A Deer For Your Lamb is one of the exciting new breed of new cultural programmers that can be found in Durham. The alter-ego of artist Shaun Atherton the gig booker/promoter has been responsible for bringing some amazing acts to Durham and Newcastle in the past few years including Richard Dawson, Withered Hand, This Is The Kit and Rozi Plain.

In the next month or so we see the most sustained and highest quality programme of gigs yet from ADFYL all taking place in Alington House, one of Durham’s oldest and most active community centres.The following is a little interview or Q & A and most importantly features the dates for all the gigs.

N: So Shaun, how do you feel to be putting on your strongest programme of shows yet?
ADFYL: I’m hugely excited to have to have this particular line up happening to such a short time scale. In the past we’ve spread the shows out over the year and although the shows were just as potent as the ones coming up doing this more condensed run feel more defining and definitely really exciting. I was feeling quite keen after taking the summer out so I just decided to try and make the best of the opportunities we had this Autum. Plus it’s the best time of year to go out and see live music. Things get a little to comfortable in the summer.

N: What motivates you to put gigs on and why do you do it in Durham?
ADFYL: I guess I kind of drifted into putting shows on after spending a few years just heavily attending gigs and learning about loads of really great interesting music. Then slowly seeing oportunities with artists where I could help set up a show. I used to hang around at shows my friends in York would put on so got to know a little of whats involved through that. I generally enjoy the whole process and enjoy the shows themselves to the fullest. Every show I’ve worked on has been so worth the while in every way and when you see other people enjoying it it’s all the more so.
Durham is good because there’s not really anyone bringing through artists who I like to see play, I mean there’s plenty of people doing good things in Durham don’t get me wrong, it just seems that it lacks the variety of   promoters doing things on a regular basis that you might find in other bigger cites. Which is not easy to do without the support of a venue. But yeah people seem to really appreciate it in Durham and artist always really love to come here.

N: Who are you most excited about seeing and who you’ve previously enjoyed the most at one of your gigs?

ADFYL: I’m genuinely just as excited about all these shows for lots of different reasons. I’ve been waiting for David Dondero to play a show in the north east or even in the UK for a long time so I’m really pleased to be working on that. but I mean these are all true favourites of mine so it’s such a huge huge pleasure to be doing it. again I think the shows are all so different and I enjoy different things about them all but I definitely enjoy the shows more when I know others have too.

The all important details…

Saturday October 8th / Rachael Dadd // Alington House (room 3) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdR-rAr8D9U

D.I.Y folk at it’s most truest. Gaining much attention and prise over the last few years from the likes of Rob Da Bank, Bob Harris, Huw Stevens, as well as those in other fields such as artist Yoshitomo Nara we’re pleased to welcome Racheal to Alington House for the first time. Rachael is a unique and captivating performer and this will be no exception..

Saturday October 15th / Withered Hand   //   Alington House (room 3)

Dan Wilson aka Withered Hand is closely associated with fellow Edinburgh residents Enfant Bastard and Meursault and the creative DIY movement known as the Fence Collective. if you don’t know of his music prepare to be over joyed! He Returns for his third appearance in Durham with full band in tow..
http://witheredhand.com/?page_id=31

Support from Winona Forever and Tom Reeve

Monday October 17th /   David Dondero (US) // Head Of Steam (Durham)

Team Love (bright eyes label)/Ghost meat recording artist David Dondero makes his first appearance in Durham as part of a rare and short uk and Ireland tour.

Support from ONSIND and James Mckay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cy7I0du2h8&feature=related

 Thursday October 20th / Viking Moses (US) // Alington House (room 3)

The VIKING MOSES was initiated by Southern Missourian Brendon Massei in 2003. The band has a dynamic, rotating cast of both established and obscure musicians worldwide, and is currently based in Northern Appalachia (USA).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfemjnRxzbM

Thursday November 3rd / The Shivers (NYC) // Alington House (main hall)

Experimental rock band from Queens New york just signed to Fence Records based in fife. Drawing some worthy comparisons to Lou Reed, Bonnie prince Billy and the Violet Underground! their touring the UK in support of their new record ‘MORE’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZFDRmd3C64

Support from Waskerley Way -

All shows are £6 on the door/ £5 pound on the gue stlist and places are likely to fill up fast so email adeerforyourlamb@googlemail.com with the name of the show or write on the event page wall to secure a place and a cheap ticket.