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Juan Zelada
AFTER years spent striving to get his voice heard, now Juan
Zelada has finally struck that elusive record deal the last thing on his mind is popping champagne corks or putting his feet up and savouring the
achievement – for now.
As anyone who knows Juan would expect, after years spent relentlessly traipsing his keyboard around the acoustic circuit - playing piano in restaurants,
bars, weddings, cruise ships,... anywhere and everywhere - the hard-working singer/songwriter is focussed on taking his music and his band to the next
level in 2012 with the imminent release of his debut album High Ceilings & Collar Bones on Decca Records.
Juan giggly explains the album's title: "It's about as random as it comes! It evokes images of concepts I am very fond of, images everyone likes: the
aspirations you can have looking up to owning somewhere with high ceilings and getting excited about the sensuality and appealing nature of a woman's
neckline!"
Juan's sense of humour has kept him and his dedicated band going through the highs and lows of touring the daunting London circuit this last three years
– Juan: "There is never a pointless gig!" - where he was initially spotted by a restaurant manager Adam Low. He recognised there was something different
about this particular artist he booked to entertain his customers: "I had this old piano in one of the restaurants and would book performers through an
agency who would play very boring 'play it again Sam type stuff' but when Juan came in I immediately noticed he was a great performer, clearly different
from the others, with great charisma getting half the restaurant singing along. Getting 100 diners singing along is no easy thing!"
The first of several to offer Juan their dedication, commitment and conviction, Adam quit his lucrative job with the ambition of breaking Juan and –
despite no previous experience – built a team around Juan and self-released material in a DIY operation which has elicited incredible results. Juan's
debut single, Breakfast In Spitalfields, released in June, was A-Listed on Radio Two and a Record Of The Week where it remained on the playlist for
five weeks. Moreover, at its peak it was the second most played song on the station - reaching number 29 on the airplay chart – behind Adele; a
formidable achievement for any artist, let alone an unsigned one.
Yet this was no flash in the pan. The station's faith in Juan didn't diminish when it again playlisted Juan's second single The Blues Remain in October.
Asked why Radio Two took so well to his music, Zelada says, "Maybe the guys at Radio Two just thought it was radio-friendly? I understand people need to
pigeonhole us and it's hard but what I've always said is Paul Simon, James Taylor and Ray Charles have always been in my head. These are the artists I
try to emulate."
It is perhaps no surprise then that when Paul Simon's record label Decca came calling Juan jumped at the opportunity to work with them.
"The goal has never been a label signing as a finishing line, it's been about getting the exposure. There's no space or time to celebrate and the deal
certainly takes it to the next level, but being signed to Decca, that's what's truly inspiring,... exceptional even. The most credible label we liked,
the history they love and represent, the artists they have - Imelda May, Jamie Cullum, Paul Simon,... legends! - it's a real privilege to be on that
label with that talent and for them to let us keep doing our thing. I'll just keep doing what I do."
Which for Juan means keeping on the road gigging, because that's what he does best, having already performed sold-out shows built through word-of-mouth
buzz at Hoxton Bar & Grill and Dingwalls in London, and to rave reviews leading to BBC London News tipping him as 'One To Watch' for 2012. Juan has
played as a former keyboardist with artist Bryn Christopher's touring band who supported Amy Winehouse on her infamous Back To Black tour. Then when
Juan stepped out on his own in 2009 that line-up subsequently became his band which as a six piece features trumpet and sax courtesy of a brass section
who used to tour with Lily Allen and The Maccabees.
Juan's ability to get everyone from the back of the room to the front singing recently caught the attention of the Communion stable – co-founded by
Mumford & Sons' Ben Lovett – who took Juan on a tour out of London to the regions of the UK to terrific effect. More celebrated for championing folk
artists like Laura Marling and Noah & The Whale, it's not a pairing you would naturally expect, but as Juan explains: "If you are doing your job well,
people come to you, you don't have to be knocking on doors canvassing. Many people might think I am more mainstream but their audience love songs and
I can do 'folky' pulling out the big numbers with the brass section. Fifty people turning up now means as much as 5,000 people in the future, they need
impressing - and I was impressed and overwhelmed by their love."
Indeed, for many who have joined Juan on his journey so far, it has been a labour of love with many people getting involved having to juggle other
commitments with no expectation of return. As the demand to see Juan live has spiralled he has had to balance writing his album, which was penned
entirely by himself and has been recorded at Metropolis, Abbey Road and Rockfield Studios in Wales co-produced by Matt Lawrence, the ex-chief engineer
of Metropolis Studios (Ellie Goulding, James Morrison) and mixed by Danton Supple, best known for his work with Coldplay. Aside from his own album,
Juan's song writing ability has been much in demand leading to co writes with Noisettes/Mumford & Sons collaborator Josh Weller, new Duran Duran
guitarist Dom Brown and pop writers Andy Murray and Lee Mac.
Its sound is still hard to pigeonhole – the closest anyone has come is "Ben Folds Five meets Dave Matthews Band" – but it's perhaps what you would
expect from someone who grew up listening to his parents' record collection - Juan: "a lot of Americana music from the Sixties and Seventies" – of
Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles, Ray Charles and Billy Joel; originally from Madrid, Juan travelled with them to live in Hong Kong before attending Paul
McCartney's Liverpool Institute Of Performing Arts (where the former Beatle personally handed him an award for his songwriting) and settling in London.
When High Ceilings & Collar Bones is released in January people will be able to decide on Juan's sound for themselves, and he hopes, venture out to
see him live. "People seeing us and enjoying us is great, they have done that for years, but people coming out specifically to see you is another thing,
that's what I am looking forward to in 2012. And the banter on the road,... And the hangovers,... But mostly I am looking forward to the unexpected.
Anything can happen,..."
And with Juan Zelada - who won't stop until he can view those high ceilings - it probably will.
Jazz Morley
Dorset girl Jazz Morley possesses a voice with such natural
soulfulness beyond her 22 years of age that it possibly comes as no surprise to learn that her first public performance was the first year infants
nativity play!
Fast forward to the present day and we find a rich, warm, emotive voice capable of the tiniest whisper of love to the full vent of a woman scorned.
The Speech Painter
Geoff Allnutt the Performance Poet has a style all his own. His poems are smart, funny, beautifully crafted and they never fail to get a positive response from his audience. They love it and can't believe the speed and accuracy with which he performs.'
Rosie Vanier
Rosie Vanier – Neon Nightmare Tour – Spring 2012
Cornish girl Rosie Vanier's early love of glitter and theatrical make up was borne from an unusual source - The Cure were her babysitters.
Teenage band line ups ebbed and flowed until Rosie's first modest taste of fame and fortune arrived whilst fronting Rosie and The Goldbug.
Her sex kitten, Betty Boop-gone-bad vocals, pummelling bass and choruses to die for quickly found favour with audiences at venues and festivals up and
down the land.
Press, radio and TV followed, culminating with international tour shows with one of Rosie's childhood heroes, Cyndi Lauper.
'The Neon Nightmare Tour' in spring 2012 sees Rosie embark on a new, exciting solo adventure armed only with voice and Wurly keys.
Here are some nice words written about Rosie by other people:
"Rosie Vanier has a voice that leaps from sugary pop to operatic whoops, her ivories chiming through a repertoire raging from the turbulent to the
serene." - Independent on Sunday
"Kate Bush on crack with Goldfrapp on synths" – The Guardian
"Soaring melodies, beautifully sung. Rosie is better than ever!" – BBC Introducing Cornwall
"Kicks into a chorus with one heck of a terrific melody. Can't get enough of this" – Pete Donaldson, Absolute Radio
"Rosie's sex kitten, Betty Boop-gone-bad vocals, pummelling bass, choruses to die for"
"As far as EP's go, this might be one of the best this year... if this is the quality of Vanier's solo material then there's definitely room for her
eccentric musical prowess and originality in today's industry. Each year there's usually a female vocalist newbie that storms the UK charts, and 2012's
slot needs to go to Rosie Vanier" – Will Lavin, Gigwise
Felix Dexter
An award winning comedian and actor and to quote the Observer,
"... is a
warm and charismatic live performer he has the audience doubled over with tears in their eyes".
His TV credits include such landmark shows as: The Real Mc Coy, The Fast Show, Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge, Have I Got News For You, The
Lenny Henry Show, Grumpy Old Men (over 35, just got in) and playing Saffy's boyfriend in the last series of Absolutely Fabulous.
A star performer who will leave Haslemere wanting more!
Fiona Bevan
"To hear music that is so free of affectation,
that exists in a world almost of its own, is an experience all too rare these days. But this is just what you get with Fiona Bevan.
Part of her unique appeal lies in her ability to create music that remains thoroughly modern sounding, yet manages to retain qualities that capture
the magic of music created in halcyon times. The kaleidoscope of sounds contained within this record bring to mind a myriad of possible influences;
early swing and jazz, bossa-nova, post-sixties psychedelic pop and much more besides.
Zoe Lyons
Zoe is an extremely versatile performer. Her works spans corporate training,
radio acting, live TV presenting and stage sketch shows. She also demonstrated to the nation her ability to laugh in the face of adversity, as a contestant
on ITV's 'Survivor!' where she ate a rat and lived to tell the tale and no, rat does not taste like chicken.
Her TV Credits include: Mock the Week 2011, The Wright Stuff C5 2011, The Blame Game BBC Northern Ireland 2011, This Week BBC News 2011, Michael McIntyre
Roadshow BBC 1 2010, Mock The Week 2010 and Live at the Comedy Store 2010.
True Deceivers
The True Deceivers sees a band that emerged from the ashes of country rockers The Blazing Homesteads staking their claim for recognition amongst the current swathe of Americana-influenced acts. What sets The True Deceivers apart is the classic song writing of front man and guitarist Nick Bliss, that seems to owe as much to the work of Richard Thompson as it does to that of Steve Earle.
James Redmond
Comparing the acts in the Festival Marquee will be James Redmond,
a dry, slick and subtle stand up comedian who delivers unexpected twists and turns during his set as he deconstructs his art.
He made his name as a model and actor and is best known for seminal roles in 'Hollyoaks' (C4) and 'Casualty' (BBC1) and presenting 'SM:TV' & 'CD:UK'
(ITV), alongside Cat Deeley. He has appeared on 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks' (BBC2), 'Celebrity Come Dine With Me' (C4) with fellow comedians Paul Foot &
Joey Page, and is a regular guest and contributor on 'Soccer AM' (Sky 1) & Radio 5 Live.
Bear Cavalry
Formed in Gosport on the Southern English coast. Bear Cavalry aren't
easily pigeonholed. Between the four members they use at least seven different instruments to create a fusion of indie-rock, math, post-rock and world
influences. Despite a myriad of off-kilter musical influences, the band still manage to pull off a smart pop sensibility that belies their tender years.
Like Everything Everything, Tall Ships, Vampire Weekend and Foals before them, the band combine genres both effortlessly and thrillingly to create
enviably complex and accessible music.
The band has already had their music championed at Radio 1 by the likes of Edith Bowman and Kissy Sell Out –the latter going as far as make his own Kissy
Klub version of Custom Hands. They've also had support from Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw as well as being played countless times by Tom Robinson on BBC 6
Music. Not bad for music that was self-recorded in a soundproofed barn in a back garden.
Kissy is not the only famous DJ to use their music. Dubstep/complextro prodigy Skrillex liked the bands' unlikely acoustic cover of his song 'Scary Monsters
and Nice Sprites' so much that he used it as part of one his own behind the scenes videos - gaining over 650,000 views on YouTube in the process. The EP's
lead track, "Roman Summer", has also appeared on a BSM compilation and is as good a lead single as any you're likely to hear this year.
Elsewhere the EP continues in a similarly progressive fashion – Custom Hands' playful use of horns and African chants, Will Smith Solves The Rubik's Cube
coining both an awesome song title and some tricky guitar interplay, while the ambitious Dragon's Milk Pt II sprawls in the very best sense of the word.
Young, freakishly talented and also an act who can absolutely pull it off live, we'd call this a very strong start indeed.
Red Phoenix
Come with your children and enjoy listening to stories in the beautiful and exotic settings of the yurt, teepees and Indian Tents. Stories will be told by The Surrey Guild of Story Tellers in association with Red Phoenix, who are passionate about the art of storytelling.
Aimée
Hailing from Liphook, Hampshire, Aimée is a 16 year old professional
singer/songwriter who has been performing regularly on the local music scene in Berkshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey and London.
Following the release of her first self-titled E.P. and subsequent release to iTunes/Amazon/Spotify, Aimée is busy writing a whole raft of new material
which she is currently trialing at local music evenings.
In June 2009, having qualified via audition through Regional Finals and then Area Finals at Princes Hall, Aldershot, Aimée performed in the National Finals
of Live and Unsigned at Portsmouth Guildhall in front of judges, the late Malcolm Mclaren, Annie Nightingale (Radio 1), Dane Bowers and Martin O'Shea
(Atomic Kitten's Manager) and was judged to be in the top 5 in the country in her genre. Aimée was also judged to be winner in the under 18's
Singer/Songwriter category at Gigtime Media's "Spotlight 4 Stars" show, staged at Jongleurs flagship club in Battersea, South London.
Aimée has a love for performing at festivals and in 2009/2010/2011 was booked to perform at Guilfest, WeyFest, Americana International, Basingstoke Live
(headlining the Acoustic Stage), OnionFest, Madhurst, Lazy Bishops Festival, Farnham Maltings Festival and Culture in the Park.
As well as her regular shows on the local circuit, Aimée has made numerous radio appearances with BBC Surrey, Delta Radio, Brooklands FM, Radio Lion, Radio
Wey and Radio Basingstoke.
A caller to Mark Carter's Breakfast Show on BBC Surrey likened Aimée's style to that of Kirsty MacColl, other audiences have mentioned Avril Lavigne,
Suzanne Vega, Alanis Morissette and Michelle Branch.
Antonio Lulic
Antonio Lulić is a rock-folk singer-songwriter from England's
fashionably impoverished North East. His deep and gravel-throated vocals combine
with a powerful yet intimate lyrical style to deliver torrents of rootsy, passionate and uniquely soulful music.
Since the release of his debut EP, 'Becomes Unstoppable', at the start of 2010, Antonio has toured relentlessly; performing for audiences all over
London, up and down the UK, across Europe and all over the USA. His first full-length album was unleashed in February 2011 to an enraptured audience
in London. 'Never or Tonight' combines influences from Bruce Springsteen, Ani DiFranco and Mumford & Sons into a collection of songs that moves
effortlessly between the epic and the personal.
Antonio's new acoustic EP, 'Rough', was released in October 2012 to coincide with his UK tour supporting international number one selling newcomer
Ed Sheeran. After spending November touring the UK and France with Kal Lavelle and Ryan Keen, Antonio is headed back to the USA in March, to play
the SXSW festival for the third year running, ahead of a tour up the US's west coast.
Kal Lavelle
Kal Lavelle is an Irish born singer songwriter now living in
London. Her songs are instantly captivating, with a voice that Alex Zane (Channel 4) praised as simply "beautiful".
Kal began playing guitar after winning a thousand pounds in a Mars Bar when she was 10 yrs old. With the money, she bought her mother a washing machine
and for herself, her very first guitar.
Her single 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' was recently chosen as 'Single of the Week' on iTunes, which in turn, saw her debut EP 'Shivers' climb to #5 in the
iTunes Singer/Songwriter album chart. The iTunes US store also featured her in the 'New & Noteworthy' section.
Three of her tracks have featured on Tom Robinson's BBC RADIO 6 show & her song 'Downstairs' was selected for the BBC Introducing Podcast. She was
recently asked as a special guest on the show, which was broadcast Nationwide.
Artful (Dodger's) Mark Hill was so impressed by Kal's vocals that he asked her to feature on his track 'Could Just Be The Bassline' - the first single
from his new album. The track was recently featured on Music Week's prestigious 'Playlist', Heat Magazine's Top 10 'Hot List', was Dj Mistajam's
(Radio 1 Xtra) - 'Jam Hot record of the week' & has been play listed on Radio 1 Xtra. (The video is also featured on MTV Base & Virgin On
Demand.)
Kal spent last year supporting her friend & chart topper Ed Sheeran (Atlantic Records) on his sold out UK tour and also supported him in her native
Ireland, which was a special highlight.
On the 1st of January 2012, The Sunday Mirror (UK National Newspaper) voted for Kal in the 'Hot for 2012' ones to watch list. This was an incredibl
start to the year, and has set the scene for her collaborations EP that she is currently working on and her album that will follow later in the year.
There are many live shows coming up, including headlining one of the stages in The Roundhouse in Camden on March 17th. Check her out live, she is
one of the strongest female performers on the scene and you won't regret it.
Indigo Earth
Indigo Earth are an Alt-Folk five piece based in London. Fiercely
high-energy as a full band act with the added bonus of having a beautifully harmonic acoustic set, Indigo Earth have inspired audiences with their
anthemic melodies and close harmonies at venues across the UK. Following a very successful year - 2011 saw them play alongside artists including Ben
Howard, Marcus Foster, Ed Sheeran, Tinashe, Dog Is Dead and We Were Evergreen and release their debut self-titled EP - Indigo Earth are quickly becoming
regarded as one of the most exciting new bands on the London scene.
"Absolutely stunning, displaying the kind of quality that could see them play not just on this station but on a whole range of radio stations across
the UK. The past 12 months have culminated in a brilliant 5 track EP which I urge you to check out." Charlie Ashcroft, Amazing Radio.
Letters to Daisy
When Sofie Hewson asked Richard Hawkins to sing a Johnny Cash
duet with her for a college assignment, two like-minded performers were inadvertently brought together. Their musical empathy quickly evolved into a
strong and special song writing partnership and realising the obvious potential, Richard swiftly roped in drummer housemate Rob Austen to jam out the
early material. With the musical energy in place, bassist James Stephens was added and the Letters to Daisy line up was complete.
Letters to Daisy then set about road testing the songs to instant acclaim at venues locally and in London and were quickly invited to tour support both
Lauren Pritchard and Spike Edneys SAS Band. Letters to Daisy's original mix of infectious melody, delivered effortlessly by Sofie Hewson's enchanting
vocals, and vibrant musical energy, supplied superbly by Richard Hawkins, Rob Austen and James Stephens, ensures a very bright future in store for
Letters to Daisy.
Little Signals
We're just three
friends playing because we love to.
'I punched a table for your song.' Adam Noble, Air Studios
'Your band is truly a breath of fresh air, such inventive melodies and great rhythm section!' Cara Jefferies, The Hoxton Underbelly
'Florence and the Machine meets Paramore..' Andre do Valle, Manta Ray Music
'I like your band, sparse and interesting..' Adrian Legg
'Little Signals are big news..' George Eason, Showcase:LIVE/Sony Entertainment
'Such a unique relationship between bass and drums..' Poppy Kavanagh, session bassist for JOY WRIDE
Peek-A-Boo
Playing Jazz is about
joy and communication, it's about interpreting and rephrasing something that has been around for a long time. It is not the aim for virtuosity or musical
perfection but about the many identities a piece of music can develop through the people who play it.
Peek-A-Boo was formed in 1987 and performed regularly until band members started to pursue their individual careers a decade later.
Since 2008 the Jazz quartet comes together once every year for a reunion session and this will be their first gig in the UK.
Colin Balogh - Guitar
Peter Hopes - Bass
Martin Woron - Drums
Tom Klingholz - Saxaphone
Brother & Bones
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Hotly tipped UK 5 piece Brother &
Bones Brother & Bones open 2012 regarded as one of the most exciting live bands in the UK. Latest single Hold Me Like The Sun and B-Side Show Me Love is
produced and mixed by Ian Grimble (Manic Street Preachers/Travis/Everything But The Girl ) received support from XFM, BBC 6, BBC Introducing, Q Radio,
Kerrang Radio, NME TV.
Brother & Bones have been described as 'Powerful, uplifting and impeccably performed'. The live show is a powerhouse of performance with a rarely
seen weight coming from a band fronted with an acoustic guitar. The 5 piece set-up also features 2 drummers, giving the ability to deliver a ferocious
dynamic at times, as well as providing the subtleties that make for a truly world class performance.
Brother & Bones are the nucleus of a body of musicians, artists, photographers and filmmakers hailing predominantly from the South West around St.
Ives, Cornwall.
Combined video views already number 40,000 and rising on word of mouth alone.
The band have played over 80 shows to date in 2011 including, The Great Escape, The Eden sessions, Hop Farm, Beach break Live, Relentless Boardmasters,
Leollapalooza and supports include Tribes, Paulo Nutini and are touring throughout the autumn with Ben Howard.
".... some say the sound between Mumford and Sons and The Dead Weather, I think these boys could be better and bigger than both..." There goes the Fear
"....Absolutely astounding.... genuinely so unique and so special that comparing them to other bands is a fairly redundant exercise..." Ltd State
"...Devastatingly pure....Arena sized soul..." I like Music
"Incredibly exciting..." Mary Anne Hobbs XFM
Tommy Ashby
Hailing from a small town in the Scottish Borders, Tommy Ashby is
continually gaining momentum as a songwriter and a live act. Tommy's rural roots are clear in his songs, with folk and blues stylings seamlessly
integrated with pop songwriting to create skilfully crafted, warming and beautiful songs. What really shines through Tommy's music is how natural the
songs are; they are idiosyncratic to his voice, guitar playing and personality,
and this makes for an absorbing live show.
Tommy's new EP, 'Jump Right In', covers a wide range of musical styles, from the laid-back Summer vibe of the title track to the driving, rock-tinged
'Play With Fire'. Tommy is supported by a group of extremely talented musicians who are integral to creating the tight, vibrant sound.
With a number of live shows in the pipeline, Tommy is also currently working on a followup EP that will be ready for release in the new year.
Steve Roux & The Brass Knuckle Blues Band
Steve Roux -
Guitar & Vocals. Bernie Fox - Drums and Rob Vick on Bass from the well respected white knuckle blues band have augmented their line up with Cliff
Chapman on keys, Steve Grainger on Alto Sax, Jon Gooding on Tenor Sax and Tom Edwards on Trumpet to make The Brass Knuckle Blues Band. This band plays a
wide variety of blues, if you like electrifying guitar, grooves from swing to funky and great horn arrangements then this is the band not to be missed at
this years Lionfest.
"The Brass Knuckle Blues Band changed the mood with a polished and accomplished set. Albert Kings 'You're Gonna Need Me' worked well with the rousing horn
section." (Blues Matters - Blues on the Farm)
"Most were lifers in the twelve-bar prison but Steve Roux broke out with some much needed delicacy on 'Can't Change The Time'." (Daily Telegraph)
Track of words
Track of Words are a exciting two piece acoustic band who are based
in Haslemere, Surrey. Formed in February 2011, between then and now they have played; Haslemere Fringe Festival, The Wave, and have supported award winning
band, Uiscdewr. They consist of; Dan Gordon - Vocals, Guitar and Mandocello and Hannah Goodwin - Vocals and Guitar. They are planning on releasing a 4 Track
E.P. around Summer 2012.