Dear Friends,
Here is my invitation for you to get out your critics’ teeth at the Green Note, Camden, on the evening of Sunday June 19th 2011.
Within the 2 sets I will be presenting potential new material for my second album, and so you will have the excitement(!) of seeing these new tunes in progress. I’d really love your feedback before I decide which ones will make the cut. So everybody who attends will have the opportunity to write down any thoughts (both pros and cons) on each song performance. The power of the pen(cil) is yours…
Please do book ahead if you are planning to attend, as this venue often sells out. There are advance tickets via the Green Note website.
www.greennote.co.uk
I am really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on these new numbers…hope to see you on the 19th!
Sara
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Kaz Simmons rocks. Fact! A superb singer, songwriter, guitarist and general sweetheart to boot, Kaz is launching her latest album ‘Dandelions’ (Fast Awake Records) in a few weeks time, Wednesday June 1st 2011. The album is packed full of sparkling arrangements of her delightful original songs – it is summery and warm and sure to enchant. Key tracks for me are ‘Pachamama’ and the title track, ‘The Dandelion Song’. I’ll be doing backing vocals for her at the launch gig, which is at The Forge, Camden, London. There will be full band and string quartet too. For full details, visit her site www.kazsimmons.com or visit The Forge’s website for bookings. It’s going to be a lovely night.
Sxx
I’m lucky in that the places I get to work in are often glamourous beyond my daily yogurt-covered mumlife, and Bar Nightjar in Hoxton is one of these thrilling places. It is such a treat to sing there (and dress up for the occasion) as the atmosphere is fabulous, drinks delicious and the decor perfect for feeling transported back in time. An underground retro gentleman’s club vibe without feeling fuddyduddy, and occasional modern twists to keep things fresh. I’m singing there with Viper’s Dream on Saturday 7th May, and can’t wait for a little Nightjar time. We’ll be performing vintage tunes and originals, Django-style, from around 9pm. See you there I’m sure…
Sxx
Sara Mitra interview with Nick Dines for Essex Life Magazine, April 2011.
Sara Mitra Essex Life interview April 2011
Dear Friends,
it is with some excitement I can write that the single of ‘Baby and Me’ is out! After much inner debate as to what is the meaning of a single in a digital age (why not just download a track off the album instead?), I can say that the single version has a new lead line, bright shiny backing vocals, a more compact drum intro, fabulous remastering and, le piece de resistance, a b-side! This last item requires a little mental gymnastics, how can you have a b-side to something that is not in tangible vinyl form? even cds don’t have b sides. Anyway, it is as a special treat to those that appreciate such things, an acoustic version of ‘This Mistake’ featuring the lovely Kaz Simmons on guitar and backing vocals. So all in all, it’s definitely got more going on than just a track off the album.
To download ‘Baby and Me’ single version, visit iTunes and search for “Sara Mitra Baby and Me single”. Here’s the artwork to look out for.
Happy Listening!
Saraxx
‘Baby and Me’ is Featured Track on ‘Radio 2 In Concert’ 14/04/11, presented by Johnnie Walker. Click here to listen on iplayer.
I had a rare social outing the other night to see two fabulous singer songwriters performing at the Laro Nights event, Brigitte Beraha and Mischka Adams, with their respective pianists Barry Green and Esben Tjalve. They were performing original material, some very new, and songs from other composers. It was at the Vortex in Dalston and the audience was pindrop attentive. It made me think of Schubertiad evenings (not that I would have been there!), where the composer would trial his new songs for his friends and fellow musicians and guage(sp?) their response- that night we were watching chamber songs of the 20th and 21st century, classics that are yet to become so. Both singers were so focused yet light in their approach, they didn’t take themselves too seriously in their between song patter, but the songs were handled with a depth and commitment that made the audience spellbound. The interplay with their pianists and with eachother on the duo numbers was also flawless. I went home feeling elated, that I’d been observing a masterclass in performance, songwriting and improvisation. Pretty good feeling for a Tuesday night!
Sara Mitra Maida Vale session – live versions of ‘Baby and Me’, ‘Going Home Alone’ plus interview. Broadcast on Jamie Cullum show, BBC Radio 2, 12/04/11. To listen on iplayer click here (about 33 minutes in). For listening once the show is archived and unavailable on iplayer, please click here: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. (Many thanks to David Gardiner for hosting this clip).
“Someone we really like on this show, a wonderful singer.”
“When I heard the album, I immediately became a fan of her voice…. Absolutely brilliant.” Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2.
Sara Mitra Maida Vale session on tonight’s Jamie Cullum Show, BBC Radio 2, 1900-2000, 12/04/12. Listen at 88-91 FM or via DAB radio.
