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Hi, welcome to the Oxjam Kent page.
Oxjam is Oxfam's biggest music project, a pioneering fundraising event where the 31 days of October will be filled with live music events up and down the UK.
We are now working on events for October 2007 and if you are a band interested in taking part in some way/donating your time or gig profits from an event for October or at any time of the year, or if you are a venue that would like to host an Oxjam event, please contact us via MySpace or by email: [email protected]
There will also be a number of items that have been donated and will be auctioned on eBay on behalf of Oxjam in October 2007. These will include some rare and signed records and CDs and some music memorabilia. More news on this soon.
For more info on Oxjam from Oxfam HQ, please go to:
www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam
www.myspace.com/oxjam
Thanks!
Sarah & John
Why not buy an Oxjam Badge!
You can buy an Oxjam badge to help support Oxfam's music events - the suggested donation is just £1 but please give whatever you can :)
Click on the buton below to make a donation:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHAT WE DID IN 2006:
The main Oxjam Kent event in Tunbridge Wells was held at The Forum on October 13th 2006 and featured the following acts:
Clearlake
headlined the show. Brighton based Clearlake formed in 1999 and are signed to Domino Records (home of Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand). They have released three critically acclaimed albums: 'Lido', 'Cedars' and 'Amber', and have toured the world in their own right including sell-out shows in the UK and America, as well as supporting Pulp, playing for Scott Walker at his Meltdown
Festival and appearing on TV shows including Later With Jools Holland. They
continue to impress audiences with their uniquely British take on indie
guitar music and at the time of the gig had just released the new single 'It's Getting Light Outside', the video for which can be watched below:
www.myspace.com/clearlakenoise
Mr Solo will be better known to some as 'The Vessel', being the lead singer and guitarist from the band David Devant and His Spirit Wife.
Mr. Solo is the name of his solo guitar pop project and he has released the album 'All Will Be Revealed' on Outstanding Records, and at the time of the gig there was a new single 'Number One' - here is the video:
www.myspace.com/mistersolo
Stars of Aviation are an eight piece French inspired lo-fi indie power-pop
outfit, whose instruments range from accordion, trumpet and bassoon through traditional guitars and drums, to recorder. They are signed to Kitchen Records and released the single 'Marie et l'accordeon' in 2006, which was described as 'a slice of escapist wonder'.
www.myspace.com/starsofaviation
Songs of My Lap is Tunbridge Wells based solo artist Alex Hancock, who has released three albums on Unlabel Records and was previously a member of
several well-respected bands, including legendary underground outfit Unhome. He utilises guitar, piano and laptop electronics to beautiful effect and launched his third long player 'Black in Back' at this Oxjam show.
Songs of My Lap at Unlabel
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The second Oxjam Kent event in Tunbridge Wells was held at The Grey Lady on November 15th 2006 and featured the following acts:
Jo Hook
Paul Dunton
Nick Stephens
Zoe Nichol
Here is a review of the evening:
This was a rip roaring show. 60-70 of you good folk were in tow for this fund raising showcase.
OXJAM is a global initiative that was recently set up with the purpose of raising dosh through musical events for the Oxfam charity. Thank you to all of you who came along and kindly donated.
ZOE NICOL opened proceedings and delivered a inspiring set of her emotive heartfelt melodies. 'Walk against the wind' is my favorite which contains very honest and reflective lyrics. Zoe's soothing vocals carry a pure tone with oodles of feeling and subtlety and the silent audience remained absorbed throughout her set. At just 18 years Zoe is already making music that suggests she has the potential to go all the way, time will tell of course and the music industry can be fickle business but she unquestionably has the talent to do great things.
NICK STEPHENS was second on the bill and brought his diverse guitar melodies to the show. Nicks style is quirky as it is melancholic. The resulting contrast offers something very different with a number of tracks possessing varying rhythms, structures and themes. On certain tracks Nick employs delicate and nimble 'picking' on the guitar which delivers a more intimate and at times intricate sound which I happen to prefer over the more boisterous 'strummed out' melodies……just my opinion, but it has to be said The diversity in his style is very refreshing along side his rich falsetto tones which were in fine fettle.
PAUL DUNTON was third up, joined by Will Bass on Cello who kindly agreed to fill due to Helens absence. Charlotte was back in the mix on violin after returning from Ghana and Fleur was playing her heart out on the Flute. In all honestly, we muddled through, this was not a super duper performance, I don't mean to be negative, in fact, far from it as I take confidence that on an off day we are hopefully now at a level whereby we can still get by. So onwards and upwards! In summary the performance and sound was just a little inconsistent due to a number of factors. Moving on!
Headlining the show was JO HOOK accompanied by Tudor Smith on bass guitar and Jez Aitkens on electric guitar. Jo is a remarkable talent. I am not alone in thinking this way and what is remarkable about Jo's voice and musical creations is the fact she sounds like 'Jo Hook' and no one else. Her style is laid back relaxed style immediately breaks the ice with the expectant audience and her warm soul laced vocals are resonant and seductive. Jo's stage presence and engaging persona enables her to interact with the audience effortlessly and carries an understated flamboyance that is miles away from arrogance and is simply a case of confidence, inner focus and belief in her music. With good reason too, there are no fillers within her set as she possesses a bounty of strong sonnets and it was noticeable that the audience were saluting their approval with hearty, rousing applause after each track. I don't think Jo has ever done a show at The Grey Lady and not sold a CD afterwards and this was no exception as an orderly queue waited with crisp golden tenners at the ready. Jo kindly agreed to donate some of her CD sales to the Oxjam funds which I thought was a nice touch. See for your self folks, I tell no lies, she will return in the New Year.
by Paul Dunton
You can see the local area's finest acts every Wednesday evening at The Grey lady Music Lounge in The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, performing superb original songs and a few old favourites in an intimate, ambient setting. The show on November 15th will include collections for Oxfam as one of the final Oxjam events taking place in 2006. Doors open at 7:00pm. Entry £4.
www.myspace.com/paulduntonandguests
www.pauldunton.co.uk
www.thegreylady.co.uk
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We also teamed up with Que Pasa in Tunbrdige Wells for Oxjam 2006:
Que Pasa Tunbridge Wells
Raise Money for Oxjam
Oxjam Kent were very proud to be associated with Que Pasa, the Spanish Bar, in Newton Road, Tunbridge Wells, who kindly asked patrons to donate a £1 entrance fee to the Oxjam cause on Friday and Saturday nights throughout October 2006.
With the help of Adam Leicht at Que Pasa Tunbridge Wells they raised in excess of £1,500 throughout the month, which made a massive difference to the total collected for Oxfam.
The Tunbridge Wells bar was the third Que Pasa to open and the first on two floors. Sadly, it has since changed hands and is now under new management.
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