The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Sunday 19th January 2014

When Andy released the first ever naked Christmas music video it hit the national headlines, leading The Mirror newspaper to ask “Is this the best Christmas music video ever?” With the topics of his songs ranging from pandas to Luxembourg via Pot Noodle, Andy Twyman blends blues with humour and rock and roll to titillate your ears, mind and toes. Having already performed at Glastonbury Festival, on BBC Radio, and on Channel 4, Andy’s reputation is growing as a highly original emerging artist.

Andy first took to the stage aged 12 in pubs and clubs, with his guitar, voice and harmonica, often jamming with local musicians including Rory Graham (aka Rag and Bone Man). Before hitting 18, he had gigged as a solo act in top London venues including The Jazz Café and 100 Club. Driven to create a distinctive and exciting act, Andy learnt to play foot operated drums, giving his songs a beat to get people on their feet. Drawing on influences as diverse as Muddy Waters, Monty Python, the White Stripes and Noel Fielding he developed a one man band show. In recent years Andy has brought this show to Spain, the Netherlands and France, has performed twice on BBC Radio and on London’s Resonance 104.4FM, and has had articles written about his music in The Sun, the Mirror, and The Daily Mail newspapers. On Christmas Eve 2015, Andy's Christmas music video, 'A Naked Noel', was broadcast on Channel 4, and in 2017 Andy was interviewed on the London Live TV station to discuss his festival appearances and new live album release. When the summer arrives, Andy performs at festivals all over the country inducing laughter and dancing amongst the drunk and disorderly. He has performed at many of the biggest and best UK music festivals including Glastonbury, Beautiful Days, Standon Calling, and Green Gathering.  

Quotes

"The master of the one man band...a first class musician and songwriter"

Blues in Britain Magazine

"The audience realised they were in the presence of a real entertainer, a provider of a refreshing blast of new blues"

Blues Matters Magazine

“His guitar sounds either stoic like John Lee Hooker or grooves like Bo Diddley”
Wasser-Prawda (Germany)

"A one man band with edge...an excellent, versatile, contemporary singer songwriter that gives the blues a new take with humour"
Lancashire Blues Archive

"The audience were enthralled and entertained"

The Hastings Flyer

(photo credit: Laura Wispells)

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"I started writing songs when I was about seven and haven’t really stopped since then. I have always been interested in music as it goes in the family and have always liked to sing. At the age of about nine, I started having piano lessons locally but I wanted to do more pop music material and so stopped taking the lessons. In primary school I started many bands with friends and was always playing around with song writing. The first time I recorded on my own was a cover I did of Invincible by Tinie Tempah and Kelly Rowland. In early 2011 I wrote my first proper song ‘I Cried’ and recorded it in my Dad’s studio. I then wrote another song called ‘This is Your Life’ and decided I wanted to carry on with song writing. I then made my own YouTube account just to see if the songs would get any views and luckily enough they did! I wrote about four more before I filmed my first music video last year. I am very influenced by Emeli Sande as her songs are mainly based on her and the piano. I also listen to music like Ellie Goulding and The Kooks- as well as the music in the charts! I have always sung with my sister as our voices are similar and we harmonise together."

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I am a unique, acoustic singer/songwriter and all round musician based in Hastings, currently in the process of releasing my original music to the general public. At 17, i have performed at various events, parties, and weddings, regularly go busking, and have taken part in open mic nights in the local area, but am now looking to play to a larger audience and gain experience in the music industry. My interest in music began from an early age as i was always surrounded by my dad playing guitar, but i purchased my first drum kit at the age of 11, and taught myself the guitar and piano shortly after, which set me up for gigs at small venues. Despite aiming to make a living out of music in the future, for the time being i am just enjoying sharing my music with people, and hope to continue doing so for a very long time.

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Bowman's Layer are a merry band of musicians and songwriters with years of gigging and recording experience between them. Our songs are written merely for the pleasure of doing so and we blend different styles including folk, blues, soul and rock.

Nick Faulkner's distinctive and expressive vocal style is sympathetically complimented by a melodic blending of sounds perfectly suited to the songs. Whether acoustic or electric we follow where the songs lead us and whatever makes us grin. We write about real situations that we have experienced but also subjects that affect us all.

Chutz on guitars and Flavio on bass have been working together musically for more than 20 years now and Nick and Henry (percussion) have worked together extensively via a number of projects too. This leads to a musical understanding and sense of fun that is apparent in our music.

Currently working on our first album and adding new material to our set we are looking forward to performing many fun gigs and basically loving every minute of the process.

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