The Manx Sound Exchange: The future is . . . Gray
Chris Gray performing at the Garden Party 2012
MANX singer-songwriter Chris Gray made his small-screen debut last week on BBC TV, with both the slickly edited interview and music sounding and looking great, and making for a useful bit of publicity as he works towards finishing his debut album.
You can still catch the BBC Alba programme Siuthad Siuthad on BBC iPlayer, though only until 10.30pm this evening (Thursday).
Filmed last summer, the Scottish Gaelic programme’s presenters take an entertaining and light-hearted whistle-stop tour through Manx culture. With his track Suzy Won’t See Me towards the end,the programme includes footage of him in and around the Villa Marina serving as a background to an interview on Douglas Promenade.
He talks of his folky, vintage sound, influences, inspirations and memorable gigs, including slots supporting heroes like Peter Green and Roger Daltrey. Both the man and the music come across well.
‘They speak to musicians from each area they visit,’ explained Chris.
‘They got in touch saying I looked the part, whatever that means!’
He added: ‘It’s a bit odd seeing yourself on telly, but it has been a good experience.’
It all comes as Chris and his band are making the final push to get the debut album finished, and get out on the road.
‘We’re about 70 per cent done,’ he said. ‘It’s taken a while to get this far, but we don’t want to rush it, it’s a case of it’s finished when it’s finished.’
Recording and production has been done across the water at Star Studios in Leeds, working with studio owner Jason Brooks.
‘I was a bit scared at first about what was happening to the songs, but I trust Jason,’ Chris revealed.
‘We can only work on it when we can all get over there, but working with professional session players has been great, it sounds brilliant.’
A UK tour had been pencilled in for this month, but with holding out for the completed album it is more likely to take place in the new year, along with album launches both sides of the Irish Sea.
For the time being, Manx audiences are most likely to catch Chris in acoustic performances, though he says rehearsals are starting next week for some full band gigs around November time, with new songs for the set being worked on.
Having heard a few un-mastered demos of the album, the sound is promising and varied, with She Loves The Morning and Suzy Won’t See Me standing out personally in a collection likely to number around 11 tracks.
Keep up to date with the band’s progress at chrisgraymusic.co.uk
• Lee Brooks’ ramblings on the rumblings of the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by contacting lee.brooks@newsiom.co.im or 695674 with Manx music news, reviews and photos
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Weather for Isle of Man
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North west
