Richard Hawley

Canadian siblings Ruth and Gabriel Minnikin are teaming up for a UK tour this summer as The Minnikins. We welcome them to The Grapes on Sunday August 10th. Support for the evening comes from local singer/songwriter Damian Sackett. Advance tickets priced at £5 are available from Jacks Records (http://www.jacksrecords.free-online.co.uk/), http://www.seetickets.com and http://www.wagonwheelmedia.co.uk. Doors open at 8pm.

***THE MINNIKINS***

Hailing from the faraway land of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ruth and Gabriel Minnikin are former members of the late great Guthries (http://www.myspace.com/theguthries). The alt-country/americana band achieved notable success while signed to Haysale Records in Canada & Circus 65 in the UK. They toured and shared stages with many great acts, Garth Hudson, Calexico, & The Handsome Family to name a few. The Guthries went their seperate ways in 2003, and Gabriel relocated to Manchester. He's currently working on his third and fourth solo albums as well as being a noted producer, his credits including Ruth's most recently released record 'Folk Art'.

Ruth is all set to release her new album 'Depend On This' next February under the name 'Ruth Minnikin and her Bandwagon'. A testament to the high demand for Ruth’s unique voice has found her appearing on over 45 recordings by numerous artists. Praise for 'Folk Art' included:

"Canadian country gal Ruth Minnikin just gets better and better. Third LP Folk Art finds her shifting further from the sweet country-folk of earlier work into the darker recesses of rural American tradition." Uncut Magazine, 4 stars

"A bafflingly beautiful and brilliantly bizarre record. 'Folk Art' is a delightful listen." Americana-Uk.com, 8/10

Multi-instrumentalist Gabriel released his critically acclaimed debut album 'Hard Feelings' in 2004. Steeped in the loam of Americana and hewn from the rough wood of blues, old time folk, country, & mountain music, Hard Feelings would establish Gabriel as a recognized singer/songwriter. In 2006 he found himself back in Canada recording what would be his sophmore release ’Wandering Midnight’. Gabriel’s voice has an unbelievable range which has seen him receive work for BBC voiceovers and his albums have gained radio support from John Peel & Bob Harris.

http://www.myspace.com/ruthminnikin

http://www.myspace.com/gabrielminnikin


***DAMIAN SACKETT***

Local singer/songwriter Damian Sackett open tonight's show. Originally from London he moved North in 2000 where he carried on working on his solo material after his old band had fallen by the wayside. Since being solo he has managed to secure some interesting support slots including ones with Billy Bragg, Mark Eitzel, The Pernice Brothers, Peter Bruntnell and Mark Mulcahy. Currently also playing in Sheffield band The Janskys, he continues to perform his solo material that takes influence from the likes of R.E.M., The Smiths, Neil Young and Squeeze.

http://www.myspace.com/damiansackett


Facebook Event page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=33342983128

glad to see you've got gabe over there.
he's a pal of the cowboys and joins us on mandolin now and again.

great voice too.

i saw him and his sis together a couple of years ago and they're top.

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bring back the free trade hall

His voice is something else alright (and i gather Mog has quite a thing for Ruth's too ).

This is now on Sunday and shall be amazing...

i'm looking forward to this, i've heard so much about how good the minnikins are, will find out for myself tonight....

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'the cuntess'

Gutted to be missing this one as I've got to work the graveyard shift tonight till 1am.

Have a good one mungo.

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http://www.reverbnation.com/davesleney

Aye, tonight from 8pm, £6 otd, Damian will be on about 8.15ish...