Category: 2015

Sat 18/04/2015               Against the Grain    Theirs is powerful and uplifting music  – guitarist Matt Sullivan and percussionist Jo May. Against the Grain will dazzle you with their stunning musical skills and exciting performances. Stirring the styles of West Africa, South America and Spain, Jo and Matt create an original blend of musical flavours – from jazz tunes, masterpieces on balafon, cajon and flamenco guitar. A unique sound with an infectious groove. Against the Grain have enthralled audiences everywhere including main stage gigs at Towersey, Broadstairs and Sidmouth festivals and other headline venues.

Supporting  solo artist Emi McDade  is making her debut here & so too local girl Hollie Thubron.

Hattie Briggs    &  Natalie Gelman

Barney Morse-Brown    &  HAWK 

 Ruarri Joseph   Such a great sound…Discovered at Glastonbury 2014 by me; what else has been said of him? “One of our best songwriters and lyricists” – The Times  “As wise as a 70 year old Johnny Cash” – NME “Genius…a breath of the freshest air” – Observer   “Like a modern Cat Stevens” – Paolo Nutini    “Stunning” –  Claudia Winkleman, BBC Radio2″ & returning artist Paul Diello  

 Hannah Scott    and Peter Conway  both returning artists.

 Against the Grain     Emi McDade 

Sat 04/04/2015    SOLD OUT but you can watch it here from a live stream from around 20:00hrs GMT with           Declan Zapala  Declan, a graduate from the Royal College of Music  is part of an innovative new wave of concert guitarists, writing and performing music that explores new avenues in guitar technique whilst maintaining a close relationship with the traditions of the guitar’s vast repertoire. If you’re a Facebook user, this is the link: 

On the same bill, someone who my son Cameron told me of two years ago Natalie Duncan   an English soul/blues singer. She released her debut EP on the Farmyard Records label in 2009 and then featured in Goldie’s Band. She released her debut album Devil in Me in 2012 and then appeared on Later with Jools. (see this video) She has been compared to the likes of Alicia Keys and Nina Simone.

On stage first, making his debut is Aaron Floyd (12)   is only just starting out, but he has already performed to a full house at Birmingham Hippodrome earlier this year and begun growing an online following thanks to his brilliant debut track ‘Wish You Hadn’t Gone’ (listen ) Inspired by singers such as Sam Smith and John Newman, his songs are soulful and performed with a maturity beyond his young years!

Sat 21/03/2015                Sam Sallon  was a delightful find at the end of 2014. He was on the same bill as Three Pilgrims in The Green Note (Camden). Sam has a huge vocal range and in some respects his voice reminds me of Rolf Tinlin. His music is both complex and hauntingly simple, tunes which you cannot let go…even when you’re trying to go to sleep! His technical ability reminded me of Will Mcnicol, he’s that good. Supporting Sam will be Vashti Anna , brother to Charlie Winston  and Tom Baxter  who played at The Drawingroom (buy his album here, it is totally stunning)in Dec 2014 with Jasmine Rodgers  both wonderful musicians. Jasmine and Vashti’s family are steeped in music with both parents playing and performing in places like The Drawingroom as they grew up. She has a voice which dances over the hairs on the back of your neck; hauntingly beautiful, melodic and tuneful..cannot wait.

Sat 07/03/2015               Sean Taylor     ”An absolutely superb guitarist … reminiscent of John Martyn” Bob Harris, Radio 2  ”Articulate, compelling … brilliant” (Four stars) Mojo Magazine ”A bluesy devotional intensity that rightly draws comparisons to John Martyn” Q Magazine ‘A fine blues guitarist … Taylor is a man to watch’ Guardian ”the lyrics are absolulety amazing” BBC Introducing “My main listen today – Springsteen and Taylor are cheering my day…brilliant, stunning songs. Great album.’  Mike Harding “Formidable and skilled…recalls Chris Isaak.’ (Four Stars) Uncut ‘Sean Taylor’s work just gets classier … his talent might yet puncture the mainstream’ Classic Rock 8/10 ”A star in the making …a superb talent” Metro “Sean Taylor is a wonderfully talented modern troubadour whose sincere, thoughtful songs pull you in. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him. He swings. Check him out!” Eric Bibb “Sean Taylor is the king of the singer-songwriter styling … A classic album” Maverick Magazine ”bold and brilliant masterpiece” Folk Radio UK ”Remarkable” Danny Thompson….nuff said!

We love him which is why he’s back for his fourth show and as if that were not enough the amazing music and voice of    Jazz Morely    Soulful Dorset girl Jazz Morley has music running through her veins; her first public performance was at a mere 4 years old, and she hasn’t stopped since. Since the age of 18 Jazz has worked as a full time musician, using the piano as her writing tool and taking inspiration from early influences such as Whitney Houston and Gladys Knight right through to todays greats including Adele, Sam Smith and Jessie Ware.

BBC Introducing support first came to Jazz in February 2011 when she was invited to take part in the BBC Introducing Musicians Masterclass at Abbey Road Studios. When Jazz wrote a song for her brother who served in Afghanistan, BBC3 invited her to contribute to the extraordinarily moving documentary ‘Our War’.

Sat 21/02/2015  SOLD OUT        Will Mcnicol & Luke Selby   Combining their individual successes with their ever-growing fan base as a duo(click the link to taste their sound) Will & Luke recorded an album which accurately represents their explosive live sets which draw musical influences from all over the world. Everything from foot-stamping blues numbers to upbeat Brazilian dances through to powerful folk-influenced tunes and African rhythms are tackled by the pair. They’re both Drawingroom vets and very excited to get out on the road to take their debut album, Hitchhiker around the UK.