Tinderbox (band)
| Tinderbox | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ireland & UK |
| Genres | Acoustic, Folk |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1997-present |
| Website | www.tinderboxacoustic.com |
| Members | |
| Monique Houraghan Dan Tucker |
|
Tinderbox are a UK based acoustic duo featuring vocalist Monique Houraghan (born Dublin, Eire - 1976) and guitarist Dan Tucker (born Hampshire, UK - 1974). The pair met at university in Yorkshire in 1994 and soon began writing and performing together. After four creative years living in Dublin between 1997 and 2001 the duo travelled the world for two years, performing in over seven countries, before eventually settling in Bournemouth, England. The duo married in September 2008.
To date Tinderbox have produced five studio albums. Tom Robinson's feature of the 2010 track 'The State of Play' on BBC 6 Music boosted the duo's popularity when he described their music as 'Gorgeous'.[1] In May that year the duo played a successful tour of the US and a few months later they picked up an award for 'Best International Group' in Caceres, Spain.
In October 2010 the duo began recording their latest studio album 'Counting Time'; another collection of self-penned songs. The album is set for release on March 29th 2012.
On May 31st 2011, mid-way through the recording of 'Counting Time', Monique gave birth to their first child, Orla Daisy.
Contents |
[edit] Early albums
'The Boy and the Moon' was produced in September 1997 and enjoyed a limited release. Actually only 700 original cassette format albums were produced. Although little known, this first album spawned subsequent favourites including 'Oranges For Breakfast', 'Behind The Smile' and 'Golden'. The album also features the tracks: 'Caressing Nowhere', Timely Reminders', 'Empty Heads and Breathless Kisses', 'Peanut Hatstand', 'Said Before', 'Forget This World', Half a Life' and 'Nonsence We All Are'. Most of these tracks have not been included in live sets since 1997. There are rumors of a digital re-release of 'The Boy and the Moon'.
The second album 'The Fire's Inside', released ten years later in April 2007, includes 'Coming Back To You', 'Fallen' and 'Walk Away'; tracks that have featured in a number of major film and television productions including 5 Talent Entertainment's US television series 'Trinity', Irish RTE television production 'Aisling's Diary', Discovery Channel's 'Dr G Medical Examiner' and award winning US independent feature film 'The Bilbee Boys'.[2]
[edit] Golden
May 2008 saw the release of Tinderbox's third studio album 'Golden'; a collection of recordings that featured a strong 'band' influence. In April 2009 'Maverick' Magazine[3] described 'Golden' as "Quite inspirational...a bit of a masterpiece". Maverick then went on to describe Tinderbox as "Poised to ignite the acoustic folk world...". The album received a stunning review by Musician's Union Magazine Musician, branding it 'Delectable...'. In August 2009 'Golden' was also praised by Acoustic (magazine), who branded it "Lovely, Hooky, Mellow".
'Golden' features some of what have become the duo's standards including 'Travelling', 'Fall Down', 'Out On My Own', 'Ordinary Day' and 'Waiting For The Summer'.
[edit] The State of Play
'The State of Play' was released on April 17, 2010. This release featured tunes that had already been made popular through live performances and radio play over the previous year. As well as the eponymous track, these include, 'Broken Trees', 'For You Dear Emily', 'Inside Out', 'Pieces', 'Hold On' and the haunting, gospel-tinged 'River To The Sea'.
'The State of Play' was very well received in the UK with five star reviews in a host of national magazines including 'Acoustic' and 'Maverick'; as well as a covermount feature in June 2010's edition of R2 Magazine. [4]
.jpg)
[edit] Counting Time
The new album is due for release worldwide on March 29th 2012. The album features a range of genres from Americana and folk ballads to jazz and contemporary pop. There's an evident retraction to the duo sound and feel with this album; apparently based on many post-gig conversations with audience members who wanted to take that live duo show home with them.
The album's thirty five minutes comprise of the tracks 'Homeward Bound', 'Lovely To Me', 'Counting Time', 'No Other Man', 'Like a Bird', 'Drowning Me', 'Valentino', 'Amelia's Dancing', 'Days of Innocence', 'The Load' and 'Light My Flame'.
'Counting Time' has already found substantial air-play across the UK with BBC Southern Counties' Phil Jackson [5] describing it as "Lovely", BBC Radio Kent's Roger 'Twiggy' Day [6] remarking "...it's beautiful...the best thing they've done so far" and from Brian Player [7] of Radio UK International: "The care and attention spent in making this album shines through; thoroughly enjoyable".
[edit] Live
Tinderbox have played hugely successful headline shows for many years. In addition they have played support for the likes of Cara Dillon & Sam Lakeman, Jon Allen, Ben's Brother, Kris Drever, Ralph McTell, Uiscedwr, Chris Difford, Megson, Ade Edmondson & the Bad Shepherds, Chas & Dave, Aswad, and The Searchers.
[edit] References
http://www.rock-n-reel.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d70g http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/dorset/hi/people_and_places/music/newsid_8160000/8160594.stm http://www.radiobasingstoke.co.uk/the-team-details.php?dj_id=79
- ^ Tom Robinson Introducing - Broadcast June 21st 2009
- ^ IMDb - The Bilbee Boys
- ^ "Home - Maverick". Maverick-country.com. http://www.maverick-country.com. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
- ^ Rock N Reel (R2 Magazine)
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/dorset/hi/people_and_places/music/newsid_8160000/8160594.stm
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d70g
- ^ http://www.radiobasingstoke.co.uk/the-team-details.php?dj_id=79
