Playing in Copenhagen Tonight with James Blake

On tour

For those of you that don't know, I'll be playing in Chicago tonight at Lincoln Hall. The doors are at 9pm and I'm o at 10pm. Just got into the city today on the tour bus with Liam Finn and company. We played in Toronto last night and this morning woke up in America. Looking forward to seeing all my friends at the gig as well. 

-Marques Toliver

XOYO to Bliss Field's Festival completed!

After the Brighton gig at The Komedia, I played the XOYO in London. The place was a little hard to find, but I suppose you are on the scene a lot the location of the venue is prime location. For me it was a little bit off the beaten path. Showed up to find Vetiver and the Tree Top Flyers had began making themselves comfortable. The venue had new and familiar faces.Introduced myself to the promoter and sound engineer for the night.  The sound guy and I had worked together at a previous London gig, but I couldn't honestly remember. He did resemble Susan Mayer's husband from the ABC comedy-drama series Desperate House Wives.

(Street shot of XOYO)

During my set I played songs off the Ep followed by tunes from my past present and future. I opened the show with 'Try Your Best', a song I play on glockenspiel and violin at times. I'm looking forward  headlining at the The Tabernacle in September because then I'll have full band. Expecting to put together a hand full of artists to be apart of the ensemble. There's also talks of taking an ensemble to the Latitude and Truck Festivals this month. If any of you music goers are in the area around for any of the Festivals you can expect to witness something special.  Click here for more info about the Latitude http://www.latitudefestival.co.uk/2011/lineup/artist/marques_toliver and Truck Festival http://www.thisistruck.com/stages-announced/

One of the most surprising moments happened later that night at the merch table. 

 I was surprised to see Desmond and Patrick, two friends from Florida standing near the edge of where I was selling my records. During my brief 2 years at University, Desmond and I were students at Stetson University's music department. Pat and I met of campus through music buddies and the crew that played regularly at the Cafe Davinci. Because it had been such a long time since my last London gig I was delighted to have friends Will Cameron A.K.A. Glow Hearts, Emile Lucienne, Forest T, and Lucy Mason there. I was also surprised to find out that I had to fans travel all the way from Rome to the gig that night! All in all the show fly. My booking agent from CAA, Emma Banks was in attendance. Ema is like the Queen B when it to the realm of Booking Agents. I'll just say she's the booking agent to the STARS, Anyways I was told home girl was in the audience rocking out to the songs. Flattering. Thanks for coming to the gig Ms. Banks, it means a lot! After the show was over the bouncers tried to scurry us all out. 

(Cafe Davinci Deland, Fl)

Afterwards, we all went to the flat to talk and hang. By the time we arrived to my place the sun was starting to rise. The idea to have Pat and Desmond play the Bliss Field's Festival came up and we all dug the sound of that. We quickly made a plan to rehearse the next morning with double bass and melodica. Friday was the day of the Festival and we managed to make it work. We played in a hand full of songs together and set off for London.

Upcoming Tour dates

- JUNE -

04 - LONDON - Bushstock Festival

16 - BERLIN -Friz Club Im Postbahnhof (w/Vetiver)

17 - BRUSSELS - La Botanique (w/Vetiver)

18 - EINDHOVEN - Naked Song Festival (w/Vetiver)

19 - AMSTERDAM - Paradiso (w/Warpaint)

21 - GOTHENBURG - Tradgarn Festival (w/Vetiver)

22 - STOCKHOLM - Debaser (w/Vetiver)

25 - BEDFORD - Civic Theatre (w/Vetiver)

28 - BRIGHTON - Komedia (w/Vetiver)

29 - LONDON - XOYO (w/Vetiver)

30 - READING - (w/Vetiver)


- JULY -

01 - WINCHESTER - Blissfields Festival

03 - LEEDS - Brudenell Social Club (w/Vetiver)

05 - MANCHESTER - Band On The Wall (w/Vetiver)

06 - NOTTINGHAM - Glee Club (w/Vetiver)

07 - PARIS - Fleche D'or (w/Vetiver)

10 - KENT - Lounge On The Farm Festival

12 - PHILIDELPHIA - World Cafe Live (w/Wild Beasts)

13 - NEW YORK - Le Poison Rouge (w/Wild Beasts)

14 - NEW YORK - Le Poison Rouge (w/Wild Beasts)

17 - SUFFOLK - Latitude Festival

22 - OXFORD - Truck Fest

31 - QUEENSLAND - Splendour In The Grass Festival (Australia)


- AUGUST -

19 - ISLE OF WIGHT - Ventnor Fringe Festival


- SEPTEMBER -

03 - SECRET WOODLAND LOCATION - In The Woods Fest 

Playing a show today June 4th

This evening I will playing The Bushstock

 

Festival near Shepard's Bush. Stage Time: 

6.15 – 6.45pm Venue: ST STEPHENS

CHURCH Coverdale RoadLondon, W12 8JJ

LIVE WEB CAM Performance by Marques Toliver 4pm

 Live stream of the agency party on 4th floor showcasing Marques Toliver go on  

http://rapieruk.com/

Independent Label Market

http://www.bellaunion.com/index.php/site/news/independent_label_market/

Marques Toliver Merch.

Click here to Purchase

http://marquestoliver.bigcartel.com/

Guardian Write Up

Violinist Marques Toliver: a star on the rise

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/may/05/rise-of-marques-toliver

Music mentioned on Reggie's Blogs.

http://www.reggieyates.com/article/song-of-the-day-18-marques-toliver-white-sails

Ep Reviewed on The Drift Record Shop

Camden Crawl Review: Mail Online

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1383986/Camden-Crawl-2011-review-Miles-Kane-Dels-Cloud-Control-impress-Odd-Future-fail-fuel-riot.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Ep Review

http://www.officiallyayuppie.com/

Camden Crawl performance Review

http://www.clashmusic.com/live-review/levis-craft-of-music-at-camden-crawl

Day 2 of the Camden Crawl.

Photo by Sapphire Mason-Brown

Day 1 of Camden Crawl began with a bus ride to Kentish Town. From there I walked to the Bull and Gate to pick my artist pass. Unfortunately, the Bull and Gate wasn't the right location. Upon arrival the bar looked as if no one was inside. Luckily, with some perseverance and help from the organisers, I managed to get into the pub. An old man opens the door and with a bit of surprise. In the back room was the stage manager sitting at the table reading the newspaper that had William and Catherine on the cover. After a little bit of banter back and forth  on the walkey talky, we find that the passes are actually at the Round House. 

A sunny stroll to Chalk Farm and everything panned out. Found the woman in charge (Stephanie) and managed to squeeze in a line check. Delta Maid was also there with a bit a of a new line up. I first met the band last year at The Elgin. Interesting how gigging throughout London one starts recognising all the musicians in the community.

http://www.myspace.com/deltamaid

Since I never bring any jack leads with me to a show I had to have the sound engineer manufacture a jack lead for my violin and auto-harp. During the performance my the speakers crackle here and there just because of how the cables were set up. In the future I have to invest in some proper cables.

(Jack Leads)

My managers showed up to the gig and they listened to my set. The sun was out and the entire terrace was filled with people sitting on the steps and chairs. I played about a hand full of songs. The People that lived in the flats across the street stood on their balconies and listend to my set. It helped having them across the street cause I just tried to focus my attention to those of in the distance. Once the gig was over i jumped on a bus back to my place until my next show that night at 9pm.

That evening took a taxi back down to the venue. Showed up to the Bull and Gate and spent most of my time in the green room. It was extremely humid in the room. That can be a problem for violinists at times because the moisture can change the instrument. That night my set was a little short just because I wasn't too happy with the sound.

Day 2 of the Camden Crawl I was allowed to sleep a little longer than I did the previous day. First show wasn't until 5pm. When I showed up to the Proud Galleries the band on stage was finishing up. Managed to track down the sound guy and for the most part everyone pronounced my name correctly. 

 The stage was curated by Levi's. Before I played there a quick Q&A on stage were I was asked about the instrumentation of my songs and things about SXSW.

The show was filmed by videographers hired to cover the event so look out for the footage. A lot of the people that were at the St, Giles and The Field gig were also at the Proud Galleries listening to me play. There also some fans that had heard me play back in Manchester when I was on tour with Clare. Wish I would had more time to talk to them. 

photo by Sapphire Mason-Brown

After the gig there was a moment dedicated to shaking hands and listening to various individual's experiences regarding the show. Next, I was swept off to the Levi's clothing room were they had free clothes to give away to the performers. I didn't really want to try anything on, but I was coaxed into  doing so. Next were some photographs with the Levi's photographer in the next room. He was really keen on getting the right shot. LOL. I think the photo turned out alright. 

After that whole crazy thing calmed down I was asked to yet another interview and also has a conversation about possibly doing a short movie. Waited around at Proud Galleries and had a bite to eat.  Walked over to the Jazz Cafe were my last gig was scheduled. At the venue lots of my friends showed up and it turns out that a handful of people in the audience came specifically to the show to hear me play. FOund that to be totally unexpected. That night during my set I played "White Sails" since it was the last show I would be playing for the Camden Crawl this year. The stage was curated by RWD Magazine.

http://www.rwdmag.com/

So glad to have had the opportunity to play the Camden Crawl. Each gig was better than the last and I also had the chance to play at the JAzz Cafe, something i had not done up until now. Hopefully this time next year I'll have a headlining slot at the venue.  

SXSW Day 1

There's haze outside.

Spent the last day slicing through the air.

Minor bag issues in Chicago. They would let let me take the autoharp,violin,and bag of clothes.

Arrived in Texas at at 10:30.

Took at taxi to the house I'm staying at.

Got in contact with a few buddies to let them know I'm in Town.

Fell asleep at 3:30am.

Had lots of crazy dreams. A dance off with a Beyonce like figure. Gossip in my mind. Pregnant people not smoking. Woke up to the sound of people sturing in the kitchen. Made showered, made some French Toast,read up on Japan, and about to head off to the first gig of the day. First things first got to pick up my wrist band from the Austin Convention Center.

Today's first gig is with Bella Union and Yours Truly. 

The line up consists of Lanterns on The Lake @ 1:00pm Bobby @ 1:40pm   Alessi's Ark 2:20 Thousands @ 3:oopm  (ME!) Marques Toliver @ 3:40 Still Corners @4:20 and Vetiver @ 5:00pm

The second gig is Transgressive showcase at the Red Eyed Fly.

I'm playing at 8pm. the Transgressive Official evening showcase at Red-Eyed-Fly is located at715 Red River Austin,Texas.

Toliver at SXSW 2011