Despite it being bbbrracingly cold, this Tree and I felt compelled to post Pic 3 of the ‘Wood Wide Web’ album T-Shirt Slow Reveal series of posts… We will be giving away one of these 100% organic cotton, fairly traded, blue or orange background, medium or large, bespoke T-shirts to the winner of our ‘Quiz Question’ at our Sound Lounge, Sutton gig on Wed 15th Feb 2023 7.30pm. It is Free Entry but please Bring Change. Please register your interest here https://www.ticketweb.uk/…/ian-roland-the…/12783585

Artist: Ian Roland
Album: The Wood Wide Web
Release Date: Fri 24^th February 2023

‘The Wood Wide Web’ is a new album of eleven songs I have written during the last two and a bit  years. I have arranged and produced the songs with violinist and gigging partner, Simon Yapp. This album project started in Spring 2020, following the release of the album, ‘Double Rainbow’, subsequently published by production music company, Indiesonics.

The album has experienced various waves of the Covid pandemic and rollout of vaccines; three UK Conservative Prime Ministers; an ongoing cost-of-living crisis; an ongoing War in Europe; the climate crisis deepening as governments around the world fail to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Conceived and developed against this backdrop, the album highlights the power of Nature to rejuvenate, sustain and enrich all life, including our own, if only we gave it the chance to do so.

Joining Simon and I on the ‘The Wood Wide Web’ are musicians from previous albums and EPs, namely Brione Jackson (cello, vocals), Nick Van Vlaenderen (drums) and Jade Woodhouse (cello) together with new recruits, Sarah Davison (cello), and Sarah Louise Harris and Charlotte Griggs who add their vocals to the choir of Simon’s, Brione’s, and my own voices.

The album will be available to stream and download from Bandcamp, ianroland.bandcamp.com, and limited copies on CD will be available at gigs in 2023.

In to 2023 with a gig at St Edith’s in January supporting Chris Helme at the Vestry Hall, Cranbrook on Fri 27th Jan 7pm

Simon and I played new song ‘Gold In The Dust’ last Saturday at CranFest 2022… This song will be on our new album coming soon…https://fb.watch/fzUjvIJunP/

More from the Tim Cross Music Project…timcrossmusicproject.bandcamp.com/album/love-vs-history

“Recorded between 1991 and 2007, Love vs History is a compilation of material recorded by Tim and singer-songwriter Ian Roland at Tim’s Robertsbridge studio.

“The earliest tracks (2, 10) feature the pair accompanied by Tim’s longtime associates Ginny Clee (vocals) and Simon Edwards (bass), the latter of whom he met through the band Red Box. Edwards was subsequently a member of Fairground Attraction. Clee and Edwards also joined Tim in TV Smith’s mid-80s band TV Smith’s High.

“Tracks 4, 8 and 9 were recorded in 2007, with Tim augmenting Roland’s own band Kokopelli, featuring Darren Eve (vocals, guitars) and Maria Marzaioli (vocals, violin).” Dave Thompson

timcrossmusicproject.bandcamp.com/track/love-vs-history

A picture of me back in 1998 with my great friend, producer and musician, Tim Cross. Journalist, Dave Thompson , has launched a fan page for Tim, “The TC Music Project is dedicated to preserving the memory and music of this visionary genius.” Check it out here… https://www.facebook.com/groups/789395282185510

Simon Yapp and I at the Mid Sussex Music Festival yesterday in Hassocks. Such a fantastic day and on the same bill as Robert Vincent, Treetop Flyers, Diana Jones, The Self Help Group and others, who were all absolutely brilliant! Thank you Brighthelmstone Promotions for putting on this fantastic three day event. https://youtu.be/mWK-YfV1zcg

I am very excited to be playing a slot at the Mid Sussex Music & Ale Festival 2022 in Hassocks at the Music Hall, Hassocks Hotel at 1pm on Saturday 27th August. Day and Weekend Tickets available from http://www.brighthelmstonepromotions.co.uk/tickets.php
#Festival2022 #sussex #hassocks #roots #folk #americana #keepmusiclive

After those two years of pandemic lockdown, and in attempt to get away from the distress of watching the ongoing Conservative leadership elections, I have been out and about gigging a fair bit over the last few months. Here are links to some videos up on Facebook of a gig I did this week for Hive Events at The Pavilion Cafe in Eastbourne. These tracks will be on a new album I have been working on for the last two years, with Simon Yapp, Brione Jackson, Nick Van Vlaenderen and others, which will be released very soon…

‘In It For The Ride’ https://fb.watch/eqMCMCAGy8/
‘Nothing Could Grow There’ https://fb.watch/eqMuXg0hEm/

Also this week, I played a slot at The Lewes Inn Pub, Brighton and at The George Payne in Hove.