I’ve not been on here for a while, but while I’ve been away, some of my favourite bands have been very busy! I’ll be telling you about a few of these bands over the next few weeks, but the first band I’d like to give a big shoutout to is Dubclass!
WHY I LOVE DUBCLASS
Dubclass are an energetic Space Reggae band from the deep dark South West!
Transporting you to a world of relaxed sci-fi reggae madness, the band were united by their mutual love of Dub and have a stomping 6-piece line up that includes guitars, flutes, keys, drums, bass, and vocals.
I’ve seen them at festivals, parties and local pub gigs an each time the Dubclass have created an amazing, immersive atmosphere that’s just as suitable for wild dancing as it is for chilling with friends in a field on a beautiful sunny day.
NEXT GIG: FREEDOM FIELDS FESTIVAL, PLYMOUTH
Dubclass will be headlining Freedom Fields Festival, Plymouth on Sunday 29th May.
The festival is FREE, so I highly recommend you get down there and get a taste of one of the hottest bands in Plymouth!
I am very excited to announce Below Stairs victorian extravaganza happening this October 29th in Plymouth, Devon.
Tickets are available from http://belowstairs.brownpapertickets.com/ and I’m aware that the VIP tickets are selling very fast, so get in there quick if you want one!
Here’s the description from the Event Page:
Below Stairs – Victorian Fundraiser!
With headlines like ‘Children Living in Victorian Conditions’ and cuts to services leaving charities to pick up the slack, there’s never been a better time for giving. So join us in the mists of history for good old-fashioned music, magic, drink and dancing, all to raise money for local charities supporting vulnerable people in the present!
Whether you’re a humble servant, the Lady of the House in disguise, or an explorer stepping out of your Zeppelin from an alternate timeline, it’s guaranteed to be a party Below Stairs!
Costume is strongly encouraged, and please, no jeans or trainers. (Unless they’re an essential part of your spectacular Steampunk ensemble!)
Two floors of fun, music and revelry in a themed venue in Plymouth: Annabel’s Cabaret and Discotheque.
– 8 AMAZING ACTS
– TEA DUELLING
– CRAFT AND MERCH FOR SALE
– VICTORIAN-STYLE PHOTO BOOTH
– RAFFLE
I’m an experienced jazz and classically trained flautist regularly performing with a variety of local and visiting musicians (see Live Music & Events). Most recently I’ve played with Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band and The Sterrys as well as being involved with a number of local events, including Malborough Amateur Dramatics Pantomime and Hope for Howard. I am also available to perform solo on the harp.
Recording
I have recorded a short selection of relaxed pieces, all available for free download.
Testimonials
“As a professional musician for nearly four decades, I have been very impressed by Hannah Sterry’s contribution to our gypsy swing band as a deputy flautist over the last few months. She has deputised at short notice for both our lead guitarist and swing violinist, not easy roles to fill, and I have been awed by her levels of competence and creativity. Her improvisational techniques display an intuitive flair and inspiration well beyond her years, and she exhibits the stage presence expected in a seasoned veteran. I would heartily endorse her as a flautist to any potential employers, whether in the fields of jazz, rock or classical music.” ~ Julian Isaacs of Hamer & Isaacs Gypsy Swing Band
“[Hannah] is a brilliant musician and I love working with her in the gypsy swing band. Her flute solos inspire me to up my game!” ~ Melanie Scullion B.A Hons.P.G Cert. P.G Dip.Perf. Professional violinist, violist and peripatectic music teacher.
Contact Me
Feel free to ask any questions or have a friendly chat online using the contact form, tweet @HannahSterry or comment on this blog!
If you like, you can also follow my musical adventure on facebook on the Hannah Sterry Music page.
Hope to hear from you soon! 🙂
Gallery
Here are a selection of images from performances around South Devon. The pencil sketch is thanks to Jazz Greenhill.
We had the fiddle/flute version of duelling banjos, rude jokes about chickens, bass ukelele envy and a kazoo-off! The audience seemed to really enjoy it (Becky even managed to be colour co-ordinated with some of the audience too) and we all had a lot of fun on stage!
I’ll be playing at B-Bar again in March, but this time with Hamer & Co, so that’s definitely something to look forward to!
My latest artwork hasn’t had anything to do with Sterry Cartoons. Most recently I’ve been designing this logo for Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band. The band have had a number of successes in the South West and London, with performances at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and upcoming performance at The Royal Albert Hall on March 8th (see their shows page for more information).
Don’t let me carry on though – see for yourselves! Here’s a video from one of their performances at Plymouth Jazz Club!
Hamer & Isaacs play volcanic, swinging gypsy jazz. Whilst portraying the influence of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France, the unique addition of Rosie Corlett’s soaring, flaming vocals is guaranteed to turn the thermostat up a notch.
Let me know what you think, and if you like the music, feel free to head over to the Hamer & Isaacs website for more!
**EDIT**
As of 2015, Hamer & Isaacs has morphed in to two separate groups:
Hot Club of Stonehouse
Hamer and Co.
Both groups can still be found playing in venues around the South West.
Last Sunday, I was one of the passengers stranded on the Penzance to London train. Luckily my boyfriend had remembered to bring Pass the Pigs, we amused ourselves by drawing temporarily invisible moustaches on pictures with magic pens (a brilliant birthday present from Anya of Total Monkery) and there was a ‘Stress Channel’ on the train radio, which we attempted to listen to without giggling. We felt extremely sorry for the poor man who was given the job of walking through every carriage to tell all 500 angry, frustrated passengers what was, or wasn’t, happening – it was his day off and he was just a passenger on the train.
Summary of things that went wrong:
No seat reservations due to computer failure.
Train stopped for 6 hours due to “Lack of air”.
All food and drink ran out after 2 hours.
Mechanics only arrived after 4 hours.
Toilets weren’t working properly.
Tannoy kept ‘ticking’ loudly at random intervals and announcements were generally unhelpful.
Over 100 people standing on train, not allowed to use spare seats in First Class without paying extra for upgrade (despite some of them having reserved seats in advance, but found them occupied due to the computer failure).
Things First Great Western did right:
Handed out compensation forms as soon as we arrived at the station.
Still, we got in to London Paddington Station feeling quite ratty and wondered why the Network Rail guys were allowed to stop the BBC News team from filming inside, when it’s quite clear that complaining at a camera makes British people feel so much better. Refunds also tend to make people feel much better, but I’m hoping that they won’t be as delayed as the trains.
To First Great Western, we suggest a name change to “Worst Late Stay-Southern”. It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, but after that experience it’s clear that having “First” and “Great” in the name is just false advertising and lies.
Ending on a happy note…
The thing that made me feel happiest once we finally got off the train, was being able to de-stress by playing the public pianos at St. Pancras International. Honestly, I’m not sure how anyone could cope with me on low food for 6 hours (there’s a running joke that I turn in to ‘The Incredible Sulk’ if I get too hungry) and even once we got to Paddington Station I didn’t bother to eat after finding out that it cost almost £5 for a basic Cornish pasty, but I think the piano playing got me through. There’s no picture of me playing piano, but there is one of H, who deserves some sort of award for not running away when I’m in low-blood-sugar sulk mode.
Howard Kahn playing ragtime piano at St Pancras International Station. Find out more about the public pianos at streetpianos.com
If you happen to find one of the pianos (they’re in a selection of cities worldwide), go and have a play and enjoy! 🙂
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EDIT: In fairness, once I contacted First Great Western’s customer service team via twitter after not hearing anything back for over a month, they were very polite and admitted that mistakes had been made regarding my compensation and sent out a full refund and two open First Class return tickets.
Smeaton’s Tower: Lightouse on Plymouth Hoe. Photo by Hannah Sterry.
Give me jobs in the shire, keep me working.
Give me jobs in the shire, I pray.
Give me jobs in the shire, keep me earning,
‘Cos I can’t afford the rent with no pay.
End recession!
End recession!
End recession or we’ll all be stuck.
End recession!
End recession!
This economy is all messed up.
I might get told off for this, but I’ve posted it anyway. It’s not meant in disrespect and if you’re offended, just remember that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting things in the world to be better. “Give Me Oil In My Lamp” is a really catchy tune too.
And… if anyone’s hiring I’m looking for jobs in Plymouth (UK) and would love to hear from you!
I’ve just opened a new shop with society6 because of their range of products and the professional look of the shop galleries, but I’m interested to hear the opinions of people already using the site to sell their work. I’ve spotted Jess Smart Smiley‘s illustrations on there and Alastair‘s photography, but wondered if anyone else on here uses it too and how they think it compares with other print-on-demand sites like RedBubble, CafePress and Zazzle.
Here’s what the shop looks like so far!
Click here to visit my new Society6 shop!
Feel free to follow me on there if you’re interested in the work too.
I’m interested to know what you think.
I’ll probably be posting more on Sterry Cartoons soon because university term ends in less than a week and as soon as exams finish, I have a job interview at Plymouth Arts Centre and would really love to get it!
If you want to wish me luck and motivate me to doodle faster, I’d massively appreciate some more likes and shares of the cartoons on the Sterry Cartoons facebook page! Show anyone who might like them! 😀
Hannah Sterry 