Blind Gurl and the Crips

Genre:

Cabaret

Members:

Influences:

Anything quirky (from Regina Spektor to the Rolling Stones to Kurt Weill)

Where are they:

The band are based in and around the Central Belt of Scotland and mainly rehearse in Sally's Glasgow living room.

History:

Blind Gurl and The Crips is a new and innovative musical project, supported by Sounds of Progress and created by company Music Development Officer Sally Clay and Fittings Multimedia Arts Artistic Director Gary Robson

Along with Sounds of Progress musicians Eddie Green, Bob Brown and Robert Moss, Blind Gurl and the Crips produced a 50 minute musical show which was originally performed at Theatre Workshop Edinburgh as part of The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008. Blind Gurl and the Crips was extremely well received by public and press alike with the show gaining excellent press coverage, including a 5 star review in The Herald.

"(it) will leave you feeling enlightened, humbled, moved, uplifted and, above all, royally entertained."
Rob Adam

The band subsequently went on to win a Herald Angel Award which was presented to them at The Festival Theatre Edinburgh alongside Alan Cummings in National Theatre of Scotland's 'The Bacchae'. The Scottish Arts Council also gave the production an outstanding review,

"This show was first class entertainment from start to finish" Marie Fielding.

On March 13th 2008 the band will perform as the main entertainment at The Scottish Parliament for a celebration of the relationship between Arts & Business Scotland and The Scottish Government. Their joint New Arts Sponsor Awards Scheme made it possible for Sounds of Progress to become a building based company and the invite to perform is a testament to the on-going successes of Sounds of Progress. First Minister Alex Salmond will join a host of dignitaries, politicians and arts patrons and funders for this prestigious event.

Albums:

Blind Gurl and the Crips have been offered a grant of £3,000 by the Scottish Arts Council to compose new music which will be recorded as part of SOP's Limelight Project. The Limelight Project, funded by Arts and Business Scotland's New Arts Sponsorship fund, will enable Blind Gurl and the Crips to record their debut album in SOP’s new, state of the art recording studio at 73-77 Trongate later this year.

Future Plans

Blind Gurl and the Crips are planning to tour their innovative and exciting show later this year throughout Scotland and beyond.