SINGER
SIGNS UP TO SAVE BANDSTAND
Monday 6th February 2006
Scottish singer songwriter Carol Laula is pledging her support in the
fight to save the Kelvingrove Park Bandstand.
The Paisley born artiste - who has just released her sixth album 'Kitchen
Stories' - now lives in the vicinity of the park and is horrified by the
way that the structure has been allowed to deteriorate over the years.
The Kelvingrove Park Bandstand is the only one left in Glasgow and has
been given B-listed status by Historic Scotland due to it's 'cultural and
social significance'.
An estimated £500,000 is needed to fully reinstate the construction that
played host to bands and performers as recently as 1999.
Carol is the latest musician to add her name to a list that includes Franz
Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastian and Teenage Fan Club, by saying that she'll
happily devote her time and talent to raising awareness and money for the
beleaguered bandstand.
It's not the first time that Carol has been supportive of it's plight.
Several years ago she made attempts to get Glasgow City Council to address
the issue of the local landmark before it fell into further disrepair.
She explains why she feels it's so important to restore the Kelvingrove
Park Bandstand to it's former glory;
"The joy of playing at this kind of venue - out in the open air - is the
ambience it creates for both the performer and the audience.
It's such a beautiful building in such a beautiful part of the world.
Surely Glasgow deserves better; anyone walking through the park - tourists
and locals alike - deserves better.
Let's celebrate this building, not dilapidate!"
Ed Gillett from Friends of Kelvingrove Park is delighted that Carol has
offered her assistance. He says;
"The fact that musicians like Carol are showing such strong interest in
the bandstand and amphitheatre - before the restoration funding has even
been assembled, and while the building is in it's current condition -
gives great encouragement for the project.
In Scotland there are a number of considerably smaller towns and villages
who are running bandstands, not to mention Glasgow's alleged rival
Edinburgh.
Glasgow, as the largest city in Scotland, obviously has the capacity to
manage its only public bandstand: it would make an excellent open-air
venue for use as part of Glasgow's bid for the Commonwealth Games."
For further information about the Friends of Kelvingrove Park and the
project
to restore the bandstand and amphitheatre, please log on to
www.kelvingrovepark.com
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CAROL COOKS UP A STORM WITH "KITCHEN STORIES"
Release Date: Monday 30th January 2006
www.carollaula.co.uk
Scottish singer / songwriter Carol Laula is cooking up a storm with the
launch of her latest album, "Kitchen Stories".
Released on Monday 30th January 2006, "Kitchen Stories" is the sixth album
by the talented, Paisley born performer.
Carol first captivated the media and her audience in 1990, when her
independent single, "Standing Proud" was chosen to represent Glasgow in
its year of culture.
Six albums later, she still stirs critics to describe her as "Scotland's
leading singer-songwriter" and "an undeniably passionate and whole-hearted
singer".
It's her ability to remain true to the raw gigging experience that has
made her such an enduring performer and brought her such critical acclaim,
along with numerous awards including 'Best Performer' at the 1995 Celtic
Connections festival.
It's fair to say that "Kitchen Stories" is the album that has most
accurately captured her incredible tone and clarity and allows you to
truly appreciate the depth and range of her talent.
The making of the 11 track album took Carol from the Scottish Isles to the
backstreets of South America where she uncovered tales to move even the
hardest heart.
The recording of the album itself was a complete departure from the normal
route through the studio, as Carol explains;
"With technology being what it is, I decided to take the bull by the horns
and record the album myself in my home studio ... only ever a dream.
This allowed me an enormous confidence in the freedom of being able to do
what I wanted, when I wanted.
I absolutely loved the experience of working with such amazing musicians
in the comfort of my own home; plus, it also meant that I was never late
for work!"
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LAULA TAKES "PRIDE" OF PLACE AT LONDON FESTIVAL
www.carollaula.co.uk
A Paisley born singer songwriter will be the sole representative for
Scotland when she takes to the stage at this year's Pride London Festival.
Carol Laula has been chosen to fly the flag for Glasgay! and the Scottish
music scene, when she plays on the final day of Pride London's "Festival
Fortnight" at the Sound Theatre in Wardour Street, London on Saturday 2nd
July 2005.
It's the first time that an artist north of the border has been asked to
take such a high profile part in the festival and gives Laula a chance to
perform some firm favourites, as well as showcasing songs from her
forthcoming sixth album, "Kitchen Stories", which will be launched later
this year.
It also gives the audience a chance to experience the talent and
versatility of one of Scotland's leading singer songwriters and her unique
raw gigging style, that has lead to her being compared to the likes of
Joni Mitchell and Joan Armatrading.
Carol says;
"It's a privilege to be asked to play at Pride London, particularly after
such a great show at last year's Glasgay! It gets my music out there to as
many ears as possible. The more folk who hear it the better. It creates
more chance of the focus being on the other Scottish talent there is
around."
Now twinned with the Sydney Mardi Gras, Pride London is the country's
largest event celebrating diversity and sexuality through a mix of
theatre, opera, dance, music, film, visual arts and sport.
Steven Thomson, Producer of Glasgay! is delighted to be presenting Carol
at London's Pride Arts Festival;
"Following her sell-out concert at last year's Glasgay! festival, Carol is
back and I'm sure will be a big hit with fans old and new. Glasgay! is
proud to support the development of its Scottish artists and Carol is a
tireless musician, who not only tours regularly with her band, but passes
on her skills through song writing workshops with young musicians. All
that and more from a wee lassie from Paisley! "
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PAISLEY PERFORMER GEARS UP FOR ICELAND GIG
www.carollaula.co.uk
Paisley born singer songwriter, Carol Laula is packing up her bag and her
band and heading off to Iceland.
The Scottish singer has been asked to play two gigs as part of the
country's Pride festival on Thursday 4th August and Friday 5th August
2005.
Not only will she perform her own show, but Carol will also play at the
opening ceremony of the three day event in the Loftkastalinn Theater.
The gigs follow hot on the heels of a sell-out performance at London's
Pride Festival, which she played at just last month.
As well as some firm favourites, Carol will be airing a few songs from her
forthcoming album, "Kitchen Stories", which is due to be released later
this year.
It'll be the first time that the talented singer songwriter has performed
in Iceland and it came about in rather an unusual way, as she explains;
"Unbeknown to me, a fan in Iceland suggested to the organisers there that
I play the Pride Festival.
Next thing you know, I've been asked to go over and play two gigs!
It'll be great to take my music to a new audience and because it's in
August, it'll be light all through the night - magic!"
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CAROL LAULA'S "KITCHEN STORIES"
Laula Previews New Album to Home Audience
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Saturday 12th November 2005 - 8.00pm
One of Scotland's top singer songwriters is getting ready to take to the
stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and preview their forthcoming
album.
Paisley born Carol Laula is set to showcase her sixth album, "Kitchen
Stories", in the Strathclyde Suite on Saturday 12th November 2005.
As well as previewing tracks that won't be released until January of next
year, Carol will also perform some of her previously issued material to
the 400 strong audience.
The event is the only one of it's kind that will give fans the exclusive
chance to purchase and take home the album - two months before it's
official launch.
"Kitchen Stories" has been a return to Carol's musical roots and saw her
writing and recording the album at various locations, including the
kitchen of her own home - hence the title.
She explains why she felt it was important to give fans a chance to hear
and buy the album before it's official release.
"I've been doing this now for a hundred years and, if there are any fans
who support me, its the home fans.
Why not give them a wee heads up as a small thanks for that support?
And, if they wish, an early Christmas present!"
The evening kicks off at 8pm and is part of this year's Glasgay! festival,
which runs from 20th October to 20th November 2005.
Steven Thomson, producer of Glasgay! is thrilled that Carol has chosen the
festival to showcase her latest work.
"I'm continually surprised and delighted by Carol's work."
The new album is a fascinating acoustic journey through the backstreets of
Mexico to faraway shores of Lewis.
"Not bad for a wee lassie from Paisley!"
