ALMOST FAMOUS

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: MASLOW

MASLOW whose song, Carlo featured highly in the recent Almost Famous Song Competition and is on the promotional single, are an acoustic duo featuring singer/songwriter/guitarist Jon Orchard and flamenco guitarist/songwriter/producer Kenwyn Rossall. They are sometimes joined by percussionist, Phil Lee. The band have built a solid reputation in recent times on the local scene for being an exceptional live band.

Catching them live at Floods Tavern in St Ives on Friday night it was obvious their popularity is well justified. Playing a mixture of covers and original material, they remind me greatly of Cambridge guitar heroes, Ezio.

The choice of covers, in particular Dreaming of You by The Coral, are all perfect to the sound, but their original material is certainly worth checking out. Aside from the song writing, the band are also available for weddings and functions, with a large repertoire of classic songs at their disposal. Maslow are highly active on the gig circuit, catch them at the following venues: September 11: The Bath House, Cambridge; September 12: Mi Famillia (Stamford); September 26: The Peartree, Stamford; September 27: Samuel Pepys, Huntingdon; October 11: Floods, St Ives; October 12: Golden Lion, St Ives. See www.myspace.com/johnorchard

PAUL RICHARDS

Caption: Maslow.

NEWS: LOCAL RADIO STATION 209RADIO IN NEED OF HELP

CAMBRIDGE radio station, 209radio, home to many local bands, is in danger of closing unless financial help is found. The station needs to raise £25,000 by the end of September or close. Not only does the station support local musicians but it has also given many opportunities for young and untried presenters to learn their craft.

The station has also broadcast drama and arts programmes, shows about health and fitness and also food programmes. Vulnerable people and those with learning difficulties have all contributed to the station. Jordan C, presenter of local music show, The Live Show, says: "It's a tall order but the majority of us at 209 are passionate about what we do and it will be a bitter pill to swallow if we do close. Please get behind us."

INFORMATION: See: www.209radio.co.uk

PAUL RICHARDS

DEBUT SINGLE A HIT FOR KATRINA

OFFORD D'Arcy singer-songwriter, Katrina Polfrey has found her debut single, Easy Way Out, is proving a hit online - even though she's not yet signed to a record label.

Since being released on the internet last week, Easy Way Out has received top popularity ratings on the iTunes Store.

Katrina, 21, a former Hinchingbrooke School pupil is currently putting the finishing touches to an album she recorded with London producer Hank Hughes, due for release early next year. The album, Believe, will contain 11 tracks, including nine co-written by Katrina and Hank.

Katrina, whose musical heroes include Lucie Silvas and Christina Aguilera, says most of her tracks are semi-autobiographical and hopes they'll strike a chord with other listeners.

"I just want people to listen to my music and be able to relate to it."

INFORMATION: To hear Easy Way Out visit www.myspace.com/katrinapolfrey

REVIEW: THE WEDDING PRESENT @ CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION SEPTEMBER 2

THIS was quite a strange gig to try to get my head around. The Wedding Present are a tiny bit rubbish I think - but that may be part of their charm to many people.

It's really difficult to tell sometimes. They walk a fine line between producing some impressive sounds, interesting lyrics and conveying a subversively nonchalant attitude that seems to undermine their strengths. But, like I said - I think that's the point.

What they do best is distance themselves from the many earnest and self-important rock songwriters this country has produced. Lead singerDavid Gedge is witty and quirky, seemingly has no ego, has no message outside of the songs and appears the true anti-rock star. He's Heaven if you think Bono is Hell. Heaven if you can't stand epic

stadium-filling anthems. Thing is, I'm a sucker for all of that stuff.

I want more ambition from my bands though. I'm not a fan of bands with too much of a sense of humour.

The Wedding Present seem to have much in common with Half Man Half Biscuit in that regard. Though they may be playful and poke fun at those around them - they can't often hit the emotional marks that more "serious" bands can.

Still, I appreciated the show. Their sound was very impressive - hard, dark indie at times approaching The Pixies. There was a confidence about them - they knew that they were preaching to the converted and that their every word was known and appreciated by most

of the crowd before it was even sung.

CHRIS BOLAND

David Gedge of The Wedding Present Picture: CHRIS BOLAND.