singer songwriter - Andy Smythe - News

andy smythe band live!

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

amersham arms gig this Friday

Sun, 23 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

The Andy Smythe Band will be rocking the joint at great local venue The Amersham Arms this coming Friday May 28th

Absent Kelly presents at the Amersham Arms
Rock Band night - doors 7pm
New Cros
London SE14 6TY
UK
Price: Â£5
We're rocking out here with Mel Wright joining us on drums. A great venue with a 400 capacity that the likes of Blur and Athelete have graced previously.

Live footage from Bull and Gate Gig

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Here's a new song Angelina being performed by the full band at the Bull and Gate last week. We supported Peter Brown and his band. Peter wrote many of the lyrics for the Cream Hits in the 1960's including 'Sunshine'. We had a great evening! Keep your eyes peeled - I'll be uploading more footage over the next few days..

on tour this week!

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Catch the band live this week at:
Mon 19th April The Barnaby Rudge, Broadstairs
Tues 20th April The punch and Judy, Tonbridge
Thurs April 22nd The Bull and Gate, Camden (supporting Peter Brown of Cream fame)
Sat April 24th Francombe Music Festival
Mon April 26th Croydon Folk Club

Buy the stunning new album 'Nation of the Free' at:

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/nation-of-the-free/id346303564

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=popular&field;-keywords=andysmytheband

more great CD reviews..

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

The reviews for 'Nation of the Free' continue to pour in, and I'm so chuffed that the musicianship of the band and the inventiveness of the songwriting are being written about in such a positive light ...

THE ANDY SMYTHE BAND
Nation Of The Free
Dreaming Element Records

All the energy Andy Smythe saved thinking of some clever name for his band was not wasted. For the uninitiated, the no-nonsense moniker and sleeve design somehow suggest 16 wheel trucking, swigging cold beer from bottles and plenty of full blooded fret board finger-wiggling. True, Barry Targett’s accomplished strings never disappoint, but that is where the metaphors must end. No — Smythe’s concentrated efforts into the money shot deserve success. This isn’t blues, but do not discard it. “Folk” is too thin a categorisation for this multi layered, intriguing debut - a thoughtful collection of strongly written, socially aware, revved-up warbling with plenty of light and shade with the title track raising the curtain powerfully. Smythe unashamedly wears political colours and hopes for a new world in ”˜Obama’s Song’ (...two black girls playing on the White House lawn....) . Subtle production marries with some beautifully understated accompaniment by Targett and Les Elvin on bass, and the Morrissey/ Neil Young / Paul Heaton quality to Smythe’s voice winsomely enhance the delivery of his message. Diction and vocal precision are oft-neglected elements to be appreciated when presented like this. ”˜Changing Seasons’ stays with you long after it ends and an interesting challenge is to listen to ”˜Louise’ without thinking ”˜Puff The Magic Dragon’. Too busy a sound for some folk purists one suspects, and maybe not rufty tufty enough for Blues fans, but find room for it— the second listen confirms it as an underground, quirky corker that deserves turntable time.

Richard Thomas
Issue 54 www.bluesmatters.com

Andy Smythe kicks off with his delicate paen to the joys of gardening, 'Sap and Earth' - a masterful piece of almost semi-classical tone, it amply displays Smythe's dexterity on the piano.
Smythe's strongpoint is his way with words. Evidently well read, he translates this into songs of considerable humanity. unburdened by device or metaphor, the lyrical clarity of such songs as 'Ancient Ways' - concerning the plight of Autralia's Aboriginal people and 'Last Chief' about Native American Chief Joseph, is matched by his sense of melody. Barry Targett supplies jazzy electric fiddle to 'Changing Seasons' and blistering electric guitar to 'Ancient Ways'. Targett is a real find.

Gerry Ranson, R2 Magazine April/May 2010
Live Review of our 12 Bar launch gig.

The trio of Andy, Les Elvin and Barry Targett are making quite a name for themselves. This is very much poetry set to music. Andy is a very inventive writer.
'Last chief' - how promises to the native americans were betrayed.'Two Lovers' - letting lovers win and their sweet sould uniting. 'Thunder Dreamer' abou how Crazy Horse fought for freedom all his life.'Song fo Sean' about John Lennon from his sons point of view. There's superb violin from Barry on 'Changing Seasons'and 'Carrie' and delicate piano and birdsong on 'Sap and Earth'. Guest Alan Richardson plays wonderful harmonica on 'Kids'. There's various genres here from just voice and piano through to rock'n roll and string arrangements. The songs are about life and how it feels in the world trying to get free. Interesting listening.

'Nation of the Free Review', Kathy Drage, Kent Folk, April 2010.

great quotes!

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

The album's starting to get some great reviews and we had a very well written write up of our album launch in R2's March/April issue. Here's a few soundbites ...
I'm also chuffed to bits that R2 journalist Colin Hall and custodian of John Lennon's childhood home in Liverpool has played and enjoyed 'Song for Sean Lennon' within the hallowed walls... I hope John approved!

'Sap and Earth - a masterpiece of almost-classical tone, it amply diaplays Smythe's dexterity on the piano', Gerry Ranson R2 Live Review
'Certainly a distinctive voice, well produced CD', Jeff Smith, Chief Programmer BBC Radio 2 and 6.
'Excellent tracks - I will be playing them', Lee Williams, CMR Radio Nashville
'Smythe's strongpoint is his way with words - songs of considerable humanity' Gerry Ranson R2

airplay and itunes

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

The album launch went really well at a packed 12 Bar Club and 'Nation of the Free' remains a featured album on the rock and main pages of itunes.
In the past week the 'Obama's Song' received airplay on mikes Ganley's Folk Awards 'Crooked Rd' programme and 'Nation of the Free' airplay on Nic Dow's 'Lancashire Blue Notes'. Onwards and upwards!

buy now - featured album on i-tunes!

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Just had the great news that 'nation of the free' is a featured album on i-tunes. You'll catch it on both the main page and the rock page as a featured album!
To buy now follow this link:

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/nation-of-the-free/id346303564

Alternatively you can just search for 'Andy Smythe' or 'Andy Smythe Band' and you'll find it!

The album launch was a stunning success on Tuesday! The 12 bar was packed and the band rocked! What a fantastic night! Live reviews to appear shortly in the press. tonight 'Obama's song' is being featured for the first time on the radio on Mike Ganley's 'Crooked Road' show on Swindon FM.

new album out Feb 1st!

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

The eagerly awaited debut album by 'The Andy Smythe Band' is released today on Cadiz Distribution.

You can purchase it from the following links:

http://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=&pGroupID=0&adultFlag=false&primaryID=0&simpleSearchString=andysmythe

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nation-Free-Andy-Smythe-Band/dp/B0031P765S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1264858334&sr=1-1

album launch details confirmed

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

The Andy Smythe Band are launching their debut CD ’nation of the free’. ’Nation of the Free’ features a unique take on the political (post Obama) and emotional landscapes of twenty first century life. The full band will be playing that’s Andy (guitar, piano, vocals), Les (bass), Barry (violins and guitars), Mel (drums). Support acts include the fabulous Monica Heldal from Denmark and the classy americana of Londoner Dan Razza. Should be a great night! Full programme: 7pm Doors 7.40 Monica Heldel 8pm Dan Razza 8.30 The Andy Smythe Band (two 40 min sets)