Tinderbox Orchestra

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“The Blood, The Weight, The Weary” – Tinderbox Orchestra & Kathryn Joseph EP Release + Live Show – Sat 29th January 2022

"The Blood, The Weight, The Weary" - Tinderbox Orchestra
“The Blood, The Weight, The Weary” – Tinderbox Orchestra & Kathryn Joseph EP Release + Live Show

Scottish Album of the Year Award winner Kathryn Joseph, and Scotland’s breakthrough collective Tinderbox Orchestra have produced a stunning new EP, with three original, orchestral renditions of Joseph’s tracks across both her albums.

They will be releasing the EP with a live show at Scotland’s landmark festival Celtic Connections, on Saturday the 29th of January 2022.

Tickets and more information can be found at this link.

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Music for Bridges

What a beautiful Sunday afternoon we had on September 12th.

All around the parks, cycle paths, and bridges of North Edinburgh, we had music flowing all around for a thousand people to hear!

The Tinderbox Orchestra took to Victoria Park with a solar powered sound system, a summery gazebo, and all of their instruments held high; hundreds of people turned up, kickstarting the day with kenspeckled revelry. See the featured image for some pre-show crowds…

Afterwards, the orientation began. With the help of a beautiful map designed by Rhona Sword, the crowd was lead away from the park… for further festivities awaited. Down the disused railways of Edinburgh, now known as the cycle paths, there lay a busking trail! Stationed under each bridge towards Pilton were buskers playing for the cyclists passing by, as a wee surprise for routine walkers, and for those who followed the map and found their way to musical gems. I had the honour of performing there myself, and it was so wonderful to be part of such a unique experience and having the opportunity to chat away and play with and for the community.

On a separate path there lay even more – deep down within the trinity tunnel you could hear the new duets composed by Neil Smith, the one who inspired and influenced the whole day! Neil had composed some site specific duets for Trinity Tunnel, with one musician at one end and another at the other, you could walk through the tunnel and listen as the two distant composers played together; filling the space with rich, vibrant textures.

On the other side of Victoria Park, down by the Water of Leith, there is a space I can only describe as a perfectly secret little stage: The Balcony. There we were graced by the presence of S!NK who gave yet another stunning, improvised set brimming with musical surprises – so much joy and energy from the trio. I have to agree with BBC Radio 3’s Max Reinhardt when he says S!NK really are “Very, very brilliant indeed.”

It’s hard to believe that the day just kept going, but no energy was lost down by The Weir. The afternoon was concluded with one big jam session as all gathered down by The Water of Leith. We had some extra performances from the buskers, the orchestra got together again to perform Neil Smith’s “Vigil” and more, and we had some astonishing, dare I say… flabbergasting, performances from the public – honestly unbelievable, amazing. It was so heartwarming to see so many folk come together to celebrate some live music again, but also to use that creativity to celebrate these beautiful spaces tucked away in the corners of Edinburgh.

All in all, it was a truly unforgettable day overflowing with music, art, and creativity, but I believe binding it all together was this connection felt with each other and with the city.

Liam Dempsey

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Humble Stay (Tinderbox Online Lyric Video)

This recording of a Tinderbox favourite ‘Humble Stay’, written and sung by the incredibly Lydia Bennett was recorded entirely during lockdown on phones and home devices by individual orchestra players while connected over Zoom, and then edited together and mixed by the talented Gary Boyle over at Slate Room Studio.

Inspired by the current limitations enforced by lockdown, Tinderbox Orchestra came together to create this lyric video by indivudally illustrating Lydia’s beautiful words and experiementing with Zoom to create a new kind of music video!

 

 

Moving Tinderbox Orchestra online came with unforeseen technical hurdles and complications, but over the summer we persevered, experimented and worked together to be able to continue playing together every week as normal.

As well as rehearsing songs, the orchestra have also been experimenting with trying out different methods of improvisation over video call. A Tinderbox rehearsal in the Jazz Bar typically involves a session of ‘Suggesture’; a method of improvising, conducted using a series of hand gestures that was developed by conductor Mike Kearney. It’s been tricky to translate into a Zoom call, but we’ve been testing out different methods (some of which we showed at our Tinderbox Livestream!)

You can check out more of what the orchestra have been up to online here!

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Rimo (Tinderbox Online Version)

This recording of the Tinderbox Classic ‘Rimo’ by Luci Holland was recorded entirely during lockdown on phones and home devices by individual orchestra players while connected over Zoom.

Moving Tinderbox Orchestra online came with unforeseen technical hurdles and complications, but over the last few months we’ve persevered, experimented and worked together to be able to continue playing together every week as normal.

We meet together on Zoom every Sunday and have been recording online versions of Tinderbox classics, including Bethany Lane and Rimo – returning to such familiar favourites has allowed us to get used to new ways of playing! We have also been rehearsing a new arrangement of ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ (originally by Whitney Houston), which was put together by the Tinderbox Arranging Group over the last few months.

As well as rehearsing songs, the orchestra have also been experimenting with trying out different methods of improvisation over video call. A Tinderbox rehearsal in the Jazz Bar typically involves a session of ‘Suggesture’; a method of improvising, conducted using a series of hand gestures that was developed by conductor Mike Kearney. It’s been tricky to translate into a Zoom call, but we’ve been testing out different methods (some of which we showed at our Tinderbox Livestream!)

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Tinderbox Orchestra sneak into Broughton High…

As 15 musicians of the Tinderbox Orchestra arrived quietly one by one to sign in at the reception of Broughton High School. I’m not sure anybody knew of the explosion of symphonic sounds that was about to errupt from the assembly hall. With 45 minutes to set up, sound check and run a new tune, before 120 S1 and S2 pupils arrived to fill the seats, it was all go!
We were there to let pupils know about tinderbox music opportunities in their local area as part of a recruitment push for our Tuesday night hub at North Edinburgh Art Centre. From simple song writing and guitar chords to rap vocals of a scientific nature with orchestral flurries of cello and oboe, pumped up by drums & bass, the music spoke for itself. 
If you didn’t already get involved conducting the orchestra on the day, come along to North Edinburgh Arts in Muirhouse 6 – 8pm and see what it’s all about!
Thanks again to the music team at Broughton high for inviting us in!

– Niki Dunne, Lead Tutor

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Tinderbox Fringe Show

Thanks to all the players, collaborators, audience members and supporters who helped us to have a sold-out Fringe show! Every show was uniquely exciting due to our amazing cast of collaborators in the form of S!nk, Brave Little Note, Kathryn Joseph and Dawanggang. What a lineup! We have been absolutely spoiled in terms of creativity and inspiration. And to have been made so very welcome as part of the Pianodrome family meant we felt totally at home at the world’s only venue made entirely from Pianos. We’re relieved to hear that their hard work is being recognised in the form of many awards. This has been another massive step in the development of Tinderbox with many of our long term supporters saying that they’ve never heard us sound (and look!) so good. Finishing it all off with the release of our new single ‘Talking About Birds‘ was the icing on the cake. (thanks to Chris Scott for the image and Lorna Simpson for the vid)

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1 year since Looking for Lucey!


What a time we had at the EIFF and it’s mind-blowing that a whole year has passed since then – we thought we’d take proud little look at one of the brilliant films we composed music for and performed live to film at the festival. 

Please enjoy our live score for Looking for Lucey🙂!

Huge thanks to Moving Image Archive, Edinburgh International Film Festival (Young & Wild), The University of Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland, University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Research Collections and MSc Film, Exhibition & Curation students (2017-18).

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Tinderbox and Sound Cycle End Term With Packed Gig at Mac Arts

“Friday was a truly inspiring evening to finish of our project with Sound Cycle at Mac Arts in Galashiels. Young Borders bands Three Out Of Four and Geckohead were absolutely fantastic. Both bands were totally professional, musically tight with huge stage presence. Tinderbox Orchestra played an absolute blinder and we all agreed that we can’t wait to play at Mac Arts again! 

Thanks to everyone involved especially all the team at Mac Arts, Sound Cycle, Borders Young Creatives, Three Out Of Four, Geckohead, Bryan Jones on the sound and all the players in the Tinderbox Orchestra.” – Jed (Tinderbox Manager).

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Tinderbox Sunday Sessions Prepare for a “Night To Remember”

It was an inspirational rehearsal at the Jazz Bar on Sunday. We had collaborators in the form on the young and brilliant ’Three out of Four’ (pictured) from the Borders playing their song, Night to remember (https://youtu.be/GCuPp1a9oSA).

Also the exuberant and joyful ‘ACE Voices’ visiting from Aberdeen. And of course the sublime talent of Hailey Beavis. Things are really hotting up ready for the gig on 16th June at the Jazz Bar!

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Tinderbox and Sound Cycle!

“If you haven’t made it to Mac art in Galashiels yet, then this Friday is the time to do it! The doors of this stunning converted church have been open each Wednesday night for the past 6 weeks to give a space for young people living across the Scottish Borders to come together and get creative.

James McIntosh of Sound Cycle, the Scottish Borders youth music forum, has hosted Niki , Rab and Jed from Tinderbox coming down to collaborate with the young people on writing arranging orchestrating and building up to performing some exciting new music ( as well as the challenge of seeing how many gig posters we can get up on route from Edinburgh to Galashiels!).


Niki has been heading up the project with her highlight being young composer and orchestrator Rab Taylor from Tinderbox collaborating with band 3 out of 4 to add the power of the Tinderbox Orchestra to a song they finished writing after week 1 of us all meeting. the track is called a night to remember and it definitely will be so hope to see you at Mac arts Friday 7th June from 7-10pm!”

-Niki (Tinderbox Tutor and Artist) .

Click here for the event page.

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Tinderbox Sparks

Applications are now open for our

Applications are open for Tinderbox Sparks our entry level Alternative Orchestra course for 10 – 18 year olds. Grade 1 (or equivalent ability) upwards. Improvise, Compose and perform.

Join Edinburgh’s Alternative Orchestra!

Sundays 11am – 1pm. at North Edinburgh Arts. 

5th May – 23rd June

Course fee £100 (subsidised places available). 

Send us a message or email to book a place admin@tinderboxcollective.org. 

We will be working with the amazing Mike Kearney and members of the Tinderbox Orchestra to learn some new compositions that have been written this year by the Tinderbox Collective. We will explore the world of improvisation using a kung fu based conducting technique called ‘Suggesture’. We’ll compose a brand new piece of music.

The course will culminate in a performance alongside the Tinderbox Orchestra and our other projects, Tuesday Hub, Rock Trust Hub and Digital Lab.

Contact us via email or facebook messenger to reserve a place

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Tinderbox Sessions at the Jazz Bar!

What a fantastic start to our Tinderbox Orchestra sessions at the Jazz Bar yesterday! We tried out some new music from the orchestra as well as an older piece from our album, and it was sounding brilliant! Thank you to everyone who came along and got involved, was lovely to see some new faces as well as some familiar ones too. Hope to see you all again next week for some more orchestral jams!

If you would like to come along to the sessions just pop us an email to <admin@tinderboxcollective.org> and let us know!

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Tinderbox Orchestra Sessions Starting on 10th Feb

  • Dates: Sundays, 2 – 5pm, 10th February – 31st March
  • Performance: Sunday 7th April, 6 – 8:30pm
  • Venue: Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
  • Fees: Pay what you can afford (Suggested donation, £5/week)

About Tinderbox Orchestra Sessions

The idea is a bit like an orchestral jam session.  There will be a core orchestra each week who will be rehearsing and developing an exciting set of original orchestral music across different styles.  People can come and watch the sessions / rehearsals, and if you play an instrument or if you sing or rap, we’d love you to come and join in and play with the orchestra too.  You can join for the full course, or come week to week and join in at your own pace.

Who is the project for?

Musicians of any age and any instrument (including orchestral instruments, back-line instruments, singers and rappers) can join the orchestra, but the project has a focus on involving young musicians aged 14 – 25.

Note: if there are several of the same back-line instruments or several rappers on any week, you may have to take turns on different tunes.  There will also be choruses and singing in a number of pieces, and people can join in with this group too.

What level do I need to be to join in?

Some music will be easy to play and some will be difficult, and you can join in at the level that suits you.  We would like the sessions to feel accessible, exciting and challenging for both ‘intermediate’ musicians (grade 3-5 as a rough guide) and ‘advanced’ musicians (around grade 5-8 and above).  We will have a number of flexible scores, with basic and advanced parts, so you can join in where you feel comfortable. 

Note: the grades are just a guide and you do not need to have had formal training on your instrument.  It will help if you can read music a bit, though this is not essential.

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About Tinderbox Orchestra

Tinderbox Orchestra is a fusion of instruments, styles and people. An orchestra with the approach of a band, we write and perform original compositions and collaborate with exciting, contemporary bands & artists.  We love to experiment with ideas, collaborate, and try to do something new and inspiring with an orchestra.  

“A trip on a grand, ambitious and stimulating scale”

“An Orchestral Revolution” Edinburgh Evening News

**** The Guardian **** The Scotsman **** The List

www.tinderboxcollective.org

Contact us 

Please contact admin@tinderboxproject.co.uk with any questions, or to register your interest in joining the orchestra sessions. 

Please let us know your instrument, age and roughly what standard you are on your instrument (e.g. how long you have been playing, any grades or other musical experience).

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Tinderbox at the Pianodrome

What a special project and amazing space the Pianodrome is – an incredible world first amphitheatre, designed, created and hosted by the amazing multi-instrumentalist ensemble Sink, and installed at the Royal Botanics over the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2018.

 

Tinderbox had the pleasure of filling this piano bubble with amazing sounds for one day & night, where we played a couple of our album favourites, some new tunes, and joined Sink to perform a special collaboration of their tune ‘The Knife’.

 

Check out videos from our performance here!

 

The Knife / Sink arr. Tinderbox & Ros Sharp

 

Travelling On / Tinderbox & Lydia Bennett

 

Captain Beefheart / Richard Worth arr. Tinderbox

 

 

 

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Sink and Tinderbox at Pianodrome

The Pianodrome is a beautiful creation. The band ‘Sink’ and their extended community of volunteers have put blood sweat and tears into making a nest for sharing creativity and inspiration with the rest of us. What a joy it was to collaborate with them on one of their pieces ‘The Knife’. Hopefully there will be plenty more of this to come!

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Rumba De Bodas Collaboration

We had great fun collaborating  with Rumba De Bodas as part of Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival at North Edinburgh Arts.

What an amazing band, full of energy and enthusiasm. Great for all of the Tinderbox team and participants to get inspired by.

 

Also a great suggesture workshop led by Mike Kearney to kick the evening off.

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Changing Perspectives Re-Scored

Our Intermediate Orchestra did an inspirational job in creating a new score for this brilliant film made by the young people of WHEC with Screen Education Edinburgh.

The course was for young people aged 10 – 18 who can play 5 notes or more on a musical instrument. None of the young people had done anything like this before and most have never written any music before.

We spent 10 weeks using our natural powers of improvisation and creativity to develop new scores for two films led by the musical Jedi, Mike Kearney.

All of the musical ideas came from participants and the course culminated with us making a live recording of the soundtracks which you can hear below.

Here’s the audio from our second film ‘Summer In Scotland’ from the Scottish Film Archive. We don’t have permission to share the film here, only the audio.

 

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Tinderbox Collective is a community of young people, musicians, artists and youth workers, based in Scotland.  We are a registered Scottish charity, under the name Tinderbox Project, no. SC042825.


Contact us

Email
admin@tinderboxcollective.org

Address
Tinderbox Project
North Edinburgh Arts Centre
15a Pennywell Road
Edinburgh EH4 4TZ

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