Well, it’s been quite some time since Spearmint’s last gig, almost 20 months in fact! The very first Shirley Lee gig is less than a week away… this coming Saturday on Valentine’s evening at The Wilmington Arms, 69 Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4RL. Doors 8pm. Entrance: £7.00 on the door.
It’s a co-headline show with the Bitter Springs, and looking likely that Shirl and the boys will play first. The Short Stories from Bristol are also supporting and Johny Brown from Resonance FM will be DJing. Hopefully I’m allowed to add Shirley Lee gigs to my total of Spearmint gigs witnessed??
And talking of that the band would love to get out of london and do some regional gigs during May. Which is where you might be able to help… where would you like to see Shirley play? Do you have any contacts with venues… do you run a venue or club night? Let us know!
There’s been a slight delay to the album release whilst new distribution was sorted out after Pinnacle went under; it’ll now be available from 9th March. Having lived with it now for a couple of months already I’m certain it will appeal to one and all. The wonderful components of perfect harmonies, moving keyboards, wandering bass lines, strong and tight drumming, and those guitars gently duelling at times, working beautifully alone at others, all underneath Shirl’s detailed stories – it’s all there, and although I am undoubtedly biased I equally am excited as ever by these songs…
We’ve already had some other great reviews too – just so that you don’t only have to take my word for it! –
“softly curdled sugar laced and shy eyed 60’s kissed slice of purring power pop laced with oodles of effervescence and swoon attacking melodic thrills… makes you quietly glow and stick two fingers up to the everyday crud” – Losing Today “a timely reminder of how unpretentious and uncomplicated indie music used to be” – Tasty “a steam locomotive rolling along rhythmically while Lee conjures a range of emotions through some impressive wordplay” – Culture Deluxe “timeless” – Artrock “lovely… a doctrine on love and life without it” – AU magazine
Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Saturday!
Neil H / Site Admin