Preview: Norwich complete gig guide August 10-16

VINTAGE TROUBLE

Waterfront, August 14

Some strong vocal-led soul, funk and R&B sounds from this super-cool hipster outfit that formed in Los Angeles, but are now based in London. Vintage Trouble is the brainchild of Ty Taylor (vocal) and Nalle Colt (guitar). Combining their love for original soul and rhythm and blues, the two set up a basic home studio in Venice Beach and started crafting the beginnings of the band. Already a friend of both, Rick Barrio Dill (bass) came along and added his shared bass influences and energy into the newly formed project. Drummer Richard Danielson was recruited not long after to add the authentic and edgy take on the classic soul format.

If you caught their memorable appearance on Later with Jools Holland you'll know that they bring to mind the days of vinyl records, sweaty juke joints and the essence of the original soul movement.

Ty Taylor, whose own vocal style brings to mind Otis Redding or Sam Cooke, calls their music 'primitive soul.' 'It's raw, naked and hard-hitting – 1950's soul and rhythm & blues music with the balls of 1960s rock 'n' roll,' he said.

Their first album, Bomb Shelter Sessions, was recorded in low-budget style and sold at gigs but it won them plenty of attention. There is no doubting the mesmerising power of them as a live act, their performances feel like down-home revivals with an uptown edge.

t Further listening: www.vintagetrouble.com

NICK HARPER

Bicycle Shop, August 12

Son of the legendary UK singer-songwriter Roy Harper, it is certainly no surprise that Nick Harper has carved out a career as a respected singer-songwriter. Having played the guitar from the age of 10 he grew up surrounded by the likes of Keith Moon, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Dave Gilmour.

He made his recording debut on his father's Whatever Happened to Jugula? back in 1985. And his prodigious youthful talent and energy entranced his dad's fans and it was inevitable that he would begin touring and recording in his own right.

To call Nick a superlative singer/songwriter could put his highly lauded guitar talent in the shade, and to call him a guitarist's guitarist might slight his distinctive, soulful voice and passionate songs. Not forgetting the wild ride that is one of his live shows — from personal introspection to biting political satire via a charmingly caustic wit that would make Groucho Marx proud.

For over a decade, he has been dazzling audiences and reviewers alike with this heady mix of virtuosity, boyish charm, showmanship and sheer bravado. After six studio albums, a double live release and two EPs (including Instrumental, a stunning display of his guitar talents), his work is still as fresh and vital as that of his first solo release in 1994.

t Further listening: www.harperspace.com

OLD MAN LUEDECKE

Bicycle Shop, August 14

Foot stomping banjo plucker Old Man Luedecke is one of Canada's best loved and most intriguing roots singer-songwriters.

Though he originally hails from Toronto, he has made his home for years in the music rich maritime province of Nova Scotia. There his music has been wholeheartedly adopted and is becoming representative for its traditional storytelling folk elements.

His memorable melodies, poetic sense and easy charisma appeal to anyone searching new growth from old roots. He channels a refreshing energy from folk giants like Woody Gunthrie and Pete Seeger with a hint of Loudon Wainright III. But, it is Luedecke's contemporary lyrics, coupled with the irresistible rhythm of the old-time banjo that make him so loved with his audiences.

Having recently received great recognition for his works, including Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) for albums Proof Of Love and My Hands Are On Fire and Other Love Songs. In January he travelled to Nashville to record his new album Tender Is The Night set for release over here in the UK next year. It was recorded with Tim O'Brian, Nashville-based folk music icon and David Ferguson who engineered nine Johnny Cash albums. Recently OML also teamed up with Canadian band Lake of Stew to release a free EP Sing All About It.

t Further listening: www.oldmanluedecke.ca

YOUR DEMISE

Waterfront Studio, August 15

Your Demise formed in 2005 and have shared stages and tours with the likes of Biohazard, Comeback Kid, Bury Your Dead, Enter Shikari and A Day to Remember.

The five-piece, whose members variously hail from St Albans, Brighton and Salisbury, have released three albums — You Only Make Us Stronger; Ignorance Never Dies; and The Kids We Used to Be — on the label Visible Noise. However its their latest The Golden Age, released earlier this year that has caused the biggest stir. It has marked a big shift in a direct being notably poppier than their previous efforts. While maintaining their hardcore punk roots, the album adopts a more prominent skate-punk/pop-punk vibe.

When a band changes their sound, especially towards something more accessible, it is always greeted with suspicion. Have they sold out? Have they lost sight on their direction? Or are they just embracing and acknowledging what they truly love?

Frontman Ed McRae sayd: 'We just wrote what we wanted really.' Guitarist Stu Paice adds: 'It just happened. We all love bands like Pennywise and The Offspring, so it was going to come out in some way, but it just all came out.'

The response from fans seems generally to have been positive and this date at the smaller Waterfront Studio venue is a rare chance to catch them in more intimate surroundings.

t Further listening: www.yourdemiseofficial.com

SOUNDS IN THE CITY

TONIGHT

Gig In The Park: feat. Katrina + more (pop) — Halesworth Town Park

Newmarket Nights: feat. Tom Jones (pop) — Newmarket Racecourse

Lovism: feat. Port Isla + Deadbeats + Jay Stansfield — Open

I Was Once A Dinosaur + The Missing Piece + more (comedy/indie) — B2

Section IV + Pirate Radio (rock/indie) — Brickmakers

The Vagaband (roots) — Brewery Tap

Big Black Cadillac (rockabilly/rock'n'roll) — Walnut Tree Shades

The Merv White Band (rock/blues) — King Edward VII

Norwich Folk Club — Christ Church Centre

Mike & The Rhythm Stars — The Mole's Rest

Knight Moves — Lakenham Cock

Barry Lee — Chapel Break

Mickey Spanton — Quebec Tavern

Kevin King — Fiveways

AUGUST 11

Gig In The Park: feat. Fun Lovin Criminals + more (hip hop/pop) — Halesworth Town Park

Reepham 12: feat Ex Simple Minds + more (pop/rock) — Reepham Summer Festival

White Heat + Dead Wing (rock) — Brickmakers

To The Last (rock) — Boundary

Relaunch Night: feat. Floating Greyhounds (rock) — Blueberry

The Cream Horns (rock/blues) — Walnut Tree Shades

Bone Garden (rock/indie) — King Edward VII

Honeydripper (blues/rock) — Trowel & Hammer

Mel Stevens & The Strollers (rock'n'roll) — Arkwrights

Rock Your Heart Out (local bands/charity) — B2

Lisa Marie — Angel Gardens

Clive Paul — Keir Hardie Hall

Tony Cann — Bread & Cheese

Chippy — Robin Hood

Daaron — Coach & Horses Union Street

Jim Spiers — Heath House

Alan Ley — The Windmill

AUGUST 12

Nick Harper (acoustic/folk) — Bicycle Shop

The Proposition (roots/2.30pm) — Brewery Tap

Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers

Graham McGrotty (4pm) — Lakenham Cock

AUGUST 13

The Creepshow (psychobilly/punk) — Waterfront Studio

Brickie Sessions (open mic) — Brickmakers

Jazz Jam — Silver Road Cottage

Jazz Jam: feat. Rich Buddie — Walnut Tree Shades

AUGUST 14

Vintage Trouble (soul/blues) — Waterfront

Old Man Luedecke (roots/acoustic) — Bicycle Shop

Ray Butcher Band (jazz) — Rackheath Green Man

AUGUST 15

Your Demise (rock) — Waterfront Studio

The Upgrade (rock) — King Edward VII

Against All Odds Promo (rock) — B2

Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers

Traditional Irish Folk — Gatehouse

AUGUST 16

Mostly Harmless + more (rock/electro) — Waterfront

Mulberry Hawk (folk/easy) — Brickmakers

Keno Kings (blues/rock) — Walnut Tree Shades

Chasing The Blues (blues) — Rose Tavern

Johnny Jump Band (blues/country) — Micawbers Tavern

Inlay (folk/indie) — Rumsey Wells