Popular Herts music pub to host album launch show for rising British blues musician
Hertfordshire pub, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, which is also Britain’s oldest pub, will host the official launch of Blues From The Land Of The Living on Friday 4 September, with the band performing tracks from the new album at the historic pub. The album is an exploration of Mississippi blues, gospel and rock, and was inspired by the Kaspar’s US tour of the Deep South.
The album launch party will be the first place in the UK where music lovers can buy the vinyl, cd or t shirt.
The free-entry St Albans show comes as Kaspar and The Swamp Dogs embark on a run of live dates, giving the city’s music fans the chance to be among the first to hear the new album performed live. The launch gig will also feature support from London blues musician Elsie Franklin.
Kaspar and The Swamp Dogs are already familiar faces at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, regularly performing at the pub, including at this summer’s Fighting Cocks Fest.
Kaspar, 25, has been immersed in blues and vintage music since discovering the genre at the age of 12. He travelled to New Orleans to celebrate his 18th birthday, where he performed at B.B. King’s Blues Club and was subsequently invited back to the US to record his first single, Sailing.
He now predominantly performs as Kaspar & The Swamp Dogs, usually joined by Ian Davidson on bass or cello and Mia Casey on drums or washboard, while also working as a producer and engineer at blues studio and label Juke Joint In The Woods in Buckinghamshire.
His growing reputation has seen At The Barrier describe Kaspar as “the most exciting young blues player in Britain”.
The St Albans album launch forms part of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks’ continuing programme of live music, bringing both established and emerging musicians to the city.
Martin Robinson, landlord of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, said: “We’re delighted that Kaspar and The Swamp Dogs have chosen Ye Olde Fighting Cocks to launch their new album. They always get a fantastic response when they play here, so it feels particularly special that St Albans will be the setting for the launch of Blues From The Land Of The Living.
“There’s something quite fitting about one of Britain’s most exciting young blues musicians launching a new record in Britain’s oldest pub before heading out to play more live dates.
“We’re incredibly proud of the history of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, but we also want the pub to be a place where new things are happening and where people can discover brilliant live music. It should be a fantastic night and, even better, it’s completely free.”