Boxing Day at the Grey Lady, Friday 26th December 2014

Formed in 2010, Kent based folk/country artists The Breretons are set to emerge on the London music scene this year with a string of live dates and a debut album scheduled for release in the Autumn. Born from the ashes of London based rock outfit The Original Sinners, the brother/sister duo Marc and Charlotte are returning to their folk roots, playing heartfelt story telling songs of rare poetic quality. Their haunting harmony vocals are accompanied by Alex Metcalfe (piano), Kirsty Mangan (violin), Jim Cox (drums) and Pete Clements (bass).

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Zoe Nicol Biog

Singer Songwriter Zoë Nicol is a maverick in the world of folk music- a storyteller with a lyrical twist, but more than that, Zoë is an artist who possesses the rare ability to leave an audience breathless. “I recall the moment I first heard Zoë sing I felt completely moved and inspired, you could hear a pin drop as the audience listened intently, everyone present was totally absorbed by her performance. Her songs are beautifully crafted, rich in both melody and creative edge” Music promoter - Paul Dunton

Zoë grew up with the influence of Joni Mitchell and Eva Cassidy who inspired her to become the sincere and heartfelt artist her fans have come to love. Her debut EP entitled ‘Walk Against The wind’ was released in the summer of 2008 and sold out by the winter of that same year. Her captivating stage presence is embellished further by her modest and enchanting persona, she is able to reach out and connect to an audience through her live performances and recordings.

Zoë hails from Tunbridge Wells in Kent. She graduated in 2010 from LIPA (also known as the Paul McCartney Music School) studying performance and song writing, as well as recording her full-length debut album titled “These Are The Stories”, released in April 2010.

Zoë is now pursuing her music in London as part of the band Worry Dolls but still continues to write and perform solo on special occasions. Zoë was given the opportunity to support Joan Armatrading in November 2012 twice, both solo and as part of the band. Worry Dolls released their first EP In February 13 which is available for download from www.worrydollsmusic.com. Zoe is currently performing regularly as part of Worry Dolls and working on the next release.

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"Laura James, golden haired nymph with guitar. A hummingbird spinning fragile tales of life and love." Mudkiss Fanzine

Laura James is an award-winning Liverpool-based, Cumbrian-born songstress. Her debut EP ‘The Bed of The Brook’ was released in 2011 and led her on to play festivals such as Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Kendal Calling, Solfest and Ireby as well as gaining her a spot to play across the pond at Dewey Beach Music Conference in Delaware.Her first single ‘The Water’ was self-released in 2013 and has had extensive radio play including BBC Cumbria, BBC Merseyside and BBC Radio 2 as well as having been playlisted by BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson. Since her trip to the US in 2012 Laura has been working closely with Brooklyn-based collective Mason Jar Music (Feist, Wood Brothers, Josh Garrels, Alicia Keys).

“What makes LJ's singing/song-writing particularly special is the attachment to a wholly genuine self. Her performances appear to be a delicately embellished extension of her own personality and character. The ability and willingness to share this with an audience are things we ought to be very grateful for. She has an impressive ability to imply potential concealed thoughts and emotions in between lines of assured, astute lyrical exhibitions.” Matthew Boycott-Garnett, ACP Festival

“This Is Gorgeous” Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2 

“Lyrical ability at its finest!” Peter Guy, Mersey Blogs

“Engaging, delicate vocals in the Regina Spektor, Joanna Newsom kind of way” Ally McCrae, BBC Radio 1

“Cumbria born Laura James oozes talent. From her sublime acoustic guitar playing and gentle angelic vocals to her beautifully innocent lyrics that only come along with youth. Each song told a story and each word captured everybody there... this young singer/songwriter has the sweetest disposition on stage and you can't help but float along with her music. A truly captivating performance...” Music Mafia

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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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This brother and sister duo found their passion for music and storytelling through exposure to artists like Bob Dylan, Nick Drake and Van Morrison from a young age. James first picked up a guitar aged 10 and, as well as playing violin, Grace followed suit not long after.

In his younger years James fronted the band Cannon Woods, a folk/rock act that featured at local festivals and headlined shows at St Mary’s Church in Ashford. While writing and working on songs for the band, Grace would sing certain harmony lines and help to improve James’ material. They soon realised that the close harmony singing and the combined power of these wordsmiths could become a killer combination. Some songs they write together, others they bring to the table, but the authenticity of this act cannot be denied.

The songs like Atlantis use fairy tales to parallel modern day love songs, while others like July directly express the passionate anger of love. Other influences include Johnny Flynn, Fela Kuti, John Martyn, Edward Thomas and S.T Coleridge.

James says of their music: ‘We want people to listen to the songs and relate to the stories we tell; try and apply them to their lives rather than ours. After all, who’s to say any of them have any relevance to us?’

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