folk rock
Acoustic Strawbs
Acoustic Strawbs were formed by accident after Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby (members of Strawbs) were booked to perform as a duo in Twickenham in 2000. Cousins damaged his wrist and Dave Lambert stepped in to cover while Cousins sang. The format was successful and tours were arranged. Brian Willoughby stepped down in 2004 to concentrate on his work with Cathryn Craig and he was replaced by Chas Cronk who added bass pedals and acoustic bass guitar as well as extra vocals and guitar to their first studio effort...
- 49 reads
Karnataka
The Welsh progressive rock band Karnataka were formed in 1997 by founder members Ian Jones (bass/guitars), Rachel Jones (vocals) and Jonathan Edwards (keyboards). The embryonic band were augmented by guitarist Paul Davies and drummer Gavin Griffiths, who had both played with the other members of Karnataka in other bands or in rehearsals. Enjoying an instant rapport, the five piece Karnataka recorded what became their debut album, Karnataka, in Ian's basic home studio. In the beginning, the band had no thought of actually releasing the album — they had made the recording for their own pleasure.
- 281 reads
Rainbow Chasers
Rainbow Chasers are an English folk band, formed in 2004 by Ashley Hutchings. They play traditional and original compositions largely on acoustic instruments and have already gathered a reputation for their quality of their musicianship, arrangements and live performances. After the suspension of Ashley Hutchings’ long running focus the Albion Band in 2002, he ceased to have a full time touring and recording project.
- 45 reads
Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention is often credited with being the first English folk-rock band. Fairport, formed in 1967, rapidly developed from playing cover versions of American 'west coast' music to an individual style which melded rock music with traditional English tunes and songs. Like their peers The Byrds , Buffalo Springfield and Jefferson Airplane, they were blessed with several considerable individual talents, and produced music that, at least initially was eclectic, as well as exploratory. This side of the band may best be heard on Heyday, a collection of tracks broadcast by the BBC.
Dead Like Harry
Formed in Spring of 2007, Sheffield sextet Dead Like Harry consists of an eclectic mix of friends brought together by their love of writing and performing music. Since their early teens, songwriting brothers Matt and Sam Taylor have been most at home in the spotlight, hitting the stages of various smoky Sheffield bars, from the tender age of fourteen for charismatic frontman Sam. Joined by old school friend and vocalist Alice Faraday, talented rhythm section Robin Baker...
- 120 reads
Rue Royale
The album includes recent single “Halfway Blind” which got repeat plays on BBC 6Music by the likes of Gideon Coe and Nemone when released as a limited edition seven inch in January. The song, along with “Blame”, alludes to a struggle to see clearly – figuratively and literally for Brookln who’s legally blind in one eye. ‘Guide To An Escape’ is about self-discovery, embracing the flip-sides of life on the road (“Foreign Night”) and the tussle of uncertainty and hope as dreams are chased (“We’ll Go On Alright”).
After clocking up over 400 shows in the last three years, Rue Royale will continue to build their grass-roots following as they tour ‘Guide To An Escape’, playing many of their biggest venues yet across Europe in 2011.
It’s all about the journey, not the destination. The adventure is theirs, and yours, for the taking.
- 181 reads
The War on Drugs
With influences ranging from Dylan and CCR, to Suicide and Silver Apples, Adam Granduciel joins a distinct set of songwriters with his own brand of timeless musicianship. Ushering in a new golden era of polished, yet subcultural exploration, Adam's voice and music have that unmistakable singularity that comes along only so often. This is not the canon rehashed, rather it is realized with a spirit of invention. This earnest playfulness is at the forefront of the listening experience.
- 179 reads
Kevin Devine
Kevin Devine is an American songwriter and musician from Brooklyn, New York, who is known for alternately introspective and political lyrics and melodic acoustic guitar tunes. He cites his influences as Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith, Guns N' Roses, Brother Paramo and Nirvana, among others. He grew up in Brooklyn and Staten Island, and has spent significant time in Manhattan and Queens as well. Devine graduated Fordham University at Lincoln Center in 2001, majoring in journalism. He also played in an indie/punk/emo band called Miracle of 86 after the (Miracle) New York Mets.
- 45 reads
Iona
Named for an island off Scotland's western coast, the group Iona was formed in the late '80s by vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge. They are contemporaries of fellow Celtic artists Enya and Clannad; however, Iona's works are also influenced heavily by jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes. For Iona's 1990 debut album, the band added: drummer Terl Bryant...
- 178 reads
