Opus in 2012: Coming this year from the Now Then family
The new Opus Independents website is now live. Designed by the fine hand of Mr Michael Auty at madewithpixels, who did a great job on the Now Then website last year, the site features sections on Opus Distribution, Wordlife spoken word and poetry events and Opus Presents gigs. It is probably the best place to go to get news on the goings-on at the company, as well as finding out about upcoming shows and other shenanigans. It also looks bloody marvellous, thanks to backgrounds from Michael Latimer.
We have also launched our new online shop. Those who want to complete their collection can find reasonably priced back issues of Now Then, while the more committed can have copies delivered directly to them with a subscription. We are also stocking limited edition T-shirts, designed by the likes of Michael Latimer and Tom J Newell and produced at Yorkshire Tee.
These next couple of magazines are big milestones for us. April's issue will mark our 4th birthday as a magazine, which is a huge achievement and something we are all very proud of. As this page testifies, we will not be resting on our laurels this year, but we will certainly mark the event with a bumper mag packed with all the usual goodies. For those of you who prefer round numbers, May will be our 50th issue, so again we aim to make it a big one, with lots of interesting features and striking artwork for your eyes.
Another iron in the fire is a Now Then beer, produced lovingly in collaboration with Abbeydale Brewery. Now Then will be a pale ale with a refreshing citrus finish, made with Maris Otter low colour malt and Australian and New Zealand hops. It should be available at all good ale houses in the city and further afield from the beginning of April.
March 22nd.
We're dead chuffed with all the amazing people that have come and played for us so far, and to celebrate we decided to release an album featuring tracks kindly submitted by some of our highlights. Here's a sneak peak at some of the featured artists (we can hardly believe it): Liz Green, Thomas Leeb, The Payroll Union, Rozi Plain, Rachael Dadd, Dean McPhee, Phantom Dog Beneath the Moon, Woolly Mammoth, Sieben, James Lock, Joe Kriss and more.
FACEBOOK.COM/OPUSACOUSTICS
Opus Acoustics takes place every Thursday from 7.30pm at the Riverside Bar on Mowbray Street (S3 8EN). The premise is simple: top acoustics acts from across the country, poetry from Wordlife, word games, cheese, wine and an intimate setting. Free entry for all and sundry. Here's what we've got in store.
8th March.
AGE OF GLASS (special acoustic set) // MARK VILLHOLM.
Epic, feel-good fusion of delicately plucked summer time riffs, crushing synth explosions, bowel wobbling bass and audio chaos.
15th March.
MARK WYNN // THE RATCATCHER MALLETS.
Extensively touring Americana and folk performer from York. First-class fingerpicking with smokey vocals.
22nd March.
WOOLLY MAMMOTH // LEONIE EVANS // LOUIS ROMEGOUX.
We celebrate the release of our 1st CD with alt folk trio Woolly Mammoth, the incredible Bristolian songwriter Leonie Evans and the welcome return of Sheffield favourite Louis Romégoux.
29th March.
LIZ GREEN // ALABASTER DEPLUME.
Recently signed to PIAS and with daily national press, we are well pleased to welcome Liz Green back for some blues inspired folk.
5th April.
SERIOUS SAM BARRETT // DAVID BROAD.
Some good old -fashioned fingerpicked Americana and Blues from these two Leedsbased artists currently on tour together.
26th April.
THE MISERBALE RICH.
Chamber music meets pop, and it seems everybody wants to know about it. This renowned band mix a string quartet with catchy layered vocal harmonies and guitars to make this a show not be missed.
