Autumn Newsletter

Mediaeval Baebes

We returned to London from the USA to find the trees almost naked, the remaining leaves amber, red and orange, symbiotic of the artwork for our forth-coming album Illumination. The official release worldwide will be early next year when the leaves are bursting forth again but you can still purchase it from our website until then.

www.mediaevalbaebes.com/market.html

For many of us the European leg of the tour is a long distant memory but it held much excitement. There was a rainy day in Amsterdam and plenty of great shows. A big thank you to all those involved and especially Toon, our long-suffering driver who managed to keep his good humour for the entire trip.

Our American tour started at the brilliant Maryland Renaissance Festival, where we wowed the ever expanding crowds with new songs from Illumination and ended with Dracula's Ball in Philadelphia where, after our storming set, we joined Gothic Rock Super Star Gerard McMann on stage to sing backing vocals for his Mega Hit 'Cry Little Sister' from the film Lost Boys. There was not a cheek left unstained with teary black eyeliner by this momentous occasion.

After a well-earned rest we return to rehearsals this week to prepare for our forthcoming UK Cathedral tour. This promises to be our finest set of UK dates so far. We will be gracing some of the most awesome inspiring building in this country, so make sure you can join us at one or more for our spectacular Christmas programme. Further information can be found at www.mediaevalbaebes.com/live.html

We are releasing a single for the very first time in Mediaeval Baebes history. Miracle has been taken from Illumination and remixed by David Francolini. It is now available to pre-order from HMV with free P&P to the UK. Included with the single are two fantastic new tracks, The Shepherd's Song and Invocation, both amazing and unique tracks that we are fiercely proud of.

http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=900329

It will also be available at our December shows, iTunes and Amazon. There is an accompanying video, directed by Annetta Laufer which you will shortly be able to view online and at various music channels, which highlights the Mediaeval Baebes in their home city of London.

Thank you to all those who pre-ordered Illumination and helped make this album happen, we are really enjoying reading your feedback on our Forum and Guestbook.

As the Mediaeval Baebes move towards the end of the year our hearts our filled with anticipation of what the next months will bring! We may have lessened in numbers over the years but we have grown in strength and we are ready for what this next stage will bring us.

Much love

The Baebes

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News

6th August 08

Hello you lovelies we have been exceptionally busy Baebe bees so here's a run down of what we've been up to.

Gigs

20th of July was the date of our gig in Koln and we had a wonderful time sampling the delights of the local cuisine, the Goth beach at
Amphi Festival and luckily we had time to visit the amazing cathedral.

The rampaging beast that is the Baebes on tour was finally reined
in by the firm but fair hand of Tour Manager, Julia Finley, nice one!  We're looking forward to returning to Europe in October as we are always
made very welcome, please check Tour Dates for further information. 

The New Album

Firstly thank so much to everyone who has pre-ordered the new album. We're sure you are all anxious to hear how things are developing.
The finishing touches are being made to the mixes over at Producer KK's studio and all involved are very excited about the epic, filmic quality
of this, our most ambitious album to date. We're really looking forward to hearing what you all think of this new work.

We are delighted to announce (as some of the more eagle-eyed among you may have noticed) the title as ILLUMINATION. 

Some other very exciting news is that 3 of the tracks feature the awesome band Faun as guest performers. For those of you unfamiliar with
their work check out www.faune.de. We are hoping of collaborate further with these amazing musicians in the live arena at some point in the near future. 

Artwork For Illumination

21th of July was the shoot for the album artwork and the following dream team have produced stunning results.

We would like to thank:
James Sutton – Photographer & Art Director
Paolo Jones – Assistant Director
Ane Haugli – Stylist, Hair & Make Up
Elena Mesa – Specialist Shoe Consultant
Daniel Fernandez – Location Provider
Ville Valo - Massage

Special Thanks to the fashion design students of Coventry University who loaned us the incredible outfits and their course leader Ann Muirhead.

Big kisses to our fabulous instrumentalist Frank Moon for being the man with the van. 

James Sutton is always a pleasure to work with as was everyone involved and we are really happy with the results.

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Greetings From Air Studios

Today we are laying down drums for our new album in the world famous Air Studios. The studio is a converted church, red brick with stained glass windows. In the main recording room stands a mighty organ!



We are working with 3 exceptional drummers Len, Dave and Ben. You will be able to see Ben playing live with us at our two shows in Cornwall next weekend. Emily is particularly excited to be returning to her favourite home venue, Sterts where a couple of years ago the Baebes performed a magical winter spectacular. Visit http://www.mediaeavalbaebes.com/tour.html for ticket information!



The album is shaping up to be a wondrous, epic journey!

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BBC Radio 3 Interview

Sunday 25 May 2008 18:30-20:00 (Radio 3)

From Enigma to James MacMillan, Aled Jones plays a selection of contemporary works inspired by plainsong, including a 20th century classic - Durufle's Requiem.

Plus Universal Artists and Repertoire executive Tom Lewis, and Katharine Blake of the Mediaeval Baebes speaking about the current resurgence of interest in this traditional form.
Two tracks from Salva Nos, the Mediaeval Baebes debut album and Virgin Classics fastest ever selling debut, will feature in this informative and fun show.
These tracks are An Adult Lullaby and Salve Virgo Virginum.


www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/thechoir

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HAPPY SUNNY DAYS

Thank You!
Firstly, thank you so much to everyone who has pre-ordered our new album, it means a lot to us that we have such a devoted fan base and we are extremely excited about bringing you what is shaping up to be the best Baebes album yet. We have been working our pretty little fingers to the bone writing, rehearsing and fine tuning every aspect of this very special project. For those of you who have not yet treated yourselves to the ultra special limited and numbered edition, fully signed and featuring two bonus tracks, we can reveal that we have a handful left so don't be shy! Come on in, the water's lovely.

Producer!
Recording with our producer, KK (www.kkthemusic.com) starts on Monday. We are thrilled to be working with such a talent and he is most certainly the perfect man for the job. Its no mean feat keeping six headstrong women happy. The combination of his skills as a producer, programmer and musician plus what we feel is our strongest material to date should propel us into the furthest galaxies of super stardom and you, our dearest friends, will be able to say you knew us back when!

Special Guests?
Whispers of 'special guests' are afoot (shhhh!) and we will bring you more news as we have it: all we can tell you for now is we already have in place a wonderful selection of additional instrumentalists and percussionists to further inspire and add to the classic Baebes sound.

Release Date
We anticipate the release date being in October. The album is as yet untitled so keep the suggestions coming. Those of you who have pre-ordered will of course be the first to get your mitts on our precious bundle of joy and bounce it up and down on your knees.

New Merchandise!
We now have a black bag with the Mediaeval Baebes logo available from our Market in addition to the natural coloured Fairy Baebe Graphic design. Also priced at £10 it is 100% cotton and is just the thing to replace all those nasty plastic carrier bags which are littering up our planet.

New Gigs!
This week we added two more December dates, the 14th at Christchurch, Dorset, and the 19th at Tunbridge Wells.

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Pre Order New Album Now!

We have exciting news. The new Mediaeval Baebes album, to be released later this year, is soon to be in pre production, and you, our most treasured and faithful fans, can pre order a special limited edition. Copies are individually numbered, limited to a thousand, and will feature two bonus tracks, unavailable elsewhere, as well as being signed by the Baebes. The CDs will be sent out in order of purchase, so the fan with the fastest finger on the "Buy Now’ button will receive number one! We are, as ever, grateful for your support in helping us achieve our goals. Pre order now to be the first to receive this rare treasure.
With love and thanks, the Baebes.

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Race For Life

The Mediaeval Baebes would like send their deepest love and condolences to Bev Lee and her family after Bev's beautiful Mum passed away peacefully last night. Please send best wishes and prayers to our wonderful Bev at this sad time.

In tribute to Bev's Mum, Janet Harling the Baebes will be entering the Race For Life on the 8th of June at Hampstead Heath to help raise funds for Cancer Research UK, please follow this link to sponsor us RACE FOR LIFE

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Mediaeval Baebes Newsletter

Well the first days of cold bright sunshine and touches of blossom tickling the trees have begun in London, signifying the start of Springtime and cheering the hearts of the Baebes, who have been hibernating in a cosy pile, whispering secrets and softly singing beautiful melodies to each other. Now we can share some of the secrets with you as we tell of our plans over the next few months.

The new album is growing and taking form, with over twenty potential tracks already in rehearsal. We aim to have this album available for your pleasure later this year, and are currently in talks with some amazing producers who may help us lick the beast into shape. If you are lucky enough to be coming to the Norwich show, you will hear some of the new material as it takes its first tentative steps towards the light.

We have a photo session booked for next week with the formidable talent that is James Sutton. All the ladies are excited to be working with him once more and there will be a re-vamped website coming hot on the heels of this frolicsome day. Rumours of fire, brimstone and pointy hoods are as yet unconfirmed, however there will certainly be beauty, big hair and buxom joy as we present our new line up in all its glory.

Baebe Headquarters is also busy as the proverbial buzzy ones, with a new rehearsal space featuring a mirrored wall making sure we can fine tune our dancing to accent the new tunes. The Mediaeval Baebe clothing line may soon become a reality, and we have new men's t-shirts about to be launched on our Market as well so the knights don't feel left out. We are still working closely with Gurdish Haugsdal, creator of Generica, and she will be adding touches of her greatness to our new website design as well as further merchandise for our Christmas cathedral tour of the UK.
Speaking of touring - we are full of wonder and bouncing with happiness at the prospect of once again returning to America to enchant, delight and bring the noise. Germany, Holland and Belgium dates are also being put together, if they have recovered from the palpitations caused by our last tour there, and we will be rocking both Cornwall and Cologne in the not too distant future. Keep checking back to our website over the next few weeks to see all this unfurl and spread its wings to soak up the sunshine as it becomes hotter, and then hotter still……
Love, the Baebes xxxxxx

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1st Blog From Germany - Emily

Well we're now in Hannover after playing our first show of the tour last night in Holland. The venue last night was a church that had been converted into a rock club. It seemed to be a very fitting place for the Baebes to perform. A little bit rock and a little bit spiritual. The show went well and we were very pleased to meet up with Oliver from the great band FAUN and his beautiful lady Kaat, who is also a musician. After the show there was a lot of partying in the venue and the tour bus. We left at 2am to head for Germany and I decided to try and get some sleep and pace myself for the 8 dates ahead of us. Earplugs and headphones couldn't drown out Katharine's laughing, and the two hour rendition of 'The Hurdy's In The Van' the new comedy Baebes song that you will luckily never hear. I think she and Frank went to bed at about 7am. I don't know where she gets the energy, although she said she's feels like a haunted barn today.

Rabbitt and I have been pottering around Hannover today and it's a lovely town, another Rock Club tonight and hopefully a better night's sleep ahead of me!!

Much Love

Emily x

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Pom, Em, Max & Bev In Hotel in USA

Hello Lovelies

We're shattered after a 7 hour drive from Maryland but our spirits are flying high due to the number of pumpkins greeting us at every hotel and the great reception we've had at all our shows. We've been staying at some fabulously wierd and wonderful hotels and even our manager is mysteriously happy, it must be due to the weather!

Tomorrow we're playing in East Hartford and the trees are painted with a mixture of hues, russet, rose and gold and our new red dresses look great.

After our big nosh up we are going to watch horror movies together and try and beat the jetlagg!

Lots of love

The Baebes XX

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