Gig Of The Week: Mostly Autumn
WHO: Mostly Autumn
WHERE: Frome Cheese And Grain Market Yard
WHEN: Saturday, June 5
After 13 years in Mostly Autumn, vocalist Heather Findlay rather shocked fans of the progressive rock band earlier this year, when she announced her decision to quit in pursuit of a solo career.
“It was a shock, as you can imagine,” admits guitarist/founder Bryan Josh. “She’s been such a crucial part of the band for so long, and contributed so much, But Heather’s a mother now, and wants to concentrate on that important part of her life, and everything’s totally amicable between all of us.”
Into her place has stepped Olivia Sparnenn, who’s been part of the band for a while, albeit somewhat in the shadows. Josh says Mostly Autumn were determined to find the right person from within.
“I liken it in a way to what happened when Peter Gabriel left Genesis, and they made Phil Collins the singer. Obviously, that was on a much higher level. But I didn’t want us to bring in an outsider. Also, there was no question of this ending. I’ve been doing this since 1989, so I was never gonna stop.
“Olivia has stood in for Heather in the past, and she was also prepared to give up her other band, Breathing Space, to fully commit to Mostly Autumn. We also have another fantastic female singer in Anne-Marie Helder, but she also plays with Panic Room, who are an excellent band.”
Right now, the Autumn – also featuring guiratist Liam Davison, bassist Andy Smith, keyboard player Iain Jennings and drummer Gavin Smith – are finishing off a run of dates. Apart from this one, there’s also:
June 3: Penzance Acorn Theatre
June 4: Exeter Phoenix Theatre
August 8: Cambridge Rock Festival
There are more shows planned for the end of the year, as they prepare to release new album Go Well Diamond Heart, due out towards the end of 2010.
“We are working on the songs right now,” says Josh. “A few ideas which involved Heather have had to be scrapped. But for the most part things are progressing as planned. Olivia’s also got involved with the writing. I believe that this change in line-up allows us to enter a new Mostly Autumn phase, to take things to a new level.
“So, far the fans have realty taken to Olivia. They know she’s not trying to replace Heather and, while I’d expect to lose a few diehard supporters, for the most part even those who come along a little sceptically are warming to her.”
Find out more at www.mostly-autumn.com
Gig of the week?? Get real…Schenker at Shepherd’s Bush tomorrow night, surely?
They are the best live act in the UK at the moment, i saw them in Bury a couple of weeks ago and saw two and half hours of great classic rock for less than £15.
The new lead singer Olivia Sparnenn is an awesome singer with real charisma.
Schenker? an old has been! i wouldn’t thank you for a free ticket.
I’ve seen Mostly Autumn and Schenker and the latter is a far better live act. He’s at the top of his game (again).
Still, each to their own!
Saw them a few years ago supporting Bryan Adams, and they were pretty poor. Completely static on stage, absolutely no passion in their performance, frankly they looked bored to be there. Not quite as bored as I was listening to them mind. So they’ll have to have improved a lot to be gig of the week I would have thought.
Mostly Autumn have a superb catalogue of albums and I have no worries about Olivia taking over from Heather (proof on classic rock free cd – “don’t turn a blind eye” by Breathing Space) and having seen her live. I was more concerned when Iain Jennings left but thankfully he is back. And to have the amazing Ann Marie Helder, well Mr Josh, you are a lucky boy!!!
I’ve seen Mostly Autumn on numerous occasions (including a classic gig at the Liquid Rooms when they played a Mostly Floyd set followed by aa Mostly Autumn set complete with projections) and am going to see them at the weekend.
I liked Heather as a ‘frontwoman’ but having seen Breathing Space earlier this year I’m quite excited by Livvy’s promotion and hope she will provide a fresh impetus. They are a bit of a throwback in terms of being a bit of a community rather than just a band and its this that I guess also has the effect of drawing me back each time they tour.
On Schenker, I was a big fan and enjoyed watching him in the 80’s with MSG and with UFO but I haven’t seen him on the latest tour, or for a few years, primarily due to his unpredictability. Also this year his recent show in my locality featured ticket prices a lot higher than MA’s.