THE VELVETEEN ORKESTRA (in alphabetical order...) Andrea Adriano(Drums) Adam Busiakiewicz(Accordion) Sophie Clout(Clarinet) Papilon Curly(Flute) Richard Flanagan(Trumpet) Tim Hook(Guitar) Toni Krause(Piano) Josie Lloyd(Violin) Eleanor McAllister-Dilks(Viola) Lindsey Oliver(Double Bass) Wilf Petherbridge(Trumpet) Jon Scafidi(Cello) Jo Silverston(Cello)
Influences
Morrissey, Ennio Morricone, Beirut, Tom Waits, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Bon Iver, The Smiths, Sigur Rós, Frankie Valli, John Williams, Danny Elfman, John Martyn, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Doves, Eels, The Beatles, David Bowie, Russian fairy tales, Gothic novels, Angela Carter and love... above all things
While weaving tales of love, heartache and fantasy in his intensely dark and mystical style, as well as playing some of the South's top venues, Dan Shears is proving himself to be one of London's more interesting and captivating singer/songwriters. Whether performing solo or with THE VELVETEEN ORKESTRA... beautiful, flowing vocal melodies, with lyrics that bring to mind carnival-esque lullabies written by a much older soul, cascade over delicate and intricate guitar-work and songs so immersed in passion and pathos that they're sure to haunt the memory long after the first listen. An opulent blend of influences from acts such as Jeff Buckley and Morrissey with the folk music of Russia and Eastern Europe, orchestral arrangements that grip the heart and a voice that sounds as though he is singing from his very soul. He is currently in the process of recording his first ever solo EP... entitled 'THE ETERNAL MYSTERY OF THE HUMAN HEART'. He promises it to be something very special. Every inch of him is yours... please be gentle.
QUOTES
"Shears has a beautifully evocative voice which refuses to be ignored... these orkestral manoeuvres in the dark are set to run and run" - XYZ MAGAZINE
"The voice of Dan Shears drops jaws. It pushes further than the obvious comparisons and soars above the clouds. He breathes his songs and has audiences holding their breath, waiting for the next twist. His range will stop you in your tracks" - KIERON PEPPER (Drummer with THE PRODIGY)
"Dan's music is warm, enchanting, delicate and beautiful. The Girl The Boy Adored showcases Dan's intriguing and mysterious vocals while weaving a wonderful tale of love, passion and yearning. Great songwriting talent is shown here as well as a very promising up and coming musician" - ACE (Guitarist with SKUNK ANANSIE)
"A true artist, a voice with a purity of tone I've not heard from a male singer before. A young man with a real potential for great success" - MARK FLANNERY (Producer:- U2, BLACK SABBATH, SONIC YOUTH, DEF LEPPARD)
FOR BOOKINGS, OR MATTERS OF SIMILAR OR GREATER IMPORTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT ME, EITHER ON MYSPACE OR EMAIL danshearsmusic@hotmail.co.uk
Dan Shears & The Velveteen Orkestra's Friend Space (Top 32)
Dan Shears & The Velveteen Orkestra has 832 friends.
hey dan, yes it would be very cool to do a gig together. do you do most of your gigs in london? (ps i really like the videos you have up on you tube) -aaron.
Recording, mixing, mastering, production and songwriting. Only £20 per hour and even less if you block-book. Really great equipment and experienced staff.
Hey, cheers for the comment. Would be great to get a gig together.. really enjoy your stuff! We've got some more recordings to add up at some point so would be great to get your opinion. Keep in touch about doing a gig together
Thank you. writing the first record now. London by Lamplight reminds me of when I was living there a few years back~ London's sweet cobblestone streets and ancient trees, the bridges from one world to the next...mist and history everywhere...I've missed it. Continue to breathe in her songs and sing them out. Best~ Suzie
Hi Dan x Good to hear from you. That sounds great - I would love to do another show together. We're working on the album at the mo, planning more gigs in the spring. Hoping all is dandy in your world. Still sounding great.
Hey man... we played a gig at the Lass in Richmond ages ago. I was just remaking my myspace page and came across yours again and I've got to say your new stuff is sounding fantastic. Absolutely brilliant. I'd buy it on vinyl, and I'll share it with my friend from Madrid. Cheers
ha ha, Dan yes you have met me! :) i've come to a couple of your gigs now! very good i might add!! hope your well and keeping up the fit dance moves and only improving with practice! Megg South Set x
To help you keep recording during these times of economic crisis and price rises we would like to offer all our myspace friends a 40% discount on all bookings for band recordings from the 24th August to the end of September 2009. This means an hourly rate of just £25.
The heart of our recording studios is a Pro tools HD 2 system (x2) with C24 control surfaces together with an Allen and Heath 32:8:2 analogue desk for analogue mixing. We provide a mixture of classic, analogue audio equipment and cutting-edge digital technology. see our website www.altrecordingstudios.com for further details.
please mention myspace if booking, this is a one time offer prompted by our recent studio refurbishment
Hey Dan. Going to try to make your gig on weds. No guarantees as I've started rehearsing a new play - acting and directing - so I might be knackered. Hope to see you then. Full band, yeah? Chris x
Oh nice man.The one with Jake will be great :) Yeah the booking sounds good shall we get on that? September would be a good time it'll give us a while to get some people together and get the set sounding good.I'll check the site out.
Not sure really man,how did you managed to get Hackney empire and Koko? they're ace gigs! if we could get something along those lines would be great.Jack.
That would be great yeah we're looking for some London gigs.Do you have anything in mind? suppose we could always just book something and get a crowd together... Jack
While weaving tales of love, heartache and fantasy in his intensely dark and mystical style, as well as playing some of the South's top venues, Dan Shears is proving himself to be one of London's more interesting and captivating singer/songwriters. Whether performing solo or with THE VELVETEEN ORKESTRA... beautiful, flowing vocal melodies, with lyrics that bring to mind carnival-esque lullabies written by a much older soul, cascade over delicate and intricate guitar-work and songs so immersed in passion and pathos that they're sure to haunt the memory long after the first listen. An opulent blend of influences from acts such as Jeff Buckley and Morrissey with the folk music of Russia and Eastern Europe, orchestral arrangements that grip the heart and a voice that sounds as though he is singing from his very soul. He is currently in the process of recording his first ever solo EP... entitled 'THE ETERNAL MYSTERY OF THE HUMAN HEART'. He promises it to be something very special. Every inch of him is yours... please be gentle.
Online Now!
