The Festival Journal of Mr A R Whittaker, "Mr Wizardmarra" Part One. "Harumph!

DISCLAIMER:
The Festival Journal of Mr A R Whittaker, "Mr Wizardmarra" Is not The Festival Journal of Solway Festivals Limited and the opinions and statements below are those entirely of Mr Wizardmarra. Who is as sharp as a pincushion and as mad as cheese.

FROM THE VICE CHAIRMANS CUSHION

As I write this the Solfest countdown on www.wizardmarra.com says 83days 08 hours 01 minute 13 seconds and counting




down.

So it's time I sat down using my Vice Chairmans Arse (Worzel Gummidge had a selection of heads which enabled him to multi task. I have a Box of Arses.) and say a bit about how we are doing with putting Solfest together.

Perhaps to try and address some of the concerns that some may have and to chew the fat about what we think is actually going to be a bloody fantastic weekend in weather that personally I think will be exceptionally nice.

The festival is intentionally smaller this year as we aim to achieve the feeling of the festival that we have become. Friendly in the way it was back in the day. When the music business was actually about music and creativity, not the corporate and corpulent monster (in the very worst Clive Barker, Stephen King Ramseycampbellhutson James Herbert Sense.) it is now.

Really the compliments about Solfest that I have had comparing us not only to Glastonbury, but more wonderfully early Glastonburies. That we are a festival like they were in the seventies, so Old Skool that it's actually a term that's perhaps a little too fashionable for us, and it's spelled SCHOOL anyway.

But those are the nicest things to hear, and thank you.

The problem arises as nothing comes free. Everything must be paid for in one form or another. So we as a festival selling one thousand tickets less correspondingly has less income. As we don't want to be a festival that just bleeds it's customers every year we try and set fair prices for our tickets. We (though this is entirely my personal thought and not that of the Solfest Committee) screwed up last year with the parking fee of 10 quid per car, so we scrapped it. Last year we could have just upped the tickets to ninety quid for everyone and said no more. This year we've gone up a fiver, and around 750 tickets are available to the 12 to 16 year old at sixty quid whereas last year this age group would have paid full price. Blah blah blah blah.
But we try and be fair. If you don't buy tickets we can't do it. No festival without you guys, it's your money that does it.

FULL ON REALITY: #1. That this is what pays for everything.

From the Toilets to the Land and the Security, the generators the fencing the session tent dogs in space cleaning out the proclaimers shit on the roadway stewards dinners and the guy that works the lights.

ALL THE BANDS

And the paper that wipes their arses.

This year we are down on our budget around eighty to one hundred thousand pounds, so it's pretty important we sell the tickets this year. But the downshot of this is that we have to cut our cloth accordingly.

FULL ON REALITY: #2. Most things cost more this year than they did last year.

So all the practical nuts and bolts ( in their various forms holding the fence, drystone stage, site art, and bedlam boudoir together and offering too many other solutions when “...and how? do you say, is it fastened?” is the question asked.) the clean up crew and the mainstage structure itself
all the wires
plugs
amplifiers

ALL THE BANDS

and their roadies and Dave
who's the bloke that sweeps up Big Trees leaves.

But first off is the hard and fast cost of the physical side of the festival. This always is more costly than previous years. So the cuts have to be made to the show, to the sparkle to the open air circus we give you.

FULL ON REALITY: #3. We have less money to spend on bands that cost more now anyway.

This for Gerard, Alec, Tom and myself is the hardest reality. The heaviest weight falling on the mainstage. No one comes to a festival purely on the line up, but if it's not right it's as bloody wrong as it ever could be and you should be ashamed of your mantle of bandmaster.

So we try using our best judgment and (particularly so on mainstage) depending on who is on offer this year and very importantly how much they will cost. One mainstage act can cost more than the Drystone Stages budget. One band last year cost more than has ever been spent on the bar stage since it began.

But we try our best, to try and put on the best show we can with the money we have.

For Solfest it means we cannot afford everybody that everybody wants to come and please everybody at once and all the time.

Sometimes people will think it's crap.

So we'll try our best in the full light of truth that sometimes
some people
won't like
some
of what we do
but if we did what they wanted if we could afford it anyway then...

...somebody else
wouldn't like
it
and
we'd be bastards for even thinking of it.

But we try our best, if you are disappointed in some parts of the festival. Well, we've tried. we can't do any more.

I think that this is going to be an amazing year, come along if you'd like to. If you don't fancy it this year we can't make you come. Lots of people are though and they are up for a damn fine party.

If you're not keen on the mainstage line up, come down to the Drystone where I'm taking up full residence this year, or check out the bar stage, dance, visit Wal in the session tent. Really do the festival, I'm told it's the kind of place where you can talk to your neighbour. There's a lot to be said for just sitting with your family and friends (the family you actually choose) in your camp talking like you never do at home.
Talking to each other.
Completely lost in the craic that you miss the bands you want to see anyway.
Good Craic though, well worth it.

More to follow soon, now I must away and make Karen her tea.

THE EIGHTY YEAR OLD MAN

To find out what this is about see the fancy dress thread on the Solfest message board.

WIZARDMARRAS DRYSTONE WIRELESS SHOW REVIEW OF 2008

Yeah I know I should have had this one up a week or two (or three or four) ago. But sometimes life gets in the way of doing what you'd like to do. Anyway it here it is at last

WIZARDMARRAS DRYSTONE WIRELESS SHOW REVIEW OF 2008

Some of the tracks have been on the podcast already but as the casts in question have been taken off line it's good opportunity to play some of my favourites from last year, some of the tracks are new ones but from artists that I really like and in the case of one it's neither been on the cast nor have they appeared at Solfest or my open mic at The Spinners Arms but more of that later first lets get down to business with...

BUSHPLANT
www.bushplant.com/
www.myspace.com/bushplant
GO MAKE SOMEBODY HAPPY HERE

I love this track pulse poundingly good full on celtic boogie with hints of Peatbog Faerie like fiddling from Mary Custy. As I said when I first put this up Bushplant have made this available as free download on the understanding that if you get it you will donate something to a children s charity. Not a bad deal in my book and they will be appearing on the Drystone stage this year.

BILL LLOYD
www.myspace.com/banjobilly
CAREY

Back from podcast number 1 here's my good friend Banjo Bill Lloyd with his wonderful version of Joni Mitchells "Carey” there is something about Bills singing here that just makes me feel so good every time I hear it. Bill who runs the session yurt at Solfest (and about a million other festivals too) is one of those people that seems to bring out the best in others. No one who wishes to play is ever turned away and are encouraged to join in and not hold back. Top man.

MR & MRS
www.myspace.com/mrandmrsmusic
CUT ALL STRINGS

Since I first met Ric and Chez on Preston platform (doing a soft shoe shuffle dance, thanks Jethro) the have performed a cracking set on The Drystone and I'm still in admiration for the sheer quality of songwriting. So much so I emailed Steve Lamacq and said he should check them out. He did and has subsequently played them on two of his shows. Remember you heard them first here.

FLUTATIOUS
www.myspace.com/flutatiousUK
SPACE

Pure good trippy music thats beyond definition, is it folk, is it psychedelic, is it neo classical or something else altogether. Whatever, it's very good. Just let it wash over you and enjoy.

THE MELODICA MELODY AND ME
www.myspace.com/mmmelodic
PLUNGE

There's a strangely haunting quality to MMM's music, and another band the the aforementioned Mr Lamacq likes too. Though he got wind of them before I did. Complication on the journey up to Cumbria meant they arrived late and had to play a truncated set at Solfest but that being said if you flip to the previous blog to this you can see them performing unplugged in the bus that was behind the stage.

DUMB INSTRUMENT
www.dumbinstrument.com/
www.myspace.com/dumbinstrument
EXTERMINATING ANGEL

If this track from Scotlands Dumb Instrument doesn't make you feel a bit spooked, you have something wrong with you. It's an unsettling comment on the time we live in but exceptionally well done.

THE DUPLETS
www.theduplets.com/
www.myspace.com/theduplets
LILLIAN'S

Another band who will be on The Drystone this year and a fresh track from them as I thought to play the Green Set again after it was on the last podcast wasn't a good idea. Gillian Fleetwood and Freya Thompson simply make great music. And here's a jolly good and lighthearted video of the “Queen of All Argyle” another track as is Lillian's from their album “Tree Of Life”



THE CACTUS ROOM
www.myspace.com/thecactusroom
CRAZY RHYTHYM

Another studio recording from Ted Chapman aka “The Cactus Room” He has created a rhythm which he calls “Diddley Reggae” Diddly reggae was born when Ted fastened a bit of a Bo Diddley riff onto half a bar of a reggae 'Skank' - The groove felt good but it had a chopped half a beat off the bar, making it 7/8 time. So when thinking about it, the only other popular tune in sevens is Pink Floyd's 'Money' and you cant dance to that. Invent your own footwork that fits and you can name that dance. Can you do the Diddly reggae? Its 1-2-3-4- - 1-2-3- - 1-2-3-4 - -1-2 ..... Go on have a go.

ROB HERON
www.myspace.com/robheronmusic
LOVE DRUG

A great favourite of me, The Drystone Stage and my open mics at the Spinners Arms. Rob is now studying music over in Newcastle so we don't see him quite as much but I'll take any opportunity I can to play his stuff, so here's a new one from his album “Korsa Floden” which is I believe a river in Norway.

MARY LOUISE MARTIN
www.myspace.com/louisemarymartin
GREENSWEETS

It's just damn good music.

TEN BEARS
www.myspace.com/tenbearsmusic
BRACES

Ten Bears current single is the theme tune for Channel Fours T4 Orange Unsigned band show. They've not been on the podcast before, nor have they been on the Drystone. But when this track arrived via email I simply had to put it up on the podcast. I passed it on to Gerard who runs our mainstage saying that I thought they were worth a slot. So you never know.

Finally a story from me...

THE NIGHT VISITOR.
Being the first part of a larger work that may end up as a print piece rather than a full recording.

And that's it for 2008. Next cast up will feature some of the acts lined up for appearing on the Drystone Stage this this year and believe me I have some TRULY FANTASTIC musicians already booked and more to come.

A word to the wise also, tickets for Solfest 2009 go on sale next Monday, February 9th full details will be on the Solfest website tomorrow Feb 4th .

See you soon

Wiz.

THE TILTON SESSIONS

This is what went on in the bus referred to by Gaz Coombes as "The Space Bus" at the back of the Drystone Stage. For you, a collection of DRYSTONE SETS.




Jodi Watson & Ali Rigg
TONGUE TIDE



Paul Harrison



The Casual Terrorist



Laura James



Fiona Clayton



Three



from



The Wierdstring Band



The Melodica, Melody and Me

FROM THE DESK OF THE VICE CHAIRMAN

Right here it is Ladies and Gentlemen, the information you have been waiting for (well some of it anyway) oh before I get onto that if you are looking for podcast information it's on the blog entry prior to this.

SOLFEST 2009 TICKET PRICES

Adult tickets: 85 pounds

Child tickets (6 – 11yrs) 25 “

Young peoples tickets (12 – 16) 60 “

So there you have it, and believe me these prices are the product of THREE committee meetings that were long and hard. It was not an easy thing this year, but we have listened to what you have said about our pricing last year and that is why we now have the new ticket bracket for young people of 60 pounds, yes we have put up the adult and child tickets as well but this has been off set by the reduction for in young peoples tickets.

But look NO CAR PARKING CHARGE we realize that this was a very unpopular decision last year so we've ditched it. We are now one of the increasingly few festivals not to charge for cars and even with the five pound increase on adult tickets our prices are very competitive to just about every other comparable festival. We did try to see if we could keep it at eighty quid but with all our “overheads” costing us more this year we just couldn't and still make the festival viable this year



In a year when it's going to be hard on everybody with the “Credit Crunch” we are trying to make Solfest as accessible as we can. We have also reduced the numbers that we shall be putting on sale to try and get back to the more intimate Solfest that so many of you have said you missed. This year only 6.500 adult tickets and 750 of both the child and young peoples tickets will be on sale.

This won't be easy for us, we will have to tighten our belts while still trying to put on the quality event that has won us so much praise and loyalty from you our supporters.



Here's something else that should cheer you up, NO TIXMOB. We will again be selling all tickets through a locally based outlet. The arrangement has not yet been finalized so I can't say who it is just yet nor when the tickets will be on sale, though we may be selling them earlier in the year than we have in previous years. Once we have got Christmas and New Year over with and we get stuck into business then I will let you know, it will of course be on the Solfest website too.

http://www.solwayfestival.co.uk/

I can promise you too that we should have a superb display of site art for Solfest 2009, the much loved and iconic emblem of Solfest “The Steel Wizard” will be back as we have bought this from Abbott though sad to say I fear the “Wicker Women” have now seen better days and it is doubtful that they will be back. We have already booked some of the bands (and no I'm not telling you yet but I know that one will please an awful lot of you as you have asked for them).

Other more mundane things to consider, last Solfest you don't need me to tell you that the traffic problems for you getting on site were a nightmare. Although it has to be said that when you get a mass of people turning up in cars for an event (whatever it may be) it is inevitable that you will have a traffic queue, we will however be working really hard to minimize this and get you onsite as quickly and efficiently as we can so you can get your tents up and getting down to the serious business of enjoying the festival. We will also try and ensure that all of the camping fields are well lit and have adequate toilet facilities. This was a virtually impossible task this year as we had to hire three extra fields on the Friday and we just couldn't get the infrastructure in place to fulfill these needs.



In closing for now. I hope that all of the above meets with your approval and as the New Year rolls out you'll find that we will have some fantastic acts lined up (I'm really excited about The Drystone, though I have set myself a hard act to follow on from the last one, where I felt I had the strongest line up I've ever had.)

Don't forget you can mail me with your feedback on

wizardmarratalk@googlemail.com

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

Alan

WIZARDMARRAS DRYSTONE WIRELESS SHOW 7. There's a fella with a BIG NOSE on it.

WIZARDMARRA'S DRYSTONE WIRELESS SHOW No:7

There's fella with a BIG NOSE on it!

Well my friends far too long has gone by since I last posted one of these, so I have decided that straight after this podcast I'm going to sort another straight away in the manner of a CHRISTMAS CLIP SHOW. That is put the best tracks from all my previous casts in one BIG BUMPER CHRISTMAS NUMBER with some cleverly crafted new linking material.

But enough of that for we've just got a NEW one up and lets get right down to telling all about the fantastic array of musical talent within it.

One more thing first. If your'e here looking for SOLFEST NEWS of which I intend this blog to be my personal channel of information to you, check out the entry just before this one or wait until next week for my delayed information on 2009 TICKETS PRICES and more.

OK! Let me make it clear first that most of the acts featured on this podcast are from the piles of submissions already winging there way to me. I've haven't picked up post bag yet from the Solfest PO Box yet, but I know that is going to be a FULL SACK. No thse acts on the podcast have not nesacerily got themselves a slot on the Drystone Stage, but I'm not saying that haven't either, only time will tell (although some are!!!) There are also one or two who have been on the Drystone or Solfest before. Right that's the disclaimer over with and the first band up is...

THE WISHING WELL
www.myspace.com/thewishingwellband

LIFE ON THE BORDER

Jai Larkin sent me this via the demo upload page of my website which is cheaper than sending it through the post from Australia where this band hails from and what a fantastic track it is with Jai blasting out like Mark Chadwick but only for a few seconds as it's son clear that these are no Levellers rip off. They their own sound and a confidence that only comes with experience Jai himself having performed with Bob Geldof, Liam O'Moonlai, Tim Finn and Andy White. For a band that have only been together for two years these chalked up an impressive 180 gigs and travelled 10 Australian festivals this year. Visit their MySpace for more stuff, it's worth it.

Another band that used the demo upload are

THE AMATEURS

myspace.com/theamateursuk

HOMESICK

To quote what the bands Andrew Fletcher says in the brief biog he sent me with the track

“Hailing from the Midlands The Amateurs owe their humble beginnings to performing as a backing band for Robert Plant's (Led Zeppelin) ‘Tsunami Relief’ project, playing a string of shows and raising thousands for charity. As winners of the Kerrang! Radio best unsigned song competition 2007 & Festibull 2008, they have been led onto some excellent live shows; including support slots with cage the elephant, guillemots, & Jack Savoretti, a host of shows around the UK, and a standout performance at 2008's Guilfest. Performing live sets on local and national radio stations has secured them regular airplay. With the advent of their new EP (set for release in January), and the latest addition to Jagermusic, The Amateurs supply the listeners with 3 new catchy Indie pop classics to be enjoyed by all.. “

I wish I could remember who they remind me off. I should really stop comparing these different bands to others, but in this case it stops me from really getting into what is a beautifully crafted track. Again though visit their MySpace there is also a free download of their live version of “Homesick” to be had at

http://www.tourdates.co.uk/The-Amateurs

EMMA McGORDON AND SUE WICKWAR

http://www.litfest.org/flax005/mcgordon/mcgordon.html

OPAL BLUE
THE SCARY THING



Emma is a poet of exception from West Cumbria (not Barrow as I say on the podcast) who performed accompanied by Sue Wickwar in The ALHAMBRA marquee at this years Solfest and she sent me the tracks for the podcast before Solfest and it is to my shame that I haven't used them before. OPAL BLUE is as joyous expression of life and love that you could wish for and later on it the cast THE SCARY THING is uncompromising, unsettling and thought provoking and all the more wonderful because of it.

ROB HERON
myspace.com/robheronmusic

INTROSPECTION

I can't anything about Rob that I've not already said on previous blog entries. Young, good looked and talented. It makes you sick sometimes.

KIRK McELHINNEY & BECKY TAYLOR

http://www.myspace.com/kirkmcelhinney
http://www.myspace.com/piperbeckytaylor

YESTERDAY




Another member of the emerging music scene in Cumbria the present time Kirk McElhinney has so many irons in the fire it's hard to keep up as a solo artist and collaborator. Here is teams up with Becky Taylor who came to my notice when a CD of hers and this solo track where given to me by a good friend who'd promised to pass them on. The fact that she'd forgottent to do so for two years not withstanding I still got them and I just LOVE this track, Becky is doing things with a set of Uillean Pipes that are HOT! Sit back and enjoy it.

While you are whizzing about the internet checking these links out be sure to go to one of Kirks other projects.

http://www.myspace.com/straydogshowlin

I had booked Straydogs to perform on the Drystone this year but unforeseen circumstances prevented the guys from coming, so I have just slid the gig along year. So there you have it, the name of the first act announced to perform at Solfest 2009 are STRAYDOGS. That's as long as they still available of course.

THE DUPLETS

http://www.theduplets.com/
http://www.myspace.com/theduplets

THE GREEN SET

The Duplets are Fraya Thomsen and Gillian Fleetwood and have been playing together for sometime now. They are taking Scottish traditional music into some very new and exiting pastures indeed. As their album “Tree Of Strings” from which this track is taken shows. “The Green Set” is made up of the tunes “Chloe's Passion, The Up Downie and The Triangle.” and to be honest I could have played anything from the album as they all sound equally good. I strongly advise you to visit their website and hear more from them. Check out to the extra video here too which is a lot of fun on top of sounding great. You'll all be doing the dance!




ALEJANDRO TOLEDO & THE MAGIC TOMBOLINOS

http://www.magictombolinos.co.uk/musicians.html

http://www.myspace.com/alejandrosax

FANFARIAN IMPRO

Like The Duplets this was a CD that came through the post and was a delight to hear. It's always exciting to get the submissions through the door and I want each one to be special. Sometimes it's not everything it should be, sometimes it's a real disappointment and sometimes the band just doesn't do it for me the music is great but not really my cup of tea. Not so with this one, it's loads of fun and blasts you out of a bleak mood in an instant (it did me) getting you dancing around the kitchen.

PROJECT NOTION

http://www.myspace.com/projectnotion

CONSTELLATE IN CUBISM

A bit different this one. Hailing from Melton Mowbray this slice of jazz/funk urban ...
...sod the definitions this is good stuff featuring the lead vocals of Tori Maries just sit back and enjoy

PEANUT ALBINOS

http://www.myspace.com/peanutalbinos

CARTIHEYNA

Another one that came through the door and has rarely left the CD player (it's either been this one or The Duplets) and another one where I could have put anytrack on the podcast. “Falling From The saddle Of A High Horse” is great album and possibly has the best title of any I've received over the years.

To quote Paul Carrea in Nightshift issue 152
'Imagine a band that look like a bunch of old-fashioned tinkers, who play skiffle banjo, mandolin and brushed drums with a masterful depth of dark gothic and celtic soul, but are mercifully devoid of any carousing Irish accents... Peanut Albinos, in soft, battered, slept-in suits and hats, have an English take on longing, regret and coming to terms with consequences, all while making you think you are in a late night lock-in with Tom Waits on the Kilburn High Road.'

I could also quote what was said on www.unpeeled.net
'No peanuts, no albinos. Lying bastards. Dead good though.'
All things considered a bloody good band.

AGENTS OF JANE
http://www.myspace.com/agentsofjane
BIG HAT
MONANS DANCE
SHETLAND BRAE
AGENTS OF JANE played for us at the Solfest Stewards party. The bash with free beer and nibbles that we throw for all those who give us their help over Solfest weekend and beyond and these guys aquited themselves well. The first two tracks are on for a bit of nonsense but are featured along with “Shetland Brae” on the album “Karaoke Boy” Good stuff indeed.

EMMA McGORDON AND SUE WICKWAR
THE SCARY THING
See above

It gets a bit monotonous trying to think of superlatives and something original and constructive about all these bands. But I'm not going to put something out on the podcast that I don't like (nor indeed on The Drystone) so what do I say about

THE CACTUS ROOM

myspace.com/thecactusroom

SEVEN TO HEAVEN

Basically this is my mate Ted Chapman. Ted is someone who has provide entertainment at various late night sessions at festivals I've been to this year, notably Stainsby and is a regular at the open mic sessions that I run at Wheaton Aston festival. You may have caught him lurking in the ALHAMBRA marquee at Solfest this year. The Cactus Room is his other hat where he takes the rythym he discovered for a walk. It's called Diddley Reggae being a fusion of the famous Bo Diddley rythym and of course reggae. He's asked me to encourage anybody to use it, go on give it a go. They can't touch you for it.

Finally as usual, one of mine called Big Groove. I'm a hell of a one for snappy titles as you can see, I'm not saying the tracks brilliant. But it's mine.

See you soon. It's Sunday afternoon and I'm off to retire in front of a roaring fire and enjoy some movies with a nice glass of Guinness.

Alan

SOLFEST FM