Hi All

Welcome to a relaxing bank holiday weekend for those lucky enough not to be working, apologies to all those in Scotland that don't get this one off...

Just to thank everyone for coming out to the variety of Inky events during the Edinburgh festival, it was great to see you all, and to get the full band live on stage for the first time....

Inky's taking a wee pause down by the coast, preparing for this weekend's acoustic spot at Hadfest, be there if you can for what promises to be an intimate performance, of some of Inky's rockier stuff..

Speaking of upcoming gigs, just to inform you that the gig on 25 September has been moved from The Hartley and will now be at The Comedy, off Leicester Square, hopefully this central location will be easier for everyone to get too...

Have a great weekend everyone, if you're near or fancy traveling to Hadleigh to see Inky, looks like it will be a nice weekend for it, there'll be giveaways and CD's for sale...

Until then, enjoy

Inky HQ

As you're all aware, Inkysmudge are coming to Edinburgh this weekend, to play their part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and we at Inky HQ would like to make it easy for you to catch up with your beloved Inky!

As the southern half of the band are making their way up the motorway from London on Saturday, you could try honking your horn at a silver volvo blasting out classic Van Halen and Pumpkins tunes, you'll know it's them with the two Jesus look a-likes inside.....

However on Sunday 15th, you can catch more than just a blurred motorway view of Inkysmudge, and here's where.....

1700 - Live Instore at Avalanche Records - 63 Cockburn Street

2200 - Live on 98.8 Leith FM - Acoustic performance and interview

0000 - Live at Whistlebinkies

Hope to see as many of you as possible.

Inky HQ

The Edinburgh Fringe build up continues with the news that Inkysmudge will be playing an Instore gig at Edinburgh's Avalanche Records on Sunday 15th August at 5pm.

The Instore is in support of that evening's gig at Whistlebinkies, and the simultaneous release of the new albums "Probability" and "Proximity."

This is a great opportunity to see a unique Inkysmudge performance in a unique setting, especially if you can't make the midnight gig!

Inkysmudge loves to support local independent record stores, as they remain the life blood of the independent music scene, offering choice, value, and passion every day, so support your local independent record store, and if you happen to live in, or visit Edinburgh, then support Avalanche Records and Inkysmudge.

Details of Avalanche Records can be found over at www.avalancherecords.co.uk 

Hope to see you there!

Inky HQ

Inkysmudge are ready to unveil not only their simultaneous release of "Proximity" and "Probability", but a brand new full band line up, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on August 15th...

Following on from their succesful low key, acoustic European Tour, Inkysmudge have recruited some talented musicians to bring their atmospheric indie-rock back to Edinburgh as part of the Fringe Festival, and to support the simultaneous album release.

Drummer Plamen Minchev and Lead Guitarist Nasko Nedev join old friend and Bass Player Antonis Mikelis to bolster the line up which once again sees long standing Inky collaborator Venom "Fingers" Carter join on Keyboards to complete the line up headed naturally by Mr Smudge :)

To thank Edinburgh for it's support after Inkysmudge's "There Will Come A Time" (from the "A New Transmission" EP), was played to great acclaim at Heart of Midlothian's Tynecastle Stadium, physical copies will be on sale EXCLUSIVELY in Scotland's Capital City...

"Proximity" and "Probability" will be available for sale at Elvis Shakespeare in Leith and at the gig from the band at Whistlebinkies.

The CD's will be priced at £6.00 per CD (or the complete double CD set for £10.00), and are part of a limited run of physical copies.

In support of the gig, Inkysmudge will be performing an acoustic set on Leith FM at 10.20pm on Sunday 15th (before rushing off to sound check at Whistlebinkies), and hope to be visible round the city centre during the day, keep your eyes peeled for Inky as there'll be freebies!

For those not in Edinburgh, don't despair, physical copies will be available to order from the Inkysmudge website from the 16th August, and at future Inkysmudge gigs while stock lasts, and of course ALL Inkysmudge releases are available from your favourite online retailers...

Itunes

Amazon

Play.com

Hope to see you all in Edinburgh

Inky HQ

Today, Edinburgh based keyboard player Venom "Fingers" Carter, talks about home rehearsals, Inkysmudge commuting and the new band line-up...

It's been 3 months since the last date of the European Tour, and as the backing tracks and samples were created by Inky and myself, it was easier to attempt cross border rehearsals, as everything was always going to be in time/sync, and it was just a matter of a few face to face rehearsals to blend it all together with the majesty of Inky's voice.

When Inky asked me to once again embellish the new line-up with my keys, I thought long and hard about the logistics of rehearsing to play with a band who's human inconsistencies (compared to that of a metronome!) really place the emphasis on being in the same room at the same time and creating that musical bond, understanding their idiosyncrasies to ensure that the overall sound is punchy, epic and not cluttered, but then, all things considered, how could I pass up the chance to work with Inky again?!?!

I've been playing music with Inky in various bands/styles since moving to London in late 2005, and developed a strong rapport and friendship, both on and off the stage, we share a musical vision and a sense of humour, so when he decided to go solo, I was keen to be involved, despite the distance of my new home town of Edinburgh.

So....the rehearsal mp3's arrive and I slowly familiarise myself with the music, the songs I know already, having played them endlessly as part of Inky's quality control "brain trust", but with new musicians comes new stylings, so it was important for me to hear how they played as a four piece, in order for me to find my space...3 weeks after doing this, the time was right to begin my commute...

Edinburgh lies 408 miles north of London, so driving and train weren't really viable options for a short weekend journey, having procured a solid flight case for my Keyboard whilst in Aachen on the European tour, I placed it in the good hands of BA on a Friday night, and was in London, and the welcoming accomodation of Inky, by 10pm Friday night.

What followed (apart from the obligatory dvd watching (The Rutles and Springsteen!), and chatting 'til some godforsaken hour was a 2 day long rehearsal (or so it felt).

A new drummer and second guitarist had been brought on board (Plamen and Nasko respectively), this Bulgarian power duo, have given Inky's music a further lease of life, Plamen, tall and laid back, with a drumming style similar to that of Mick Fleetwood, laying strong foundations for Inky's intimately widescreen musical approach, Nasko providing intricate, soulful and sometimes mind blowing guitar parts, allowing the songs to soar higher then before.

Helping to build the foundations along with Plamen, was a familiar face in the form of Antonis Mikelis, this Greek, Jesus lookalike, played with both Inky and myself in our previous band, and brings technical excellence along with musical eccentricity (and newly added backing vocals) to complete and compliment the writing and musical vision of Inky.

I'm not going to be so bold and do a John Landau and say "I've seen the future of rock 'n' roll and his name is INKYSMUDGE", but what I will say is this, you will be hard pushed to find a harder working, more entertaining, well crafted and enthusiastic band playing live this year, the songs are strong, the music engaging, and the performance and camaraderie entertaining, it would be a tragedy if you failed to catch their live show when they come to a venue near you...

Due to the distance involved I may not be at every live show, but I consider myself lucky to be invited along for the ride.....

Venom.

That's right, hot on the heels of the Inkysmudge EP "So Much For Country", the first full length Inkysmudge CDs "Probability" and "Proximity" will be available at all major online retailers from August 1st. Limited edition hard copies will be available in selected stores, here of course and at gigs from 15th August.

To ensure you find out first how to get your hands on these, AND to claim your free BONUS track and DISCOUNT CODE, why not head over to the mailing list tab and sign up, not only will you receive the above, but you'll be FIRST to hear about Inkysmudge's upcoming tour dates, new releases, and competitions.

And here's a promo video to whet your appetite....happy Friday everyone!

Inkysmudge are participating in the "Linkin Park Featuring YOU!" competition, Inky has remixed the upcoming Linkin Park single "The Catalyst" and needs your help in voting for it to be a winner...

If you would be so kind as to click right HERE, register your interest and vote for Inky, you could see him feature on the forthcoming Linkin Park CD and maybe more...

Thanks, keep your eyes peeled for some fan rewards later today.

Inky!

Chaos & Bedlam Management

Management & Booking: lizabuddy@hotmail.co.uk

Phone: +44 (0) 7540 376642

July 2010

INKYSMUDGE Releases Album Appetizer ‘So Much For Country’

A surreal conversation in the early hours of an April morning in Germany inspires the release of an ‘album appetizer’.

“I was on a short European tour with a friend of mine and we ended up having one of those post-gig conversations where the night has gone so well that you end up talking about what you’re gonna do next. You know, when the beer means any idea seems perfectly sensible,” laughs Inky. “So, we got into this thing about putting out a country music EP called Happy Hour and, even on the train back to Paris, the idea still seemed perfectly plausible,” he says shaking his head.

“Anyway, I got home and started writing but the material went in a completely different direction. So, I shelved the plan and let the songs dictate the end result. That’s how So Much For Country came about. The title alludes to the idea that you set out to do one thing and end up doing something completely different. A lot like life itself I guess, it seemed like a good metaphor.”

The four songs on the EP, namely Under The Power Lines, Happy Hour, Your Witness and Fiction find Inky expanding on the sound of 2009’s A New Transmission EP with e-bow, brass and atmospheric synths. Addressing the idea of escape, an account of potential adultery, regret and the joy in, as Inky puts it, ‘letting someone in’ he says, “I tend to obsess over the details of what makes people do the things they do. That’s really where it all comes from.” 

Under The Power Lines is an e-bow and piano led storm of a song, evocatively describing the moment when, sat in a car near an electricity pylon under a vengeful sky, the protagonist decides to leave their situation in search of sunnier times.

Happy Hour starts with an atmospheric and intimate observation of two people, meeting after work to discuss their respective relationships. The chorus unleashes ferocious guitars and a harrowing brass section melody that perfectly complements the direction the conversation takes.

Your Witness is a full-on rocker with a sixties beat that places the protagonist in court. Pleading his innocence that decisions made whilst ‘not of sound mind’ have led to feelings of longing and regret, the protagonist insists this is punishment enough. Miles apart sonically, there is still a surprisingly humorous undertone to the song, not entirely dissimilar to REM’s ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It’.

Fiction is an up-tempo but gentle reflection on those early morning intimacies with your significant other, the simple familiarities that bind people together with unspoken understanding. The brass section returns for the interestingly instrumental choruses, leaving the protagonist to declare ‘I won’t argue with that, if it sounds like this!’ as the song heads to its euphoric conclusion.

“The two full-length albums’ release date had already been decided (Probability and Proximity are scheduled for simultaneous release in August 2010) but I was so excited about these new songs that I just wanted to get them out. It gives people a further idea of what to expect so hopefully the A New Transmission and So Much For Country EPs will have sufficiently whetted their appetite.”

Yep, the man behind the scenes, Venom Carter aka @skyfulofscars (for those of you on Twitter) aka Richie Noble, celebrates his birthday today.

This is the man who slaves away behind the scenes providing technical assistance (and much, much more) to enable me to share with you my musical endeavours.

We should all take a moment to pause for thanks..........probably ;)

That's right, the new Inkysmudge EP  "So Much For Country" is available today from all major online retailers, we previewed this on our new facebook bandpage tab on Friday and it's now yours to own for no more than a bargain 3.50.

You can click on any of the below links, or go back to the facebook bandpage tab, and buy it from there.

Enjoy, and thanks for your support

Inky!

Itunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/so-much-for-country-ep/id376657258

Amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/So-Much-For-Country-EP/dp/B003UNFEMS/ref=dm_ap_alb3

Play.com - http://www.play.com/Music/MP3-Download-Album/4-/15696076/So-Much-For-Country-EP/Product.html