New Roots presents a unique chance to see Sean Hayes play his only UK show in 2017.
In his twenty year career as a San Francisco-based musician, Sean Hayes has won acclaim from fans and critics alike. He’s duetted with Aimee Mann, toured with Ani DiFranco and the Cold War Kids, been covered by The Be Good Tanyas and re-mixed by DJ Mark Farina, and has been heavily synced on TV and mainstream cinema . Raised in North Carolina and honed as an artist in Northern California, Hayes crafts music that, as the San Fransico Weekly puts it, “succeeds on the tension between warm, resonant soul and dirt-road folk, all laced with a wandering troubadour’s cool.” A jewel in the crown of American contemporary folk in the place where southern soul and country meet, ploughing deep into the roots of Americana, that’s where you’ll find Sean Hayes.
Tickets £9.00 advance BUY NOW Nearest tube Camden, 3 mins walk. Doors open 7.00 pm.
Leonie Evans began performing at the age of 5 and has never stopped….Her never ending tour has brought her to the furthest reaches of Britain, Europe, Japan & the USA. What sets Leonie Evans her apart from just a discography and list of tour dates are the countless guest vocals, collaborations, performances in the streets and jazz clubs of New Orleans, London, Bristol, spontaneous jams at parties and festivals and, perhaps most precious of all, the sprawling web of connections growing between Leonie and her ever-expanding family of musical sisters and brothers.
Her output to date has included two exquisite albums of dreamy, jazzy, unclassifiable song craft as part of the Bristol-based quartet Rae, a series of limited edition solo CDs, and a just-released, ecstatically received album ‘Collaborations Volume 1’, recorded in nine different locations and featuring thirty four guest musicians. Artists featured include Riognach Connolly (The Breath/ Honeyfeet), Brooke Sharkey, Liam Magill (Syd Arthur), Low Chimes and Adam Beattie. She will be playing as a trio for tonight’s performance.
“Like nothing else I’ve ever heard in my life, I was just blown away by her” Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6 2016
“Jazz and Folk flirt en route to New Orleans via Canterbury with Evans’ slinky, supple vocal…One slot on Later with Jools holland is all it would take” Prog Magazine
A rising star on the London folk scene, American singer-songwriter Robert Chaney counts Townes Van Zandt, Hank Williams and Judee Sill as influences. A remarkable songwriter with a voice to send shivers down your spine, sown deep into his songs are threads of the dusty blues of the 20s and 30s, pulp noir tales of the 40s, the cable-knit folk revival of the 50s, and the French celluloid new wave of the 60s. His recently released debut album ‘Cracked Picture Frames’ garnered high praise in the music press, with Folk Radio UK making it their featured album of the month.
‘Sharp, intelligent, thoughtful and moving’ Folk Radio UK
New Roots is committed to promoting events that shine a light on up and coming talent in the UK alt-folk scene. It’s committed to providing artists with an environment that is sympathetic to what they do, giving musicians the respect they and their music deserve- for this reason we ask for no talking and no use of social media while artists are performing. Our music policy comes from the kitchen table, the roots of public performance- intimate, acoustic based, high quality musicianship with as little interference between performer and listener as possible.
The Harrison 28 Harrison Street, Kings Cross, WC1h 8JF
Doors open 7.30 pm, music from 8.00 pm. Nearest tube Kings Cross, 6 mins walk.
Tickets £7.00 adv BUY NOW/ / £8.00 door
In early 2016 London based duo Ferris & Sylvester‘s alt-country tinged fine harmony and superbly crafted songwriting caught the ear of legendary producer Youth (Paul McCartney/ The Verve/ Beth Orton). He invited them to to record at his studio in Spain, where they recorded their soon to be released debut EP, ‘Save Yourself’. Greenwich Village 1966 is a clear reference in their instantly catchy folk sound, from the Lovin’ Spoonful to Mamas & Papas, with contemporary nods to the likes of Laura Marling and Conor Oberst completing the picture. Stardom awaits, see them here first!
Dariush Kanani has studied guitar with fingerpicking guitar legends Stefan Grossman and John Renbourn and supported Grossman by his request on his sell out tour of the UK last year. He has also played frequently alongside British guitar giant Wizz Jones and recently appeared at a special tribute concert for the late John Renbourn at Cecil Sharp House in London alongside Jacqui McShee, Ralph McTell, Bernard Butler,Graham Coxon and more.
Kanani’s powerhouse, percussive, ‘back slap’ guitar technique and solid grooves bring to mind a young John Martyn- this combines with a delivery and melodic sensibility that evoke shades of John Mayer, Paul Simon and James Taylor to make for a deeply soulful sound. A consummate musician, his songs skilfully combine pop, folk, soul and jazz to make for a style that is truly his own.
New Roots is committed to promoting events that shine a light on up and coming talent in the UK alt-folk scene. It’s committed to providing artists with an environment that is sympathetic to what they do, giving musicians the respect they and their music deserves- for this reason we ask for no talking and no use of mobile phones while artists are performing. Our music policy comes from the kitchen table, the roots of public performance- intimate, acoustic based, high quality musicianship with as little interference between performer and listener as possible.
Doors open 7.30 pm, music from 8.00 pm
Nearest tube Angel, 6 mins walk.
Tickets £8.50 adv BUY NOW/ £10.00 door
Please note the venue consists of both seating and standing areas- you will need to arrive at 7.30 pm in order to ensure a seat. Music begins at 8.00 pm.
Recent winners of the Steve Reid InNOVAtion Award for boundary-pushing new music creators,The Little Unsaid have spent the last year travelling the UK and Europe, leaving audiences emotionally rapt with a live show that’s been described as ‘a thumping depth of passion, recalling the intensity and melancholic overtones of Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen.’ Led by Yorkshire-born songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Elliott, the band have just completed their forthcoming album, Imagined Hymns & Chaingang Mantras,recorded with Radiohead engineer and acclaimed film score producer Graeme Stewart.
With a rigorous work ethic and a genre-spanning approach to songwriting that embraces elements of electronica, folk, jazz and alt-rock, it’s no surprise that Elliott and the band have attracted the attention of the Steve Reid Foundation,formed in honour of the ground-breaking Miles Davis and Fela Kuti drummer. Working with a diverse range of mentors through the foundation’s award programme, including Gilles Peterson, Floating Points and FourTet, the band are embarking on an album launch tour in the UK this spring, culminating in a return to major festivals throughout the summer. It’s here on the live circuit that the band have steadily built their reputation for creating electric,emotionally-charged performances, and this remains where their hunger lies.
One of the must-see rising live acts of 2017.’Entrancing songwriting…deeply atmospheric’ –ClashMagazine
‘Extraordinary music. This is an amazing act’ –Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2‘
Blessed with a wonderfully emotive voice and a talent for songwriting that ranges from the intimate to the epic, Tobias Ben Jacob played in The Roots Union alongside Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin (winners of Best Duo at the BBC Folk Awards.) Some career highlights to date have included a session for BBC’s ‘Late Junction’ on Radio 3, sharing the stage with Fleet Foxes J.Tillman, and appearances at Glastonbury, Green Man, Secret Garden Party, Larmer Tree and Electric Picnic.
Upright bass player Lukas Drinkwater is in heavy demand as a performer and session musician having performed and recorded with a catalogue of acclaimed artists. Rock’n’Reel magazine describe their sound together as ‘inventive and thrilling‘, R2 magazine have recently included them on their covermount cd, and the duo have been featured on Tom Robinson’s 6Music show and Mark Radcliffe’s BBC Radio 2 folk show.
‘Inventive and thrilling’ R2: Rock n Reel
‘Definitely one to watch out for’ Late Junction .BBC Radio 3
‘Stand out new folk… superb.. excellent’ Chris Hawkins, BBC Radio 6
New Roots is committed to promoting events that shine a light on up and coming talent in the UK alt-folk scene. It’s committed to providing artists with an environment that is sympathetic to what they do, giving musicians the respect they and their music deserves- for this reason we ask for no talking and no use of mobile phones while artists are performing. Our music policy comes from the kitchen table, the roots of public performance- intimate, acoustic based, high quality musicianship with as little interference between performer and listener as possible.
M G Boulter is a singer and songwriter living on the coast of the Thames Estuary, England. Releasing his debut album in Spring 2012 under the name The Whispering Pines, Boulter has been an integral member of leading UK Americana band The Lucky Strikes since 2007, starting out on bass before switching to guitar and vocals, as well as penning much of their material. Since accompanying Simone Felice (The Felice Brothers) on various dates including a prestigious Green Man Festival headline set in 2011, Matthew has become a full member of The Simone Felice Band, touring the US and UK, also opening shows as solo performer. As a much sought after pedal steel and guitar player he has also worked with Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Mumford & Sons, and is currently touring in Emily Portman’s Coracle Band and Blue Rose Code.
“Gorgeous, in a word” ★ ★ ★ ★ Uncut
“Highly Recommended” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Independent on Sunday
“Lovely.. ” ★ ★ ★ ★ Mojo
“Brings freshness to songwriting” ★ ★ ★ ★ Telegraph
“The best of 2016, no contest” ★ ★ ★ ★ The Morning Star
Chris Brambley’s haunting, graceful songs are rooted in the folk tradition. With a clear nod to the folk revival styles of Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Davy Graham, they’re at the same time wholly contemporary interpretations of the genre. His newly released ‘Aperture E.P’ shares common ground with such modern day alt- folk luminaries as Fionn Regan and Nick Mulvey.
We start the night with an opening set from Daniel Ferguson. One half of New Roots favourites Young Causeway, Dan has recently launched a solo project.
New Roots 