Music

The Balloon: The Bubble & The Box is a series of 3 EPs.

The Box EP

Tracklisting:

1. We All Feel The Same Pain
2. Where Is The Love?
3. If I Grow Old
4. Holding My Head Under
5. I Saw The End
6. Right Here (In Front Of You)

The Box EP is available to buy on limited edition CD via paypal:

 

“This is one of the very best releases of the year. Really. I’ve been listening to it on a daily basis for quite some time and it never ever disappoints. Never loses its emotional intensity. Never ceases to surprise with its musical invention.” -  Steve Morris WCR (Read more)

CREDITS

All songs written by Dan Whitehouse, except tr.2 written by Eric Barlow & Dan Whitehouse produced/arranged/performed collectively by:

Dan Whitehouse: Lead vocals and guitar
John Large: Drums, percussion and backing vocals
June Mori: Piano and backing vocals
Steve Clarke: Bass and backing vocals
Tom Bounford: Violin and arrangements
Ruth Woolley: Viola and arrangements

Carina Round: Vocals (tr. 2)

BJ Cole: Pedal Steel (tr. 2 & 5)

Andy Bole: Guitars, mandolin, bouzouki, noises, ambience, slide etc. (ttr. 4, 6,)
David Wright: Electric Guitar & Wizard (tr. 3)

Yvonne Gordon: backing vocals (tr.1 & 6)
Margaret Gordon: backing vocals (tr.1 & 6)
Jessica Birtwistle: backing vocals (tr.1 & 6)
Naomi Phoenix: vocals on Know Me

Choir on tr. 6:
Leigh-Anne Gilbert, Ruth Laceby-Common, Fran Lancaster,  Luke Manly, June Mori, Luke Nicklin, Reece Page, Jimm Rennie and Stuart Baxter Wilkinson.

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The Bubble EP

Tracklisting:

1. I Wanted To Say Something
2. Raw State
3. This Burning Thing
4. How Does It Feel?
5. Somebody Loves You
6. You Can’t Give Me Anymore

Buy The Bubble EP from iTunes:

“Combining gentle core instruments, piano, guitar and strings with a dedicated voice and songs about life, love, loss and happiness, Whitehouse is a musician like no other. He creates songs you want to remember, songs that warm you from the inside out and make a lasting impression. ‘The Bubble’ contains just six examples of these remarkably inventive tunes.” – MICHELLE MOORE, ROOM 13

CREDITS

All songs written by Dan Whitehouse, except tr.3 written by Greg Lake & Dan Whitehouse produced/arranged/performed collectively by:

Dan Whitehouse: Lead vocals and rhythm guitar
John Large: Drums, percussion and backing vocals
June Mori: Piano and backing vocals
Steve Clarke: Bass and backing vocals
Tom Bounford: Violin and arrangements

Andy Bole – Guitars, mandolin, bouzouki, noises, ambience, slide etc. (tr. 1, 5, & 7)
Salene: Violin and arrangements (tr. 6 & 7)
Helen Lancaster: Viola solo on tr. 3 and arrangements (tr. 6 & 7)
Emma Capp: Cello (tr. 6 & 7)
Andy Pell: Guitar  (tr. 2)
Tariq Quadri: Guitar (tr. 3)

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The Balloon EP

Tracklisting:

1. Lost The Fight
2. Somewhere I Don’t Want To Go
3. It’s Good To Getaway
4. Still Thinking Of You
5. Carousel
6. There Is No End In Sight
7. Needles, Pins and All Sharp Things

Buy The Balloon EP from iTunes:

“…oodles of big dramatic statements and a fantastic feel, ‘The Balloon EP’ is real top quality stuff -  a more than pleasant change from some of the more banal stuff out there at the moment, Whitehouse shows great all-round musical skill, educated and mature writing and a frightening ability to hold the listeners attention.” TOXIC PETE

CREDITS

All songs written by Dan Whitehouse, produced/arranged/performed collectively by :

Dan Whitehouse: Lead vocals and rhythm guitar
John Large: Drums, percussion and backing vocals
June Mori: Piano and backing vocals
Steve Clarke: Bass and backing vocals
Tom Bounford: Violin and arrangements
Andy Bole – Guitars, mandolin, bouzouki, noises, ambience, slide etc.
Salene: Violin and arrangements (Tr 5)
Helen Lancaster: Viola and arrangements (Tr 3 & 5)
Emma Capp: Cello (Tr 5)
Andy Pell: Guitar  (Tr 1)
Tariq Quadri: Guitar (Tr 2 & 7)

The Balloon: The Bubble & The Box

The titles may seem strange at first (!) but they are all types of hideaway…and close inspection of the lyrics will reveal all.

Recorded and mixed by Ryan Pinson in my hometown of Wolverhampton, sessions began in February 2008 and thanks to a combination of his consistent effort, skill and patience 21 songs were completed by November 2009.

The production of the EPs was a real collaborative effort; and I owe a depth of gratitude to the group of musicians that have come to form my ‘core band’ of John Large drums, Steve Clarke bass, June Mori Piano and Tom Bounford on Violin. We rehearsed, arranged and recorded the structure of the songs mostly live in the studio, before inviting several different creative musicians to contribute.

Although inspiration to write often arises from unhappy times, turning these problems into melodies is what makes me really happy.

I know it’s a bit of a cliché but I hope you enjoy listening as much as we did producing the recordings.

Recorded and mixed by Ryan Pinson
Artwork by Beth Whitehouse

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“Needles, Pins & All Sharp Things” t-shirts available

This T-shirt design will be custom made to your specifications by Rob Stone at T Shirts Inc. You can choose from a wide range of long and short sleeve shirts and vests, in a variety of colours and sizes. All shirts are £10 plus P&P, please email Rob Stone @ T Shirts Inc.