For the cynical ones…

It’s Not True Is It

(If you’re wary of the url – as I would be – it’s ok, it’s just a domain name linking to some other stuff on the VirtualOpenMic server.)

the love hypnotic by jessica irvine – YouTube

the love hypnotic by jessica irvine – YouTube.

If you do a youtube search for Jessica you’ll mostly come up with a young australian girl who, it seems, posts cover songs. I don’t know whether they’re any good or not, I haven’t listened. Perhaps someone will tell us.

The Jessica Irvine I was searching for is someone else – a songwriter who comes from the fringes of London. I used to see her around at local East London open mics. She has an exceptional voice and a style all of her own. Sadly she never seems to do enough getting out there and playing, it’s a great shame shame. Although she is perhaps an aquired taste she does make some fine music.

 

Snowgoose – Sycamore – YouTube

Snowgoose – Sycamore – YouTube.

A Scotland based band I believe with a sound that’s a throwback to the likes of Pentangle and Trees. Very good band, very good sound and a lovely voice on the lead vocals. If I had to criticize I’d say that it all lacks a little bite, both in the sound and the songwriting. But I don’t have to, so I won’t – because it’s still an album I’m going to enjoy listening to. Find out more at: http://www.snowgoose.me.uk/

Welcome

Welcome to Virtual Open Mic. the aim is to make this a go to place for information about Grassroots and acoustic music in the UK. Since I can’t glean and gather all the stuff I’d like to see here myself I hope that others will be keen to contribute. Just contact me and I’ll add anyone who can post relevent things here – and I’ll be happy to take in ideas about what to do with the space to make it better.