Cityscape Presents

Click the pic for the original article!

Hi Alex, how are you?
I’m very well thanks, a tad worn out from too much gigging but that’s hardly a complaint.

Which instruments do you play?
I play acoustic guitar, vocals and piano as my main instruments but I dabble in mandolin, cajon and bass.

What made you decide to be a solo artist and not want to be in a band?
I’m not really to sure, I was originally in a couple of bands before I started doing things on my own. I still think that nothing beats the feeling of playing in a band and having a great time with your mates, but I just seemed to get more done on my own and the quality of what I was producing was much higher so I kind of stuck to it. I still have a band back at home but we spend far more time writing than actually playing.

Do you work with the same musicians when recording as you do when performing live?
I’m still a solo act live although I am thinking of getting some musicians to play with me for my next release, not too sure yet though.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t yet heard you?
Pop/Folk/Indie music. Heavilly picked guitar with catchy pop vocals but with an underlying feeling of alternative folk giving taking it away from being as main stream as say… Paulo Nutini.

What have you been up to recently?
Gigs, gigs and licking stamps to put on envelopes actually! My Debut E.P. (Which you can listen to on Somojo) is being released on July 12th (Digitally) and 19th (physically) so I’ve been working hard getting the press and promotion ready for  that, hence the large amount of sticking stamps on envelopes. As well as that I’ve just come back from my first year at LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) and so I’m busy getting my calendar chock full of local gigs now that I’m back home.

What can your fans look forward to in the next 12 months?
Firstly the release of ‘The Wood’ which I can’t wait for but also the release of another single ‘Dare’ which I should be getting back from mastering any day now as well as some big gigs that are coming up across the UK.

Photography by Gemma Harrison

Are you self-taught or did you have lessons?
Half and half, I’ve had electric guitar lessons since I was about 9 years old but my picking technique is self taught so my left hand has had lessons and my right one does what it wants!

Do you use the same equipment live as you do when in a studio?
Live, I use a small quantity pedals the main feature being a Boss RC-50 Loop Station. I’ve seen a lot of artists use these but I don’t use them as a gimmick or a drum machine, I record all my loops live both guitar, vocals and vocal harmonies as I play as well as percussion and a few other things to build the sound but within the song rather than taking ten minutes to set up the loop before launching into the track. For example Keep Chasing (Track 2 on The Wood) sounds almost exactly the same live as it does on the CD, minus the cajon percussion. It’s hard work and when it goes wrong it really goes wrong.

Would you sign with a major record company?
It’s the dream i guess, but I’m very happy with Cityscape Records who are doing a sterling job, check out the website www.cityscaperecords.co.uk

Do you have any new recordings planned?
Loads, got my next E.P. to get under way which will take up the majority of my summer… can’t wait .

Do you write songs/tracks only about personal experiences?
Yes and no. Some songs are derived entirely from personal experience. Drifting (Track 3 on The Wood) is about the effects of dementia happening to my Nana and about her literally drifting away from us on a mental level. Other songs like The Wood (track 1 on The Wood) aren’t really about anything in particular, they just capture a mood or a feeling that I’m experiencing at the time.
Do you find song writing easy or difficult?
As with anyone who writes, the best songs come in a matter of minutes. Some songs take longer at the moment I can’t seem piece one together I’ve got about 9 different ideas all of which I like but I can’t get a whole song out of them.

Is there anyone who you would like to collaborate with on writing songs or performing?
A superb local artist who’s making a name for herself everywhere she goes especially in Canada -Steph Fraser. I’ve been gigging with her nearly my whole solo career but we’ve never collaborated, something for the future I guess.

Do you use any websites like ‘Reverbnation’ or ‘Soundclick’?
I do have a Reverb Nation account but I more frequently use myspace and Twitter.
Here are the links.
www.myspace.com/alexhulmeacoustic
www.twitter.com/alexhulmemusic

Do you think such sites and the internet are good tools for independent and unsigned artists?
I like them but they suffer from over subscription, Myspace is going down hill a lot lately, but with places like Somojo, the future’s definitely bright.

Is there anything you’d like to add?
Thanks a lot for having me on and check out ‘The Wood’ at www.somojo.net/alexhulme

Alex Hulme – The Wood by brad-cityscape

Here for you to listen to, The Wood will be available digitally on 12th July and physically on the 19th July 2010 – unless you attend one of Alex’s gigs where you can pick it up now :0)

Click the logo for original article.

:: Alex Hulme ::
30 June 2010 / Cityscape / 4 Trk CD
By Manuel Ecostos

Alex Hulme was born in Garstang but now resides in Liverpool, as a result of a placement at LIPA. On this solo LP there are plenty of multi-tracked elements at play, but the songs are derived from simple acoustic riffs. “The Wood” is maybe the most obvious cut, but just a little further on in the EP, “Keep Chasing” combines EMO twists and melodics with some un-missable whoops and well spun dynamics (check the alternative version which places all of this over some simple sequencing). The EP has a home recorded quality, which adds rather than distracts. “Drifting” is a pretty straight acoustic number, climbing and descending through picked chords as Hulme provides more of the well timed and well placed harmonic embellishments.

MMM ½

Sadly, the first act Jon missed was me doing a Merchandise solo set – well you can’t have it all :0(  but here’s a lovely review of the rest of the night :0)

Have a look at the original article (with working links) by clicking the Salford Music Logo. Beth and Alex played really well and I’ve got to say that I loved Pygama Party too – Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/pyjamapartygo . Another great night organised by Phil and Sam down at the White Horse in Eccles as Acoustic Armageddon – Facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Acoustic-Armageddon/117484208269709

Brad

Alex Hulme June Radio Sessions by brad-cityscape

This appeared on the 1st June reviewing a gig from the day before a the Stonewell in Lancaster – the whole review can be found if you click the Lancashire Life image above. Here’s the bit about Alex:

Alex Hulme took to the grassy stage. Letting loose his clear, pleasing voice to swoop from loop to loop, dexteriously operating changes by foot, troubador Alex entertained with endearing charm. Easy on the eye and delightful on the ear, Alex Hulme will launch his debut album “The Wood” at The Stonewell in the near future. Watch this space . . .

This is taken from the Manchester Music Site – the full original review is here: http://www.music-dash.co.uk/live/live.asp?item=1945

ALEX HULME is an example of one of the positive aspects of an event such as this. Welcoming people to the subterranean venue he describes the whirlwind series of events that have occurred to him in the last week – including getting signed to a record label. Well is he any good? He uses the now common technique of looping the initial opening sound back through the amp to build up the layers of sound. Avoiding the trap of demonstrating his technical ability rather than the more critical view of whether is it sounds decent, the overall output is a slowly building multi layered arrangement that stops the crowd from gabbing in order to focus their attention on him, which can’t be a bad thing. Comfortable on the stage he’s a nifty guitar player, veering from finger picking blues to a more traditional solo songwriter style that receives rich applause

22 May 2010 / Heebie Jeebies / Liverpool
By Ged Camera

“Alex Hulme is a fine songwriter with great potential, he has a great sense of
POP and can always churn out a really catchy melody with very emotive lyrics”
Eddie Lundon: China Crisis & Music Lecturer.

During the past two years Alex Hulme has been gathering fans by the bucketload all over his native
North West. Still only 19, he has impressed audiences, signed to Cityscape and begun his degree inmusic at Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) beating 6000 applicants to win one of fewer than 40 places.
Originally from Garstang in Lancashire but now living in Liverpool, Alex took up the guitar at the age of seven, started performing live at 13 before really upping the ante in the past two years. The younger of
two brothers, Alex has grown up with music. His grandfather was an opera singer, his older brother
Laurie is in Manchester band Beat the Radar (signed to Akoustik Anarkhy) and his cousin Ed is in fellow
Manchester band Working for a Nuclear Free City (signed to Melodic).
Alex’s first EP, The Wood, showcases his organic, earthy pop characterised by an unusual, intricate
picking style on the guitar with many odd tunings and a powerful vocal. Much of Alex’s music features
multilayered live looping of both his guitar and vocal to create a unique sound rich in harmony.
When asked about the songs on The Wood, Alex described the lead track as, “A song of defiance
against people trying to knock me down, the ups and downs of life and how you never forget the view
from the top.” Keep Chasing is, “About following dreams. The inspiration came from a friend who had
given up on hers because it was too hard but you can only make your dreams a reality if you keep
chasing.” “The third track, Drifting, is about my grandma who passed away last year due to dementia
and about how we watched her forget everything she had known in the years before she died.”
Musical influences abound in Alex’s individual mix of indie-pop and underground acoustic folk with Foy
Vance, Fionn Regan and Nick Drake all cited. Produced by Merchandise/Cityscape’s Brad B Wood, The
Wood features a number of subtle electronic additions and strange percussion accompaniments which
bring out Alex’s vision of modern, earthy pop.
Alex’s prolific live outings have recently seen him perform at Liverpool Sound City, Sound Control in
Manchester and The Octagon Theatre in Bolton with gigs booked at Tommyfest (Blackpool), Silverdale
Concert for Haiti and Garstang Summer Acoustic Festival among an ever growing list which will see Alex
soon stretch his legs outside the North West.
Alex’s journey is just beginning, join him and Cityscape for the ride and let’s see where we get to.

the-wood-press-release – PDF

By Kat Dibbits »

SUPER Furry Animals-influenced Boltonian pop troubadours Merchandise will release their new album, For The Masses, on Monday.

To celebrate they will be playing the Octagon theatre bar the same night, with support from Moore Marriott and Alex Hulme.

Five years in the making, the band promise that For The Masses will “bring a skip to the beat and a smile to the face.”

The 13 songs on the album include the soon-to-be-released single Lies Like These, plus the darker-tinged Prescription and Enemy.

The core of Merchandise’s collective revolves around Brad B. Wood and Conrad Astley, and live shows are performed on acoustic guitar, mandolin, melodica and cajon… though from time to time they will recruit friends and “rock out” a little. In a gentle manner, mind.

Tickets to the launch night cost £5, with a limited number of tickets free to under 26s. To book, ring the Octagon box office on 01204 520661.

The album is released on the band’s own Cityscape records, and distributed through Universal.

Support act Alex Hulme will be showcasing songs from his EP, The Wood. Just 19 years old, Alex has grown up with music. His grandfather was an opera singer, his older brother Laurie is in Manchester band Beat the Radar (signed to Akoustik Anarkhy) and his cousin Ed is in fellow Manchester band Working for a Nuclear Free City (signed to Melodic).

Alex’s prolific live outings have recently seen him perform at Liverpool Sound City and Sound Control in Manchester, with gigs booked at Blackpool’s Tommyfest, Silverdale Concert for Haiti and Garstang Summer Acoustic Festival.

• Cityscape presents For The Masses launch gig at the Octagon, Howell Croft South, Bolton, on Monday. Tickets £5. To book, ring 01204 520661

Original Article: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/leisure/boltonmusic/8195345./

Here are a few new pics of Alex Hulme – Click them for high res versions . . .

We’ve got another great line up for the 20th June and here’s a sample of each to prove it!

Kirsty McGee: Sandman

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Kirtsty McGee: Sandman Free Download Link

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Hovis in Wonderland sample Free Download Link

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Alex Hulme: Short Skirts and Adverts Free Download Link