June's The Wagon's Wheels is a bit of a special edition as we welcome back US singer/songwriter Rachel Harrington for a headline set. Support comes from The Listeners and the Dave Sleney opens the night. Doors are 8pm and advance tickets priced at £4 are available from Jacks Records,
http://www.seetickets.com and
http://www.wagonwheelmedia.co.uk.
***RACHEL HARRINGTON***
Rachel Harrington has been doing things in the wrong order for quite some time. She had extensive radio airplay before performing her first live solo show, and she opened several concerts for Grammy winners and nominees before her debut full-length record was even a glimmer in her eye.
Reared among the Pentecostal pines of Oregon, Harrington's roots shone through on her 2004 living-room demo. That humble four-song EP spent 13 weeks on the American Music Association's chart and garnered the Seattle siren stellar reviews.
Now, from the crossroads of country, folk, and bluegrass, comes her debut, "The Bootlegger's Daughter". Harrington's freshman effort is a literate, richly storied American journey through a gently heartbreaking landscape of grief, hope, and regret. The sonic result is, as one DJ so eloquently put it, "Mountain spring pure - and campfire warm." Featuring some of the Northwest USA's finest musicians, the album was officially released on Rachel's own SkinnyDennis Records in May of 2007.
Rachel will be backed by Zak Borden (
http://www.myspace.com/zakborden) whom as well as playing with Rachel also plays with Willy Mason, The Watson Twins and more, all on top of his own solo career.
Rachel was a big success on her previous visit last October and we're very much looking forward to welcoming her back.
Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2 "I am absolutely enchanted with this record! A brilliant debut ... already a leading contender for album of the year in my opinion!"
Americana-Uk.com "Blending traditional sounds of American music, and whilst this record is steeped in the past, it has an oddly current feel: Rachel’s voice is one of the many highlights of this record. 8/10."
Ctrl.Alt.Country "Absolutely brilliant! The best debut since Gillian’s ‘96 Revival. 5 Stars."
http://www.myspace.com/rachelharrington
http://www.rachelharrington.net
***THE LISTENERS***
The Listeners are an acoustic duo from the North of England. They have been together for two years having played on the same circuit for several years in different bands. Emma Thorpe provides the main voice, a velvet glove softening the punch, delivering her songs with, in turn, uncompromising invective and heart on sleeve insight. Robert Cook, as well as adding a dark baritone voice, brings his rootsy rock guitar credentials to The Listeners feast. The Listeners have won over audiences from many genres...surf punk, rock and folk music.The band have a growing reputation on the acoustic underground scene in the North of England and have been favourites of BBC radio presenters and University radio DJ's, having performed many live sessions. The duo have recently been working on a collection of songs 'Magnus Colorado' which has just gone to press. The project has been produced by Ewan Davies who has worked with many artists, from Arctic Monkeys to The Editors.
"Like P.J Harvey......pissed off, unplugged and wearing a kaftan!" Music Mart Magazine 2007
"the listeners were f**king brilliant i really enjoyed last night!" Richard Hawley
http://www.myspace.com/thelisteners
***DAVE SLENEY***
Formally frontman of The Enquiry Dave Sleney has returned to his acoustic roots and mellowed out the country tinged indie pop sound of his former band just a little. You can still expect to hear the odd old favourite such as Black Velvet Day and Delicate Eyes, which you can hear as recorded by The Enquiry at
http://www.myspace.com/enquiry. New material has since been written, and you can probably expect the odd cover in his own unique style such as Bruce Springsteen's 'The River' which he performed at our Bruce Springsteen Tribute Night last year. You can hear an early recording of one of the new songs at our MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/wagonwheelmediapromotion
http://www.myspace.com/davesleney
Facebook Event page :
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11934014865