummed and sang through a few tunes bringing a country lilt to the whole affair.
Brendon Taylor and Will Greaves also kept perfect time by dropping a few beats on the Cajon (a sit on drum from Latin America). In short a fantastic afternoon of spontaneity and beautifully delivered music. Thank you to Ken and Becky for providing such a fitting venue.
The next Home Sweet Home Concert is in the planning stage. We will keep you posted on its location as soon as we here.
If you are interested in performing at the next Home Sweet Home Concert or if you would like to offer your home as venue. Please send Twister Valley Records your details and we will pass them onto Ken and Becky.

We're on the road to Holmfirth

Central Casting will be performing at this years Holmfirth Folk Festival, Yorkshire, 8th and 9th May. Performers from all over the UK and Europe will desend upon the town of Holmfirth where the bars, pubs, restaurants and even the local cinema become live music venues for the weekend.
Central Casting will be performing a set at Herveys wine bar on Saturday night, 8th May, and a second set at The Picturedrome on Sunday afternoon, 9th May.
Festival organizer James Munroe talks to local radio station Two Valleys Radio about the festival and Central Castings song Hawks and Larks gets some airplay 51 minutes into the show. Click here to listen to the whole show. Hit the North!

A few more dates for the diary:

Central Casting, Douglas E Powell, Robin Courtnage - Lilicos, Barnstaple, Devon, 27th May
Central Casting, Douglas E Powell - Tobacco Factory, Bristol, 30th May
Central Casting - The Hatherleigh Festival, Devon, July 23rd

Welcome aboard Central Casting

Twister Valley Records are proud to present their latest signing Central Casting.
Central Casting is a four-piece band, based on the West coast of the United Kingdom, which was formed during the long winter of 2009 by songwriter and guitarist Douglas E Powell. Citing as their musical influences bands such as Pentangle, Neil Young, Iron and Wine, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Ryan Adams making Central Casting an eclectic mix of alt-folk, vocal harmony and Americana.
The band will be touring the UK in the spring/summer of 2010 and will be releasing an album in the autumn of 2010.
For more information on the music of Central Casting or to book them to perform at your venue, contact CP Mandrake at twistervalleyrecords@gmail.com or visit their myspace site.

Devon Music Scene gets a big mention in Devon Life

Songwriters and performers Douglas E Powell and Amy Newton and Goldcoast Oceanfest organizers Warren and Shaun Latham get a very complementary write up in the February edition of Devon Life. The article was penned by author Tim Kevan, the writer of the newly published novel BabyBarista and the Art of War.
All of us here at TVR would like to say a big thank you to Tim and Devon life for taking the time to recognising that there is a diverse and immensely talented 'local' music scene here in Devon.
You can read the full article here on Tim's blog.

Vic Chesnutt dies 25th Dec, 2009 aged 45.

On Christmas day 2009 another great songwriter died. A man very close to my heart. A man who sculpted the way I write songs, after he gave me a copy of his album, Is the Actor Happy as payment for a support slot at a club in Portsmouth, England in 1995. That man's name was Vic Chesnutt. A name not ceremonious with world wide acclaim or stardom. The very opposite. He wrote the songs that others emulated. Artists such as REM, Smashing Pumpkins, Madonna even.
Vic was a true poet and song-smith of the highest order. To say that his songs were morose, maudlin and down beat would be a considerable under statement. That was the man's gift. Writing songs about the dark ironic comedic side of life. Often served with a healthy dose of impending doom.
His untimely death leaves a cavernous void in the world of song writing.
Vic leaves us a legacy (give or take a few side projects) of 15 studio albums spanning a 19 career.

Douglas E Powell

A weekend filed under 'difficult music' - ATP, Minehead, UK

A few close friends of TVR (Mr Jupp aka Belbury Poly/Ghost Box and Mr Stevens aka French Canadian Bean Soup) joined Mr Powell and Mr Mandrake in the town of Minehead for a weekend of alternative music appreciation. Here are some of my personal high points.



Pictured here J Masscis surrounded by his wrecking ball wall of noodlin noise. This shot was taken during his three song sound check. We watched the show from the relative safety of the rear of the auditorium wearing the ear plugs supplied.





Spectrum gradually built a sonic drone assault from the ground up as we all gazed at our shoes. Meanwhile later that evening Mr Stevens and Mr Jupp where told to keep their opinions on how to re-boot a Power Book G4 to themselves. They duly left the auditorium with their pride still intact.



Lee Renaldo lining up here for one of his songs from the Eternal set plus Death Valley 69.



Thurston Moore about to dispatch yet another vintage Fender Jaguar. Sadly no Jaguars where harmed during the show.





Now play nicely together Sonic Youth and please try and use your inside voices. Think of the neighbours.

Sometimes it's not all about the music

We pride our selves here at TVR on our diverse and eclectic cultural tastes. So when by chance we happen upon something a tad left field or just plane odd. We feel duty bound, obliged even to share it with you. So please enjoy the world of Entrances to Hell.