Freschard and Stanley Brinks (Andre Herman Dune)

Stanley Brinks is renowned for his unique anti-folk style: both playful and suggestive, insightful and entertaining. Brinks was born in Paris, France, in 1973. He studied a bit of biology and worked as a nurse for a while. Half Swedish, half Moroccan, strongly inclined to travel the world, he soon began spending most of his life on the road and developed a strong relationship with New York. By the late 90s he’d become a full time singer-songwriter – André Herman Düne – as part of three piece indie-rock band, Herman Düne. Several albums and Peel sessions later and after a decade of touring Europe, mostly with American songwriters such as Jeffrey Lewis, Calvin Johnson and early Arcade Fire he settled in Berlin. The early carnival music of Trinidad became a passion, and in the early 21st century he became the unquestioned master of European calypso, changing his name to Stanley Brinks. Under this moniker he has recorded more than 100 albums, collaborated with the New York Antifolk scene on several occasions, recorded and toured with traditional Norwegian musicians, and played a lot with The Wave Pictures.

Freschard grew up in a farm in French Burgundy. Aged 18 she moved to Paris, where she baked pies and cakes in a cafe. There, a local musician and regular customer called Stanley Brinks wrote a few songs for her to sing. Homeless in Paris, she saved up just enough money to get herself a ticket to New York. There she found an old electric guitar and started writing her own songs. In 2004 she moved to Berlin, where she recorded her first LP, "Alien Duck". Her second album, "Click Click", recorded in 2006, features electric guitar by Stanley Brinks. On her third album, she plays the drums herself. On her fourth “Shh...” she also plays the flute. For this year’s “Boom Biddy Boom” she also plays the washboard.

Shotgun Jimmie

Shotgun Jimmie is a singer-songwriter/one-person-band based in Manitoba, Canada. He’s been touring regularly and releasing records on Toronto’s You’ve Changed Records since 2009. Jimmie cut his rock & roll teeth in the early 2000’s, as part of the seminal Canadian indie outfit Shotgun and Jaybird alongside Canadian indie darling Julie Doiron (Eric's Trip). He has appeared on recordings by John K. Samson (Weakerthans), Joel Plaskett (Thrush Hermit) and By Divine Right. His 2011 release Transistor Sister was long-listed for Canada’s Polaris Music Prize. In May 2024 Jimmie toured the UK for the first time with Mathias Kom and Ariel Sharratt from the Burning Hell. This time around, in support of his new self-titled EP, Jimmie will be accompanied by Canadian Cellist Leanne Zacharias. 

Supported by Cybill Ends

“The four part vocals are sensational – each of these Fugitives has the talent, voice and charisma to front their own band” Edmonton Sun

The Fugitives are an acoustic folk-roots group headed by songwriters Adrian Glynn and Brendan McLeod. They’re joined by banjo player Chris Suen (Viper Central) and violinist Carly Frey (The Coal Porters). Over their first five albums, they’ve amassed a JUNO nomination, numerous CFMA and WCMA nominations, and toured extensively through Canada, Europe, and the UK. Performance highlights include most major Canadian folk festivals, a slot at Glastonbury, and a tour opening for Buffy Sainte-Marie. In 2020, the band created “Ridge”, a WW1-centered theatre show, which was named a Globe & Mail “Top Arts Pick of the Year”, and has toured to over 30 theatres across Canada. The band has earned a reputation for unforgettable live shows, brimming with complex harmonies, infectious storytelling and top-notch musicianship. As the CBC has it: “This show is simply brilliant.”

THE Waiting Room has a special history with The Fugitives, who first performed here 20 years ago…

Supported by Tali Trow

Tali Trow 

After nearly 30 years of playing to audiences from local pubs to The Albert Hall, Tali has toured the world with many artists and outfits including Gemma Hayes, John Murry, Bonnie Dobson and the Coal Porters. His music has been played on BBC radio and television and as a producer, he has received critical acclaim, including a Juno nominated record in Miranda Mulholland’s ‘By Appointment or Chance.’ 

Walking a line between morose singer songwriter and tongue in cheek storyteller, his rare solo live appearances will make you laugh and cry, hopefully in the right places…

Elaine Palmer

WAITING FOR SUNDAY

WITH SMOKESTACK BOOKS

Smokestack Books has been called, “One of the most courageous little presses in Britain”. Join Smokestack Books director Andy Croft for a special Teesside launch of three recently published collections, with readings by all three authors. https://smokestack-books.co.uk/

W.N Herbert “Bubbles and seethes with wit and polysyllabic adventurousness” Bill is a Scottish poet who has lived in the North East for many years. His work is funny, moving, and energetic. He’ll be reading from Unselected Poems, which features, amongst other fantastical characters his outrageous Murder Bear.

Mark Robinson “Muscular and discursive... the great strength of his work is the straightforward human warmth it demonstrates.” Mark lives in Eaglescliffe and will launch The Infinite Town – you may know the title poem from the Stockton Flyer plinth on Stockton High Street. Mark’s new collection is playful and emotional, like his readings.

Bob Beagrie “Erudite, engaging, attuned to the pulse of the past and the voice of the people, prepare to be challenged and enthralled”

Bob is one of Teesside’s most active poets and will be reading from Eftwyrd, a new epic poem about Brother Oswin, a seventh century monk. Bob’s reading will showcase his unique language and performance skills.

Read more about the books being launched via the Buy Tickets link.

FESTIVE FILM FROLICS

Christmas time is here again and to take a breather and wind down after the big day, why not join Andrew and his archaic Super 8 film projector for an evening of eclectic delights with a festive theme. From Laurel and Hardy selling trees door to door, to unsettling Santa's selling savings bonds, to orphaned family home movies – you can be guaranteed of surprises in this laid back tribute to a bygone era of enjoying movies with friends and family on the big (ish) screen.

To make things even more special, several of the films will receive live musical accompaniment on the piano and other surprise instruments from the versatile Ben Hopkinson

Withered Hand

Edinburgh based cult-indie songwriter Withered Hand (Dan Willson) is back with his first new album in 9 years. “How To Love” was recorded with (Mogwai producer) Tony Doogan in Glasgow, the new record features guests King Creosote and Kathryn Williams (both of whom are long standing collaborators).

Withered Hand broke out of Scotland’s Fence Collective music scene in 2009 releasing his acclaimed debut album “Good News” the same year. Willson toured Europe and North America before releasing a series of lo-fi EPs and his second album “New Gods” (FortunaPop!/Slumberland Records) which was nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year 2014 and shortlisted for an AIM Award.

His music has found favour and support from national and international radio, online and leading print publications.

Artist Website: http://witheredhand.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/witheredhand

Twitter: https://twitter.com/witheredhand

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5s27vvC5dAwOxD3ifVORQw

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withered_Hand

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/witheredhand

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witheredhand