31st December
New Years Eve was SOLD OUT It was a gathering .. your own wine, hot food, great company, a truly great space to party with friends and family Justine Hart of Africa Junction came to the party with a few of her noisy friends!

18th December
Listen

Simon Stevenson  Mandy and Maxine  & OLDWICK
Sadly, the snow came…so no party…

11th December
Was indeed a
S p e c t a c u la r
with

Estas Tonne SOLD OUT


With a following in Goa, The US, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Italy, Spain, France and England too…he’s just back from a sellout Russian tour; dropping into London for just a few days Estas Etonne (you may have caught him at The Secret Garden Party) If anyone has fallen for the charm energy and passion of Rodrigo & Gabriela
watch Estas do what they do…on one guitar. 

 

 

Little Fish 2010 has been quite a year too for Little Fish, as they toured with HoleBlondiePlacebo and Them Crooked Vultures, while releasing their debut album Baffled and Beat, found their way into myriad movie soundtracks and onto the latest Rock Band game. As none of LittleFish was recorded…it wil remain locked in your heads ..if you were here. Gold!
This was a unique and special evening. If you know anything of music or these musicians, you will know what a privilege of seeing and hearing these world-class musicians perfom here on one night.

supported by Miriam Jones


4th December
….and an email following the night:
thank you to yourself and Amy for a truly wonderful evening on Saturday – Charlie and I had a brilliant time, as did Nick and Wibi – discovering great food, a unique warm and friendly atmosphere and new acquaintances and of course, exceptional music. We particularly loved Kal and Evo, so will definitely be bigging them up on their respective sites, and hopefully seeing them again in the future.
Katie Buckhaven – her first show promoting her new album and what a wonderful show. Accompanying her on base was Mark Pittam and Tim Heymerdinger on percussion. She headlined the night with two really worth performances by Kal and Evo (see below). Her first major patron was none other than radio and TV icon Michael Parkinson..she got a record deal, released a beautiful first album and…then got caught up in the bolitics of the music industry which slowed, then stopped her second album. This was a long awaited album…‘The girl in the white dress’ and is now avail here.

Sandwiched between these two girls was Evo Evans…..What a man! With a strong and distinctive sound of his own, together with his original material…he sang his heart out. Sadly there’s not much of it is on his website, he has assured me he will be putting an EP together.

KAL LAVELLE  Kal was recommended to me from two or three directions and she was absolutely fabulous, you really cannot keep really exciting music down…She sang one of her songs almost acapella…it was such a powerful performance….all three will be coming back.

20th November:A stunning night by comparison to any other, two powerful voices, excellent delivery and strong, strong music…great night.
Mark Hole  and 
Alice Shaw 
SOLD OUT


6th November

Look & Listen

Jack Garratt (our musician in residence)
headlined having headlined once earlier that week in London at the Half Moon Putney already.
Jack’s original distinctive sound, his prolific writing and highly charged performances have earned him a huge following.
Mix the singing of Ray Charles and voice of Michael Bublé, the guitar playing of Stevie Ray Vaughn, a little splash of Van the Man
…and you have something of what is fast becoming the legend…Jack Garratt.

and Hannah Scott  who is made her début here.
I discovered Hannah at The Cobden Club a few weeks previously; stunning.
Hannah has the most beautiful clean voice, almost classically folk rock in quality
and she writes tuneful commercial catchy melodies with meaningful, thoughtful lyrics.

Both Jack and Hannah gave a stunning performance and both will be back!

Jont
written and performed here 29th Oct

16th October
Three Acts (look&listen)

 Making her début, 15 year old Jessica Harvey 
really well received, great delivery and confident…she was wonderful and will be back!
Chloe Blackwell a 20 year old singer/songwriter at the prestigious BRIT school and
Winner of ‘London Songwriters Week’ Bursary award for best up and coming songwriter of 2009 turned up with her whole band!
Visiting the UK for the first time Bleu 

also known as William James McAuley

If you did not get his album on the night….big mistake; I have been listening to it since…and it’s all good.
You can order it here on iTunes

Blue is an amazingly prolific songwriter having written produced and collaborated with numerous musicians and bands incl: Hanson
Aleyce SimmondsAlexz JohnsonAlpha Rev, Andy Sturmer, Armor For SleepBill DemainChris MannDan Wilson, Dave Basset, David Mead, Diana Pops, Drake BellEd RolandGreen River Ordinance, Greg Becker, Jasmine AshJill Sobule, John Fields, John TaylorKevin GriffinKevin Kadish, Kristen Key, Lady VLindsey RayLiz RoseMadi DiazMarlaMegan JoyMeghan KabirMike DoughtyMike ViolaMoZellaNik & SamRachel ThibodeauRed Riders, Robert Schwartzman, Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Sandra McCrackenSchool Boy Humor, Scott Simons, SherwoodSlow Down Honey, Steel Drum Corps, Steve RushtonSylvie LewisTawgsTaylor LockeTrey BruceTristan PrettymanWindy Wagner & more…

2nd October


Colvex


supported by Jack Garratt
 

What a night…Jack Garratt blew the roof off with Nikle&Dime…and a terrific performance by Colvex too, thank you boys…all completely
EXCELLENT!

Incidentally…if you swap the r’s and the t’s in Jack’s name, you get
Jack Gattarr…

Sadly Petrus our resident photographer was not here, and whilst there are some videos being edited, I have no phots immediately..Sorry.

If however you were here and have some images to share, please mail me.

18th September

You take Kasabian and Faithless, carefully blend the two and you get
The Electric Riot

They Rocked and already invited back for a gig here 20th Aug 2011

As the name suggests, loads of energy…
Serious synth powered bass rhythms underscore the air punching anthems of this band from Brixton.
Anchored by a throbbing groove their down beat vocal and echoey guitars
make for spaced-out sound-scapes and memorable one liners.
“Block Party meets Kasabian and Faithless.
”From London
The Electric Riot

see the photos


4th September

see the photos

Jack Garratt Steve Rodgers


21st August
….if you were here, you know know live entertainment does not get much better.


Jack Garratt sings….Wandering

This show came with a money back guarantee.
Any one not 100% satisfied got their money back…and no one claimed!

here was just one comment from ‘Wendy Bradbury’

” … it was another brilliant night at The Drawingroom with three very talented musicians … thank you Richard and everyone. All three were excellent and we really enjoyed Jack Palmer (what a debut) and thought Will was absolutely amazing. X”

There was….Blues & Jazz, Contemporary Classics, Indie Acoustic Rock

Did I miss you out?

OOooooops!

We had
Wil Mcnicol
Jack Garratt
Jack Palmer
give them a listen

Many of you will already know of Jack Garratt and just how extraordinarily lucky we are to have him in our midst…well he was back ..an inch taller and twice as dangerous! At one point he unplugged and marched around the whole gallery: quite the best performance yet.
When I introduced Wil Mcnicol to those who were here on July 3rd…I claimed that he was not only one of the finest guitarists you would see or listen to in this yard, but in your life….I continue to maintain this view!
Ther was a debut for Jack Palmer and he was certainly worth not only inviting once, but to return again soon…stunning …all of them …thank you.

Three guitarist
Seven guitars
Two voices

Before that on the 7th Aug 2010

 

Zoox (in the afternoon) and a Zoox duo of spoons and fiddle a short 20 minute set in the evening
Their unique Celtic Folk Rock sound will be heard at several major festivals around the UK, including Broadstairs Folk Festival where they disappeared off to on the 8th Aug, performing several times all week on numerous stages.

….Alistair Artingstal  Headlining
Treana Morris  2nd up

 Mary Leay with her band…opened the evening show

Wednesday 28th July
was a one off
where a window of opportunity opened and Estas stepped in!
By any stretch of the imagination, this is an extraordinary
musician on a rich and magical journey, who along with friends Alvaro, Victoria and supported by Lupo, performed three nights at 
The Secret Garden Party
….and on their way back to various parts of the world.. called in here, stayed over, so we had a party!

I want to write more about this event and those concerned, but must wait a day or so more..but just to say at this point…if you missed it, you missed something quite extraordinary..



From Russian, PARIS – LONDON, GOA, Ireland, Israel, US, Ile-de-France
France…now Chesham too!

Estas Tonne 

 

7th August

17th July
Laura Tapp  what a great voice, edgey original material and a personality to match her great sound..watch this space…she’ll be back.
and Treana Morris  who played on keys and guitar…was followed by the one and only Jack Garratt 
…who played eight new tracks

Headlining was Rock veteran John Young

 With a rock history through the 70’s, 80’s 90’s and into the 21st century, John has played keys and sings for: The ScorpionsBonnie TylerGreenslade as well as The John Young Band. As a true musician, he has collaborated with so many artists: Asia, John WettonFish, The Law, Paul Rodgers (both his children Steve and Jasmine play here regularly) Qango, Uli Jon Roth, Roy Wood, Lucio Battisti, The MTV Band and John has guested with: George & Ringo, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Bon Jovi, E.L.O., The Moody Blues, Wishbone Ash, Zucchero, Alexander O’Neal & Van Morrison amongst others.


Saturday 3rd July
we had live music from 
Kiff James  in the afternoon along with TINLIN
.. for the first time at The Drawingroom as a full band, playing their latest album
‘Instant Pleasure’ before performing as a duo in the evening.

Wil Mcnicol  returned!
What a totally engaging musician he is. So who is Will McNicol?”
I started when I was 7, I’m now 20.
I’ve passed a few classical grades – most recent being an LTCL Diploma in Recital with Trinity College.
I don’t sing. I saw Antonio Forcione 4 years ago and have composed maniacally ever since. I’ve recorded 4 albums of original material.”

As wonderful to see as well as listen to and Wil is returning in August 2010.


Jasmine Rodgers  started the evening off with a wonderful set. She is the personification of all that is beautiful about songwriting complimented only by her warm sweet voice, exquisite strumming on guitar and Ukulele. ….a must see.
As a foot note to this artist: I have had more enquiries about this girl than any other artist from more corners of the world than any other….


Tinlin

The whole band

19th June
we welcomed back…

Steve Rodgers who with several new songs, kicking the whole evening off with a big sound.

Henry Brill..we welcomed for the 1st time ..Henry Brill…and he he was just that… Brill(iant)!!

StrangeFolk  Drawingroom virgins who pipped their cherries here…and remenicent of the 60’s and early 70’s
with the haunting voice of Strangefolk ‘s Analise

5th June 2010…three world class acts:

Flutatious
  Folk Rock / Psychedelic / Trance
Having just returned from a festival in Dundee in front of 2500 people, The Drawingroom was a little more intimate! They are such good value.
A mix of ages, influences and instruments, blended perfectly with harmonies, great rhythm, haunting tunes and great delivery.

I received this email from one of their fans:

“I have to say, the sound quality was just excellent.
Every instrument could be heard cleanly and individually.
Soundwise, it was possibly the best Flutatious show I’ve been to (all 6).
So, hats off to your son with the magic mixing fingers.”

Treana Morris
What can I say about Treana which accurately expresses just how good she really is?
She’s a terrific and prolific songwriter, with original, powerful catchy tunes, great lyrics
and can deliver what she’s written with equal power and passion.

She has a beautiful voice and exudes her beauty most when she is in full flight; she’s extraordinary.
Part of The Drawingroom stable of musicians, she’ll be back as often as Ican book her.

J o n t

Jont (on the right) is a true musician and was acompanied by Les who added a whole new a dimension of sound.
Jont has gigged all the way around the world and back again,
at more house parties in more countries than anyone I know.
If anyone knows how to party, this is the man!

He’s a big favourite of Radio two’s Dermot O’Leary
and Jont’s latest Album (Set it FREE) is already being listend to all the way around the world.


….
22nd May

Something slightly different, a very laid back/chilled party.

A gathering

Russel Joslin
.

Peter Luke sang acapella, Anne Cunningham sang and played, accompanied by Dai Short
…and Percy too, the Kosmic troubadour
They’ve all played here before

 

Summer seems finally to have arrived and parties outside in the yard are huge fun

So, join in, book your place now….Let the summer party season, begin.

Same ticket prices apply (£15 and u/25 £5+ food £5)
and to make these events accessible to all, aside of existing concessions,
I am making 5 concession tickets FREE, for each outside event. Just call me and reserve it.

15th May

Take a 45 second peek at what you missed!

We started off out doors and finished upstairs, rammed.
Juju and Ben (Keys-LittleFish) finished the evening with a blistering LittleFish set. 

Juju was just back from New York supporting Courtney Love and reviewed In the New York Times
Julia Sophie, its singer and guitarist, seizes the incantatory tone of Patti Smith,
Little Fish had the raw rock spark that doesn’t depend on fame.”

M&M  Jasmine Rodgers 

Alistair Artingstall 

All completely excellent…thank you.

At The Real Food Festival 7th, 8th & 9th May Earl’s Court,
we presented ten stunning Artists

Kadesha – Steve Rodgers – Lauren Pritchard – Jack Garratt – Mark Hole – Tinlin
Jasmine Rodgers – Trail – Gill Holdsworth – Amrit Sond – Mandy and Maxine

SOLD OUT
More images


Jack Garratt  Gill Holdsworth  Treana Morris 

17th April

More images

SOLD OUT
If ever you had your money’s worth..

…this was it, with Steve Rodgers

Steve Rodgers was supporting Bad Company
to an already sold out capacity show at
Wembley Arena the previous Sunday where he sat on stage by himself
with 9000 at his feet.
Here, it was a little more intimate!

 

made all the more so by Treana Morris

Stunning performances by both these artists…thank you.


…and to finish with local boys Tinlin…what a night.

Tinlin 
with a teaser 3 track ep ahead of their album launch on the 9th June at the Elgiva
written and produced by Tinlin
was heard in full for the first time.
SOLD OUT

3rd April

SOLD OUT

 M&M

Jack Garratt

Wil Mcnicol 

Just blistering, everyone of them.

20th March
click the date to see more images of these amazing young artists


Ashley Jane Welberry  
 Maxine&Mandy 

& the one and only Jack Garratt
 

6th March

more images


Amy Belle
Having appeared at The Royal Albert Hall,  on the same night and same stage as
Chrissie Hynde, Ron Wood and Rod Stewart;

Amy really is that good.
She writes her own material, has appeared on stages across the world from LA to New York
and was discovered by Drawingroom veteran Peter Luke in London and brought to my attention.
Her acoustic, folk rock sound, her charisma, inimitable voice,
and her guitar playing were only the best way we could have finished up the evening…what a complete party girl she is.

Grammy Award Winning Guitarist

Amrit Sond  the most technical and abstract musician to play here. and he was on FIRE!!!
Grammy Award Winning Guitarist Amrit Sond has graced the same billing with the world’s most renowned guitarists on the scene today; Dominic Miller (STING), Hugh Burns (George Michael), Ronnie Johnson (Van MorrisonLeo Sawyer), Doyle Dykes, Antonio ForcioneJacques StotzemPreston ReedNeil Stacey, Mike MesserClive Carroll and John Etheridge to name but a few.
His unique contemporary instrumental music draws on elements of World Music, Jazz, Classical, Folk, Rock and New-Acoustic Techniques (two-handed tapping and percussive slaps) all honed into a highly refined and melodically driven compositional approach.
Experience it: miss it, miss life.

Simon Currie  known as ‘man gone missing’ we disprove the theory! oor listen to his altermuso self at http://www.myspace.com/simonkempston We found him, he played, such a voice, great guitar work….a blend of Jack GarrattSimon Stephenson and Madé J

“Currie’s singing is reminiscent of early John Martyn and the guitar playing is clear sounding, attractive and imaginative. Having often reflected on the paucity of the Scottish Blues Scene, Currie might help revitalise things north of the border – this is one artist to watch”
 Blues & Rhythm Magazine

20th February

more images

 

Junior Guevarra  Unashamedly, there are flavours of an early Prince,
however if you combine the beautiful soul of Donny Hathaway,
the presence of Al Green and a touch of Santana, then you’re on the right track.

Anna Stainton  As former lead singer and keyboard player with pop group The Promise, Anna is used to the limelight: she has appeared on the V Festival Stage,
the Kent Music Festival and at the O2 Arena, with their single ‘Hope For You and Me’ winning a coveted European song competition. Anna had just come from a BBC radio interview to be with us.
Anna has a more up tempo beat to her music, more pop folk than that of her sister
Lisbee but every bit as commercial …and as beautifull too.
Discovered in 2010 by BBC Introducing DJ Andrew Marston (months after being booked to play here!) who asked for a copy of her debut single, ‘Time’, after hearing it on Anna’s MySpace page .Describing the track as “absolutely amazing”, it is Marston’s subsequent support of the single which has led to ‘Time’ being played on BBC 6 Music and BBC Local Radio.

…and finally
Mark Hole, the most entertaining showman to appear here, not just last year, just ever…

Mark Hole, returned!
Pure Entertainment

6th February

SOLD OUT

more images

with specially invited guests Steven Rodgers

 a huge voice and the DNA of British Rock music to his core,
Steve’s original music topped the bill of four amazing sets. Steve’s performance was passionate, intelligent and compelling
.
His music is from the heart, both lyrically and musically. His rhythm is contageous it is all underwritten by great simple tunes.
Anyone who was at the gig here on the 16th Dec 09 will have heard his
 sister Jasmine,
She too thrilled the audience: both son and daughter to the legendary Paul Rodgers of Bad Company and FREE
along with several collaborations with a company of world class musicians along the way.
Growing up with such a great mentor, what a great start, and it really shows.
It would be dreadful to think this could get in their way..
 especially
as the standard of work these two deliver, is, by any measure, extraordinary.

You can buy a cd direct from Steve from his website
Highly recommended….. likened to 
Jeff Buckley
Scott MathewsRay Lamontagne
and of course, his father (the Legend, Paul Rodgers),

Ashley Jane Welberry
her music is original, magical and smoky/jazzi-blue.
Ashley appeared here at the back of 2009 and made an instant impact…
Don’t worry boys, Ashley asures’s me she’s had some therapy since writing ‘Alter Ego’
the first track on her MySpace.

TinLin  
Rolf and Alex have been playing here since the very first Drawingroom gig near seven years ago.
Their music is all original. They played a selection of music from their soon to be released
second album along with many favourites from earlier days. Totally excellent.

The launch of their New Album will here on the 17th April.

“An acoustic songwriting partnership producing an intimate and emotional catalogue’’. Musician Magazine
Paul and John meet Paul and Art: great, great music, tunes, lyrics….and humour.

 

SpyPlane  two totally committed musicians, who play for the shear love of making music.
I had several emails saying how much people had enjoyed their lyrics and less of everything but the girl I had anticipated, thank you for coming.

16th January 2010
Thank you all for coming and making it such an amazing night
Juju
 of LittleFish came, whose 1st single came out in late 2009
was here by playing by herself in the company of Becks, one of life’s really special people.

The Drawingroom is Juju’s home gig where she plays all her newest material.
Acclaimed as the most important musician to influence Rock music since Patti Smith
and Led Zeppelin ..prestigiously featured in VANITY FAIR where BAFFLED & BEAT her 1st album, is tipped to be one of the great albums of 2010..
.
Russell Joslin was selected by BBC Radio 6 presenter Tom Robinson  to appear alongside
Drawingroom veteran Lisbee Stainton (on-tour 2010 supporting Joan Armatrading) as being in the top 2% of all the new music he has played for the last two years.
Jasmine Rodgers 

This is pure magic. Jasmine has a stunning music pedigree and from the moment she opens her mouth to sing,
you know you are in the company of something and someone very special. Check out her MySpace ‘Drinking’ video.
Rarely will you hear someone who has such command of their voice, wrapping her words around each note like silk stockings on shapely legs.
Her material is original, passionate and was worth coming to hear Jasmine….all by herself.
Finally, and by no means least…

 Jont
played regularly on several national radio station playlists, he supported Michelle Shocked recently and was featured/interviewed by Dermot O’Leary on Radio two about the novel way he is promoting his new album..‘set it free’ His new album has a booklet in it and the booklet doubles up as:
A VISITOR’S BOOK!
“The owner listens to the album, fills in their section and passes the album on to someone they think will like it too.
They then listen to it, fill in their section and pass it on,
until when the visitor’s book is full up, the last person sends it back to the original owner
who has written their name and address in the back” Jont.
Over 2 million people have been following/attended Jont’s gigs and parties across Europe and North America.

“On a personal note, this was a particularly special show, the artists, the guests; it was rammed ans shortly you will be able to see the videos from the night…” Richard
Happy New Year 2010

so we had a party! Nearly 60 of us, teenagers, adults and 10 under ten year olds.

…yes, with triple distilled wigs and  a Crèche!

At mid night…… …
50 Sky lanterns  .. . . 

We had a blast. Thank you to all for coming, sorry to those who missed out.