116: Summer tour 2017 starts here

Friday 7th July 2017: Gig 1: Sketchy Beats Cafe, Edinburgh
Thursday 12th July 2017: Secret Gig: video preview party, Dunfermline

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Summer has arrived and we have a brand new video to share with you all soon.
We’re all booked up with summer shows in Paris and London, and have even booked in a couple of shows at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

First show of this year’s summer season was at Sketchy Beats Cafe’s The Hip Hop House; a great run by WERD (SOS) on two levels.
Downstairs there is hip-hop sets and battles whilst upstairs it is live bands & singer-songwriter sessions… we were on upstairs and played a low-key guitar/vocal set featuring a new cover we’ve been working on recently.

It’s always a great night with a wide range of acts, all in support of the community run space in Leith, Edinburgh.
Hayley G (Devils in Skirts) were also playing and they provided the wee PA, mixer, mic stands etc.
We only managed to see a wee bit of their set (as we were both busy the next day with boring work stuff and aimed to catch the last bus home), but they were  sounding tight and as always the crowd were loving their set.

Then after a couple of days sorting out tracks for the aways shows we found time to rehearse with guitarist Phil at ColorSound studios.

Finally, we took a trip over to Dunfermline to have a little preview party / gig for the under 18’s who’ve been involved with the new video.
A good friend and promoter (Cob) helped with the venue, PA / lights etc. and the kids brought friends and family along to check out their work.

5 of our under 18’s are the ASDS senior dance troupe who we filmed for way back at the start of May ’17.
The other two are fantastic young actresses & models who are friends of the SN family.

We had a lovely evening sharing the video as well as some behind the scenes footage and images. We also played a wee live gig for the kids which they seemed to enjoy and think we may have made a few new fans in their parents too.

UP NEXT:
At the end of May we spent some time finishing the filming for our final music video and we’re having the launch party at Bannerman’s Bar, Edinburgh on Saturday 22nd July 2017 with very special guests Heart Of Orion (USA) and CaveYear (Edinburgh). `

Sacre Noir / Heart of Orion / CaveYear – Event Link

115: Supporting Chrysta Bell

They say never meet your heroes (or heroines) but in June we did just that and could not have had a better time if we were trying.
Chrysta Bell arrived in Edinburgh for two nights at The Voodoo Rooms as part of her ‘We Dissolve’ tour and Sacre Noir were honoured to be the support act for both shows.

For those who don’t already know Chrysta Bell, let me introduce you to the most enigmatic lady I’ve ever met.
Having spent the last 17 years working closely with David Lynch (a huge inspiration for everything we do with Sacre Noir), Chrysta Bell and her band are now promoting a new LP filled with lo-fi lush soundscapes, polished musicianship and stunning vocals.

“As background atmospheric sounds play through the PA, Bell takes to the stage, tall, elegant and mysterious. Immediately, she holds the attention of the audience. Some singers have excellent technical voices, while some performers have real presence. Bell combines both, in one, gorgeous package.” – Kenny Mathieson @ http://theweereview.com/review/chrysta-bell/

The Voodoo Rooms is a beautiful venue in the heart of Edinburgh (just off Princes Street), and although we have played in their smaller Speakeasy venue a few times in a previous musical life (Guantanmo Bay band circa 2006), we have never had the pleasure of playing in their main ballroom before.
“Lavishly decorated in blacks, golds and reds, The Voodoo Rooms is making the most of the neo-burlesque and retro chic movements currently in vogue and attracts a young and hip clientele as a result.” – Edinburgh Spotlight (2009-17)

As this was a really important gig for us, our friends and collaborators came out to support.
On both evenings Erin Culley re-created the make-up/styling from our forth-coming video. There are 2 looks in the new video ‘Rebels & Loners’, one pure and the other dark… we went for the striking black scatter eye with long vintage gown and black feather cape.

Pre-Show prep

#SNY was also on hand both evenings to  provide some video / photo / social media support. As always it was a joy working with him (and great to catch up after his recent succesful debut exhibition of portrait photography).
He really a fantastically creative individual, who we are extremely lucky to count amongst our friends and supporters. Responsible for our Listen To Me video & promotional images for 2015, he set up our first ever Sacre Noir Facebook Live videos (some of these may have been about chips… I did say he was ‘individual’ and that’s why we love him!) and too some captured some fab images during both evenings.

Sacre Noir @ The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh

Sacre Noir @ The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh

We treated these gigs as our own ‘pre-tour warm up’ shows and tried out the new duo set-up (acoustic guitar, loop vocals with the Boss VE-20 and samples / fx from the Korg Kaoss Pad 3+).
You can check out a live video from the set on our YouTube channel.
YouTube_Print Message Here live @ The Voodoo Rooms

The audience on both evenings were very positive and the feedback was lovely. Most common comment was “the electronic stuff was really cool”… so I think we’ll add a few more looped tracks to the set for some of the London & Paris shows.

Chrysta’s set on both evenings was inspirational.
The band are super talented (Jon Sanchez – guitar, Christopher Smart – bass / theremin, Jayson Altman – drums) and apparently just finding their feet with their live show (I’d love to see what their version of perfection is if it’s not the show they gave us in Edinburgh).
We were treated to tracks from both previous LPs written and recorded with David Lynch (This Train & Somewhere In The Nowhere) as well as tracks from her brand new LP (We Dissolve) and even an unreleased track called “Undertow” – think Wicked Game with lush female vocals and a bit of a sultry beat.

The new LP ‘We Dissolve’ has been produced by John Parish who is known for his work with PJ Harvey & features Adrian Utley of Portishead & Stephen O’Malley from Sunn O))), so you can see why we were keen to pay attention during these shows; we’re always learning ‘on the job’ and this was a show where I feel I learned a lot!
Stagecraft, live production, style and songwriting, set delivery and so much more; it really was a masterclass as far as I’m concerned & I feel honoured to have been part of these very special nights.
I think one of my favourite tracks was “Monday”: here’s a link to her playing it live exactly 1 month after her 2nd night at The Voodoo Rooms.

These will be nights that will live long in our memories – #catchingthebigfish

SIDE NOTE: Chrysta Bell’s website is beautiful and well worth checking out

 

 

114: Jan-May 2017 (5 months more)

It has been a wonderful start to 2017 as far as music goes here at SNHQ.

Feb. 2017
VIDEO published on 8 Feb 2017 – Too Dark to See by Sacre Noir live at Au Chat Noir

March 2017
VIDEO published on 1 Mar 2017 – Untitled by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko with Sacre Noir live at Au Chat Noir

Released March 31, 2017
1st EP of remixes by h.honda & corner of alternating (dejine:rec), UVBeatz and D.Soul the Soulsamurai.

All tracks copyright sacre noir / savage recordings 2017.
All original versions of tracks available on the Sacre Noir LP Nothing Falls Apart (Savage Recordings / 2016).

April 2017
Phil became a dad! Abigail arrived in April and mum, dad and baby are doing well!
All out love to the family Lock

VIDEO published on 27 Apr 2017 – Ovejas Eléctricas – Sin Título

Gig on 29th April at Henry’s Cellar Bar supporting Vinna Bee alongside CC Bloom presented by Mellow Promotions.

May 2017
VIDEO published on 21 May 2017 – Sacre Noir ‘A Rhythm Between Work & Sleep’ music video / behind the scenes

May 28th – filming of Rebels & Loners video @ The Wee Theatre, Edinburgh.
Special thanks to:
Stylist Erin Culley & Lorraine C for make-up assistance.
Our acting team Emma & Niamh, Lyndsey & Aimie – you all did an amazing job!
The team at ASDS (Lauren B – choreography, Callum F – admin, Gavin – general support and the senior dance troupe Sarah M, Sarah P, Kenzie, Francesca & Dana)
Release date is set for 22nd July at Bannerman’s bar, Edinburgh – details on the Facebook page.

Released May 31st, 2017
A second EP of remixes by HYS, sonarr and Sonic (all dejine-rec) plus the Savage Sound System.

All tracks copyright sacre noir / savage recordings 2017.
All original versions of tracks available on the Sacre Noir LP Nothing Falls Apart (Savage Recordings / 2016).

 

090 – Sacre Noir Summer Tour 2015 – Day 1: 15th July 2015

Sacre Noir Summer Tour 2015 – Day 1: 15^th July 2015
And we’re off!
Our annual jaunt to the cities we love, dragging behind us bags and cases of musical equipment, merchandise and clothes has arrived… first stop London.

I love London. We love London. Life loves London.

My first visit to this amazing city was in the summer of 2011 as part of the first Sacre Noir tour. We arrived the weekend after the ‘London Riots’ to play a show in Acton; this was a great introduction to the vibrant culture that thrives in this creative city.
A couple of nights later Sacre Noir played a 2^nd London show in the fabulous Vibe Bar (Brick Lane) & I fell in love. So much musical talent and such lovely people, Londoners, visitors and expats alike, I couldn’t believe I’d never visited before.
Alexis had been several times as a child and even played at the Garage in Highbury when he was the drummer in semi-cult Scottish alt-pop act Ballboy (favourites of John Peel no less).

This year we decided to have a ‘petit tour estival’ (small summer tour) as we’re keen to get home and release the 1^st single from the forthcoming EP; so we only have 10 days on the road this year and we’re determined to make the most of it.
Today we travel from Sacre Noir HQ in Edinburgh to our home from home at the amazing Ealing Towers. Our host (Joe) has been a true patron of the band and has looked after us every time we’ve come down to play shows. Providing us with beds, beer, BBQ’s, banter and so much more, London would not be an option for us without his help and as a small token of thanks tonight we for Greek; eating, drinking, catching-up and putting the world to rights at Joe’s local on Pitshanger Lane.

Conversation topic no 1: since our last visit, Joe’s very talented and driven daughter has managed to move from her first job after graduating as the Assistant to the Editor at Vogue, to now having a 15-page spread in the Aug. 2015 edition about Art & Fashion in London’s East End… less than 12 months, I’m super impressed.

Vogue

Tomorrow we play our only London date of the summer; a great line-up of bands at The New Cross Inn. Also coming up this summer we have 2 concerts in Paris and a few very special shows planned for this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival, before we get our heads back into ‘studio mode’ and get started on finishing the 3^rd LP.

However, before we start on that, let me tell you about recent goings on and exciting things we’ve been keeping secret (unless you follow our social media pages)…the crows are not what they seem.

Back in May we had a great photo shoot with Vikki McGraw Photography & Colette Casher Make-Up… this was an amazing day where we captured a few different looks to use for promotional purposes prior to the release of the next LP. Colette was shortlisted as one of the UK Pro Hair & Beauty’s ‘Makeup Artist of the Year’ Award 2015 after submitting this photo.

Vikki & Colette made such a great team on the day and I’d highly recommend working with both these fantastic ladies. Vikki had taken live photographs of Sacre Noir in 2012 and these remain some of my favourites, so I can’t wait to see the final edited shots.

21^st June 2015
We spent the day at La Belle Angele (Edinburgh) filming the companion video to our next single ‘Listen to Me’ with Stephen Young from MeltedBeetle . On hand was our make-up artist Erin Culley to make sure everyone looked amazing; actors Lyndsey and Steven (who both appeared in our last video) did a sterling job and Stephen came into his own with the cinematography. We love Erin & all her work on previous Sacre Noir videos, but this time she surpassed herself and we can’t wait to show you all the results.

More about the video process coming soon (press release available on request).

The preview party is planned for Saturday 25^th July at New Hellfire Club (record shop), Glasgow. Alongside a stripped back Sacre Noir set of tracks from across the back-catalogue and maybe a special cover, the event will feature a set from the fantastically talented Josephine Sillars plus we’ll have some cake and other small tokens of appreciation as well as the screening of the video (which we’re really proud of). It’s the only way to see the video before the official launch on 31^st July and we’ve decided to hand press a limited run of CDs for the lovely people who come along to support us as a thank-you.
The shop is run by a bunch of great folk and we’re really happy to have their support. All Ages Welcome / BYOB

Facebook Event Page – New Hellfire Club
The single has been mixed by Leonora Winstanley & mastered by Lucius Lowe for Boogs Music.

We have booked the release party at Bannerman’s Bar (Edinburgh) for the following Friday night (31^st July). This show will be hosted by Fortune Promotions; we plan on turning the back-bar of this unsuspecting Old Town venue into a haven of carnival delights (face painting, video screening, party bags and more). Local support for the evening comes from Alt-Rock act Aperture and we are very excited to have London based 3-piece BlackMoon1348 playing with us at the show – this will be their first gig in Scotland and we can’t wait to show them around our beautiful city.

Facebook Event Page – Bannerman’s

Rumour has it there may be a sneaky Black Moon 1348 video shoot happening on the Saturday after this gig, so keep your eyes peeled for info.

26^th June 2015 – Bannerman’s Bar
In preparation for the duo shows, AlexisSs & I played a pre-tour set at Bannerman’s trying out the new material and new equipment. We promise to get Phil to London soon for a full band gig of guitar/vocal/drum/loops-madness.
The last time we played at Bannerman’s was at the start of our summer tour last year with London based bands dressmaker & The Terminal Gods, plus our good friends The Omega Corridor (who are also on the bill with us for this show).

It’s the first gig for The Omega Corridor since original guitarist, Andrew left last August and they were sounding great. The onstage banter between Steven & Euan (Little Love & The Friendly Vibes front man) was classic, self-loathing and very Scottish. New guitarist Doctor Sandy seems to be fitting in nicely and is bringing his own style to class it tracks like ‘Local Anesthetic’ (my personal favourite for both musical tensions & lyrical style).

Everything in our set went really well. We gave it plenty of energy as the crowd was small in numbers but huge in spirit. There were some Lyonnais visitors in the bar who’d come along to see us, so I got to practice my French at the end of the night (we also got a few tips about festivals in the south of France that we may be able to play in the future). New tracks seemed to go down well (the crowd danced throughout our set so it was difficult to tell which was their favourite) and an old fan who was in the audience commented that we seem to have gotten ‘heavier’; the last time he saw us play was at the launch of ‘Battery Powered’ by Lynnette almost 2 years ago, and we were a trio at that gig. I guess the new material does have a certain stomp.

Sacre Noir – here comes the sun…27^th June 2015
We’ve had an exciting start to 2015, writing and recording new material for our 3^rd LP, and collaborating with some very talented people for recent photo shoots, single mixing and video making.
However, the most exciting news is that Phil got married to his beautiful partner Carol!

David Lozowy Photography
Good Times

NEXT SHOW:     Thursday 16^th July 2015 from 8pm @ The New Cross Inn, London
PLAYING WITH: The Tinun’s (France), The Vantage Society (UK) & Kaleidos Eye (UK)
Facebook Event Page – NXI, London