Press Release Oct 2009

2010-01-29T21:02:58-05:00

Back in it’s inception in 2006, The Old Dance School rehearsed in the garden of the old Betty Fox school of ballet in Birmingham, from where they take their name. Three years, 30,000 miles, nearly forty festivals, and several trips to A&E later, The Old Dance School’s distinctive concoction of explosive, white-knuckle folk is blowing up a storm on the festival scene.

Their debut album Based on a True Story, released on their own label in 2008 was met with terrific reviews in the national press, championed by BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris, and has secured The Old Dance School as one of the most exciting young bands to have emerged in recent years.

Having all studied formally at Birmingham Conservatoire, and met amongst the vibrant young music scene that surrounds it, the six members of The Old Dance School may seem fresh faced, but don’t let them fool you – the diversity and scale of each one’s musical journey is quite remark¬able. From international jazz festivals to European opera tours, film score commissions to classical recitals, green festivals to tattoo conventions, members of The Old Dance School have performed, recorded and toured with artists such as Martha Wainwright, Graham Coxon, Zoe Rahman, Neil Yates, Jim Perrin, The Destroyers, Martha Tilston, Kevin Dempsey, Joe Broughton and Chris While.

The Old Dance School’s much anticipated forthcoming album, to be recorded in February 2010, will mark significant momentum to their development, and features exciting additions to the orchestration. Legendary producer Calum Malcolm (Capercaille, Phil Bancroft, Lau) is at the helm, and the electrifying tunes and songs are an aesthetic reflection on the harnessing of energy from the wild elements.
If the ‘folk revival’ is a hark back to a past strength of community we have lost, this album looks forward, and celebrates the closer connections we find with each other as we respond to the challenges, and opportunities, of a more sustainable future.

The icy gales and warm crescendos of Samantha Norman and Helen Lancaster’s dual fiddles, are propelled by Tom Chapman’s driving world percussion, the dynamic fret-work of Robin Beatty, Laura Carter’s evocative woodwind and Aaron Diaz’s liquid brass harmonies. The Old Dance School are a rip-roaring orchestra for the new generation, with their gaze fixed on energised audiences this summer.

The Old Dance School’s second studio album will be released May 2010 on their label Transition.

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Press Release Oct 2009