PRESS RELEASE - SATURDAY 27th JULY 2013
GENERAL RELEASE ON PLASTIC HEAD MUSIC DISTRIBUTION FROM 5/8/13 AND 'CHASING STORMS' VIDEO RELEASE
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES GENERAL RELEASE OF "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM ON PLASTIC HEAD DISTRIBUTION AND NEW "CHASING STORMS" VIDEO
Rob Cottingham announces the general release of his second solo album, Captain Blue, on Plastic Head Distribution from 5th August 2013.
In a statement, Rob said: "I am delighted that my solo album is now available to a wider market via Plastic Head. I should like to thank all at PHD for their erstwhile support. I dealt with PHD when Touchstone was on Heavy Right Foot Records label, and have always found them to be highly professional and a joy to work with. Thanks also to Lycan Media for supporting with PHD and the marketing of the album."
The 'Chasing Storms' video was made in Majorca and includes extracts from studio footage at Sinewave of the making of the Captain Blue album, and photoshoot footage from Hoss Photography in January 2013. The video features Rob and Heather Findlay, plus Gary O'Toole, Adam Hodgson, Dr Goatious Foot, and Shane Rimmer.
You can view the video here on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2fkSdR0-ts
The album can be ordered exclusively through PHD from 5th August 2013 on http://www.plastichead.com/catalogue.asp?ex=fitem&verb=F&target=C6RJC1302 and is also on general release for download on all popular digital sites, such as iTunes, Amazon, Play.com etc.
Behind The Orchard Tree, Rob's first solo album from March 2002, is also available for download on all popular digital sites. For a demo of Behind The Orchard Tree, please see http://www.broadjam.com/artists/songs.php?artistID=84158&mediaID=543884
Captain's BLog
You can access "Captain's BLog" - Rob's personal diary covering March to September 2012 about the 'making of' the album:
http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/captains-making-of-cd-blog---march-to-sept-2012.html.
This contains exclusive insights and photographs.
You can follow Rob on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist pagehttp://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue.
You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc please address to Lycan Media at info@lycanmedia.co.uk.
END
27/7/13 16:20hrs
CAPTAIN BLUE ALBUM RELEASE 14/1/13
PRESS RELEASE - MONDAY 14th JANUARY 2013
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, RELEASES "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM.
Rob Cottingham announces the release of his second solo album, Captain Blue.
This can now be ordered exclusively through www.robcottingham.co.uk and is also on general release for download on all popular digital sites, such as iTunes, Amazon, Play.com etc.
Behind The Orchard Tree, Rob's first solo album from March 2002, is also now available for download on all popular digital sites. For a demo of Behind The Orchard Tree, please see http://www.broadjam.com/artists/songs.php?artistID=84158&mediaID=543884
Captain's BLog
In celebration of the release, you can from today access "Captain's BLog" - Rob's personal diary covering March to September 2012 about the 'making of' the album:
http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/captains-making-of-cd-blog---march-to-sept-2012.html.
This contains exclusive insights and photographs.
AiiRadio "An Evening With..." 15/1/13 10pm UK time
For more information, listen out to Brian Dade's show on 15th January 10pm UK time on aiiRadio.net where Brian is running 'An Evening with Rob Cottingham'. Brian is exclusively playing the whole of the Captain Blue album, and Rob is joining him live for the three hour show to talk about the album.
You can follow Rob on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist pagehttp://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue. You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc please address to Lycan Media at info@lycanmedia.co.uk.
END
14/1/13
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, RELEASES "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM.
Rob Cottingham announces the release of his second solo album, Captain Blue.
This can now be ordered exclusively through www.robcottingham.co.uk and is also on general release for download on all popular digital sites, such as iTunes, Amazon, Play.com etc.
Behind The Orchard Tree, Rob's first solo album from March 2002, is also now available for download on all popular digital sites. For a demo of Behind The Orchard Tree, please see http://www.broadjam.com/artists/songs.php?artistID=84158&mediaID=543884
Captain's BLog
In celebration of the release, you can from today access "Captain's BLog" - Rob's personal diary covering March to September 2012 about the 'making of' the album:
http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/captains-making-of-cd-blog---march-to-sept-2012.html.
This contains exclusive insights and photographs.
AiiRadio "An Evening With..." 15/1/13 10pm UK time
For more information, listen out to Brian Dade's show on 15th January 10pm UK time on aiiRadio.net where Brian is running 'An Evening with Rob Cottingham'. Brian is exclusively playing the whole of the Captain Blue album, and Rob is joining him live for the three hour show to talk about the album.
You can follow Rob on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist pagehttp://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue. You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc please address to Lycan Media at info@lycanmedia.co.uk.
END
14/1/13
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 7th DECEMBER 2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM AND DIGITAL RELEASE OF FIRST SOLO ALBUM.
Rob Cottingham announces the release date for his second solo album, Captain Blue, as 14th January 2013, and the digital release of his first solo album, Behind The Orchard Tree.
In a statement, Rob said: "I am delighted to at last announce the official release date of Captain Blue which will be 14/1/13. That will be almost a year to the day that I met Gary O'Toole in London to discuss his involvement in the project, and to say that the year since then has been a rollercoaster in so many different ways would be an understatement. In a bizarre turn of events, my real life was following the Captain Blue 'path' - a case of 'life imitating art'!
To celebrate this announcement, and due to a multitude of requests to hear "the album that started it all" from ten years ago, after the last copy was sold last year, I am also pleased to announce that my first solo album, Behind The Orchard Tree, which was released in March 2002, will soon be available for download on all popular digital sites, such as iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, amazon.com, and so on. The tracks are all set up and good to go, and once I get a clear timeline from my distributor for digital release, I will let everyone know.
Please note, this first album was recorded in only seven days on an analogue desk, so do check it out before you buy. For those that are interested, the album was recorded at Linford Manor Studios in a Milton Keynes through the same desk used by Pink Floyd in Abbey Road, through which they recorded Wish You Were Here. Linford Manor had to squeeze me in at the time between Skunk Anansie and Jamiroquai.
See if you can spot the track where the band name, Touchstone, came from. You might also be interested to know that the man behind the Captain Blue illustrative artwork, Andrew Wildman, is also the drummer on this first album, and he is still banging things around today in a great folk rock band called Cooper Black.
I would like to especially thank those wonderful people who have pre-ordered the Captain Blue album since July. The albums are now on their way. Your faith, support - and patience! - have been absolutely fantastic.
For those of you who missed the pre-order deadline, you have one last chance to guarantee to get this album before Christmas! You will be able to exclusively buy this album in advance of the release date at the Touchstone "End Of The World" Christmas gig at The Borderline on 21st December 2012. Stock will be limited so do make sure you get along to the gig to enjoy a cracker of a Christmas show and gnab your copy of Captain Blue, at the same time. Touchstone are also selling their t-shirts at a knock down price so grab some of those, too. Once they're gone, they're gone!
Finally, apart from having great fun together on producing Captain Blue, I am also really proud of what Heather, Adam, Gary, Simon and I achieved - with the fabulous support of Steve Hackett and Shane Rimmer, as well as, of course, Sinewave Studios - and I sincerely hope everyone who buys the album feels more than adequately rewarded by what has been described to me as a seventy minute album full of many different colours."
For more information about the Captain Blue album, please see www.robcottingham.co.uk where you can also hear and download a demo mp3.
For a demo of Behind The Orchard Tree, please see http://www.broadjam.com/artists/songs.php?artistID=84158&mediaID=543884
You can follow Rob on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue. You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc please address to Lycan Media at info@lycanmedia.co.uk.
END
7/12/12
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES STEVE HACKETT AS SPECIAL GUEST SOLOIST FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM
Rob Cottingham is delighted to announce that the Rock Hall of Fame inductee, Steve Hackett, has recorded a guitar solo specially for his solo album, Captain Blue.
Steve Hackett is renowned as an immensely talented and innovative rock musician. He was lead guitarist with Genesis as part of their classic line up with Gabriel, Collins, Banks and Rutherford, that produced acclaimed albums such as Selling England by the Pound (a favourite of John Lennon) and has led a highly successful solo career since leaving Genesis in 1977, after his work on the Wind & Wuthering album, including the song penned by Hackett and Collins, Blood On The Rooftops - one of Rob's all time favourite albums and songs.
In a statement, Rob said "I am greatly honoured to have Steve contributing an awesome guitar solo to the last track of my solo album. I have been a massive Genesis and Steve Hackett fan since I was a lad, so for Steve to kindly offer up his talent has meant a lot to me, not just at a professional level, but at a personal level, too. The solo is stunning and so appropriate to the music and sentiment of the piece - I cannot wait for people to hear it!
This also completes the line up announcements - and what a line up, with myself on vocals and keys; Heather Findlay on vocals; Adam Hodgson on guitars; Dr Goat Foot on bass and Gary O'Toole on drums, and a guitar solo by Steve Hackett and a narration by Shane Rimmer. In terms of talent - an embarrassment of riches!"
Steve has been extremely busy recently having recently accepted awards at September's Prog Awards for Squackett's Anthem with 'Life Within A Day' and a Lifetime Achievement award for Genesis.
Steve released the Squackett album with Chris Squire from Yes in Summer 2012, and he is presently promoting a brand new album, Genesis Revisited II, just released, and an album tour in Spring 2013, which includes a kick-off on the "Cruise To The Edge" Florida tour in March. Details can be found on http://www.hackettsongs.com/ where pre-orders for the new album can be taken, and tickets for the gigs can be booked.
Steve was delighted to be involved in Rob's solo project stating "I very much enjoyed doing the solo for the end part of Rob's majestic Captain Blue."
For more information about the Captain Blue album, please see www.robcottingham.co.uk and a promo video, which can be seen on the new website as well as on YouTube, here 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJN0fn068ys'.
You can also hear a demo mp3 on http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/album-overview--demo.html.
Progress can be followed on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue.
You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Press releases can also be found on 'http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/press-releases.html'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc to be addressed to Lycan Media at info@lycanmedia.co.uk.
Release Date & Pre-Order information
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot Records label in January 2013.
Customers who pre-order via the website (http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/shop---pre-order-here.html)
will receive exclusive access to "Captain's BLog" - a comprehensive 'Making of Captain Blue' archive - and will receive the album in advance of the general release date.
END
26/10/2012
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES VOICE OVER ARTIST FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM AND NEW JANUARY 2013 ALBUM RELEASE DATE
Special Guest
Rob is delighted to announce that the famous T.V. and Film Actor, Canadian Shane Rimmer, has recorded a stunning voice over for his solo album, Captain Blue.
Shane is renowned as the iconic voice of Scott Tracy from the original 60's Thunderbirds T.V series. In addition he has appeared in three James Bond films, culminating with a lead role in 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. Other major films include Dr Strangelove, Star Wars, Out Of Africa, Gandhi, Spy Game, Superman 2 & 3 and Batman Begins.
After many years as an actor, voice artist and script writer for Gerry Anderson, he has published his autobiography 'From Thunderbirds To Pterodactyls'.
In a statement, Rob said "I am greatly honoured to have had Shane contributing his awesome talents to my album. Whilst the connection with Gerry Anderson is entirely appropriate to this album, more than that, the treatment Shane gave to my written piece - a track called 'Condemnation' - was pure genius."
Shane stated "I was delighted to put my voice to such inspirational lyric writing. The music is just 'something else'. Wait 'till you hear it!"
With the 50th anniversary of Bond Films now being celebrated, Shane is busy making appearances to support all things Bond. He and his wife, Sheila, have just attended the premiere of the Bond documentary at the Odeon, Leicester Square, "Everything Or Nothing", The Untold Story of 007.
On October 6th, he will be appearing at Beaulieu where there is an exhibition called "Bond In Motion ", to sell his book, sign photos and meet the press, covered by BBC Solent. Aside from Bond, Shane has recently recorded a Penguin Audio CD & download of the Roald Dahl adult short story, 'The Great Switcheroo'.
Next week he will be narrating a Dr Who story for the Audio BBC GO, called "The Gunfighters."
On November 24th he will be at The Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, Shipnal, in an event called "Cosford Flights Of Fancy" to celebrate the Sci-Fi aspect of flight.
November 25th Shane will be appearing at 'Memorabilia' at the N.E.C Birmingham.
Please see www.shanerimmer.com for more about Shane.
New release date
Rob also announces the album will be released in January 2013.
In a statement, Rob said "Firstly, thank you so much to all those who have pre-ordered so far. Those who have, and who were thus able to access my 'making of' archive, will have a hint as to why we have pushed back the release date. External factors have conspired against us, however, I can confirm that the album is recorded, mixed and mastered, and will go into production in the next few weeks. If we can bring this forward, we will.
Anyone who has pre-ordered and has any concerns at all can write to us at 'captainbluecustomers@gmail.com'. I can also confirm that I have another important announcement due at the end of October, so watch this space. It will all be worth the wait!"
For more information about the Captain Blue album, please see www.robcottingham.co.uk and a promo video, which can be seen on the new website as well as on YouTube, here 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJN0fn068ys'.
You can also hear a demo mp3 on http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/album-overview--demo.html.
Progress can be followed on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue.
You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Press releases can also be found on 'http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/press-releases.html'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc to be addressed to Lycan Media at info@lycanmedia.co.uk.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot Records label in January 2013.
END
5/10/2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES FEMALE VOCALIST FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM.
Rob is delighted to announce that Heather Findlay will be sharing vocal duties with him on his solo album, Captain Blue.
For thirteen years, Heather fronted Mostly Autumn, taking them from fledgling local hopefuls to international Classic Rock giants. During this time Heather cemented a reputation as a celebrated songwriter, mesmerising performer and awesome vocalist, possessed of a keen ability to communicate heart, power and emotion in her singing.
Heather left Mostly Autumn in 2010, and formed an elite band from the upper echelons of the rock world and is presently carving out a highly successful solo career, with a tour planned in November.
In a statement, Rob advised "I am extremely honoured to have Heather on board. I obviously knew of Heather and her great vocal talents, but it was when she and Chris Johnson were sound checking their acoustic set in Newcastle in October last year that her voice really drew me in. I was originally going to ask Heather to duet with me on one song, but then the more I wrote, the more I realised I wanted Heather across the piece, and sure enough her contribution lifts the vocals up to the headiest of heights."
For more information about the Captain Blue album, please see www.robcottingham.co.uk and a promo video, which can be seen on the new website as well as on YouTube, here 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJN0fn068ys'.
Progress can be followed on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue.
You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Press releases can also be found on 'http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/press-releases.html'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc to be addressed to 'infocaptainblue@gmail.com'.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot Records label in October 2012.
END
31st August 2012
Sent from my iPad
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 3rd AUGUST 2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES GUITARIST FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM; NEW WEBSITE & NEW PROMO VIDEO
Rob is delighted to announce that Adam Hodgson from Touchstone will be the guitarist for his solo album, Captain Blue.
In a statement Rob advised "Maybe this does not come as a surprise, but Adam was quite simply my first choice. Apart from the fact that he and I have been 'brothers-in-arms' since 2003, when he joined Touchstone, and writing a lot of material together, so we know each other inside out - he is in my view one of the finest rock guitarists in the world.
I was pleased, delighted - and a little surprised! - when Adam agreed to support me on my solo venture, as he is a very, very busy guy.
It also meant having to learn my material; putting up with some weird 'guitarist unfriendly' chord structures - as well as being 'directed' by me, so a very different working dynamic to our Touchstone partnership approach, but behind it all - as always - the slant of having some fun together as mates, and producing something that will 'kick butt'!"
Rob is also delighted to announce that his brand new website "www.robcottingham.co.uk" has now been launched, where you can find background about Rob, including his influences, a teaser photograph of the female vocalist soon to be announced, and some more detail about the album.
Rob has also released a brand new promo video, which can be seen on the new website as well as on YouTube, here 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJN0fn068ys'.
Progress can be followed on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on his artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue.
You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Press releases can also be found on 'http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/press-releases.html'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc to be addressed to 'infocaptainblue@gmail.com'.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot record label in October 2012.
END
3/8/12
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 20th JULY 2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES SOLO ALBUM DRUMMER AND BASSIST.
Rob Cottingham is due to release his solo album, Captain Blue. Rob describes the album as a "cross-genre-ational, eclectic mix with hints of rock, pop and prog, plus a few surprises thrown into the bag".
Rob is proud to announce the drummer on his album is Gary O'Toole.
Gary has been a top professional drummer for more than thirty years and is well-known and respected in the rock world.
In addition to worldwide live appearances with Bucks Fizz, China Crisis, and blues maestro Stephen Dale Petit he has a lengthy studio CV, drumming for top producers Marius De Vries and Richard Niles, and for a diverse range of artists from Mel C to Kylie Minogue to Chrissie Hynde.
Gary also set up his own drum school, teaching Steve Sidelynk (Madonna) and Coldplay's Will Champion, to name but two.
Gary has been a fixture in the Steve Hackett Band since 2000, underpinning countless gigs from Stockholm to Santiago (including the DVDs Somewhere In South America and Once Above A Time). He also played drums on the studio albums To Watch The Storms and Wild Orchids, and the more recent Behind The Shrouded Horizons.
Gary is also a talented vocalist and guitarist.
You can find out more about Gary at www.myspace.com/garyotoole, and the Mapex drums website where he is proud to be an endorsed artist http://mapex.co.uk/artists/gary-o-toole.
Rob is also proud to announce on bass guitar Goatious Foot.
Goatious Foot is presently in a band called The Carpathian Inflammable Shadow Puppet Orchestra, which also features Gary O'Toole on drums.
Dr Goat Foot, as he is also known, has been playing bass some twenty-five years and has trained in the US with some bass guitar legends such as Victor Wootten and Steve Bailey. He has also played in Donovan's band and toured with Neville Staples of The Specials, and many other well-known musicians.
Despite such a long career, this is the first time Dr Goat Foot has been involved with actually laying down some bass lines in a recording studio. In a statement, Rob advised he is "delighted to be the first artist to record his fantastic work."
Further announcements about other band members, a brand new website and pre-orders will be made soon and all press releases can be found on 'www.captainblue@info'.
Progress can be tracked on Rob's Facebook page www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9; artist page www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue and follow Rob on his new Twitter page @RobCottingham1.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot record label in October 2012.
All press enquiries to infocaptainblue@gmail.com.
END
20/7/12
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 13/7/12
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, TO RELEASE SOLO ALBUM IN OCTOBER 2012
Rob Cottingham, singer, song-writer, keyboard player, and the musician who founded Touchstone back in 2001 - as a result of his debut solo album, 'Behind The Orchard Tree' - is due to release a second solo album over a decade on which he describes as a "cross-genre-ational, eclectic mix with hints of rock, pop and prog, plus a few surprises thrown into the bag".
Words and music are by Rob who advises that the album very much revolves around the themes of "time, death, self-realisation...and not taking yourself too seriously...".
The album title will be "Captain Blue", named after one of the album tracks. When asked what was behind the title, Rob responded "it's a long story - you will really need to buy the album to find out!"
The album is being recorded at Sinewave Studios in Tamworth under the auspices of Alan Caves, a giant in the rock recording industry, and Chris Lynch - Touchstone's live Sound Engineer.
Alan was the studio manager of DEP studios in Birmingham. He recorded UB40's Labour of Love album, which included the hit Red Red Wine, and he was their Front Of House engineer in the 80s. He also worked with a lot of the big acts which came out of Birmingham such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, Tears For Fears - to name but a few. He also recorded "On A Story Teller's Night" - Magnum's most successful album, and the one that arguably 'made' them back in 1985.
Alan was also the engineer for The Boomtown Rats at the height of their success.
After his spell at DEP, Alan went to Sandwell College and became chief lecturer for their course in recording and sound technologies. Many of Alan's pupils have gone on to work in the music industry and some, like Bitty McClean, have gone on to be stars in their own right. Alan designed the studios at DEP, Sandwell College, and now Sinewave Studios.
Chris Lynch is also the chief house sound man at The Leamington Assembly Rooms, and vocalist and guitarist of the band, Lost In Vegas.
Jon Caves, Alan's son and an accomplished drummer in his own right, also supports on the engineering front.
The album will be mixed by Alan and Rob, and will be mastered by Tim Turan (You Me At Six; Status Quo; Frost*; Madness; Hawkwind; It Bites; Van Halen and many more).
Album artwork will be by another industry giant of the world of art, Andrew Wildman. Andrew is a British artist famed for his artwork on Marvel Comics and Transformers magazines, and has his own fan base stretching across continents. Rob was after a more illustrative approach to add more 'life' into his album concept design, rather than 'design' per se.
The album cover artwork, band members and pricing will be announced soon, together with details of how to pre-order the album via a brand new website, also due to be launched soon.
In the meantime, news and announcements can be found on Rob's Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and you can follow progress also by following Rob via his brand new Twitter page '@RobCottingham1'.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot record label in October 2012.
Any press enquiries to be addressed to 'infocaptainblue@gmail.com'.
END
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM AND DIGITAL RELEASE OF FIRST SOLO ALBUM.
Rob Cottingham announces the release date for his second solo album, Captain Blue, as 14th January 2013, and the digital release of his first solo album, Behind The Orchard Tree.
In a statement, Rob said: "I am delighted to at last announce the official release date of Captain Blue which will be 14/1/13. That will be almost a year to the day that I met Gary O'Toole in London to discuss his involvement in the project, and to say that the year since then has been a rollercoaster in so many different ways would be an understatement. In a bizarre turn of events, my real life was following the Captain Blue 'path' - a case of 'life imitating art'!
To celebrate this announcement, and due to a multitude of requests to hear "the album that started it all" from ten years ago, after the last copy was sold last year, I am also pleased to announce that my first solo album, Behind The Orchard Tree, which was released in March 2002, will soon be available for download on all popular digital sites, such as iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, amazon.com, and so on. The tracks are all set up and good to go, and once I get a clear timeline from my distributor for digital release, I will let everyone know.
Please note, this first album was recorded in only seven days on an analogue desk, so do check it out before you buy. For those that are interested, the album was recorded at Linford Manor Studios in a Milton Keynes through the same desk used by Pink Floyd in Abbey Road, through which they recorded Wish You Were Here. Linford Manor had to squeeze me in at the time between Skunk Anansie and Jamiroquai.
See if you can spot the track where the band name, Touchstone, came from. You might also be interested to know that the man behind the Captain Blue illustrative artwork, Andrew Wildman, is also the drummer on this first album, and he is still banging things around today in a great folk rock band called Cooper Black.
I would like to especially thank those wonderful people who have pre-ordered the Captain Blue album since July. The albums are now on their way. Your faith, support - and patience! - have been absolutely fantastic.
For those of you who missed the pre-order deadline, you have one last chance to guarantee to get this album before Christmas! You will be able to exclusively buy this album in advance of the release date at the Touchstone "End Of The World" Christmas gig at The Borderline on 21st December 2012. Stock will be limited so do make sure you get along to the gig to enjoy a cracker of a Christmas show and gnab your copy of Captain Blue, at the same time. Touchstone are also selling their t-shirts at a knock down price so grab some of those, too. Once they're gone, they're gone!
Finally, apart from having great fun together on producing Captain Blue, I am also really proud of what Heather, Adam, Gary, Simon and I achieved - with the fabulous support of Steve Hackett and Shane Rimmer, as well as, of course, Sinewave Studios - and I sincerely hope everyone who buys the album feels more than adequately rewarded by what has been described to me as a seventy minute album full of many different colours."
For more information about the Captain Blue album, please see www.robcottingham.co.uk where you can also hear and download a demo mp3.
For a demo of Behind The Orchard Tree, please see http://www.broadjam.com/artists/songs.php?artistID=84158&mediaID=543884
You can follow Rob on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue. You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc please address to Lycan Media at info@lycanmedia.co.uk.
END
7/12/12
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES STEVE HACKETT AS SPECIAL GUEST SOLOIST FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM
Rob Cottingham is delighted to announce that the Rock Hall of Fame inductee, Steve Hackett, has recorded a guitar solo specially for his solo album, Captain Blue.
Steve Hackett is renowned as an immensely talented and innovative rock musician. He was lead guitarist with Genesis as part of their classic line up with Gabriel, Collins, Banks and Rutherford, that produced acclaimed albums such as Selling England by the Pound (a favourite of John Lennon) and has led a highly successful solo career since leaving Genesis in 1977, after his work on the Wind & Wuthering album, including the song penned by Hackett and Collins, Blood On The Rooftops - one of Rob's all time favourite albums and songs.
In a statement, Rob said "I am greatly honoured to have Steve contributing an awesome guitar solo to the last track of my solo album. I have been a massive Genesis and Steve Hackett fan since I was a lad, so for Steve to kindly offer up his talent has meant a lot to me, not just at a professional level, but at a personal level, too. The solo is stunning and so appropriate to the music and sentiment of the piece - I cannot wait for people to hear it!
This also completes the line up announcements - and what a line up, with myself on vocals and keys; Heather Findlay on vocals; Adam Hodgson on guitars; Dr Goat Foot on bass and Gary O'Toole on drums, and a guitar solo by Steve Hackett and a narration by Shane Rimmer. In terms of talent - an embarrassment of riches!"
Steve has been extremely busy recently having recently accepted awards at September's Prog Awards for Squackett's Anthem with 'Life Within A Day' and a Lifetime Achievement award for Genesis.
Steve released the Squackett album with Chris Squire from Yes in Summer 2012, and he is presently promoting a brand new album, Genesis Revisited II, just released, and an album tour in Spring 2013, which includes a kick-off on the "Cruise To The Edge" Florida tour in March. Details can be found on http://www.hackettsongs.com/ where pre-orders for the new album can be taken, and tickets for the gigs can be booked.
Steve was delighted to be involved in Rob's solo project stating "I very much enjoyed doing the solo for the end part of Rob's majestic Captain Blue."
For more information about the Captain Blue album, please see www.robcottingham.co.uk and a promo video, which can be seen on the new website as well as on YouTube, here 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJN0fn068ys'.
You can also hear a demo mp3 on http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/album-overview--demo.html.
Progress can be followed on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue.
You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Press releases can also be found on 'http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/press-releases.html'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc to be addressed to Lycan Media at info@lycanmedia.co.uk.
Release Date & Pre-Order information
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot Records label in January 2013.
Customers who pre-order via the website (http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/shop---pre-order-here.html)
will receive exclusive access to "Captain's BLog" - a comprehensive 'Making of Captain Blue' archive - and will receive the album in advance of the general release date.
END
26/10/2012
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES VOICE OVER ARTIST FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM AND NEW JANUARY 2013 ALBUM RELEASE DATE
Special Guest
Rob is delighted to announce that the famous T.V. and Film Actor, Canadian Shane Rimmer, has recorded a stunning voice over for his solo album, Captain Blue.
Shane is renowned as the iconic voice of Scott Tracy from the original 60's Thunderbirds T.V series. In addition he has appeared in three James Bond films, culminating with a lead role in 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. Other major films include Dr Strangelove, Star Wars, Out Of Africa, Gandhi, Spy Game, Superman 2 & 3 and Batman Begins.
After many years as an actor, voice artist and script writer for Gerry Anderson, he has published his autobiography 'From Thunderbirds To Pterodactyls'.
In a statement, Rob said "I am greatly honoured to have had Shane contributing his awesome talents to my album. Whilst the connection with Gerry Anderson is entirely appropriate to this album, more than that, the treatment Shane gave to my written piece - a track called 'Condemnation' - was pure genius."
Shane stated "I was delighted to put my voice to such inspirational lyric writing. The music is just 'something else'. Wait 'till you hear it!"
With the 50th anniversary of Bond Films now being celebrated, Shane is busy making appearances to support all things Bond. He and his wife, Sheila, have just attended the premiere of the Bond documentary at the Odeon, Leicester Square, "Everything Or Nothing", The Untold Story of 007.
On October 6th, he will be appearing at Beaulieu where there is an exhibition called "Bond In Motion ", to sell his book, sign photos and meet the press, covered by BBC Solent. Aside from Bond, Shane has recently recorded a Penguin Audio CD & download of the Roald Dahl adult short story, 'The Great Switcheroo'.
Next week he will be narrating a Dr Who story for the Audio BBC GO, called "The Gunfighters."
On November 24th he will be at The Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, Shipnal, in an event called "Cosford Flights Of Fancy" to celebrate the Sci-Fi aspect of flight.
November 25th Shane will be appearing at 'Memorabilia' at the N.E.C Birmingham.
Please see www.shanerimmer.com for more about Shane.
New release date
Rob also announces the album will be released in January 2013.
In a statement, Rob said "Firstly, thank you so much to all those who have pre-ordered so far. Those who have, and who were thus able to access my 'making of' archive, will have a hint as to why we have pushed back the release date. External factors have conspired against us, however, I can confirm that the album is recorded, mixed and mastered, and will go into production in the next few weeks. If we can bring this forward, we will.
Anyone who has pre-ordered and has any concerns at all can write to us at 'captainbluecustomers@gmail.com'. I can also confirm that I have another important announcement due at the end of October, so watch this space. It will all be worth the wait!"
For more information about the Captain Blue album, please see www.robcottingham.co.uk and a promo video, which can be seen on the new website as well as on YouTube, here 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJN0fn068ys'.
You can also hear a demo mp3 on http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/album-overview--demo.html.
Progress can be followed on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue.
You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Press releases can also be found on 'http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/press-releases.html'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc to be addressed to Lycan Media at info@lycanmedia.co.uk.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot Records label in January 2013.
END
5/10/2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES FEMALE VOCALIST FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM.
Rob is delighted to announce that Heather Findlay will be sharing vocal duties with him on his solo album, Captain Blue.
For thirteen years, Heather fronted Mostly Autumn, taking them from fledgling local hopefuls to international Classic Rock giants. During this time Heather cemented a reputation as a celebrated songwriter, mesmerising performer and awesome vocalist, possessed of a keen ability to communicate heart, power and emotion in her singing.
Heather left Mostly Autumn in 2010, and formed an elite band from the upper echelons of the rock world and is presently carving out a highly successful solo career, with a tour planned in November.
In a statement, Rob advised "I am extremely honoured to have Heather on board. I obviously knew of Heather and her great vocal talents, but it was when she and Chris Johnson were sound checking their acoustic set in Newcastle in October last year that her voice really drew me in. I was originally going to ask Heather to duet with me on one song, but then the more I wrote, the more I realised I wanted Heather across the piece, and sure enough her contribution lifts the vocals up to the headiest of heights."
For more information about the Captain Blue album, please see www.robcottingham.co.uk and a promo video, which can be seen on the new website as well as on YouTube, here 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJN0fn068ys'.
Progress can be followed on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on Rob's artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue.
You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Press releases can also be found on 'http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/press-releases.html'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc to be addressed to 'infocaptainblue@gmail.com'.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot Records label in October 2012.
END
31st August 2012
Sent from my iPad
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 3rd AUGUST 2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER, KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES GUITARIST FOR "CAPTAIN BLUE" SOLO ALBUM; NEW WEBSITE & NEW PROMO VIDEO
Rob is delighted to announce that Adam Hodgson from Touchstone will be the guitarist for his solo album, Captain Blue.
In a statement Rob advised "Maybe this does not come as a surprise, but Adam was quite simply my first choice. Apart from the fact that he and I have been 'brothers-in-arms' since 2003, when he joined Touchstone, and writing a lot of material together, so we know each other inside out - he is in my view one of the finest rock guitarists in the world.
I was pleased, delighted - and a little surprised! - when Adam agreed to support me on my solo venture, as he is a very, very busy guy.
It also meant having to learn my material; putting up with some weird 'guitarist unfriendly' chord structures - as well as being 'directed' by me, so a very different working dynamic to our Touchstone partnership approach, but behind it all - as always - the slant of having some fun together as mates, and producing something that will 'kick butt'!"
Rob is also delighted to announce that his brand new website "www.robcottingham.co.uk" has now been launched, where you can find background about Rob, including his influences, a teaser photograph of the female vocalist soon to be announced, and some more detail about the album.
Rob has also released a brand new promo video, which can be seen on the new website as well as on YouTube, here 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJN0fn068ys'.
Progress can be followed on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and on his artist page http://www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue.
You can also follow Rob on Twitter 'http://www.twitter.com/@RobCottingham1'.
Press releases can also be found on 'http://www.robcottingham.co.uk/press-releases.html'.
Any press enquiries, interview requests etc to be addressed to 'infocaptainblue@gmail.com'.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot record label in October 2012.
END
3/8/12
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 20th JULY 2012
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, ANNOUNCES SOLO ALBUM DRUMMER AND BASSIST.
Rob Cottingham is due to release his solo album, Captain Blue. Rob describes the album as a "cross-genre-ational, eclectic mix with hints of rock, pop and prog, plus a few surprises thrown into the bag".
Rob is proud to announce the drummer on his album is Gary O'Toole.
Gary has been a top professional drummer for more than thirty years and is well-known and respected in the rock world.
In addition to worldwide live appearances with Bucks Fizz, China Crisis, and blues maestro Stephen Dale Petit he has a lengthy studio CV, drumming for top producers Marius De Vries and Richard Niles, and for a diverse range of artists from Mel C to Kylie Minogue to Chrissie Hynde.
Gary also set up his own drum school, teaching Steve Sidelynk (Madonna) and Coldplay's Will Champion, to name but two.
Gary has been a fixture in the Steve Hackett Band since 2000, underpinning countless gigs from Stockholm to Santiago (including the DVDs Somewhere In South America and Once Above A Time). He also played drums on the studio albums To Watch The Storms and Wild Orchids, and the more recent Behind The Shrouded Horizons.
Gary is also a talented vocalist and guitarist.
You can find out more about Gary at www.myspace.com/garyotoole, and the Mapex drums website where he is proud to be an endorsed artist http://mapex.co.uk/artists/gary-o-toole.
Rob is also proud to announce on bass guitar Goatious Foot.
Goatious Foot is presently in a band called The Carpathian Inflammable Shadow Puppet Orchestra, which also features Gary O'Toole on drums.
Dr Goat Foot, as he is also known, has been playing bass some twenty-five years and has trained in the US with some bass guitar legends such as Victor Wootten and Steve Bailey. He has also played in Donovan's band and toured with Neville Staples of The Specials, and many other well-known musicians.
Despite such a long career, this is the first time Dr Goat Foot has been involved with actually laying down some bass lines in a recording studio. In a statement, Rob advised he is "delighted to be the first artist to record his fantastic work."
Further announcements about other band members, a brand new website and pre-orders will be made soon and all press releases can be found on 'www.captainblue@info'.
Progress can be tracked on Rob's Facebook page www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9; artist page www.facebook.com/RobCottinghamCaptainBlue and follow Rob on his new Twitter page @RobCottingham1.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot record label in October 2012.
All press enquiries to infocaptainblue@gmail.com.
END
20/7/12
PRESS RELEASE - FRIDAY 13/7/12
ROB COTTINGHAM, SINGER SONG-WRITER KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND TOUCHSTONE, TO RELEASE SOLO ALBUM IN OCTOBER 2012
Rob Cottingham, singer, song-writer, keyboard player, and the musician who founded Touchstone back in 2001 - as a result of his debut solo album, 'Behind The Orchard Tree' - is due to release a second solo album over a decade on which he describes as a "cross-genre-ational, eclectic mix with hints of rock, pop and prog, plus a few surprises thrown into the bag".
Words and music are by Rob who advises that the album very much revolves around the themes of "time, death, self-realisation...and not taking yourself too seriously...".
The album title will be "Captain Blue", named after one of the album tracks. When asked what was behind the title, Rob responded "it's a long story - you will really need to buy the album to find out!"
The album is being recorded at Sinewave Studios in Tamworth under the auspices of Alan Caves, a giant in the rock recording industry, and Chris Lynch - Touchstone's live Sound Engineer.
Alan was the studio manager of DEP studios in Birmingham. He recorded UB40's Labour of Love album, which included the hit Red Red Wine, and he was their Front Of House engineer in the 80s. He also worked with a lot of the big acts which came out of Birmingham such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, Tears For Fears - to name but a few. He also recorded "On A Story Teller's Night" - Magnum's most successful album, and the one that arguably 'made' them back in 1985.
Alan was also the engineer for The Boomtown Rats at the height of their success.
After his spell at DEP, Alan went to Sandwell College and became chief lecturer for their course in recording and sound technologies. Many of Alan's pupils have gone on to work in the music industry and some, like Bitty McClean, have gone on to be stars in their own right. Alan designed the studios at DEP, Sandwell College, and now Sinewave Studios.
Chris Lynch is also the chief house sound man at The Leamington Assembly Rooms, and vocalist and guitarist of the band, Lost In Vegas.
Jon Caves, Alan's son and an accomplished drummer in his own right, also supports on the engineering front.
The album will be mixed by Alan and Rob, and will be mastered by Tim Turan (You Me At Six; Status Quo; Frost*; Madness; Hawkwind; It Bites; Van Halen and many more).
Album artwork will be by another industry giant of the world of art, Andrew Wildman. Andrew is a British artist famed for his artwork on Marvel Comics and Transformers magazines, and has his own fan base stretching across continents. Rob was after a more illustrative approach to add more 'life' into his album concept design, rather than 'design' per se.
The album cover artwork, band members and pricing will be announced soon, together with details of how to pre-order the album via a brand new website, also due to be launched soon.
In the meantime, news and announcements can be found on Rob's Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/rob.cottingham.9 and you can follow progress also by following Rob via his brand new Twitter page '@RobCottingham1'.
The album will be released on the Heavy Right Foot record label in October 2012.
Any press enquiries to be addressed to 'infocaptainblue@gmail.com'.
END
"Captain Blue" is a Rob Cottingham Ltd Production on the Heavy Right Foot Records label.
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved.
