Fuller’s Hill Video

Fuller’s Hill is an original instrumental played on ukulele by Mike de Velta. The title is dedicated to Blind Boy Fuller who inspired me to use an alternating picking technique and apply it to the uke in an unconventional way.
I recorded it with an Sm57 through a Great River Preamp and a Daking FETII Compressor. Sound was processed with Pro tools.

Who is Mike de Velta? An interview by True Blue Promotions

Where were you born?

I was born in Islington , London and grew up in Edmonton. Not quite within the Beau
Bells but some might say I qualify as a Cockney, alright my son!
What was the first record you owned? The First record I bought was a Blondie single, Heart of Glass, I also
had her poster, you know the one where she’s wearing the Andy Warhol’s Bad T­Shirt. She was my first
infatuation with an unattainable. That poster literally hung on my wall for years. I went to school with a guy
who claimed to be one of the members brother, Mick Stein I think, still not sure about that one though.
Who was the first live act you saw?

Pretty sure it was Madness, I grew up with the London Ska movement
and continued to follow that style of music after immigrating to Perth. A far cry from blues and folk I must
say but it was the sound track to Quadraphenia which was widely accepted and adopted by the mod revival
of the early 80′s that struck a chord with me. The soundtrack featured Booker T and the MG’s ‘Green Onions’
and it was played to a scene where “Jimmy” goes nuts in a Brighton club jumping off a balcony into a crowd
of tripping party goers. You could say that for me it epitomized the image of a social rebel but with a touch
of with class, I liked that idea at the time.
How old were you when you discovered you could sing?

Still working that one out, I can honestly say it’s
not been easy to develop and was something that didn’t come all that naturally for me. Even so called great
singers comment on struggling to come to terms with their own abilities. However, what is most exciting
about singing  unlike playing  any  other  instrument  is  a  uniqueness of  tone  which begins  to  develop  as  a
direct result of playing and singing frequently over many years. Only know do I feel that this is beginning to
happen.
What  was  your  first  paid  public  appearance? I  stepped  out  doing  solo  work  for  a  restaurant  in  Point
Samson, NW WA. Just instrumentals, played very long versions of tunes like Exodus, Spanish Harlem that
type of thing. I couldn’t believe it, being payed for a good time, I was hooked!
What was the first car you owned?

A green 1300 Torana that I pranged on the second day I owned it. Ran
into a tree on someone’s front garden, took off quietly after only damaging the front wheel and little leaving
rather heavy skid marks on their immaculate lawn. I can’t believe no one even noticed!

What  do  you  enjoy  doing  outside  of  music?

Travel,  photography,  bush  walking,  that  type  of  thing.  Any
experience that might teach me to see or feel more. A l’il philosophical I know but really, how much of our
lives  is  spent  in  “sameness”?  I  get  bored  quite  easily,  always  looking  for  new  ground,  conceptually,
spiritually or otherwise.
Who is, or are, the biggest influence in your music?
Kenny Burrell
Michael Hedges
Larry Carlton
John Lee Hooker
Ravi Shankar
Taj Mahal
Keb Mo’
Blind Boy Fuller
Brownie McGhee
Ry Cooder

Who is the biggest influence in your life?

In 2000 I spent three months traveling India, this particular event
as small as it appears had a profound effect on my thinking.
Never having ever seen an Indian Ashram I decided to visit this particular one in Kerala on was what a fine
Indian day. On arrival I walked up some steps towards a courtyard to be enveloped in what could be only
described as a most beautiful and peaceful feeling. As the sounds of holy  mantras filled the air  I walked
amongst prayerful Saddhu’s and colorfully dressed devotees to find one of only a few westerners leaning
against a low wall. Seeking guidance I introduced myself and he said his name was Ram. With a chuckle he
then surprised me by saying, “Everyone’s called that around here.” Puzzled I said, “What does it mean?” He
said, “It means God!”
TRUE BLUE would sincerely like to thank Mike for providing his thoughts and answers to these questions,
and to reveal some things about him that very few of us, if any, ever knew. For those that have had the
pleasure of seeing and hearing Mike’s music it comes as no surprise that his answers are very reminiscent
of his personality – quiet, cheeky, spiritual, honest, caring, gentle, and tolerant.  It is indeed a privilege to
be  associated  with Mike,  and  TRUE  BLUE  wishes  him  every  success  in  his  musical  career  – it  is  all  well
deserved.
Mike currently has two albums, “Norfolk Lane” and “On a backdrop of silence” plus he is working hard on his
next CD release, due out early in 2006. He also features on the TRUE BLUE RECORDS “Pinnacles” CD.

Perth, WA – 27/01/10 – Mike de Velta at Freo Blues and Roots Club – Mojo\’s

Fremantle, WA – 22/01/10 – Freo Grasshoppers & Mike de Velta – Ale House

Port Denison , WA – 10/01/10 – Mike de Velta @ Southerly\’s Pt Denison – Southerly’s View Bar & Restaurant

Perth, WA – 19/12/09 – Free Seasons Concert Series – Woodlake Amphitheatre

Cranked Coffee and Mike de Velta – Next three weeks!

Hey guys,

Nice little residency for the next few weeks, nice laid back venue, come along would love to see you there.

Here is their blurb!

Sick of searching Leederville for that great meeting spot with that perfect cuppa? Look no further! Cranked is the trendy new venue, with leather banquets and comfy lounges you can get lost in, or the stylish alfresco seating so you can watch the world roll by, you’re garanteed to fall in love with our quality coffee and teas.

Wasting a morning will only get easier with a quick glance past our selection of local offerings from fresh baked friands, muffins and crossiants through to boutique baguettes and pannini’s.

Sounds tempting doesn’t it … So come on by, we’ll be sure to get your coffee started!

Address: 5/106 Oxford St, Leederville

Phone: 08 6161 0730

SMS Order Line: 0422 722 712

Sounds nice heh! See you there,

Mike

Free Seasons Concert Series – Saturday 19th December 2009

WA FOLK FEDERATION PRESS RELEASE 20th NOVEMBER 2009
Free Seasons Concert Series – Saturday 19th December 2009
from 12.00 noon to 6.00pm at the Woodlake Amphitheatre,
Corner of Woodlake and Highpoint Boulevards, Ellenbrook
View Corner of Woodlake and Highpoint Boulevards, Ellenbrook in a larger map

The W.A Folk Federation is proud to be working with City of Swan on the third Seasons Concert Series to welcome in Summer on Saturday 19th December 2009 from 12.00 noon to 6.00pm at the Woodlake Amphitheatre, Corner of Woodlake and Highpoint Boulevards, Ellenbrook.

This third event will feature WA folk musicians along with music workshops and also Ellenbrook musicians Charlie and Shona Scuro.

‘The WA Folk Federation and City of Swan are working together to engage local communities and we have been lucky to get in touch with Shona Scuro of Ellenbrook who let us know that her brother Charlie, a Scottish musician, would be in town and would perform with her for the Season Concert in Ellenbrook’, said John Mc Nair, Chair of the WA Folk Federation.

Charlie Scuro is a guitarist, songwriter and recording artist from Scotland and Shona Scuro is a performer who has worked with the Ellenbrook Cultural Centre.

Also featuring are two workshops with Mike de Velta on songwriting and Keith Anthonisz presenting on busking.  Mike de Velta is a singer songwriter, multi instrumentalist and producer who will introduce audiences to his own unique perspective on songwriting, arrangements and production.  Keith Anthonisz is a much travelled singer songwriter who will give tips on solo performances on the street that he has performed at festivals including the Nannup Festival.

‘The WA Folk Federation is committed to educating people and getting them involved in music and the songwriting and busking workshops at Ellenbrook are a great opportunity for people to come along, listen and learn with real live musicians’ , said John Mc Nair.

Musicians also playing on the day are the Miles to Go Band, Noel McClumpha and French Connection.

The Mile to Go Band features David Hyams, a composer, producer, and instrumentalist from Fremantle in Western Australia.  He plays acoustic, electric and steel guitars as well as mandolin and bouzouki in various musical styles. The band has also featured some of WA’s finest musicians from diverse musical backgrounds in a surprising and innovative combination; a rhythm section consisting of percussionist Caryn Sullivan alongside Waifs bassist Ben Franz, classical cellist Jennifer Tingley; vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Andy Copeman on cittern, didgeridoo, guitar, vocals and bodhran.

‘The Miles to Go Band have been acclaimed as some of the finest players of traditional Celtic music in the country and we are happy to bring them to Ellenbrook’, said John McNair

Other acts on the day include Noel McClumpha, a musician, guitarist and WA Folk Federation member who is a leading Australian folk/roots singer-songwriter, active on the folk circuit with lyrics of substance that are both soothing as well as challenging.  French Connexion is a duet that will bring a European flavour to this summer Seasons Concert.

Future performances as part of the Seasons Concert Series will continue to feature local artists and the WA Folk Federation is seeking local interest.

Further information on artists and the WA Folk Federation is available via email on:
mcnairfolk(at)iinet.net.au
or on telephone 0438 429 232
For more information on the WA Folk Federation:

http://www.wafolk.org.au/

All these words

I’ve probably spent a year on this track and it finally came together when I considered using a 12 string guitar to really tighten up the rhythm section. I think this one gelled pretty well. It was recorded in my home studio in a very small bedroom but using some pretty nice hardware.
Thanks to Dean Wuksta for his awesome drumming.

Springfield Blues & Roots Concert 2009

The little town of Harvey, Western Australia comes alive on Springfield Farm with the annual  Springfield Blues & Roots Concert 2009. Awesome lineup, over 2 days! Here we come!
Admission charge for the two days is $60 per adult and $10 for children 4-16 years.
For people coming just for the Sunday program, the admission is $20 per adult and $5 per child.
Note that there are no alcohol sales at the venue.

For directions on how to get there please contact me via email  and I will send you the details as this event has a limited capacity.

See ya there.

Date    Time Slot         Band
Saturday Oct. 31st    3.00 – 5.00pm    (Pre-recorded)
5.00 – 5.45pm    Empire Blues
6.00 – 6.30pm    Empire Blues
7.00 – 7.45pm    Mike de Velta
8.30 – 9.15pm    TOBY
9.45 – 10.30pm    TOBY
11.30 – 12.45pm    Gators
1:15 – 2.00am    Gators

Sunday Nov. 1st    9.00 – 9.45am    Mike De Velta
10.00 – 10.45am    The Vibrolators
11.00 – 11.45am    The Vibrolators
12.15 – 1:00pm    Home Brew
1.15 – 2.00pm    Home Brew
Production by X-DC Pro Audio:
Stand-by band in case of any cancellations = “Delayed Reaction”

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About

Voted Best Blues Artist of 2011 by Global Thunda Network, Mike De Velta's intoxicating compositions 
and performances are constantly on the move. A rich showcase of modern delta, slide and piedmont 
blues expressed with a hint of the Eastern through the shimmering and delightful tones of lap slide, resonator and acoustic guitars.

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