Everyday Records

20th Birthday

2011-09-15T16:18:00.100+01:00

Everyday Records is now 20. It's been cool, mostly, but has contributed to transforming this bright(ish) young(ish) spark

to th(ish)...

Ah well... We took last weekend off (outrageous!) to attend the 40th anniversary blu-ray edition launch of the cult TV series The Persuaders! staged by our favourite DVD provider Network and hosted by Mike's childhood hero, Sir Roger Moore. Parked outside was Lord Brett Sinclair's Aston Martin DBS - in the metal! Two episodes were screened on the night and they looked fantastic. Sir Roger was also interviewed by the one and only Barry Norman before participating in a very entertaining Q&A with fans.

Back home and with the studio renovation complete I've started to write for the next Nearlys LP, recording will start asap alongside Dave Peters' LP sessions.

Award for the most intriguingly named radio programme to play our music... thus far... The Nearlys 'Wind Me Up' was featured this week on 'Jay Gatsby's Unnecessarily Potent West Egg Bootleg Victory Variety Hour'. How's about that then?!

Pleased to announce that Aspiro, Cricket and Simfy have added our music to their services and so to complete the 'circle of add' we've duly stuck them on the list of retailers/download services who sell our music - Everyday Records Stockists

Extracurricular Faves - After reading and enjoying 'Smoking in Bed: Conversations with Bruce Robinson' I was prompted to revisit 'Withnail & I'. I've watched it several times over the years and love it more with every viewing.

Brahms: Alto Rhapsody, Nänie, Schicksalslied by Herbert Blomstedt, Jard van Nes, San Francisco Symphony & San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Emotional depth and beauty that stopped me in my tracks. I've not yet listened to the LP from beginning to end, because I've found each piece to be so intense that I've only wanted to experience them in the singular.

And, from the sublime to... 30 Rock. Currently on Season 5 and still going strong - top notch!

Cheers, Helen x

Well Summer's here

2011-08-04T17:42:00.009+01:00

and the time is right for a bit of decorating...

Although we're in the midst of renovating and upgrading the studio, sessions are still going ahead toward Dave Peters' LP release - it's still sounding great, still on its way, it's all good (still!)

The Nearlys have been picking up plays and sales in the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, France, Sweden & Germany and Now Is The Time have reached Romania, Brazil, Israel, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Greece, Colombia, Japan, Latvia, Finland, Canada, Portugal, Russian Federation, Italy, Poland, Australia & Taiwan. Realise that this is supposed to happen when you're released Worldwide, but we never, ever get used to it or take it for granted.

Could you spare a minute to check this Friends of the Earth campaign out?

Friends of the Earth: For soy producers in Paraguay, people are a bigger nuisance than bugs and weeds

thanks, Helen x

Quick update…

2011-01-07T10:39:00.032Z

The Nearlys continue to get a lot of good feedback for I Was a Child Genius. It's been especially cool to receive it via our artist page on iTunes' new social network Ping:

The Nearlys

We've also been picking up airplay on college stations, most recently Imperial College, London and University of Illinois, Chicago.

In production: Work is well underway on Dave Peters' LP. It's sounding great. We haven't set a date yet, but it will be out asap. As mentioned previously, Dave has got a blog @ Rockin' with Dave Peters.

My extracurricular fave stuff: enjoying LPs by Just Jack, Glenn Gould and Everything Everything. Currently in the DVD player: the peerless Dick Cavett interviewing the 'Hollywood Greats'. This is one of three box sets available, the others being 'Comic Legends' and 'Rock Icons'. Hope to watch all of them in due course. A winning combination of guests who really are 'greats' and an interviewer who is their intellectual equal. Mr Cavett conducts every encounter with humility, sensitivity and humour - classic television!

Also if you have a minute please check out the following: 38 Degrees | Save Our Forests: The government is planning a massive sell off of our national forests. They could be auctioned and fenced off, run down, logged or turned into golf courses and holiday villages. We can't let that happen. We need to stop these plans. National treasures like the The Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest and The New Forest could be sold off. Once they are gone, they will be lost forever. Please sign the petition now.

Cheers, Helen :-)

Blogging about blogs + LP release!!!

2010-07-12T16:06:00.073+01:00

As featured on the home page: The Nearlys LP 'I Was a Child Genius'
is out and available from iTunes | Amazon MP3 | and many other download services

In support of the release, the official Nearlys' website is up and running @ www.thenearlys.co.uk

There's also a Nearlys' blog, intended to cover the minutae,
flotsam & jetsam of Nearly town @
the random ramblings of.... the Nearlys

I'm now in the midst of promoting and although it's difficult to make any kind of headway in such an overcrowded 'market' I've been heartened by the tons of nice messages we've received via the website & MySpace and so will keep on pluggin'

Concurrently have been back in the studio, on the other side of the desk, engineering for Dave Peters' LP. It's sounding most excellent. All new songs written by Dave and so far, a one man tour de force except for the drum magic of my beloved, Mike Walker

Blogs again... Dave has recently started his 'musings of a rockabilly recording artist' @ Rockin' with Dave Peters, definitely worth a shufti

To conclude, extracurricular fave stuff: the Swedish tv series Wallander starring Krister Henriksson NOT to be confused with the BBC 'stars in your eyes' remake... also lapping up 30 Rock. Having a bit of a Simon Armitage fest at the mo' - just finished 'All Points North' and currently enjoying 'Gig' - absolutely top notch!

cheers, Helen x

The Nearlys - Winter Blues - single

2010-01-30T14:27:00.035Z

First signs of Spring today, the sun's out and The Nearlys' debut single is too! - Monday Feb 1st to be exact. Available Worldwide on:
iTunes | Amazon MP3 | and many other download services

'Winter Blues' trivia ...
* it was written in 2001. This is the third time I've recorded the song but the first time it's been released

* the second version was going to be used as the theme music for the mockumentary comedy tv series 'The Bangor Boys'.... it wasn't...

* the cover photo was taken on Christmas Day 2009

* it's a song about loss and recovery

Winter Blues
Music & Lyric © Helen Walker

Where ‘ve they gone?
Was it too beautiful to last?
Life moved on
And there’s no refuge in the past

Waiting for a moment to fall
Into place – to feel I belong
Waiting for the sunshine
To lighten my winter blues

Yesterday
I felt the world turn in my hands
Golden hours of hope
And castles made of sand

Waiting for a moment to fall
Into place – to feel I belong
Waiting for the sunshine
To lighten my winter blues

Learn by heart
‘Cause it’s too beautiful to last
Life moves on
And there’s no future in the past

Waiting for a moment to fall
Into place - to feel I belong
Waiting for the sunshine
To lighten my winter blues

At the moment The Nearlys Official Website is being assembled and will soon host a plethora of Nearlys info, lyrics, photos, inside leg measurements etc etc

cheers, Helen x

Yet another quick update....

2009-11-19T16:38:00.015Z

In October we drove over with David Crellin to spend the afternoon on a whistle stop tour of Liverpool - Tabac, the Tate Modern, Liverpool One and inevitably, a pub.... the White Star, where it's reputed The Beatles would escape the Cavern for a break and get paid by their first manager Allan Williams. We inadvertently sat in front of the brass plaques that commemorate where they used to sit and for a moment we became the 'Fab Three'.... then it was on to The Playhouse to see David and an excellent cast in Kes

Dave Peters has been out and about promoting the ep in a series of radio interviews. Dave's also had some great magazine reviews including the cool Italian lifestyle magazine Jamboree. Links and more at Dave's MySpace

The Nearlys album tracks listing has been finalised and although behind schedule I'm pushing to still make the release date, which in the real world seems miles off but is looming muchly (in a groovy way, of course)

Just a quick plug for someone we've long admired Ashley Maher is an amazing artist - singer/songwriter. She's just released her 5th album Amina and you can check out her website here or watch a YouTube video of Ashley previewing the album here. Mega mega talented....

Autumn into Winter and two quotes from Albert Camus:

Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf is a flower

In the depth of Winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible Summer

cheers, Helen x

the absolute quickest of quickies.... !?!!

2009-08-16T20:37:00.024+01:00

Rockin' with Dave Peters - EP is out on August 27th and we've been getting loads of nice comments from fans, magazines, broadcasters and even Elvis's bass player!

Boogie Woogie Till The Cows Come Home is scheduled into next week's rotation on the Classic Rock & Blues station Rooster Radio pre-release. Between gigs and promotion Dave's currently working on his follow up EP, due out 2010

DP rockin' ....
Photo: courtesy of Brian Davidson

As previously mentioned, David Crellin is off on a UK theatre tour of Kes. Details conveniently listed here by The Stage: Kes - venues & tour dates

Other than that.... all is still frantic at the ranch, trying to get enough 'quality time' to record The Nearlys album. Morale is currently maintained by Only Connect and listening to the third series of the comedy genius Steve Delaney's Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show! Coolio! Laterz!....

INT. Studio - Afternoon - Standing room only....

2009-07-15T09:31:00.007+01:00

I had a day off from the Nearlys album on Sunday so that recording could start on the second Dave Peters EP (his debut Rockin' with Dave Peters is out August 27th)

Couldn't resist a quick photo op, but like the people behind the Green Door - don't know quite what they're doin' - think it involves a miniature standee of Sarah Michelle Geller (the flame still burns bright for Buffy buff Mike). It also involves some product placement by a visiting David Crellin .... a refreshing Suso, although he was mock miffed that there was "Purdeys only for the band" - not true, we'd just run out. Do you understand any of this? I don't and I was there. Anyway the new song sounded ace, laterz! H x

well....

2009-07-06T20:28:00.011+01:00

things are mad busy here

Recording's complete on our collaboration with Catherine Kerr and the 4 track digital download EP Breeze will be released on 14th September 2009 on iTunes et al. Catherine has written three of the four tracks that comprise the EP - the fourth being an acoustic cover version of the 1960s Gerry and The Pacemakers' classic song - 'Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying'

Snippets...

Jade Adams ran a 5km Race For Life in Leeds last Saturday (4th July) in aid of Cancer Research UK, completing the course in 33 mins 43 seconds

David Crellin has recently completed filming an episode of Doctors (BBC1) and is gearing up for an Autumn UK tour of the play Kes - dates & details to follow

Trond Teigen is still appearing in the Oslo production of Mama Mia. We hope to catch a performance later in the year :-)

Now Is The Time got a cool review in the Summer edition of Musician magazine - Keith Ames described the EP as "well crafted" & "unusual, beguiling and compelling" - so we like him

And....

sorry this is a bit of a list, due to putting all my efforts into the Nearlys album, which is happily taking shape - a release date has been set for February 6th 2010 and I've settled on the the snappy & unassuming title of I Was A Child Genius

Hope you're enjoying the Summer, cheers, Helen x

Spring is here....

2009-05-22T17:16:00.036+01:00

...and recording is complete on 'Rockin' with Dave Peters'

We've enjoyed every minute, especially the Guinness & McCoys fest

The three songs on the EP, all written by Dave, are out-and-out Rock & Roll/Rockabilly tracks

More info' @ Dave's MySpace, where excerpts will appear nearer the release date (August 27th 2009)

Work is underway on the Catherine Kerr EP - 'Breeze' and a release date set for 14th September 2009

We now have our own YouTube channel (Isle Of Music) Everyday Records on YouTube which will hopefully become well stocked over time. The next video up will most likely be for a track off the forthcoming Nearlys album

Our friend Jacques Pellarin has recently launched his new website - www.jacquespellarin.fr

Jacques is an incredibly talented musician & composer - a true artist. Internationally known as a classical accordian virtuoso, Jacques is now also gaining a reputation in jazz circles with his trio (Diego Fano -Saxophones, Yann Pajean - Percussion)

One of the family had an introduction to music this afternoon - captured on mobile phone, here's Great Nephew George's first play of the piano. I'm totally biased, of course, but I sense greatness - and yes he's already signed a contract ... ok it may not be legally binding.... Cheers, Helen x

Quick update....

2009-01-31T11:51:00.040Z

2009 has got off to a good start, with work on the Nearlys album well underway and ditto Dave Peters' EP

The concert recorded in November at the BBC Radio Lancashire Theatre, featuring Now Is The Time, David Crellin and Jade Adams was a great success on the night, with a full and very appreciative house. Unfortunately the audio recording of the concert (along with several other concerts) has since been "eaten by the system" i.e. lost, deleted.... gone somewhere, far away ... a tad disappointing really. This means that the broadcast didn't happen but the interview that Mike and I did to promote the concert broadcast and Everyday Records in general, did go out in a VERY heavily edited format on New Year's Day. It essentially became an interview about Now Is The Time, and so we've posted it on the NITT MySpace page for anyone who fancies a listen. However all may not be lost, as the concert was also filmed and we're assured by the BBC that we will receive the DVD at some point, so we'll see.....

Incidentally, the Now Is The Time EP is still receiving excellent feedback, with plays on jazz stations in the UK, USA, Italy, France, Switzerland and Canada

David Crellin is returning to the stage to play the roles of Milan (a secret policeman) and the Waiter in the regional premiere of Tom Stoppard’s award-winning landmark drama Rock ‘n’ Roll, which runs from 13th Feb to the 14th Mar 2009 at the Manchester Library Theatre (Director: Chris Honer). More info HERE

As you might guess, have been working pretty much flat out, but managed to have an evening off last week and watched the beautiful film Molière (2007) (Director: Laurent Tirard) starring Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Laura Morante & Edouard Baer. Would urge you to see it (out on DVD) without reading a synopsis, seeing a trailer etc... Every single element of the film is perfect IMHO, an absolute work of art

Ta-ta fer now, Helen x

Now Is The Time!

2008-12-19T13:04:00.021Z

After delays, twists and turns a plenty, the Now Is The Time EP has finally landed on iTunes

Jazz musician, composer & writer Steve Thompson said of the EP: "Brilliant music. Brilliant approach... 'all the things you are' is a fantastic standard but it doesn't necessarily reflect our musical upbringing/era whereas the songs you've chosen presumably do and filtered through jazz sensibility they sound fresh and relevant...."

The songs we chose to cover on the EP are 'Our Lips Are Sealed' originally recorded by the Go-Go's (1981) & Fun Boy Three (1983), 'The Zookeeper's Boy' originally recorded by Mew in 2006 and 'The Killing Moon' originally recorded by Echo & The Bunnymen (1984)

Incidentally, our version of the 'The Zookeeper's Boy' was recently featured by Italian DJ Simone Vimercati on his show & podcast Jazz It Up!

Quick, undefinitive, end of term report :-) ....

Jade is roughing it in the Caribbean courtesy of P&O, David Crellin is editing a documentary and preparing for a stage play early 2009 (will keep you posted) and I'm about to recommence recording on the Nearlys album

You may have noticed that the website's had a revamp in preparation for the new year and also in response to our growing roster

Speaking of which - the first of our two new artists has started recording as evidenced below....

Dave Peters is an amazingly talented rock guitarist, vocalist & songwriter. His 3 track EP is due for release 2009. As you'd expect from someone who's musical influences are Chuck Berry, Dave Edmunds, George Harrison & Carl Perkins, Dave will be bringing Rock & Roll, Blues and original R&B to our very eclectic company

Photo: Mike and DP burning the midnight oil @ Wilderswood Studio, December 2008

Anyways that's it for now. Hope you have a lovely Christmas & wish you the best for 2009, Love & Peace H x

Concerts, Videos, New Releases - you name it - we got it! (....oh ok, maybe not unicycle riding squirells)

2008-11-05T09:54:00.025Z

Howdy! Lots happening at the moment....

First up is what the BBC's billing as an 'intimate evening' :-)

Eclectic and 'in the next 2 weeks' would also be near the mark

Now Is The Time, David Crellin and Jade Adams are recording a show for BBC Radio Lancashire (on 19th November 2008) to be broadcast over Christmas/New Year. More details & FREE! tickets available from BBC tickets

In addition to preparing songs and maybe a poem or two for the above, David's been mega busy filming & editing the video for his EP track Short Of Perfection and here it is (btw if you want to watch it in higher quality you can do so @ YouTube)

The latest on the, ironically titled, Now Is The Time EP is that hopefully we seem to have overcome all setbacks & delays - it's currently winging its way to the distributors. The 'new and improved' release date is 24th November 2008

On Sunday (2nd) we made a flying visit to London and caught up with Trond. We seemed to fit in about a week's worth of sightseeing, met the lovely Evy & Paul (Paul is to star, with Trond, in the Oslo production of Mama Mia next year). We also made plans to begin work in 2009 on Trond's second release for Everyday Records. Although it's very early days yet we hope to make a more acoustic, organic, intimate (there's that word again!) album. So will keep you posted.....

Also already scheduled for 2009 are two new artists/EP releases (more details to follow soon) and the Nearlys album, so I'd better sign off and get some work done, cheers, H x

Innocent Bystander EP out now!

2008-10-08T10:18:00.023+01:00

David Crellin's Innocent Bystander EP was released on Monday (6th Oct) and is now available from 'all leading stores' ;-) including Amazon. As per, we favour iTunes but then we're raving Mac nuts

You can check out excerpts from the EP at David's MySpace. David is currently editing the video for Short Of Perfection, which will find its way onto the MySpace shortly. A guerilla style video of Lullaby is already there + other vids + poems, so well worth a visit

The EP cover photo was also created by David: the guitar - his own. The carved symbol is on a chair that David recently made and it represents, along with the nettles and lillies, 'Life'

Previously...............

Jade Adams was a guest on Ladies @ Lunch, BBC Radio Lancashire on September 25th. In between chatting with presenters Sally Naden & Carole Turner, Jade, Mike and I played pared down versions of Forever And A Day & Reality

The journey there was interesting given that:

1. We couldn't find our Sat Nav (not a good omen)

2. Traffic - there was lots of

3. It was then left to my incredible powers of recall to pin point the location of Radio Lancashire .... we were 'doomed' - they had selfishly moved from said location in 1988...

Anyways dudes... we got there and it was a nice way to spend a Thursday morning, looked after by the lovely June and Garry the sound/tech person

Carole Turner, Jade Adams, Sally Naden
Photo: BBC Radio Lancashire

All set up and ready to go....
(musicians have been removed from photo to protect the easily disturbed)
Photo: Mike Walker's iPhone!

Peace, H x

2 blogs in a fortnight... unprecedented! shocking even...

2008-09-10T11:43:00.019+01:00

Jade's currently out & about promoting the EP. First up was a radio interview with Shaun Tilley at KCFM 99.8 - which you can check out at her official MySpace. She's also scheduled to be a guest on The Morning Show with Lara King, BBC Radio Humberside , on September 16th and we're both scheduled to be on Ladies @ Lunch, BBC Radio Lancashire on September 25th - a two hour talk show where, along with Mike, we'll be playing live a couple of songs off the EP. Will keep posting dates as and when they come in

Trond is also mega busy..... appearing in a new version of the Norwegian musical Which Witch at Det Norske Teatret. He's also dubbing quite a lot - in addition to playing SpongeBob, Trond is now C3PO in the latest Star Wars Movie and TV Series The Clone Wars. In March 2009 Trond's scheduled to join the cast of the stage production of Mama Mia in Oslo. Before that we're looking forward to a reunion in London in November

This morning Mike completed his last session for the Now Is The Time EP, so it's down to one more bass session and some mixing. Thanks to all for the good wishes re: my hand - it's getting better, maybe soon I won't have any legitimate excuses for the wrong notes ;-)

Meanwhile in the real world.....
DC is taking some time out to build a chicken shed (.... yes you read that right) - and a very fine one at that

To quote Mike 'Music isn't sport' .... 'or a competition' .... or something along those lines (he could say it better, but he's gone out) anyway... even so, we're happy because Elbow have won the Mercury Prize!!!! I love everything about their music, especially Guy Garvey's beautiful lyrics. It's mad to think that even after releasing the absolute work of art 'Leaders Of The Free World' they were dropped by their record company!? So......

Keep going, keep creating, be true

Speaking of music & competitions....... X Factor? Well I want to resist, but I've got to watch it now, even going to vote ;-) ..... because Laura White is through to the next round.... and she's ace

Fancy some daily words of wisdom, inspiration and caring thoughts, filmed on location in Hawaii?... Worth it for the scenery alone - especially here in the 'Eternal Winter Kingdom of the North' - although you might enjoy the company too: Beach Walks with Rox

Well random musings nearly at an end, except to note that it's the 17th birthday of Everyday Records today and coincidentally if my Dad was around he'd be 90 today..... so Happy Birthday x x

cheers dudes, catch yer later x

Jade Adams - Forever And A Day EP is here!

2008-09-01T12:49:00.007+01:00

Well, very happy because the Forever And A Day EP is out today

If you fancy purchasing it, we recommend iTunes although it is available from countless other download services including Amazon

Jade is in concert on the P&O cruise ship Ventura, but will be back to begin publicity for the EP, next week. Starting in her home city of Hull, Jade will be a guest on the Shaun Tilley Drivetime Show on KCFM 99.8 on Tuesday 9th September (approx 6pm). Then on Tuesday 16th September Jade will be a guest on Lara King's Morning Show BBC Humberside (approx 11am). Will keep you posted as and when other dates are confirmed

Meanwhile............

Recording is complete on the David Crellin release Innocent Bystander
We had a windswept, fun time taking the publicity photo in the beautiful Lancashire countryside, and it did us good to get some fresh air and lose a bit of our studio tans. Excerpts from the EP are posted on David's MySpace .... so why don't you give them a whirl?!

Now Is The Time is back on track - with Mike and Dave B recording this week. Luckily my contributions are aleady complete, because I've injured my hand yet again........... Hopefully this is not going to be the 2nd in a series of increasingly more bizarre accidents - but following on from the glass incident earlier this year, I've knocked my index finger back at right angles to the rest of my hand (too much detail?) and it isn't very well at the mo' ..... Anyway that's the price you pay for an ill-judged attempt at running down slippery grass embankments, in Chorley, in the wee small hours of the morning......... don't ask......... oh you weren't going to....

To conclude....

We went to the Edinburgh Festival for a couple of days in August and had a spiffing time. One of my main hopes, was to see Count Arthur Strong - and we saw him twice! Firstly in his show The Man Behind The Smile which was so funny that I had to stop listening/looking at one point - it was painful to laugh that much. Secondly we saw a special recording of his Radio 4 show (thanks Lisa & Smiler for organising it). Afterwards Smiler managed to get a few pages of the script and the man himself - Steve Delaney - very kindly signed them. Mine is already framed and over my desk - yes I am a nerd, but he is an absolute comedy genius IMAO :-) check him out!

Cheers H x

2008 Releases

2008-04-27T13:41:00.007+01:00

Well... have finally set dates for all the EP releases

As mentioned last post, the Jade Adams EP Forever And A Day will be available from 1st September 2008

The other two release dates are:

David Crellin - 6th October 2008
Now Is The Time - 10th November 2008

Now Is The Time (ironically) has been delayed more than the others due to several random incidents... the most recent being my getting a glass splinter in my hand - which does put you off a bit when playing the 'old joanna'. 14 days later, glass finally removed and we're slightly back on course, although because ours is an EP of cover versions, we also have the added delay of needing approval from the songwriters & publishers of the songs that we're covering... so, onwards and sideways........

Love Helen x

Herrings (not red), Ships & Songs

2008-04-12T13:50:00.033+01:00

David Crellin is currently playing the role of Arthur in a production of Bill Naughton's Spring And Port Wine at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton. It's a small coincidence that I was blessed to have been a 'long distance' friend of Bill. We corresponded with one another during the last five years of his life. I'm a massive fan of his works - packed with insight & humour, and through them you see the man - a great artist, who in life was humility personified. In my eyes he was the ultimate in cool

Herrings? ... go see the play. A group of us thoroughly enjoyed the Octagon production last Monday, and if (as expected) it's sold out you can check out a short promo' film of the production + stills + info @ The Octagon Blog: Spring and Port Wine

So for a very short while, work is suspended on David's EP - although one track How Far? has already been completed. Will keep you posted

David & Mike recording 'How Far?'
22nd January 2008

Meanwhile.... Jade is on a ship - the cruise ship Oriana, to be precise. This is the first engagement of several that she is to play for P & O Cruises during 2008. Work on her EP Forever And A Day is well underway and we're happy to announce the release date has been set for 1st September 2008 - so 'full steam ahead' (I do apologise for that....)

The Now Is The Time EP is also coming along nicely, although 'now is not quite the time' - it will be soon

Which brings me to songs.... and the plan to release an album by the Nearlys of mostly new songs (a couple of old favourites + a cover!!!) that I'm currently writing and recording. Scheduled for a 2009 release, my cup runneth over...dude

Going to see my favourite band tomorrow - the beautiful, the magnificent Elbow (I like them).... very happy,
Love & Peace, Helen x

Happy New Year!

2008-01-06T17:05:00.002Z

Well.... we're moving slowwwwwly but surely toward our new releases - really looking forward to devoting more time to creativity

Distant Shores is now available to download from Amazon.com. For a full list of our stockists (digital & physical CD) check out: Stockists @ Everyday Records

I've been honoured to be a Brits Academy Member for the 3rd year running. Voting's completed and the Nominations Launch is on Monday 14th January (televised on ITV2 at 9pm). The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on ITV1 20th February, 8pm. More details & background news @ Brit Awards 2008

Trond has been very busy since October's blog. In November he was a guest on two major Norwegian television series. The first was Beat For Beat a popular music quiz. NRK's website published the following about the show - so for all you linguists...........

Svampebob

På fredagens sending har vi besøk av selveste stemmen til Svampebob i studio

Svampebob er nok mer kjent for barna, men alle som våkner tidlig på lørdager og skrur på barne-TV og ser den lille gule svampen som bor i sjøen vet hvem vi snakker om.

Trond Teigen er også stemmen til Bjørnen i det blå huset og Alladin i Disney-filmen

Han kom med plate for ett år siden. En engelsk komponist søkte på internett etter en ”ny Andrea Boccelli”, og plukket ut Tronds demo blant mange hundre. Dermed ble platen ”Distant shores” laget

Fredag kveld er han på lag med vakre Henriette Myhre

.........phew!

Trond sang a varied selection of songs on the show - Seasons In The Sun, Message In A Bottle, This Is The Moment & We Will Rock You. He also duetted with Henriette Myhre on (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, Hotel California & True Love

Beat For Beat - NRK
Photos: Erik Dyrhaug/NRK

Drømmerollen - NRK
Photo: Hege Bakken Riise/NRK

Trond's second TV appearance in November was in the NRK series Drømmerollen (Dream Role) - a talent show who's aim was to find a vocalist/actress to play a lead role in a new musical theatre production of Singing In The Rain. When the series reached the final three contestants Trond was brought in, as an established professional, to sing a duet with contestant Ingeborg Reinaas - they performed Tonight from West Side Story to an audience of 1.1 million viewers!

Trond also had a busy concert schedule in November & December + his usual film dubbing work. His plans for 2008 include two theatre productions at Det Norske Teatret in Oslo - more details to follow

Last year we received an invitation from American promoters to play our first ever concerts of the Distant Shores repertoire in the USA. This is still at the discussion stage yet, but is an opportunity we all would welcome. In any event Trond & I would both like to collaborate together again, schedules permitting, & so maybe 2008 will see at the very least a new release.....maybe more

Wish You Health, Peace & Love for 2008, Helen x

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

2007-10-27T11:17:00.001+01:00

Hey Hey! as per... I left it too long, but here's the latest -

In July, my song Love Everlasting was premiered in the USA by soprano Gwen Stolzenbach, accompanied by pianist Auggie Somers, at the Webster Congregational Christian Church, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Gwen has previously performed a version of Rondel with tenor Casey Anno, also at the Webster UCC, and I'm delighted that they chose to share both the songs with their community

Home from Distant Shores has been selected, by the International organization Inner Peace Movement, as the theme music for their website

Everyday Records have recently been added to the Shopping List area of the online fashion & music magazine Annazbell

Trond is to play the lead role of Sir Percival Blakeney in the premiere Norwegian production of the Broadway Musical The Scarlet Pimpernel, which will take place at Kolben, Kolbotn, Norway, from 31 October through 22 November 2007

Our 3 EPs are all under way & in various stages of completion. Aside from writing/recording here's what the artists are up to...

In November and December Jade Adams is scheduled to perform on the P & O cruise ship Aurora, touring the Atlantic Islands, then on to Amsterdam & Bruges

David Crellin's character Billy Hopwood has just made a memorable exit from Emmerdale. On 16th October 2007 the UK soap celebrated it's 35th anniversary with a spectacular one hour long episode which involved Billy rescuing members of the Sugden family from a house fire. Aside from reviewing new acting projects David is probably the most prolific of us at the mo', currently working on songs, poems, video blogs & "extreme dog walking"

Now Is The Time have had a temporary delay in recording sessions due to a fault on DBs bass. During this time we've managed a few rehearsals. Mike's currently writing a score for the new Jane McGee short film The Optician starring Chris Barrie & Carolyn Tomkinson and I'm about to produce a track for USA recording artist Eugene Ebner

Anyways, that's enough about us..... how y' doin'? Hope you're ok. If you're in need of entertainment would strongly recommend Russell Brand's new television series Ponderland....

Cheers, Helen x

Trond Teigen - Latest News

2007-07-12T11:34:00.000+01:00

Just a quick catch up:

Trond and Distant Shores will be featured in the 25th July edition of International Artist Debut Radio (USA). The theme of the show will be Balancing Family and Career and will include a pre-recorded half hour interview with Trond by the show's hosts James Armstrong and Eugene Ebner

Reflecting that theme - Trond is currently combining studio work, preparation for a musical theatre production & concert engagements later in the year, with Summer vacation time with his family

In August Trond is scheduled to attend the prestigious International Vocal Arts Masterclass & Concerts directed by the soprano Helene Ziebarth and held at Castle Miel, Germany

That's it for now! Hope this finds everyone well

Will be in touch with news of our new artists' EP releases asap

Love Helen x

New Artists On The Way

2007-06-15T13:02:00.000+01:00

The last few months have been as busy as ever. Distant Shores is still reaching new listeners - the most recent media request has been from International Artist Debut Radio (USA) who plan to feature the album and interview Trond

In Norway - Trond is still directing & voicing several projects for Disney. He's also just recorded a special guest appearance on the popular music quiz TV series Beat For Beats. The show goes out prime time Friday nights on NRK1 and is due to air Sept/Oct 2007

The exciting news from the UK is that we have three artists in development who we hope to sign & release later this year. The plan is for each artist to debut with a 4 track digital EP. The artists are:

Now Is The Time - our very own jazz trio
Helen Walker - Piano
David Bundy - Bass
Michael Richard Walker - Drums

This will be the first time we've released cover versions on Everyday Records - albeit quirky jazz takes on contemporary pop songs. The intention is to record live. We've been in rehearsal for about six weeks. It's been an interesting, fun journey - we're all enjoying the exploration & the freedom & the jammy dodgers

Jade Adams - just the most wonderful singer

21 year old Diva in the tradition of Judy, Dame Shirley, Barbra & Whitney, an amazingly powerful vocalist with presence to match. This really isn't extreme hype - hopefully, hearing will be believing. I'm currently recording instrumental tracks for Jade's EP & very much looking forward to the collaboration

David Crellin - actor, singer, musician, poet, film maker

David filmed the video for Wilderswood (from Distant Shores). He's already well known as a television, film & stage actor. We're still in the early stages of this project but we anticipate beautiful things ahead

So, three very diverse artists - variety is the spice of life (or is it nutmeg?)

Cheers, Helen x

Howdy!

2007-03-08T18:30:00.000Z

Radio plays & requests for the album (from far & wide) are still happening. We recently reached out to UK Hospital Radio Stations & have been delighted with the response. Hope to spread positive vibes as much as we can with our music

Since the last blog....

Trond has completed a Norwegian schools tour and is currently playing a number of one off gigs. He's also directing a Disney series called JoJo’s Circus and recording new episodes of Winnie The Pooh

We've just heard that a comedy pilot we worked on a few years ago may be about to be resurrected and finally make the airwaves, so fingers crossed, we'll be writing music that's supposed to be funny ;-)

Also as writers, working on songs for a couple of eminent classical crossover artists, who must remain nameless (here at least!) for the time being

Helen was honoured to be selected, for the second year running, as a member of the Brits Voting Academy. Enjoyed it, but wish someone I voted for actually made it to the nominations! Especially would like to see more of a fuss made of Elbow - a most beautiful & eloquent band

Speaking of brilliant musicians, if you've a mo' check out our friend Jacques Pellarin

Promise to write more often... Peace

Video, Tour & Hello!

2006-09-02T13:50:00.000+01:00

Well, since the last Blog, the video for Wilderswood has been edited (by us, of course - we're very independent you know) and is now residing on Trond's site at My Space www.myspace.com/trondteigen & also on My Space Video

For those who don't already know - the song celebrates a wood near our home, it's also an analogy for any place - physical or not - where you can review & renew your life & give thanks. The video was filmed by the very talented actor & film maker David Crellin in and around the actual Wilderswood. We wanted a video that highlights nature & the spirit of the song, and hope that it might be a nice place to visit for people stuck in their offices or similar drab surroundings (no offence to people with spectacular offices!)

Trond is currently preparing for a Norwegian tour - more details to follow - it will be a mixed programme and not album related, although he will be performing Wilderswood

Good news for American fans - the whole album is now available to hear on Pandora - which is a music discovery service, powered by the Music Genome Project, designed to help listeners find & enjoy music based on their individual tastes - "just tell us one of your favorite songs or artists and we'll launch a streaming station to explore that part of the music universe". Although only available in the USA at the moment Pandora's working on acquiring the proper licenses for Worldwide broadcasting - so we'll keep you posted...

We're please to announce that Distant Shores has recently been added to Groove Mobile's catalogue, who operate direct download services in North America, Europe and Asia

Back to My Space & my latest favourites are:

Bombshell a New York based vocal harmony trio - Carrie Welling, Jessi Rae Waltz & Melanie Klaja backed by manager & lead guitarist Fish Altieri

Our dear friend, on & away from My Space....

Neil Smith "one of Britain's finest classical guitarists having given concerts in over 40 nations making over 2000 appearances in total"

To close here's a quick time-sensitive plug for our friend Simon Lipson, who we've worked with a few times on various comedy thingies...

On Sunday 3rd Sept at 12.15 on BBC Radio 4 you can listen to Fordham & Lipson in Your Ear - a sketch show written by and starring - Simon and Philippa Fordham "recorded a couple of weeks ago at the Edinburgh Festival in front of a very appreciative sell-out crowd (ok, the tickets were free, but all 350 seats were taken - honestly)"

That's it for now, will hopefully have more info about the Norwegian tour soon,

Cheers, Helen x

And before you know it..... it's July!

2006-07-01T15:13:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the delay in getting the news out.

Trond has recently completed directing a series for Disney. He's also just finished voicing a number of characters for the film Curious George and is taking a well earned family holiday.

Mike and I have been kept busy administering the websites and mountains of mail etc. Some good news on the creative front... after the recent upheaval with the building, our studio is now ready to go again.

Two major works in progress for us are:

1. Due to public demand! - we're working towards selling online from the Everyday Records Music Store the sheet music for the album + some of our back catalogue of songs & instrumental music.

2. Filming has just wrapped for the promo' video of Wilderswood and editing is due to begin on 3rd July.

We're still amazed by the amount of visitors to Everyday Records - over 275,000 hits in June!!!!

Trond Teigen on My Space is also proving to be a worthwhile venture. We're making friends (influencing people?!?) and discovering lots of cool (new to us) music e.g........

Real Ones A great band from Bergen, Norway. Their influences are listed as "inspired by everything from African music to country - with strong references to 60's pop, folk and psychedelia"

Levi Weaver Introspective singer songwriter originally from the USA, currently lives in the UK. For any interested parties in the North West he's playing the Black Cat Cafe, Stockport on July 12th. Follow the link to hear his music and see a full list of tour dates.

A while back Trond was being interviewed live on a Norwegian radio station. As we tuned in to listen we caught the last minute of a song who's lovliness just leapt out. It being Norwegian radio and our language skills totally lacking we had no idea who the band was. Then a chance encounter on My Space solved the mystery. They're a Danish band called Mew and the song's The Zoo Keeper's Boy. Give it a listen - it's quirky - it's catchy - it's epic!!! (I was right about The Feeling wasn't I?).

A group that we're proud to be members of is the Positive Music Association Founded by Scott Johnson from Boulder, CO, USA, the association's aim is "to promote and advance positive music, also known as “poz” music. The PMA is about seeing music not only as entertainment but as a means of creating positive change in the world." It's well worth checking out Poz Radio - an online station dedicated to playing positive music exclusively from PMA members.

Well that's it for now - will keep you posted on the imminent video!

Cheers, Helen

Really should do this more often....

2006-04-08T15:54:00.000+01:00

but, it's been a ridiculously busy time.

Promotion, writing new music, promotion, gigs, promotion and...

Earlier in the year we had to have repair work on the central heating. As a consequence we've been without an office and studio for a good while. The office is now up and running but the studio is still in a state of chaos. Hopefully we'll get back on track in a few weeks.

We're reaching new territories with Distant Shores (appropriate!) and making new friends, the most recent being:

Relax Radio broadcasting from Perth, Australia - their aim is to promote independent artists Worldwide via an advertising and DJ free radio station. The whole of our album was added to their playlist in March.

Finding Your Music broadcasting from Seattle, U.S.A. - "bringing original music to the world from an ocean of untapped talent. Acknowledging the power of music and believing in ourselves to bring healing and peace to each other and our planet." Our album track Wilderswood was featured on the radio show hosted by songwriter and independent artist Ava Sakowski.

Ava also reviewed the album for CD Baby and, without a trace of modesty, here's a copy of the review -

***** Awesome vocals and music. Positive & Inspirational.

I fell in love with Wilderswood from this CD. It was another one of those songs that I played about a 1000 times. I included it in my Radio Show FindingYourMusic as one of favorites. I am also including Wilderswood and the next track in my Birthday Pick. Everyday Records who produced this CD are amazing and it is wonderful to network with such an amazing group. Give this a listen.

Trond is still in the studio voicing Sponge Bob Square Pants and in addition has recently started work directing a television series for Disney. There are also concert appearances being planned for the Summer - will post more details as we have them.

We've recently joined the ranks of MySpace and have enjoyed a phenomenal reponse - our website hits have gone through the roof!!! We've also made, yet more, new friends and had the pleasure of discovering and communicating with great artists - indie and major.

One MySpace discovery I'd like to mention are the hugely successful Irish choir Anúna. Founded in 1987, Anúna have released ten albums, almost exclusively featuring arrangements and original works composed by Michael McGlynn.

Will sign off for now - but here's a quick recommendation in the comedy dept:

The Mitchell Hurwitz creation Arrested Development just the best around - the whole cast are brilliant - TV Heaven!

Catch Yer Later, Helen.

P.S. at the risk of appearing soppy, and with all due respect to the copyright holders:

April Showers

(Buddy DeSylva / Louis Silvers)

Life is not a highway strewn with flowers
Still it holds a goodly share of bliss
When the sun gives way to April Showers
Here's a point that you should never miss...

Though April Showers may come your way
They bring the flowers that bloom in May
So, if it's raining have no regrets
Because it isn't raining rain, you know,
It's raining violets

And when you see clouds upon the hills
You soon will see crowds of daffodils
So, keep looking for the bluebird
And list'ning for his song
Whenever April Showers come along

Check out your favourite songwriters at The Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Well here we are... where are we?

2006-03-03T14:02:00.000Z

The TROND TEIGEN album DISTANT SHORES has been out 3 months now and we're still realising the avenues open to us via the internet. We've made many new friends around the World and are enjoying the freedom of our independence.

In addition to quite a lot of airplay in the UK and Trond's native Norway, we're finding our way onto web radio (intend to name-check some stations next blog).

Trond's a ridiculously talented chap - one of the most beautiful tenor voices you're ever likely to hear, an actor, dancer, director, great at comedy.... and he's modest too! Alongside concerts and promoting DISTANT SHORES he's the new voice of SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS in Norway. Diversity Rules!

We're still in the process of being digitally distributed to a lot of niche services - the best news for us (being Mac freaks) was that we hit iTunes late December 2005. Trond Teigen - Distant Shores on iTunes

February saw the BRIT AWARDS 2006 - I had the honour this year to be a member of the voting academy. Apart from the obvious contenders it was interesting to research the shortlists and discover some new favourites. Not many of my choices made it to the acceptance speech - but hey I tried! www.thebrits.co.uk

A track that recently caught my heart is "Fill My Little World" by THE FEELING. I think I ran across it on a sampler. It's a great song & also a great record - brilliant arrangment. Reminiscent of the perfect pop singles from the late'60s & '70s - BADFINGER, PILOT, maybe BIG STAR. They also share a similar vibe to contemporary band ATHLETE. I hope they take off big style. www.thefeeling.com

More uplifting stuff - I can't review the past month without mentioning our absolute comedy favourites JULIAN BARRETT & NOEL FIELDING aka THE MIGHTY BOOSH!!! Caught their show at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester and spent several days after with a smile on my face. All the favourites were there - Naboo (MICHAEL FIELDING), Bollo (DAVE BROWN), assorted oddities (RICH FULCHER). We just love the whole BOOSH package - the comedy, the artwork and the brilliant music & songs. www.themightyboosh.com

Anyway, that's it for now. Hope you call in again, hope you enjoy the links, PEACE.