FOLKHOUSE:
I have been working recently with an excellent singer by the name of Lara. Next Sunday, I'll be performing with Lara, Dave and Sofi to bring Lara's fabulous Dido-esque voice to the masses. I will also be performing a solo set of material from "Waiting in line", some new songs and perhaps even some really silly older ones. You never know.

The show starts at 8.30 ish, and will be a very chilled-out, candlelit affair to which you are warmly invited!

THE METROPOL:
It's bigger than the Louisiana. It's already played host to some very big names. The mighty Metropol in Bedminster is the new venue from the promoters behind the Louisiana, and Minerva have been asked to play on 1 December 2004. No word yet on showtimes and other bands, but rumours abound that an Advent or Christmas flavour may be in evidence. Don't miss the last Minerva gig of 2004!

Check the gig listings for a slew of new shows. Also, Minerva are recroding 4 new tracks on 4 December, so hopefully an EP will be ready for Christmas. As for Chris, he has been writing and performing with Lara England recently, who is a fabulous singer-songwriter. Watch out of more collaborations soon!

Chris and Matt will be making their radio appearance on Star 107.2FM on Sunday 12 September at 8pm. They will chat with Gary about upcoming gigs, and also play a couple of acoustic tracks. Please tune in!
And then...
Minerva headline the Fleece and Firkin on Tuesday 14 September, with support from Aorta and First Element. Please come along and support the boys!

It looks likely that Minerva will be playing a session on Star 107.2FM on Monday 13 September to promote the Fleece Gig. Check back for confirmation shortly.

Please check the gigs section for a new date headlining the fleece and firkin, and also for new reveiws and photographs from Ashton Court.

Thanks to all who came to see us at Ashton Court last weekend. The sun shone, we had a brilliant crowd of about 350, and the set was storming. All guns blazing now for the Fleece on 30 July!

Although Chris wasn't selected as one of the 6 winners for the Wales and South West area, he was in the final shortlist of 10, so a narrow miss! Nice to be recognised, if not actually securing a win.

The band have been asked to play this years' Ashton Court Festival on Saturday 18 July. No definite word on the allocated slot, but mid afternoon on the Acoustic Stage looks likely. Come along and check out the show.

On 16 June at the Betsey Trotwood on Farringdon Road, Chris and Al will play a 40 minute acoustic set in support of Mohanski. It's a great little venue, and the boys will be on at 8.15pm. Find out more at www.plumpromotions.co.uk

Chris will be playing a solo set in London on 12 August at the fantastic Globe Theatre. Also appearing will be the incredible James Keen, and it is likely that he and Chris will reprise their duets. Details from www.thebedford.co.uk

Chris is polishing off a couple of website-exclusive tracks, which will be done within a couple of weeks. They are "Bad Words (Radio Mix") and "Crest of a Dream". Both will be available soon!

Following Chris and Matt's successful session with Star 107.2FM, the band were interviewed after the Croft gig by a team from Bristol Broadband Radio. The show should be archived for online listening at dialect.bettercode.com

Chris will be interviewed and will play live on Star 107.3 FM 's Bristol Uncovered Show on 16 May 2004, after 8pm. Hopefully he'll make a bit more sense this time!

Thanks to all who came to see us at Bush Hall last Thursday. Minerva played a blinder and the 200-strong audience were fantastic. Pictures and feedback from the night will be online shortly!

On Saturday 1 May, Chris has been asked to give a workshop to teenagers on the Access to Music course run at the Colston Hall. Chris will be chatting about songwriting, performing, and also about copyright in the music industry.

The fabulous James Keen will be travelling from London to open for Minerva at the Folkhouse on 23 April. Chris met James at the Songwriter Showcase gig back in September last year and was blown away by his voice and writing talent. Be sure to get there on time on 23rd! www.james-keen.com

Ooops. Well, we thought it was all going on hold, but we've just time to squeeze out another gig before Chris goes under the knife. We've been asked to play at the Croft on 9 March supporting some former members of the Pogues, so pretty excited about that. We'll also be headlining the Acoustic Sessions again on 2 May, so pop across to the Gigs pages to see where we're at.

Chris is starting writing and demoing again for a new solo project, which is likely to be a more produced and less stark than "Waiting in Line". But you never know. Expect some results in July/August! Minerva album on the way as well. We're spoilt for choice when in comes to songs, so let the inevitable debate begin.

02 February 2004: Gigs

Minerva have been asked to open the showcase gig at Bush Hall in London, following Chris' successful outing there back in September. A handful of A&R types will be around, and the band will have 25 minutes to impress. It will be a great opportunity for the band's music to be aired in the big smoke, so please come along. More details from www.bushhallmusic.co.uk

As played at the Croft last weekend. Not to be repeated. Ever. Well, the year is almost up. Thanks to those who've seen a gig or listened to a CD, and season's greetings to all. Plans for the new year involve lots of gigs and recording a full Minerva album, tentatively titled "Mirror Signal" (think about it!). See you soon.

CHRISTMAS SHOW:
Chris will be performing as part of a very strong line-up at the Croft on 17th December, along with Roger Tarry, Bristol songstress Emily Breeze and Jimmy Goodrich, all of whom are picking up local and national acclaim in the singer/songwriter field. Rumours of the odd cover of various Christmas songs abound...

CROFT:
Thanks to those of you that came out to the Croft last night. It was a great night, and all the bands thoroughly enjoyed themselves and put in storming performances. Roger Tarry and his band were their usual accomplished selves, and the addtition of ex-Windmarbles man Toby on keys has really broadened their sound. We'd also recommend you check out The Manana Project, and wish them well in the finals of the Moles Battle of the Bands. As for Minerva, well, I think we surprised a few people...
www.rogertarry.net
www.themananaproject.co.uk
www.minervamusic.co.uk

THE CROFT on 26th November:
This has developed into something of an acoustic rock showcase, with Minerva now being supported by Roger Tarry and The Manana Project. Roger played with us at the Folkhouse, and is a superb singer/songwriter, whilst TMP play an exciting blend of melodic indie pop. Expect a busy and exciting night. We're trying to make this one a big success to convince the venue that there is a live market for acoustic-based music, and your support would be very welcome.

REVIEW:
November's Decode magazine contains a really great review of "Waiting in line", as well as a few words on Minerva's treading water. Among other things, WIL is described as "a pretty damn successful album". Chuffed with that. You can pick up a free copy of the magazine at Borders, the Watershed, the Prom, or check a list of outlets at www.decodepublishing.com.

Chris will be appearing on John Turner's show at 1.30pm on Monday 20th October, playing an acoustic session and discussing the next steps in world domination. Or something like that. Anyway, please tune in!

Chris played a storming set at the inaugral Songwriter Showcase gig at Bush hall in London, wowing the 200 strong crowd. For pictures, reviews and possibly some streaming video of the show, please visit www.songwritershowcase.co.uk

The staff at www.damienrice.co.uk have been kind enough to link to this site in their "new music" section, so be sure to pop over and check ot the great man's site.

Thanks to all who came along to the Folkhouse on 23rd. Over 100 of you came along and unfortunately we sold out and had to shut the doors. Thanks to all who came along, and apologies to those that couldn't get in.

Chris and Minerva are now managed by Zoe @ Crocus Promotions, who has previously set Jane Taylor on the road to mega-things and more. Watch this space!

Chris has been invited to play the inaugural Songwriter's Showcase at Bush Hall in London on 12 September. There will be 7 or other 8 acts on the bill (including Jane Taylor), with hopefully some industry and meeja types in attendance. Tickets for the event are available by calling the venue direct on 0208 222 6955.

Also, please visit www.songwritershowcase.co.uk for details of the gig and tracks from all its featured artists. You can also listen to full versions of more tracks from "Waiting in line".

Chris to appear on Keith Warmington Show at 4.30pm on Tuesday 19th August, playing a live session and featuring tracks from the Minerva EP.

"Treading Water" is also due to be aired on Star 107.3 FM on next Sunday's "Bristol Uncovered".

Support for the Folkhouse gig confirmed as Roger Tarry and Nick Pritchett.

Sorry for the lack of news recently! Chris has been busy writing and recording with Minerva, and is currently mixing the EP at the Bunker Studios in Bristol. The plan is to give away a two track single at the EP launch party on 22nd August at the Folkhouse, with the 4 track EP being available online shortly afterwards.

The EP sounds great, with a lush production and great performances from the band, who'll be recording a further 6 or 7 tracks in the Autumn to complete an album, likely to be entitled "Treading Water".

Chris is back in action in September and October, including a gig at the Prom on Gloucester road.

Following last month's CD launch and gig with minerva, the CD sold briskly and momentum seemed to be gathering. Unfortunately, with one of the band having to return to Australia for a month or so, we have unfortunately had to put matters on hold. However, we'll be bouncing back and straight into the studio on Ali's return, to record a first minerva EP.

As for me, I've got gigs in the pipeline in Bristol and London but nothing confirmed at this stage as non-musical life has been rather hectic of late. Please check back shortly for imminent confirmation!

Website goes live! Thanks to Chris at Arachna for his help with this. As you'll see, there's still stuff to be done, but hopefully this can give you a flavour of what I've been up to recently.