* NEWS UPDATE

GIGS: The Riverside Festival in August was a real blast - despite the grizzly traffic and slow journey up to Nottingham, we arrived with 20 minutes to spare before we were due onstage! A quick unpack and unwind and then manically setting up and grabbing a sound check. Unfortunately we had to drop a few songs from the set but the few hundred folks that were basking in the warm sunshine gave us plenty of good vibes and grooving. The band sounded great and I even managed to persuade my daughter Kaya to join us singing harmonies on 2 songs and providing some impromptu African dancing! Excellent vibe and best of all I managed to get a recording of the set! Order the album from this site and we'll include a CD copy of the LIVE SET!

NEW RELEASE: The new album "Backyard Discovery" is finally out! We're busy promoting to radio and media to create a buzz - so keep your eyes and ears focussed and tuned.

ORDER NOW from SALES!

Click to download mp3 extracts

* IN THE STUDIO

Recording "Backyard Discovery".

As is often the case when re-recording demos, the process requires constant re-appraising, to allow for those magical moments of inspired performance and evolving ideas – one hopes! - and allowing for unexpected interpretations!

The overriding thrust of the project is to capture acoustic recordings that are true to the craft of songwriting and have the ability to breathe without being over produced.

I know we’re all saturated with revisionist theories – how things used to be… and sound, but it is a prize worth chasing, not least because it feels so much more real and alive- even more so within the soundscape of world music where there is much to discover.

I’ve taken the opportunity to re-unite with Georg Voros on drums – who incidentally was the original eVoid drummer when that became a 3-piece band back in South Africa in 1982 – interestingly enough, a time he remembers as being very creative…and now to this...not a click track in sight!

Robin "so solid laid back" Phillips is on Bass (electric) and Jon Gee on Double Bass - not playing at the same time, but again to explore feel and sonic possibilities within the nucleus of a band and rhythm section.

On percussion is Joe Legwabe – with an impressive backpack of anecdotes and aphorisms gleaned pre- and post- Apartheid – as well as a mean trio of congas that look very well lived in – but speak tongues!

As the songs are taking shape, I’m keen to explore the crossover potential – and besides the bedrock of my Vocal, Guitar, Bass & Drums I will be including Female Backing Vox, Harmonica, Accordion, Flute, Cello, Violin, Trombone, Flugelhorn, Kora, Djembe and Balafon – as colours on the production palette.

HOW IT'S GOING SO FAR - Well almost finished mixing! - still need to mix Wild & Wonderful Summer, Naked Man and Hardlife Heaven. It's taking a little longer than planned since Chris Bandy moved the studio to new premises and we're mixing while the builders mix cement!

Hang in there - the songs are sounding great and all the better for no drum machines and tired electronica!

hugs, Erik

* WEST ONE FOUR GIG - MONDAY 24th FEBRUARY 

Alix writes- The first outing for the band at this Original Songwriters' Showcase and judging by the reception it won't be the last.

Joe                                                 Erik                  George                    Robin

The set opened with Weeping, setting the groove to be followed by Naked Man,  Drift Away, To Hold So Near, Jeremiah and Josephine and the spectacular finale of Wild and Wonderful Summer.,  the extended intro for which proved to be a wonderful jam session for Joe on percussion, Erik on djembe and George on drums, with Robin sitting in the groove as ever. 

Thanks to all the folks who turned up and to Dave who did such a spelndid job when I asked him to take a few pics with my camera.