Photo credit: Hoss Photography

Lisa Driscoll and the band have parted company.

In a statement, the band said:

“We will never forget how Lisa stood in at short notice for our first album launch gigs in late 2016, and we want to thank her for everything she has done for Cairo since and to wish her, Al, and baby Oscar, the best of health, good fortune and all the luck in the world.

We are, however, delighted and excited to announce that Sarah Bayley will be joining our band to take on the female vocals.

Sarah has much experience in the music world having been involved with various London-based musical projects; managed and run a recording studio, and even had some of her work published by Universal Music.

We believe that her characterful and distinctive vocal technique does not just fit beautifully with Rob’s vocals, but will also add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to Cairo proceedings.

To say that Sarah has been patient would be an understatement having undergone a fairly arduous and lengthy audition process, and we would like to thank her for sticking with it and for feeling like part of the band from her first audition."

Photo credit: Hoss Photography

You can see Sarah for the first time at our next gig in Holland where we are headlining at Parkvilla in Alphen - a truly tremendous venue, and what we believe will be a great springboard for Sarah and the band, as we move inexorably towards album two which has been somewhat delayed by the band taking their time to find the right band member for the future. You can never wait too long for a good thing!”

Gig details are: Friday 18 Oct 2019 20:15 Parkvilla Cornelis Geellaan 2, Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands

Buy tickets from: https://tickets.parkvilla.nl/shop/tickets.php?showid=2761

In a statement, Sarah said:

“I’m really excited to be a part of Cairo and really looking forward to my debut show in Holland. I also can’t wait to get into the studio with the band and record the new album – the new material sounds amazing. Exciting times ahead!”

In other news, Rob is releasing his popular 2019 solo album, Back Behind The Orchard Tree, on CD on his Heavy Right Foot label at the Dutch gig, so people attending the gig will be the first to be able to get their hands on a copy.

In a statement, Rob said: “To be honest, this solo album, which I recorded with John Mitchell in February 2019, was only going to be a digital release, however, the response to this album has been incredible - especially some stunning reviews - and this felt like the natural next step to broaden out the appeal and accessibility to those in the market who still prefer physical product in their hand, after ordering an album. Thanks to everyone for their wonderful support.”

If you cannot get along to the gig, you will be able to buy the CD version of the album via Cairo’s website, cairorocks.com/bbtot after the Dutch gig. https://cairorocks.com/bbtot/

BBTOT PROG ARTICLE

https://loudersound.com/amp/news/rob-cottingham-reissues-behind-the-orchard-tree

BBTOT REVIEWS

http://www.dprp.net/reviews/2019-036/#cottingham

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/prog/20190503/283218739582818

https://spirit.rocks/2019/06/11/rob-cottingham-back-behind-the-orchard-tree/

https://mlwz.pl/recenzje/plyty/21319-cottingham-rob-back-behind-the-orchard-tree

https://www.profilprog.com/rob-cottingham-orchard-tree-review