Listen again to The Wide Eyes on the BBC
Listen again to The Wide Eyes playing a Live Lounge Session on BBC Introducing
Thanks to everyone who listened and for all your great comments from all over the world, and to Phil Jackson and his team for inviting us on the show.
"Because if somebody's right then we all must be wrong"
BBC Introducing
Following their win at the 'All About the Song' songwriting competition, The Wide Eyes have been invited to feature on this Sunday's BBC Introducing in the South Live Lounge.
Kev and Alex will sit in with host Phil Jackson for a chat about their music and also be playing 4 of their songs. It is all Live this Sunday, 11th September, so catch them from 7pm on the radio stations below or listen online here
Phil Jackson
BBC Introducing: The South
7-9pm Sunday evenings
BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey & BBC Radio Solent
Listen in Brighton on 95.3 FM
Listen in Sussex & Surrey 104-104.8 FM
Listen in Solent & Hampshire on 96.1 FM
Listen in Dorset on 103.8 FM
Listen on-line www.bbc.co.uk/sussex
Listen on-line www.bbc.co.uk/surrey
Listen on-line www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire
Listen on-line www.bbc.co.uk/dorset
"No one's saying we'll all float"
It’s All About The Song final, Gunwharf Quays
Published on Monday 22 August 2011 09:38
As 22 very talented artists were whittled down to four, it was time for the 2011 It’s All About The Song final. #
A decent crowd had gathered as the sun shone down on the chilled bandstand at Gunwharf Quay’s waterfront, to watch the final four go head to head.
Live judging on the day came from The Independent’s Paul McKenzie andThe One and Only, Chesney Hawkes.
After a short introduction from organiser Steve Pitt, it was time to get things underway.
First to take the stage was Matt Harrison (AKA Hometown Show) with his country stylings. He was joined for his first two tracks by Cass Batten and finished strongly with the lovely Somebody.
Sam Jones (AKA Dirty Sky Jones) was next up with his distinctive indie-folk style. Sam’s cracking set included the beautiful Pennan.
Up third was Andy Muscat, who put in a brilliant performance treating us to his own blend of nostalgic indie. Andy closed his set with the really enjoyable Benefit.
The final artists to perform were Kev Osman and Alex Jones otherwise known as The Wide Eyes. These guys were fantastic, their gentle vocals and beautiful melodies were really a joy to behold, as they pleased the crowd and judges alike with their stand-out track Slip Roads.
With the music finished, it was over to the judges to relay a bit of feedback, before announcing the results. Sam Jones finished fourth, closely followed by Andy Muscat and second place Matt Harrison, which meant The Wide Eyes were the 2011 It’s All About The Song winners, and deservedly so.
NICK COLLINS
The Wide Eyes are part of the Final Four!
Over the past couple of weeks Kev & Alex from The Wide Eyes have progressed through a Portsmouth based ‘All About The Song’ Songwriting Competition, winning their Heat last week and winning through at last night’s Semi-Final, to progress through to Sunday’s Grand Final at Gunwharf Quays.
The Final is being held on the waterfront and starts at 1pm, it’s free to come and watch so please come down and support Kev & Alex.
The competition is in accordance with:
The Cellars
BBC Introducing
Express FM
Portsmouth Live TV
The News
Quay FM
Nevada Music
Hope to see you there!
TWE
"the whole place is riddled with life and everything's shining"
Gone Fishing...
After an incredibly busy Spring we'll be taking a quiet few weeks to concentrate on the album. Thanks to everybody for all your support and wellwishing and we hope to see you at one of our shows again soon. Please keep an eye on our gigs section aswell as our Blog, Facebook and Twitter as there are some exciting and exclusive Summer and Autumn events on the horizon.
Take care,
TWE
"We're part of it's tune"
The Wide eyes at Eastney Cellars - review by Andrew Galvin
The Cellars is a strange place. Positioned directly opposite the old army barracks in one of Portsmouth’s least...savoury areas, it’s a toilet venue standing as a beacon of acoustic calm amongst the noise and police sirens.
I’m perhaps being unfair on Eastney but it’s at least partly true. From the outside, it looks like the kind of pub your dad told you about. From the inside, it’s a beautiful oasis of local folk-ish talent strumming to an audience in rapt silence.
Tonight though, Midhurt’s The Wide Eyes are packing guitars with leads from the back and a full drum kit. They’ve plugged in and gone electric (in both senses of the word), but thankfully no one’s shouting “Judas!” from the bar. The Cellars are about to have the doors blasted from their hinges- who’d have thought it?
The Wide Eyes are a band that has developed slowly. Birthed by singer and lead guitarist Kev Osman and Alex Jones as an acoustic project in the mid-00s, their ranks are now swelled by dynamo drummer Dan Todd, Aussie bassist Dickie and newest recruit Becka Saunders on keys. It’s been a long road here, but tonight they’re the tightest they’ve ever been. The live energy has been cranked up- they’re loud, they’re exciting, and you can’t tear your eyes away from them.
Opener Every Cloud builds slowly from Kev’s rhetorical and sardonic humour: “How’s the weather/Who gives a shit?” He leaves the stage patter to poster boy Alex, keeping that onstage ambiguity and intensity, but clearly far less awkward with himself and enjoying being up there with his band. Todd’s drumming also proves something of a revelation on tracks like Piranha Water, putting himself front and centre for the first time. His sticks play almost avant-garde rhythms, but he’s as sturdy as they come on the back of it.
Best of all though is Jones, his solo on Brand New Hope impressing most. He’s every inch the rockstar guitarist, but never to the detriment of the other four people on stage with him. Their togetherness and general willingness to have fun and push themselves giving tracks like The Stand and Don’t Lose Heart a freshness that hasn’t been seen in a while.
Punters emerge blinking through the tiny doors at the end, in genuine rapture at what they’ve just seen. This is the kind of performance that reputations are built on, and if the buzz continues to grow from tonight, then the prospect of that long-awaited debut album is all the more exciting.
Andrew Galvin -
Music Journalist for rockinfreakopotimus! blog
The Wide Eyes @ The Square Brewery, support to Paper Aeroplanes - 24/03/11
Last night saw Kev & Alex play a Duo slot at The Square Brewery supporting 'Paper Aeroplanes' on the first date of their UK Tour.
A very well-mannered and receptive audience allowed for a lovely night of original music. The duo had a great evening playing a mix of well-known TWE songs and also stripped back full band tunes. Every lyric listened to and every song appreciated, Gigs like these are what music is all about!
Thanks to Stiff Promotions for arranging the evening.
Set-List
- 'Realise'
- 'Sliproads'
- 'Brand New Hope'
- 'Right Way Round'
- 'Don't Lose Heart'
- 'Get Real'
Now a weekend off before Monday's full band gig supporting 'Mr Fogg' on his UK Tour (see gigs for more info)
"...an unorthodox mind makes a genius shine..."
Happy Friday to you all!
This week saw the return of an old friend...'Digging'!
'Digging', the opening track of our 'Sleepwalking' EP, has not been played for a good few years, had an airing at our gig in Petersfield this week. The track was met with quite a nostalgic response, it was great to hear that people remember it! The gig was a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, it was brilliant to revisit some older songs and we hope to play more of the same very soon. Thank you to all who came and supported us.
For those of you who request such info, here is the set-list from the gig:
'Realise'
'Sliproads'
'Brand New Hope'
'Digging'
'Right Way Round'
'Ultraviolet'
'Get Real'
The band have secured some support slots in the next month with some Touring UK artists. Check the 'gig' section for all the details! The band are also going full throttle with the recording this week, so expect updates very soon!
Happy New Year!!
Here's wishing you a fantastic New Year in whatever you will be partaking. Thank You for all your support in 2010, and we look forward to this continuing and playing lots more music for you in 2011. There are lots of things in motion for the band this year, so please keep checking the site for more album news, gig information and Blog updates, you can also follow us us on Twitter.
We look forward to seeing you very soon!
BPM management would like to invite you to join The Wide Eyes by firelight...
This special gig will take place in the Great Roundhouse at Butser Ancient Farm. Once inhabited by Iron Age families, this reconstructed building will host a night of atmospheric wonderment. Shuffle up close to the open fire and enjoy an exclusive evening of music with The Wide Eyes.
With limited availability, tickets are £5.00 a piece and can only be purchased in advance. Many have already sold so please book now to avoid disappointment. Tickets are available from The Bran Tub Health store in Petersfield.
Alternatively to secure your place beside the fire please send a cheque, payable to BPM Management, to: 57 Bones Lane, Buriton, Hampshire GU31 5SE. (If you would like your ticket sent to you please enclose a stamped addressed envelope - otherwise it will be waiting on the door for you.).
Or Call: 07981319687 Or if you prefer see Kev, Alex, Bernie, Paul, or Mary for a ticket.
There will be a cash bar and food available, including soup and mulled wine! Doors open at 7pm. The elements of the season will be all around us so make sure you wrap up warm and bring a torch. We would be grateful if your method of travel could be as green as possible, so if travelling by car please travel together...parking is minimal so the less cars the better.
TICKETS IN ADVANCE ONLY NO TICKETS FOR SALE ON THE DOOR
We look forward to seeing you there!
Recording and gigs this August
So we have recorded our first two sessions up in Manchester at Moolah Rouge and it's sounding awesome. With a couple more sessions to put the final tracks down and a whole lot of mixing and mastering to go, you can keep up to date with the recording here on the wide eyes blog.
Not being ones to waste idle time we have also decided to play a couple of gigs this month, so if you'd like to see a fresh out of the studio wide eyes, we'd love to see you! Check out the gigs section for more info
Audience Artwork by Candlelight @ Buriton Hall, 4th June 2010
As promised, we have uploaded a small selection of the audience artwork from our Buriton gig. Please click on the image below to enter the gallery. Thanks again to all that attended and for your fantastic artwork!
"...sky's the limit..."
The Wide Eyes booked to record their first studio album
In August 2010, The Wide Eyes are heading up to the infamous Moolah Rouge studios, near Manchester to record songs for their first studio album.
'Flying Kites in Thunderstorms' will be the bands much-anticipated debut album and will include their wide spectrum of sound.
The band are currently in rehearsal sessions preparing for the studio experience.
Keep checking this site for album updates and blogs from members of the band.
“...but it’s like flying kites in thunderstorms..."
The Wide Eyes by Candlelight @ Buriton Hall, 4th June 2010
Once again, a venue sell out and a beautiful evening of acoustic music with friends surrounded by countryside and candlelight.
Each member of the audience was invited to create a piece of artwork on the tablecloths, and what a fantastic result you created!! We were so impressed and humbled by your artwork that some pieces will be added to the website very soon.
Thank you to everyone who came along and made the evening what it was.
"…what a beautiful thing you are"
The Wide Eyes Live @ The Grange Centre, Midhurst, 30th January 2010
300+ people, 43 t-shirts sold, 15 songs played, a substantial silent auction bid...what an evening!!
We'd like to thank every one of you for making the gig what it was!!
We really appreciate your support, whether you were able to attend or not.
Also thank you to our gig sponsors
Using the funds you raised we'll be heading to Manchester in the summer to record our first studio album 'Flying Kites in Thunderstorms'.and we'll do you proud!
Each person who bought a ticket for the gig will have their name included on our album artwork later on this year.
Thank you for your continued support and we'll see you all again very, very soon...
"and everything's shining..."