On Wednesday March 19th we're at The Grapes with a fine 3 act line up headed by the ever popular Brighouse singer/songwriter Roger Davies. Add in to the mix some dark Countryesque ballads from The Listeners and top off with a stripped back acoustic set from our old friends The Hopper Ward, and you have a mightily tasty looking edition of The Wagon's Wheels. Doors open at 8pm and entry is £4.
***ROGER DAVIES***
Roger Davies is making a name for himself as one of todays most entertaining acoustic folk singer songwriters. He's from Brighouse, West Yorkshire, but if people ask, sometimes he says he's from Huddersfield, just because more people probably know where that is. He has previously released 2 CD's, his 'Littletown' album and his 'Northern Trash' single, and is currently promoting the release of his new album also called 'Northern Trash'. More than anything else, Roger is a folkie kind of guy who writes his own songs, sings, plays a guitar, and sometimes blows a harmonica as well. Sandman Magazine said about the Northern Trash single "It's a countryish shuffle beat stroll celebrating stereotyped Northern Culture with a wink and a tongue in cheek. There's definitely a bit of charm in with the craft here. Worth looking out for." Described as a cross between Johnny Cash and George Formby, and similarly counting the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Richard Thompson and Jesse Malin amoung his influences, we're delighted to be welcoming back the man who headlined the first ever WagonWheelMedia gig.
"There is a potentially huge talent emerging in our midst" Tykes News.
http://www.myspace.com/rogerdaviesmusic
***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
http://www.myspace.com/thelisteners
***THE HOPPER WARD***
One half of Doncaster's experimental country popsters The Hopper Ward are welcomed back to Sheffield for a special acoustic set. Influenced by the classic songwriters of the 60's and 70's, American folk, rocksteady, psychedelia and Yorkshire Tea, and with a regular line up featuring banjo and stylophone, it's fair to say this is not your average band. Tonight they'll be showcasing some new material. Hard to pigeon hole, but a band you'll find even harder to forget. They've had several plays on Steve Lamacq's BBC Radio 2 show for the song 'SAD' which is taken from their recent 'Trigger' EP.
http://www.myspace.com/thehopperward