folk

Multi-instrumentalist, Anja McCloskey, is a relative veteran of the music scene for her tender years. She has already gained a raft of experience playing with the likes of ten-piece performance orchestra, The Irrepressibles and folk-rock trailblazers, Haunted Stereo. It is with Haunted Stereo that Anja discovered that much of her creative inspiration veered towards, and suited, a folk arrangement. This included the composition of songs such as Cross the Sea, a Q Magazine Track of the Day, and to singing lead vocals on Santy Anno, which featured on the Wears the Trousers Magazine tribute compilation to Odetta in 2010.

Half-American, half-German and raised in Northern Germany, Anja’s love for music evolved as she grew up listening to her grandfather playing the button accordion. This exposure to the accordion led to it becoming her main instrument, although her wider interest in music meant that not only is she classically trained as an accordionist, but as a gospel pianist too. In 2000 Anja won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award in the US and two years later moved to the UK to continue her musical journey.

Her eclectic background has been put to good use. Whilst it wasn’t entirely based in the folk scene, her EP – Turn, Turn, Turn - has allowed Anja to explore that side of her creativity. Using quite delicate arrangements, the EP features a multitude of instruments such as piano, violin, viola, guitar and clarinet, but the main feature strays towards her expert accordion playing and her vocals. Pulling on influences like Sharon van Etten, Abigail Washburn and Rufus Wainwright and combining her classical knowledge and her new found inspiration for folk is a tantalising prospect that you won’t have long to wait for.

Phil King has released 2 solo albums. "They Come and They Go" 2009, and "Leaves" 2006. He plays regularly all over the UK and occasionally in europe. His songs have been played on many regional radio stations, and on BBC radio 2. Bob Harris described his last album as "Absolutely Brilliant!"

Willowen are a three piece alternative folk band from Bournemouth who play snazzy, original and unique acoustic songs with catchy choruses and deep structures.. A small band with big ambitions.

'You guys had some strong songs with a great connection to the crowd.'
-The OtherHalf

'Awesome all round performance. A young group of lads with huge potential.'
Alex Marle (The Winchester, Bournemouth)

‘Fantastic. I feel very summery now’
(It’s Own Sound)
‘Very anthemic that one, very sweet lyrics’
(The Bear & The Octopus)
-Addie Jay, Thunder FM

'Willowen sound promising, definitely part of the Bournemouth Surf Sea sound – upbeat, punchy and positive, evocative of long Summers and so on. 'The Story' instantly brings a smile to my face, simply because of the chord progressions, and the soulful chorus. Well worth trying to get to see these guys.'- Tim Heywood (Hope FM)

The Klezbians are a twelve-piece band based in West Cornwall. Formed in 2010, they have since been whipping up small storms of joyful mayhem at venues across Cornwall, and the country, with their own unique take on Jewish Gypsy (Klezmer) music.

Initially bought together for a university project, it quickly became apparent that there was something special about the sound they had created, and so continued to rehearse, learning more and more tunes until the time finally came when offers for shows started coming in.

Thus began two years of snowballing success, with shows at various venues in Penryn and Falmouth, as well as gigs in Truro, Plymouth, and Birmingham - all culminating into a triumphant performance at the Music for Youth Schools Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in November 2011.

Since then, the Klezbians have continued to perform in and around Cornwall whilst also working on their respective degrees, but have also recently recorded their debut E.P. - watch this space for details!

The Klezbians are available from January 2013 for gig bookings, school workshops, and events, please contact us via our website for further information