Louis Romégoux
  • Home
  • Bio DEUTSCH
  • Bio ENGLISH
  • Concerts
  • Music
  • Media
    • Videos
  • Bookings/Contact
  • Press/Reviews
  • Blog
  • Thanks

10 Songs For An Austrian Winter

12/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Hello and Happy New Year!

I haven't done one of these on here before, so I thought I'd write a list of some of the tracks I'm enjoying in this merry month of January. Enjoy!

Louis x

1. Clare and The Reasons - Cook For You

I've long been an admirer of Clare and the Reasons ever since hearing a version of 'Pluto' on an Uncut Magazine sampler years ago. I love Clare Muldaur's unique, silky vocals and rich orchestral arrangements. This is a song about about loss and it's delivered in a beautiful style.

2. Peter Gabriel - San Jacinto (from New Blood)

I was lucky enough to catch Peter Gabriel's concert (actually guestlist, big cheers to Reg my manager) in Graz recently and wow, what a night that was. There is something of the shaman, the druid, the omnipotent about Peter Gabriel when he steps on a stage. I particularly love this version of "San Jacinto" with orchestra. 
3. Fotheringay - Banks of the Nile

I've long been a fan of Sandy Denny. Sometimes as a teenager I'd stay up all night ensconced and listening to Sandy's voice in my bedroom in Sheffield. For me, this song epitomises everything about English folk and our long tradition of melody, meaning and delivery. What makes this song extra special is the careful build up, with the drums coming increasingly more prominent.  A folk masterpiece.
4. Caitlin Rose - Learnin' to Ride

I love this tune. I love this performance. What's great about this performance by Caitlin is that she is obviously seething with anger at the very rude, boisterous table behind her, yet despite all this she manages to deliver her performance with beauty, gusto and  professionalism. Must see her live this year!
5. Manuel Galban & Ry Cooder - Caballo Viejo

I've got several Ry Cooder records and I never cease to be impressed by his collaborations with musicians around the globe. I particularly like this song from "Mambo Sinuendo" with Cuban musician Manuel Galban. It sounds like a song you might hear on entering the bar on the very best night of your life...you know, that beach with the sea glimmering away, the stoned moon up above, the palms swinging softly in the Caribbean night air, your girl in a stunning LBD and the bartender crushing limes, rum and sugar...oh yes.
6. Bob Dylan - Pretty Saro

From the "Another Self Portrait" box set. This song is Bob Dylan at his most soulful. His melancholic version of this 18th century English folk tune is spellbinding, convincing and truly beautiful.
7. Lady Maisery - This Woman's Work (Kate Bush cover)

Released in 2013 as a charity download for End Violence Against Women coalition. I really love their work and being also a Kate Bush fan, I find their cover of "This Woman's Work" a tremendous piece of music. The youtube clip below is just a snippet, but if you want to hear more do buy the song on iTunes etc.
8. Pentangle - Light Flight

The mesmeric, swirling folk-jazz-rock song from 1969 by folk supergroup Pentangle leaves me with images of the whirling dervishes of Cappodacia. Jansch on Renbourn on guitar...what is not to love. This is a song I could gladly listen to on repeat. Pas de problème!
9. Peter, Paul & Mary - The Cruel War

I only really got into Peter, Paul & Mary's music in the last year. This is my favourite song of theirs. I remember singing this in the beauty of the Catalonian countryside last summer in the olive groves of the Ebro River, walking the dirt track from Riba Rocks festival to Riba Roja d'Ebre thinking of all the comrades worldwide who fought against oppression, injustice and for a better future.
10. John Martyn - Singin' in the Rain

This is 1 minute and 29 seconds of pure genius. I've long been a fan of John Martyn and I'm sorry to have never had the chance to see him live in concert before he sadly passed away in 2009. Martyn had what all singer-songwriter's desire - brilliant vocals & brilliant guitar skills. This version of the famous song has it all: soul, cheek, cheer and groove. If you ever need cheering up, put this song on and...voilà - instant smiles.
0 Comments

December 2015 Tour Austria/Slovakia supporting 'Tall William' (UK)

3/12/2015

0 Comments

 
December 2015 Tour Austria/Slovakia 
supporting 'Tall William' (UK)

 
I will be opening each of the concerts on the tour, so get there early!

Friday 11th December: CuntRa La Kunsthure - GRAZ (AT)
The tour begins in the recently relocated CuntRa in Graz. My first concert in Graz since September and my first with talented songsmith Tall William in the Styrian capital. Get there early to catch my set. Entrance cost: donations/freiwillige Spende.
Event starts: 21:00
 
Monday 14th December: Smaragd - LINZ (AT)
One of my favourite venues for folk/acoustic music in central Europe with a brilliant stage and Bierkeller setting. Smaragd is a fantastic place to play. I look forward to playing in Linz for my first concert there in 2 years. Entrance cost: donations/freiwillige Spende.
Event starts: 19:00
 
Wednesday 16th December:  Shakespeare & Company - VIENNA (AT)
I'm very excited to be playing in (as Tall William puts it) "one of the most recognised and loved book shops in Vienna. Fancy sitting among hundreds of books, sipping wine and listening to unplugged music? This show is for you!". Entrance cost: donations/freiwillige Spende.
Event starts: 19:00
 
Thursday 17th December: PRAOTEC Music Bar - BRATISLAVA (SK)
This will be my first concert in Slovakia and one I am very much looking forward to. I'm a big fan of Bratislava so I am delighted to be bringing my music to new audiences there. Entrance cost: pay what you like.
Event starts: 20:00
 
Saturday 18th December: The Super Pub - KLAGENFURT (AT)
The tour concludes with a special concert at a venue I played earlier this year - The Super Pub in Klagenfurt. As some of you may know, I've stopped doing my fortnightly gigs in the Claddagh, so this is a rare chance to catch me live in Klagenfurt and...well...there's a real potential for a Christmas knees-up here! Entrance cost: donations/freiwillige Spende.
Event starts: 20:00
---------------------------------------------
OTHER NEWS

2016 Gigs
I am currently in the process of arranging my concerts for 2016. So far I have the following dates in my gig diary:

Friday 4th March 2016: Glam - FELDBACH (AT) w/ Tall William. 21:00

Friday 3rd June 2016: The Early Bird - INNSBRUCK (AT) 20:00


more dates including Graz, Vienna, Salzburg, St Nikolai im Sausal, UK, Germany, Italy & more for 2016 to be confirmed. Keep checking Facebook/my website!

2015 Christmas Theme Song

As with previous years, I will be continuing my tradition of recording a festive song and releasing it via my Soundcloud page for free download. Check my Facebook page/Soundcloud page this weekend (5th-6th December) to listen/download to the new recording. Please share with friends/family/colleagues/cyberspace/enemies/your cats/oachkatzlschwoaf/your sister from another mister etc if you like it. 
-----------------------------------------------------------
That's all folks! Have a great December and a "good slip into the new year" („Einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr, Oida!“) as the Austrians say!

Louis x
www.louisromegoux.com
www.facebook.com/romegoux

​
0 Comments

Spring 2015 Newsletter

12/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dear fans, friends and music lovers! /Liebe Fans, Freunde und Musikliebhaber!

I hope life is treating you all well as we move into a new season and warmer weather. I have some big news for you, starting with a series of shows next week. / Ich hoffe euch allen geht's gut und ihr freut euch auf den Frühlingswetter. Ich habe spannende Nachrichten für euch!


JOINT AUSTRIA & BERLIN TOUR WITH JAMESON BURT (USA)
ÖSTERREICH & BERLIN TOUR MIT JAMESON BURT (USA)

Yes, I'm on tour next week with good friend and rising star Jameson Burt from Santa Ana, California. We're playing a series of concerts in Austria and then a very special show in Berlin the following week. It's safe to say I'm very excited about the forthcoming tour, not only as I am delighted to be returning to one of my favourite venues (raj, Klagenfurt), but also as I am a huge fan of Jameson and his music, so this should make for a tour you really oughtn't miss! I'm equally delighted to be playing an extra special gig in my neighbour's vineyard taverna Buschenschank Riedl (well, his rustic barn outside) in Petzles on the 17th. With 26°c and clear skies forecast this could well be moved outside. A great time will be had, no doubt!

Check out Jameson Burt's music video here: Jameson Burt - "Breathe Your Last"

So the dates/So, die Termine:

Wednesday 15th April - KLAGENFURT (AT), The Claddagh, Pernhartgasse 4, 9020 Klagenfurt. 
Entry/Eintritt: Free. 
Music starts/beginnt: 21:00 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1553196271599996/

Thursday 16th April - VIENNA (AT), Clash, Fluchtgasse 9, 1090 Wien
Entry/Eintritt: Free (there will be a hat for donations/Freiwillige Spende). 
Music starts/beginnt: 20:00
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/484186295063372/

Friday 17th April - PETZLES (AT), Buschenschank Riedl, Petzles 10, 8505 St Nikolai im Sausal
Entry/Eintritt: Free (there will be a hat for donations/Freiwillige Spende. 
Music starts/beginnt: from/ab 18:00
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1580968795513400/

Saturday 18th April - KLAGENFURT (AT), Raj, Badgasse 7, 9020 Klagenfurt
Entry/Eintritt: 8€ or 5€ (Students). 
Music starts/beginnt: 20:30 
*Doriana Faganelli is also playing at this event/Doriana Faganelli spielt auch*
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1419071031738452/

Monday 20th April - BERLIN (DE), Auster Club, Pücklerstraße 34, 10997 Berlin
Entry/Eintritt: 8€ (advance) or 10€ (on door). 
Music starts/beginnt: 20:00
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1605377703032209/

OTHER NEWS

Grazer UmweltZirkus 2015, GRAZ (AT)
I'm honoured to have been invited to play at this years Grazer UmweltZirkus in Graz on Friday 24th April from 12:00 till 18:00 on the main stage in the Johanneumsviertelplatz. I am playing on behalf of PLATOO.AT (Platform for Songwriters) at this event promoting environmentalism, renewable energy, greener living & more. I'll be a playing a series of sets, some unplugged in the Johanneum Library and some on the main stage. 

Here's the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1566041757011388/
Here's the website: http://www.umwelt.graz.at/cms/ziel/6269812/DE

FESTIVALS

I'm heading out to Spain this summer to play an international music festival...can't announce much more than that at present but I'm very excited. More info soon!

That's all folks! Das ist alles für heute!

See you at a gig and have a good Sunday! Bis bald und ein schönes Wochenende wünsche ich euch!

Louis x
www.louisromegoux.com

p.s. not yet a fan of my music on Facebook or following me on Twitter? Then give us a like/follow here, ta:
www.facebook.com/romegoux
www.twitter.com/louisklagenfurt

0 Comments

January 2015 Newsletter

18/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dear Fans, Friends & Music lovers / Liebe Fans, Freunde und Musikliebhaber! 

First of all, Happy New Year! I hope 2015 brings you joy, peace and fulfilment / Nachträglich wünsche ich euch allen ein gutes neues Jahr! Ich hoffe 2015 bringt euch Freude, Frieden und Erfolg!

  2014 was a very busy musical year. I brought out an EP with band (for the first time) – the ‘Milou EP’, with a thoroughly enjoyable launch night at Walkley Community Centre in Sheffield back in May. The Milou EP has enjoyed some great reviews and some airplay on the BBC and other indie radios, so I’m very pleased about that. If you haven’t got your copy yet, then you can pick one up at one of my gigs or online at iTunes /Amazon/ GooglePlay. Here’s the iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/milou-ep/id880039580 The EP features 13 different talented musicians and was produced by the fabulous Charlie McClean.

2014 war für mich ein sehr ereignisreiches Musikjahr. Ich habe das erste Mal eine EP mit Band aufgenommen, die ‘Milou EP’. Diese EP wurde dann mit Band in meiner Heimatstadt Sheffield im Mai 2014 präsentiert. ‘Milou’ wurde oft auf BBC und anderen Internetradios gespielt und hat ein paar tolle Kritiken bekommen. Ich freue mich sehr darüber. Falls Ihr die neue EP noch nicht habt, ihr könnt sie online anhören oder online kaufen (iTunes, Amazon , GooglePlay). Ihr könnt sie aber auch bei einem Konzert direkt erwerben. Hier ist der iTunes Link https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/milou-ep/id880039580 

The year featured a mini tour of both Italy (including session on Wideline radio) and the U.K, along with regular gigs in Austria (notably Klagenfurt, Graz, Innsbruck and Vienna) and a festival appearance at Sound of The Forest in Germany. There were some particular gig highlights that made 2014 a great year, such as supporting Scilly Isles folk band Rough Island Band at The Scandinavian Church in Liverpool, supporting New-Zealand indie-rock band The Veils at the Postgarage in Graz and playing Peace in the Park Festival in my hometown of Sheffield, UK. 

Im 2014 ging ich auf ein paar kleine Konzerttouren. Im Februar war ich in Italien und hatte auch ein Interview/Live Session mit Wideline Radio in Pordenone. Ich war auch in England und Deutschland unterwegs. Ein besonderes Highlight war für mich das ,,Sound of the Forest” Festival im Odenwald, Deutschland. Ich war sehr positiv überrascht als ich folgenden Zeitungsartikel über das Festival las: http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/pop/sound-of-the-forest-hirsche-und-hippies-13118263.html 

Anyhow, enough of the past year and on with the next! I’ve big plans for 2015, but first things first -  here’s my list of upcoming gigs. / Soviel zu 2014 und mit neuer Energie in 2015! Ich habe große Pläne für dieses Jahr, aber zuerst zu meinen kommenden Konzerten. 


22.01.2015 – GRAZ (AT), Orpheum, Orpheumgasse 8, 8020 **Stage time 20:15**
Info: I’m supporting local indie band ‘Shaun Berkovits’ as part of the DOPOP concert series. Tickets are available from www.spielstaetten.at, by calling 0316 8008 9000 or at any Ö-Ticket outlet and are priced at 13,40€ I’m onstage at 20:15, so make sure you’re there for 20:00 when doors open as I’m onstage pretty sharpish. / Info: Ich spiele als Vorband für ‘Shaun Berkovits’ .. Ich spiele um 20:15 und Karten gibts für 13,40€ bei www.spielstaetten.at oder unter 0316 8008 9000 und auch bei Ö-Ticket! Facebookveranstaltung: https://www.facebook.com/events/1498854820391184/

28.01.2015 – VIENNA (AT), The Loft, Lerchenfeldergürtel 37 1160
Info: The music will begin at around 20:00. Tall William (www.tallwilliam.com), a fellow former resident of Sheffield will also be playing. Entry is free (but a hat for donations will be passed around). / Info: Die Musik fängt um 20:00 Uhr an. Tall William (www.tallwilliam.com) spielt auch. Entritt: freiwillige Spende in den Hut. 

21.02.2015 – SHEFFIELD (UK), The Red Deer
Info: Just waiting for final confirmation of this gig. Be sure to check Facebook, Twitter or my website for more info in the coming days, but I’m very sure this gig is happening. / Info: 20:00 Uhr. Gratis Eintritt. Mehr Infos bald! 

**Festival info also coming soon for Summer 2015. Keep checking the website for info / Festival Infos für Sommer 2015 kommen bald. Schau einfach auf die Website, Facebook oder Twitter, aber ich schicke euch sicher wieder eine Email**

I hope you all have a good weekend and hopefully see you at a gig sometime soon! / Ich wünsche euch allen ein schönes Wochenende und hoffentlich sehen wir uns bald wieder bei einem Konzert! 

Louis x
www.louisromegoux.com
www.facebook.com/romegoux

p.s. Free downloads! Gratis Downloads!

If you haven’t done so already, check out my soundcloud page for a list of free downloads from the early days, right through to 2015  https://soundcloud.com/louis-rom-goux/sets/rarities-rough-demos-and / Es sind ein paar Songs zum Gratis downloaden hier  https://soundcloud.com/louis-rom-goux/sets/rarities-rough-demos-and 


0 Comments

A free download of a Christmas carol and some thoughts on Christmas, colds, choirs and traditions.

20/12/2014

0 Comments

 

I've a new song for you to download and it's a Christmas carol. This has taken me literally weeks to record. I've had the worst cold in ages. One of those colds that renders you so weak that even a stroll in the park sends your lungs into a rasping, coughing frenzy. I think working in a nursery has given me every imaginable germ known to inhabit the Austrian population...nicht schön. 

Anyhow, I'll have an end of year blog post out by next week for those of you stuffed full of Turkey and booze - and more turkey and booze. So, in the meantime, here's a version of the ancient Basque carol 'Gabriel's Message'. I hope you enjoy the song. 

As with my version of 'O, come, o, come Emmanuel' I released last year, this version is pretty dramatic and it's in good old E minor. I think I record these intense, almost dark/gothic versions of Christmas songs because I miss singing in Cathedral choirs at this time of the year. All that darkness and candlelight. I guess my usual self at Christmas is contrary to what many people feel, in that for most people December means one thing - Christmas stress before the big day. I find this time of the year incredibly melancholic and I can't help falling into bouts of nostalgia mulling over old memories of when I used to live in Sheffield. Christmas was so busy, but the music - the music was everything. The sheer emotional inspiration and release you can get from the ancient tradition of choral singing is immense. So I guess, when I sing now up here in my house on a hill in the relative wilderness of South East Austria, I'm trying to be that choir, but all on my own with guitar, dreaming of vast, high churches and soaring arches with 5 second reverb.

Enjoy the song and have a very merry Christmas folks. 

Louis x

0 Comments

Sound of the Forest Festival, Germany

25/8/2014

2 Comments

 
I've just got back from the fantastic Sound of the Forest 2014 festival in the heart of the Odenwald forest in the west of Germany. Had a absolutely brilliant time and it was great to meet some new fans and hang out with loads of festival goers. 

I played on the Seebühne right next to the lake, luckily the rain just about held off until my set finished! My set went down pretty well, so hopefully there'll be some more festivals planned for Germany next summer. I'm looking into doing another Germany tour this Autumn or perhaps next Spring (depends on booking agents/promoters). Having been part of the Sound of the Forest festival, I can definitely see why it was nominated for the best European small festival. They had a fantastic line-up too. Balthazar (Belgian indie rockers) were a particular highlight, as were the dub-reggae DJs down by the lake. Man, it took me back to the old days going to Dubcentral and Riddimtion in Sheffield. Good times.

Huge thanks to all of you who bought CDs, said hello, danced and swayed in the summer sun to my tunes and to all the lovely people I met. Massive thanks also to Christoph my driver/roadie and photographer for driving the 750km to the festival. Legend.

Also, I thoroughly enjoyed playing a couple of gigs with my very good friend and Sheffield blues-folk maestro Andrew Duxfield in Austria last week. Thanks to all who came to Cafe Concerto in Vienna and the Claddagh in Klagenfurt for our gigs. Good times were had.

I've got a few gigs planned for the rest of 2014. Keep checking this site, Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates!

Louis x



2 Comments

Through the MUSICAL looking glass

11/7/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Summer is here. Although as I write fat, bloated clouds flank most of the view south to Slovenia from my house. This time last year it hit 40°c in this part of the world, but at the moment this is weather for whisky round a fire, melancholic Smiths songs, oh and lots of songwriting, which is perfect really for someone who suffers from the odd bit of songwriters' block. After years of inclement Sheffield summers in my youth I'm not adverse to the odd drop of rain, in fact most of my old songs feature songs with weather-centric lyrics and a longing for sunny days. Which brings me to my point. I've been listening to a lot of my old repertoire, songs I recorded, performed and played about with during my earlier years as a musician. 

A good friend recently said of my latest musical releases (the EPs 'Milou' and 'Letters') that my sound is more mature, more regimented and to be honest, he's totally right. It was absolutely magic seeing the songs on the 'Milou' EP come together with the help of other musicians. This is the first EP of my own songs I have ever recorded with band. I'm so used to performing and recording solo. But when you're working on songs with a band, you really realise just how much songs change to function in a band setting. This is by no means a negative observation, to the contrary, it is wholly enriching and fascinating hearing songs evolve from a tune you've played solely on guitar suddenly develop into a behemoth of a jazzy rock track, like 'In My Room'  for example (see below link). My sound has become more mature and this happened completely by accident and without noticing. 

However, when concentrating so hard on a new record and all the excitiment that a new musical venture brings, you lose sight of some of the traits of your past musical style. You focus so much on one record. "Buy buy buy my new CD! Hear this song, hear that one!", there's a whole campaign to get your music out there and in the hands of influential people, be that radio hosts or fanzines. Getting 'Milou' out there has been incredibly rewarding. It's a cracking EP and you can have a lot of fun listening to it. There's no one genre on there, which is probably one of the reasons it won't click with everybody. I've not gone down the standard indie guitar band route, rather I've tried to combine elements of jazz, new country and folk rock all in one, with orchestral elements arranged by my genius producer Charlie McClean and rising star Ed Prosek. But when I took to the stage to play Peace in the Park 2014 in my old hometown Sheffield, something changed. 

I've been trying to brand myself as something, without really knowing what. My set at Peace in the Park was very different to what people heard back when I was a gigging singer-songwriter in Sheffield (2003-2010). I was freer then musically, I had a more relaxed approach to performing and my songs were more about performance than musical content. How far could I stretch my falsetto? What extra lyrics will come into my head? Exactly as my friend put it then, I'm now 'more mature'. So, when revisiting some old songs this week I realised just how much I've missed that aspect of my previous approach to music. I'm by no means apologetic for my foray into a poppier, more commercial sound. This also happened by accident and come on, I'm hardly writing top 10 chart hits.

Some of those tunes from my youth are a pure reflection of my path through my late teens and early 20s. There are so many memories in there, it's like a vault of all my sorrows, highs, break-ups and experiences. They are just as valid as letters or photos in forming a picture of my past self. In fact some of those songs are agonising to listen to. I've written some pretty nasty stuff in a couple of songs which I deeply regret. I've also written some improvisations such as 'Rose' (see link below), a song I think is my best ever vocal performance, despite the song being totally improvised from start to finish. I was a long way from home and my then girlfriend at the time and those feelings manifested themselves in song. It's fascinating but harrowing listening to those songs again now, it's a crystal ball view into my past. 

I have disregarded the extent to which my music is linked to actual life experience. My music is more mature now, because, at 27 there's a hell of a lot behind you, good and bad. It's good to reflect on songs from your past, but not to glorify any one style as your best style or musical period. Music is a totally organic process and like the summer, you'll want a few rainy days amongst the sunny ones. Can't have too much of a single thing.

Louis x

p.s. you can download a selection of rough demos, improvisations and old recordings from 2005-2010 here: https://soundcloud.com/louis-rom-goux/sets/rarities-rough-demos-and

0 Comments

    Blog

    Here's some musings, rantings and reflections mainly on music.

    Archives

    January 2016
    December 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    Categories

    All
    Festivals
    Music
    Reflection

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.