Hello again everybody.

Okay, Out of the Bedroom is an open mic night, but it isn’t JUST an open mic night. It’s a community. It’s a community that’s been changing and growing for over ten years, and it’s a community that includes a wide diversity of performers past, present, and hopefully future, that are creating stuff, and putting it in front of people that appreciate it.

But like any community it is constantly in danger of being taken for granted, and like any community, it’s often “use it or lose it” time. I’m writing to warn you that that time could be sooner than you think. We need you. It’s as simple as that. If you enjoy music, then we need you to come along to Out of the Bedroom, this week if you can, but also in the future. We try to make it a great show every single week, and whenever i go along (which is a lot), i enjoy the evening throughout, and i think you will too. So come along, not just this week, but whenever you feel like some live music in a relaxed environment. ALSO we very much need you to tell your music loving friends about OOTB. This is a capital city. There must be literally thousands of people that would love Out of the Bedroom, and we don’t have a marketing department to get the word out. This is why it’s up to you, as part of the community, to make this happen. It doesn’t have to be much, just tell your friends about it. Take them along in person if they’ve never been before, make an evening of it. You’ll enjoy it. Use it as an excuse to see friends you’ve not seen for a while, perhaps friends who might sign up and play a couple of songs, but who need a bit of encouragement.

This week at Out of the Bedroom we haven’t booked a featured act and this gives performers more of a chance to sign up and perform their material, so there’s more of an incentive for performers to come along as well, and also more of a variety for those of you who’ve come along to listen.

I think you know where i’m going with this, basically we put on a weekly open mic night, for songwriters only, and we believe it attracts a high standard of performer, which lovers of good live music will usually enjoy. But this won’t continue indefinitely if our audience numbers start to wane. When that happens the whole community starts to unravel.

We ALSO need people to volunteer, either to do compering or work the sound desk. If you would like to get involved on that front, you can let us know through our Facebook page, or send an email to reviews@outofthebedroom.co.uk – from experience i can tell you it’s very rewarding and enjoyable, but we do need a few more people doing it. Many hands make light work, after all.

So that’s it, support your local music community, because it’s well worth it.

Out of the Bedroom happens EVERY WEEK at the Montague Bar on the corner of Montague and St Leonards Streets in Edinburgh. The music starts at 8pm, and performers should arrive by 7:15/7:30pm or so to sign up for an open slot. Slots are allocated on a first come/first served basis.

See you all out there in Musicland!

Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom

POST SCRIPT…

Hi everybody, well, in all the excitement of yesterday’s rallying call by email, i forgot to give you this week’s events listings.

Also, some of you may have tried to reply to yesterday’s OOTB email and been unsuccessful, due to our inbox being too full to receive emails for a few hours. This should now be fixed, please feel free to reply to this email (or email to: reviews@outofthemedroom.co.uk) if you want to get involved in Out of the Bedroom, either by hosting, running the sound desk, or promoting OOTB in the wider world.

And events-wise, Out of the Bedroom is still on every Saturday at The Montague Bar on St Leonards Street at 8pm (7:15-7:30pm performers sign up), tonight there’s NO featured act so it will be wall to wall open slots, full of Edinburgh’s most eclectic selection of performers no doubt.

Tomorrow evening at The Listening Room the featured act is Dog On A Swing, who you will have heard a taster of if you were at The Listening Room last week. And that’s in The Blue Blazer on Bread Street at 8pm on Sunday.

Plus the Leith Festival’s currently going on, so check out some of those live and exclusive events if you can.

And to finish with here are a couple of excellent looking events that i’ve been asked to make you aware of, enrich your life, check it out:

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Rude Bookings and WishingWell Production present Ruth Katerelos in ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’ with Monique Kenny on guitar.

In her cabaret debut, Australian actor/singer/songwriter Ruth Katerelos explores the power of love (and fear), leading her audience on a musical journey through various states of love; lost love, unrequited love, falling in love when you’re already involved …. and much more. Katerelos’ “crystalline voice” expresses every emotional nuance of her stylistically diverse songs, which are woven together with personal stories and observations of life, love and the whole damn thing, with humour and pathos. Ruth presents a memorable cabaret, beautifully supported by the dulcet tones of Monique Kenny on guitar.

“A truly compelling show.” Cabaret Confessional – Adelaide Feast

“Ruth took us on a moving journey and her very attentive audience thoroughly enjoyed the night, with a couple even flying specifically to Melbourne from Adelaide to see this friendly performer.” Theatre Press, Melbourne.

www.ruthkaterelos.com
www.rudebookings.com

More info at: http://www.facebook.com/events/264907813597067/

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Saturday 23rd June, 2pm, The Scottish Poetry Library, Free

Simon Jackson/Torpedo Buoy poetry book and album launch of Fragile Cargo by Jackson, winner of eight national and international awards for poetry, and Tomorrow when I awake as god’  the majestic mongrel of an album by his musical alter-ego, (a once often appearance at OOTB before children and proper job) Torpedo Buoy.

“A joyously eclectic experience… T.S. Eliot sound-tracked by a ramshackled, Latino, gypsy orchestra,” Manchester Evening News

Poetry, live music, booze and biscuits all provided.

—-

See you all out there in Musicland!

Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom

Hi there,

If this is your first time reading the OOTB newsletter, then hello and welcome. If not then welcome back! 🙂 If you’re reading this somewhere else than your email inbox, and you’d like to join our mailing list, then you can do so at www.outofthebedroom.co.uk.

This week the featured act is Stephen Harrison. He’s really good. We wouldn’t have booked him otherwise. ALSO there are a lot of OPEN SLOTS. They’re not just beginners fiddling around with half baked songs, these slots are usually full of QUALITY PERFORMERS perhaps trying out new songs, or just lifting the tone with their musicianly mien. ANYway, you too could hear these luminaries in action, and if you’re of a mind (and if you’ve written your OWN SONGS) then you too could sign up for one of the open slots, just turn up by about 7:15-7:30pm tomorrow (Saturday 9th of June) at The Montague Bar on St Leonards Street!

One or two other things you might be interested in:

Well, as usual the Ale House open mic is running tonight (Friday) from 9:30pm, search for their page on facebook if you’d like to book a slot in advance, otherwise why not just pop in? It’s a great atmosphere and there’s live music all night.

And on Sunday, it’s the Caro Bridges EP launch! that’s on 10th June at 2.30-5pm in the Meadow Bar, support will be by Kaley Ukulele, playing some songs, and Tom Watton, doing some storytelling. Sounds awesome!

Then in the evening on Sunday, The Last of Barrett’s Privateers are playing the featured act set at The Listening Room, in The Blue Blazer on Spittal/Bread Streets, and that starts at 8pm.

And ALL the stuff i just told you about is FREE!

See you there!

Out of the Bedroom Needs YOU!

I can’t believe i forgot to mention this, but Out of the Bedroom seriously needs your assistance. We urgently need more people who can act as the compere, or the sound person. If YOU could fill this role, then please let us know.

It’s completely voluntary, but can be very rewarding too. Out of the Bedroom is in its eleventh year because of the involvement of volunteers, and now we’re looking for the next generation of volunteers.

“How can i sign up?” i can hear you clamouring! Well, it’s as simple as replying to this email (or if you are reading this online, the address is reviews@outofthebedroom.co.uk), or better still, leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Let us know whether you’d like to host a night or do the sound, and we’ll fit you into our rigorous training schedule and get back to you. 🙂

And there’s more…

And while i’m at it, a couple more events to mention to you as well. The first is the Ale House Songwriters Night, which is on at… yes, you guessed it, the Ale House, on Tuesdays from 9:30pm. It’s been really good so i hear, so that’s on Tuesday.

Then on Wednesday it’s a gig you can’t miss, in fact make sure all your friends know about it too, because it’s also a gig THEY can’t miss, and that’s Edinburgh Unlimited at The Third Door on Wednesday 13 June starting at 8pm. This month the performers are Darren Hendrie appearing with his band for their debut performance, as well as the incredibly talented Lake Montgomery, and the equally excellent Aaron Wright, and ALL THIS for only £3. Don’t miss it.

Okay, i think that really is it this time…

See you all out there in Musicland!

Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom

Tonight at The Montague from 8pm (7:15 for performers), it’s Out of the Bedroom with The Ferny Brackens. They’re an eclectic quartet with an eclectic repertoire. And it’s FREE! Be there. 🙂

Also, i am going to just mention the excellent bulletin from James of Secret CDs, which he sent out a few days ago. Check out the information below for upcoming and regular gigs you might be interested in.

Take care, and have a good weekend!

Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom

OOTB Presents… RELENTLESS ENTERTAINMENT!

Hi everybody. Well, it’s Damien Casey-Boyce who’s the featured act at OOTB tonight (Sat 31 March). Basically it starts at 8pm, we have an hour of open floorspots, then Damien Casey-Boyce, then another hour of open floorspots. The open floorspots are usually pretty impressive because everybody has to write their own material (ie: no covers). If you want to sign up for a floorspot by the way, please get there for about 7:15-7:30pm, as it’s first come, first served.

So yeah, it’s FREE and it’s GOOD, and it’s at The Montague Bar on St Leonards Street in Edinburgh. ALSO, if you know anybody who might like this sort of thing (ie: they enjoy music), then please forward this email to them as well. Spread the word, we’ve got FREE LIVE MUSIC every Saturday at The Montague Bar and there’s no point making a secret of it. In fact check out all the upcoming featured acts we’ve got lined up:

Sat 24 March – Jamie and Shoony Eh – very vigorous newcomers to OOTB, total showmen
Sat 31 March – Damian Casey-Boyce – he actually wrote a theme song for OOTB!
Sat 7th April – The Ferny Brackens – wyrd folk music, with very varied song subjects
Sat 14 April – Colin Milne – His songs are full of real life humour and sometimes tragedy
Sat 21 April – Calum Carlyle – Acoustic anti-pop songs for the 21st century
Sat 28 April – Jo Wilson – he’s back from Pakistan, ready to entrance your brain with music
Sat 5th May – The Keep – an all star lineup which has already turned some heads
Sat 12th May – Laurie Cameron – a top flight performer and songwriter
Sat 19th May – John Watton – a truly gifted guitarist with a lot of great songs to boot!
Sat 26th May – Daniel Scott – fresh faced crooner with a charming smile too.

Not only that but what about TOMORROW (Sun 1 April) eh? It’s The Listening Room at The Blue Blazer on the corner of Bread and Spittal Streets just off Lothian Road. It’s quite similar, it’s FREE, it’s every Sunday, and it’s an hour of open floorspots and then a featured act. Tomorrow night the featured act is Nyk Stoddart/Mutant Lodge – it’ll be a hoot.

ALSO, IN OTHER NEWS…

So yeah, there’s tons of other stuff going on at the moment, my head nearly explodes thinking about it all. For instance tomorrow (1 April) as part of a thing called April Foolery, as many musicians as possible will all be turning up at The Pavilion Cafe in The Meadows at 1pm in the afternoon, and then playing music on the number 23 bus route to protest against the new Entertainment Licensing legislation that’s coming into force. Here’s more information, but if you want to stick up for small venues and live music, then be at The Pavilion Cafe in the The Meadows at 1pm SHARP with your instruments, or just yourselves.

See you all out there in Musicland!

Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom

Hi everybody. Right this week at OOTB the featured act is Jamie and Shoony Eh. They are 100% energy. A young duo with a lot fewer inhibitions than most open mic acoustic performers. You can’t help but get into the party mood with them. Also, two hours of open floorspots which will be filled with Edinburgh’s songwriters! All this for free too, on Saturday at The Montague Bar at 8pm. Don’t miss it!

Spring’s finally sprung, hasn’t it? do you remember it actually snowed on this day last year? Well, it’s sunny now so get yer erse down to OOTB this Saturday, you’ll not regret it. We’ve refilled the silver bag of dreams too, so don’t miss your chance to win a truly original prize!

And here’s some stuff you need to know about our forthcoming featured acts too:

Sat 24 March – Jamie and Shoony Eh – very vigorous newcomers to OOTB, total showmen
Sat 31 March – Damian Casey-Boyce – he actually wrote a theme song for OOTB!
Sat 7th April – The Ferny Brackens – wyrd folk music, with very varied song subjects
Sat 14 April – Colin Milne – His songs are full of real life humour and sometimes tragedy
Sat 21 April – Calum Carlyle – Acoustic anti-pop songs for the 21st century
Sat 28 April – Jo Wilson – he’s back from Pakistan, ready to entrance your brain with music
Sat 5th May – The Keep – an all star lineup which has already turned some heads
Sat 12th May – Laurie Cameron – a top flight performer and songwriter
Sat 19th May – John Watton – a truly gifted guitarist with a lot of great songs to boot!
Sat 26th May – Daniel Scott – fresh faced crooner with a charming smile too.

And here’s your weekend planned out for you:

Fridays – The Ale House Open Mic Night from 9:30pm, at The Ale House on Clerk Street

Saturdays – Out of the Bedroom from 8pm at The Montague Bar on St Leonards Street

Sundays – The Listening Room at The Blue Blazer from 8pm on Bread Street

On Monday you could head along to Whistle Binkies (for what i think is a 10pm start) or on Tuesdays to The Ale House again (for 8pm this time i think?) if you still have the stamina, but save some energy for the OOTB the Saturday following!

Right, i have to dash, i’m getting ready to go to Hailey Beavis’ EP launch tonight at the Bongo Club at 7pm for only £4 with The Gilly Flowers supporting.

See you out there in Musicland!
Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom

OOTB Presents…

This evening it’s the haunting sound of Nyk Stoddart (ably backed, by Calum Carlyle on bass) at OOTB at The Montague Bar at 8pm this evening (17 March), so come along for this quite possibly unique event. Spring is in the air and you’re only young once, plus the rest of the evening will be filled with our usual high quality pot pourri performers in the open floorspots.

In other news, later this week on Thursday 22 March Hailey Beavis will be releasing her EP at The Bongo Club at 7pm, with support from The Gilly Flowers, and it’s only £4 to get in.

Other stuff you should know are the upcoming featured act performers at Out of the Bedroom, and some other nights you might be interested in going to over the weekend:

Sat 17 March – Nyk Stoddart – psychedelic acoustic music, with Calum Carlyle on bass
Sat 24 March – Jamie and Shoony Eh – very vigorous newcomers to OOTB, total showmen
Sat 31 March – Damian Casey-Boyce – he actually wrote a theme song for OOTB!
Sat 7th April – The Ferny Brackens – wyrd folk music, with very varied song subjects
Sat 14 April – Colin Milne – His songs are full of real life humour and sometimes tragedy
Sat 21 April – Calum Carlyle – Acoustic anti-pop songs for the 21st century
Sat 28 April – Jo Wilson – he’s back from Pakistan, ready to entrance your brain with music
Sat 5th May – The Keep – an all star lineup which has already turned some heads
Sat 12th May – Laurie Cameron – a top flight performer and songwriter
Sat 19th May – John Watton – a truly gifted guitarist with a lot of great songs to boot!
Sat 26th May – Daniel Scott – fresh faced crooner with a charming smile too. 🙂

Fridays – The Ale House Open Mic Night from 9:30pm, at The Ale House on Clerk Street

Saturdays – Out of the Bedroom from 8pm at The Montague Bar on St Leonards Street

Sundays – The Listening Room at The Blue Blazer from 8pm on Bread Street

On Monday you could head along to Whistle Binkies (for what i think is a 10pm start) or on Tuesdays to The Ale House again (for 8pm this time i think?) if you still have the stamina, but save some energy for the OOTB the Saturday following!

Oh yes, just wanted to say thanks to any of you who came to Edinburgh Unlimited on Wednesday. All the performers have some connection to OOTB this time and we all had a rollicking time, and you were all part of making it happen. 🙂

See you out there in Musicland!

Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom

And the featured act this week is Norman Laomnt, ably assisted by James Whyte! Norman’s a really good songwriter as well as a pillar of Edinburgh’s acoustic music community, so come along and have a great time for free at The Montague Bar this evening, open floorspots as usual, and it’s at 8pm. Original music for original people.

Take care out there!

Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom

OOTB Presents… Union Canal!

I’m sorry it’s been a while folks, i have been busier than usual, really, and i’m genuinely sorry i didn’t email to tell you about Kat McKenzie’s featured act set last week, but you all know where the OOTB website and FB group is by now…

Speaking of which Roisin Russell has been posting tons of OOTB videos onto our FB page, why not check them all out? Hours of fun for the whole family, thanks Roisin, for recording these for posterity.

And the same goes for Malcolm Mclean‘s tireless efforts to photograph OOTB from start to finish, scores of his excellently vivid photos are on the FB page as well.

This week (Saturday 18 February) Union Canal are the featured act at OOTB, 8pm start, 7:15 (approx) signup for performers, free admission, at The Montague Bar on St Leonards Street. Union Canal were excellent at the most recent Edinburgh Unlimited, so come to OOTB and check them out if you didn’t see them there (and if you did see them there, you’ll know they’re worth hearing again!)

Also on Sunday the 19th of February, starting from around 7pm.it’s the Matt Norris and the Moon thank you gig, in the back room of the White Horse pub on the Royal Mile. Free entry and limited seating, so get there early!

What else? The Ale House on Friday nights at 9:30pm, it’s still awesome, the Listening Room at The Blue Blazer on Sunday at 8pm every week, again, awesome, plus sauce, the Ale House has an open mic on Tuesdays too, and there are many others, one in Nobles in Leith on Thursdays (9pm start?) and one in Walkabout at the Omni at 9pm on Thursdays too, plus there’s a nice one in Bannerman’s (underneath South Bridge on the Cowgate) on Sundays from 2pm till 4pm.

Aw, you can tell it’s late and i’m tired…

See you all out there in Musicland!

Calum Carlyle
Out of the Bedroom