SAM OUTLAW KICKS OFF HIGHLY ANTICIPATED UK TOUR

Peter Anderson • Mar 18, 2022

Award-winning U.S. singer-songwriter Sam Outlaw celebrated his return to the UK with the release of a brand-new song, ‘Lonely Man’. Kicking off the headline tour last night (17/3) for a packed crowd in London, his first time in the city since 2019, Sam said: “I was so completely blown away by the response at Omeara and truly moved to get to be playing live music again. I’ll never forget the night and how special it felt to return to a stage in the UK.”


Taking inspiration both from classic country ballads and the 80s production weaved throughout much of his latest full-length record Popular Mechanics, the contemplative ‘Lonely Man’ is the second of several additional tracks to be released alongside the album and follows his cover of Enya’s ‘Wild Child’, a duet with Molly Parden. “This new single, though about loneliness, is actually a lot of fun,” shares the artist. “And once again I get to merge some of my favourite attributes of country music, like the pedal steel, with pop and rock sounds that take the song to a completely unexpected place. Really proud of this one and kudos to Cheyenne Medders who so skilfully produced the track.”


The tour continues with support from Ruthie Collins on all dates, who also joins Sam onstage as part of his band, along with Medders. I caught up with Sam & Ruthie ahead of the tour to find out what they were looking forward to. A link between the two is the influence their mother’s have had on their singing, for Ruthie it was a combination of her mum and singing in the church choir as a kid. Sam we know, uses a surname from his mother’s side of the family as his stage name, he said: -


“My mom was a huge influence on my musical roots. She loved classic rock and from a very early age we’d listen to the “oldies” station on the car radio. The Four Seasons, The Everly Brothers, The Beach Boys. I was obsessed with those melodies and obsessed with the use of vocal harmony. My mom was also a very creative person and always encouraged me in my creative pursuits. The last email she sent me before she passed away was that she listened to my album and was very proud. I thank God for her every day.”


I wondered whether this was their first trip to the UK, and what our audiences could look forward to, Sam it seems likes visiting here, though this time will be different, as he says. “I’ve been lucky to be touring the UK since 2016 but I believe this will be Ruthie’s first UK tour.” Ruthie replied “I attempted to play some shows in Oct 2020, but the country got shut down 36 hours into my trip. I walked around London a bit and did some livestreams. So needless to say, I am thrilled to be giving it another go!”


Sam continued: “The last several tours I’ve done in the UK have been with a full rock band backing me up, but this time it’s just me, plus Ruthie, and my producer Cheyenne Medders in the band. Both Ruthie and Cheyenne sing beautiful harmonies and greatly enhance each song with their musical abilities. I really can’t wait to bring these more ‘acoustic’ versions of my songs to life. And of course, I can’t wait to see Ruthie’s opening set each night!”


Speaking of sets, how do you decide on them? Sam jumped in “Rehearsing my songs with Ruthie has already greatly helped me to narrow down which songs I want to include in my set list. I’ll play my favourites, the fan favourites, as well as some surprise covers and my best attempt at charming banter in-between the songs. And since it’s been so damn long since our last tour, maybe the sets will be a little longer than usual. We’ll see”.


Ruth, it seems had been given her homework before the tour! “Well Sam gave me 25 songs to learn so I have a pretty good idea of what his set might look like! But yeah, we chat about what songs might fit the best for certain settings, even different cities!” Does this mean you two could be singing a duet? BOTH: “(A duet?) Count on it!” Sam Outlaw tours the UK in March, with support from Ruthie Collins on all dates - tickets on sale now:

 

Photo - Sam Outlaw live in London, March 2022
L-R: Ruthie Collins, Sam Outlaw, Cheyenne Medders
©: Lime Tree Music

Peterborough Presents - Celebrating 10 years of creativity

By Peter Anderson • 16 May, 2024
In 2024 Peterborough Presents is celebrating 10 years of working with communities across the city to create great ‘art’. Mention the arts and people naturally think of galleries and theatres. For the last 10 years, arts organisation Peterborough Presents has been working with people from across the city to show that it is this and so much more. It can mean circuses, folk tales, street murals, poetry on the walls at the Lido, Zombie Walks at Diwali, being serenaded by violins whilst in a hot tub at Thorpe Meadows, going on magical history tours and creating lantern parades. It can mean carnivals at Millfield Festival, weekly craft groups or even doing up your local street with colourful planters. For their birthday, the Peterborough Presents team want to celebrate all the ways in which you can be creative and encourage you to get creative too. Their 10th birthday is as ambitious as ever! It kicks-off at Peterborough Celebrates Festival on 18th & 19th May at Ferry Meadows. Peterborough Presents will be taking over the ‘creative dome’. In there you can watch amazing carnival performances by Mandinga Arts or get involved in drawing and making sessions. Of course, there will be some party games too! Artist Rose Croft is currently working with groups from across the city to create colourful garlands and artworks from recycled materials that will decorate the Creative Dome. With funding from Arts Council England, Peterborough Presents has been working with people of all ages and backgrounds. Programme Director Sarah Haythornthwaite says “ There’s a lot of creativity in Peterborough and also energy to try something different. 10 years is a proper milestone too. Over those years we have had the pleasure, and honour, of working with specific neighbourhoods in the city to create projects alongside local residents. We don’t tell people what ‘arts’ they need." "We start by getting to know people, find out what inspires them, what's missing and then we create something together. It makes every project and every neighbourhood unique. We have seen people make new friends, learn new skills, even seen communities come together for the first time. They have looked at their neighbourhood in a different way and found creative ways to shout about something important to them. We’ve worked with some amazing established artists but have also helped to support some fabulous new ones too. Above all, we’ve had fun!” The birthday celebrations will continue throughout the year with community-led creative programmes in Millfield, Westwood, Eye, and beyond. Highlights include the Millfield Makers event in August, Eye Lantern Parade in November and film projects with young people in Westwood. You can expect some short films, podcasts and digital artwork released online too. Sarah continues “ The Peterborough Presents programme has provided thousands of people the opportunity to be part of creative activities over the last 10 years. We enjoy working closely with communities to co-produce our programme so that residents can experience art on their doorstep – projects that are relevant and fun!! A party isn’t a party unless others join us on the dance floor. So, we’re inviting you all to come and join us at Peterborough Celebrates and have a go at being a bit creative. ” Peterborough Presents is hosted by Nene Park Trust and supported by Metal, Peterborough City Council, Peterborough Council for Voluntary Services, Eastern Angles and Creative Lives. The programme is funded by Arts Council England.You can find out more about by visiting www.peterboroughpresents.org . To find out more about Peterborough Celebrates visit www.peterboroughcelebratesfestival.co.uk

Fältsånger perform at The Pyramid

By Peter Anderson • 16 May, 2024
Placing as much importance on the visual aspect as the music, Fältsånger strives to make each concert an experience, with unique opening films that draw the audience into their world before emerging from the shadows to blend into the psychedelic projections that flood the stage as the music blossoms. Fältsånger are perhaps best described as psychedelic electronica. Or maybe ambient space rock. Or even experimental muzak. Whatever the label, their music is uniquely their own. Coming from Warrington, the band appeared in 2023 with a few releases across streaming platforms and a small number of highly visual concerts at select venues. Believing in a "live is best" approach, the band rarely writes traditional songs, usually relying on fate to deliver songs through extended jams. Often these jams require an element of editing to bring them down to digestible lengths, although sometimes, as was the case with The Moon Shimmers With Secrets, a full album can appear entirely through live, and unedited, improvisation. Described recently as "the most innovative band around", their fans find them reminiscent of Tangerine Dream, The Orb, Herbie Hancock, Gong, Spaceheads, Ryksöpp, and even Manuel Göttsching, the band cites few of these as influences. No doubt if you are fans of these groups, Fältsånger could be well worth considering as an addition to your Spotify playlists. Alternatively, you could join the audience at Warrington's Pyramid Arts Centre, this Saturday. Sit back close your eyes and be whisked from the angst of the modern world. Fältsånger are looking to start making appearances further afield, but for now, to experience them you will have to travel to Warrington. Here is your link for tickets and further info' https://linktr.ee/faltsanger
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