New Microphones

So many acoustic artists and bands have been booking the VIP Lounge that it was decided to purchase two Neumann KM184’s so that we can now mic an acoustic guitar in stereo if need be. The mics give a clear, crisp, solid sound. They also work great on drum overheads and flute.

The Odd Folk debut album

Formally known as the “Sam Brookes Quartet”, this Bristol-Penzance based three piece recently recorded their debut album “The Sweet Release” at the VIP Lounge. The band consists of Morgan Val Baker on lead vocals and nylon string guitar, Sam Brookes on lead guitar and Shelly Macphail on keyboards and backing vocals.

Having launched their album at the Acorn Theatre in Penzance in July, tracks from it have been played on commercial radio and invites to play at festivals have been flooding in.

Ten tracks of charming country- and pop-tinged folk.

Click here to see a video for “Fred”, one of the songs on the album.

Strikesound Strikes Back

Strikesound are a 14 piece male voice choir based in Cornwall. When Jeanette Eathorne, their musical director approached the VIP Lounge with a view to recording an album, her request presented us with a logistical problem. How were we going to accommodate so many singers? The answer was a collaboration with the Acorn Theatre, just over the road. With the help of resident engineer, Steve Warhurst, the choir, accompanied by Margaret Bilkey on piano, assembled on the Acorn’s main stage and were mic’d up and recorded live. The files were then taken to the VIP Lounge where the album was mixed.

The album consists of 19 songs ranging from traditional songs of Cornwall to sea shanties to popular modern songs from the charts and shows.

The group has a constant schedule working in hotels, village halls, churches and chapels around Cornwall.

To find out more about the choir and to listen to a song click here