ADT wins competition at Shrewsbury Folk Fest 2017

Photo by Rich Spencer 

Photo by Rich Spencer 

It's funny how things weave together.

When I started working the Tipis it was something different, some variety to help with developing new skills and to get some fast cash. I never thought it could lead to me playing at Glastonbury 2016 or to ADT winning the open mic competition at Shrewsbury folk festival this year!

Black Dog Tipi's are a 'glamping' company based in Devon and they operate all over the UK.
I remember when I got the phone call from Tom: I had just returned from my spring trip to europe in 2014 and was on a coach to Bristol, contemplating my life options.  
"Rob, it's Tom. Hannah told me that you might be kind of in-between things at the moment and...well we could use an extra pair of hands".

For the next three summers, I got used to living mostly outdoors (or in a tent/van), lifting canvas and hammering pegs, then sitting by the fire in the evenings and enjoying the warmth. It was great fun, not to mention the festivals!


Shrewsbury was the last Tipi gig of this season and just as I was turning my thoughts away from tents and back to my music career, the two things seem to have gone and wound together...

The rope is tight around the wooden pegs as we heave them from the hard dirt ground. It's humbling to feel the rain on the back of our necks and to see the almost pitiful looks from strangers as they leave the festival gates...if only they knew.
(The prestigious festival holds an open mic competition each year and the winner is invited back the following year for an official slot)
See you next year Shrewsbury!

In other news, we have a new record launching on 1st October (officially) but there will be a special Lichfield EP release show on the 1st September (This Friday) where 50 copies of the EP will be for sale in person. First come, first served. We are delighted to announce that 'Bric-a-Brac' will also be performing alongside us (we saw these guys play at Shrewsbury and couldn't get enough of their infectious folk sound).

This month we also did some recording at the new 'Ivy Lane studios' in Dartmouth and thanks to our good friend Alfi Romeo, we now have two new singles waiting to be mixed. They already sound fantastic!

One more day of Tipi's to go and as we fall asleep, we hear the distant sound of fiddles and a hundred voices singing in harmony as the festival gates close for the night.

Upcoming shows:

Friday Sept 1st
Exclusive EP launch show
Lichfield
Brewhouse & Kitchen

Sunday Sept 10th
Balstock Festival
Hertfordshire
The White Lion

Sat October 14th
Lichfield Festival of Folk
Lichfield Guild Hall
(early show 1.30pm)

Your fan,

ADT

New EP + Upcoming shows

Photo by Joni Nelson

Photo by Joni Nelson

Dear reader, 

I am writing to you from the lower cabin of 'Mimosa', a classic boat of nearly 100 years old which is moored in Dartmouth harbour. The boat rocks gently in the wake of the ferry as it passes by, the sound of seagulls and tourists drifts in from the open doorway and the kitchen is full of musical instruments.  
This boat has been our rehearsal space, cabin quarters, office and kitchen for the last few days whilst we have been recording in Ivy Lane studios here in the town. We laid down two new tracks and they are sounding fantastic!
Tonight we are playing a show in Kingsweir before heading back up to the midlands for a Friday show in Lichfield.

We are excited to announce that our next EP is in the final stages of production and we are having an exclusive launch party on 1st September in Lichfield at Brewhouse (more info to come soon).

Upcoming shows:

Friday 18th Aug
The Horse and Jockey
Lichfield

Sunday 20th Aug
Landed Festival
Verbal Melodies stage
Wales

Friday 1st Sept
EP Launch show
Brewhouse Bar & Kitchen
Lichfield

Sunday 10th Sept
Folkstock
The White Lion
Baldock

We hope to see you there,

Your fan,

ADT

Upcoming shows, Ireland recap and House concerts

We have mostly been recovering from our tour of Ireland. The tour was a real adventure, be sure to check out the blog post here.

In other news, we are excited to announce that ADT are taking bookings for house concerts in July and August, click here to visit the page and check out the video below!

Upcoming shows:

15th July
Sofar Sounds, 
London

16th July
The Lexington
London
7.30pm

28th July
The Astor Theatre
Deal
(supporting The Sons of Pitches)

30th July
Y not festival
(Hog and Barrel stage)
2.15pm
Derbyshire

Your fan,

ADT

Folk on the Water

Straight after our gig with Jonathan Byrd last week Alicia and I shot off to Glastonbury Festival where we have been building Yurts and Tipi's in a field. 

The work has been hard and very hot but the combination of good food, great company and all that sunshine and fresh air has done wonders for my soul. 
This morning we left the Tipi field for a quick shower before our show tonight at Folk on the Water festival in Warwickshire.

Catch us at The Cuttle Inn at 9.20pm this evening.

Here's a video from a session we did for the festival organisers last month:

Hope you enjoy the video, we would love for you to catch us at a gig soon!

Next public show :
23rd June
The Greyhound
Lichfield

 

Your fan, 

ADT

Tuesday gig with Jonathan Byrd (Birmingham)

What better way to spend a Tuesday?

Dear readers,

An americana legend is coming to Birmingham.

A Different Thread will be opening for Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys at the Kitchen Garden cafe and there are only a few tickets left!

They are on tour from North Carolina, I saw them last year at the South Carolina state fair: 
In-between the chaos of the rides and carnival food stalls, they created an oasis of calm and delivered a heart-wrenchingly superb performance (see video).  I just can't wait to hear those songs again and Isaac, Alicia and I are looking forward to trying out some of our new material (and instruments) at the show.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

A video from last year Alicia was invited to sing onstage with the guys!



I hope you enjoy the videos,

See you there?

Your fan,

Robert

 

Our first gig in Cardiff

This wednesday (7th) we are performing at Gwdihw in Cardiff with Folk ensemble: Bonfire Radicals. They're from our neck of the woods and have emerged from the Birmingham folk/world scene with a fresh approach to traditional tunes and a host of creative original material. Check out the video below.

There are only a few tickets left so grab them while you can!
GET TICKETS

In other news, we are proud to be supporting Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys on the 13th of June at the Kitchen Garden Cafe in Birmingham, CLICK HERE to check out Alicia's story of how we got the gig and her personal connection to these incredible artists in our most recent blog post.

Your fan, 

ADT