You're too kind...

We've recently had our music used for an ad that's due to be broadcast from the end of this month. Below is a link to the head of the creative agency behind the ad talking about why he likes us so much. Which is jolly nice!

Click here to have a gander.

Hope everyone is feeling festive and almost ready for Christmas, we are!

P, B, N, J & K x

What...who?

So we've been beavering away over the last couple of weeks and I thought I'd tell you about it.

We are in the process of getting some of our new material mixed (mostly stuff you will have heard if you've been to a gig in the last few months) in demo form, as we don't really have anything recorded post- One Day In June, which is going back a bit these days.

The new songs have been songs that, in a way for the 1st time, we have written as a band. Musically, especially after the summer of festivals, the band has probably never been as tight as a unit and that shows in the way these songs have grown and evolved. Now we are close to having a good representation of them, it feels like we are clicking the pieces into place in the big old Urusen jigsaw.

To go along with the new recordings, we've been trying to get a better idea in our heads, and on paper, of what we want to project as a band. What is Urusen, what do we sound like, why should people listen to our music, all these sorts of questions are, I'm sure, questions all bands have to answer (or get answered for them), but it isn't easy.

We aren't a band of clones, perhaps the best thing about the band is the different personalities and stories the 5 of us have to tell. Nevertheless, we always agree there is something about the band that keeps us all attached, strong, and keeps us unwavering in our belief that we will be doing this for a long time to come. If we could bottle that effect the band has on us, I'm sure we'd never have to work again, but for now, we've just been trying to work out how to explain ourselves.

We have a couple of gigs coming up before Christmas in London, one acoustic and one full band, which we will probably use to keep bedding in some brand new stuff (one track, 'The Woodsman', is fast becoming a favourite), so if you can, check out the event details on facebook or myspace and come along.

2009 has been a very special year for all of us in lots of ways. The band has hit new heights and grown more than any of us could have hoped for. To close it, we're going to make sure the final two shows of the year are crackers, so that we keep the wheels oiled and at full speed into 2010, which promises to be an even bigger and better year for the band. Hopefully.

We are the shadows of the night

Just a quick one that we thought was too cool not to let you know about.

Verity Sharpe hosted a special Hallowe'en edition of the Late Junction on Thursday on Radio 3. To open the show, she played a track recorded in the 80s by Ben's Dad Peter Please called "We are the Shadows of the Night". It was from an album he recorded called "Uffington" to go with a book he published around the same time called "Chronicles of the White Horse".

The story is that "We are Shadows of the Night" is so scary that Ben used to hide under the kitchen table at home whenever it was played. I say used to...

Anyways, its online here, so have a listen (and a laugh or a scream depending on how easily spooked you are!)

We'll be waiting....

Whoa there, what's all that racket?!

...its the sound of us being REALLY busy! Lots of stuff going on of late in Urusen land, quite a few good gigs (where were you?!) and then lots of meetings and planning and practising and recording and...and...I'll tell you all about it!

So since the last blog, we played at the single launch of our friends Trail. it was in North London and was lots of fun and there are some lovely pictures from the night that are up on our facebook page (not group - that's closing soon so if you're still using that, get with the programme, the changeover is coming!) so have a look, some great ones of Nick and Jay - helps when your playing 100 year old beautiful instruments!

We also recently made our debut at the renowned South London venue, The Bedford. The venue is genuinely one of the most special small venues in London, with a startingly good sound system and lighting rig. The gig went really well and it was lovely to see some faces not seen for a while - we've already confirmed to go back in February so hopefully see you again then.

Last night, we we're back on Pete and Ben's home turf, playing at the infamous Moles, supporting up and coming indie-folksters Stornoway who are currently touring in support of their new single Unfaithful. We met Rahul from the band at the Larmer Tree Festival in the summer, so was great to see him again, and the night was really good all round, bpth bands on top form. Thanks to Steve and 13th floor, and everyone who came down, hopefully be back again soon.

Lots of other things going on behind the scenes at present, but nothing too set in stone yet unfortunately so will let you all know when it all gets confirmed.

In the meantime, check out this - nothing to do with us! But if you stumble across any funny urusen-themed links then please let us know!

Wake up John

As promised, there is a recording of us playing new song 'Wake up John' live at the WOMAD festival here and here. Have a listen and let us know what you think.

In other news, we are now confirmed for 'Not the Packhorse Fair' in Somerset next weekend and will be playing on Saturday afternoon - looking forward to getting back out to the South West so if you know anyone who's coming, tell them to come say hi!

Also, on the 14th of September we will be playing with Trail at the Purple Turtle in Camden for the launch of their new single Prism. T'will be our first gig in London for a while so come on down!

Big news!

All been a bit quiet on the blog of late but lots has been going on behind the scenes so thought you were all due a bit of an update.

First things first, a big congratulations is in order to Nick and his lovely partner Ellie who we are now the proud parents of Oscar Morris Tibor Ullmann. We're not going to post OK style pictures or anything gratuitous like that, but rest assured he is a beautiful baby and we all couldn't be happier for the 3 of them.

That, along with various members of the band taking some well earned down time, has meant we haven't had any gigs of late, but they will be building back up soon enough. We are confirmed for a charity gig in September for an amazing cause and will be playing alongside the legendary Mark Knopfler. Thanks again to Helen for allowing us to be a part of it.

Also coming up, we will be playing a little festival in Somerset, more details on that when its confirmed, and we will also be playing at a single launch in London for some friends of ours that promises to be a big night - again more details when we have them.

Other than that we've been having a string of seemingly endless meetings with the lovely people at Real World and just as a band, discussing everything from band outfits (no really!) to producers to what we do when the last copy of One Day in June has been sold - a fast approaching situation! Aaaaand we've also nearly finished the new recordings AND worked on some new choons - PHEW!

Needless to say there is lots in the pipeline. So keep in touch and we shall hopefully see you soon!

Urusen x

P.S. Almost forgot! Live recording from our WOMAD set will go on-line in the next 7 days. Will be a newbie so make sure you have a listen and let us know what you think!