i play guitar in an alt-folk/alt-country/folk-rock/folk-pop band called dear landlord. we recently(ish) self recorded a new ep, which is streaming and available for download (via the most recent blog entry) at www.myspace.com/dearlandlordsings (the first three songs on the player).

i think its quite good. but i would think that. so i was wondering if the good people of DiS could do me the kind favour of

a) giving us some advice on how we can improve. we're still learning this whole writing arrangements for nine-piece bands lark, so advice and feedback (be it constructive or not) is genuinely appreciated.

b) giving us some advice on how we should go about getting gigs and press. we get a reasonable amount of gigs in oxford (our hometown), although we'd still like more, but we would also like to try playing out of town, either as a full band or, more probably, in stripped down form. as ever though, its difficult to know where to start finding gigs in other cities, to know who the good promoters are. similarly, who are the people we should be sending our music to? we'd like to get more reviews in the blogosphere etc, but its always difficult to know how to get our music to the right places.

c) if you put bands on in places, or if you write about music, and you enjoyed listening to us, would you write about us or consider putting us on in your town?

i hope this didn't come as too jaggy. i really would like advice and opinions.