08.03.12 Sean Taylor + Paul Handyside + Andrew Oxley @ The Greystones

On Thursday March 8th WagonWheel Presents… welcomes Sean Taylor to The Greystones. One of the hottest new names on the UK acoustic blues scene, he hits the road in March as he prepares to launch the follow up to his acclaimed album Walk With Me. The eleven song collection secured Sean spots at both the Cambridge Folk and Glastonbury festivals in 2010 and 2011 as well as two sessions with BBC radio’s Bob Harris. Returning to Sheffield after almost four years we also have former HURRAH! man Paul Handyside and local singer/songwriter Andrew Oxley opens the show. Advance tickets priced at £6 are available from http://www.wegottickets.com/wagonwheelpresents or entry on the night will be £8. Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

***SEAN TAYLOR***

Sean Taylor has rapidly grown to be one of the hottest new names in the UK blues/acoustic scene. His incredible passion for performance, sheer talent and songwriting of the highest calibre is a testament to his frequent comparisons with John Martyn, Chris Isaak and Tom Waits.

He has had extensive coverage and outstanding reviews in publications such as ‘Uncut’, ‘Maverick’, ‘Classic Rock’, ‘Acoustic Guitar’ and ‘Rock N’ Reel’ to name but a few, and has been often accredited by BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris and was asked to feature on his show twice consecutively.

The past year has seen Sean’s profile rocket – amongst an impressive array of festival appearances and a hugely successful September tour, Sean was also asked to represent the UK music industry and perform at the Labour Party Creative Network Launch (Sept 2011) – hosted by Ed Milliband – and was subsequently featured on the front page of Music Week.

Sean’s fourth album ‘Walk With Me’ attracted great reviews in major music press. The album was produced by Trevor Hutchinson (Lúnasa, Sharon Shannon, The Waterboys), and features pedal steel legend BJ Cole as well as a stellar array of other musicians including Vyvienne Long (Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan) and Dave Hingerty (The Frames, Josh Ritter).

Ever the prolific worker, Sean is currently hard at work recording his new album in Austin, Texas – title TBC and due for release in March 2012 – to coincide with this tour.

‘Atmospheric … fabulous music…’ BOB HARRIS BBC RADIO 2

‘A bluesy devotional intensity that rightly draws comparisons to John Martyn’ Q

‘Sean Taylor is the king of singer songwriter styling … mesmerising … A classic album’ MAVERICK

‘prodigiously talented singer songwriter … touchstones would be Tom Waits and John Martyn’ R2

‘formidable and skilled … pleasingly atmospheric … recalls Chris Isaak’ UNCUT

http://www.seantaylorsongs.com

***PAUL HANDYSIDE***

Singer/songwrighter Paul Handyside was founder member of eighties indie group HURRAH! who had several releases on Arista and Kitchenware records. Paul then went on to tour and record with fellow Kitchenware label-mate Martin Stephenson. In 2001 he formed Bronze and released two albums “The statue in the stone ” and “A common prayer” blending west coast harmonies with the energy of The Who. Now solo, Paul’s songwriting is a mixture of Americana, pop, gospel, folk and 19th century hymns.

Paul has covered “Bachelor kisses” for the tribute album “Love goes on anyway”, to celebrate the songwriting talent of the late Grant McLennan from the GoBetweens. More recently he completed new album “Future’s Dream” with producer and regular live sideman Rob Tickell. The record is available now on Malady Music.

“A mighty fine album” Americana-Uk.com

“With the ’sensitive’ troubadour market already swamped and threatening to dull our senses forever, Handyside’s less obvious take is an absolute pleasure“ ’Planet Sound’ Channel 4 Teletext

“an inspiring listen… an accomplished singer-songwriter plying his trade superbly well” Maverick

“Handyside’s solo debut has just enough low-down twang and skipping drumbeats to qualify as Americana, but it’s as a singer-songwriter that he excels. His shimmering hymns offer care-worn sensitivity and reflections that are sentimental but not mawkish. And the title track’s huge chorus is an absolute joy” Q Magazine

http://www.paulhandyside.com

***ANDREW OXLEY***

Andrew Oxley makes music he describes as “raw, aggressive, melodic, from the heart”. You may also recognise him from the band Crowley’s Dead. His solo material explores a more folk/rock sound that has been compared to the acoustic offerings of Pete Townshend and takes influence from the likes of Rory Gallagher and Richard Thompson. Andrew recently released new EP “For Your Tomorrow”.

“Folk for people who don’t like folk” – Sandman Magazine

http://www.myspace.com/aoxleymusic

Facebook Event page:

http://www.facebook.com/events/240928979313611

Last.fm Event page:

http://www.last.fm/event/3152801

Gig poster courtesy of Martin Bedford:

Less than a week until this now. You can preview a couple of the tracks from Sean's new album Love Against Death here on his YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/seantaylorsongs Or bag yourself an MP3 of lead track Kilburn by signing up to his mailing list at: http://www.seantaylorsongs.com/index.php

Tickets available from http://www.wegottickets.com/wagonwheelpresents

The official blurb about the new record:

Peace against War. Hope against Hate. Unity against Division. Freedom against Fear. Love against Death.

 

The album was born and brought up in Kilburn, England, and comes to you by way of Austin, Texas. Sean is an unwilling member of the generation defined by neo liberalism. One of Thatcher's children, who became one of Blair's adults, this album is a howl against both, a direct challenge to a world where we are judged by what we consume rather than what we contribute.

 

LOVE AGAINST DEATH is a direct challenge to a reality dominated by greed, inequality, and injustice. LOVE AGAINST DEATH is the choice we make at every moment, in every relationship, and by every action. It's about taking sides.

 

The album was recorded in Austin, Texas, and produced by Mark Hallman. After hearing Mark's work, with Eliza Gilkyson in particular, Sean realised he would be perfect. Sean wanted to capture his live guitar sound, and Mark is the absolute master in this area. As a session guitarist himself, he knows exactly how to record and mix different guitars. Mark has also produced Carole King, Ani di Franco, Tom Russell, Iain Matthews, as well as working with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Oasis, and Lyle Lovett.

This is tonight! Live music kicks off at 8pm sharp with Andrew Oxley.