colleya

My current band is Tea Time Funk Club, based between Manchester & Liverpool. We're a covers band playing chilled out, funky versions of 90s RnB, classic soul and pop - a similar vein to Scary Pockets and Couch. It's completely different from anything I've done before, a real workout as I have to be much more precise and considered in stripped back arrangements. Four piece - Bass, drums, keys & vocals with hopefully a sax player on the way We've been together about a year - started gigging last March but getting the ball rolling has been slow going. We've done two gigs with another in August but we're still trying to find the right venues for the stuff we do and then get our foot in the door. Videos:

I know it's harder for some folk, but at the end of the day we're the entertainment. It's our job to convince people that they're having a good time (and hopefully to buy more drinks etc). If that happens then everybody wins and we hopefully get rebooked. For me that starts with looking like I'm enjoying myself. I'm lucky enough to be able to gig as a hobby, so it's supposed to be fun, otherwise why would I bother?

Raye is bossing it. Band are excellent.

Was that a subtle nod by Alanis' bassist - using a Flea Sig jazz? Also, Blossoms bass tone is my new target sound. Bloody great!

YouTube to the rescue! https://youtu.be/VF2WohQkJlQ?si=icOL6PLkokIfCtSy

Thanks very much Blue, appreciate you taking the time to say so. We've had enquiries about a festival slot next month and a 2026 wedding at a very posh venue (it's been used as a film/TV set quite a bit) already, so hoping they both pan out.

Yep, turns out the account is private. Balls.

Cheers John, Yep, we're very lucky to have her. I've found a longer clip on an instagram feed. Edit - no it doesn't. Account is set to private. Hopefully this link works.

Thanks Blue. Yep, she's a find, I got lucky with this band. Still early days but I think we'll get some great gigs once the ball is rolling. Hope your ankle heals up quickly.

TTFC's second gig last night at The Garden, Chorlton. Venue used to be Font Bar but has just changed hands, so all the signs still say Font. They're just getting live music up and running, so there isn't a ready made audience there yet. Fortunately it's a local gig for two of us so we brought quite a few people, to the extent where I knew almost everybody in the place! It's got a lot of potential once it gets a reputation and people know there's music on. Bar staff were super chilled and helpful, always a bonus and never taken for granted. We played well, although I made more little mess ups than I should have. The drummer is fettling the recordings, so I'll be able to agonise over them at my leisure soon despite being the only one who noticed on the night. Two 1hr+ sets and 30+ songs (most of them new to me) that haven't all embedded into the muscle memory yet. Gear was Fender Japan Kazuki Arai Jazz 5 -> HX Stomp -> GR One 350 -> PA. Footwear was Vans classic lace ups. A couple of phone clips from friends. If anyone can figure out how to let me resize them please shout up! WhatsApp Video 2025-06-07 at 00.13.50.mp4 WhatsApp Video 2025-06-07 at 00.13.48.mp4

My new band's second gig this Friday (6th June). 9pm - midnight three setter at The Garden (formerly Font Bar), Chorlton, South Manchester. Really looking forward to it after a year or so of spinning the band up, rehearsals and trying to get our foot in the door at venues. Playing live is where it's at for me.

'Silent' rehearsals with my band. Must sound really odd to those outside the room. Drums, vocals and some clacking from strings & keys. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJwbBK8sX3g/?igsh=cHliZG81NGtzc3M4

The only reason I'm in my current band is because their JMB advert was clear, had punctuation and laid out what they did and what they were looking for. Ads like that were a rarity when I was looking.

Aside from a couple of 30 minute pickup bits & pieces, last Friday was my first gig for nearly 18 months. Fully agree with you, I'd forgotten how much of a buzz it it. Congrats on the new band.

The desk recordings have just landed. Pretty chuffed with these: Survive I Try/Millionaire