Taking the FOTS cavalcade of mishap to Twitter.
By Craig | March 9, 2008
We enter a new realm today. Rather than having to wait for updates on our self-inflicted failure and disappointment to be posted on this here website, you’ll now be able to tune in to rolling, as-it-goes-wrong coverage via a Twitter account.
Here’s how I came to this most considered of decisions:
Twitter is something I’ve been aware of for a while but have never felt the need to use, so naturally I dismissed it out of hand. Then, of course, I started using it anyway and now, approximately 24 hours later, I’m now going to commit to something stupid and quioxtic that involves using it on a daily basis and probably forever. Something like….oh, i dunno…announcing that I’ll be documenting everything related to Friends of the Stars via the medium of Twitter.
(You can see the faultless logic involved there, though, can’t you?)
If you are an existing Twitter user then the username you are looking for is craig_fots.
If you are unfamiliar with what Twitter is or does then depending on who you choose to believe you are either technosocially hopeless or alternatively incredibly cool for not knowing. Yep, it’s another one of those things. It’s not a ‘new’ thing (in interweb terms) and the main arguements for and against were made over a year ago.
So, tune in and be privvy to exclusive updates on broken strings, missed rehearsals, aborted recording sessions and anything I happen to Twitter whilst I’m drunk. For my part, I’m looking forward to finding out what the average Friends of the Stars fan (or interested party) is doing at any given moment.
I’ve just Twittered (I have Twuttered?) the fact that I’m going to be Twittering everything FOTS related.
Topics: Interactive Tools, Promotion, Internet Doohickeys | No Comments »
Thank You London!
By admin | March 8, 2008
Well, ok, 30-odd people in London….
Just a note to say Hello and Thank You to all the kind people who saw us play and gave us such a cool reception last week at London’s 12 Bar Club, and especially to those who bought CDs!
Hopefully we’ll see you again soon.
Topics: That London, Live | No Comments »
There’s Only One Dorian Wood - 21st March 2008
By Craig | February 27, 2008
DORIAN WOOD (USA)
DORIAN WOOD (UK)
FRIENDS OF THE STARS
+ STEP OFF DJs
Doors open 7pm, £3 entry
The Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham
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In the late 1990s in California Dorian Wood decided to track down his worldwide namesakes using the interweb and eventually got in touch with Birmingham-based Dorian Wood. Finding someone who shares your slightly out-of-the-ordinary name on the other side of the globe would be one thing, but to find out that you are both involved in the creation of strange and beautiful music is something quite altogether different.
On Good Friday 21st March 2008 we are bringing together these unique two talents to play on the same bill for the very first time.
Friends of the Stars and Commercially Inviable cordially invite you to kick off your Easter weekend with a night of music, dancing and collaboration.
If your name is also Dorian Wood then you’ll receive FREE entry but proof of identity will be required.
Boringly-named individuals will need £3 to gain access.
We hope to see you there.
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DORIAN WOOD (USA)
His recently-released Bolka album is without doubt one of the best things we’ve all heard in a long time and really, really deserves to be heard by a much wider audience. Dorian has a voice that is really beautiful and he writes songs that call to mind Rufus Wainwright, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Anthony Hegarty - all rolled into one.
LISTEN: Dorian Wood - “Well, Well, Well”
THEY SAY: “Wry, wistful and deliciously eerie, BOLKA is a valentine to the brokenhearted”
DORIAN WOOD (UK)
One half of the marvellous and frightening TeaTowel, the Friends of the Stars remixer of choice and the man behind the world’s only and best Happy Hardcore covers band, Pete_Prescription. Dorian will be playing brand new compositions freshly minted in his Kings Heath studio so expect Krautrock, Melody, Noise or something else entirely.
LISTEN: Friends of the Stars - “Feelin’ Blue” - Remixed by Dorian Wood
THEY SAY: “Elevator Music for people descending into hell”
FRIENDS OF THE STARS
Commercially Inviable Since 2000, this alt-country 3-piece have harmonies, tunes and hooks in abundance and after surviving over 7 years of mild success and self-inflicted disappointment they bring you songs from ”Lighting and Electrical”, their first full-length album.
LISTEN: Friends of the Stars - “Old Souls”
THEY SAY: “Their new disc is packed with the kind of authentically sad, lovely, and whiskey-drenched tunes that are tragically absent from the modern country FM dial.”
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INFORMATION:
Email info@friendsofthestars.co.uk
Call +44 (0) 7740 358 162
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USEFUL LINKS:
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DIRECTIONS:
LOCATION ON MULTIMAP.COM FOR DIRECTIONS
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Topics: Collaboration, Birmingham, Live | 2 Comments »
Photographically Available Since 2000…
By Craig | February 26, 2008
Having finally figured out how to use the fabulous if somewhat cumbersome Lightbox application, I’ve given the Friends of the Stars photo page a makeover.
It now contains images and artwork that document the last 7 years, 1 month and 26 days of great tunes and piss-poor organisation. If you click on any of the little thumbnails on the page then strange computer magic should happen.
Happy viewing!
Topics: Images | No Comments »
Greetings to readers of Anyone’s Guess
By Craig | February 25, 2008
San Francisco-based music and culture blog Anyone’s Guess have posted a nice review of the ”Lighting & Electrical” album and included a pretty accurate assessment of our business acumen into the bargain.
“Friends of the stars have a fine operation going, which is to say no operation at all. They make music, pretty durn good music at that, and let the audience take care of themselves.”
Harsh but fair, I think.
Topics: Reviews | No Comments »
Photographs, January 2008
By admin | February 24, 2008
Howdy,
Here are some recent photos, including one of the lesser spotted Executive Producer Robson in what can only be described as a coquettish pose. Hang on to your hats, kids
Topics: Images, Collaboration | No Comments »
Greetings to readers of Hypeful
By Craig | February 21, 2008
The nice folks at Hypeful.com have not only given”Lighting & Electrical” a glowing review on their site but have also labelled us as a “Band To Watch”. Amongst other things they had this to say:
“Their new disc is packed with the kind of authentically sad, lovely, and whiskey-drenched tunes that are tragically absent from the modern country FM dial.”
To read the full review and explore what else Hypeful has to offer then click here.
Thanks to the guys at Hypeful for the kind words
x
Topics: Reviews | No Comments »
Calling all micro-philanthropes…
By Craig | February 19, 2008
Some dude in America is selling his entire record collection on eBay - The collection contains over 6 million titles spread across 3 million records and a boat load of CDs, cassettes and 8-track cartridges. The seller will only let it go as a whole and will not let buyers cherrypick.
I would give mine and your right arm to own this. Seriously.
The starting bid is $3m and so by my calculations we will need to shift around 45,000 copies of “Lighting and Electrical” in order to be the succesful bidder.
Here’s a link to our shop and remember, folks, every purchase counts.
Topics: Apropos of Nowt, Collaboration | No Comments »
Sunshine
By Craig | February 18, 2008
When the weather is like it is today then crushing disappointment in the music biz can wait.
I’m off outside to plant some roses at the allotment
x
Topics: Apropos of Nowt | No Comments »
Come and see us play in this very room…
By Craig | February 6, 2008
On Friday 21st March we’re putting on a very special night at The Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham.
The night is all about a very special talent all the way from from California USA, the wonderful Dorian Wood, who is touring the UK in March and April playing songs from his debut album “Bolka”
The Bolka album is without doubt one of the best things we’ve all heard in a long time and really, really deserves to be heard by a much wider audience. Dorian has a voice that is really beautiful and unique and he writes songs that, personally, remind me of Rufus Wainwright, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Anthony Hegarty - all rolled into one.
Here’s a taster of what to expect…
Dorian Wood - “Well, Well, Well”
LISTEN
Dorian Wood - “Man in a Pink Bunny Suit”
LISTEN
It’s going to be a great pleasure to support Dorian on this leg of his tour and we’ll be playing songs from our “Lighting & Electrical”LP, songs from our dim and distant past and songs from our inevitably disastrous future.
We’re also delighted that it’s in the Hare and Hounds as it’s not only a famous old Birmingham venue (Nirvana, erm..Frank Skinner) but it’s also within stumbling distance of our houses!
The event is also on GOOD FRIDAY and so marks the beginning of the Easter bank holiday weekend, which means you’ll need to bring a coat as it’ll more than likely be snowing.
We’ll post more information about the gig very shortly including speical DJ guests, door times and ticket prices. In the meantime, mark the date in your diary and spread the word
For more information email info@friendsofthestars.co.uk
If you wish to support Dorian Wood and purchase a copy of Bolka then CLICK HERE
More news soon
xxx
Topics: Music, Collaboration, Birmingham, Live | No Comments »