Hey everyone,

Paul from Different Drums here. Thanks for visiting the DDI Blog. We hope to keep you up to date with what we're at. We'd love to hear from you too.

The main news is that we've just finished the New CD, Live at Big Top Chautauqua and it will be available in time for our visit to the Midwest USA from 7 August.

We recorded every year from 2001 to 2004 in Big Top Chautauqua, a 900 seater tent with a big PA in the North of Wisconsin. Chautauqua is Native American for a talking place or meeting place.  The shows are recorded and broadcast by Tent Show Radio during the year and we are grateful to TSR for allowing us to access the original DAT recordings. Thanks especially to the technical people at BT, they are superb.  

Big Top's an amazing place to play. The whole experience of playing in that amazing setting to such a responsive audience conspires to bring out the best in the band. This recording really captures that energy and the connection we feel. If you've been part of the 900 member Chautauqua Rhythm Orchestra, You'll know what I mean. We'd love to hear of your experience.

The 4 year timespan also marked a transitional period in the band's performing personnel, and this recording becomes a retrospective of the musicians who were involved and each combination shows how it rocks the genre. Roy didn't make the trip in 2002 as he hadn't received immigration clearance in time, Stephen, Kevin, Rory and Dolores, first time in BT, did a super job and even created some new pieces.  Necessity is a mother...

Details of our coming visit to the US are on this site and on our website at www.differentdrums.info. Calumet Theatre on 9 August is a unique spot to play, run by two of our favourite people Dave and Lanea [sp?]. I'll put up some video here which has some images of the theatre.

We are in Milwaukee for Irishfest 18-20 Aug. That's an incredible experience for me as a musician.  The band is match fit, energetic and and ready for ya. We're really looking forward to playing and we'd love you to be part of the Irishfest Rhythm Ensemble.

Two weeks to go. Can't wait!

Photos, video, other media...

If anyone has been to our shows and has taken photographs or video images, we'd love to see them. Bring a camera, take some photographs to remember a good day out. If you send us the photos or video, we'll put a few Cds to one side for the best .  I do a wee video after each tour and I'd like to have your perspective to add to the input. A Different Drums Wiki-vid :)

We'll add to the content of this spaceas we go along, let us know what you think. 

Thanks for visiting 

Keep her lit

Paul

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Paul Marshall

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