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Some Bleeding Hands Reviews "Bleeding Hands (or Andy Hughes to his mum), Macclesfield-based veteran of many an open-mic night who's happy to pitch up pretty much anywhere with an acoustic guitar and a heart full of stories. His rough, lived-in voice recalls Dylan, Tom Waits and traditional Northern folk heritage; the songs are from a similar background with a hint of Noel Gallagher's more poignant acoustic moments. This is the sort of music that would sound like the best thing in the world sat around a fire in a lovely old pub up on the moors - but it sounds pretty fine in a city centre basement too." Manchester Music Website "Andy Hughes, more notably known as Bleeding Hands. Just one man and his guitar. Or rather just one man with a bloody big heart worn on his sleeve, that throbs through the guitar he is playing like they are joined by a single life force. Perhaps this explains the overflow onto his talented appendages. The set switched between vitriolic outbursts such as Magic Spell and softer sentimental tracks the most moving being 'strange addiction'. A new song called 'Camelot' that had been 'inspired by the sunshine', (a rare occurrence in our fair city of Mancunia) completed the set and in my opinion epitomised the raw passion of Bleeding Hand's repertoire." Review by London/Mcr writer, Jemma Regan the clash website "Next on is BLEEDING HANDS, a handsome and affable lad with an acoustic guitar, a bunch of warm indie-folky tunes flecked with bitterness and a wonderfully gravelly troubadour voice. Criticised on the very message board which begat this session for the simple directness of some of his lyrics, you don't always need a thesaurus to express feelings and to watch him is to know that this comes from the heart, which is good enough for me." By Cath Aubergine manchester music website

"Bleak doesn't really do Bleeding Hands justice. As you'd expect from someone with a name like a blues legend, he takes a downbeat look at life and manages to create, in his simple acoustica, songs that sound both empty and full at once. Give him a budget for a band and his growling charm could fly" Review by Chris Long BBC bbc review   The is the debut album from Andy "Bleeding Hands" Hughes, singer/songwriter from Macclesfield. With mainly vocals and acoustic guitar, arrangements are straight forward, but striking - its Andy's distinctive voice that immediately grabs you by the scruff of the neck with the opener "Promised Land" and only lets you go kicking and screaming to the closing refrain of the live version that ends the album. Comparisons have been made to Nick Drake and Tom Waits, and vocally Tom Robinson also springs to mind. This is by no means the happiest album I've heard recently, but it's engaging and it makes a change to hear every single word sung. Sorrowful, yet joyfully emotive. Simple, yet strangely complex. A rather ambivalent feeling album! There are a full 15 tracks; 10 studio recorded and five live tracks from Andy's gigging around Manchester. If anything that's a bit too long and because of the simple arrangements you'd be forgiven for thinking that you'd accidentally put your CD player on repeat. I think the addition of a full band would really lift these songs to another level giving a much more colourful palette for the artist to express himself. A good start for a first recording and hopefully this will bring Andy the opportunity to do much more. Reviewed by Chris Sharp of Cross Rhythms crossrhythms.co.uk Links to popular review sites: manchestermusic.co.uk BBC Manchester Manchester Evening News

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http://www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk/greenpoll/artist/i-am-three

I am Three are an acoustic duo from Manchester. The two members, Hughes (acoustic guitar/vocals) and Irving (double bass/vocals) song writers and their opposing interests create a genre defying mix of identifiable styles such as grunge, alt-folk, blues & hip-hop.

hi

Please have a listen to new super duo "I AM THREE"

www.myspace.com/jesuistrois

Cheers

Andy

Jon Gomm/ Ragnhilde (the bees niece)/ Tom Kerswill/ Sampson and Delilah/Adam Irving and Bleeding hands

(running order TBC)

 

8pm sharp start.

 

£3 on the door

 

Kro Bar

 

325 Oxford Rd

Manchester, M13 9PG

0161 274 3100

 

Featuring:

 

Jon Gomm (headline)

http://www.jongomm.com/

http://www.myspace.com/jongomm

 

"If you closed your eyes there’d be an ensemble playing... A huge emotional range, swinging between sentimental and just plain mental. This is style and content, solo work at its best" LeedMusicScene.com

 

"One of the world’s most successful, gifted and inspirational guitar players" Acoustic Magazine

 

"Sheer bloody genius… sublime, impassioned songwriting" Sandman Magazine

 

"This guy has it all - great heartfelt vocals, inspired and original songs, and guitar playing as good as you will ever hear. The new Hendrix." ReviewCentre.com

 

 

Ragenhilde (the bees niece)

http://www.myspace.com/thebeesniece

 

Ragnhild used her soft Norwegian voice to convey beautiful images and stories, with backing arrangements of acoustic guitar with deep basslines, saw and chimes of reverberating glass this is a truly amazing performer.

 

Sampson and Delilah

http://www.myspace.com/thesamsonanddelilahshow

 

Songs of love & hate, truth & deceit, beauty & decay...

Influenced by stories & traditions old & new, Samson & Delilah are currently busying themselves recording their first album for a mid 2008 release. Amongst a myriad of instruments the folk soaked record will feature the core live sounds of guitar, flute, mandolin, piano, accordion and double bass.

 

Tom Kerswill

http://www.tomkerswill.co.uk/

http://www.myspace.com/tomkerswill

 

A familiar face on the city circuit and very much a one man band. Tom’s energetic approach to his music finds him on cue with work boots, well worn jeans and maybe his favourite t-shirt. He’s casual in image but so absolutely meticulous when it comes to songwriting. His guitar style eschews finger picking for the best part, with his dynamic strums sometimes feverishly staggering between big chord crashes. The songs are perfectly trim and crammed with infectious, serious melodies. There’s not just one or two gems here but a whole string of tunes that hook you in to the observational lyrics as the set is interspersed with tales from the road and anecdotes about missed trains. "My Mind’s Eye" is one of Tom’s signature tunes and I for one hope that more people get to hear and see him play. Manchestermusic.co.uk

 

Adam Irving and Bleeding hands

http://www.bleedinghands.com

http://www.myspace.com/bleedinghandshughes

http://www.myspace.com/mittenrecords

 

Heartfelt acoustic music, a fusion of folk, blues and grunge into an intense whole that will leave you wanting more.

 

Hosted By: Bleeding Hands
When: 26 Mar 2008, 19:00
Where: the Bullet Bar
Town Road
London, NW18PB
United Kingdom
Description:
Bleeding Hands

Click Here To View Event

CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF ISSUE 17 IN STYLE - THE UGLY TREE LIVE

Parameter & Lamport Court magazines invite you to join them for an evening of poetry, prose and live music upstairs at The Briton's Protection, 50 Gt Bridgewater St, Manchester M1 5LE.

Featuring Gerry Potter (aka Chloe Poems), Dermot Glennon, conor a, James Davies, Sarah L.Dixon, Hannah Kate, Chris McCabe, David Gaffney, Zoe Lambert, Chris Killen, Alec Newman, Adam Irving, Bleeding Hands & Francis Kirstein.
Monday 3rd March, 7.00pm (Doors 6.30pm). Free entry, so you've no excuse!

www.myspace.com/notpartofnye

A cultural Antidote to all the festive indulgences.

Saturday 12th January 3pm - 10 pm @ Dance House, Oxford Road, Manchester

£7 or £5 concs

30 acts on 2 stages. Theatre, stand up, music, puppertry, performance poetry.

Summer 2009 will see the largest, most wide ranging and inclusive arts festival Manchester has yet seen; The Not Part Of Festival.



From established and fringe venues, artists of every discipline will grab the chance to use this new platform to demonstrate their underground, exciting, fresh, modern work. The festival is a collaborative movement borne out of the opportunity that the Manchester International Festival has created.



To build towards this (and to build on the success of last summer's Not Part Of Manchester International Festival – go to www.notmanchesterinternationalfestival.co.uk to see how well it went) we are launching our first run-up event; Not Part Of New Years Eve. This will give a showcase of work from Not Part Of MIF and also a flavour of what to expect over what will be an incredible 17 days in summer 2009.

Full listings

Theatre                           

 

4pm      Jason Cooke/neil www.myspace.com/comedyballoon

4.20pm Shakey Jakes   www.myspace.com/shakeyjakes   

4.40pm Richard Barrett                www.myspace.com/grogz

5.20pm Asta Theatre                    15 min theatre piece                                

5.40pm FUBLIC DICK                  www.myspace.com/fublicdick

6.20pm Fiona Abernethy               www.myspace.com/fionaabernethy

6.40pm Pleasure Drenching Improvers     www.myspace.com/pleasuredrenchingimprovers

7.20pm Jamie Scott                     One Man Theatre Show

7.40pm The Spokes                     www.ibikemcr.org.uk/thespokes.htm    

8.10pm Bryan Lacey/ Thomas Davies  www.myspace.com/bryanlacey

8.30pm Paul Knight                      Poet

8.50pm Kinetic Fallacy                 www.myspace.com/kineticfallacy

9.30pm Lazy Browns                   www.myspace.com/lebrowns

9.50pm Sir Richard Swan           www.myspace.com/richardswan

10.30pm Starfighter Pilot                           www.myspace.com/thestarfighterpilot

10.50pm Pillowman l/m               Musical Puppetry

 

 

Studio 

                         

4.30pm Paul Hand  www.myspace.com/paulhand

4.50pm Brianne Edge     www.comedysportz.co.uk  

5.10pm No Attitude   www.noattitude.co.uk                               

5.40pm Andy Nicholson & Group Poetry Group                              

6.00pm Ragz www.myspace.com/ragzmusic

6.40pm Stephanie Portersmith    Poet                                                 

7.00pm Belle of Le Bois & Semi Precious Gents www.myspace.com/belleofleboismusic

7.35pm Mel Moon www.myspace.com/melamoon

7.55pm Tom Kerswill     www.tomkerswill.co.uk                                                     

8.15pm Shangrila           Cabaret Show                                                        

8.50pm Samson & Delilah www.myspace.com/thesamsonanddelilahshow

9.10pm Being Sebastien Theatre Piece                             

9.50pm Bleeding Hands www.bleedinghands.com

Hosted By: Bleeding Hands
When: 06 Dec 2007, 20:00
Where: Dry Bar
Oldham Street
Manchester, Manchester
United Kingdom
Description:
Bleeding Hands

Click Here To View Event

Hey Hey!!

Hows it going? a warm welcome to my myspace....

I am Bleeding Hands, from Manchester UK, I specialise in acoustic guitar music, from the ground up my music is roots, soul and passion. Music is my art form and cannot be tied to a genre, as each song is a creation, almost an experiment and an expression of emotion at the time. from a dream, or a nightmare, neither sleeping or awake.

Currently I am looking to perform live as much as possible, this is where I really gain my mantra for life, I recently recorded a new demo recorded @ "Planet Janet Studios" produced by Janet Wolstenholme four of the tracks which will be available for pre-release and free to download later this year, this was funded by the Manchester Extraordinary Rendition which can be found @ EXR.org.uk following my coming third in their acoustic music competition 2007 the clash competition website

There is no other band members to bleeding hands, just me, I started out in 2006 on a serious mission, I sent a pre-release copy of my still untitled CD to BBC Manchester, which received a brilliant reviewed by Chris Long (journalist at BBC Manchester), this gave me the inspiration to go further, and so when asked to play live on silk FM for UK music week, I jumped at the chance, Rachel Houghton (prime time presenter) was reduced to "that was lovely" on hearing promise land live for the first time. Following this i released my first CD (recorded and produced by Ben Banister @ high toy studios www.hi-toystudios.com) and so put together a summer tour, submitting demos left right and centre, the tour began with my first London gig and to celebrate the start of my first ever tour, the CD now entitled "bleeding hands unplugged" was on sale at every gig,

The Summer tour 2006 included gigs in Manchester London, Nottingham, Liverpool Macclesfield and Whalley Bridge, and a promotional visit to ALL FM to play another live set on radio, the tour consisted of 20 dates, and resulted the unplugged in being play listed by global radio six international, alooge (Germany), and silk fm, it felt great to be playing, Manchesters premier venues, - dry bar, night and day, the attic, thirsty scholar and many more, but also along side some of Manchester's greatest up and coming acts, this brought what i believe a great success in the self-released "unplugged album" of which over 200 copies were sold at gigs alone!

In growing confidence I set up the winter blues tour, starting with a long awaited gig, at the rampant lion, which included playing 2 ox-jam dates, raising hundreds at the Swan in Macclesfield with a 15 band line up, and playing as part of "in the city" at M19- supporting October. I also played Levenshulme festival with the EXR, the start of the tour coincided with the release of the music video for strange addiction and was a great promotional tool for the song, which came 5th in radio six's record of the year and was made available for download from 3 mobile

in all my, first year of getting my music to a wider audience has been a success, i plan to keeping recording and keeping on writing, keeping on gigging keep on enjoying making music. whilst 2006 have been a great success, with highlights like joining the EXR collective, coming 5th in the record of the year, totalling 62 plus live performances, launching online shop. my journey has so far left me with confidence and a hunger to do more.

if you want to read some mindless babble about my music then goto www.bleedinghands.com or drop me a line some time

Currently I am running an open mic night at the Castle Hotel www.castlepub.co.uk
the home page for the night can be found @ www.myspace.com/thecastleopenmic


cheers Andy

wow its been ages since i wrote any blog

i guess its hard to keep a diary for me because i lead such an exciting life

quick summary

got robbed yesterday

got threatened with death

got drunk

thats about it

Andy

Posted By:Bleeding Hands

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

Hosted By: Andy Hughes
When: 03 Aug 2006 20:00
Where: Night and Day Cafe
Oldham Street
Manchester, M11JN
UK
Description:
Andy Hughes

Click Here To View Event

If you an unsigned musician at any stage of your career, its really going to help you to plan things out, so here I have out together a crash course for a music plan, getting started as a soloist or a band, it can be pretty blinding to know what to do next, I think its really important to have a plan, and keep in mind the bigger picture..

 

So youre main objective, it could be record deal, it could be get a gig, it depends where youre at. The Idea is read this, and it will hopefully give you a crash course to write youre own music plan.

 

Initial steps

(things you should think about first)

 

• Write a  plan
• List out all possible music opportunities i.e. Addresses and companies in the local area, Record all Name, Address Contact and Phone Numbers
• Research internet resources
• Build a Proper Website please see for tips http://1979blues.googlepages.com
• Advertise
• Get a recording
• Plan Covering Letter
• Write a band biog

 

Your going to need a really well written Email or cover letter, ready for when you approach venues, radio stations and record companies,

 

Here is an example of the type of email I have used in the past:

 

Hi

My name is Andy, i am contacting you because i am looking to see if you can help me bring my music to a wider audience,

I am a soloist, guitar and vocals, if you like the sound of Tom Waits, Nick Drake, and the Beatles, mixed with Nirvana unplugged, then you'll more than likely enjoy my tunes.

  Please if you could find some time, maybe ten to fifteen minute to see what i am all about, i have some Music hosted on my website www.bleedinghands.com "Promise Land", "Some Day" and "Katie" are possibly the best examples of what i can do, any feedback on the site or the music is always appreciated.

I was hoping you may be able to provide me with ideas, or with any potential opportunities to be heard? i have already made a large amount of progress, playing live on Silk FM and soon ALLFM,  Ive been reviewed numerous times, including by the BBC Manchester, and my gig history speaks volumes of my ability, including playing some of Manchesters most prestigious venues including, Night and Day Cafe and Dry Bar, Ive played in Nottingham, London and Liverpool, and around the UK, last year i had a mini tour of Poland. All of which i have organised myself.

Please could you let me know if it is possible for you to assist me in someway, your professional opinion is extremely valuable, and if you could tell me the best way to get in touch, or if possible recommend anyone that may be able to help me? and possibly forward this email to them instead?

Many thanks and i hope to hear from you soon....

Regards

Andy

 

 

Some Basic things to think about

 

Forming A band (for none solo artists)

 

Create a Posters advertising for band members

Think about the Initial meeting, Where, and what do you need to find out about them

1) What Music they are currently into.

What bands have they been in before

Who are they?

What they want to do, ambitions, how often the can practice?

 

For solo artists and Bands

 

Its a good idea to consider your approach, who are your influences, etc, youll get asked this a lot, here are some initial things to think about:

 

• Visual image i.e. Wearing Sunglasses?? Or no shoes
• Define your approach, Blues Folk Approach Think Beth Orton, Tim Buckley, Dylan, Bragg
• Asses you strengths
• These could include, Cord Patterns, Blues licks, Short riffs, Lyrical content, Stage presence, Friendly attitude, not up myself, real, Audience communication

 

Next consider the things that will make you different from your competition?

 

This could include things like, Style Pop/Rock songs, Honesty, Own songs/covers, Lyrics, Chord Sequences

 

Then break down you act, you need 3 words to describe you act e.g. Blues, Smiths, Ashcroft maybe. Stylish, Melodic, simple

 

Writing Songs

 

Here are some pointers you might wish to consider when thinking about writing or composing songs, this will help you to become more dynamic.

• Rhythm
• Slow- Fast Movement with power of song
• Mood
• Movement Dynamic

 

Overall just be your self, dont try to emulate, but empathise, music is a personal experience, if you want to get more out of it, put more in.

 

Why become a musician?

Here are some starter reasons

 

• Artistic acclaim
• Spread Vibe
• Because I can

 

Think about what restrictions you may have and how to overcome these challenges. Budget is usually the main one.

 

 

How to choose and effective Set lists

 

Practice and record various set lists once you have decided on/written your songs

Record Various Sets at 30 60 90 mins, and listen back, see how they sound, which songs work together, (these dont yet need to be studio recordings)

 

One way to test how well songs go is to use media player, make up play lists including the different songs you have recorded

At any point you may be usually asked to play, 30 minutes, 60 Minutes, or 2*45 minutes

Prepare and rehearse before accepting work

Always ask about expected playtime!!

 

An Effective set should include some of the following elements

• Contrast + Shape
• Loud- Quiet
• Fast Slow
• Rhythmic Melodic
• Dense Sparse
• Relaxed Tense
• Serious Humorous

 

1^st song Impact + confident about playing

 

Build up set to a climax point � of the way through then final number can be more intimate or sing along save quieter numbers for later.

If not enough of own songs do covers.

Always have an encore in mind can repeat first number repeat what audience enjoys

 

 

Advertising

 

Things to think about

• Press releases
• Forth-coming engagements gigs
• Recording sessions
• Record releases
• General news and gossip about the act
• Brief band biography
• Economic clear and entertaining

 

Sending your Demo

 

• CD is cheapest
• 3 best songs (possibly your favourites)
• Display contrast + Professionalism
• Opening first song must make impact style and character

 

Before recording in a studio meet the engineer, play him rehearsal tape of song to help set up...

 

Think about designing an eye catching CD cover

Name and number on both!!!

 

Reasons your demo may be rejected:

1. No Contact Information (name, address, email, and phone number on both CD and Case)
2. Lack of Originality

3. The Music Is Good, But The Artist Doesn't Play Live

4. Poorly Recorded Material (if the world is going to hear your music, make sure its a decent recording)

5. Best songs are not identified (send only 3 or 4 songs and highlight the best ones)

6. Sending Videos Keep it simple!

7. Sending Unsolicited Recordings Check first before you waste money sending CDs that people dont ask for!

8. Sending The Wrong Music To The Wrong Label - do your research to find out what the venue/label you approach is interested in

9. Musicians Can't Play Practice harder!!!

10. The Music Shite

 

 

How to write your Bio

Before you begin to write the bio, be sure you have "taken an inventory" of your background, accomplishments, goals, and objectives as a musician, and remember who you are writing the Bio for: A&R Reps at Record Labels, Media Contacts, Booking Agents, and Management Contacts. These professionals in the music business are busy individuals, who may deal with dozens of "wanna-be's" every week, so make your bio informative, upbeat, and filled with useful comments, descriptions, quotes, and motivational language that can make them want to listen to your music, and help you on your musical way. When you are ready to rock nroll, writing the Bio using this outline can keep you focused and organized.

 

1st Paragraph:

Start with an introductory sentence that clearly defines the essential band/artist name, your specific genre of music, where you are from, and perhaps a positive quote about your music from a contact you have made in the music business.

2nd Paragraph:

This section should address the immediate purpose of the Bio. What are you doing at this time? Mention a current activity you are involved with.  If a new CD or Tape is coming out, that should be the main topic of the first sentence of the second paragraph. In other word, a reason why the Bio has been written should be clearly stated early on. Hints about any promotional activities that will be occurring to support the CD/Tape is also useful in this paragraph.

3rd and 4th Paragraph:

At this point, information on any other band members can be introduced, and background information on the forming of the group, past experience, accomplishments, and recognition issues can be addressed. If you have developed a plan for your career path, additional paragraphs elaborating on this type of can be written, that demonstrate how your current project is part of a larger career development plan.

Ending:

As stated earlier, the Bio should not waste words. For a new artist 1 page is sufficient to get the job done. For more experienced artists, a page and a half to two pages should be the maximum length. So, ending the Bio in an efficient way should be the aim; use another quote from a gatekeeper who supports the artist, or summarize the 2nd paragraph information, reminding the reader of current activities.

 

 

 

Misc things to remember

 

 

• Need a roadie to help set up gigs
• Must be familiar with material and control on stage sound levels

 

• Location Time
• Access when to arrive and set up
• Address type of music expected
• Merchandising supplement gigs by selling T-Shirts Badges or cassettes
• PA is there a house PA small venue 100-200
• Large 500 2000K
• Wardrobe Simple but striking additions to normal clothes

 

 

Finding Work

 

• Approach friends and contacts
• Beg to play
• Mail shot Marketing pack to all local venues
• Mention if have lots of friends
• Follow up with a phone call or personal visit
• Take note of names to target and build up a rapport
• Accept any criticisms constructively
• Invest a great deal of effort with little reward
• Patience and Perseverance will reap rewards eventually
• Undertake early work for little or no reward training
• Pay to play Avoid like the plague!

 

Publicity packs should include

 

• Demo Tape
• CV
• Reviews
• Flyers
• Posters
• Introductory letter
• Badges? Key Fobs? Beer mats?

 

Create a database of possible venues within reasonable travelling distance

Address, Telephone and contact if possible.

 

 A Final Reminder!

 

• Record sets and listen back.
• Keep all information for your website/bandspace
• Get Some good Art Sorted
• Proper Gigs
• Try to Re-gig Place!!
• Keep On Recording all the time..
• Keep applying to radio, Record Labels Etc Post three best songs,, spread web address as much as possible. 
• Get your own Equipment!!
• Reasons? - Personal Communication popularity artistic endeavour rebelliousness Restrictions? Budget/Equipment
• Impact on Audience? Climax/Variety/Relevance
• Stimulus?Every Day Events, Personal Experience Trends Literature
• Politics Philosophy Humour Advice Fun
• Set Standards be Ambitious but realistic
• Start with idea rehearse and develop further

 

The main point is work hard, the internet is full of useful resources, for writing band bios, etc etc

 

Keep at it an youll get there in the end!

About the author

Hi I am Andy, Im an unsigned musician, and I have spent the last three months developing a website, as part of marketing and generating awareness about my work in the music industry. It as been a hard trail of lots of useful and lots of useless information. So I have tried to summarize the best things I learnt in an article, (which you have just read) Hopefully it was of use to you, and will save others that are following in my path time and energy when deciding how to develop content for a website.

Many thanks for reading

Andy

If you wish to visit the website discussed in this article, and see an example of how I have applied the above, then please visit www.bleedinghands.com or if you wish to comment on this article please contact me through my home page either at the aforementioned, www.myspace.com/bleedinghandshughes

Or by email: bleedinghands@gmail.com