Super strumming songstress Ellen (from Ellen and the Escapades) has a new monthly acoustic night in Leeds, with great music, beer and pizza to boot. Wendy Denman guzzled a local brew, grabbed a front row seat and listened carefully to find out more.
The Saturday Session? What fresh piece of heaven is this please Ellen?!
Well, I’ve kind of been wanting to set up some sort of really chilled out acoustic/bluesy gig night for quite a while, and I’ve not managed to get around before now- been so busy with The Escapades and stuff. There are a handful of acoustic nights in Leeds, but they’re not on a Saturday night… We’ve got a really cool venue for it too in 26 Aire Street– they do really nice cocktails and freshly baked pizzas, we really want people to come and make a night of it and look around the gallery too. Not only that, but we’re teaming up with some different breweries who are letting us give away a free beer on entry- first up are Revolutions Brewery who made my band’s ‘Escapale’. And if you’re not a beer fan, you can have a Rekorderlig cider! What more could you want?
Do you think Leeds is a good city for supporting live music?
Definitely! There’s always loads going on, and some really great promoters. Always good stuff on at Oporto, through Dead Young and Communion Leeds… and I believe we have the best venue there is with The Brudenell Social Club. Nathan gets some great acts coming through and it has an amazing atmosphere. I love it there.
What does Saturday taste like?
Freshly baked pizzas and free beer and cider… topped off with some amazing live music!
Would you rather have a voice that sounded like Orville and your looks, or the looks of Jeanette Krankie and your voice?
Haha, that’s tough. Both outcomes would be quite terrifying! But I guess, given that I’m the lead singer of a band, I’d probably prefer to keep my voice. Maybe I could just wear a mask.
Can you fit into very small spaces, and if so, what is the smallest?
Yeah, I can fit in to loads of very small spaces. I’m good friends with a little acorn bear and sometimes I like to visit him in his match box.
What song are you thinking about RIGHT NOW?
Right now I’m thinking of Chinese Translation by M.Ward… I love that song. The video is great too, check it out:
The Escapades, Rollerblades or Buckets and Spades?
The Escapades of course… building sand castles.
*****
The first event is on Saturday 20th October from 8pm at 26 Aire Street
Twitter @TheSaturdaySesh
www.facebook.com/TheSaturdaySession
For any further enquiries or band submissions, email: ellenpresentstss@googlemail.com