The Latest News - August 19, 2011

At last, the new CD! Preorder it on Amazon.com

The story of Acoustic Alchemy has always been about innovation and adaptability. In the nearly 25 years since their first recording, the UK-based group has crafted a sound that maximizes the potential of not only the acoustic guitar but also its electric counterpart – and in so doing they’ve explored the subtle corners where jazz, pop, world music and other genres intersect. Along the way – with the help of a massive worldwide following created by consistent touring – they’ve weathered personal setbacks, dramatic shifts in musical trends, and in recent years, sweeping changes in the music industry.

The next step in this ongoing journey is Roseland, their new recording on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group. The 13-song recording – licensed to Heads Up by Acoustic Alchemy’s newly formed label, Onside Records – is set for release on September 27, 2011.

“We’re very excited about this recording,” says Acoustic Alchemy co-founder Greg Carmichael, who specializes in nylon string guitar. “It represents an entirely new chapter for the band. By establishing a new label, we’re taking more control of our own direction, and by partnering with Heads Up and their resources, we can reach the broadest possible audience worldwide.”

While they may call themselves Acoustic Alchemy, Carmichael and his creative partner and co-pilot, Miles Gilderdale, exercise plenty of creative license by injecting generous elements of electric guitar into the mix on Roseland. This sonic edge comes courtesy of Gilderdale, who was an electric player first and foremost before joining the band in 1996. Together, Carmichael and Gilderdale explore elements of jazz, rock, country and reggae – all of which makes for an album that’s both eclectic and yet cohesive at the same time.

Also along for the ride is the band’s usual touring lineup: keyboardist Fred White, bassists Gary Grainger and Julian Crampton, and drummer Greg Grainger. Other assistance in the sessions comes from Hammond organist Ricky Peterson (Bonnie Raitt, David Sanborn, Joe Sample), pedal steel player Frank Mizen, drummers Dan Mizen and Sam Hobbs and a full complement of horn players.

Roseland was recorded in Gilderdale’s newly constructed home studio in York, England, a place where the band could be creative without the pressure of a ticking clock. “We used the studio as a place to write,” says Carmichael. “We would just throw ideas at each other. You try things as you go along. That’s the beauty of having your own studio. You can try an electric guitar solo here, a steel-string solo there, a trombone solo somewhere else, whatever you like. It may have taken us a little longer, but if something didn’t work, it didn’t matter. We just tried things until we found what did work.”

"For a lot of people, instrumental music is just a sound that plays in the background," says Carmichael. "But we put a lot into it - not just with this record but with every record we've ever made. I'd like to think that after all these years, we've learned how to take people on a journey. A lot of our fans have said that we do that for them. As long as they keep coming back, and as long as they want to stay on that journey, we'll keep doing what we're doing."

The Latest News - May 14, 2011

Thanks to all the folks who came to see us on our English dates – great to see so many old friends.

Our return visit to Riga was also a great experience, we all really like Latvia. Greg and Miles go to  Germany on Monday for the final mixing of the new Album "Roseland" at Hansa–Haus Studios in Bonn.

In June, we return to the USA for our first tour of 2011, starting in a place of great nostalgia- Fort Worth, Texas. When Nick was alive we used to regularly play a magical venue there called "The Caravan of Dreams" – we even wrote a tune of the same name which proved to be our first Grammy nomination. The venue has changed - we are now playing The MacDavid Studio in the Bass Performance Center but its still in Sundance Square on June 9th  – can't wait.

Next day, June 10th we drive to the Texas State Capitol, Austin for our annual visit to the beautiful One World Theatre – always a highlight of our touring. Day off on the 11th as we make our way to Houston for our annual pilgrimage to play Sambuca on the 12th – a venue that gets better and rowdier evey time we play it!

Our Tour Bus arrives on the 14th just after midnight to take us to Pensacola and a new venue for us - The Saenger Theatre.  We are really looking forward to playing on this coast –it's been a while. Overnight again on June 15th, this time right across the State of Florida to Ponte Vedra where we play at The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall.

Another new venue and a city we have never played before –The Farm in Charleston, South Carolina on June 16th. We go overnight to Orlando June 17th for a return visit to the Plaza, a venue we really enjoyed last time around, then acoss the State to Largo and the Cultural Center June 18th - a superb venue set in glorius parkland.

Finally to Roland’s Brevard Jazz series June 19th, this time in a new venue to us The Henegar Centre - - always a memorable gig.

Back to our various homes on the 20th, getting ready for California in August.

The Latest News - March 23, 2011

Busy, busy,busy,

Miles is just completing his guitar parts in his York Studios, then he and Greg are off to London to Richard Bull’s place to mix four tracks off the new album which now has a title – "Roseland".

Along with the rest of the guys, we then board various planes to Riga Latvia for a welcome return visit with a little less snow and a bigger venue - Congress Hall on April 7th .

Towards the end of April we play our usual handful of English dates:
April 15th – Pizza Express Jazz Club - Maidstone
April 19th and 20th - Pizza Express Jazz Club - Dean Street, London
April 21st Band on the Wall - Manchester

On completion, Greg and Miles will finish the Album mix with our dear friend Klaus Genuit in Bonn Germany at Hansa Haus Studios. If everything goes to plan you can expect it to be available in the summer.

Tour News - November 24, 2010

We're sure many of you will be pleased to know that we are deep into the recording process for a new album scheduled for release late spring 2011. GG was over from Baltimore last week to lay down the drums at Miles’ new studio in York. Julian Crampton put down a couple of excellent bass parts just yesterday and Gary Grainger is due to put down the rest of the bass bits immediately after he has swallowed the last morsel of his Thanksgiving turkey in his home studio in Maryland. Fred’s up next, then the guitars.

In the meantime we prepare for our favorite UK Christmas dates at the good old Pizza Express Jazz Club on Dean Street, London. Greg, Miles, Fred and "The Graingers in the Night" will all be there from December 16th to December 23rd with AA classics old and new and a sneak preview of some brand new tunes from the forthcoming album.

From Dec 27th to Dec 30th, Greg Carmichael gets to sit at home with his Arsenal annual whilst the rest of the Band morph into GFunk, the funkiest Band this side of Watford Gap with their special guest - the very lovely Jessy J blowing up a saxaphonic storm. The year ends with the best New Year's Eve party in London where both Bands take to stage to celebrate the arrival of 2011.

These shows sell out very quickly so call Pizza Express Jazz Club at 0845 6027 017 now for tix and info.

Tour News - September 26, 2010

Ok its time once again to seek out the In and Out Burgers, find the Krispy Kreme outlets with a light on and polish our misuse of the Queens English as the Alchemists take the silver bird  again to the New World.

We start at a new venue to us on October 6th –The Sellersville Theatre in Pennsylvania before heading south to a couple of real old favorites The Birchmere in Alexandria on the 7th and The Ramshead in Annapolis the following day – including our mandatory visit to Chick and Ruth’s Diner just a couple of blocks away.

We will be testing the bunks on the tour bus overnight to The High Point Theatre in High Point North Carolina (9th) and again the next night as we head north to Long Island for a return visit to The Boulton Centre in Bay Shore Long Island (10th) - a lovely gig.

A couple of days at leisure before we play Daniel Street in Milford, CT on Oct 13th, promoted by our lovely webmistress Kat – it's only recently been added so those of you who live in the area, please support it.

A short drive to Boston on the 14th for two days at the glorious Scullers Jazz Club - one of the highlights of touring for us.

The following day the 16th, we head north to Vermont to a new venue - The Tupelo Music hall in White River Junction before completing our Fall Tour at Infinity in Norfolk, CT- a wonderful place to see us.

Then its back to Philly to fly home to England to commence the recording of our new album and prepare ourselves for a date in Moscow on November 1st. Please come out and see us - you will be most welcome.

Tour News - July 18, 2010

It’s hard to believe we have just got our body clocks reset to GMT when suddenly its time to re-visit The New World and screw them up once again.

First up on July 30th is the fabulous Northern Lights Theatre at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee, a really great theatre with amazing sound and lights. We are lucky enough to have the lovely Lisa McClowry and her Band supporting us – should be a great show.

Saturday sees us driving to Minneapolis, a city we have not played in a while. We are at the Dakota Jazz Club for two nights August 1 & 2nd then a long drive Tuesday, August 3rd to Evanston, a northern suburb of Chicago for our first time at a club called Space that evening.

Wednesday is a fly day from Chicago to Orange County, CA where we play an old favorite Thursday night August 5th –The rockin’ Coach House at San Juan Capistrano a legendary rock and roll venue where we always have a great time. Friday is our day off – time to hit the beach.

Saturday, August 7th - Greg’s birthday - sees our return to The Thornton Winery in Temecula, which we have played a record number of times – last time setting the PA speaker on fire only for it decadently to be doused in Crystal Champagne to put it out.

After the show we leave for San Diego for a morning flight to Seattle where on Sunday we play the mighty KWJZ Music Festival at Chateau Ste. Michelle in a lineup that includes Dave Bromberg and Fourplay – should be quite a show.

Then no sooner have we got our pajamas on its time for the early flight back home via New York. A short, but beautiful tour – come out and see us if you can. All of the dates and venues are on our "Touring" page.