Theo Bard feels that his best way to communicate with the world is through music. Inspired by the stories found in traditional folk, he sets razor-sharp lyrics to a stripped-down acoustic guitar, allowing his words to speak for themselves. His musical journey started at the age of just 4, when Theo began learning violin. He is thankful for such early experiences. “Learning violin makes you humble,” he says. “There are just a handful of people in the world who have truly mastered the instrument. You learn to work hard, and always demand better from yourself. It’s all about discipline.” Perhaps this explains his prolific songwriting record, and dedication to his adopted instrument, the guitar. His time spent learning violin might also have contributed to his ear for a catchy tune.

“For me, songwriting is more about poetry than music.” He says. “Sometimes, I get an idea for a song which is just a concept. It might be a love song or a political one but the key is to make sure it’s really strong. I always think simple is best, because I want to be understood. At other times, it might be a few of the lyrics that determine what the song is about.”

In 2008, Theo saw reggae star Natty in a crowd at Secret Garden Party. “I immediately ran to get my guitar and approached him. I’d been onto his music for about a year and loved his bittersweet sound and lyrics. He’s got a great voice as well.” After a quick introduction, Theo asked if he could play Natty a song. “He was really open to it, which surprised me, so I played him “Listen”, then and there, and he immediately asked me to play another one. I couldn’t believe it when he asked me to play at his album launch, after I’d met him 10 minutes before!” Since then Theo has played Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Vortex Tour East, The Roundhouse and The Union Chapel.

He is equally at home in the world of folk. Well versed in the British tradition, Theo has performed with rising Scottish folk star John Langan, London’s Cut A Shine and regularly at The Magpie’s Nest folk club, who put him on the bill at Camden’s Roundhouse. “I’ve been learning folk songs since I was six,” explains Bard, “and have always loved the way the lines naturally lodge in your head, making the words easy to remember. It’s content. Content is the key” he gushes. “All I want to do is communicate. If you listen to a song of mine and at the end you’ve learnt about how I see the world, or how I feel about something, then I’m a happy man. I might even make you feel something similar too.”

Theo is the lead singer and songwriter in Brothers Bab, an 8-piece he started two years ago, pulling together ska, calypso, gypsy and reggae styles. It’s a fruity blend that few can resist. Regulars on the festival circuit, Brothers Bab marked the start of 2009 with their first release, “Freshly Squeezed.”

“I just wanted to put a smile on people’s faces” he says, “and maybe make them sweat a little. When I play solo, I communicate through my lyrics, but with dance music it’s totally different. The only way to put the music across is with your body. You have to fling yourself around. You’re like a singer, actor, dancer and MC rolled into one.”

As for the future, Bard is dedicated to developing on all fronts. “I’ve got so many songs now, enough for at least a couple of albums, and I can’t wait to get them all recorded.” It looks like he might not have to wait too long.

Theo is signed to brand new label Tape Records, and will release a second EP and debut album with them in 2009.

“Gratifying truth serum for your ears” – The Blue Light District

“reggae-infused pop philosopher” – East

“three-dimensional poetry”

Without You
Download audio file (without_you.mp3)

Middle Class Boy
Download audio file (middle_class_boy.mp3)

Everything You Have
Download audio file (everything_you_have.mp3)

Listen
Download audio file (listen.mp3)

All the Orders Gone
Download audio file (all_orders_gone.mp3)

www.myspace.com/theobard
www.taperec.com

Nikola Kodjabashia is a London based Macedonian composer who has studied with Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Anatol Vieru, György Kurtág, and Rolf Gehlhaar.

The composer of two critically acclaimed albums ‘The Most of Now’ 2008 & ‘Reveries of the Solitary Walker’ 2004 described by: Guardian, BBC radio 3, JazzZeitung, Lira, Giornale della Musica, All about Jazz critics as …”probably the best record of the year”…”Magisch!”…”un ibrido perfetto” …”masterful”…”Kodjabashia morphs effortlessly from assured composer-conductor through laid-back facilitator to multi-tracking keyboard wizard”…”result, drawing on every musical language from modernism to Shadowslike twang, is masterful.”…All composers want to sound unique – but few manage to be as distinctive as Nikola Kodjabashia.

He has scored and conducted music for numerous plays, including Sir Peter Hall’s BACCHAI at the National Thetare, WEDDING DAY OF THE CRO MAGNONS for Soho Theatre London/Dialogue Productions, HELTER SKELTER / LAND OF THE DEAD for Bush Theatre London/Dialogue Productions, music for MONSIEUR IBRAHIM AND THE FLOWERS OF THE QU’RAN for Bush Theatre London / Dialogue Productions Theatre Company London, Music for OLIVIER award winning Jonathan Kent’s production of HECUBA at DONMAR Warehouse Theatre, Covent Garden.

TV productions & films include music / sound-design for BBC4 TV documentary series RACISM, A HISTORY, music for Paul Tickell’s BBC / ARENA documentary SAINTS, music for Sasha Crouch Damianovski’s film GREEN PAGES for OREV film productions (Awarded at Chicago Film Festival, UK premiered at Glastonbury Film stage 2007), conductor / score-editor of Kiril Dzajkovski’s scores for Ivo Trajkov’s awarded motion picture THE GREAT WATER and Milcho Manchevski’s DUST feat. Joseph Phines and David Wenham.

Nikola is a guest Lecturer in Creative music technology and Music Composition for TV and Film Media at DeepBlueSound Studios and Campus / Plymouth City College. He was a nominee for the Arts Foundation Award 2004, and received the British Council Chevening Award 2000 / 2001. Nikola is Musical Director and co-founder of THE DIESEL ORCHESTRA and META4 ensemble.

He does not have a personal website; he invites people to type the keyword: ‘Kodjabashia’ into any internet search engine
His music is released by ReR, described by The Guardian as “one of the most adventurous and coherent of avant-rock labels”.

Tango De Bond (taken from ‘The Most of Now’)
Download audio file (tango_de_bond.mp3)

Sugarking (taken from ‘Reveries of the Solitary Walker’)
Download audio file (sugarking.mp3)

Lovesong (taken from ‘The Most of Now’)
Download audio file (lovesong.mp3)

Ave Tatho (taken from ‘Reveries of the Solitary Walker’)
Download audio file (ave_tatho.mp3)

7th Walk (taken from ‘Reveries of the Solitary Walker’)
Download audio file (7th_walk.mp3)

http://www.rermegacorp.com

After the successful release of “The Mondestrunken E.P.” through Stiff Records back in February, F.Lunaire has been a busy boy, relentlessly playing at packed out shows and firmly making an imprint on the London scene, he has at the same time, been writing and working on his first album, “Chopin Waltz”.

Produced by Aaron Horn (son of Trevor Horn), the album is currently being recorded at Sarm studios, where he and F.Lunaire are moonlighting in the wee hours, whenever studios are empty. Themed on Pierot Lunaire (a character in an opera drawn from a series of French poems), the album builds on the darkly creative spirit and ballad-esque work of the recently released E.P.

F.Lunaire settled in London where he was first weaned into the limelight whilst playing keys with Kid Harpoon. This elusive character is swiftly gaining recognition for his own music. Having played his first public gig with WowoW at The Tate Britain, working with DA gallery, Pat & Trevor, and possessing the ability to seek out a squat party like a squalid-art seeking missile, he has no risk of losing his arty edge. His music however, inspires the feet to move and heart to race of a much broader crowd.

Quantum Physics

Download audio file (quantum.mp3)

Tarantella

Download audio file (tarantella.mp3)

You might have heard them on Radio One, XFM, BBC6, Resonance or The Selector, or perhaps found them in The Sunday Times, DiS, Rough Trade, and even the Daily Mirror! They released their first single with Fierce Panda’s baby label Fandango, and soon are releasing their second single, Revolve, on April 7th, with Alcopop! Records.

They have a headline tour later in March, are Rocking Against Racism in late-April and. In December 2007 recorded their first album at the legendary Hook End manor, since closed.

They did two headline tours, and Huw Stephens brought them to BBC Maida Vale to do their first radio session. Nima had a cold. They toured with Ed Harcourt & Fields, and played shows with Vetiver, Akron Family, Clearlake, Sunshine Underground, James Yorkston, and many other fine people.

This unique band have a signiature sound; it flows, undulates, builds up, cools down, and transports you to a world without a name. Hush the many, heed the few.

Revolve
Download audio file (revolve.mp3)

Story end
Download audio file (story_end.mp3)

www.myspace.com/hushthemany