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The Simon Hopper Band
Folk / Folk Rock

"The Less Blessed"


United Kingdom

Profile Views:  10675




Last Login:  7/16/2008
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   Contacting The Simon Hopper Band

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/thesimonhopperband  

   The Simon Hopper Band: General Info
Member Since9/28/2006
Band Websitesimonhopper.co.uk
Band Members


THE SIMON HOPPER TRIO

You're more likely to see the band play as a TRIO in clubs and small venues - and as a
FOUR PIECE with percussionist/
drummer/fourth vocalist John Fisher at larger venues and Festivals. Either way, you can be assured of great songs, great playing and fabulous harmonies.



SIMON HOPPER

vocals, acoustic guitar, appalachian dulcimer, songs

Simon is a singer/songwriter of some individuality. He has been a shadowy figure around the folk/roots scene in London for almost two decades. If you were lucky, you'd have seen him in the early 90's hosting the now defunct Bromley Acoustic Music Club where he welcomed - and often played support to - a who's who of British and American roots artists including Jansch, Renbourn, Wizz Jones, Davy Graham and Boo Hewerdine. You might have caught one of his rare solo headline gigs at Soho's 12 Bar Club or seen him there as resident support to Jackie Leven in the mid-90's. In 2006 he is re-emerging with this fine new band.

His subject is life; love and loss; where we came from and where we're going to. He ponders the questions and sometimes seems to find answers.


LEIGH TROWBRIDGE

electric guitar, vocals

A long-time collaborator of Simon's, Leigh's broad influences include Miles Davis, Julian Cope, Olivier Messiaen and "the bloke who played lead on Kid Charlemagne by Steely Dan". His voice blends perfectly with Simon's and his harmonies and thoughtful guitar playing are integral to the band's sound and reflect his eclectic musical interests.


ANDEE PRICE

electric bass, stand-up bass, mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, vocals

Andee is the multi-instrumentalist jewel in the band's crown who plays a major part in defining its musical character - listen to her playing on the new album,
A Land for the Many. Classically trained, she has folk, jazz and orchestral experience.


JOHN FISHER

drums, percussion, keyboard, vocals

John took up drums after seeing Ella Fitzgerald sing with the Count Basie Big Band. Recently obtaining a First in Music at Canterbury University, he, too, is a trained musician. His experience in arrangment is evident in the band's work and he played the key role in the mixing of the new cd. He plays with art rock band Audience, Continuum and as Howard Werth & His Performing Monkey - and has recently been sitting in with Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. Check them out on
http://www.wishboneash.co.uk/

Influences

Songwriters with something to say. Those who have entered the traditional canon. Good musicians from many genres.

Sounds Like

... british traditional meets
... british contemporary meets
... richard thompson meets
... jake thackery meets
... ron sexsmith meets
... bob dylan meets
... well, you decide

Record LabelOwn
Type of LabelNone




The Simon Hopper Band's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

ARE YOU A HOUSE CONCERT HOST?  (view more)

Skagen Girl  (view more)

Iceberg  (view more)

BACKWARDS MAN  (view more)

EIGHT THINGS  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About The Simon Hopper Band

The Simon Hopper Band in the Media


'His songs are topical, wordy and intelligent.'

British folk/roots artists rarely get the air-play they deserve and Simon Hopper is no exception. His songs are topical, wordy and intelligent. They do not pull any political punches and they try their damnedest to seek a deeper context or reference point in a quest for understanding. They fearlessly draw upon instruments and rhythms from outside the accepted canon.

The title track, for example, is a traditional picker's ballad about immigration. The media's knee-jerk responses to Eastern European migration are countered by a timely reminder that Britain has always been a cultural melting pot: be it an influx of West Indians in the 1950s; the Nineteenth Century Irish navvies who constructed much of our Victorian infrastructure, or as far back as the Celts and Anglo Saxons who've all contributed to and are part of a nation that loves to wrap itself in the cross of St George. Yet all at one time or another were regarded as foreigners.

Elsewhere, in Bodies in the Way he urges us to physically oppose oppression. Pertinent references to Kristelnacht, bloody dictatorship, sadism and religious zealots distance this music from the usual folk offerings. The protest songs are punctuated by more typical tales of love and loss, often with a stinging twist to the tale.

'hi-fi+ Magazine'

Live interview on BBC Radio

Download and listen to the band's interview and live set on BBC radio with Mark Seaman on their website. Full versions of the comments above can also be found here.


Live at the Southwell Folk Festival on YouTube

See the band play Jeffrey and Robert and I at the Southwell Folk Festival 2008 http://youtube.com/watch?v=wAFLfQkXLWM&feature=related


Telling new stories through new songs...

...with a craftsman's eye and a poet's fist. Old England is new England, and it hurts. The songs are influenced by British Folk, Joni Mitchell, Loudon Wainwright, Ron Sexsmith & Dylan. Simon has shared the stage with Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Clive Gregson & Iain Matthews, among others. Clive and Iain have gone on record in praising his craft. File, if you must, under jazz-influenced, acoustic, soul-based folk rock... or better still, just listen.

(For other songs, see their website.)


Buy The Less Blessed

The Simon Hopper Band's new cd (The Less Blessed) is distributed by Proper Music Distribution and can be ordered from any high-street record store - or online from Amazon.

(It is also available by mail order directly - see their website.)


Are You A House Concert Host?

From summer '08, TSHB will be performing a new kind of concert - in fans' private homes. If you would like to host a concert, please contact us and let us know - the email address is available at http://simonhopper.co.uk/contact.html.

First, though, you should read the points below - you need to know what you would be letting yourself in for!

Accommodation
You should be able to fit around 30 people in your space – more if possible. It doesn't have to be a concert seating arrangement - a combination of sofas, armchairs, dining chairs, cushions-on-the-floor and standing would be fine.

Charges
We would not charge an entry fee – but we would make a collection to cover costs. (We wouldn't expect a further contribution from those who purchased cds!)

Food and Drink
We wouldn’t expect hosts to provide refreshments – but would suggest a BYO approach on the part of attendees.

Guests
While we would expect hosts to invite friends and relatives if they wished, we would also invite people from our email list and publicise the concerts locally. Attendees would have to email us for a downloadable ticket in order to attend – and numbers would be limited.

Concert Atmosphere
We would have to insist that the evening was clearly identified as a dedicated TSHB concert – and not a private party with incidental music. If that took place afterwards, that would be great – especially if we could attend! The main purpose of the evening, however, must be clear to attendees.

We hope that there can be a win-win situation. We get to play in a friendly environment to a friendly audience and extend our audience reach. The host gets to have some real music played by real musicians in their own home. We trust it would be a great experience all round.

TSHB. 06.08


Upcoming Dates '08


..May..


..Jun..

SUNDAY 1st - SUFFOLK FOLK FESTIVAL - 4.00 pm
Main Stage / Trio
Elmhurst Park, Woodbridge
http://www.traditionmagazine.com/SFFSuffolkFolkFestival.htm

FRIDAY 6th - GATE TO SOUTHWELL FOLK FESTIVAL - 8.00 pm (tbc)
Second Stage / Trio
http://www.southwellfolkfestival.org.uk/


..Jul..

SUMMER TOUR

England

SUNDAY 13th - PRIDDY FOLK FESTIVAL - 12.30 pm
Club Tent / Trio
http://www.priddyfolk.org/

MONDAY 14th - FORRESTERS ARMS FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m.
Forresters Arms, Coatham Mundeville, Darlington, DL1 3LU
Main Guest / Duo
01325 315679

TUESDAY 15th - CRAMLINGTON FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo
http://www.cramfolk.co.uk/

WEDNESDAY 16th - OTLEY FOLK CLUB - 8.30 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo
http://www.otleyfolkclub.org.uk/

THURSDAY 17th - BLACK SWAN FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m.
Black Swan Inn, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PR
Main Guest / Duo
http://www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk/

FRIDAY 18th - ROBIN HOOD'S BAY FOLK CLUB - 8.30 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo
http://www.bayfair.co.uk/folkclub.html

SATURDAY 19th - WHITE HART FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m.
The White Hart, Mickleby nr. Whitby
Main Guest / Duo
0191 287 3135

SUNDAY 20th - GUISBOROUGH FOLK CLUB - 8.30 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo
http://www.guisboroughfolkclub.ukforum.com/

MONDAY 21st - BRECON FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m.
Smiths Arms, Castle Dene, Chester-le-Street
Main Guest / Duo
0191-584-4282

Scotland

MONDAY 28th - GLENFARG FOLK CLUB - 8.30 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo (poss Trio - t.b.c.)
http://www.glenfargfolkclub.co.uk/

TUESDAY 29th - WEE FOLK CLUB - 7.30 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo (poss Trio - t.b.c.)
1, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh
http://www.royal-oak-folk.com/

WEDNESDAY 30th - IRVINE FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo (poss Trio - t.b.c.)
http://www.irvinefolkclub.co.uk/

THURSDAY 31st - THE ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB KIRKCALDY - 8.30 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo (poss Trio - t.b.c.)
Polish Club, Bennochy House, Forth Park Drive, KIRKCALDY
Contact: 01592 653645



..Aug..


..Sep..

SATURDAY 6th - CHARITY FUNDRAISER FOR PANCREATIC CANCER - 6.00 p.m.
One of several acts / Trio
Tyler Hill Village Hall, Tyler Hill Road, Canterbury


..Oct..

SATURDAY 4th - TENTERDEN FOLK FESTIVAL - time tbc
Marquee Stage / Trio
http://www.btinternet.com/~folkspots/

SATURDAY 11th - DAY FOR PALESTINE - 7.30 p.m. (tbc)
Part of day-long event / Duo (poss Trio - t.b.c.)
Friends Meeting House, Ordnance Rd, Southampton - 02380 220 273

FRIDAY 24th - THE SONG LOFT - 8.30 p.m.
Cock Hotel, High St, Stoney Stratford
Main Guest / Duo (poss Trio - t.b.c.)
http://www.stonyarts.org.uk/M_SongLoft/SLoft_Gigs.htm

MONDAY 27th - FOLK AT THE PROSPECT - 8.30 p.m.
Prospect Inn, Weston Village, Runcorn
Main Guest / Duo
http://www.folkattheprospect.co.uk/index.html

TUESDAY 28th - ACOUSTIC COLLECTIVE - 9.00 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo
Old General, 73, Crescent Road, Dukinfield, SK16 4EU
Contact: 07930 340260

WEDNESDAY 29th - BROMBOROUGH FOLK CLUB - 8.30 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo
Bridge Inn, Bolton Road, Port Sunlight
http://bromfolk.com/

FRIDAY 31st - LEIGH FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m.
Main Guest / Duo
http://dwelch.me.uk/folk/


..Nov..

SATURDAY 8th - GOTHENBURG - time tbc (evening)
Main Guest / Trio
Venue tbc - House Concert
Details as available

SUNDAY 9th - GOTHENBURG - time tbc (lunchtime)
Main Guest / Trio
Venue tbc - Bar Gig
Details as available


..Dec..

TUESDAY 9th - HOY AT ANCHOR FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m. (TBC)
Main Guest / Duo - Poss Trio tbc
The Ship Hotel, New Road, Leigh on Sea
http://www.ridgeweb.co.uk/hoy.htm

Upcoming Dates '09

please note that any performances booked well in advance
are subject to confirmation closer to the date...


..Jan..

MONDAY 26th - CROYDON FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m. (TBC)
Main Guest / Duo
http://www.croydonfolksongclub.org.uk/


..Oct..

FRIDAY 23rd - FO'C'SLE FOLK CLUB - 8.00 p.m. (TBC)
108 Portswood Rd, Portswood, Southampton SO17 2FW
Main Guest / Duo
http://www.focsle.org.uk/


New cd due for release in June '08

The work on the new cd has been completed. It will be released in June. Its title is The Less Blessed; a line from Traveling People, one of its tracks. Other tracks include; The Terrorist, The Ballad of the Suffolk Five, The Last Song, Seven Sisters, Pilgrimage, John Matthews and Backwards Man.



   The Simon Hopper Band's Friend Space (Top 20)
The Simon Hopper Band has 729 friends.
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The Simon Hopper Band's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 85 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Neil


Is Online


Jul 16 2008 8:26 AM

Thanks for the add Simon. Looking forward to seeing you again in the North East before too long.
QUIMBOLINA





Jun 12 2008 11:58 AM

no, that's my face! I love you, the Simon Hopper Band x
Four Seasons Events





Jun 3 2008 5:59 PM

Hi there. Thought I'd give you a heads up on the music festival with some info for you.

Swanfest Charity Music Festival

Saturday 26th July 2008

@ The Swan at the Vineyard
Lamberhurst Down, Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 8EU



From 3pm to 11pm

Tickets cost £7.50 Children under 13 free

Belly dancing / Face painting / children’s play area / Barbeque

Bands playing are...

JAG

Logan Wilson Band

Donna Terenzi

Red Diesel

Longspoon

Ape

Varlies

All proceeds go to DECODA music gym. Working with children and adults with disabilities

http://decoda. org/


Tickets available at....
The Swan, Lamberhurst
& Smugglers, Hastings
or can purchased on the gate.

Will be great to see you there.

Gez
Neil Cleland





May 11 2008 4:32 PM

You guys are the best folk band I've ever heard.

Thanks for the add.

BTW, in basic terms mastering is a process of subducting the quantum milieu via the use of free tesselating anhydrous pachiderms.

Just thought you'd be interested to know that.
Neilfatea





May 4 2008 1:09 AM

Simon,
god luck with the new album, you know where to come for a review.
Please check out our music projects http://www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk

Cheers

Neil
Richard Staines





May 3 2008 2:56 PM

take a listen to
www.cdbaby.com/cd/richardstaines

you'll love it
rich
ROBOT DENIRO





May 1 2008 4:28 AM

Enabling friendship protocol. Friendship, active.
El Mastaba per la musica popolare egiziana





Apr 20 2008 12:35 PM

thank you for the friendship, all the best.
Elmastaba.
Bella-Rockstars Glued





Mar 31 2008 4:06 PM

Just stopping by to say hello! If you get a chance, check out Rockstars Glued Radio and our official site as well!

When you go to the official site, join us in chat!

www.rockstarsglued.com
zion





Mar 21 2008 10:16 AM

hello simon
i like it, its deep and meaningfull.
your style gives a voice too those who no one listens to.

see ya in simposeum week

peace
Merlin





Mar 9 2008 10:43 AM

The Simon Hopper Band track 'Six People In The Room' to be aired on Merlin's Magical Music Moments Wednesday 12th March 2008 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT

Listen live by following the listen live link
@ www. myspace. com/soundartfm
for your ease soundartfm are on my top 40 friends page. Don't forget to add Soundart fm as a friend.

The full play list for Wednesday's show now on my blog.

We look forward to your company.

Enjoy.

Merlin
The GoodShip Venus





Feb 18 2008 4:20 PM

Hey there Simon, Samir here! never actually got a chance to say that I really do enjoy your music, its very organic and honest and I really look forward to come and see you on the 26th with Gina.

All the best, and see you then.
Samir
Merlin





Feb 13 2008 12:55 AM

The Simon Hopper Band track 'I Fell By The River' to be aired on Merlin's Magical Music Moments Wednesday 13th February 2008 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT

Listen live by following the listen live link
@ www.myspace.com/soundartfm
for your ease soundartfm are on my top 40 friends page. Full play list for this weeks show on my blog.

We look forward to your company.

Merlin
Diskreetse Mango Trio





Dec 25 2007 4:52 AM

Dear friend! Diskreetse Mango Trio wishes You a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Kallis sõber! Diskreetse Mango Trio soovib Sulle häid jõule ja ilusaid pühasid!
Clarty Sough





Dec 12 2007 7:32 AM

Hi Simon
Thanks for the add. Enjoyed your songs at Kiveton last night, hope to see you around in the future.
All the best
Clarty
Jason & Jayme Farmer





Oct 17 2007 9:41 AM

will you ever come over to the states and play in San Francisco? Would love to see ya
Joe Allen





Oct 6 2007 1:37 PM

Hi

Thanks for taking the time to send a message, glad you enjoyed the tracks, some great stuff on your pages too!

All the best

Joe
The Latecomers





Oct 3 2007 8:40 AM

Hi again, really like the music - great stuff!
Jules
Jules Taylor





Oct 3 2007 4:07 AM

Hey, pleased to meet you!
Jules :-)
ALEXANDER MURRAY





Oct 3 2007 2:29 AM

Hey Simon & Co,
Thank you for your friendship.
Great to be with you.
Peace always.
A.
Nuclear Shadow





Sep 24 2007 2:09 PM

I really like your music, its really nice, even tho im a metalhead its nice to hear music like this. its really nice and relaxing.
Do you have any albums out?
GT Turbo





Aug 9 2007 8:11 AM

apleasure to have played with y'all.
hope it happens again.

best wishes

GT
QUIMBOLINA





Jul 27 2007 5:10 AM

simon hopper band, simon hopper band, you're better than brie and bacon sandwiches!!
hahahahahaha...but seriously though, when does the new album come out? xx
BEATtheMIX





Jul 25 2007 4:03 AM

The second BEATtheMIX weekly chart is tomorrow with the winning song played hot off the press between 9pm-9.30pm on Juice Brighton. The winner is also invited into the studio to do an acoustic set so don't miss out!

It could be you!

Simply upload your songs, gigs, music videos and classifieds for FREE to get yourself seen and heard! Check out the prizes up for grabs this week at WWW.BEATTHEMIX.CO.UK

VOTE for your favourite song and help them reach the number 1 spot. All voters will be entered into a draw to win an IPOD donated by Solutions Inc. Miss it, miss out! Listen to all the songs on BEATtheMIX

BEATtheMIX
Supporting local music
Four Seasons Events





Jul 18 2007 8:02 PM

Hope you can make the party this sunday.

Great day out for everyone. Fantastic selection of bands. Raffle prizes, Face painting, Childrens play area, Barbeque, Food served in pub also.

CHARITY MUSIC FESTIVAL
@ Swan Lamberhurst Vineyard, Kent
Sunday 22ndth July 3pm to 10.30pm

All proceeds go to Decoda music gym for children and
Adults with disabilities. www.decoda.org

Tickets cost £5. Children under 13s free

Bands

Jackals, Mooli, Varlies, Origami Dinosaur, Logan Wilson band J.A.G, Longspoon, Threo
Night Shift, Donna Terenzi,
Ruby Muse





Jul 12 2007 12:47 PM

Hey Simon - thanks for the comment. We really enjoyed playing last night and loved your set too. If you get two comments from me in a row, my apologies! I clicked the 'edit' button and my first comment bombed out. Anyway, this is a quick (second)thanks for the intro to BBC radio cambs. Sue is lovely and we'll be doing an interview with her soon. Isn't it amazing to be able to do all this music and related stuff. Such a privilidge. Hope to catch your full band act one day soon. Look out for us too. x