Uncategorized | Dan Hoyes | guitarist • producer • tutor

Familiar Noises 2005-2013

29 March, 2024 29 March, 2024Uncategorized

It recently occurred to us that any trace of Flight School has long since been deleted from streaming services. And despite never playing more than one gig a year and sporadically releasing only a handful of EPs throughout their existence, it turns out that there are just enough tracks for a compilation album.

Amongst the collection is a new version of ‘Open The Door’ and some forgotten live tracks – remastered together for a Flight School greatest hits collection that literally no one had asked for…

Available on all streaming services – or have a listen on Spotify here:

New Flight School EP

3 December, 2012 16 August, 2021Uncategorized

At 3 EPs and about 6 gigs over the last 6 years, we’re not the most prolific of bands. But myself and a couple of friends I’ve known for years have recently managed to finish off a few tunes and put together a 4-track release and a new website. For a band that hardly ever plays together to release an EP recorded at a home studio, I think it’s a pretty good effort. The production is probably the best I’ve managed on anything so far – although some good demos being recorded with Miri at the moment as well.

Anyway, here’s the tracks. You can pay what you want for it, and the first 200 get to download it for free. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or have a look at our rather nice new website.

New Miri video: Red

31 May, 2012 8 October, 2013Uncategorized

I’ve been playing live with Miri for a few years now – first as part of her backing band, and now acoustically with a percussionist, but just recently have started to write and record with her a little more. And it’s been pretty good fun. First track to surface is a song Miri wrote called ‘Red’ – recorded at Spare Room Studios.

There is also a making-of video which you can view here – I have to admit I completely forgot most of the time that there was someone with a camera in the corner of the room, so throughout most of it I look pretty stupid with my ‘concentration’ (read: gormless) face on.

New guitar, new tracks…

11 April, 2012 16 August, 2021Uncategorized

This is Martin. Say hello.

Martin’s full name is “Martin X Series CE Custom” and moved into my home this last weekend. He hasn’t shut up since.

This means that my trusty (but battered and bruised) Tanglewood won’t get quite so many outings, but it’s still sounding good. I’ve just uploaded an instrumental track I recorded a while ago – had intended to work on it a bit more, but actually it’s sometimes hard to re-visit things. Anyway, I just wish I’d recorded this with Martin…

Also uploaded a remix of a Switchfoot track that I made for a competition. It really couldn’t be more different to the song above! The decision to start it was really a procrastination technique, thus further keeping me from finishing this Flight School EP, but never mind…

Moving on from Music Room

11 April, 2012 9 March, 2013Uncategorized

Last Saturday was my last gig in charge at Music Room – very sad, but I know I’m leaving it in capable hands – for proof of this, see video highlights below – all the performers are under 18, as were all of the crew that did the stage management, sound, lighting and the video (watch on youtube to get full experience of the ‘hub’)!

So after nearly three years, I’ve moved on from running Music Room for YMCA London South West. I had a great time building it up, creating the studio and recruiting a fantastic team to help out. Also been a privilege to work as part of a much larger organisation (something I’ve not done before), and given the unique purpose and history of the YMCA, it certainly creates a great community atmosphere in which to work.

But running the tuition stuff as well as various musical projects has meant that I didn’t quite have the hours I needed to put into it, so better to hand over to someone with the hours and fresh enthusiasm for the project. I still hope to be around at the odd gig night though!

A New Year. A new blog post.

5 January, 2012 16 August, 2021Uncategorized

Good grief it’s been a bit quiet on here recently… new Flight School songs are on the way, and also got some songs of my own to get uploaded soon but in the meantime…

This is a cover of Coldplay’s Yellow I did with Miri a few months back. I’m playing with Miri on Sunday (8th Jan) at Ryan’s Bar in Stoke Newington, and again at China White on 8th Feb!

YouTube Me

2 June, 2011 16 August, 2021Uncategorized

I feel like I’m rather behind on this one, but after viewing so many clips of people making crap versions of well known songs (plus a small minority of genius ones) I thought I’d upload something to see where I might belong on that spectrum. First up is a cover of Teardrop, the Massive Attack song which was covered a few years ago by Newton Faulkner using a particular percussive way of playing acoustic guitar and I’ve taken a combination of the two versions.

Also, I posted an instrumental track to Soundcloud today – a fairly cinematic/orchestral sounding track you could imagine being used in a cheesy film ending perhaps. Oh well…

Ending 163 (instrumental) by danhoyes