Shed Sessions

It's a time of abundance as the raspberry plants reach for the shed doors and the buttercups and dandelions spring forth from the uncut lawn. Momo, Will and Greg guide the joys of the season into the shed and play music from an oasis somewhere deep inside our solar system. Warren is a vessel for this magic and the band gracefully share insight, inspiration, laughter, friendship and exceptional music. We also discover what’s inside their time capsules.

Thank you for listening.

Audio by: Ian De Quadros (@tigermendoza - Instagram)

Photos of the session by Andy (@pittoad - Instagram) can be viewed on Instagram - @shedtreasures

The Northern Lights arrived as far south as the River Thames and left me with a sense of awe and mystery. The song birds have laid foundations for their nests in the hedgerows and the suburban garden is alive with the joys of Spring. The beautiful notes of Max Blansjaar's music find every corner of the shed like a mist on the water as it floats gently into the reeds, up and over the banks and onto the footpath. From there the glorious sounds lift high into the still golden syrup skies, kindly calling in the Nightjar. Max Blansjaar performs three songs from his forthcoming masterpiece, False Comforts. In this episode we get the front row on a magical floating rug ride upon which we stretch out to enjoy the music and conversation.

False Comforts will be released on 21 June 2024. You can find out more about Max Blansjaar on Bandcamp: https://maxblansjaar.bandcamp.com/music and on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7z08sSQXYVi4R0SWRTXsXY?si=Y5RSRX8KTgmCmng-zSaZnQ

Photos by Ian Hanham(@ianhanhamphotos - Instagram) from the session can be found on Instagram here: @shedtreasures

Recorded by Stefano (@il_maio0 - Instagram) and mastered by Ian De Quadros (@tigermendoza - Instagram)

The setting sun takes with her the warm golden rays from the shed doors like a thousand retreating ornamental metal spears. The cradling crescent moon is later pinned above the semi detached houses half way up the cold hazy ink blue western skies. While nature quietly transforms for her next scene, Izzie’s beautiful songs merge with the changes outside as Nick’s splendid double bass coaxes the night time in. Magical, mystical, beguiling, haunting, brilliant. The conversation leads us on a path via the cuteness of guinea pigs, early music revelations, Bob Dylan, the resonance of bass, lion calls, the west country and making music.

Thank you for listening.

You can find out more about Izzie Yardley here:

https://izzieyardley.com/

@izzieyardley (Instagram)

https://izzieyardley.bandcamp.com/track/all-we-have-acoustic

Audio by @tigermendoza (Instagram)

Photos from the session - @shedtreasures (Instagram)

Warren welcomes Simon, Tom and Alfie from the incredible Killer Kowalski into the shed to kick off Season 14. Sadly there wasn't enough space for the full band so Howard could't join them this time. The band sounds amazing as they try out the stripped back acoustic arrangements for the very first time. It's an early Spring evening, the blossom petals are drifting about and Warren thinks he's been in the Upside Down! Along with the sublime music, there's cracking conversation about thought provoking lyrics, the performance, All Bar One, Truck Festival, forming a band in what we think is the modern age, Lady Gaga and more. Another great episode and Killer Kowalski are brilliant! Thank you for listening.

You can find out more about the band on Instagram: @killer_kowalski_ and on bandcamp - https://killerkowalski1.bandcamp.com/

Photos by @ianhanhamphotos from the session - Instagram @shedtreasures

Audio by Ian De Quadros - @tigermendoza (Instagram).

Warren is joined in the shed by Aris and Francesco from Mount St. Helen. They are stripped back, leaving Ryan (drums) and Dan (bass) with the sound knowledge that they are carrying the flame proudly over to the shed for this exclusive performance and conversation.

The music is otherworldly and the lyrics are lovingly carried by Aris' dreamy voice and the ethereal sounds of the pair's Stratocasters.

We are gently guided into the story of a band with a bigger picture as they seamlessly glide above the great expanses of the Pacific Northwest dusting the top of the volcanic Mount St. Helens as we swoop past.

There's talk of old heroes, frog faces, second hand guitar treasures, making music videos and the most extraordinary music extending its velvety condor wings wide, gathering us all together. Thank you for listening.

Mount St. Helen - https://open.spotify.com/track/1FqJBtYj4SbIz6F7gkTkd0?si=a75c3e10bf194293

Instagram - @mount.st.helen

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@mountsthelen

Photos from the session on Instgaram - @shedtreasures

The Deadbeat Apostles grace the floorboards of the shed in a stripped back, acoustic form. Their soulful groove very much in force and ready to be shared with us all. The session is filled with love, sandwiches, crisps, New York, Bowie, Lennon, first plays, Will Young on wash up duties and an excessive music quiz. This is a history of the Deadbeats, where they've been, where they are now and what lies ahead. A beautiful journey to be a friend of the Deadbeats! You can find out more about the band here: https://thedeadbeatapostles.co.uk/

Photos by (@ianhanhamphotos) from the session can be viewed on Instagram: @shedtreasures

Audio by @tigermendoza (Instagram)

Warren welcomes James and Tim into the shed for a stripped back KANADIA set. The pair are soaring with the thermals and gazing across the boggy fields and enchanted woodlands, mapping the route as we float along with them. Enveloped in pure bliss. A field mouse peaks out from the leaf litter as the notes are set free into the star spangled night skies over the Oxfordshire countryside. This band is formidable and have chosen their own dreamy path to navigate the spaces with soulful atmospheric alternative rock music. Warren draws us all in with his curiosity and lands our boat on enchanted beaches for an evening full of intrigue, laughter, soul searching and gratitude. KANADIA's performance is phenomenal. They are firmly on my list of favourite bands. You can find out more about the band here: https://www.kanadia.band/

Thank you for listening.

Welcome back to the first episode of 2024. For this special occassion we recorded a Shed Session in front of an audience at The Bullingdon Cocktail Bar in Oxford with the incredibly talented Joely June. Warren guided us gently through this magical land of music and conversation. It was love from the very first chord as Joely, Evie and Phil reached out and let us peek into the mysteries of the soul.

"Thanks for a lovely evening my man and well done on a great show. It was particularly powerful for me to see how everyone was sitting quietly and attentively listening - like audiences would do in the Greenwich village coffee houses in the 60s. Put everyone in a reflective and receptive mood. Quite a gift to bring stillness and focus to people as well as music so well done you 🙏🏻"

The rain spills from shed the roof directly onto the gravel; it coats the windows with an opaque slick that looks like the glass is melting. The droplets get heavier at intervals and shake the remaining raspberry leaves this way and that, like a dancer under strobe lights. Water streams down the leaf tips and pierce deep holes into the mud below. The sounds from outside beckon to join with the music ERIKA is creating inside.

This is a stunning performance and the conversation is filled with honesty, love and curiosity.

A wonderful last episode of 2023. Thank you for listening.

"Independent artist and music maker ERIKA emerged from a life coloured by the musical corners of UK and Japan. Crafting beautiful and innovative pop, the mood can switch from haunting to joyous and from hope to despair from verse to verse"(bandcamp). You can find out more about ERIKA here:

https://www.officiallyerika.com/

You can see photos from the session on Instagram: @shedtreasures

Dolly, Bee and Ruth visited last week and performed some of their songs acoustically for us. Their enchanting creations are now infused within the fabric of the shed alongside the craftings of the bands who have shared this intriguing space before them. 

The band (minus Chris and Adrian on this occasion) chat about their 2023 Album The Calm and The Storm as well as the documentary of the same name. We also hear about their live performances and the inspiration behind their music.

You can find out more about Dolly Mavies here: https://www.dollymavies.com

Photos from the session can be found on Instagram here: @shedtreasures

Thanks to Ian (@tigermendoza - Instagram) for the stunning audio.