"There is a harmony in autumn..."

From: Different Strings Mailing List [differentstrings1=blueyonder.co.uk_at_mail64_dot_suw11_dot_mcdlv_dot_net] on behalf of Different Strings Mailing List [differentstrings1_at_blueyonder_dot_co_dot_uk]

Sent: 27 October 2015 15:23

Subject: "There is a harmony in autumn..."

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To quote Percy Bysshe Shelley "there is a harmony in autumn..."
The clocks have gone back, the nights are drawing in and it's getting chilly, but luckily there's plenty of great music to add harmony to the season, maybe not what he had in mind but it seems to fit and it won't be long until the spring.
The fabulous Canadian singer songwriter Stephen Fearing has just headed home after his first solo tour here since Between Hurricanes two years ago. He also struck into Europe this time. We're hoping Stephen will be back again in early 2017 celebrating a new CD release.
Coming up in November two special combinations: Tilston & Lowe - Writes & Songs; Steve Tilston joins forces with mighty songwriter Jez Lowe to present their songwriters show, the first time they've toured this in the UK. And Gregson & Simcock - Home & Away & Back Again; the songs of Gregson & Collister revisited by Clive Gregson and Liz Simcock, by way of celebrating the release of a deluxe special edition of Home & Away and Clive's 60th birthday!
Other news: November also sees Karen Tweed & Timo Alakotila revive May Monday for a short tour (back next year Ireland in January and UK in May), Corinne West back in the UK for select dates and a media trip introducing her latest CD Starlight Highway (full UK tour in May 2016) and Sunjay releasing his new CD Black & Blues a homage to his blues heroes.
See below for short introductions to Different Strings artists touring in 2016 and beyond. Just call or email and we'd be delighted to discuss options with you.
We'll look forward to hearing from you and to working with you too.
best wishes
Lorraine

lorraine_at_differentstrings_dot_co_dot_uk | 07929 135744 | 0117 904 1870

STEVE TILSTON

Winner BBC Radio 2 Folk Award - Best Original Song
As seen on Later with Jools Holland & BBC Four Songwriters' Circle
Inspiration for the Hollywood movie Danny Collins starring Al Pacino (own it on DVD now!)
new album Truth to Tell out now? the new songs are going down well in live shows too.

Steve in retrospective mood Grass Days

"Steve Tilston shows no sign of faulting on delivering class music that is at once timeless, intelligent and built to last." **** Northern Sky Magazine

"Classy, thoughtful, folk? I suspect Lennon would have approved." **** The Guardian

"?another tour de force from one of the finest songsmiths and guitarists that the English folk scene has produced over the last 40 odd years." Folk Radio UK Album of the month August

Steve has been in the media spotlight and taken a stroll down the red carpet recently. The Hollywood movie Danny Collins starring Al Pacino, was loosely inspired by the story of Steve's "lost" letter from John Lennon and Steve was at the premier with all the razzmatazz that entailed. There was also a great magazine piece on the One Show where he actually got to meet Al Pacino. John Lennon sent the letter in 1971, when Steve was starting out on his music career, but wasn't received. In fact Steve only learned of its existence three decades later, closely followed by one of those "what if" moments?

Perhaps best known for his song-writing prowess, Steve is also a blinding, dazzling guitarist with a style echoing the elaborate rhythmic "folk baroque" of Bert Jansch and Davy Graham, but also drawing from folk, blues and roots music to create a sound that has been called quintessentially Tilston. Truth to Tell shows even after 45 years in the business, he's still got it in fact he's on fantastic form!

STEVE TILSTON & J EZ LOWE

Writes & Songs Tour (in association with Oscar Music Agency)

Now booking February/March 2016 other times considered
Two of the UK Acoustic/Folk scene's finest songwriters join forces for a series of concerts filled with songs and music, chat and banter and intimate insights into their approach to their craft. Head to head, neck and neck (guitar necks, that is!) listen in as they rekindle the spontaneity of their late-night living-room song-swaps. Questions, answers, anecdotes and anarchy? and a very special evening of music.
A masterclass in songwriting and a perfectly formed songwriters event tailor-made for any musical programme!

CORINNE WEST (USA)
Now booking UK Tour May 2016
Whisky poets & angels, cowgirls & bluebirds, West's characters chart the tides, test the winds, and weather severe storms; all given life by her compelling stage-presence and luscious voice. West's deep Americana sound, informed by nomadic-roads traveled, continues to radiate her respected reputation within the roots scene around the world. The songs on West's latest recording came about after a year-long sabbatical in Austria, which culminated in the new disc. " Starlight Highway is my first completely self-produced record," West says about the sessions. "I wanted to create a body of songs that moved my music forward in new directions, while paying tribute to the music I have done in the past. This influenced my decisions regarding the instrumentation; piano, organ, acoustic rock angles, heavy harmonies, the deep-drive of drums, the laid back floating ballads."

"?an album of roots-based quality and really very accomplished, affecting song-writing and performances that are really well worthy of attention and dissection. A lovely listen." Ian Fildes, Americana UK

"A California singer with an angelic voice." San Francisco Chronicle

"She has spirit, integrity and talent." says Bob Harris of BBC Radio, who hosted West on his show, helping to introduce her music to European listeners. "I am a massive fan."

Corinne's recent music as well as photos, videos and some of her past catalogue that she will be touring while in the UK can be found here

SUNJAY
Winner of Wath Festival Young Performers Award
Nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award
Exposure Music Awards & British Blues Awards nominee

This young man has quickly become known as one of the UK's rising stars on the acoustic circuit. November sees the release of Sunjay's new album Black & Blues. As the title implies it's focusing on the blues, and features 10 traditional blues song arrangements, showcasing Sunjay's powerful vocals and masterful guitar playing: preview St James Infirmary on soundcloud.
You could be forgiven for thinking at first listen singer/guitarist Sunjay is older than his years. With a relaxed and confident manner, vocal style and mastery of his instrument he walks onto a stage and addresses the audience as though he is sitting down to play music with a group of close friends; a completely natural approach for a young man who picked up the guitar when he was just four years old and hasn't put it down since. He's an impressive live performer and engages the audience like an old pro.
Official video Ghost Train, a new song destined for another release next summer.

"For such a young performer, Sunjay shows real confidence, maturity and ease on stage that it seems like he has been doing nothing else all of his life." Folk All magazine

"Completely engaging, highly listenable and a fine example of an artist giving of his best, Sunjay is a must for anyone." Folkwords

CLIVE GREGSON
solo now booking for 2016 May & November

Based in Texas these days, it's always a pleasure when Clive returns to the UK for his twice-yearly tours; songs from his latest album This Is Now have been going down well and as always there will be more brand new songs from this prolific writer and entertaining performer.

"?a powerful and vital force in contemporary music." fROOTS

3 BOXES
Clive Gregson, Andy Roberts, Mark Griffiths
Now booking June 2016
Following their successful album launch tour last spring, 3 Boxes guitar trio are back sharing their eclectic musical repertoire, Strings Attached.

"Between these three you have masterclass playing combined with a studied refusal to take yourself too seriously that only the truly talented ever really master." Taplas

MAY MONDAY
Karen Tweed (UK) Timo Alakotila (Finland)
Now booking January & May 2016
Eclectic musical eloquence from this innovative inspirational Anglo/Scandinavian duet featuring accordion supremo Karen Tweed and piano maestro Timo Alakotila. They've made a specialty of marrying together their different musical roots, styles and backgrounds, their playing so in harmony they make music so beautiful, that if it doesn't break down those musical barriers, nothing will! They received phenomenal praise and accolades for their recordings May Monday and Midnight May Monday with plans for an Irish music inspired third CD afoot.

IAN SHERWOOD (Canada)
Now Booking May/June 2016
This amazing Canadian performer will be back in the UK again, next year after impressing the rural touring circuit.
Named 2012 Male Artist of the Year by the International Acoustic Music Awards, plus Music Nova Scotia's 2008 and 2010 Musician of the Year - Ian Sherwood's music has been described as "Traditional singer/songwriter style at its essence."
Ian plays guitar and saxophone and I wondered how he was going to incorporate the two instruments into his live solo set; with clever use of looping techniques he pulls it off superbly without overplaying it, making for an extremely entertaining show.
His latest CD Everywhere to Go has been getting great reviews too.

"A talented performer, instrumentalist and natural storyteller with an easy relaxed approach which audiences love. He sings songs from the heart achieving a fine balance of music and stories influenced by his East Coast Canadian roots. He is a gem of an act, easy to deal with and very professional. You don't even realise until after the event just how polished his performance is, as everyone is too busy enjoying themselves." Barbara Slack, Co-director Highlights

KRISTINA OLSEN (USA)
UK Tour July & November 2016
A superb multi-instrumentalist and award-winning songwriter with a big bluesy voice. Her mix of powerful songs - sassy bottleneck blues to lilting ballads to swing jazz to "raunch & roll", as well as her hilarious story-telling, makes for a very entertaining evening. There's no-one else quite like Kristina!

D ANA & SUSAN ROBINSON (USA)
Now booking September 2016 and November 2017
Just finished their latest UK tour to tremendous feedback and they are on fantastic form. Listen to a demo version of a new song inspired by their last UK tour here: Going North... and destined for their new release out next year.
Guitar-playing, banjo-frailing, fiddle-sawing and harmony-singing interpreters of the American experience. Their unique blend of contemporary song writing and traditional Appalachian music bring to their performance a deep understanding of American's musical heritage. Very popular with UK audiences too.

HANNAH JAMES & TUULIKKI BARTOSIK (UK/Estonia/Sweden)
Enquiries for Autumn 2016 and festivals
There's a refreshingly joyful musical relationship at the heart of the new album Chatterbox, by accordionists Hannah James and Tuulikki Bartosik. Two women known in their respective countries for resisting the confines of musical tradition, they've created a piece of work which is bold, exciting and completely original. Showcasing the accordion's versatility through assured musical interplay, improvisation and new compositions, and marked by a genuine sense of adventure, this is not like any accordion music you've ever heard.

"...a gem of an album that I think will be near on impossible to top in the accordion world. A wonderful celebration of accordions." FATEA

MELISSA GREENER (USA)

Nashville Folk Crooner - UK Tour October/November 2016
Streets of Abiline work in progress... co-write with Guy Clark.
She's stunning check her out!

Her songs captivate with refreshing, quirkily crafted lyrics, dynamic melodies and loads of groove, supported by vocal that simultaneously devastate and command. Transistor Corazon is her third studio release, exploring complexities of the heart - the circuitry versus the soul, the mana versus the machine.

THREE CANE WHALE
Multi-instrumental acoustic trio Three Cane Whale comprises Alex Vann (Spiro), Pete Judge (The Blessing) and Paul Bradley (Scottish Dance Theatre). It combines the influences of folk, minimalism, classical and film music to produce something "fascinating, remarkable, and impressively original" (The Guardian), in which "the aroma of muddy leaves and old nettles is almost tangible" (The Observer). "Perfect. A glorious adventure into new folk" (Cerys Matthews) "Quietly, utterly enchanting" (Songlines) "Delightfully eccentric & beautiful"(The Irish Times). Album #3 coming soon....

Different Strings Music Agency represents:
STEVE TILSTON | SUNJAY | KAREN TWEED (with May Monday Jan & May 2016)
CORINNE WEST (USA) May 2016 | IAN SHERWOOD (Canada) May/June 2016
CLIVE GREGSON May & Nov yearly | 3BOXES June 2016
DANA & SUSAN ROBINSON (USA) Aug/Sep 2016 & November 2017
KRISTINA OLSEN (USA) July & Nov 2016 | MELISSA GREENER (USA) Oct 2016
STEPHEN FEARING (Canada) February 2017 TBC
REBECCA PRONSKY (USA) | BUDDY MONDLOCK (USA)
Also: IAIN MATTHEWS | THREE CANE WHALE
HANNAH JAMES & TUULIKKI BARTOSIK (UK/Estonia/Sweden) Autumn 2016

You may wish to know more, discuss options, request demos etc. and we'd love to hear from you. Simply reply to this email, or telephone 07929 135744 or 0117 9041870...