Sunday 28th September
Programmed by Rory Carlile from the London Bridge Roots venue The Gladstone Arms.
5.00 Yeah Yeah Castle
4.00 The Self Help Group
3.00 Son of Kirk
2.00 Ma Polaine’s Great Decline
1.00 James McArthur & The Head Gardeners
12.00 Ned Roberts
RIVERSIDE BAND BIOGS
Saturday 28th September
Programmed by Rory Carlile from the London Bridge Roots venue The Gladstone Arms.
Yeah Yeah Castle
Sunday 28th September 5.00 – Riverside Stage
THE SELF HELP GROUP
Sunday 28th September 4.00 – Riverside Stage
Featuring immaculate three part harmony, guitar, banjo, piano and xylophone, the Self Help Group create a gloriously rich sound that brings to mind Pentangle, Crosby Stills & Nash, Fleetwood Mac and The Cowboy Junkies- often in the same song.
Formed in Brighton in 2009, their music is a harmony drenched blend of folk and Americana. In 2013 they released their debut album, "Not Waving But Drowning" to great acclaim. They have played live regularly throughout the year including support slots with Woodpigeon, Ellen and the Escapades, Peter Bruntnell, Josh Record and Laish.
"Absolutely wonderful" Bob Harris Radio 2 "Stunning debut" Maverick Mag
"Gorgeous, wistful melodies" American Roots UK "Highlights of the year" Folk Radio UK www.sitefy.com/theselfhelpgroup
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0_eUhp6tXM
SON OF KIRK
Sunday 28th September 3.00 – Riverside Stage
Son of Kirk is a meeting of hearts and minds. A constantly evolving musical force driven by four uniquely creative individuals, who build on a foundation of inspired song-writing and strong melodic and lyrical interplay. Interweaving violin, cello and syncopated guitar lines, combine with dance and Afro beat informed percussive drum patterns and elements of improvisation. Four part harmonies create overlapping vocal lines, inspired by tribal and folk traditions. Expect to be taken on multiple rhythmic twists and turns, by songs that circle and hover, unveil and reveal. The members of Son of Kirk grew up in varying backgrounds around the world, from Australian cults, to the wilds of West Africa, through American suburbia, to the industrial Midlands and the lush, green beauty of The Garden of England, ultimately coming together on the Tunbridge Wells music scene. Since the very well received 'Utopia Shake' E.P. launch (and the birth of twins!) in May 2014, the band have been in their studio working on new material...
www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGJDHmVUwdrA5M8DQwl_wg/videos
www.facebook.com/sonofkirk
MA POLAINE’S GREAT DIVIDE
Sunday 28th September 2.00 – Riverside Stage
Ma Polaine’s Great Decline play a highly potent mix of rhythm and blues and country soul with flavours of gypsy jazz, vaudeville and music hall, all performed with a focused intensity. Taking inspiration from the 1940's jazz of Billie Holliday, the blues grit of Howlin' Wolf, and the genre sidestepping of Tom Waits, Ma Polaine's Great Decline create their own style of broken-down roots music; from painfully sparse bitter-sweet love songs, to fearsome tales of revenge, country-soul ballads and infectious vaudevillian tango. Beth Packer’s superbly soulful voice, mean blues harp and Clinton Hough’s virtuoso guitar are supported by a superbly tight rhythm section, intertwining horns, piano and accordion to produce a truly exciting roots sound.
"...elements of folk, jazz and old timey, given voice by the wonderfully evocative vocals of Beth Packer", "wouldn't sound out of place in a speakeasy or the Left Bank, it just captures that sense of sophisticated sleaze", "a whole that is as rich as it is deep." FATEA Magazine
mapolainesgreatdecline.com
JAMES MCARTHUR & THE HEAD GARDENERS
Sunday 28th September 1.00 – Riverside Stage
James McArthur And The Head Gardeners combine violin, pedal steel and interwoven acoustic guitar to provide a sonic treat to soothe and warm the soul. Currently on Chris Coco's Melodica label, its perfect for Sunday listening. Together with Head Gardeners Johnny O and Jim Willis, McArthur delivers a startlingly accomplished brace of songs live in his unique style of hazy folk. His sound, lovingly honed on the incubative London circuit, echoes the likes of Nick Drake and The beta band from a perspective that's all his own, one that's at once grounded and fleeting, yet always profound. The tracks invite you on a journey, through rolling harmonies, shifting guitar, whilst questioning that which is constantly taxing...
http://www.jamesmcarthurmusic.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYUSdU3Ilgs
NED ROBERTS
Sunday 28th September 12.00 – Riverside Stage
Ned Roberts is a wonderfully accomplished folk musician that sounds as though he's been around forever. His perfectly balanced Laurel Canyon-esque songs delivered with a poetic turn of phrase, excellent musicianship and a perfectly judged vocal sensibility sit comfortably among the classics of the acoustic folk world. He was recently contacted by producer Luther Russell (Folks, Richmond Fontaine, Noah & The Whale) who brought him to Los Angeles to record. The first single culled from these sessions was "Red Sun", which featured frequently on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2. On the heels of thiscame"Blues#6", featuring vocals by acclaimed songstress Sarabeth Tucek,championed by BBC DJs Lauren Laverne and Jo Whiley. In spring of this year Ned embarked on his first UK wide tour, supporting celebrated folk singer Anais Mitchell.
www.nedroberts.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy-tTCIsYBg