AloneMe is the finely-tuned songwriting partnership of singer Sarah Springett and singer/guitarist David Booth, plus highly respected drummer/programmer Simon Edgoose and hugely talented singer/multi-instrumentalist Liz Townsend. The band has gigged constantly since their inception in 2003, with hundreds of gigs from London to Dublin and all points in between. The hard work has paid off and both their loyal fan-base, and reputation as a must-see live band continue to grow. Between June 2006 and mid 2007, the band spent time at the Loft Studios, Liverpool, with sought-after producer Nigel Stonier (Thea Gilmore, Brian Houston, Rod Clements...) and with financial support from the Arts Council’s Escalator Project. The result of these sessions - Sketch - is the band's first full studio album, comprising 10 outstanding tracks showcasing the trademark AloneMe strengths of fine songwriting, cutting lyrics, killer harmonies and classic pop hooks.

"A confident and instant collection... surely mainstream radio play awaits." (Musician Magazine)

"Worthy of considerable success...the potential here is huge" (Herts & Essex Music-Zine)

"AloneMe really are becoming a perfect pop band" (Essex Chronicle)

Fresh from joining the high quality roster of High Barn Records, and with a fantastic album finally gaining the national release it’s been crying out for, 2008 will surely see AloneMe make the kind of breakthrough they've deserved all along.


image © Anthony Channer


image © JJ Doyle

Funk Rock band from Saffron Walden. Been playing for about two years gigging around Saffron Walden and Cambridge. Released first album "Mushroom Music" in November 06 and have just finished recording second album which should be out by next year. Inspired by bands such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pink Floyd, Spin Doctors, Primus and many more. The Spores music is a mixture of infectious funky grooves, rootsy guitar and psychedelic stylings with an original sound that is unique.

London 3 piece Mozzy Green play an undescribable, folky, punky kinda thing. Come and watch us! We have recently played support to Noisettes, Frank Turner, The Hours, Orange Lights, Blah Blah Blah and Slow Club. Nominated twice for this years Indy awards, air play on BBC 6 Music and have played over 160 gigs in 2007 including sell out shows at Kings Collage, The Spitz and The Birmingham NEC.


image © www.cut-out-and-keep.com


Anna image © Michael Boyton


Ben image © Michael Boyton


Jake image © Michael Boyton

The Strangerhood are a 4-piece experimental acousticsynthnoiserock outfit from Bishop's Stortford. gigging around Hertfordshire and London for a while as a 3-piece consisting of Dean Austin (vocals/guitar), Tim Webster (bass) and Ryan Thwaits (drums) they quickly made an impression with diverse styles and intense delivery. the recent addition of Ed Jackman (synth) has electrified and enhanced the strangerhood sound and already impressed after only a handful of gigs as a 4-piece. influences range from radiohead, pink floyd, sublime, elbow to múm, younger brother, metallica, björk and many more. with such an open view on music and with lyrics covering everything from the ridiculing of religious preachers to the rise of the zombie masses, it's harder to describe and much easier to say: you must go see this band live.


image © Janina O'Connor


image © Michelle King

Why not try the delights of Sambatastic’s samba drumming workshop? Have the opportunity to get your hands on Brazilian street carnival instruments, learn the rhythms and how to play them and then perform what you have learnt. If you can say ‘caterpillar’, there is an instrument you can play. No experience necessary, you’ll be on your way to ‘Rio’ by the end of the hour!

Young and upcoming band 'The Follow' (uk) formed just over 2 years ago and is made up of four school friends at The Bishop’s Stortford High. Guitarists and songwriters Tom Ryder and Joe Hazell comprise a regular acoustic duo at a local Acoustic Club in Bishop’s Stortford, but have now found their true calling in a band environment. Their musical style is varied with songs ranging from a very upbeat and Rocky style of songwriting coming from Joe and a rather darker, almost sombre (some might say depressing!) edge where Tom is concerned. George Sydes, a highly-talented drummer, joined the other two though the search for that elusive bassist was still proving fraught. Former piano and 6-string guitarist Tom Casson ended the search though and as well as offering an awful lot on the vocal side of things is now an accomplished bass player, and trying his hand at songwriting as well. The Follow are most certainly hot prospects and contain some very talented musicians; for a band that have not been together very long they play very tightly and as one.

A band formed by 5 Birchwood students with similar musical tastes and aspirations within the Music Business. Being as all members enjoy similar music we all play our instruments with a similar style and attitude. Mainly influenced by 70’s - 80’s music we play four types of songs: Rock N roll, Heavy Rock, Acoustic and faster punk songs.

Jo Gill - Lead Vocals
Jake Kruppa - Lead Guitar
Sam Keyes - Bass/Vocals
Sam Paul a.K.a Paulish - Drums
Rhys Moore - Rhythm Guitar

The St Mary’s Catholic School Jazz Band was started in 2004. It comprises musicians of all ages playing a mixture of Jazz, Funk and popular tunes. The Jazz Band has taken part in many concerts since its inception including a Performing Arts Showcase at the Harlow Playhouse, The Mayor’s Charity Variety Show at the Rhodes Arts Centre and in summer 2006 they undertook a tour to Italy.

The Wind Band are all members of Bishop’s Stortford Music Centre and meet every Saturday morning during term time. Their age range is 8-18 at the moment and all players of any standard are welcome. They play a wide variety of music that includes big-band, film, rock, pop and sometimes classical.

Caimbo are a four-piece British Rock band whose debut album is scheduled for released in 2008. The album tentatively titled "Electric Dreams" was co-produced by Ben Mason (Arctic Monkeys, Razorlight, The Kooks) and mixed by Tim Palmer (U2, Pearl Jam, Robert Plant).

Caimbo are Leonardo Robarts (vocals, guitar), Piers Mortimer (guitar), Ali Sloane (bass) and Dave Cullen (drums). All are aged between 19 and 20. The band was formed in 2001 while the four members were at the same school near Cambridge.

Caimbo's influences range from The Strokes and Kings Of Leon to The Rolling Stones, U2 and The Police. "There's a feeling of oldness and newness in our music," says Leo. "It's all about energy and vibe. One of the band's favourite albums is Free's "Fire And Water", released in 1971 and featuring the classic hit single All Right Now. Says Leo: "My Dad put it in my Christmas stocking when I was 13. It's the best present I've ever had." Adds Piers: "We listened to that record solidly for a year."

Caimbo recorded their debut album at The Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire following four months of intensive rehearsals at their home base, a converted barn. At The Chapel, Caimbo worked virtually non-stop. "I didn't see the outside world for a whole month," says Leo. "While we were working, none of us knew what time it was, or even what day it was!" The band only ventured beyond the studio walls for occasional trip to the only local pub, which, according to Piers, "always had the same five people in it"

"We wanted a live sound on the record," says Dave. "And the way we recorded was really free flowing. You know, just bang it out live!" Several of the tracks were recorded in the early hours of the morning after marathon all-night sessions. As Piers recalls, "We did Blood Through My Veins in seven hours, from 11pm to 6am. I remember the feeling of complete death!"

The album also features a very special guest appearance from the studio chef 'Munch', who plays piano on Treading Deep Water. The band heard his talents one morning and were shocked to hear how good he was - tinkling away in the style of the late, great Billy Preston, the man who added a little soul to legendary tracks by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Munch's performance, later that evening aided by a bottle of "quality white" - was the perfect finishing touch to a song that illustrates both the breadth and depth of Caimbo's music.

The Caimbo album marks Ben Mason's debut as a producer. As Leo explains, "Ben is quite young, in his 20's, so he gets us. He has a real feeling for what we do." Equally impressive was Mason's dedication to the task. "He worked for more than 24 hours straight to finish the album," says Ali. "The man's a genius!"

With recording completed the band headed to Los Angeles, where the album was mixed by Tim Palmer, whose previous credits include U2 "All That You Can Leave Behind", Pearl Jam's masterpiece "Ten", Bowie's "Tin Machine" and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant's "Now & Zen"

While in LA, Caimbo made some new friends while they were shopping for hats on Venice Beach. The owner of one beachfront store said he would give the band a discount on some headgear if he liked their music, so the next evening they returned with a CD. Says Leo: "He blasted it through this massive PA facing the beach, and all the beach bums, surfers, skate-kids & curious tourists walking past started dancing! The sun was setting and all these people were totally getting into our music it was brilliant. There was even a tramp playing along on a tambourine!"

Caimbo are naming the album Electric Dreams because, as Piers explains, "It sums up the energy of our music." And as for the name of the band itself! It's Leo's slang for the city of Cambridge. Caimbo is a made-up word," Leo says, "so therefore it has no obvious meaning, and people won't have any preconceived ideas about the band. The name's like a good tune, once you've heard it, it's stuck in your brain."
Paul Elliott - Q Magazine