About

We started running live music events in 2003 at the Bull’s Head in Moseley, Birmingham. We’ve brought Scott Matthews, Smoke Fairies, Erinn, and a plethora of acts from far, far away to the ears of Birmingham. Every year we host a tent at Moseley Folk Festival. (2012 pending).

We formed in 2003 when folk was pretty uncool. Does that say something?

In 2010 we became a record label. We release music on CDs packaged in low-emission, recycled, yoghurt-weaved, cardboard, as well as keepsake objects with digital downloads. Our first release was the Ben Calvert & The Swifts single ‘Everybody Loves Lucy’. On a condom.

Ben Calvert & The Swifts debut album is available now on CD. Packaged in recycled card WeWow Wallets, there’s a nice 12 page booklet in there as well with all the words so you can sing along as you listen to the dark Wintery folk/twisted pop slice that Festive Road is. We’ve also got a few Circus Balls left with a digital download of the album. Peruse both at your leisure here-
Festive Road at Bandcamp

News
Our last event of the year on Sunday 11th December is a true treat with sets from John J Presley, Layla & The Good Lads and Ben Calvert (solo).
There’s lots in store for 2012. hunt us down on facebook for the latest.
7th November
The tour was fun. Luxury penthouse apartments in Liverpool, Mr Gallagher’s rum and never-ending-bottle of cider hospitality in Preston, a dip in the Blackpool sea at 5pm with a crowd at the end of the pier to witness it, a riotous derby day gig in Glossop, and a marathon train journey up to Kirriemuir on Saturday and back again just in time for hometown show on Sunday. Then the album released the next day.

Wednesday 19th October
Hannah and I had a lovely time in Munich. On Friday we went to the uber trendy Trachtenvogl. We woke on Saturday to a traditional Bavarian breakfast of weisswurst, pretzels and weissbeer, (courtesy of Gurdan Thomas), before drinking mead at a Munich market. Then we played a show at the charming Hausmunik. On Sunday we went to the old part of Oktoberfest. Hannah commented on the barely-hidden breasts of the women in traditional costume. I got to dance with one of the aforementioned fraulines, between downing litres of lager, and then we got a bit giddy on the chain swings. The last thing I remember was heckling the assembled Herrs who were trying to ring the bell to win a prize. Sunday brought streaming sun and the promise of fun. I’d been dying to get in the cool waters of the river Isar since seeing it on Friday. Out of respect for JJ72’s song October Swimmer Gurdan and I went swimming. In October.

We’re off on tour today. Visiting mainly northern towns we’re taking Festive Road on the road. See Live Dates for more.

The first review of Festive Road is in.

‘A stunning collection of melancholic post-folk and classic English story telling all wrapped up in a blanket of strings, organ and piano. Ben possesses a croon that brings to mind the likes of Neil Hannon (Of Divine Comedy) or Scott Walker, whilst the music ranges from sparse and stripped to near orchestral as The Swifts weave a majestic spell. Festive Road is a mesmeric, enchanting affair showcasing a master craftsman at his very best. Ben Calvert & The Swifts have delivered a true timeless masterpiece that’s just waiting to be discovered.’ Rhythm ‘N Booze

Listen and Buy Festive Road on 7cm Circus Ball here!

See you soon.
Ben.

Friday 15th July
On Saturday 9th we had an historic moment when we signed our second artist to the label. Rather than have the pomp and circumstance of a gig with invited press, champagne, finger buffet etc, we exchanged contracts on the benches outside the Hare & Hounds over a continental strength lager.

The Cribbler’s debut album Weirder Longer will be released in September on an as-yet-to-be-decided object.

Before that Ben Calvert & The Swifts single Everybody Loves Lucy gets a physical release. They’ll be with us next week for the band’s show at The Station Sessions at St Pancras Station, London on Wednesday 27th July. With the song having a rather saucy nature we thought it would be fitting to release the song on rubber rather than on vinyl. Confused? Go here to find out more…

Everybody Loves Lucy Bundle of Fun

Dates are confirmed for Ben Calvert & The Swifts Autumn Tour, and we’re adding shows on a weekly basis.
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8th May-The First Sunday Social
The first Bohemian Jukebox Sunday Social on 8th May went down a storm. By 4:30pm the newly refurbished Bull’s Head was comfortably full with an excited gathering ready for the first of many late afternoon and early evenings of Post-Folk and Alt-Folk song.

David Wilkins didn’t end up running a half marathon before hand as he had planned, but instead he exhausted himself in a social manner the night before in The Hare & Hounds and other places. Dave opened the show with his fragile 3am lullabies.

The Cribbler also arrived nursing a slightly sore head, but always a man to get the better of an affliction he put paid to the hangover by launching himself with gusto into a set of 5 or 6 new songs, including ‘Origami’ a ditty that uses the art of paper-folding as a metaphor for a difficult relationship. Him genius.

Ben Calvert and A Swift (only Hannah Lawson on the day), wove guitar, vocals and violin to sweet effect.

Headliners Layla & The Good Lads played to a capacity crowd who delighted at the pure excellence of a band playing their second ever gig.

See the Bohemian Jukebox facebook Page for a photo doc of the event.

Details of the next one at: Bohemian Jukebox Sunday Social

Gentleman’s agreements are in place for The Cribbler and Dust Motes!
There are new releases on the horizon…