FESTIVAL IN THE GARDENS: BRAINTREE ESSEX
FESTIVAL . GARDENS . BANDS . FOOD . WINE . BEER . FUN . BRAINTREE . ESSEX.
On Saturday and Sunday I attended "Festival in the Gardens" in Braintree, Essex. A festival to help raise funds for the garden, which is the first for this small country town.
Showcasting gourmet foods, drinks, crafts and music created and performed by the people and businesses local to Braintree.
When I first walked into the gardens there was good vibrations left right and centre. This was truly what I expected a country festival to be like; food trucks, bars, stalls, and my personal favourite, hay bale seats (minus the boot scooting).
With face painting and bouncy castles for the kids, and a play ground that was already part of the gardens, which proved a hit with the kids.
jewellery makers, booze, crafts, you name it, it had it all!! I loved that it was all local and there was so much support upon everyone, which is pretty rare where I come from.
*BARS*
One of the bars had a cool Pigglo truck that was turned into a bar. I even got to help out behind the bar!
A company called " The Wooden bench hire", which hire out the benches (hand mad by them), and props that you can hire for parties, weddings, festivals, and any event really.
I had a look on there website and all of there designs are really unique and magical.
Check them out for yourself:
Website: https://woodenbenchhirecompany.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WoodenBenchHire/
*SOME OF THE BANDS*
THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS
I recently had a chat to Richard singer/songwriter and guitarist for The Mighty Bosscats, and decided to ask I some questions:
QUESTIONS:
1. What does your band name mean and/or where did you come up with the idea for it?
The name was originally BOSS CATS and some one once introduced us as the MIGHTY BOSS CATS and the superlative just stuck. The name was something we threw together when we were a different line up, no particular meaning really.
2. How did you and the other band member's meet?
I have had several line ups and we normally meet through the musicians network in the area or going to the same jam sessions. I have had some sort of band since 2008 - I did go to music college and was professional when I first moved to London, but I got disillusioned and virtually stopped playing. I moved out of London to here in Essex. I went to a jam after 10 years or so of not doing anything and really enjoyed it. I then started the BOSSCATS which was a Stevie Ray Vaughn type trio. It later morphed into what we have now. I started recording in 2011 when I released 4 albums, I'm now working on my 11th.
3. How long have you been together?
This line up - which is changing after the gig Sunday has been together a year - the Mighty Boss cats properly from 2011 when we released our first album - I am the only remaining member from that line up - so album wise 7 years
4. Whats your song writing process?
I run a song writing course and I am doing a cut down version at the Colne Blues Festival. You need a few basic elements for a song. Subject matter, Lyrics, Melody, Harmony and arrangement, you basically start with any of the elements, depending on inspiration/research and just tick the box when you have all 5 !! I wrote an album on the 7 deadly sins - one song for each sin - I wrote that based on research and how the sins made me feel or as a story around the sin. Quite fascinating subject - I should have done 7 virtues as well as the distributor wouldn't take the album as it only had 7 songs on !!
5. Who are your influences and heroes music wise and why?
Influences are Mark Knoplfer - great story teller and amazing guitar player and all Americana music really. I like any music really, started off on the heavy side with Led zep, Deep purple, hendrix that sort of stuff and when I started playing acoustic and writing it was more song writers I listened to - Songs document life and I love wirting so may as well document what I see - Here's the inner sleeve of the latest album :
"It was 8th November 2016, and I was sat at a bar in a plush hotel: JW Marriott’s, Main Street, Houston. It was Election Night for the USA, and the long-awaited result would soon be with us. It had been an unprecedented election campaign, two candidates polarising the nation as never before. There were many people sat at the bar, but three guys provided, between them, a loud uncensored commentary on the result proceedings. They were dressed in the corporate uniform of Ralph Lauren shirts, Chinos, brown belt and brown shoes. Three rich white guys. They talked animatedly about the lucky people who would get the contracts when Trump’s wall was commissioned, if he was elected. I became a voyeur, and felt uncomfortable with what I perceived was opinionated rhetoric.
6. You are playing Festival in the Gardens in Braintree Essex this Sunday, what other festivals or tours have you done?
Yes we are doing a few festivals this year and in April I did some shows in Moscow - which was a first. I basically sent my recordings out there and a band out there learnt all the songs. We had an hour rehearsal before the first show and it was a 550 seater theatre - talk about flying by the seat of your pants, but it worked. Here are the remaining shows for 2018 so far
20th May - Garden Festival Braintree Park - Band
26th May - United Brethren Chelmsford - Band
27th May - Queens Head Burnham - Band
03rd Jun - United Brethren Chelmsford - Solo
09th Jun - Stow Blues Festival - Band
21st July - Ealing Blues Fest 3.15 - 4.30 main stage - Band
28th July - Uckfied Rock and Blues Festival - Band
26th Aug - Colne blues festival - Solo
10th Oct - Duke of York Ipswich - Solo
07th Nov - Samworth & Me Broadstairs - Solo
08th Nov - Samworth & Me Broadstairs - Solo
24th Nov - United Brethren Chelmsford - Ban
and I have done Orkeny island festival, shetland Island festival, gigging in USA, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and Russia. I do travel a bit.
7. Anything you would like to share or add?
If anyone wants to check the music out there's a shed load of info on www.richardtownend.com or they can subscribe to my youtube channel which is www.youtube.com/themightybosscats
Thank you so much Richard, it was great meeting you xx
For more information about The Mighty Bosscats please see details below:
Band Members:
Richard Townend: Singer/songwriter,guitarist,and chief bottle washer
Phil Wilson : Bass and BV
Phil Ockelford :Gtr and BV
Glen Buck :Drums until Sunday then we have Steve Morris taking over on Drums
Web details:
facebook:https://www.facebook.com/themightybosscats/
Website:https://www.richardtownend.com
Email:themightybosscats@hotmail.com
------------------------------------
FOX WIGGLE AND SASS
QUESTIONS
1. What does your band name mean and/or where did you come up with the idea for it?
We were actually commissioned to form for a big Vintage event. The coordinator reached out to me and explained what she was looking for; I knew just the gals for the job, and Fox Wiggle and Sass was born. The 3 of us went for pizza and brain stormed some names, but I came up with Fox Wiggle and Sass because they perfectly fit our on stage personas perfectly. We loved performing together so much at that event, that we decided to make it a permanent thing.
2. How did you and the other band member's meet?
We loved performing together so much at that event, that we decided to make it a permanent thing.
3. How long have you been together?
The line up has seen a few changes over the years....We've been performing for almost 4 years now, but I met the current Wiggle through the original Wiggle and the new Sass came to us via the wonderful world wide web.
4. What inspired you to want to base your group on 1940’s music?
We listen to all sorts of tunes in the Foxmobile on the way home from gigs. There's nothing like the spectacle of 3 gals at a set of traffic lights all done up in 40's chic absolutely bossing out RATM at the top of their lungs.
5. You are playing Festival in the Gardens in Braintree Essex this Sunday, what other festivals or tours have you done?
We have performed up and down the Country to so many different types of events. We've performed in Cardiff at Christmas, we've sang couples down the aisle, we've supported Shawaddywaddy at a corporate night and sang to war heroes at award ceremonies. Our job allows us to meet such a variety of fabulous people around the UK and we absolutely love our job.
thank you so much Fox xx
For more information about Fox, Wiggle and Sass please see details below:
Web Details:
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/foxwiggleandsass/
Website:https://www.foxwiggleandsass.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fox.wiggle.sass/
Email: foxwiggleandsass@gmail.com
---------------------------------------
This was a great local event and I hope it is a annual event for the town of Braintree.
PEACE X
On Saturday and Sunday I attended "Festival in the Gardens" in Braintree, Essex. A festival to help raise funds for the garden, which is the first for this small country town.
Showcasting gourmet foods, drinks, crafts and music created and performed by the people and businesses local to Braintree.
When I first walked into the gardens there was good vibrations left right and centre. This was truly what I expected a country festival to be like; food trucks, bars, stalls, and my personal favourite, hay bale seats (minus the boot scooting).
With face painting and bouncy castles for the kids, and a play ground that was already part of the gardens, which proved a hit with the kids.
jewellery makers, booze, crafts, you name it, it had it all!! I loved that it was all local and there was so much support upon everyone, which is pretty rare where I come from.
*BARS*
One of the bars had a cool Pigglo truck that was turned into a bar. I even got to help out behind the bar!
A company called " The Wooden bench hire", which hire out the benches (hand mad by them), and props that you can hire for parties, weddings, festivals, and any event really.
I had a look on there website and all of there designs are really unique and magical.
Check them out for yourself:
Website: https://woodenbenchhirecompany.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WoodenBenchHire/
*SOME OF THE BANDS*
THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS
I recently had a chat to Richard singer/songwriter and guitarist for The Mighty Bosscats, and decided to ask I some questions:
QUESTIONS:
1. What does your band name mean and/or where did you come up with the idea for it?
The name was originally BOSS CATS and some one once introduced us as the MIGHTY BOSS CATS and the superlative just stuck. The name was something we threw together when we were a different line up, no particular meaning really.
2. How did you and the other band member's meet?
I have had several line ups and we normally meet through the musicians network in the area or going to the same jam sessions. I have had some sort of band since 2008 - I did go to music college and was professional when I first moved to London, but I got disillusioned and virtually stopped playing. I moved out of London to here in Essex. I went to a jam after 10 years or so of not doing anything and really enjoyed it. I then started the BOSSCATS which was a Stevie Ray Vaughn type trio. It later morphed into what we have now. I started recording in 2011 when I released 4 albums, I'm now working on my 11th.
3. How long have you been together?
This line up - which is changing after the gig Sunday has been together a year - the Mighty Boss cats properly from 2011 when we released our first album - I am the only remaining member from that line up - so album wise 7 years
4. Whats your song writing process?
I run a song writing course and I am doing a cut down version at the Colne Blues Festival. You need a few basic elements for a song. Subject matter, Lyrics, Melody, Harmony and arrangement, you basically start with any of the elements, depending on inspiration/research and just tick the box when you have all 5 !! I wrote an album on the 7 deadly sins - one song for each sin - I wrote that based on research and how the sins made me feel or as a story around the sin. Quite fascinating subject - I should have done 7 virtues as well as the distributor wouldn't take the album as it only had 7 songs on !!
5. Who are your influences and heroes music wise and why?
Influences are Mark Knoplfer - great story teller and amazing guitar player and all Americana music really. I like any music really, started off on the heavy side with Led zep, Deep purple, hendrix that sort of stuff and when I started playing acoustic and writing it was more song writers I listened to - Songs document life and I love wirting so may as well document what I see - Here's the inner sleeve of the latest album :
"It was 8th November 2016, and I was sat at a bar in a plush hotel: JW Marriott’s, Main Street, Houston. It was Election Night for the USA, and the long-awaited result would soon be with us. It had been an unprecedented election campaign, two candidates polarising the nation as never before. There were many people sat at the bar, but three guys provided, between them, a loud uncensored commentary on the result proceedings. They were dressed in the corporate uniform of Ralph Lauren shirts, Chinos, brown belt and brown shoes. Three rich white guys. They talked animatedly about the lucky people who would get the contracts when Trump’s wall was commissioned, if he was elected. I became a voyeur, and felt uncomfortable with what I perceived was opinionated rhetoric.
Earlier that month we had been on a road trip. First stop, Dallas, to the book depository, see the grassy knoll, and learn about the assassination of JFK. Memphis was next; a trip to Graceland, Stax, and Sun Records followed. We visited the Lorraine Motel, which provides a backdrop for the Civil Rights Museum. It's a fitting tribute to Dr Martin Luther King Jr, who was shot at the motel on 4th April 1968 whilst visiting to support sanitary workers on strike over equal pay.
The road trip provided a unique view of modern American cultural history. It was fresh in my mind on Election Night, and as the TV announced Trump had won, the three supporters at the bar whooped with gusto. Three JD’s were ordered. Looking at the TV, and holding his shot high, one toasted, “God Bless America”…and so the first new song for the album was written."
6. You are playing Festival in the Gardens in Braintree Essex this Sunday, what other festivals or tours have you done?
Yes we are doing a few festivals this year and in April I did some shows in Moscow - which was a first. I basically sent my recordings out there and a band out there learnt all the songs. We had an hour rehearsal before the first show and it was a 550 seater theatre - talk about flying by the seat of your pants, but it worked. Here are the remaining shows for 2018 so far
20th May - Garden Festival Braintree Park - Band
26th May - United Brethren Chelmsford - Band
27th May - Queens Head Burnham - Band
03rd Jun - United Brethren Chelmsford - Solo
09th Jun - Stow Blues Festival - Band
21st July - Ealing Blues Fest 3.15 - 4.30 main stage - Band
28th July - Uckfied Rock and Blues Festival - Band
26th Aug - Colne blues festival - Solo
10th Oct - Duke of York Ipswich - Solo
07th Nov - Samworth & Me Broadstairs - Solo
08th Nov - Samworth & Me Broadstairs - Solo
24th Nov - United Brethren Chelmsford - Ban
and I have done Orkeny island festival, shetland Island festival, gigging in USA, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and Russia. I do travel a bit.
7. Anything you would like to share or add?
If anyone wants to check the music out there's a shed load of info on www.richardtownend.com or they can subscribe to my youtube channel which is www.youtube.com/themightybosscats
Thank you so much Richard, it was great meeting you xx
For more information about The Mighty Bosscats please see details below:
Band Members:
Richard Townend: Singer/songwriter,guitarist,and chief bottle washer
Phil Wilson : Bass and BV
Phil Ockelford :Gtr and BV
Glen Buck :Drums until Sunday then we have Steve Morris taking over on Drums
Web details:
facebook:https://www.facebook.com/themightybosscats/
Website:https://www.richardtownend.com
Email:themightybosscats@hotmail.com
------------------------------------
FOX WIGGLE AND SASS
I recently had a chat with Fox and asked her some questions.
QUESTIONS
1. What does your band name mean and/or where did you come up with the idea for it?
We were actually commissioned to form for a big Vintage event. The coordinator reached out to me and explained what she was looking for; I knew just the gals for the job, and Fox Wiggle and Sass was born. The 3 of us went for pizza and brain stormed some names, but I came up with Fox Wiggle and Sass because they perfectly fit our on stage personas perfectly. We loved performing together so much at that event, that we decided to make it a permanent thing.
2. How did you and the other band member's meet?
We loved performing together so much at that event, that we decided to make it a permanent thing.
3. How long have you been together?
The line up has seen a few changes over the years....We've been performing for almost 4 years now, but I met the current Wiggle through the original Wiggle and the new Sass came to us via the wonderful world wide web.
4. What inspired you to want to base your group on 1940’s music?
We listen to all sorts of tunes in the Foxmobile on the way home from gigs. There's nothing like the spectacle of 3 gals at a set of traffic lights all done up in 40's chic absolutely bossing out RATM at the top of their lungs.
5. You are playing Festival in the Gardens in Braintree Essex this Sunday, what other festivals or tours have you done?
We have performed up and down the Country to so many different types of events. We've performed in Cardiff at Christmas, we've sang couples down the aisle, we've supported Shawaddywaddy at a corporate night and sang to war heroes at award ceremonies. Our job allows us to meet such a variety of fabulous people around the UK and we absolutely love our job.
thank you so much Fox xx
For more information about Fox, Wiggle and Sass please see details below:
Band Members:
Fox: Aimee Tuck
Wiggle: Amy Secretan
Sass: Gemma Robinson
Wiggle: Amy Secretan
Sass: Gemma Robinson
Web Details:
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/foxwiggleandsass/
Website:https://www.foxwiggleandsass.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fox.wiggle.sass/
Email: foxwiggleandsass@gmail.com
---------------------------------------
This was a great local event and I hope it is a annual event for the town of Braintree.
PEACE X
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