Tinderbox - reflection on the year
2007 has been a very busy year for Tinderbox. Having performed more regularly than ever before, and having been fortunate enough to both meet and work with a wonderful group of talented musicians, it has so far been an amazing journey.
The year began with a successful January support slot at Bournemouth Folk Club - with London based nu-folk favorites 'Megson' - and quickly gathered momentum from there.
In April the duo expanded into a 6 piece band featuring (in addition to original duo Monique Houraghan and Dan Tucker) Bobby Burke (guitar), Martyn Oakland (bass), Gav Jones (percussion) and Catherine Burke (whistles). On Sunday April 15th Tinderbox premiered the new 'full band' line up to a crowded and enthusiastic Bournemouth Folk Club(BFC) audience.
Several more hugely successful BFC gigs would follow throughout the year.
In addition to numerous live stage performances, Tinderbox have been lucky enough to receive a wide variety of radio-play. Stations include BBC Radio Solent, BBC Southern Counties Radio, Hope FM, Original 106 FM, Forest FM and even Bournemouth Hospital Radio Bedside! So the word has been spreading at a healthy pace. Additionally, in August, the popular Tinderbox original 'Walk Away' featured in a US television series called 'Trinity'.
There have been some challenges of course. These include playing through a broken PA system to a meager audience outside (and inside) a shopping mall at a regional live music festival. Every gig is an experience however and none can be considered a complete waste of energy.
More recently, in early November, our bassist of 8 months Martyn Oakland decided to leave Tinderbox to pursue his own musical direction. A great bass player and a wonderful songwriter, he will be missed.
Tinderbox are currently working on their new album 'Fall Down' which will feature a full band line up and many of the songs that have been made popular in so many recent live shows and appearances.
On December 8th (10am) the band featured live on The Sally Taylor Show, BBC Radio Solent.
So that - in a nutshell - is 2007 so far. 2008 promises to hold a few surprises of it's own!