News
23/06/2010
Summer festie gigs
Dear friends,
Well it’s been an interesting journey since the last update… The operation on Nathan’s collarbone eventually took place on Sat 22nd May and since then he’s been holed up in Ireland resting, recuperating… and custom-making guitars… (Respond to this email if you’re interested in this little sideline!)
And here’s a pic of Nathan’s first ‘gig’ since his op:
playing to the cows
Now though, with almost full movement back in his shoulder, he’s ready for another summer full of festivals ☺ Here are some of the ones Nathan & the band will be at over the next couple of months, and there will no doubt be more to fill in the gaps as time goes on…
Glastonbury Festival: Thurs 24th – Sun 27th June
Once again Nathan will be at the Glastonbury Festival, enchanting crowds in the Green Futures area and thereabouts. There’ll be lots of chances to catch him (which is lucky as getting to gigs on time is nigh-on-impossible at Glasto!):
Wed night/Thurs morn: 1:30am on the Small World Solar Stage
Thurs eve: 8pm - Mandala Stage
Fri pm: 5:30pm - Lizard Lounge
Sat om: 3pm - Mandala Stage
Sun 12 midday - Small World Solar Stage
He’ll be playing with his favourite festival buddy Joe Hymas (on mandolin) and old friend Charlie Luffram (on keys) so it should be different but interesting…
Beatherder Festival, Lancashire: Fri 3rd – Sun 5th July
Nathan will be playing with Adrianne on cello and Bels on viola @ 3pm on Saturday 4th on the Smokey Tentacles Shisha Lounge stage. www.beatherder.co.uk
Fiddlers’ Green Folk Festival, Northern Ireland: Sun 18th – Sun 25th July
For the sixth year running Nathan will be over to Northern Ireland to the beautiful village of Rostrevor - between the mountains & the sea - to play at this wonderful Irish folk festival. Several gigs are in the pipeline so check back here nearer the time for more slots, in the meantime, this one’s confirmed:
Tues 20th July: 8pm on the Main Stage in the Square. www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk
IndiGo World Music Festival, Carlow, Ireland: Fri 6th – Sun 8th August
Sat 7th Aug @ 2pm on the World Music Stage
A new festie in Carlow, near Dublin…
Broadstairs Folk Week, Kent: Tues 10th – Thurs 12th August
Tues 10th Aug @ 1pm in Harpers Bar
Wed 11th Aug @ 3pm in The Prince Albert
Thurs 12th Aug @ 1pm in The Charles Dickens
All venues are located in the town of Broadstairs and within easy walking distance of each other. www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk
Much love
Nathan & friends x x x
16/04/2010
Nathan gets his Big Break!
Dear friends,
Apologies for the long break since the last update… for once I have a good excuse: I’ve been laid up for much of the past few weeks – with a broken collarbone!
Big Break
Unfortunately, the “big breakage” happened just two days before we (myself and the 4 hugely talented musicians I loosely refer to as my band) were due to travel to Ireland to record my debut album. Words cannot describe the frustration I felt – particularly as the accident resulted from my decision to cycle down a mountain very fast… and with a lot more enthusiasm than skill!
This all took place in January and although my recovery seemed to being going well – I’ve been in Ireland writing lots and have sufficient mobility in my shoulder to play my guitar for a short while – the specialist I’ve been seeing has deemed an operation necessary in order to ensure a full and long term recovery. So, on 17th May I’ll be re-broken and fixed up – with a plate to hold me together – which will again render me completely useless for another six weeks!
Needless to say, album recording is on the back burner until my recovery is complete. But before the dreaded op I’ve managed to sneak in a couple of nice little gigs… so feel free to come down and have a laugh at my expense! 
GLASTONBURY: Saturday 24th April (The Assembly Rooms)
Supporting Martha Tilston as she launches her new album ‘Lucy & the Wolves’. This will be Nathan’s first gig since breaking his collarbone just 2 days before he was due to record his debut album… oops!
From 8pm at The Assembly Rooms, High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DU
Tickets: £11 - Tel 01458 834677 or from Bristol Ticket Shop (Tel: 0117 929 9008)
LONDON: Thursday 13th May (Passing Clouds)
‘Guitar Night’ with 3 other top-class guitarists: Jon Gomm, Pino Forastiere and Stuart Ryan, brought to you by ‘The Magpies Nest’.
At Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, London (see website for directions)
Tickets: £6 in advance/£8 on the door, available from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/71942
Downtown
And for those of you who feel happier laughing at a distance, I’ll be on Northern Ireland’s Downtown Radio some time between 6 and 7pm this Sunday (18th April) being interviewed by Irish folk legend Tommy Sands. Listen online here or tune in to MHz: 96.4, 96.6, 97.1, 102.3, 102.4, 103.1, 103.4 or 1026 kHz if you’re in the area.
I’ll endeavour to be back in touch with more news once I’m ‘fixed’… which could be a little while yet…
Until then, enjoy the sunshine and beware of big hills & bikes 
Nathan Ball & friends
13/01/2010
New Year, New stuff – youtube, spotify & tour pix
Wishing you a very warm – if rather snowy – welcome to 2010! Whilst things may have been a bit quiet since before Christmas, there’s been lots of beavering away behind the scenes to bring you some new bits ‘n bobs…
Tour pix
Nathan’s Winter Wanderings tour of the UK was a big success – with lots of friendly faces (new and old) coming out to hear him play. Thanks to all of you who came down and made for a very special first ever tour. We’ve put a few photos of the gigs up on the gallery page at www.nathanball.com/gallery/winter-wanderings
Christmas in the studio & New You Tube video
After a couple of months on the road, Nathan travelled over to Ireland and spent much of Christmas in the studio recording as many songs as possible! By 1 Jan 2010, he’d recorded over 30 songs to help him decide on the final few that will appear on his debut album, to be released in the Spring.
To give you a taste of what’ll be on the album, some good friends have made a first attempt at a music video of one of Nathan’s most recent – and most relevant – songs ‘Stand Up’. You can view the video at: www.nathanball.com/gallery or on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWUCgQb2QY4
Nathan adapted the lyrics for ‘Stand Up’ from a Winston Churchill speech – both the song lyrics and the text of the original speech can be found on the lyrics page at: http://www.nathanball.com/stand-up
Nathan Ball on Spotify
With so many people listening to their favorite artists on spotify, we figured it was about time we made Nathan’s Footprints EP available there too. Check out www.spotify.com if you haven’t already and please let your spotify-loving friends know they can now hear Nathan there for free!
Debut album
Come February, Nathan’ll be back over to Ireland to record his debut album with the rest of the band. He’ll be helped along by record producers Tom Newman (Tubular Bells/Virgin Records) and Steve Fearnley. Check the website and watch this space for sneak previews of recordings and the latest news from the studio…
Until then… stay warm!
Nathan Ball & friends
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