Once again, that time of year is nearly upon us.
And I have decided to collate together some Christmas offerings from bands we listen to, and in some cases, have previously released on vinyl.
First up, I tried an original song this year, 'Auxiliary Gifting Period'. Download it, along with a synth-Hark The Herald Angels Sing, here : http://theshadowcommittee.bandcamp.com (or by clicking download on the player).
Collider have offered a cover with a guest vocalist; Little Drummer Boy. This is also downloadable, above.
---
Nepotism aside, here's some other tracks that I have found/been pointed to/find good.
And here's some other notable non-cover Christmas songs :
Leaving You At Christmas - Olympians
Santa, is that you at my Window - Narrows
And that's yer lot.
Merry Christmas all,
See you in 2012.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Plans...
Finally, after 2 months of our vinyl single being out, we have added a download to bandcamp.
Listen. Buy. Download.
We are currently planning a series of gigs next year, and are currently booking up the first three months of 2012. We should have some concrete news to announce in the next few weeks.
If you want free tracks;
The Shadow Committee
collider
- James
Listen. Buy. Download.
We are currently planning a series of gigs next year, and are currently booking up the first three months of 2012. We should have some concrete news to announce in the next few weeks.
If you want free tracks;
The Shadow Committee
collider
- James
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Minor Updates + University Woes.
Added a bands tab and modified the theme a little. Updated some of the pages.
Currently booking gigs January-April in Norwich, as well as looking into the next Shadow tour. Stuff is slow as University is so very, very busy.
Part of this busy has been attempting to help out (James more than myself) the Save UEA Music campaign. Borne out of an apparent need to cut costs and general short-sightedness, the UEA has deemed the Department of Music unviable, and recommended it for closure.
We naturally feel very strongly about this, and personally being a student of the department, I feel indebted to them for giving me a chance to make music. Having come from a school with a similarly underfunded music department, my UCAS would have had me more suited for a maths course. However, with the facilities and tuition afforded to me, I have developed in numerous ways as a composer, artist and person as a result of my time at the UEA Music Department. This simply would not have happened if music was relegated to a extra-curricular activity. To take that opportunity away from others is a very depressing situation in my eyes.
More information about the campaign : http://www.saveueamusic.org
Currently booking gigs January-April in Norwich, as well as looking into the next Shadow tour. Stuff is slow as University is so very, very busy.
Part of this busy has been attempting to help out (James more than myself) the Save UEA Music campaign. Borne out of an apparent need to cut costs and general short-sightedness, the UEA has deemed the Department of Music unviable, and recommended it for closure.
We naturally feel very strongly about this, and personally being a student of the department, I feel indebted to them for giving me a chance to make music. Having come from a school with a similarly underfunded music department, my UCAS would have had me more suited for a maths course. However, with the facilities and tuition afforded to me, I have developed in numerous ways as a composer, artist and person as a result of my time at the UEA Music Department. This simply would not have happened if music was relegated to a extra-curricular activity. To take that opportunity away from others is a very depressing situation in my eyes.
More information about the campaign : http://www.saveueamusic.org
Sunday, October 30, 2011
You can fool all the people all the time...
...if the advertising is right and the budget is big enough.
Joseph E. Levine
I was
reading Private Eye
researching adverts and thought that if all these companies have enough money to advertise like this in the papers then they must be doing something right.
Sadly, we don't have the cash to advertise in 'the papers' (not even the free sheets), so we approximated an online equivalent. We think it's cutting edge marketing, don't you agree?
Joseph E. Levine
I was
reading Private Eye
researching adverts and thought that if all these companies have enough money to advertise like this in the papers then they must be doing something right.
Sadly, we don't have the cash to advertise in 'the papers' (not even the free sheets), so we approximated an online equivalent. We think it's cutting edge marketing, don't you agree?
Monday, October 24, 2011
The Long Tail
Been over a month now since our first single has been released. Sales have been about what we expected.
The double-A-side of Collider's Snakes with Wings, and The Shadow Committee's Long Way From Home is still available from our store.
I was going to write a short story about our vinyl experiencing an existential crisis when it realises there are 250 copies of it, but I really can't be fucked. I will leave that in the annuls of my unwritten masterpieces.
This was a short article, so i will leave you with a video of Josh using an iPod as a guitar pick.
The double-A-side of Collider's Snakes with Wings, and The Shadow Committee's Long Way From Home is still available from our store.
I was going to write a short story about our vinyl experiencing an existential crisis when it realises there are 250 copies of it, but I really can't be fucked. I will leave that in the annuls of my unwritten masterpieces.
This was a short article, so i will leave you with a video of Josh using an iPod as a guitar pick.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
ZIG002: The Ziggurat Creative World Tour...
...of London, Norwich, Leicester and Boston (the shitty one in Lincolnshire).
What can I say?
...
No really? What can I say?
Our journey started when Gandalf came to the shire and told us that the ring needed to be destroyed, and to do that we needed to journey to....... that's Lord of the Rings.
What happened to us again?
Oh right, London.
Both Collider and the The Shadow Committee played at the Fiddler's Elbow in London, along with Funkinsteins (obviously made to sound like you are saying the coital expletive), and Rhythm Room.
It was a good night in London, but on the way back Josh (designated driver/emergency musician) decided to follow the logic of "surely any direction I go will get me out of London, right?" Wrong.
Three hours, and two hyena attacks later, we return home to bandage our wounds.
The next gig was Norwich. Bedford's Crypt to be exact, where The Shadow Committee was put on by Stacked Promotions. Other people played (given up the pretence of actually remembering these events).
Our tour transport (a small ugly dog, or a peugeot 206, depending on who you ask) then decided to break down. The gearstick exploded, causing third degree annoyance in the camp.
This left us with the unenviable dilemma between taking a megabus (we were warned off by the tweetsphere) or walking.
Naturally we decided to walk, lugging a large amount of music equipment across the country from Norwich to Leicester. On the first night we were taken in by a nice Amish family who fed us dried wheat and moonshine, but when morning came we continued our journey. The next day we had to fight a hydra, but that was pretty boring.
On the third day we finally reached Leicester and did the first thing that any music promotor has to do; buy some ear plugs so they don't have to listen to the piss poor [
The night was good, and the cacophony of noise that erupted from the Firebug resulted in only two dragon attacks; a personal best, I believe.
For the return journey back to Norwich we were lucky to be given a train (Matt won it in a raffle, or something), and we returned to Norwich post-haste. Josh seemed confused about the concept of a train, arguing that it was merely an inefficient car that was allowed to speed, unlike himself.
For the next few days we just relaxed in deck chairs and drank pina colada's (thank fuck for global warming) and waited for the next gig, in Boston!
[No Pictures on Record.]
But after getting my US Visa and booking a flight there and back, I was quietly informed that it was in fact going to be a gig in Boston, Lincolnshire. A few drinks and smashed windows later, I calmed down and began to consider myself lucky, as I had never in fact been to Boston before.
In Boston, the tour ended like it began, in an empty room with a small group of friends and family and a couple of confused locals who would rather be watching the football, and looked rather put out by the intrusion of any noise.
Addendum :
Dead Media Society (Josh's side-side-side-side-project) at the Norwich Puppet Theatre was a very enjoyable evening. Collider, Deers and Tortoise Family Connections were all on top form, but I must say I thought the silent film was a bit too loud.
Pop Quiz:
Question No.1: Which methods of transport did we use? By answering correctly you can win a free MP3 of me humming any song of your choosing by The Shadow Committee.
Question No. 2: Where was the final gig on the tour? If you answer correctly you can win a free handmade, inflatable, inflammable, mechanical, octogeneric kitty cat. [SORRY - SOLD OUT]
Email all your quiz answers to james@zigguratcreative.co.uk
- James
What can I say?
...
No really? What can I say?
Our journey started when Gandalf came to the shire and told us that the ring needed to be destroyed, and to do that we needed to journey to....... that's Lord of the Rings.
What happened to us again?
Oh right, London.
Both Collider and the The Shadow Committee played at the Fiddler's Elbow in London, along with Funkinsteins (obviously made to sound like you are saying the coital expletive), and Rhythm Room.
It was a good night in London, but on the way back Josh (designated driver/emergency musician) decided to follow the logic of "surely any direction I go will get me out of London, right?" Wrong.
Three hours, and two hyena attacks later, we return home to bandage our wounds.
The next gig was Norwich. Bedford's Crypt to be exact, where The Shadow Committee was put on by Stacked Promotions. Other people played (given up the pretence of actually remembering these events).
Our tour transport (a small ugly dog, or a peugeot 206, depending on who you ask) then decided to break down. The gearstick exploded, causing third degree annoyance in the camp.
 |
| We. Hate. You. |
Naturally we decided to walk, lugging a large amount of music equipment across the country from Norwich to Leicester. On the first night we were taken in by a nice Amish family who fed us dried wheat and moonshine, but when morning came we continued our journey. The next day we had to fight a hydra, but that was pretty boring.
On the third day we finally reached Leicester and did the first thing that any music promotor has to do; buy some ear plugs so they don't have to listen to the piss poor [
amazing
] piss poor music that Josh has on his iPod. By the time I realised he had plugged his iPod into the PA it was too late, we were all subjected to a torrential downpour of the crap that Josh calls music. Luckily the actual live music was pretty good, and we were pleased that the bands on the night were accompanied by Random Crackhead #1. So imaginative was he that he managed to produce (on the spot!) lyrics for some of the instrumental songs that were being played. |
| Alright The Captain showing us what music is. |
 |
| Fabian (Jr.) : Protector-elect of the Ziggurnauts (us). |
For the return journey back to Norwich we were lucky to be given a train (Matt won it in a raffle, or something), and we returned to Norwich post-haste. Josh seemed confused about the concept of a train, arguing that it was merely an inefficient car that was allowed to speed, unlike himself.
 |
| Josh seemed unconvinced by the existence of so-called 'trains', having lost all his some years previously due to the Beeching Axe. |
[No Pictures on Record.]
But after getting my US Visa and booking a flight there and back, I was quietly informed that it was in fact going to be a gig in Boston, Lincolnshire. A few drinks and smashed windows later, I calmed down and began to consider myself lucky, as I had never in fact been to Boston before.
 |
| We're in Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire.. LINCOLNSHIRE. |
Addendum :
Dead Media Society (Josh's side-side-side-side-project) at the Norwich Puppet Theatre was a very enjoyable evening. Collider, Deers and Tortoise Family Connections were all on top form, but I must say I thought the silent film was a bit too loud.
Pop Quiz:
Question No.1: Which methods of transport did we use? By answering correctly you can win a free MP3 of me humming any song of your choosing by The Shadow Committee.
Question No. 2: Where was the final gig on the tour? If you answer correctly you can win a free handmade, inflatable, inflammable, mechanical, octogeneric kitty cat. [SORRY - SOLD OUT]
Email all your quiz answers to james@zigguratcreative.co.uk
- James
Monday, September 19, 2011
Tour Update.
Between gig cancellations and car troubles, we have kind of failed to get anywhere on this tour. However, we plan to head back out in December and 2012, so hopefully we will be more successful then.
Photo blogs can be found on The Shadow Committee tumblr : http://theshadowcommittee.tumblr.com/tagged/pic+blog
York tonight is cancelled. Lost From Atlas pulled out last week and we worked as quickly as we could to find another York band, to no avail. So we decided to pull the gig for now, the venue have been very understanding.
Thanks to everyone who has helped us out along the way so far. This includes all the bands that did play for us, Marty from Alright The Captain for his help with the Leicester gig; Merryn from Roused To Burning Homes for lending me (Shadow) his gear at the Firebug so I wasn't playing an unamplified guitar. Junior Fencing Club for the offer of their equip/their bass amp. To everyone who came and to Matt, who helped us with both filming stuff and putting us up in Nottingham.
We have a lot of video that I'm hoping we can use in one way or another in the future. Pictures will be uploaded after Norwich this Saturday.
Events have been ridiculous and stressful, and despite that, I am already putting in the groundwork for the next attack. Boston is next up tomorrow, then it's Norwich on Saturday.
http://www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk/events/dead-media-society--the-lost-world--24-09-11-.aspx
Come. Collider will be launching their 7" in Norwich; and I will be scoring The Lost World, live, for 65mins at the beginning of the evening.
Josh
Photo blogs can be found on The Shadow Committee tumblr : http://theshadowcommittee.tumblr.com/tagged/pic+blog
York tonight is cancelled. Lost From Atlas pulled out last week and we worked as quickly as we could to find another York band, to no avail. So we decided to pull the gig for now, the venue have been very understanding.
Thanks to everyone who has helped us out along the way so far. This includes all the bands that did play for us, Marty from Alright The Captain for his help with the Leicester gig; Merryn from Roused To Burning Homes for lending me (Shadow) his gear at the Firebug so I wasn't playing an unamplified guitar. Junior Fencing Club for the offer of their equip/their bass amp. To everyone who came and to Matt, who helped us with both filming stuff and putting us up in Nottingham.
We have a lot of video that I'm hoping we can use in one way or another in the future. Pictures will be uploaded after Norwich this Saturday.
Events have been ridiculous and stressful, and despite that, I am already putting in the groundwork for the next attack. Boston is next up tomorrow, then it's Norwich on Saturday.
http://www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk/events/dead-media-society--the-lost-world--24-09-11-.aspx
Come. Collider will be launching their 7" in Norwich; and I will be scoring The Lost World, live, for 65mins at the beginning of the evening.
Josh
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
LDN & Badges.
We hit London on Saturday - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=247363768627974
And Collider have already sold out their special edition vinyl. But now have badges, and took their first batch of vinyl :
And Collider have already sold out their special edition vinyl. But now have badges, and took their first batch of vinyl :
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Vinyl Has Landed.
[gallery link="file"]
The vinyl has arrived in London, so pre-orders (to be shipped September 1st) are now officially being taken. Really looking forward to taking this around the country. Looks great!
Check out our Big Cartel for details on how to purchase.
The vinyl has arrived in London, so pre-orders (to be shipped September 1st) are now officially being taken. Really looking forward to taking this around the country. Looks great!
Check out our Big Cartel for details on how to purchase.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Juxtaposed Solitude featured on Verbal Rocket mixtape
Juxtaposed Solitude, apparently popular tune penned by The Shadow Committee (in some dark, empty corner of Norwich, whilst most likely avoiding pop-tune practicing from days/bands past), has been featured in an online mixtape by Verbal Rocket, a York-based indie fanzine.
This months mix also features other Norwich-locals 'Khan' and also Nottingham/Midland/Irish math-rockers 'Alright The Captain' - who are joining The Shadow Committee on the Leicester date of their tour.
Check it out/download here :
http://www.verbalrocket.com/mixtape.html
Verbal Rocket Aug 2011 mix tape by verbalrocket
This months mix also features other Norwich-locals 'Khan' and also Nottingham/Midland/Irish math-rockers 'Alright The Captain' - who are joining The Shadow Committee on the Leicester date of their tour.
Check it out/download here :
http://www.verbalrocket.com/mixtape.html
Verbal Rocket Aug 2011 mix tape by verbalrocket
Monday, August 22, 2011
A Review (The Shadow Committee)
Short and sweet, from Little Bear Promotions down in Brighton (whom we are hoping to meet/gig for later in the year).
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Bear-Promotions/110940355658337
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Bear-Promotions/110940355658337
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Vinyl Update
A quick update from us as we await further moves from the vinyl pressing...
Special Edition : Collider have had their special inserts delivered and the first 25 copies of the release will feature these designs (by the Mesh Collective), at a slightly higher price of £5 (+P&P). [Pictured above, modelled effortlessly by Simon, their bassist.]
Test Pressings : Have been shipped to London, and have come back sounding good. Pre-order news very soon.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Free Music : The Shadow Committee - Sunshine Paradise Sampler
The Shadow Committee, to celebrate one year online, have released a version of the Sunshine Paradise EP/mini-album for free here : http://theshadowcommittee.bandcamp.com
Track List -
1. Juxtaposed Solitude
2. Entrée
3. The Blackadder Rides Again
4. Sunshine Paradise
5. Song Four
Remember, the Shadow cassette is still available to buy on our store which features 18 tracks (16 excluding the reversed version of LWFH and the outro to Sunshine Paradise, Pt. 2) for £5 (including MP3 download codes).
Track List -
1. Juxtaposed Solitude
2. Entrée
3. The Blackadder Rides Again
4. Sunshine Paradise
5. Song Four
Remember, the Shadow cassette is still available to buy on our store which features 18 tracks (16 excluding the reversed version of LWFH and the outro to Sunshine Paradise, Pt. 2) for £5 (including MP3 download codes).
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Shadow Committee Tour Details
We're taking The Shadow Committee on tour, to promote the ZIG001 vinyl.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=232102283495953
(From theshadowcommittee.tumblr.com)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=232102283495953
(From theshadowcommittee.tumblr.com)
After 4+ weeks booking and a lot of waiting, I’ve enough dates to announce the Long Way From Home tour. So here goes :
Sat 10th : Fiddlers Elbow, London (£5)
w/ Collider, Rhythm Room, The Funkensteins
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=247363768627974
Sun 11th : Moseley Arms, Birmingham (Free)
Mon 12th : Bedfords Crypt, Norwich (Free)
w/ TBC
Thu 15th : Firebug, Leicester (£4/5otd)
w/ Alright The Captain, Junior Fencing Club, Roused To Burning Homes
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=150042941744492
Fri 16th : Milo, Leeds (£4/5otd)
w/ TBC
Sat 17th : The Dog and Parrot, Newcastle (£3)
w/ TBC
Mon 19th : The Basement, York (£4/5)
w/ Lost From Atlas, Richard Parker
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136975483052966
Tue 20th : The Axe & Cleaver, Boston (Free)
w/ TBC
Sat 24th : Puppet Theatre, Norwich (£6/8)
Dead Media Society launch night - live scoring ‘The Lost World’ (1925)
w/ Collider, Deers, Tortoise Family Connections
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=182432788484774
Songkick Link / Tour Poster
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
ZIG001 Announcement
We have just placed our order for the first Ziggurat Creative release - ZIG001.
We will be taking in 250 of this vinyl record, a 7" split single with songs by The Shadow Committee and Collider featured.
Side A : Long Way From Home - The Shadow Committee
Side B : Snakes with Wings - Collider
Due to be released on September 1st.
Full details in the PDF below :
http://zigguratcreative.co.uk/zig_pr_001.pdf
We will be taking in 250 of this vinyl record, a 7" split single with songs by The Shadow Committee and Collider featured.
Side A : Long Way From Home - The Shadow Committee
Side B : Snakes with Wings - Collider
Due to be released on September 1st.
Full details in the PDF below :
http://zigguratcreative.co.uk/zig_pr_001.pdf
Introduction
Things have been in quite a whirlwind since the idea was first mooted early on this month. We have gone from people who like music to a record label in a very brief amount of time.
James kicked this whole project off with his desire (and most importantly, the cash) to make and promote a 7” vinyl record. From there it has been finding the music (one half was easy - we put on one of my Shadow songs), setting up a business, researching advertising, researching pressing costs and logistics, finishing the recordings so they are up to scratch, and beginning to think about how to promote the whole thing.
So I imagine despite the fact that our order is about to be placed and hard cash placed down, this is indeed only the beginning. We look forward to working on this.
Full announcement is due very soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)