Whispers from the woods, Weeping Willow, Pine, Silver Birch, The Log Lady, falling leaves, early morning birdsong, woodland creature secrets, The Red Room, forest clearings, the breeze through the treetops....
The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a
green thing that stands in the way. Some see Nature all ridicule and
deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of Imagination, Nature is Imagination itself. William Blake, 1799, The Letters
An acoustic duo a couple of years old, The Douglas Firs’ love of nature is reflected in their songwriting. Their arrangements are untainted and uncomplicated with the focus never straying from their simple yet strong melodies and thought provoking lyrics.
• Dorset Unsigned Music Awards 2009 •
In May 2009, The Douglas Firs won 2 judges' prizes in the finals of the Dorset Unsigned Music Awards (DUMA); winning a photography session on location with Seeker Photography and also recording time at Room With A View studios, owned by award-winning sound engineer Steve Smith.
Suzy and Jimmy have been testing out some new songs during their live performances recently, some of which will feature on an extended EP to be released later on this year.
“Songs like 'Woman of Wood ' and 'Regrets and Cigarettes' illustrate this duo's ability to write remarkably original and inventive songs. The live performances are usually modest and understated - as is the 'Firs' ethos - yet always deeply powerful and emotive.”
Paul Burke, Bournemouth Folk Club
“The Douglas Firs are a band that continue to go from strength to strength. Those that were there on this night really were very blessed…something special indeed.” Neil King, Fatea Records www.fatea-records.co.uk
“As with their debut ep, this was another meeting with The Douglas Firs that left me with a warm glow. Tonight, Jimmy’s guitar playing was never overdone, kept intentionally simple as if to give the songs air to breathe, and to allow Suzy’s vocals to stand out…. her performance was simply impeccable. On tonight’s evidence I’m expecting great things - they have now won me over both on disc and on stage.” Tony Foster, bhOne promotions www.bhone.co.uk
‘The Douglas Firs ooze the spirit of the song with every note, enchanting their captivated audience with a perfect blend of stunning vocals, soft harmonies, reflective melodies & thought provoking lyrics. An uncompromised performance - stripped, laid back, bare & beautiful’ Helen Parker, Live Music Showcase
'Woman of Wood' EP Launch show, video by Live Music Showcase
Happy Being Lost - debut ep - now finished & available
After many nights spent in our log cabin singing, plucking and strumming away, we are pleased to say we now have the finished article, that of our new E.P. Walk Tall Past Talking Walls. You can get one by coming to one of our shows, or very soon, you will have the option to download our music for a modest fee. More news on that later.
The two videos featured on here are from the EP launch show at Bournemouth Folk Club in October, courtesy of Live Music Showcase.
The Douglas Firs Typewriter
We decided that our recent E.P. launch show was a good time to introduce people to the Firs' typewriter. In the age of dazzling technology we are going old school - the typewriter will be with at many of our future shows, and we're hoping to document our gigs through the messages left by those good people watching and listening to us. So if you want to leave a comment, tell us what you thought of a new song, a random thought, a line from your favourite poem, strange musings or even insult us - whatever compels you - step up to the typewriter after the gig where you can tap away till your heart's content. We will, from time to time, be posting the typewriter messages anonymously on here and, judging from the pages of stuff left after the launch show, we will not be short of material! Thanks to all those people who queued up to 'christen' the typewriter at the launch show and all the weird and wonderful messages left...first typewriter posting to follow shortly.....
This Bank Holiday Monday 31st August, at 8pm ForestFM will broadcast 2 hours of the second day of this summer's Sundial Festival, recorded on Saturday 20th June in the beautiful grounds of The Tudor Grange Hotel, in sunny Bournemouth
The broadcast will feature tracks from Open For Tea, The Douglas Firs, Bob Whitley & Frank Boyle, Cole Stacey, Frankie Milner and Elliot Patterson.
Tune in on 92.3 in the East Dorest area or listen on-line via www.forestfm.co.uk
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
You might enjoy watching some of my films (use the on screen controls to skip between them):
This coming Monday 24th August at 8pm ForestFM will be broadcasting 2 hours of the first day of this summer's Sundial Festival, recorded on Saturday 20th June in the grounds of The Tudor Grange Hotel, in sunny Bournemouth
The broadcast will feature tracks from James McVey, Charlie Hole, Jim Cregen, Djambo, New Volunteer, The Sarah Griffin Band and Fearne.
Tune in on 92.3 in the East Dorest area or listen on-line via www.forestfm.co.uk
Tony Warren Wired - ForestFM 92.3
(PS Day 2 will be featured on Bank Holiday Monday 31st Aug at 8pm!)
* Get in touch and come along as we welcome Warner Chappell Music to Dorset to chat about the industry including A&R plus publishing.
* Priceless advice!!!! * EVERYONE welcome - DJs, musicians, promoters, venues, suppliers, business networkers. * Simply check out http://www.dorsetmusic.com and book your place. * Spread the word and we'll see you then. * Fri 14th August 6.30pm til 8.30pm Dorset Music Forum HQ, Boscombe.
Many Thanks for the friend request.
This year's Sunrise Celebration was a sheer delight. hope you made it, or if not 2010 promises to be spectacular
if you can't wait for another taste of the Sunrise, check out or second event this year at
www.sunrise-offgrid.com
We'd love to see you there!
Thanks for all your support and friendship
Love from the SUNRISE xxx
3 Reasons to Record at ITG I In a separate building, not a bedroom or part of a house. Okay, it's “in the garden” of a house, but it's a detached, purpose built studio, soundproofed from the outside to around 90db, acoustically treated inside with a separate live and control room. Remember, if the acoustics in the room are not right, no amount of equipment will ever fix it. T Tons of industry standard equipment, not home studio toys. For example the RME Fireface 800 is one of the top of range digital audio interfaces recording up to 192Khz ( not that you need it ) with almost no latency at all. That combined with Neumann/Rode vocal/instrument mics and things are looking good. G Good value for money. We are not the cheapest and we are proud of that fact. We charge a mid-range price that enables us to offer the kind of after session support needed. Ask any previous customer and they will tell you how much trouble w
