| |
| |
Promoter Info | ||||||||
tom bliss
| ||||||||
 | ||||||||
Tips for running a folk club or small venue CLUB CONCERTS Tom's solo concerts are designed for quiet, attentive audiences who have come purely to listen. He prefers not to play free-entry venues, restaurants, or noisy bars where people are less likely to pay attention, although he may on special occasions if it suits him. Tom's solo shows are mostly all songs - mainly original in traditional style, but also some traditional and/or contemporary covers too - with about 50% being 'Greatest Hits' from The Toms set, and 50% being new songs and material from Mixed Moss (plus a few surprises). The solo show is more intimate than the duo set, with greater musical freedom allowing a wider range of styles and more scope for requests. Please note: Because UK clubs vary so very widely in their tastes, Tom is happy to offer an evening slanted towards The Tradition, featuring mainly trad songs and strongly trad-influenced originals, OR a more contemporary night featuring his less traditional-sounding material and songs by other modern writers such as Richard Thompson, Ry Cooder and George Papavgeris, OR anything between. Please let him know what type of set your club would prefer. CLUB PAs Click HERE for PA spec. Please advise in plenty of time if a PA is to be used or not. (Tom may ask to use his own PA on rare occasions) He usually only needs one vocal mic (SM58 supplied if necessary) and one XLR lead, ideally with phantom power (he brings his own DI box). All instruments are usually delivered through these two channels. Tom may use up to 8 instruments in his set. Please allow space in the stage area for these. Having to move instruments and kit around to acommodate floor singers/supprts etc is not always ideal - though Tom is happy to do what he can to help. PAs of various sizes, with or without sound engineers, available upon request. PROMOTION If Tom has not played your venue before, please don't hold back when asking your regulars to come along (even if you've not seen him yourself yet). Club audiences can be very conservative, and often give an unfamiliar act a miss. You can assure tham that they WILL regret it if they don't turn out for Tom (and if you've not seen him yourself yet please DON'T say so, as it's a sure-fire way of ensuring a poor door). Thanks! Please avoid the term SingerSongwriter in Parish Notices. Tom does both, but he's much much more. You can reassure your audience that, unusually, Tom's songs appeal to both traditionalists and modernists in equal measure! Yes he will play some songs they don't know, but these will be accessible and engaging (he wasn't signed by Pete Waterman for nothing), and there will be laughs and easy choruses too. Most songs tell real tales both fascinating and true, and Tom's also a 'riveting' storyteller who's equally famous for his intros. And he's a multi instrumentalist of some skill as well. They'll hear some innovative (but not flashy) guitar, and encounter instruments they may not have met before. Oh, and here's a challenge: If anyone honestly doesn't have a wonderful time, Tom will gladly, personally, refund his or her door price! Feel free to quote any of these: "Haunting, heartstopping songs" "an undeniably high standard throughout" "a songwriter of real stature" “we thought you were wonderful” "pure theatrical viagra!" "Tom gave us a highly entertaining evening. He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist (including mandocello, guitar, concertina, fiddle and whistle), a fine singer and storyteller. He provided a varied programme of traditional, contemporary and self-composed songs and tunes, presented in an energetic and engaging manner." “Tom conjured up little-known but thoroughly riveting songs, writing down tradition for today, the thoroughly modern troubadour. He took the audience on a genial magical mystery tour, popping in songs where history interest or stories fascinated him, his beloved Channel Islands or his vanished family inheritance, which disappeared when his ancestors sold the mill in Chipping Norton - a good finisher, that! "Tom is a master craftsman, a songwriter of repute who has a love and an understanding of folk. He is equally at home on the guitar, the concertina and the whistle.” "What a personable and entertaining performer Tom Bliss is! We were treated to an evening of chat, humour and fine, fine music, that made us all feel as though we were guests in Tom's front room. He is one of the best singer/songwriters we've had the pleasure of booking. Steve Tilston and Jez Lowe will have to watch their backs!" "Tom's voice simply soars, and it's absolutely delicious. Indeed his voice is a delight all the way through." And in case you're concerned that TB solo may not be as effectives as TNTB the duo... 'Having had some doubts about what sort of performance a single Tom might give us, everyone was spellbound by his introductions, his songs and his accompaniments. Tom B. on his own brought an intimacy which is only possible with a single performer giving of himself to an audience.' Tom & Barbara Brown. Broadstairs Folk Week Singaround.
Click here for some reviews to quote Click here for promoter endorsements PROMO PHOTOS
Download
POSTER
ACCOMMODATION Tom will usually need accommodation if he's on tour, or the gig is more than an hour and a half from Leeds (please check). He does sometimes sleep in his camper van in warmer seasons. He is also allergic to cats (he does LIKE cats, dogs, gerbils - all pets in fact - but he's allergic to cat hair). Simply keeping the cat away does not solve the problem, but medication does, provided he's been warned in advance, so he can take a pill before he arrives. (Otherwise his throat swells and he can't sing!). CONTRACTS Please send your contract in plenty of time, or we can send our contract to you if you prefer. We are happy to proceed on an informal exchange of emails, but please take note of the following: Please make sure your venue is licenced for performance, otherwise Tom may be liable under current legislaton. Please provide a POST CODE for the venue (and accom) - this is to help with navigation and the return of PRS forms. An EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER in case of breakdown is useful too. PAYMENT Payment will usually be by cash or cheque (made out to TOM BLISS) on the night. If you require an invoice please let us know in advance. If so, payment to be within 30 days of the booking. folkWISE clubs tips page | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | |
