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the hackney gentrification song

You know this place it means the world to me.
Knock it down build flats knock it down.
The first place I really felt home in London.
Now my life is in bags and my heart’s on my sleeve
And there’s so many memories I’d rather not leave.

When I moved here ‘The Four Aces’ club still stood proud
And ‘The Vortex’ on Church Street was in with the crowd.
Now ‘The George‘ is up next and my dear studio
And Vogue says that Hackney’s the in place to go.

Tesco’s are popping up like unwelcome weeds
And they just put a pound on the price of a pide.
The places we used to shoot pool: they’re all gone.
Whilst the prostitutes, pimps and drug dealers look on.

Louisa Jones on accordion

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folk rising at cecil sharpe house

I have just confirmed my first gig of the year for Thursday 3rd February, playing at Cecil Sharp House, home of the English Folk Dance And Song Society.

The evening is part of the Folk Rising series of shows put together by the fine people from The Magpies Nest.

I will be on around 8pm and joined by Ben Oliver on piano and Basia Bartz on violin. Do come!

Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, London, NW1 7AY – nearest tube is Camden Town or Regents Park

Tickets here (£5) – http://folkshop.efdss.org/Tickets/Folk+Rising/Ticket%2C+Folk+Rising+03.02.11.html

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Music studio space available in Dalston, Hackney

I am looking for someone to share my lovely music studio in Dalston Culture House next to the Vortex, N16 8JN.

It would suit someone who needs a teaching, recording or practice space for solo or small ensemble work.

Ideally you would want to use the space 1 – 2.5 days a week and be up for paying £70-£150 towards the costs

Contact me via mail (at) robingrey (dot) com

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’81 – joanna newsom cover

One of my new years resolutions is to record more youtube covers. It is a fun thing to do and quite a few folks seem to find my music after stumbling upon me singing other peoples songs.

To kick things off, here is a nocturnal cover of ’81 by Joanna Newsom shot in my little house boat:

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children of mercy book – kickstarter page

I have been having email banter with a lovely fella called Ron over in the states for quite a few years now. He has reviewed my music and generally been very encouraging in the nicest sort of way.

He is putting together a book and cd which I am part of called ‘Children Of Mercy: Tales From The World Of Independent Music‘ to raise some money for charity and give people an insight into the lives of people working in the independent music world.

Unfortunately all of my house and studio moving recently meant that I have not able to pen my definitive thoughts on the topic but I did get the finished version of ‘Mariam’s Cake’ over to him in time to make it onto the cd, where I am sure it will be in great company.

He has set up a kickstarter page with more information about the project and as a place where people can contribute seed funds to get things moving… do have a look – http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1989307614/children-of-mercy-tales-from-the-world-of-independ