James Yorkston and The Athletes

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we’ve had to cancel the gigs that were listed here. But the discussion about chords continues in the comments below…

The December 21st JY & The Athletes show at the Luminaire has SOLD OUT which is exciting.

To celebrate, we’ve added another show, on Dec 20th, at The Luminaire. I’ll be playing this other show solo. The special guest on both nights will be Kathryn Williams.

Now, mind the 21st is Fancy Dress? Well, the 20th isn’t.

www.ticketweb.co.uk
08444 771000
www.seetickets.com
0870 264 3333

21st - FANCY DRESS – PRIZE FOR BEST COSTUME - with Domino Records and Eat Your Own Ears goodies.

Additionally, James will be making up special compilation CDs and the first 25 punters to arrive in Fancy Dress will receive an EXCLUSIVE JAMES YORKSTON chosen CDr compilation!

And a wee Irish tour with Adro Crowley & Alasdair Roberts:

Crane Lane, Cork – Wed Dec 2nd Doors 8pm, tickets €15 from www.tickets.ie & Plug’d Records
Cleere’s, Kilkenny – Thurs Dec 3rd Doors 8pm, tickets €15 from www.tickets.ie
Kelly’s, Galway – Fri Dec 4th Doors 8pm, tickets €10, €12 on door
The Black Box, Belfast – Sat Dec 5th Doors 8pm, tickets £9 from www.blackboxbelfast.com

And finally a show in Limerick on Sunday Dec 6th -With Donal Dineen & Katie Kim. Daghdha Space, St John’s Church, John’s Square, Limerick. More details here

Hello,

So, the first single from the Folk Songs album will be a 7″ of Martinmas Time, backed by a non album track - Nottanum Town.

This is a limited edition of 300. Each with individual hand made sleeves. Gulp. I’ve asked some of my Fife pals to help, as has Mr Green of The Big Eyes Family Players. So - you may get a cover that my gran has made - or one KC has made. Or me. Orr My Dog.

If you’re interested in ordering this wee beastie - www.dominorecordco.com/uk/singles/01-06-09/martinmas-time/

Now, we’re just back from recording the bonus disc for the Folk Songs album. There’s a preview Below. It can be ordered here: www.dominorecordco.com/artists/james-yorkston–the-big-eyes-family-players

Hello all,
After that last lot, here comes another lot. All the shows from Perth to Kendal are with Lisa Knapp and are a Tune-Up tour, funded by the Scottish Arts Council. Unless noted, all shows are solo. Where it says band - that’s Reuben, Doogie & Sarah from the Athletes, plus Emma for Homegame and London.

Hello,

Some Irish shows, all with special guest Adrian Crowley:

January 22nd - Dublin Crawdaddy

January 23rd - Belfast Speakeasy

January 24rd - Galway Roisin Dubh

January 25th - Cork Cypress Avenue

And some other shows -

January 31st – Glasgow Celtic Connections.

February 1st – Brussels, Belgium AB

February 2nd – Oslo, Norway Blå

February 4th – Stockholm, Sweden Strand

February 5th – Gothenburg, Sweden Pustervik

February 13th – Vevey, Switzerland - Rocking Chair

February 14th – St. Galen, Switzerland - Palace

Good stuff. See you there. All these shows will be solo, except Glasgow which is *Full Band*

JY

Hello all,

As it says, really. I’ll be performing Tortoise Regrets Hare alongside my buddies Kenny Creosote, Rozi Plain & Johnny Pictish on BBC2s Culture Show - Friday evening, around 11:30pm. I think you can watch it again later, also with the BBC iPlayer thing. We also do a Pictish Trail number and a wee interview. Plus, we got some of Grommit’s cake.
Cheers,

JY

Hello,

On December 17th, I’ll be playing a Christmas show at the Luminaire, Kilburn. This will be solo, as opposed to the show on December 11th at St Giles, which is with full band. The December 17th show will have some special guests - including Alasdair Roberts, plus a couple of bozos who live near my house. The December 11th show has Malcolm Middleton - who I think you’ll agree is a pretty special guest himself. So. Two London shows. What credit crunch? Hmm… Links -

December 11th - Click Here - Last few tickets…
December 17th - Click Here

If you come to them both, your reward will be in heaven.

Maybe.
Cheers,

JY

Now, back in the day, I guess around 2000 - 2001, I released records through the Fence Records shop in St. Andrews, where they stocked a CDr of mine, under the title J.Wright Presents.This CDr had many demos of the hits that went onto make Moving Up Country, including the eventual used versions of Tender To The Blues, Sweet Jesus & St. Patrick. So, why mention this now? Well, Fence Records, in their wisdom, have decided to re-issue one of the tracks - ‘I Spy Dogs’ - on a double 7″ single, alongside a similarly early King Creosote cut ‘Something Beginning With D…’ It’s on sale now, strictly limited to 500. If you’re interested and quick, click here.

Hello,

The new album, When The Haar Rolls In, is due for release on Domino Records 1st September 2008.

The Limited Edition Box Set Can Be Ordered Now - Here

When The Haar Rolls In can be previewed and downloaded - Here

Just a CD? - Here

To read some reviews, click - Here
Here’s some info from Domino:

“For me, listening to James Yorkston’s music is like coming across the interesting-looking person on the fringes of a party. Before you know it, you’ve spent the evening listening to their compelling tale. In this record, I get a real sense that he has found his true voice. There’s a quiet confidence in his craft; his singing, the words and instrumentation, all blend seamlessly to produce a really affecting record.” - Philip Selway, Radiohead

With the understated power of a gentle giant, James Yorkston returns with his 4th studio album. When the Haar Rolls In is out on the 1st of September and proves once again why he is one of the most essential songwriters of our time.Returning with his trusty Athletes, along with some legendary English folk names - Norma Waterson, Mike Waterson, Marry Gilhooly, Olly Knight, there is much to mine for Yorkston fans of old and new, all the ambition, beauty and pathos of his previous albums is sweeping through with the soothing, lush arrangements of all sorts: the timpani, clarinets, violins, vibraphone, concertinas, bull bass, prepared pianos, mandolins, bouzoukis, banjos and wine glasses.”What is’ Haar?” you may ask. It’s the sea fog that rolls in off the North Sea. Mist. It’s pretty common up in the East Neuk of Fife and plays havoc with drying the washing, apparently. There are more celebrations of human frailty and tales of waking up drunk in unfamiliar surroundings, throwing rocks at magpies, dogs chasing ghosts, stubborn sea winds, regrets and joys and smiles and peace and quiet and love and hate and more love. Better than that though, it’s a beautiful, honest album.And for the obsessive James Yorkston fans amongst us; there something very special indeed, we have 1000 limited When the Haar Rolls In Deluxe Box Sets including:- CD edition of When the Haar Rolls In and double 10″ vinyl Long Player of When the Haar Rolls In which will include an extra track
- CD of James Yorkston songs covered by Archie Bronson Outfit, King Creosote, U.N.P.O.C and others
- CD of James Yorkston remixes including the rare Four Tet remix of ‘The Lang Toun’
- Exclusive James Yorkston Pin Badge
- Exclusive James Yorkston Canvas Bag… Not only this; one of the 1000 box sets will have a Golden Ticket which will grant one very lucky fan their very own James Yorkston composition written just for them and, if within reasonable distance, James has agreed to perform the song live at their home town.

I’ll keep things up to date as they come in. In the meantime, see below for London & Edinburgh shows.

All the best,

JY

All the below shows are solo except London & Edinburgh.

Saturday 30th August: Dublin: Electric Picnic : Not actually in Dublin.

Wednesday 17th September: Edinburgh: The Caves - with Pictish Trail, Rozi Plain and special guest Malcolm Middleton. Tickets and info here

Monday 17th November: Manchester: Night & Day : with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain

Tuesday 18th November: York: Fibbers : with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain
Wednesday 19th November: Southampton : Joiners : with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain
Thursday 20th November: Bristol: Louisiana with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain
Friday 21st November: Oxford: Bullingdon Arms : with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain
Saturday 22nd November: Aldershot: West End Centre : with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain
Monday 24th November: Swindon: Vic : with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain
Tuesday 25th November: Derby: Royal : with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain
Wednesday 26th November: Newcastle: Sage : with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain
Thursday 27th November: Aberdeen: Carmelite Hotel : without Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain
Saturday 29th November: Glasgow: Stereo : with Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain

Thursday 11th December: London: St. Giles Church - With Special Guest Malcolm Middleton. Tickets and info here