A TALE OF ALL HALLOWS

So it's finally Hallowe'en - Gothmas if you will - and now the frenzy of trick or treating has abated, it's time to get blogging.

Today, as you cannot fail to have noticed, is the official release date of our album, 'The Tyburn Jig'. The title is taken from a historic colloquialism which described the death throes of a dying man or woman on the public gallows at Tyburn. Ironically, it's almost 228 years to the day since the gallows were last used. The final man to die on them was John Austin (a highwayman), on November 3rd 1783. But public hangings did not stop there. Unfortunately they merely shifted position to Newgate Prison, outside the debtor's door where the geographic bottleneck and crush of spectators frequently resulted in more deaths.

So there's a potted piece of criminal history for you all.

Last night Ghostfire performed a 30 minute set at the Renaissance II 'mischief festival' @ The Dome in Tufnell Park. We were aided and abetted by our old muckers Savile Row and BB Blackdog who played earlier in the day. It was a cracking line-up and we were thoroughly impressed by the band on before us - they're called Bleak so check them out if you fancy. Steampunks attended, CDs were sold and people danced. Jenevieve is doing a splendid job of managing our merch stand - which looks bloody fantastic now. Well done gal!

In spite of some minor technical hiccups involving a dodgy patch lead and a postage stamp-sized stage, we rocked a fat one and we're hoping to set up some kind of UK tour with the Blackdog guys and other steampunk bands in the near future. Watch this space for details.

I (Andii) had a rather odd experience earlier in the day when I visited the newly opened Hobbycraft store at Staples Corner in north London. I'd popped in to buy some pens but was distracted by their book section, where two tomes about steampunk were on prominent display. One was about the prime makers and shakers on the scene, and contained chapters on quite a few of our personal aquantainces. Quite bizarre really but further evidence of how steampunk is spreading surreptitiously into the mainstream. 

THE BEGINNING OF AN EXCITING WEEK!

Well it's Monday, and only six days now until the release of our long-awaited debut album, 'The Tyburn Jig'. This week Ghostfire will mostly be packaging up CDs to send out to reviewers, radio stations, DJs, kind friends and advance buyers. Keep checking this space since reviews will be published here, once they start to come in. Good or bad they will be shared - we ain't scared!!

Hallowe'en is our favourite time of year. Not just for 'mischief night' itself but also for the glorious autumnal colours, brisk, sunny days, high winds in the treetops, smell of over-ripe apples, 'Harry Potter' and 'Sleepy Hollow'. All very atmospheric and exciting. A perfect time, in fact, to release an album full of songs which are exactly that.

If you'd like to pick up a copy in person, what better way than to drop into our gig on October 30th at the Boston Arms Music Room where we will have our wares set out in all their glory. Get a shiny new CD into your sweaty hands for only a tenner.

The venue is otherwise known as The Dome. It's located at 178 Junction Road, London N19 5QQ. Since it's a Sunday night, parking restrictions will be releaxed. If you're on shanks' pony, the venue is right opposite Tufnell Park tube station, so an easy stagger there and back. Entry is £5 and for that you get nine bands! 

For more info, there's a facebook event page here

Ghostfire will be onstage at about 7.30 but doors are at 4pm and for earlybirds there's the added treat of seeing our fellow steampunk bands Savile Row and BB Blackdog perform for your delectation. Who knows, perhaps there will be a few wicked tricks involved as well. It's a night for mischief, after all.

Finally, for those who might have missed Ghostfire pumping on the radio last weekend, you can hear it by visiting our website here and find it on the home page. Unfortunately we can't embed the code onto this blog.

Happy hauntings!

GHOSTFIRE ON THE RADIO THIS SUNDAY!

That's October 16th at 10pm GMT.

Listen to preview tracks from Ghostfire's forthcoming album, 'The Tyburn Jig', plus an exclusive interview with Andii in this two hour show, dedicated to the music of Ghostfire, steampunk and associated influential music .

www.newworldradio.com

It's Eblison Grun's show which broadcasts at 10pm (UK time), 2pm (PST), 5pm (EST).

Andii and Mr E will be manning the station's shoutbox throught the show, so tune in to interact with us as well as listen to some cool tunes.

NOW WE ARE BLOGGERS!

Hello and welcome to the Ghostfire Blog.

The most current and exciting news to share with you today is the imminent release of our first album. Entitled 'The Tyburn Jig (and other Popular Dances)', it contains ten stonking tracks packed full of steampunk excellence. Release date is October 31st (yes, that's Hallowe'en as well), and it will cost £9.99 for the physical CD. There will be download  links available soon, so keep watching this space. 

If you'd like to pre-order then visit our webstore, which is HERE.

Our next blog will discuss the album's title, and how we chose it, along with insights pertaining to the tracks it contains.