Phil Martin's debut solo album 'Before We Go To Paradise'

Phil Martin released his first solo album Before we go to Paradise on 31st January 2012. Hard copies of the album are available now from record shops and online at Amazon, Virgin and every other website that sells CDs, with iTunes and other MP3 downloads coming very soon.

Phil has played in a number of bands over the years, including the Shanakies who supported Blur on their Parklife tour, and The Men they Couldn’t Hang. As well as performing solo, he is currently playing with a handful of musicians and acts including, The Bitter Springs who have shared a bill with Vic Godard as the Subway Sect, Swill Odgers (of The Men They Couldn't Hang fame), Jowe Head and the Demi-Monde (Jowe Head of Swell Maps/Television Personalities fame), Valerie and her Week of Wonders, Kindred Spirit, The Talesmen  and The Long Decline.

Phil learnt to play the violin as a young boy and also sang in a church choir. His mum gave him his first guitar lesson at thirteen and ten years later he finally played a proper electric guitar in public. As well as singing playing the guitar and violin, he can now also "get a sound out of various instruments including viola and stylophone". Not bad!

Phil's next solo gig is on 15th March at the Troubadour in Earls Court. For more news on Phil's live activity you can visit his website.

Here are links to reviews of Before we go to Paradise:

Fatea
Mudkiss Fanzine
Whisperin' and Hollerin'
Amazon

Gig News, and more: Steve White and the Protest Family

Steve White and the Protest Family, which includes ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP member Lol Ross, play a Standard Music promoted gig at The Artisan in Chingford on Saturday 18th February. Support comes from the delightful Corporal Machine & The Bombers, and one other act to be confirmed.

The band, whose line-up now also includes the multi-talented Russ Chandler (his own album 'Last Night In Babylon' comes out on 12th Feb), have two more dates lined up in March, and one in April - so watch this space for details of those. They are also opening the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival in July.

They have been busy recording, too, so you should be hearing one of their most popular tunes as the Mayoral Election draws closer. And finally, their studio album /double EP 'Drums Ruin Everything' will be out soon. Watch this space for details of that, too.

The Zone's new EP, Which Path?

In August last year Surrey/Hants/Staffs band, The Zone, which comprises RTYD members Dave Browett, John Cunnison, and Rob Hayter, recorded 5 new songs for an EP entitled 'Which Path?'. You can listen to it, and download it here. The band are planning a CD release very soon, so watch this space. They are also playing a battle of the bands competition at Brixton Jamm tomorrow afternoon (Sunday 5th Feb) at 4:30pm. Best of luck, boys!

Kent Gig News: Sat 4 Feb: The Wickermen at The Ivy Leaf, Dartford: http://bit.ly/nu1JS5

Gloucestershire Gig News: Sat 4 Feb: The Lone Groover + Folk Grinder @ the Prince Albert Stroud: http://bit.ly/nu1JS5 folk punk acoustic

Surrey Gig News: Sat 4 Feb: Jezebel No More at The Mayford Arms, Woking http://bit.ly/nu1JS5

London Gig News: Sat 4 Feb: The Outbursts at The Grosvenor, Stockwell: http://bit.ly/nu1JS5 punk

West Midlands Gig News: Sat 4 Feb: Milestone Road at Eddie's Rock Club, Gough Street, Birmingham: http://bit.ly/nu1JS5)

Introducing Tucson Arizona band Graveyard Darlings

A big ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-WELCOME! to Tucson Arizona originals band Graveyard Darlings.

The band comprises Danny Boy, Bimmy, Johnny Neptune and Bolen, and although they would rather that their music did the talking, they will say that it is about "friends...good times...drinks...good times...memories and good times - nuthin' too serious". And so it should be. You can listen to it here,

Introducing Chobham Surrey based musician Keith Chilvers

A ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP welcome to Chobham, Surrey, based musician, Keith Chilvers.

Keith plays plays slide guitar, mandolin, flatpick guitar, and sings in a blues duo with Tony Barker who plays slide dobro, harmonica and sings.

Keith also plays in an old time quartet called the Surrey Old Time String Band, which is appellation style music, and features fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, double bass and vocals. He has a small home studio suitable for recording up to a trio, and a big interest in bluegrass music. He is also available for session work.