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.
His 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.
For the full story Click Here
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.
Lightning Hero is a rapper/songwriter, born and raised south
of London. He produced, wrote and self released his first track as part of the rap duo 'Lightning & Mbembez' at the young age of 14, rapping with an
American accent. From there, the only way was up. In the years since, he has been practising, perfecting and working hard on his flow, style and delivery.
He writes songs based mainly on personal experiences and is influenced by a broad range of his favourite artists such as Eminem, Elvis & DJ jazzy Jeff
and the fresh prince to pick just a few. With his new EP 'Stuck' on its way to your speakers, Lights is here to bring his very own take on rap music to
your ears.
Sertari is not your average singer/songwriter - but a gifted artist and skilled
composer with a passion for stagecraft and getting the crowd immersed and involved in her music. Born in the UK to a Cypriot family, she was brought up in a
quiet town where the closest thing to the Mediterranean is Costa Coffee. Using the stage as an outlet, she has consistently shown the drive, ambition and
creativity to achieve great things. Her father was a professional singer and is still one of her biggest inspirations and influences; indeed, Sertari is
derived from his stage name (Nicolas Sertari). Her other influences range from the likes of Kate Bush and Madonna to Led Zeppelin and Nightwish.
BeingBuffalo have been working in each other's pockets for a number of
years now. Writing and performing together since 2008, the sound they have intentionally stumbled on and created could only be described as folk driven pop,
with an organic twist.
Being influenced by their friends and families BeingBuffalo have written many inspiring tracks, melodically malleable enough to slip in and out of different
genres, but lyrically holding their own with a backbone of honesty and hope. BeingBuffalo have the ability to lift you from the very low, or simply make
your eyeballs wet.
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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.
For the full story Click Here
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
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.
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)
Hailing from the deep south... of England, watershed formed
in 2004 on the back of solo performances at the very first Haslemere Festival. Following their first gig at a Tsunami benefit at The Spitz in London in
early 2005, they've gone on to develop their own unique blend of funky, melodic "folk and roll" becoming firm local festival favourites and house musicians
at the regular Duke of Cambridge Sunday Sessions. They return to the Haslemere Fringe this year to showcase some of the songs from their second studio
album, currently in production, as well as some old favourites.
Joymask is a 6-piece funk band that performs brass-heavy grooves to
people in hats. It is a collective of musicians from Brighton, London and darker, more mysterious places (Hampshire). The band has recently released
'Hooligan', an album that gestures frantically at Tower of Power and Steely Dan, thrusts occasionally at The Meters, and winks inappropriately at more
modern elements like Mr Scruff and various hip hop.
Red horizon UK is a 5 piece
Soul/Pop band with strong Adele like lead vocals from previous ACM student Louella Poulter, her sister Claudia Poulter playing some great grooves as lead
guitarist, with strong back beats we have Simon Graham on drums. Adding some fusion we have Colin hooper playing on keys, whilst bass player Micky Thayre
plays some fab bass lines. Together they bring a great vibe so get your dancing shoes on!
A singer-songwriter from London but with a sound that appears
born in the middle of the Atlantic, Jamie Abbott has drawn influence from prolific songwriters including Paul Simon, David Gray and James Taylor.
Re-igniting the partnership of poignant lyricism and beautiful melodies, Jamie's distinct vocal and unique sensibility combines to form a playlist of songs
that captures imaginations.
La Cuba Ritmo is Sunday's headline act, a salsa band which creates an
atmosphere of high voltage and excitement. Their talent has secured them a reputation as the hottest Salsa band in the UK.
Red Kites, consisting of Moteh Parrott, Liam Trevor, Andrew Reeves and Ben Golding, first met and
formed in September 2010 at The Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.
A shared love of intense folk and rock drove the direction of the sound, while the member's very different musical backgrounds added unexpected ingredients
into the mix. Liam's distinctive guitar playing, Ben's ear for satisfying bass-line harmony, Andy's powerhouse drumming and Moteh's songwriting led to a
sound that was original while channelling the sound of hundreds of musical influences.
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.
Four piece formed in summer 2011 through a mutual love of junior Parker, link ray,
the stone roses and jackie willson.
Spent time playing for various artists and and acts whilst writing and producing their debut album. With four producers in the band early demos were
recorded by sending projects back and forth through dropbox, adding new parts and building the tracks from different locations.
Since forming in 2011, the band have quickly established a reputation as
ones to watch due to their breathtaking live performances. This reputation has been cemented through their string of sell-out shows and playing prestigious
venues such as Ronnie Scotts. This summer is set to be a busy one for the band with some fantastic festivals being added to their impressive gig roster
including, shows supporting Polly Paulusma, Larkin Poe and 1930's.
House of Hats create a beautiful and intricate blend of harmonies which is distinctive and characteristic of their sound. Couple this with the male and \
female vocals sharing the lead (comparisons have been drawn to the likes of Fleetwood Mac), the band have stamped their own undeniable style on the
singer-songwriter and folk scene.
They wrote, recorded and self-produced their debut EP which was released worldwide in December 2011 and they are currently recording their 2nd EP with
producer Tim Bidwell (Kate Walsh), set to be released this summer.
Gecko's fresh take on acoustic pop has been turning heads wherever they go.
Incorporating samba and reggae rhythms with a playful lyricism all their own it's the perfect accompaniment to a summer's day. At the start of the year they
were showcased on Chris Moyles Radio 1 show as part of BBC Introducing. They also have supporters in Radio 1's Huw Stephens, Rob Da Bank and Mike Davies.
Catch them before they hit some of the summer's major festivals including Bestival & Camp Bestival.
'It made me instantly happy when I heard it'
Huw Stephens
BBC Radio 1
Floron is a singer songwriter from Haslemere – the hotbed of musical talent! His
unique voice echoes with the drawl of Lennon and the glamour of early Bowie. Powerful melodies that stick in your head and won't leave, and witty, satirical
lyrics that nudge you into thought-provoking smiles.
A natural performer, who enjoys nothing more than seeing his audience visibly entranced, his music revisits the sound of the sixties yet is molded into a
distinctly contemporary sound.
Recently released, his latest album, "US", has had tracks featured on BBC Introducing and is having an overwhelming positive reception.
Floron feels that this is his time, "The world is finally 'getting' my music!"
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
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
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.
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".
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 incredible 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare on the Main Stage for the Festival weekend will
be Iain Martin, he brings with him experience from a broad range of music industry roles including:
- Promoter for Mumford & Sons, Eliza Doolittle plus Marina and the Diamonds
- Regular industry panel contributor to BBC Introducing: The South
- Production manager for Hainesnet (official event partners to Abbey Road Studios)
- Sound engineer for BBC Children in Need 2010 & 2011 (Kings Theatre, Portsmouth)
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.
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.