Check out this great line up at the next Acoustic Cafe
Jericho's Brasserie in Liberty house Launceston was packed out again on Thursday evening because of the Acoustic Cafe which is held on the last Thursday of every month. This venue is so popular that people are booking tables for the September 30th event already!
Will the sax player and Phil the bass player of Left Nut Jack and the Square Needles at Jericho's Brasserie Launceston
Photo taken by Jamie Murphy who organises the Acoustic Cafe and is also the sound technician for the event.
The Metro Men
Jack Hayward on drums, Frederick-Goodwin-Hayward vocals and Duncan Whale on guitar.
Frederick Goodwin-Hayward singing for The Metro Men at the Acoustic Cafe in launceston
Frederick has a great voice and for tonights set he sang covers of "Love will tear us apart" by The Joy Division, "Knocking on heavens door" by Bob Dylan, "Behind blue eyes" by The Who, and two of their own original songs "Coffee shop blues" and "Like a Storm" by The Metro Men. These guys will be supporting Jamie Murphy and his band Six is Out at Jericho's on the 25th September. Come along for an excellent night out in Launceston
All the bands and musicians were excellent and gave the audience a great night of entertainment.
Mel as usual laid on a massive amount of fabulous food and good night was had by all.
Rita Hosking, a powerful singer/song writer and her talented husband Sean, performed to another packed house at No8 cafe in Launceston on Thursday 22nd July.
Rita Hosking on Guitar and vocals, Sean Feder on banjo and backing vocals
Rita and Sean from Davis in North California share a passion for playing Americana, folk, country and bluegrass music. Rita Hosking's first taste of singing began as a child at the local church and her first musical instrument was a good old fashioned washboard.
A lot has happened since then and three years ago Rita gave up her job as school teacher to take up her musical career full time. She has won several awards and her albums are continually receiving much attention. I think you made a good choice Rita.
Rita has played at many festivals and concerts in America and is currently on tour in the UK.
This was Rita's first visit to the UK and it was a special time for her down here in Cornwall because Rita's great grandfather was a Cornish miner who travelled to America along with many others a long time ago to try out their mining skills in California. These Cornish immigrants to America became known as Cousin Jacks. Cousin Jack is also the name given to Rita's support band.
Rita Hosking plays guitar and sings for a full house in Launceston
Rita told a brief story before beginning each song which gave meaning and understanding to the lyrics. These consisted of the memories of her childhood days and the simple rural life as it was for her, growing up in Montgomery Creek in the mountains of Shasta County in North California. Inhabitants of Montgomery Creek were known as "Monkey Crickers" She told us.
Her albums are like a diary of events telling a tale of forest fires, the loss of family, friends, the struggle for survival, a near death experience, pain and fear, all turned into song, and sung with such passion and feeling that I could almost see a tear in her eyes as she sang.
Sean Feder banjo player with Rita Hosking
One of her songs "Cool Black Water" reflects on the fear of bad news when having a loved one working deep underground in the coal mines doing a very dangerous job to provide for the needs of the family.
"Are You Ready" came to her as a question of choice; Live or Die? In her mind, as she lay in a coma, her answer was no.
The song "Kitchen Table and Chairs" was born of discussion about what should be saved in the event of the potentially devastating forest fires which occurred in the area, encroaching on the family home.
For Rita all the feelings and emotions she has experienced throughout her life carry the seeds of song which she is then able to develop and share in her own special way with people from all over the world.
Rita's influences are many but perhaps the greatest were the traditional songs sang by her grandparents to the family at christmas time, and inspired by the ordinary everyday lessons of life in a small town rural community.
Sean Feder on dobro
Rita's husband Sean Feder accompanied her with backing vocals, banjo and dobro. Sean also plays percussion and bass guitar, and is a member of the group "Country Jack". Sean kindly explained to me a little about the dobro which he played.A fascinating instrument with a wonderful sound in the hands of someone like Sean.
Rita Hosking and Sean Feder on tour in the UK
Thank you To Rita Hosking and Sean Feder for sharing your time, your stories, your talent and your love of homegrown country music.
I wish you all the very best as you continue on your musical journeys through life.
Special thanks again to
Colin Hill who certainly knows how to pick a crowd pulling act,
Adrian Harvey for providing the venue,
Graham Sleeman who did a great job again on the mixing desk
and all the people who gave me permission to photograph and do a write up about another great night of music at No8 Cafe in Launceston, Cornwall.
Well done and thanks for another great night out.
No8 Cafe and coffee shop is found in Westgate Street Launceston opposite the post office.
