Red Team Go Design

The artwork for Finnish singer/ songwriter Nina Åström was designed by Red Team Go. South African based Red Team member Russell Grant joined forces with London based music production house, and Red Team members weeksweeksweeks. This is the second album to come out of this harmonious partnership. A working relationship that funny enough, all started with Russell Grant and Dan Weeks as strangers meeting on plane from Helsinki to Amsterdam. After an hour sipping on mini whisky bottles, the two exchanged business cards and parted ways in Schipol .

After staying in contact for well over a year, Russell Grant showed the company the work completed for João Orecchia’s 2009 album Hands and Feet. At this point, they joined the Red Team Go community, with many exciting Red Team Go projects immediately put into development. As a result of the Red Team Go network, weeksweeksweeks are now able to offer the additional service of album artwork to the artists they produce and record. Dan Weeks has also since gone on to become an important part of the Red Team Go’s infrastructure. Russell Grant on the other hand gets another great album cover in the portfolio, and not to mention the bragging rights for having designed for an artist with cool european characters in her name.

Design

RedTeamGo

www.redteamgo.tv
Designer: Russell Grant
Location: Johannesburg

Her vocal performance is stunning.

…..songs for your ears and your heart

The Review

It is strikingly obvious that Åström’s new found sound and tensions in the music have clearly given life to greater dynamic vocal performance. This collection of songs are bound together by the steadfast nature of Åström’s lyrical delivery, whilst clearly making bold moves to explore her tonal range. Her experience to lead the band and its music from behind the microphone is evident, her command of the melody and lyrical journey in each song wrestles the very core of each song’s musical purpose, allowing both music and vocal the space to breathe.

Åstrom is completely at one with the music world around her, songs like Leaving On A Jet Plane, Keep You Company and Autumn Chant leave us in no doubt that she commands the listeners ear in much the same way as a Linda Ronstadt, EmmyLou Harris or Sarah McLachlan record. The moments of sonic beauty and soulfulness are reminiscent of more recent Daniel Lanois, while others may be drawn by the Rufus Wainwright and recent Robert Plant approach and there are parts that approach the terrain of early Peter Gabriel.

“The Way We Are” is proof that, for some artists, the more you make, the better you get at it. This is Nina’s 10th album…

“I am very much an observer of my own and other people’s lives, and the songs exist to a great extent in the same landscape that I find myself in. These are observations on our human relationships, the hard part and the glorious, on the world surrounding us, on our relationship to Him who loves us – what it means to be a human being, created in the image of God – whether we understand it or not”    -  Nina Åström

THE PRODUCTION

“The Way We Are” was recorded & produced by Dan Weeks and Matt Weeks in London during 2009. The album features musical supporting roles from Jason Carter (Harp Guitar), Terl Bryant (John Paul Jones, Faith Hill), Ed Carlile (The Jersey Boys, M.Redman) and Mark Edwards (Carleen Anderson).

WHAT THEY SAY

“I find the new release of Nina Åström’s  The Way We Are very refreshing and honest—a mature musical and listenable work. I’m delighted in the production work of Matt Weeks and Dan Weeks. Recorded in London, England, this is my favorite Nina project to date. It has elements of many styles I find appealing and Nina’s words and observations about life and faith come through with clarity and grace. This is a fine recording from Images Of God to the classic Leaving On A Jet Plane and I highly recommend it to your ears and heart.”
- Phil Keaggy

“Upea levy! Taidokasta, monipuolista, koskettavaa, yllättävääkin… Parasta kaikessa se, että en kuule ainoastaan laulajan ääntä ja sanoja vaan hänen sydämensä.”
- Juha Tapio

“Tämä levy on kuin ystäväni Nina: Kaunis, vahva, tulee lähelle, puhuttelee, ei jätä ennalleen.”
- Eija-Riitta Korhola

BOOKINGS GIGS & PRESS

Nina Aström, from Finland. Singer, performer, artist. Her pop-folk style has been influenced by artists like James Taylor, The Carpenters, Stevie Wonder, Mary Black and Jennifer Warnes.

Nina has acted as a Unicef Goodwill ambassador and has previously released 9 of her own albums. In 2008 Dan met with Nina to work on a track that he and Jason Carter produced for her. It was a success and from there started the lengthy process of ….talking & listening!

PRE PRODUCTION @ BADGER COTTAGE

Nina popped over to the UK for a week to start work on her forthcoming album.  The English weather was an inspiration as was the “new” upright.. but the songs are coming together nicely. Drums next week…. will keep you posted!

weeksweeksweeks™ love drums. weeksweeksweeks™ loves a great drummer!  Drums are the negotiator… the intensitya and style, the drummer bringing a unique flavour and colour, a musical history, language and a story which is so vital in the sound and presentation of the beats they make. Terl in is the middle of an incredible career, past present and future – we love to work with him and are constantly blown away by the ability and love he brings to each of our sessions!

MAPEX ARTIST FEATURE

At a recent session for Finnish artist Nina Astrom we used his new set, loved the sound .. picture by weeksweeksweeks™!

Read the full article and check out Mapex Drums at: www.mapex.co.uk/artists/terl-bryant

Terl Bryant is a highly credited drummer and percussionist who has worked with a diverse range of artists that include John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Faith Hill, Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera), Maddy Prior, Steve Taylor, Iona, The Honeyz, Martin Smith (Delirious?), Steeleye Span, Lesley Garrett, and extensively with Steve Levine throughout the 90s. Matt Redman (Grammy Award Winner), Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick and with Eden’s Bridge on EMI’s most successful celtic series. Terl founded Psalm Drummers (psalmdrummers.org) an International network formed in 1995 that gathers drummer teams for numerous events each year. Terls current projects include Red Drum (red-drum.info) an all drummer line-up that features other well known players such as Jerry Brown, Ed Freitas and Harry Hands Morgan.

Terl’s credits include the Guinness World Record for longest ever drum roll and the UK Worlds Fastest Drummer award (2006), which he performed live on the Richard and Judy show

Recent studio sessions include work with Stefano Ianne (www.ianne.org/) Pure Assassins (pureassassins.com) and producers WeeksWeeksWeeks.com

CONTACT TERl

Website: Terlbryant.com
Contact: info@terlbryant.com
Booking: booking@terlbryant.com

LIVE GIG

SOUL SURVIVOR FESTIVAL - SHEPTON MALLET – FRIDAY 14th of AUGUST

WEBSITES / CONTACTS

“THE STORY” – THE NEW SINGLE FROM SHACKLETON

BUY THE NEW SINGLE “THE STORY” IS AVAILABLE ON  iTunes

Making of “The Story”

WHAT THEY SAY

“Right from the off, Shackleton have produced a song that is raw, energetic and thought provoking, The drum sound particularly stood out, full and fat, with an expanse of guitars matching the excitement though every section. The Story took me on a journey and I love it!!” – (Gringo86 iTunes)

“Simply wonderful epic rock, these boys are going to go far!” – (TomLittle iTunes)

WEBSITES / CONTACTS

Website: shackletonmusic.com
Myspace: myspace.com/shackletonmusic
Facebook: shackleton on facebook
Management: ben@weeksweeksweeks.com ]]> http://weeksweeksweeks.com/2009/08/the-story-shackletons-new-single/feed/ 0 http://weeksweeksweeks.com/2009/06/meet-nicki-rogers-music-laughs-%e2%80%98i-think-we-both-know%e2%80%99/ http://weeksweeksweeks.com/2009/06/meet-nicki-rogers-music-laughs-%e2%80%98i-think-we-both-know%e2%80%99/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:30:50 +0000 dan http://weeksweeksweeks.com/?p=1364

what in the world.. nicki rodgers!!!

Hi Nicki, how are you?

I’m fine thanks!

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, until I was 13. I moved to
Northampton after that and stayed there until my 20’s.

Where do you live know?
In London. Brentford…apparently famous for Brentford Nylons? Tights? I don’t own any!

What have you been up to musically?
I have just started recording my third album! I’m working with two great producers in Glasgow. Hoping it will be ready early summer! Woo hoooo!

If someone doesn’t know your stuff where should they start?
er…you can get it on iTunes…Colour Scheme and Feeder Lane are the first two albums. You can hear my stuff on my website and myspace too!

Who inspires you?
Hmmm. Many people! A lady called Shawn Colvin is my inspiration musically. She’s amazing and when I met her I told her I loved her ‘in a psycho way!’ How embarrassing!

Favourite album?
A Few Small Repairs (Shawn Colvin)

Favourite movie?
The Goonies

Your best party trick?
Er…I usually wet myself when I laugh! Is that a party trick?

You contributed some stunning vocals on Kris’s album. How did you get involved with the project?
I met Kris at New Wine festival last year and really liked his music! And he’s a top bloke hey! [km: awww shucks] So when he asked if I’d do some singing for him I was really pleased. Also he was working with Matt Weeks so I new it was going to be a good thing!

What were your impressions when you got to the session and heard the songs for the first time?
I loved them! I was actually really surprised at the style of the songs and the production. I totally love that raw, earthy Damien Rice
thing that Kris’s stuff has got going on! Don’t know what I thought it would be like…but it was really my kind of stuff.

What are your plans for the year?
I’m concentrating on getting this album finished and out to folk! It’s been 5 years coming so is well over due. Then I’m planning lots of gigging over the summer, and have a massive tour with the wonderful J John in September and October. I’m so excited as we’ll be visiting venues all over the UK.  Can I also say that I want a dog this year, but don’t think I’ll get one…but if anyone has a dog that I can borrow I’d be grateful! Thanks!

listen

You can hear Nicki’s fantastic voice on Kris Morris’ “I Think We Both Know”

Websites / Contacts

Website: krismorris.com

Myspace: myspace.com/krismorrismusic
Facebook: facebook.com/krismorris
Twitter: twitter.com/krismorris
PR: info@manillapr.com
Management: dan@weeksweeksweeks.com ]]> http://weeksweeksweeks.com/2009/06/maverick-review-i-think-we-both-know/feed/ 0 http://weeksweeksweeks.com/2009/03/kmreviewedonlin/ http://weeksweeksweeks.com/2009/03/kmreviewedonlin/#comments Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:26:06 +0000 dan http://weeksweeksweeks.com/v2/?p=872 “It is hard to believe that Kris Morris, who hails from the same coastal part of Australia as Jack Johnson, is as young as he is. His anguished lyricism and musical competence are from another era, by a significantly older performer. Although he has been variously described as being influenced by the occasionally vapid Ray Lamontagne, the US folksy Ryan Adams and even fellow Antipodean Neil Finn, what emerges is the distinctive and comprehensive confidence of a guitar player and songwriter, whose vocal dexterity can more than stand-up on its own choral intensity.

Okay. So there is a bit of over-dubbing and layered-tracking used to build his unique sound but, when you hear his voice accompanied only by his capable guitar plucking, then you also realise that you are listening to a solo performer of considerable substance, whose past seven years spent as a troubadour around the pubs, clubs and university circuits in the UK have been a time well spent in formulating his debut album, I Think We Both Know. That’s right. This is the man’s debut. He did make a small mark with an EP launched in early 2007 (‘Little Light’) but, as we all know, it is only air-play that will guarantee commercial success and I believe that Kris Morris more than deserves that recognition.

Dabbling on the peripheries is both a luxury and a detraction from where he should be. His sound is personified by the occasional pain of his experiences, although it is not as tragic as the archetypal, beard-growing ‘mountain man’, of a type that seems to have grown commercial fruit for some artists through the TV commercials scene. Morris displays a genuine honesty and as much musicality as Jeff Buckley, despite the occasional melancholy of some of the tracks on this album (release date: 13th April 2009).

There is some truly wondrous music on this CD, which ranges from potent electric rock to soft and naked poetry from the heart. We are informed that he has returned to Oz. Somehow, I think he will come back to Blighty, because Kris Morris is one artist of whom you will be hearing more in years to come.”

Review by: Iain Robertson
Read the original article at: Reviewed Online

Websites / Contacts

Website: krismorris.com
Myspace: myspace.com/krismorrismusic
Facebook: facebook.com/krismorris
Twitter: twitter.com/krismorris
PR: info@manillapr.com
Management: dan@weeksweeksweeks.com

He played the tracks The Sun and the new improved album version of Other Side – sandwiched between all sorts of lilting Celtic type stuff. God bless Wales!

What they say

“He’s got a style all of his own”
Frank Hennesy
BBC Radio Wales

Frank was the first to get behind Little Light and Someone Sometimes, and BBC Radio Wales were the first too to have Kris in for a live radio session after the release of Little Light.

Websites / Contacts

Website: krismorris.com
Myspace: myspace.com/krismorrismusic
Facebook: facebook.com/krismorris
Twitter: twitter.com/krismorris
PR: info@manillapr.com
Management: dan@weeksweeksweeks.com