Welcome!
Hi and welcome to the new Jim Moray website.
All the reviews of Low Culture are now available in the 'press' section of the gallery.
"Outstanding" - The Independent, ****1/2 - The Sun, **** - The Guardian, **** - The Observer, **** - Time Out.
Latest News / Blog
Bristol and London
Wed, 10 Sep 2008Hi,
The Bristol show on Friday the 19th is rapidly approaching. Come along to the Folkhouse on Park St for the last warm up before London on the 23rd. Playing with me will be Low Culture musicians Nick Cooke, James Delarre and bassist Sam Norman who made his debut at Sidmouth. There will also be projections during the gig - not sure what those'll be yet but there you go... Its a big room so bring lots of friends!
The London show is now sold out, although there is likely to be an extra 5-10 tickets released the week before. I'll make sure that they are announced to the mailing list first so make sure you a signed up and activated if you want to snap one up.
Thanks
J
Wed, 10 Sep 2008Hi,
The Bristol show on Friday the 19th is rapidly approaching. Come along to the Folkhouse on Park St for the last warm up before London on the 23rd. Playing with me will be Low Culture musicians Nick Cooke, James Delarre and bassist Sam Norman who made his debut at Sidmouth. There will also be projections during the gig - not sure what those'll be yet but there you go... Its a big room so bring lots of friends!
The London show is now sold out, although there is likely to be an extra 5-10 tickets released the week before. I'll make sure that they are announced to the mailing list first so make sure you a signed up and activated if you want to snap one up.
Thanks
J
Low Culture postcards
Mon, 08 Sep 2008Hi,
The limited edition Low Culture postcards have finally arrived. They've been in the works for a while, but it was worth the wait as they are by far the most beautiful objects that I've ever had for sale. They are available from the webshop for £5.
There is a postcard for each song on the album by David Owen, plus a book dust jacket to enclose them. More of David's work can be found at http://theinkcorporation.co.uk/ and an exhibition of his work will be showing at Cecil Sharp House in London until Jan '09. The exhibition is launched on Weds 17th of September at 6.30pm - you never know there might be a "surprise guest" performing in the building somewhere...
J
Mon, 08 Sep 2008Hi,
The limited edition Low Culture postcards have finally arrived. They've been in the works for a while, but it was worth the wait as they are by far the most beautiful objects that I've ever had for sale. They are available from the webshop for £5.
There is a postcard for each song on the album by David Owen, plus a book dust jacket to enclose them. More of David's work can be found at http://theinkcorporation.co.uk/ and an exhibition of his work will be showing at Cecil Sharp House in London until Jan '09. The exhibition is launched on Weds 17th of September at 6.30pm - you never know there might be a "surprise guest" performing in the building somewhere...
J
September
Thu, 28 Aug 2008I've just found out that the gig at the Green Note on September the 23rd is listed as SOLD OUT. I am trying to find out if they can release more tickets, and I'm sure there will be a certain amount on the door, but if you want to come it might be worth getting there early. If you don't manage to get in then we've added another gig the weekend before at Bristol Folk House on the 19th. I'm also going to be playing North Devon Folk Festival on my own on the 6th. After that there's a gig at Cecil Sharp House celebrating the work of Ralph Vaughan Williams - I'm singing Dives and Lazarus (angry dogs/angels/demons), The Bold Princess Royal (pirates) and The Captains Apprentice (sadism!) - and then a month of producing the debut album by Wheeler Street (the "new faces of folk" apparently - I've heard that somewhere before...)
There should be an interview with me in the next Songlines magazine with pictures taken by Simon "Nick's dad's cousin" Cooke on Sidmouth beach. I haven't seen them yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing how they came out.
Meanwhile, after a series of really disappointing mobile phone let-downs I am most excited about my new iPhone which is due to be delivered tomorrow, and especially Izotope's iDrum software which I'll be installing straight away. The old sampler pad that I've used to play Lemady on most of my gigs since 2001 can now be retired in favour of my... phone!! Of course, it might all backfire horribly, but the prospect of performing a song using only an ipod is quite appealing. I might just be able to do it over a wireless network too with no wires. if anyone has any iPhone+MaxMSP patches then let me know. I really am geekishly excited over this.
More later.
J
Thu, 28 Aug 2008I've just found out that the gig at the Green Note on September the 23rd is listed as SOLD OUT. I am trying to find out if they can release more tickets, and I'm sure there will be a certain amount on the door, but if you want to come it might be worth getting there early. If you don't manage to get in then we've added another gig the weekend before at Bristol Folk House on the 19th. I'm also going to be playing North Devon Folk Festival on my own on the 6th. After that there's a gig at Cecil Sharp House celebrating the work of Ralph Vaughan Williams - I'm singing Dives and Lazarus (angry dogs/angels/demons), The Bold Princess Royal (pirates) and The Captains Apprentice (sadism!) - and then a month of producing the debut album by Wheeler Street (the "new faces of folk" apparently - I've heard that somewhere before...)
There should be an interview with me in the next Songlines magazine with pictures taken by Simon "Nick's dad's cousin" Cooke on Sidmouth beach. I haven't seen them yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing how they came out.
Meanwhile, after a series of really disappointing mobile phone let-downs I am most excited about my new iPhone which is due to be delivered tomorrow, and especially Izotope's iDrum software which I'll be installing straight away. The old sampler pad that I've used to play Lemady on most of my gigs since 2001 can now be retired in favour of my... phone!! Of course, it might all backfire horribly, but the prospect of performing a song using only an ipod is quite appealing. I might just be able to do it over a wireless network too with no wires. if anyone has any iPhone+MaxMSP patches then let me know. I really am geekishly excited over this.
More later.
J
Teen Soap Debut.
Tue, 12 Aug 2008Thanks to everyone who came to see us at Sidmouth. We really enjoyed ourselves and we hope you did too.
There are lots more reviews of Low Culture, too many to mention so I'll stick them all up in the gallery.
Also, I make a cameo appearance in the new episode of online sitcom Sceneagers. You need to watch the first episode to follow the plot but I play "the sailor's friend who has come to sing a song from across the seas". Watch it here.
More later.
Jim
Tue, 12 Aug 2008Thanks to everyone who came to see us at Sidmouth. We really enjoyed ourselves and we hope you did too.
There are lots more reviews of Low Culture, too many to mention so I'll stick them all up in the gallery.
Also, I make a cameo appearance in the new episode of online sitcom Sceneagers. You need to watch the first episode to follow the plot but I play "the sailor's friend who has come to sing a song from across the seas". Watch it here.
More later.
Jim
The Independent
Fri, 25 Jul 2008Hooray. Low Culture gets the lead review in todays Independent (25th July).
"The bottomless trove of sturdy old folk tales and his musical imagination spark brightly." ****
edit: link here - http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/
Fri, 25 Jul 2008Hooray. Low Culture gets the lead review in todays Independent (25th July).
"The bottomless trove of sturdy old folk tales and his musical imagination spark brightly." ****
edit: link here - http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/
Reviewz
Thu, 24 Jul 2008All the reviews of Low Culture so far are now in the 'press' section of the gallery.
Also, my interview with Colin Irwin for the Guardian is currently the featured 'Editors Pick' on the Guardian Folk Music page (only a week after it was printed...). If you haven't seen it yet then you can do so at http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/folk
Thanks
Jim
Thu, 24 Jul 2008All the reviews of Low Culture so far are now in the 'press' section of the gallery.
Also, my interview with Colin Irwin for the Guardian is currently the featured 'Editors Pick' on the Guardian Folk Music page (only a week after it was printed...). If you haven't seen it yet then you can do so at http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/folk
Thanks
Jim
Touring
Thu, 17 Jul 2008Hi,
I'm going to be touring the Low Culture band in early 2009 and there are still dates available in Feb/Mar. If you are a promoter or would like to see us in your town then get in touch with Terry O'Brien at the Playpen Agency. I'll get my people to talk to your people. Let's do lunch.
Meanwhile, I'm always interested in recording/production/mixing work. I've been spending a lot of time doing this over the last few years, working on some things that you might have heard of and some things that you won't. I mainly work out of my own studio in Bristol with a mixture of analogue/digital and vintage/new gear. Portfolio available on request. Get in touch.
Thanks
Jim
Thu, 17 Jul 2008Hi,
I'm going to be touring the Low Culture band in early 2009 and there are still dates available in Feb/Mar. If you are a promoter or would like to see us in your town then get in touch with Terry O'Brien at the Playpen Agency. I'll get my people to talk to your people. Let's do lunch.
Meanwhile, I'm always interested in recording/production/mixing work. I've been spending a lot of time doing this over the last few years, working on some things that you might have heard of and some things that you won't. I mainly work out of my own studio in Bristol with a mixture of analogue/digital and vintage/new gear. Portfolio available on request. Get in touch.
Thanks
Jim
More reviews.
Mon, 14 Jul 2008Low Culture was reviewed in both The Independent On Sunday and The Observer (twice!) yesterday.
The Independent article doesn't seem to be up online yet, but they awarded it an "outstanding" man leaping out of an armchair symbol - when exactly did the Indie start using a coded system of stick men instead of stars?
The Observer reviewed in both the reviews section (serious, between Walter Becker from Steely Dan and Simon Rattle) and the Music Monthly (neon green on black cover, between Sharleen Spitteri from Texas and Natty)
Music Monthly
Reviews section
Mon, 14 Jul 2008Low Culture was reviewed in both The Independent On Sunday and The Observer (twice!) yesterday.
The Independent article doesn't seem to be up online yet, but they awarded it an "outstanding" man leaping out of an armchair symbol - when exactly did the Indie start using a coded system of stick men instead of stars?
The Observer reviewed in both the reviews section (serious, between Walter Becker from Steely Dan and Simon Rattle) and the Music Monthly (neon green on black cover, between Sharleen Spitteri from Texas and Natty)
Music Monthly
Reviews section
Four stars, not just covering up an expletive
Fri, 11 Jul 2008Low Culture recieved four stars in The Guardian today. The review can be found here.
edit: ...and receives a similar review in today (saturdays)'s Telegraph - here.
I'm reading through pitches today then I have to commission a video!! More to come on this, but I'm very very excited by some of the ideas that have come through.
laters...
Fri, 11 Jul 2008Low Culture recieved four stars in The Guardian today. The review can be found here.
edit: ...and receives a similar review in today (saturdays)'s Telegraph - here.
I'm reading through pitches today then I have to commission a video!! More to come on this, but I'm very very excited by some of the ideas that have come through.
laters...
Whispering Bob Harris!!
Sun, 22 Jun 2008Bob Harris gave the first air play for a Low Culture track last night. He played Leaving Australia and described the album as "a masterpiece of a recording that takes folk music off into a completely new world". Steady on!
On the off chance that you're reading this, thanks Bob!
edit: Bob played Three Black Feathers on this Saturday's programme (28th June) too. It should be up on the BBC iPlayer for the next week. Thanks again Bob!
Sun, 22 Jun 2008Bob Harris gave the first air play for a Low Culture track last night. He played Leaving Australia and described the album as "a masterpiece of a recording that takes folk music off into a completely new world". Steady on!
On the off chance that you're reading this, thanks Bob!
edit: Bob played Three Black Feathers on this Saturday's programme (28th June) too. It should be up on the BBC iPlayer for the next week. Thanks again Bob!
Loughborough Town Hall
Tue, 03 Jun 2008We regret that, due to circumstances beyond our control, the date on Saturday (7th of June) at Loughborough Town Hall has been postponed until a later date. I'm sorry to everyone that was due to see us and now can't, but we'll keep you informed of any news on when the gig will take place.
Thanks to everyone that did see us on our brief tour. Its been fun. Now I'm off to make a video dressed asa pirate...
Tue, 03 Jun 2008We regret that, due to circumstances beyond our control, the date on Saturday (7th of June) at Loughborough Town Hall has been postponed until a later date. I'm sorry to everyone that was due to see us and now can't, but we'll keep you informed of any news on when the gig will take place.
Thanks to everyone that did see us on our brief tour. Its been fun. Now I'm off to make a video dressed asa pirate...
Signs of Life
Thu, 01 May 2008If you are reading this, then chances are that you are doing so through the medium of the new website. Hello. This blog will be the first port of call for news from now on. Hell, I might even start blogging in the accepted sense of the word...
Meanwhile, the album 'Low Culture' will be released through Pinnacle on July 14th, available from all good record shops (if there are any actual physical record shops left in two months time that is... at this rate not likely) and the usual online outlets. More later.
Thu, 01 May 2008If you are reading this, then chances are that you are doing so through the medium of the new website. Hello. This blog will be the first port of call for news from now on. Hell, I might even start blogging in the accepted sense of the word...
Meanwhile, the album 'Low Culture' will be released through Pinnacle on July 14th, available from all good record shops (if there are any actual physical record shops left in two months time that is... at this rate not likely) and the usual online outlets. More later.
The best financial advice anyone has ever sent to me.
Wed, 20 Feb 2008..is here. http://scalzi.com/whatever/?p=362. Its American, so you'll have to substitute "Inland Revenue" for "IRS", and "London" for "New York/LA/San Francisco" but it's still relevant. If you are in any creative profession then take note.
Wed, 20 Feb 2008..is here. http://scalzi.com/whatever/?p=362. Its American, so you'll have to substitute "Inland Revenue" for "IRS", and "London" for "New York/LA/San Francisco" but it's still relevant. If you are in any creative profession then take note.
Happy New Year.
Wed, 02 Jan 2008Hi,
I'm sitting here listening to some rough mixes of my third album which will be out in May. Its called Low Culture and I think its pretty good. I'm sure you'll hear more about it in 2008, but I just have a bit more crossing of I's and sipping of T's and then it'll be done. Hooray for that.
Also, watch out for a remastered (i.e. mastered at all, LOL!!1!) version of the 'I Am Jim Moray' EP that was initially released back in 2001. Its going to have a couple of bonus tracks on it and it'll be available from gigs, on download and mail order from the website (www.jimmoray.co.uk) in a month or so. A lot of people have asked about this, and there are only 1000 copies of the original in total so if you have one hang onto it!
As if that wasn't enough, the Jim Moray 4 (comprising the Sweet England-era touring band of Laurence Hunt on drums, Jonny Race on guitar and Ryan Trebilcock on bass) played a pretty heavy set at St Martins church in Birmingham on the 2005 tour that remains one of my favourite gigs we ever did. It was recorded and filmed by Scott Johnson of Film Ficciones, and I'm halfway through mixing it for a live EP that will be available at the gigs and from the website. There's some stuff on there that was never released on an album, plus (to my mind) definitive versions of some of the Sweet England tracks played live. I imagine that'll be ready for the March and May dates.
Anyway, happy 2008 and I'll see you somewhere down the road!
Jim
Wed, 02 Jan 2008Hi,
I'm sitting here listening to some rough mixes of my third album which will be out in May. Its called Low Culture and I think its pretty good. I'm sure you'll hear more about it in 2008, but I just have a bit more crossing of I's and sipping of T's and then it'll be done. Hooray for that.
Also, watch out for a remastered (i.e. mastered at all, LOL!!1!) version of the 'I Am Jim Moray' EP that was initially released back in 2001. Its going to have a couple of bonus tracks on it and it'll be available from gigs, on download and mail order from the website (www.jimmoray.co.uk) in a month or so. A lot of people have asked about this, and there are only 1000 copies of the original in total so if you have one hang onto it!
As if that wasn't enough, the Jim Moray 4 (comprising the Sweet England-era touring band of Laurence Hunt on drums, Jonny Race on guitar and Ryan Trebilcock on bass) played a pretty heavy set at St Martins church in Birmingham on the 2005 tour that remains one of my favourite gigs we ever did. It was recorded and filmed by Scott Johnson of Film Ficciones, and I'm halfway through mixing it for a live EP that will be available at the gigs and from the website. There's some stuff on there that was never released on an album, plus (to my mind) definitive versions of some of the Sweet England tracks played live. I imagine that'll be ready for the March and May dates.
Anyway, happy 2008 and I'll see you somewhere down the road!
Jim
I guess I should explain...
Wed, 24 Oct 2007I've got into the habit of just posting photos out of context. sorry about that.
The record is sounding good. I've had all sorts of people to the house in the last few weeks to try to finish it off. The guy playing Kora and Dilruba in the pictures below is called Dan Wilkins who studied at Conservatoire with me. As far as I know he's the first and only student to be a first study Kora player. He's on a track featuring the electric thumb piano I made. I now have several including a bass electric thumb piano. Lots of problems because the track is now in F#min and the thumb pianos are all tuned to G...
My buddy Laurence Hunt is playing drums and marimba on a track. I've played with Loz longer than anyone else (apart from maybe my sister) and he played some of the drums on Sweet England and toured with me for a few years. I've played the majority of the drums this time round but its was still nice to have him on the album. The brass guys are Jim Cornick and Rob Williams, who are in a band called Glow who I share a studio space with, and Dave Byett, musician for Bristol Morris Men amongst other things (more on them later).
Nick Cooke and Jamie Delarre have played melodeon and fiddle respectively, and Jackie has played and sung a bit too. I'm due to go to Manchester to collect some Hurdy Gurdy parts and some more strings in the next few weeks. I'm also hunting round for someone in Bristol with a real piano I can record for an afternoon.
More soon.
Wed, 24 Oct 2007I've got into the habit of just posting photos out of context. sorry about that.
The record is sounding good. I've had all sorts of people to the house in the last few weeks to try to finish it off. The guy playing Kora and Dilruba in the pictures below is called Dan Wilkins who studied at Conservatoire with me. As far as I know he's the first and only student to be a first study Kora player. He's on a track featuring the electric thumb piano I made. I now have several including a bass electric thumb piano. Lots of problems because the track is now in F#min and the thumb pianos are all tuned to G...
My buddy Laurence Hunt is playing drums and marimba on a track. I've played with Loz longer than anyone else (apart from maybe my sister) and he played some of the drums on Sweet England and toured with me for a few years. I've played the majority of the drums this time round but its was still nice to have him on the album. The brass guys are Jim Cornick and Rob Williams, who are in a band called Glow who I share a studio space with, and Dave Byett, musician for Bristol Morris Men amongst other things (more on them later).
Nick Cooke and Jamie Delarre have played melodeon and fiddle respectively, and Jackie has played and sung a bit too. I'm due to go to Manchester to collect some Hurdy Gurdy parts and some more strings in the next few weeks. I'm also hunting round for someone in Bristol with a real piano I can record for an afternoon.
More soon.
Supporting Bellowhead at Shepherds Bush empire
Thu, 27 Sep 2007The view from the balcony during soundcheck...
"foot-tapping folk big band Bellowhead perform their rambunctious Dixieland jazz, supported by alternative folkster Jim Moray..."
Thu, 27 Sep 2007The view from the balcony during soundcheck...
"foot-tapping folk big band Bellowhead perform their rambunctious Dixieland jazz, supported by alternative folkster Jim Moray..."
Isle of Wight
Thu, 27 Sep 2007edit: It's funny how your first impressions can be so far wrong. While we enjoyed the IOW folk and blues fest at the time, I've since found out that their organisation leaves a little to be desired... They're now being investigated by the MU so watch this space for developments...
Thu, 27 Sep 2007edit: It's funny how your first impressions can be so far wrong. While we enjoyed the IOW folk and blues fest at the time, I've since found out that their organisation leaves a little to be desired... They're now being investigated by the MU so watch this space for developments...
What a great festival! Nice people and a great audience. The organisers decided to use the "glitter eye" pictures of me as the posters for the festival. My face was literally everywhere on the island, and when we finally reached the festival site we found that a face painting stall had been giving people a Moray makeover. Here are some of the organising commitee...
Thanks all!
