Monday 21 September 2009

Singaround Success!

Many thanks from Rattlebag to everybody who came along last Thursday to the Rattling Good Sing in the back bar at the Stag. We all had an excellent time and heard some great songs. This one's going to grow and grow. The next one will be at the same time and place - nine o'clock at The Stag Inn, All Saints Street, Hastings - on October the 15th.
See you there....

Sunday 13 September 2009

"A Rattling Good, er.... Shopping Trip!"

Rattlebag will be performing at the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre in Hastings on Thursday 8th October. The girls will be singing between the hours of 5 and 7 o'clock as part of Hastings' late shopping season. Come down, have a listen and say hello.

Come to think of it, while you're out there being encouraged to spend money on things you don't really want, why not pick up a copy of something you really do want? Yes, a copy of Rattlebag's debut CD "Girls That Are Drinkers": Still available at a frighteningly low price - just £6.00 of your earth money.

Wednesday 9 September 2009

"A Rattling Good Sing!"

...is the name of a new series of monthly folk singarounds being hosted by Rattlebag.

These are to take place on the third Thursday of each month at their local, The Stag in All Saints Street, Hastings Old Town. Dates confirmed so far are Thursday September 17th, the 15th of October and 19th November.

We'll be kicking off at nine o'clock and would love you to come along and share a song or two with us.

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Hot Rats!

People are saying good things about Rattlebag....

“We had a brilliant guest night at our singaround last Tuesday. The group was Rattlebag – a five piece harmony band from Hastings – really excellent!
They were superb and worth the Big Boys and Girls booking if they’re looking for fresh, energetic yet traditional entertainers.”

Ian Fyvie of Brighton's Round Georges Folk Club posting on the
Mudcat Cafe


“Fantastic day out for the family again on Saturday at the St Leonard’s Festival. A real eclectic mix of community organisations, food stalls, fun for the kids and music on stage. My personal favourite was Rattlebag, who performed acapella in front of Warrior Square Station at the end of the afternoon.”

Nick Perry Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hastings and Rye

Many thanks for those kind words, boys.....

Tuesday 18 August 2009

Ratted in Broadstairs


Many thanks to everybody who came to hear us sing at Neptune's Hall, The Old Curiosity shop and the Sailing Club on the first Saturday of Broadstairs Folk Week. It was a busy and exciting day for us and we were made to feel very welcome at every venue we performed at.
Actually, we enjoyed ourselves very much everywhere we went including our impromptu turn on stage at the Pavillion!

Friday 24 July 2009

"Girls That Are Drinkers...."


....is the name of Rattlebag's debut album. Made entirely in Hastings in 2008, this shiny digital "compact disc" features 8 studio versions of songs selected from the group's live set.

You can almost certainly get your hands on a copy of "Girls That Are Drinkers" at whichever gig, folk club or singaround that the girls are to be found performing at. Rattlebag will be delighted to separate you from a mere £6.oo of your money.

The track listing is.....

Bring Us A Barrel
The Blue Cockade
Cotton Mill Girls
The Blacksmith
Maids at Eighteen
Calling on Song
Hal An Tow
Chardonnay


Of course, if you can't wait for the full-on, home stereo Rattlebag experience, get in touch with the girls at rattlebag2005@yahoo.co.uk to acquire this fine gramophone record.

Blue Movie

Wednesday 15 July 2009

The Door Into Summer

After a short time with various members of the group away from Hastings, the girls are back together and looking forward to a number of Summer projects.

On Saturday August 8th, RATTLEBAG will be in Broadstairs. As the guests of Peter Collins and Mike Nicholson they will be helping to lead the singalong at Neptune's Hall in Harbour Street as part of the famous Broadstairs Folk Week. The girls will be staying in Harbour Street to host the "Buns at The Bayside" acoustic hour at The Old Curiosity Shop which starts at four o'clock and, for their final appearance at this years Broadstairs festival, RATTLEBAG will be appearing at the Sailing Club by the jetty for a singaround with Tom and Barbara Brown.

THE MOORS are a new band founded in Hastings, East Sussex. Their strange brew includes Balkan gypsy music, klezmer, mediaeval Sephardic melodies, Cuban rhythms, jazz, blues, folk and rock music, and encompasses original compositions as well as arrangements of traditional music.

Inspired by the rich and varied musical culture of Hastings Old Town, the band is attempting to create their own contemporary music influenced not only by those remote musics but by more variegated elements: rock, blues, jazz, even Cuban son, free improvisation and English folk music.

In this spirit of musical freedom, RATTLEBAG are looking forward to collaborating with The Moors this summer on a number of pieces based on, but not restricted to, the folk songs of England and Europe. Watch this space.