- WEBMASTER: info@tommansi.com
- LABEL: info@kartelcreative.co.uk
- MANAGEMENT: charles@kartelcreative.co.uk
- BOOKINGS: sinan@elasticartists.net
Hello folks,
here are a couple of reviews that we wanted to share with you:
SUBBA CULTURE album review Alternative country flirts with the dark side of it’s soul embraces rockabilly whilst channelling the spirits of Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen… You know those nervous in-between seconds ticking away moments when you get shivers down your spine, when the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end and time seems to stand still, and anything and everything around you seemingly freezes for a moment, creating an illusion of perfection and beauty? Those rare, fragile adrenaline filled picture postcard images that are rarer than decent cup of coffee at a Motorway Service Station? Yeah, you know what I’m talking about. The feeling that most of us would rather overdose on than make love with a supermodel. Well, that feeling can become a permanent part of your life, just like it has now become a constant part of mine. All you need is ‘Love On The Rails’ (imagine Tom Waits playing Alt. Conutry tinged rock-a-billy songs that were written by Nick Cave and you’ll start to understand why this record is so darn good) on infinite repeat in your CD player. I could use a thousand different superlatives, or claim a hundred different things about this record, but at the end of the day, all you need to know is how it makes you feel when you listen to it and it makes you feel alive, like every nerve is tingling and every neuron is firing, and by God, it’s an addictive, need more and more feeling, a constant high that you can never have enough of. Excuse me, I need another fix… By: Tim Mass Movement.
BLUES IN LONDON REVIEW: by David AtkinsonNext up were Tom Mansi and the Icebreakers. Their EP Holly is definitely worth checking out ahead of their Love On The Rails album release in April. Having finally got round to seeing them live, I am kicking myself that I didn't do so sooner. They are superb. Pretty much all advocates of the bull fiddle are alright with me and Tom certainly inhabits the cool end of the spectrum of singing bassists (You're aware of the scale, I take it? At one end is a shirtless Sting and at the other drug-addled Rick Danko; not cool and cool, respectively - What about that bloke from Level 42? - Ed) In fact, Tom Mansi's bass is so prominent on stage that it is effectively another member of the band, and it highlights his skill as a musician and as a frontman - someone with less presence would be lost behind it, but here it works as a interesting focal point.
Their songs are superbly crafted, catchy and dark. Some of them gallop along so fast - propelled by James Johnston’s fantastic drumming and Paul “the Iceman” White’s sharp, reverb-soaked guitar - that there is barely time to catch a breath. The Small Change-era Waits vocal inflection is less prominent live than on their recorded work and their sound is, to my ears at least, better for it. It was a thrilling set and I'll be seeing them again. I urge you to make their next gigs.
LIVE REVIEW: St. Moritz on 21 March "I stumbled across Tom Mansi last year when reviewing the wonderful single ‘Can’t Take It When You Go’. Since then things have been fairly quiet from the Kartel-signed quartet, until last week, which produced two items of Mansi-related goodness. Monday the 19th saw the release of the mini-album ‘Holly’, and Wednesday night saw Mansi and his cohorts The Icebreakers playing in the extremely snug confines of the St. Moritz. The first thing to make an impression is Mansi’s low, rumbling growl of a voice. Admittedly, you don’t really need lungs like Shirley Bassey to make yourself heard in the St.Moritz, a venue the size of a hobbit’s downstairs toilet, but Mansi’s has more than enough character, and oomph when needs be, to fill the largest venues around. At its quietest, it conjures up images of whispered confessionals, over tumblers of whisky in smoky jazz clubs. If that’s all too flowery for you, then I’ll just say it’s simply one of the most distinctive voices you’ll hear in a while. What’s more, Mansi had bundles of charisma and charm onstage, coming across like he was born in one of those smoky jazz clubs and has been performing there ever since. The music was a real mix of blues, jazz and country, with some funk and even rock thrown in. It’s a testament to the musicians that this never sounded forced or out of place. They’re all well grounded in each of these musical traditions, so when the music went from the country/skiffle rhythms of ‘Love On The Rails’, to the funky drumming-led ‘Big Bad Wolf’ to the jazzy ‘Heartbreak Hooligan’, it never jolted you out of the set. If it all sounds like it could be too much for you, then nothing could be further from the reality. This was one of the most involving gigs I’ve seen in a while and Mansi, along with his incredibly accomplished band, is a definite talent. Now please, not so long till the next release please fellas."
SINGLE REVIEW 'Can't Take It When You Go' An interesting blend of blues, jazz and folk, and a remarkably simple melody, the debut from Tom Mansi & The Icebreakers is largely unassuming. The classical guitars are painstakingly delicate, and while Mansi's deep and raspy voice seems quite out of place in a song so straightforward, 'Can't Take It When You Go' puts over a great sense of sincerity and heart-felt emotion. Cat Stevens too was unassuming; it's an underestimated characteristic. Noting the vocals, "Nothing went wrong - I'm just gone, I'm just gone yeah, I'm just gone", there isn't much going on, but there needn't be. The flip-side 'Fire in My Eyes' is a complete contrast. If the White Stripes thought they knew the meaning of the word 'stripped down' they may need to think again. The vocal chants of 'ooo's and 'ahh's thump at the primitive rhythm with impulsive power, the unreformed guitars and wooden percussion suggesting this track was not merely written, but just erupted out of a jungle volcano somewhere. The edginess is truly impressive. Someone could be killed to the sound of this. Be wary… The single is out on 10th July 2006 on limited edition 7" vinyl 8/10 Jamie Curtis
Hi folks
Thanks to everyone who cam out to the Newcastle and Edinburgh shows last week. Just wanted to let you all know that our FREE download (as advertised on the FREE poster) will be available from the website and myspace toward the end of the weeks.
Thanks for listening
Tom Mansi & the Icebreakers
look out for the track sweet candy at the shows!!
It’s been a busy week for the team as we trek across Scotland and the northeast making friend and hopefully getting the icebreaker message out. A big thanks to all of the people who spend their cash on the support bands cd (us) we really love you guys, for real.
The tour so far has been great, though the whole road team and the band got food poisoning from a dodgy Moroccan buffet.
This week I have lent so valuable lessons (many about eating on the road):
In Cumbria you can “honk for boobs”, though to probably will get a flash of something reminiscent of nail bags.
Never ask son of Dave about the “prawn joke” when eating a meal.
Always shake and listen to the peppermill.
Stay away from middle age Glasgow men on pills, they claim to be small fish.
People love free posters, pick up ours at the next show.
But most importantly
NEVER EAT SHEDDED MEAT!
Tom
p.s this is a glowing review from last week, enjoy
Next up were Tom Mansi and the Icebreakers. Their EP Holly is definitely worth checking out ahead of their Love On The Rails album release in April. Having finally got round to seeing them live, I am kicking myself that I didn't do so sooner. They are superb. Pretty much all advocates of the bull fiddle are alright with me and Tom certainly inhabits the cool end of the spectrum of singing bassists (You're aware of the scale, I take it? At one end is a shirtless Sting and at the other drug-addled Rick Danko; not cool and cool, respectively - What about that bloke from Level 42? - Ed) In fact, Tom Mansi's bass is so prominent on stage that it is effectively another member of the band, and it highlights his skill as a musician and as a frontman - someone with less presence would be lost behind it, but here it works as a interesting focal point.
Their songs are superbly crafted, catchy and dark. Some of them gallop along so fast - propelled by James Johnston’s fantastic drumming and Paul “the Iceman” White’s sharp, reverb-soaked guitar - that there is barely time to catch a breath. The Small Change-era Waits vocal inflection is less prominent live than on their recorded work and their sound is, to my ears at least, better for it. It was a thrilling set and I'll be seeing them again. I urge you to make their next gigs.
Hey to all,
Thanks to all you Londoners who came down to last nights gig at
Madame Jo Jo's, Hey Negrita and Son of Dave were both excellent. We
just wanted to send a reminder to everyone else that we're looking
forward to stumbling down the highway with the mighty Son of Dave
next week, a good pal and label mate. We're going to keep it low down
but keep the jinx high.
We’ll be starting in Newcastle, a second home for me over the past 18
months, hooking up with a lot of mates, its going to busy, if your
reading this and thinking of coming pre-booking tickets is a must if
its not sold out already. The gig is at The Cluny, a hip joint in my
opinion.
We’ll hopefully be bringing our new vinyl single, Who Dunnit
(forthcoming on Kartel) with us, look out for the 3 single special
offer. More to be announced so watch this space.
Happy New Year to you! We're here to help you shake off that early January feeling.
We advise that by booking your ticket for a right old rip roaring party at Scala in early Feb, you will definitely distract from those feelings of anxiety that are unavoidable after what seemed like a long holiday!
Yes, we are treating you to an evening of the very finest music you could desire. So, That's SCALA, KING'S CROSS, THURSDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 2008, DOORS 7PM, BE PROMPT SHOW STARTS 7.15pm...
this is our first big gig of 2008, we're playing along side,
Spokinn Movement - coming all the way from NYC for their first UK tour, they are one of the finest Live Hip-Hop acts we have ever had the pleasure of grooving to! Check 'em out at www.myspace.com/spokinnmovement
Of course the very very BIG STRIDES - Their last album 'Cry It All Out' is released in Central Europe end of January and then the mayhem over that way will begin! Since their last show in London they have been to do tours and promote the album in Japan and Canada. Had their tunes played extensively on U.S Radio and very recently appeared on German Radio and TV whilst promoting the forthcoming release over there.
It is the very wisest purchase you could make. Here is the place to get tickets from. We would urge you to buy them now, as we have already sold 400 tickets so, it is selling fast! Hit this link to get involved: -
www.ticketweb.co.uk
See you there for the first amazing party of the year!
The band managed to play to full house on Monday in Kings Cross as the performance was filmed and recorded for a release on a later date (watch this space).
Big thanks to all of you, you know who you are, for support and help, it was a great night and the band played new material for the first time to a cool crowd.
Rock an Roll on a Monday night, who'd have thought it.
Tom
'Holly' is the first single to be taken from the forthcoming debut album from Tom Mansi & The Icebreakers, 'Love On The Rails', due out on Kartel in February 2008.
Our new single has been voted record of the week on BBC Radio 2 Mark Radcliffe & Stuart Maconie show. Many thanks to all those who voted for us.
"I stumbled across Tom Mansi last year when reviewing the wonderful single ‘Can’t Take It When You Go’. Since then things have been fairly quiet from the Kartel-signed quartet, until last week, which produced two items of Mansi-related goodness. Monday the 19th saw the release of the mini-album ‘Holly’, and Wednesday night saw Mansi and his cohorts The Icebreakers playing in the extremely snug confines of the St. Moritz.
The first thing to make an impression is Mansi’s low, rumbling growl of a voice. Admittedly, you don’t really need lungs like Shirley Bassey to make yourself heard in the St.Moritz, a venue the size of a hobbit’s downstairs toilet, but Mansi’s has more than enough character, and oomph when needs be, to fill the largest venues around. At its quietest, it conjures up images of whispered confessionals, over tumblers of whisky in smoky jazz clubs. If that’s all too flowery for you, then I’ll just say it’s simply one of the most distinctive voices you’ll hear in a while. What’s more, Mansi had bundles of charisma and charm onstage, coming across like he was born in one of those smoky jazz clubs and has been performing there ever since.
The music was a real mix of blues, jazz and country, with some funk and even rock thrown in. It’s a testament to the musicians that this never sounded forced or out of place. They’re all well grounded in each of these musical traditions, so when the music went from the country/skiffle rhythms of ‘Love On The Rails’, to the funky drumming-led ‘Big Bad Wolf’ to the jazzy ‘Heartbreak Hooligan’, it never jolted you out of the set. If it all sounds like it could be too much for you, then nothing could be further from the reality.
This was one of the most involving gigs I’ve seen in a while and Mansi, along with his incredibly accomplished band, is a definite talent. Now please, not so long till the next release please fellas."