Jumble-Jam/The Yard Bird

The Jumble Jam was an event put together by U.K hip hop group Unfriendly Neighbours, I’ve played a few shows with these guys and it’s always fun but I was curious to see what a gig at a bigger venue with a more eclectic line up would bring. I was up first, I’ve played the Assembly Rooms on umpteen times in the last year and a half and it’s given me mixed results. With my set up there’s so much that could go wrong, but I’ve¬† put a lot of time into fine tuning the levels of each song and it paid off, hands down the best sound check I’ve ever had at that venue and a good set on the night. Next up was Carousel Circus, these guys are good friends of mine and I’m really happy to say that after some setbacks earlier in this year they’re back on form and firing on all cylinders. Last up were the masters of ceremony The Unfriendly Neighbours, they played well using their resident beat-boxer Debo to add variation as well as some very heavy produced beats but by far the most entertaining element of thier set was when they were accompanied by Carousel Circus for a few tracks, it just added so much more energy.

The very next evening I found myself getting ready to play the Yard Bird in the center of Birmingham. I’ve walked past this place so many times and caught a glimpse of what went on in there and always promised myself “One day I’m gonna play that place” I was sharing the bill with an amazing acoustic performer by the name of Jake Morgan and the indie blues funk outfit Anyone For Shark?

Jake Morgan was a real breath of fresh air, imagine Johnny Cash mixed with Dillon and a little bit of Iron and Wine and you’d be getting close. Very well played.

Anyone For Shark were awesome! a healthy mix of blues, funk and rock n roll with some truly edgy vocals, I thoroughly enjoyed them and they were a fine bunch of lads to prop the bar up with too.

I have to say a massive thank you to Laura Rowson who payed me the most massive of compliments by coming to see me play at the Yard Bird after having seen me support De La Soul in June. Made me feel really good about what I’m doing. That said I must also thank Ms Daniels, Geo and Thom for coming out to see me play this one as they have done many times before.