String Theory Hawick

Well in a slight change to tradition, our visiting performers ‘The Ewan MacIntyre Band’ opened our Monday night and performed an excellent and varied set.
Difficult to categorise, The band’s performance featured excellent music, superb playing and even some sea sounds performed by both the band and the audience! The stand out for me, although brief, was when the Quartet joined together on one microphone for some excellent harmonies. With superb vocals throughout, and a frie...ndly rapport, it made a refreshing change to see something slightly different on the String Theory stage and their performance went down well with our audience.
This week our evening was brought to a close by the fantastic ‘DDPD’ – David Finnie, Deborah Lyons, Paul Templeman and Drew Gibb. As ever the familiar faces and vocals of all put on an excellent performance with a range of David’s own songs – ‘Too Hot To Hold’, ‘Say Nothing’ and ‘Lonely Cloud’ to name just a few, and a few familiar covers in ‘Peter Pumpkinhead’, ‘Cruel to be Kind’ and a super version of ‘Wish you Were Here’.
Drew swapped his keyboard this week for an excellent guitar performance of ‘No Win Situation’ and with the blending of voices, and the musical talent, it was great to watch from start to finish.
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A rare treat in store tonight (Monday April 22nd) with a visit from international, genre-defying former Southern Tenant Folk Union fromtman Ewan McIntyre and his band.
An international music project, pushing the boundaries of contemporary folk. Live they are a dynamic quartet of cello, fiddle, guitar and upright bass, sonically compared to the likes of Jeff Buckley, Van Morrison and Goat Rodeo Sessions. Led by puppeteer, musician and ex-lead singer songwriter of the award-win...ning Edinburgh collective Southern Tenant Folk Union. Ewan Macintyre, has a rare ability to pen songs in a range of styles creating a project filled with rich string arrangements and reflective lyrics fueled by hitch hiking and self discovery. New album Road Junkie is a genre smashing roots music monster and exciting collaboration between Scotland, and Quebec.
Together with his band from Canada and Scotland, Ewan Macintyre weaves his own blend of folk pop traditions. Hailed as “a welcome moment in the future of Scottish music”(mumble music @ Celtic Connections 2016), live shows feature beautiful string arrangements, ripping solos, soaring harmonies and heartfelt lyrical content.
Ewan has been a self employed artist since the age of 19, working primarily as a musician, puppeteer, puppet- maker, sculptor and builder. As a musician and composer Ewan has worked in theatre, film and with solo and band projects. In 2015 he released his first solo album “You Probably Look Better Naked Anyway” which was rated #3 in the Canadian National Folk Roots Charts. With his international band of musicians Ewan has spent the last 2 years extensively touring across Canada and Europe.
Between 2010 to 2013 Ewan performed with Edinburgh collective “the Southern Tenant Folk Union”, with whom he performed on national Irish T.V. (Late Late Show 2013, The View 2010). He toured 3 albums with the band across the UK and Ireland, received stellar national press and in 2011 they received Americana Artist of the Year award. In theatre Ewan has created music for artificial reality show “Dragon Matrix” (2015-2017) and worked on “In Her Shadows” directed by Cora Bisset. In 2014 he created music for “Embrace” and “My City” and before that worked on numerous childrens theatre shows, “The Gift”, “Lost Sock Princess”, “Faerie Stories”.
Also appreaing will be local favourites Dave Finnie & Drew Gibb (AKA "Double D")
As always, music starts 7:30pm prompt, and admission is amazingly free.
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Well it’s been a long time since we had 4 performers on one night so it was ‘On with the show’ last night as we listened to a quartet of very unique performances.
Durango Blue are no strangers to us in Hawick and they opened the night with the familiar songs (Such as See you Home and Go with the Flow) and a couple of new songs that have been added to their repertoire. It will be nice to hear the duo as the new songs develop and more are added to the mix!
Two shorter middle sl...ots were filled by new to Hawick John Harvey and a lone Scribe in Kevin Wilson. Both put on short but well performed sets and in Kev’s performance especially, gave the audience the opportunity to join in with some familiar songs such as Rose Cottage, Nod if you can hear me, Waterville Road and the beautiful ‘Easily Startled’.
Robert Lane hasn’t played in Hawick since 2016 and it was a well deserved return. Opening the performance with upbeat and catchy track ‘One of Those Guys’ there was ample opportunity throughout for audience participation – Which some got more involved in than others! However, that didn’t take away from Robert’s strong vocal performance and charismatic stage presence. With many of the songs being introduced with a story, it would be fair to say that ‘Teardrop Tattoo’ had a powerful message – (It’s all about a man who went out to kill the first person he saw). Other songs within the 13-song set included ‘Wilful Independent’, ‘Who Do You Think You’re Talking For?’ and a nice rendition of ‘Two Little Birds’.
Closing the encore performance with another upbeat and catchy track ‘You Want It Both Ways’ was a good move and brought the night to an energetic finish.
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Special guest at String Theory tonight (Monday 12th), is Robert Lane, making his second appearance since his debut back in 2015.
Robert Lane is a musician, songwriter, actor, guitar tutor and workshop leader based in the UK. He released Only a Flight Away in April 2018, his third record following his self-titled debut album and his 2016 extended EP Ends and Starts. As an actor he works in theatre and film and is a founding member of short form comedy improvisation group The I...mprolectuals. Robert has delivered workshops on topics including songwriting and comedy improvisation in various establishments including schools and colleges and provides regular music and drama sessions for Midland Mencap. As a guitar teacher he works with students of all ages and abilities.
Fatea Magazine have described Only a Flight Away as “an outstanding release…one of the first essential albums of 2018" and the album has been album of the week or featured album on several radio shows including Along The Tracks, Roger William's World of Difference, Gary Hazlehurst's Folk Show, Magpie's Folk Cafe and Liz Franklin's Eden Folk Show.
"‘Far Too Busy’ has one of the best opening couplets I’ve heard in years...This is a bloody good record." Folking.com
"a marked increase in confidence and prowess" The Mike Davies Column
"his momentum is building and his playing skills are very strong... an interesting release that enhances a growing reputation as Robert Lane continues to hone his signature sound." Lonesome Highway
"Impressive in its scope, ONLY A FLIGHT AWAY is almost a compendium of styles...bluesy Baby Knows could not be more different from Hoping for Anything (But You), yet they're both distinctly Robert Lane through and through." Northern Sky Magazine.
Also appearing will be Humble Scribe Kevin Wilson and originally from Manchester and now resident in Hawick singer-songwriter John Harvey
As always music starts 7:30pm prompt and admission is amazingly free
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Coming to String Theory on May 20th, two legends of the Los Angeles music scene, Grammy-nominated Peter Case, and Long Ryders/Cole Porters frontman Sid Griffin
One of the most well-respected singer/songwriters of his generation, Peter Case is an artist whose eclectic body of work embraces rock & roll, contemporary folk, blues, and a number of points in between. As a songwriter, Case has shown himself to be a master storyteller with a special understanding of underdogs and los...
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A slightly different night at last night's String Theory - and probably a first too, with both artistes performing instrumental sets.
Both high in quality and featuring excellent skill in both halves of the night, both Isaac Sutherland and David MacGregor put on a fantastic night for our audience and it made for a refreshing change!

Something a little different tomorrow night when String Theory welcomes internationally-acclaimed Jazz guitarist David McGregor
David MacGregor is a Scottish composer and guitarist specialised in the genre of World Jazz and a master of on spot improvisation. His career consists of travelling the world performing solo concerts and collaborating with world-renowned artists.
In 2004, he started his international career and he has now written and performed his own specialised to...uring projects all over North American, Latin America and Europe. His unique style is a combination of the many music genres and sounds that he has discovered throughout his travels.
‘Improvised Journey’ is one of David's most inspiring performances in which he takes the audience on a journey around the world with sound. He uses FingerStyle technique to create the impression of an entire band with only one guitar playing bass lines, chords and melodies all at the same time. During the show he will play a mixture of original compositions and arrangements of world-renowned songs, as well as telling the stories behind the music. Listen to jazz the way you have never heard it before! How many guitars can you hear? How many genres do you identify in each song?
“Fabulous evening with a wonderful mix of music and styles.
“Bloody OUTSTANDING technique"
"Charming personality, presentation, voice and stories"
"It's good to see someone with real passion and experience just playing his heart out"
“A superb artist. Excellent presentation - Serious & humorous”
Also appearing is the excellent Isaac Sutherland, originally from Thurso, and now resident in Hawick, who hugely impressed the crowd with his String Theory debut a couple of weeks ago
As usual, music starts 7:30pm prompt and admission is amazingly, free!
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David Finnie is well known to everyone at String Theory as one half of the team who run our fantastic Monday nights of music, but tonight it was his turn to open the night with his trusty guitar and a set of predominantly his own self-penned songs. Getting the night off to an excellent start and performing every song with meaning and excellent guitar playing, our audience enjoyed familiar songs such as Say Nothing, Jealous Telescope, Lonely Cloud, and many more giving the ‘S...tring Theory Choir’ ample opportunity to show that they were in fine voice. In a slight variation from his normal repertoire, David’s set also included a cover of the Radiohead song ‘Black Star‘.
Jenny Biddle is one of those performers where once you start listening, watching, and enjoying, you don’t want to stop! Accompanied by her trusty guitar last night, Jenny entertained the audience with a fantastic array of songs from a number of her albums. It was nice to hear some songs not heard in a while such as ‘Big Bad World’ and ‘Across the Nullabor’ as well as the more familiar ‘Hindsight’ and an excellent Tracy Chapman cover of ‘Fast Car’, all meaning the room was soon filled with Jenny’s excellent vocals. ‘Caledonia’ was also performed excellently and is a fantastic version of the song.
Jenny’s songs often come with a story and that is definitely the case with her song ‘Hero In Me’ – made even more poignant with the addition of a new verse after 62% of her beloved Australia made her ‘dreams come true’; sung from the heart it always makes for a great addition to the set.
Don’t forget that we’re on every Monday night – Free entry, and always a great night of live music!
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Our special guest is String Theory favourite Jenny Biddle. Jenny needs little introduction to the regular Monday night crowd, but for those not familiar with her work, check this out........
Jenny’s Story
With SIX albums under her belt and an iTunes chart-topping single, indie folk/blues songsmith, Jenny Biddle, wraps herself around her guitar, and like a marriage between body and instrument, she commands the guitar to talk “with uncommon skill and absolute self-assurance” (S...
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After impressing the audience at his debut Hawick gig on Friday with a predominantly instrumental set, Isaac Sutherland started off our Monday night, accompanied by his guitar, performing an excellent array of songs, with a mix of his own and his late Father’s songs; both lyrical and instrumental, that went down well with our audience. Hopefully this is the start of Isaac becoming a regular to the glass floor/stage.
Jed Grimes’ reputation and popularity speaks for itself and ...it was great to see him returning to Hawick, His powerful vocals evident right from the off! There were plenty of opportunities for audience participation as Jed portrayed excellent stage presence and performed tracks such as ‘Fish in Whistle’ and ‘Crow on the Cradle’ as well as many more.
The Finale song of ‘Tally I Oh the Grinder’ was a jolly one to end on and also got people involved and left everyone in a good mood for heading home after a fantastic double bill of live music and excellent talent! Hopefully it won’t be too long before Jed returns to Hawick!
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Another great feast of acoustic music at String Theory on Monday March 25th with the return of Geordie Troubadour Jed Grimes.
Jed Grimes' track record as an innovator in the field of roots and folk music dates from his early days in the much loved 70s folk-rock band Hedgehog Pie. Since then he has earned Nominations at the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards for his arrangements for the Northumbria Anthology, and his 6-piece folk/jazz/rock outfit The Hush, featuring Bob Fox: he has re...leased three widely acclaimed solo CD albums, and continues to tour the festivals, folk/roots clubs and arts centres of UK and Europe, where his powerful vocal style and rich, often flamboyant guitar style, allied to a ready Geordie wit, excite and entertain audiences numbering from 50 to 25,000 with equal flair.
"Brings folk music into the 21st century!"
BBC Radio Two Folk Website
Superlative, intricate string virtuosity...aural magic! fatea-records.co.uk
"
Couple a timberous voice that has a richness and depth which you love almost from the first note to the warmth of his playing (acoustic guitar, lap steel and bouzouki). 
Add in a sprinkle of sensitive, thoughtful and restrained arrangements...sheer inventiveness." Northern Sky Magazine
And making his debut String Theory appeance will be Isaac Sutherland, originaly from Thurso, and now resident in Hawick.
As usual, music starts 7:30pm prompt and admission is amazingly free!
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You wonderful, not to be missed!

You heard it here first: "String Theory is a No Brainer!" Starting Sept 22nd, Mondays, Heart of Hawick.

Went last night for the first time and was blown away fantastic absolutely amazing.

Well done guys a fantastic nights entertainment.

There's not enough stars to give you the rating you deserve, well impressed.

Keep up the good work

Superb range of artists, a real labour of love. Highly recommended whether in the café (free) or in the auditorium (still a great value for money at a tenner)

Hello from Hungrytown! We are looking forward to performing at String Theory Hawick in April 2017! Have heard great things about your club from our friends Pia and Joni, aka Vellamo.

Had a great time tonight, great sound, great audience, and a lovely venue, wish I'd been before, and hope I get the chance to come again. Thank to everyone there.

Great for the town. Delighted to help out any time. Well done

Great events - lovely atmosphere with audiences that really appreciate good live musicianship. Keeping it live and free! Great venue

Brilliant night with top players, Will definetly be back