Chicago-born alt folk duo Rue Royale display their candlelit songcraft, drawing on the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Nick Drake, by putting in an acoustic appearance at the Bicycle Shop. PLus: Lost?, The Arlenes and Irish singer-songwriter ODi.
THE LOST?
Waterfront Studio, September 8
Over the past couple of years, Norwich pop-punk band Lost? have been something of an institution on the gig guide and built up a sizeable along the way.
But all good things must come to an end, and the band, which musically takes an influence from the likes of Blink 182, All Time Low, Paramore and Fall Out Boy, here put in a final gig at the Waterfront having decided to call it a day.
Having recently supported McFly, the band — made up of vocalist and guitarist Pete Bilton, bassist Rob Allison, guitarist Nathan Stimpson and drummer Roger Bilton (together with Ashley Hannan who provides live keyboards) — is set to go out on a high.
This final ever gig is an early-doors show (7pm) in the Waterfront Studio and includes support from Ten Day Break and Call It Reckless.
After the show finishes at 10pm, there'll be the usual club night, with over-18 gig-goers welcome to stay on for free — you'll need to have proof of age.
The band's album, Pics Or It Didn't Happen, a great youthful stab or pop-punk adrenaline, is still available on iTunes.
t Further listening: www.lostband.co.uk
THE ARLENES
Norwich Arts Centre, September 7
It is the best part of a decade since The Arlenes headed off to find a new life in America. Leaving the UK with the music of their 2003 album Going to California they embarked on a journey that soon took them from the west coast and on to Tennessee and Nashville.
But having spent a number of years under Nashville's influence, The Arlenes – husband and wife partnership Steve Pulford and Stephanie Arlene – are back 'home' in Norfolk and with a new record due out soon.
To herald its release later this year, they've lined up this 'homecoming gig', where they will showcase new tracks from the album entitled the Berry Hill Sessions, reflecting the area of Nashville it was recorded in.
Over the years, on the back of recording success and live shows, The Arlenes have built a wide fan-base. And surrounded by Americana music – the unique blend of folk, country, blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll and other external influential styles such as bluegrass – their sound and style has evolved to produce some excellent new songs in a style increasingly referred to as alt-country.
Supporting them will be Hurray for the Riff Raff from Louisiana and Jason McNiff. Enjoy the new material from the album such as One More Hill to Climb and How Will I Know, but expect to hear several old favourites from The Arlenes.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/thearlenes
RUE ROYALE
Bicycle Shop, September 10
Chicago-born alt folk duo Rue Royale display their candlelit songcraft, drawing on the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Nick Drake, by putting in an acoustic appearance at the Bicycle Shop in St Benedict's Street.
Ruth and Brookln Dekker have amassed 80,000 miles on the road in Europe alone since the release of their first eponymously-titled album in 2008.
Meanwhile, without the backing of a label or manager, between tours the couple has rustled up a cottage industry at their cosy Nottingham home.
Together they've printed, snipped, sewed and stuffed 7,500 Rue Royale albums. Fans have also been treated to hand-made Rue Royale knitted goods — how many groups do you know who sport hot water-bottle covers on their merchandise stand?.
Meanwhile, over in cyber-space, RR have personally nurtured a large Facebook/Twitter following and racked up over 500,000 online plays.
Not bad for a husband and wife song-writing team who, then living in Chicago, only started performing together six years ago, inspired by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead, Grandaddy, John Martyn, Jose Gonzalez and Elbow.
Their latest album, Guide To An Escape, released last year, retained the acoustic duo's hushed, evocative melodies but was notably richer in sound and wider in scope.
t Further listening: www.rueroyalemusic.com
Odi
Bicycle Shop, September 12
Irish singer/songwriter ODi manages to blend elements of Joan Armatrading's pathos, Norfolk's own Beth Orton's eye for the quirky and deep with a touch of Dido's bed-sit romance to produce her own unique, captivating sound which has seen her win a sizeable following.
Blending folk, acoustic, pop, rock and indie, her music has led to her supporting the likes of Seth Lakeman, Eleanor McEvoy and Tom Baxter.
Her debut album Maslow's Songbook was recorded with producer Karl Odlum, who has also worked with the likes of Fionn Regan, The Frames and David Kitt and it became a much played favourite of BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris.
The album showcased ODi's warm-hearted vocals and meaningful lyrics set to a range of beautiful musical landscapes featuring contributions from Colm Mac Con Iomaire, of The Frames and Swell Season, and R�n�n � Snodaigh from folkie favs K�la.
Since playing her first gig in the UK four years ago, ODi has developed her stage craft touring extensively and winning many fans across Europe. She returns to Norwich for this special performance at the intimate Bicycle Shop venue. If Suzanne Vega had been born in Wexford she would have been ODi.
t Further listening: www.odimusic.co.uk
SOUNDS IN THE CITY
TONIGHT
The Arlenes + Hurray For The Riff Raff + Jason McNiff (rock'n'roll/Americana) — Arts Centre
Super Action Heroes (rock/indie) — Brickmakers
Truescape + Cutback + Crumbs For Comfort + Bill Do (rock/pop) — Waterfront Studio
Uprising (rock) — King Edward VII
Mucked Up Funkies + more (funk/rock) — B2
Electricity (blues) — Silver Road Cottage
Southport + Southpaw + Broken Window Effect + Ducking Punches (pop-punk) — Olives
Secondhand Blues (blues)
— Walnut Tree Shades
Sun of Cash (country/tribute) — Brewery Tap
Norwich Folk Club — Christ Church Centre
Janie Kay — Costessey Crown
SEPTEMBER 8
The Lost? (pop/rock) — Waterfront Studio
Fearless Vampire Killers (metal) — Open
Tony Brook + Ian Band + Yve Mary B + The Macarano's (Americana/blues/folk) — Epic
To The Last + Warden (rock/metal) — Brickmakers
Swarmed + more (hardcore/thrash) — King Edward VII
Rammerator + Single Thread + Grimace (rock) — Blueberry
Worlds Apart (blues/rock) — Walnut Tree Shades
The Booze Brothers — Spixworth Social Club
The Indians (rock'n'roll) — Arkwrights
Rock Your Heart Out (charity gig) — B2
The Indebtors (pop/rock) — Norkie
Rox Off (rock) — Boundary
3 Up 2 Down — Trowel & Hammer
Steve Moyse — Angel Gardens
Alan Ley — Bread & Cheese
Craig Powell — Keir Hardie Hall
Lisa Marie — Robin Hood
Tony Cann — Heath House
SEPTEMBER 9
Tim Lane + Trevor Simpson (folk/Irish/5pm) — Silver Road Cottage
Proms In The Pub: feat. Cawston Brass Band (2pm) — Brewery Tap
Floating Greyhounds (rock/4pm) — Boundary
Lena Black's Uptown Playboys (swing/blues) — The Lounge
Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers
Talking Hayley (pop/rock) — B2
Bus Stop (60s/70s) — Costessey Crown
SEPTEMBER 10
Rue Royale (acoustic) — Bicycle Shop
Jazz Jam: feat. Lee Vasey — Silver Road Cottage
Brickie Sessions (open mic) — Brickmakers
Jazz Jam: feat. Rich Buddie — Walnut Tree Shades
SEPTEMBER 11
The Wash (blues/rock) — Brickmakers
Matteo Raggi (Italian/jazz) — Rackheath Green Man
SEPTEMBER 12
ODi (folk/acoustic/pop) — Bicycle Shop
Sam Sallon + Cara Winter + Llewelyn (acoustic/pop/folk) — Bedfords
Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers
Open Mic — Garden House
SEPTEMBER 13
Gary Winter + Simon Brown Quartet + Dove & Boweevil (variety/charity) — Arts Centre
Sheesh + Laps Around The Lake + One Day Rocket (pop/rock) — B2
Outhablues (blues) — Brickmakers
Acoustic Jukebox: feat. Dan Scoggins (requests/acoustic) — Brewery Tap
Hexis + This Gift Is A Curse + Venus Receiver (metal/hardcore) — Olives
The Outlands (gypsy-punk) — Rumsey Wells
Midnight Blue (soul) — Rose Tavern
Blues Night — Walnut Tree Shades
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