The Pheasantry, Pizza Express, Thursday 29th August 2013

Towma are a triumvirate of intelligent piano-driven pop.

Sitting aside from many of the prescribed musical labels and boxes, they deliver appealing songs with stories and meaning; a driving, melodic alchemy of great vocal harmonies and intricate musical detail.

Among their influences, they count Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright and Everything Everything. They have been compared to Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Steely Dan, Supertramp and Nizlopi.

“Brilliant and unfazed about sounding like anybody but themselves.” Ben Robinson, UK Festival Guides

"Pop with jazz inflections with lovely harmonic choral singing. You are just fantastic."  Linda Serck, BBC Introducing

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Milton Keynes based singer, Freddy Armstrong, began writing songs back in the spring of 2012. Drawing on influences such as José González, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Jeff Buckley, Armstrong soon compiled a collection of ethereal melodies accompanied by genuine lyrics. By the autumn, an E.P. was under way with help from friend and drummer, Ivan Pigott. The recording and production process brought together musicians and friends, and ultimately initiated the formation of what is now known as Holm. 

Armstrong's delicate guitar strumming over unnecessarily complicated tunings are accompanied by his own velvet vocals, Této Parvanov's backing harmonies, Paul Howarth on bass, Ben Watson on guitar, Oliver Scheuregger on piano and Ivan Pigott on drums: despite being together for less than a few months, their energy and on-stage delivery indicates otherwise. 

Motivated by the recent and successful release of their E.P., Carousels, Holm has already firmly established themselves as a group to remember, with praise and performance requests increasing by the day. 

Described as "An alluring balance between ethereal, wintery harmonies, and the rustic like-ability of its thematic basis, Holm offers a mysterious experience that is both comforting and exhilarative. A mesmeric new sound.", Carousels is a collection of textured and uplifting songs whose sonic portrayal of family, friends and self-depiction is truly unique. 

Currently concentrating on their E.P. promotion and, having already secured an impressive range of shows, Holm has had an exciting kickstart to their journey.   

The rest, as they say, is the future.

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Annie Chew is a singer-songwriter hailing from Tunbridge Wells. Annie has performed all over the south east including esteemed London venues such as The Pheasantry on Kings Road. Annie loves to perform at her home town venue, The Grey Lady Music Lounge and has been performing there for several years now. Annie’s musical tastes are very diverse but she has often felt inspired by modern day artists including the likes of Adele, Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse, Tori Amos and Carole King. From September, Annie is set to study music at BIMM (British & Irish Modern Music Institute, based in Brighton) an she is looking forward to the prospect of working and studying with fellow musicians and songwriters. Annie says” I am really looking forward to joining the academy at BIMM, I believe this will prove to be the next step in my development as an artist and I am excited to see my writing evolve during the whole process. In the longer term I plan to release a recording of my songs and in the meantime will be focusing on my live shows and keep writing new material."

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Singer-songwriter, Paul Dunton leads his own unique cross-over orchestra providing an atmospheric fusion of alternative and pop with a classical twist. Paul & his Orchestra take influences from varying modern day artists such as Pink Floyd, Elbow, ELO, Turin Brakes, Massive Attack, Damien Rice and contemporary composers such as Samuel Barber, Ludovico Einaudi, John Barry and Hans Zimmerman. The Orchestra performs Paul's own compositions and a varied selection of uniquely arranged standards from a wide range of artists. The line-up of 8 violins, 4 cellos, guitar, flute, bass and percussion accompanies Paul on vocals and piano, joined by his lead vocalists, Charlotte Andrew and Poppy Raine. Paul and his Orchestra regularly perform at concerts, festivals and private events throughout the UK and internationally, including headlining the Theatrium Wilhelmstraße Festival in Wiesbaden, Germany and an 8 state tour of the USA which culminated in a spectacular roof-top performance on top of the New York Strand Hotel. Increased attention and success led to the orchestra being featured on BBC Radio 2 by Joan Armatrading with interviews and airplay of one of Paul's songs, 'Don't Forget'. This led to Paul supporting Joan Armatrading on five occasions during her recent UK tours.

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