For these past few months of 2017, which have seen us riding through a quiet and downbeat February, through to a giddily glorious March and April. And it's not even the surreal summer yet!
A close friend and collaborator of the band, who's been helping us behind-the-scenes with our everyday mad doings and our preparations for a happily hectic May-August period, had these fine words to offer when reflecting upon this most recent period in the band's freakish history, and, indeed, the whole madcap freak-bop journey. Thank you, dear friend and freak-bop partner, and much love and protection to you too.
"After the exhilaration of Dingwalls LIVE on Tuesday night, it feels like the start of a New Year today. In a little over 12 months you guys have gone from being a bright idea with a great sound, to a great band with a bright future, so I thought I’d reflect on a few of the highlights of the past year, as you no doubt wonder what the year ahead holds in store.
From your stunning debut on 13th March 2016, there have been many great reviews; one of my favourites was by Festie Man after you played deep underground in an old vault at Music in The City last October. An experienced festival blogger, it comes with a warning: contains strong language from the start! https://youtu.be/6JmUw4qqL_M, and here’s the clip he was referring to: https://youtu.be/VYEKT0yYFKA
A month before that, Sue Blackwood had written an elegant and impassioned review for Louder Than War Magazine of her first encounter with you at The Alexandra Beer Emporium in September, which summed the band up perfectly for me: http://louderthanwar.com/mad-king-ludwig-mojo-co-alex-sout…/
You gigged hard in the months that followed - some gigs didn’t always go quite as well as you would have liked, but you worked through it, and I guess that’s part and parcel of learning your trade. Most though took audiences by storm. The EP launch in January was an amazing night for me, and the other 130+ fans who bought tickets to a near sell out performance at The Joiners, https://youtu.be/D3p4qLwMQho
Then in March, you played out of your skin for a chance to perform at Common People. For me, the quote of the year so far came from judge Rob da Bank that night “.. like Tom Waits at a gypsy wedding in outer space.. nailed it #wasntexpectingthat” https://www.instagram.com/p/BRpjpnVBJ-Y/?hl=en
With a busy schedule ahead of you already, including Little Johnny Russells (20/04 - The Victorious Sessions at LJRs) next Thursday, then headlining and co-presenting a gig with Blissfields at The Railway Inn on Sat 6th May, followed by an exciting festival schedule, it’s hard at the moment for me to see where you will get time and space to develop your sound, and the all-important brand? Perhaps a hint comes from the video you assembled for Take Your Partner By The Foot which really captures the spirit, solidarity, and bond within the band (and sounds pretty darned good too): https://youtu.be/-gBkEZremQY
The main highlights already lined up this summer are Common People Southampton (May Bank Holiday weekend), followed by time to catch your breath in June before playing three festivals in July; Blissfields Festival, Rhythmtree Festival on Isle of Wight, and Gabefest Nine. August is already looking busy with a South West mini-tour booking up including a likely appearance at Stroud Fringe, then a similar tour of the South East late Aug/early Sept, hopefully revisiting The Duke of Cumberland, a fantastic venue in Whitstable, where you’ve already played two raucous gigs. And there's plenty more in-between too.
To end where I started, winning at Dingwalls LIVE will add another dimension to the bands future and who knows what will happen after hearing this on Tuesday night: https://youtu.be/2R9NdcAfiok?t=6479. I’m really looking forward to catching the full show when it airs on SKY 261 next Thursday (20th April) at 8pm.
There are not many bands like you out there (if any!!!). Guys, whatever you do and wherever you go, I wish you, in the words of the Mad King himself, much love and protection. Good luck."
