Stephen Long has one of the most complete sounds I have heard for ages. It is safe to say that at the moment he is not the biggest star on the planet but I’m sure that it is only a matter of time before this guy is eating up the charts. If you like Newton Faulkner you’ll love Stephen Long with his witty lyrics and astonishing acoustic playing.

It is hard enough to create the standard of music Stephen produces but doing it all by yourself shows the talent he has to give. At this moment in time, he has precious little material to show off but listening to songs like “On and On” are unmistakably spell binding. It really is a wonder of the world that he is still an unsigned act but it highlights that not everyone who deserves it, gets there in the music industry.

Influences like the Beatles and Rod Stewart may not show themselves directly in his music but the quality of these professionals is there and Stephen’s music seems to have a truly unique dynamic to it. I suppose that phrase is a cliché these days for new artists but from the moment you listen to any of the tracks from the acoustic guru, you know that a musical genius is in your presence.

So if you’re looking for an artist to fill the gap in your music collection between James Blunt and Newton Faulkner then look no further than Stephen Long.

Like your Belle and Sebastian or Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly? Slightly folky, slightly cheeky, but essentially true songs about real people? Then perhaps Loyal Trooper will be your sort of thing.

Loyal Trooper, better known to family and friends as Andy Walker, releases his “One Day All This Will Work Out…” EP on Monday 3rd November, a collection of six guitar anthems for the jilted generation recorded earlier this year.

Recorded with help from his friends to record all the different instruments and recorded in part in the local Baptist Church in Kettering, it’s certainly not going to win awards for blockbuster production techniques, but what it lacks in sheen it more than makes up for in passion. Loyal Trooper manages to sound sincere, without preaching like some acoustic singer / songwriters end up doing.

With Belle and Sebastian’s artful storytelling (M1 to the A52) and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly’s social conscience (Five Year Plan), there’s something for everyone who likes their music a little different, a little more thoughtful and colourful than the same old same old David Gray album.

Like what you’re hearing on his myspace page? Well, maybe you want to go out and warm up a cold autumnal evening by catching him at one of the below dates:

Wednesday 22nd October - London Marie Lloyd Bar
Thursday 23rd October - Brighton Latest Music Bar
Saturday 25th October - Leeds Adelphi
Sunday 26th October - Sheffield West Street Live
Monday 27th October - Leicester Musician
Tuesday 28th October - Manchester Ruby Lounge
Thursday 30th October - Kingston Willoughby Arms
Saturday 1st November - Nottingham Dave & Katie’s Halloween Party
Monday 3rd November - London Cocomo
Thursday 6th November - Glasgow Bloc
Tuesday 11th November - Colchester The Twist
Friday 14th November - Birmingham The Sunflower Lounge
Saturday 22nd November - Leeds Cardigan Arms
Wednesday 26th November - Leeds Primrose

Looking for the 2008 Mencap Gigs? Click here. This page is about 2007’s Mencap Gigs!

Updates: I’ve just added the 20th November gig and the 26th November gigs, thanks to a comment from Kathryn below. This was originally posted on 4th October.

The brilliant Mencap have announced this year’s “Little Noise Sessions”, a series of intimate, acoustic gigs, which will take place from Tuesday 20th November to Wednesday 28 November 2007, at Islington’s Union Chapel in London. They’ll be hosted by Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley.

To get tickets you’ll have to register here to get tickets when they go on sale. Ticket registration opens on Tuesday 2 October and closes at 12.00 Friday 19 October. Those who have registered can then buy tickets online on a first-come-first-served basis from 9am on Monday 22 October. Tickets are £35 each.

The gigs will raise money for Mencap’s Arts Awards scheme which enables children and young people with a learning disability to take part in local arts projects.

Tuesday 20th November - Secret Headliner, Jack Penate, Laura Marling, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
Wednesday 21st November - Athlete and The Hoosiers
Thursday 22nd November - Will Young, Newton Faulkner and Adele
Friday 23rd November - Biffy Clyro, We Are Scientists and Young Knives
Saturday 24th November - The Pigeon Detectives and The Metros
Sunday 25th November - Snow Patrol and Cajun Dance Party
Monday 26th November - Kate Nash, Robyn, The Ting Tings
Tuesday 27th November - The Enemy + Special Guests
Wednesday 28th November - Keane, Rilo Kiley + Scouting For Girls

Coincidentally, both Brett Anderson and Beastie boys have announced special acoustic shows today.

Suede’s Brett Anderson is playing Islington’s Union Chapel on Thursday 19 July, for a one off special which is sure to be an amazing show from a guy with much talen that I’ve always admired. Tickets are on sale now.

New York’s finest Beastie Boys are playing the Roundhouse on Thu 6 September after playing the Brixton Academy and Connect the weekend before. These are on sale on Friday at 9am.

Photo taken from eightball’s flickr stream.