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/T/O/U/R/

We’re on the road for a load of shows, some supporting The Sunshine Underground, and a few festivals.

If you like bass and escapism, be theerrrrrreee!

X

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‘Lonely Nights’ video peak

Stills from the video for ‘Lonely Nights’, part of the next release from us.

Crafted, built, illustrated, slaved-over, lovingly, by Hazel O’brien.

Stay tuned for info on the next release, coming soooon.

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Fire video (NME exclusive)

NME.com got an exclusive on our video for ‘Fire’. Go check it!

‘Fire’ is taken from our first release ‘The Gems E.P’, coming 12/12/11 as free download from this very site.

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Pointing and Shooting

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Layou




Another track from ‘The Gems E.P’ (coming 12/12/11). Live cello provided by Alex Housden of Shady Bard.

Download now for free.

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Q&A with G

G shared a few words with Shout4music.com. It went a little like this -

Being on the internet, Shout4Music doesn’t really have a back page. But if it did, it might just look like this.

In this new feature, we ask musicians a set of questions on life, the universe and everything.

To get things started, we turn to Geoffrey (pictured, far left) from Birmingham band Troumaca. Their tropical sounding song ‘Sanctify’ recently appeared in our top ten free downloads of the week.

What are you listening to right now?

Whitehead Brothers’ first album ‘Serious’. I need to hear ‘Forget I was a G’ at least twice month.

How did you get into music?

My family have always loved singing and playing music: hearing my old man singing Dylan, Joan Baez and many other country/folk singers. And my uncle was big into his hip hop and soul which had a massive influence. But my brother got me into loving sounds, layers, composition by constantly talking with me about the mood and flow of tracks.

Tell us a joke.

Rick Perry, an American Rublican presidential candidate. Just watch this. To think this guy wants to run America. Massive joke.

Who do you follow religiously on Twitter?

@industrywanker Brilliant!

What have you been reading lately?

‘Tunesmith’ by Jimmy Webb. He looks at the art of song writing . Very compelling.

Who is the most influential person in your life?

It’s people. I am very lucky to be in a band with lads who have a big influence on my life. From Tom’s eye for art and design, Sam’s love of literature, Jim’s knowledge of health and Matt’s unconscious sexy relationship with fashion. These guys infect me with their addictive personalities towards their own lifestyle choices.

Which song do you wish you had written?

‘What’s going on’ – Marvin Gaye.

We’re at the bar. What are you drinking?

On the workout program Jimmy (the drummer) has me on I can just about get away with G and T (slim-line tonic) . Lovelyyyyy!

Who would you dread getting stuck in a lift with?

My editor of MHVH (Mind Hand Vision Hearts). She doesn’t know when to shut off and relax but would talk site stuff all day. She loves doing my head in. She’s gonna know why I don’t answer the phone now. Shit! Ha!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A football player. I played loads and won so many trophies at a young age. But I think when I had to started wearing glasses my sports life went down the hill!

What song will you have played at your funeral?

‘Vibe’ by R Kelly.

What gigs, songs or albums are you promoting at the moment?

We are gigging in Sheffield 23 November 2011 at The Forum, Nottingham 3 December 2011 and Birmingham Christmas show at the rainbow on the 21 December 2011 to promote our new release.

We have just self-produced our first E.P release called ‘The Gems’. The lead track is ‘Fire’ which will be downloadable with b-side ‘Sanctify’ and ‘Layou’ Dub on 12 December 2011. The ‘Sanctify’ music video is up at www.troumaca.co.uk and the ‘Fire’ music video will be hitting the net on the twelfth or maybe sooner…. You’ll see.

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Sanctify

Here’s a track from our forthcoming release ‘The Gems E.P’ (coming 12/12/11).

Download an mp3 now, for free!

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‘FIRE’ Music Video. Little Taster

Campbell just couldn’t leave it alone and had to pull one of the dancers.  As you can see, she loves it!

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My new gal! She is fineee ting.

This is a picture of a Fender ’69 Mustang guitar MG69 in vintage White which is on it’s way. I am so  happy, words couldn’t describe :D !!!! BING
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TRIBE MEETS AUTUMN ROWE

We were very lucky to meet, jam, write and have some laughs with the amazing Autumn Rowe. As you can see from the pics, she got us working. Loved it every minute.  Listen out for what came from that jam soon. For more info on how brilliant this beautiful lady is click HERE.

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Jade dead up.

The Troumaca van, Jade, has now passed away. She was a great girl which we were all fond of but the time came for her to walk her last path.

We will miss you babez

x

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A tropical find.

As I was doing some garm shopping I found this beast of a shirt. All about the next gig demmmmm

Ready!

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It’s a Campbell ting! BING!!

Matt modelling for local independent store in Birmingham, Atoo.

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If anyone knows where i can get this jumper….



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Elements Mixtape: Pt.1 Water

Here’s part 1 of our Elements Mixtape.

Two Inch Punch – Forgive Me (For Messin’ Up)
Little Dragon – Ritual Union
Kidnap Kid – Losing It
XXXY – Kerpow
Hudson Mohawke – Freek
Rustie – Sry Flames
MJ Cole – Fizzy Riddim
Raziek – I Can Do It
Brenmar – Done (Don’t Luv Me No More)
Soulja Boy – Pretty Boy Swag (Shlomo RMX)
Troumaca – Illuminaire (Dub)

Download now for free.

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Secret Admirer Interview


Sam met with Secret Admirer to talk Troumaca. Have a read…

Sam Baylis may well be a starving artist, but he is not starved of ideas.
Secret Admirer got to know the lead singer of Troumaca a little better after he and his band got legs shuffling and mouths smiling at The Rainbow in Digbeth, Birmingham.

SA: Where does the name Troumaca come from?

SAM: Ok, so Troumaca is a town in the Island of St. Vincent, which is in the Grenadines, but it’s actually a Caribbean Island, South Caribbean Island. And it’s where Geoff’s family are from, his mum was born there and then travelled with her mother and siblings to Birmingham. I think, in the sixties. It’s a nice bit of family heritage that we have warmed to, obviously.

SA: So it’s a very personal name.

SAM: Yeah, definitely, I think that is what we are trying to do with the project. We wanted to be honest, without sounding contrived, we wanted it to be genuine.

SA: You want people to get involved in it.

SAM: Yeah. I think we all, collectively and as individuals, we all want…stuff that we are into, is stuff that is honest. It doesn’t have to be of any specific genre, and not talking just about music. Honesty is kind of like, the thing for us.

SA: So is that why you started the band, to have a platform to get your ideas across?

SAM: Yeah, well we were going for like a dubby, tropical…I say trippy, for want of a better word, sound. And then like…

SA: I think your songs are quite uplifting as well, quite anthemic as well as a little bit strange.

SAM: I think that’s what we are going…well not what we are going for but that’s what happens. When we write a tune, we find ourselves going, ok, let’s make the chorus lift. Let’s give it that kind of energy. We always seem to write the tunes and they’re all quite vibe-y, kinda chilled out vocally and then by the end we are doing big harmonies, really pushing it. It’s just like…yeah.

SA: It’s a good mix between the two.

SAM: Yeah. That, again, is about the connection. We feel that connection when we do it. It’s like, it’s worth doing, especially in the live shows. It’s a tangible experience really, not just sitting in our bedrooms, writing and recording.

SA: Is there anything that specifically inspires your lyrics at all?

SAM: I draw on quite a lot of things. But mainly it’s, it’s kind of like, they are love stories. Love and loss. But I try and colour that with like, a lot of imagery. Kind of our own, self-referential myths, trying to create a universe within that, drawing people in, making reference to certain things. I don’t know if people pick up on it. I just want to create a world, like a Troumaca universe or island.

SA: Do you think the visual side of your band is quite important?

SAM: Yeah, definitely and I think like, with the name, where…it’s a geographical place, very tropical. And the music from that place, we are into it and it all sort of feeds and it’s thriving off its self. We’ve built this place where we go to make music. But there is actually this physical place, so it’s a kind of fantasy for us, that we are trying to invite people into. Which is our Troumaca.

SA: So, the general concept of what you are trying to do is something that is real but also something that is different, another world.

SAM: Yeah, exactly. Other-worldly. With things like warriors, priestesses, hunters populating the land. Breaking each other’s hearts and betraying each other and falling in love. That kind of idea. That’s what we are going for.

SA: Do you feel like you have benefited as a band from being in Birmingham?

SAM: Yeah…I think, yeah. The way we are and how we lean towards things, like what we wear and the music we listen to, it’s easy to just pack up and head down to London. I think we made a choice not to do that. And I think it has helped us, yeah.

SA: Do you feel like you are part of a scene in Birmingham at all?

SAM: It feels like it yeah, which is fucking cool. There are some bands that are cropping up that we all really like and hopefully they really like us as well. Peace, Cajole Cajole, Corelli, Silver Souvenirs, Swim Deep…it’s nice.

SA: Do you feel like they have similar ideas to you in terms of your music?

SAM: I talk a lot with the guys from Peace, they’ve come from the more House side of things. They’re into like House-ier Dance music. I’d say we are more into like, garage, future garage, dupstep kind of beats. I think you can hear that in the two sounds. Which is interesting, the different approaches. The other guys, I think in terms of the sound, it’s quite different. Everyone has got a different sound.

SA: What’s the best gig you have played so far?

SAM: All the Adam & Eve pub shows. They were really good, which we never expected .That’s like anything, you don’t expect to go out then you go out and have the best time of your life. It’s that kind of feeling with The Adam & Eve. We played Bath the other night, which was a fucking random one. Nobody was there and then half way through the set, it was just fucking wild. That was pretty cool. And Leeds, we played Nation Of Shopkeepers, fucking banging in there. Good place man.

SA: Have you got any plans in terms of recording or releasing an album?

SAM: We’re releasing a couple of tunes in December. Just for free download. You can go to our website and get some goodies from the website. And yeah, we’ve just been writing a lot. Got quite a few songs knocking about. And a lot of the production we have been doing at home. We’ve worked with a few producers and it’s just not worked. And it just seems to work, as us doing it in a dodgy way. You never expect a band to do it but it just works. So yeah, got something first week of December. So, keep your eyes peeled.

SA: What record label are you releasing it on?

SAM: We’re just doing it ourselves through our website MHVH and run it through our own website, the band website. We’re releasing ‘Fire’, a new version of ‘Fire’, the final version. I think it’s the simplicity of it, it’s gotta be the simplicity. It’s a one word chorus. I think the only other person to do that is R.E.M, and their tune is called fire. I think, don’t quote me, I might be wrong but yeah. We are releasing ‘Fire’, ‘Sanctify’, an instrumental, some remixes…just doing like, a bit of a package. All free as well. Just kinda like the spread the word a little bit more.

SA: How long have you been going as a band?

SAM: Troumaca has been going for about a year. Just over a year, yeah.

SA: It’s been a productive year, you have done quite a lot.

SAM: You have to make that commitment, you have to make that choice in your life. Just fucking go for it. And sacrifice a lot of other things, like a nice place, shit like that. Real jobs, yeah. Getting funny looks when people go ‘so what do you do then?’, I’m in a band, ‘ok’. Getting funny looks for that. ‘Are you signed?’ No, no no.

(At this point, a kind gentleman comes over to offer Secret Admirer’s plus one a cheeky drink. She obliges, naturally.)

SAM: Forgot where I was…yeah! You have to make the sacrifice, lose girlfriends, make up with them. Walk around a lot in fucking knackered trainers. Unless you get free ones. You have to make material sacrifices to supplement and progress with, your art. That’s like any artist.

SA: Do you want to carry on doing it for as long as you can or do you think it’s going to be a set period of time that you are going to do it for?

SAM: I think I’ll always carry on. I’d love to carry it on but there does come a time where if you are still fucking paying pennies to get on a bus because you got no money then you have to make a choice at some point. But the romantic in me would do it…I will do it for as long as however. Music is a sanctuary for all of us.

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Gruff Trade Interview


When in Oxford last week, we met with Gruff Trade to have a chat. Read the interview…


Sitting in the front room of the Bullingdon, Carling in hand (courtesy of the boys), we set about asking the charismatic Sam and Geoff (Lead Singer and Bassist) some questions about this great new thing they’d created. The boys (James, Matthew, Thomas, Geoffrey and Samuel) are of Birmingham origin and met around the mark of four or five years ago through school and or work. We asked them to describe Troumaca in five words and, having changed their mind several times, we were left with tropical, dub, soul, tribal and love. Love seems to be very important to the band, as a pillar of what they are but also to indicate that Troumaca isn’t just music, it’s an experience. I did in the end have to ask them that horrible, pretentious question ‘What is Troumaca about?’ and the response I got was very intriguing. ‘It’s about searching for something we know we won’t find. But in a positive way, it’s a metaphysical, spiritual journey.’ Troumaca is a feeling rather than sitting there listening to some brilliant music. They told us that they hoped in the future to have a Caribbean set-up on stage (Troumaca is a place in the Caribbean where Geoff’s family is from) including food (sounds a little hazardous to me), flags (they already have on onstage) and incense. Their enthusiasm for turning their set into a kind of ceremonial transportation for the soul was infectious and I hope one day to see this dream realised, perhaps without the food though, that could potentially cause problems and/or health and safety issues.

The fact that the band and its name was based around a real place piqued my interest and as I asked more about it, it became apparent that none of the boys had been there apart from Geoff but that this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. ‘For him (Sam) it’s just an idea, it can’t be ruined by him knowing what it really is. I think that’s important’ Geoff told us. We got around to asking our favourite question of guilty pleasures and they came out with some brilliant answers including Spandau Ballet (no questions asked), R-Kelly (old school not this new fangled stuff), Nickelback and Rebecca Black (I have to say I raised an eyebrow at this one).

One of the most appealing things about the band is the presence they have on the stage, there’s nothing more depressing than watching a band who look bored not only with the crowd but with their own music, Sam in particular had a fantastic energy on stage. Their live set was brilliant; filled with energy and laid back kind of enthusiasm, but their sound cloud doesn’t do them justice: they admitted that being strapped for cash, recording and producing is done solely by them and unfortunately it shows. But don’t let that put you off! Troumaca are a must-see live band and when Fire comes out as a single in the first week of December we do recommend that you invest in it.

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Yoyo

We’re currently playing shows around the country. We stopped off in London at Yoyo to watch our pal Sam Frank.

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Mixtape 001

Here’s a Mixtape from us. Go download it for free while you can!

Tracklist -

Birmingham SO, Simon Hasley (The Prodigal Son) – The Ceremony
Gold Panda – Marriage (Star Slinger Remix)
Kidnap Kid – No One Else (Tete De Tigre Remix)
Hot City – If That’s How I Feel
The Weeknd – What You Need (Mista Men Re Rub)
Joe x Cassie – Kiss Me On The Claptrap (Brey edited this sh*t)
Julio Bashmore – Batty Knee Dance
Blawan – Getting Me Down
Groove Theory – Tell Me (George Fitzgerald Remix)
SBTRKT – Right Thing To Do (feat. Jessie Ware)
Kingdom – If You Buck
Troumaca – Open (Dub)
Lonely Boys – Heat
Amerie – Why Don’t We Fall In Love (Ossie Remix)
H-Town – Toon Girl
Baths – Lovely Bloodflow
Holy Other – Touch
Alpines – Cocoon (Troumaca Remix)

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Troumaca x Friends Pt.IV

We are back for our fourth installment of our x friends party.

This time around our guests are SWIM DEEP. Making you breast stroke since 2010.

Once again it’s free entry all night, when the live section of the program is done the ELIXIR Djs will be offering you progressive bass led music, real rump shaking stuff.

Check the acts -

TROUMACA
SWIM DEEP
ELIXIR DJ’S
MOHO DJ’S
(SILVER) SOUVENIRS DJ’S

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Tools

Shopping for tools.

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