The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Sunday 15th December 2019

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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Chris Parris is the lead singer and guitarist of the band Sarah Tonin, who have established themselves as one of the most original psychedelic rock bands of the music scene. Being the main songwriter for the band, Chris has a large back catalogue to choose from but tonight will be singing predominantly new material which he's been working on over the last couple of months for this solo project.

Music for Parris has usually come from a place of rock, folk, country and blues. These are sounds that can fuel the psychedelic ethos and style of Sarah Tonin and this is no exception when composing music more suitable for the acoustic guitar. There are always too many influences to name but you may catch glimpses of Roy Harper, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and The Incredible String Band in there somewhere.

Sarah Tonin are on a break presently from performing after the sudden tragic loss of dear friend and bassist David Saunders at the end of 2018, he will always be remembered.

After years of physical and mental health problems mainly due to diet and now finally on a road to recovery thanks to his family, Parris is keeping the spirit alive and is embarking on a soul searching expedition of song writing and inner explorations. Let's see how far out the boat can be pushed! Sarah Tonin's debut album 'Spinning Chaos' is on sale tonight.

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Ashley Evans is a singer-songwriter from Tunbridge Wells. He writes songs about events in everyday life which haunt, inspire and obsess him. With a talent for combining soulful themes with well-crafted melodies, his powerful vocals create memorable, emotive tunes.
 
His love for music started at an early age when he wore out his dad's original 'Sergeant Pepper's' LP. He attributes his distinctive melodic sound and thought provoking lyrics to a teenage bedroom immersed in the sounds of the biggest and best guitar bands of the 60's and of a well established love for Oasis, Stereophonics and Blur. More recent inspiration has sprung from listening to Doves, Ryan Adams and Ed Harcourt.
 
All of these musical signposts merge to form the backdrop for Ashley's music coupled with a fascination with love, mortality, people-watching and on occasion inspiration from Jack Daniels.

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