Those of you who made it to Mix Up's 1st birthday back in 2012 will remember this band. Formed especially for that event we've decided to reform for tonight's party. The Magic Hat Ensemble will be taking to the stage joined by many musical friends to recreate some of their favourite afrobeat tunes. Expect a large, groovy afrofunk session!
GYPSIES OF BOHEMIA
Gypsies of Bohemia formed when lead guitairst and band leader Jim Wallace met rhythm guitarist and ex Whiskeycats vocalist Matthew Whitaker in 2003. Inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt the pair began to explore both the traditional and modern gypsy repertoire and performed regularly together as a guitar duo for over 2 years. It was upon the arrival of double bassist Fran Grime and their first explorations into arranging and writing together that the group really began to take shape.
PADDY STEER
Paddy is a Zelig-like character along the timeline of Manchester's musical activity. It's a testament to his musicality that he has played with such a wide range of music and artists over the years, be it as a bass player, drummer, Hawaiian guitarist etc. or all these roles at the same time.
Paddy’s attic studio is like the magic workshop – not only does he make music in there, but he also makes instruments, mends junk, films animations and constructs robots.
Never one to blow his own trumpet, Paddy quietly gets on with developing his craft. There is something of the fairy-tale cobbler working late into the night in order to make the finest shoes in the kingdom, or maybe the musical elves strike up while he's in bed.
It’s a sometime cartoon-like music dense with events, new textures and the colours of children’s paintings, sounds like a Swiss cuckoo clock made of egg boxes and horsehair, glued together by an African Moog player in a Vietnamese iron monger's shop.
ABOUT MIX UP
Mix Up is a monthly live music night which as the name suggests features three musical acts across different styles and forms.
Held on the first Thursday of the month at The Klondyke Club in Levenshulme (1 Burnage Range, third road on the left from Levenshulme Station off Albert Road, walking towards Burnage – call 0161 224 4122) the night promises to offer three quality bands, all for a nominal entry fee.
MIX UP is a cracking night of live music featuring the cream of Manchester’s music scene. We will soon be confirming further acts for future nights.
You can keep up to date with who’s playing and when on our website http://www.mixupmcr.com/
Please, please show your support for the night by joining our Mix-Up Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/
It will be great to see some familiar faces and hopefully some unfamiliar ones on the night!
