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09/10/2013

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AHAB // 9TH OCTOBER // @ THE DUCHESS

09/10/2013

About this Event

Following the release of their 2009 CD a.h.a.b., Callum Adamson and Dave Burn were invited to play a residency at the famous ‘Tootsies Orchid Lounge' during Nashville's Country Music Awards week festival in Nashville, Tennessee. They recruited Seebs Llewellyn and Luke Price and spent a week playing two shows a day to packed houses, and were even given an invite to record at Warner Studios in Nashville.



ahab returned to London and decided to make the new line-up permanent, they spent two months busking in east London, which is where their unique sound took shape - four part harmonies accompanying extremely accomplished song writing. While busking, the band created such a stir on the streets that they were warned by Police not to perform at markets anymore as the crowds that gathered were blocking the streets. It was time to look further afield



In August 2010 ahab were invited to play Fairport Convention's Cropredy Festival on the strength of a YouTube video of them busking, ‘Whispering' Bob Harris watched them storm the 15,000 strong crowd from the side of the stage and invited them there and then to record a session for his Saturday night BBC Radio 2 programme. At this point ahab still did not have a CD available for their rapidly growing fan base to take home.



So, in October 2010 ahab went into London's Snap Studios to record a 5 track EP of self-penned songs. Impressed by the results, Bob Harris offered to host their EP launch at the BBC Club. Then the word got out.



Legendary producer John Leckie attended one of their early shows and offered to return to Snap Studios to record ‘Lucy', a download single. The single was promoted by a 20-strong date national tour - most of the dates selling out in advance.



In April 2011 ahab recorded another 5 track EP at Real World Studios, once again with John Leckie at the helm. This EP was released on Navigator Records in autumn 2011.

Throughout the summer of 2011, ahab performed at over 20 festivals in the UK and Europe as well as several of their own shows. This followed when the band were invited to join fellow Navigator stablemates Bellowhead as guests on their UK tour. The ahab reviews from this tour were sensational.



2012 saw their first trip to Australia. ahab outsold all other foreign acts at the Port Fairy, Moss Vale and Blue Mountain festivals. At Port Fairy alone they sold 585 CD's making them the 2nd highest CD seller including the domestic artists. For the Australian tour, 11 EP tracks were remastered and made into an album specifically for that market. 1100 copies were manufactured down under and all have now been sold.



At Cambridge Folk Festival 2012, following their performance, ahab sold over 100 EPs (which had been out for 12 months) on the quiet 'welcome' Thursday. The summer went on to see them appearing at many major UK festivals including Green Man, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party & Bestival to name but a few. At Cropredy Festival 2012, (where they weren't even playing), they sold 140 copies of their new CD ‘Live in London.'



On the band's return to Tønder Festival in 2012, ahab were the highest CD selling band at the Millstream Records shop. 420 copies of Live in London were sold.



ahab finished their largest UK tour to date in October 2012 (31 dates) - which saw them headlining at prestigious venues such as O2 Academy 2 Sheffield, Academy 3 Birmingham & The Lexington (London). Many shows were sold out and CD & merch sales have been phenomenal.



Please note you must be 14 or over to gain admittance

The Duchess, Stonebow House, The Stonebow Stonebow House, The Stonebow, York, North Yorkshire YO1 7NP