Jason McNiff
Jason McNiff is a London based Yorkshireman of Irish and Polish descent. He has made four records of what is loosely described as alt. country or Americana, yet there is something very British about him. As Time Out attests, “McNiff’s quiet, intimate, fragile-sounding vocals draw you into his world– a melancholy, almost timeless place, through which he drifts, a romantic loner, a dreamer, at home with the blues.” He has built a reputation as one of the finest songwriters of his generation, and a guitarist of originality & distinction. His new album, April Cruel (Fledg’ling) has just been released, and is being touted as his best yet.
Andy Hank Dog, son of the BBC producer Elkan Allan, who pioneered the TV music show with Ready Steady Go in the 60s, was sometime bass player in the Sex Pistols and since the early 90s has nurtured a generation of new folk acts with his Peckham club, ‘Easycome’. His band, Hank Dogs, were signed by Joe Boyd and toured the States twice with Joan Baez. A solo record has long been promised and this show will see Hank Dog perform his songs in stark intensity.
Simon Stanley Ward has been performing ruthlessly for the last 10 years. His music is constantly evolving as Simon continues to experiment and develop as a songwriter and performer. From the age of 15 Simon was the lead singer for over 6 years with the country rock band Black Bart. This hard working 4 piece band toured the country and played in many festivals releasing 2 E.P’s and a self titled album. Simon has since moved to London bringing his own personal unique blend of County, Americana and Folk songs to the capital. Last year Stanley Ward released his first solo E.P titled “Myself to Blame” and has been a regular fixture on London’s growing Americana scene. In the summer of 2011 Simon took his solo show over to the US where he played gigs in Nashville and the surrounding area of Tennessee. 2012 sees Simon set to release his first solo album as well as continuing to gig relentlessly across London with shows planned for elsewhere in Europe at the end of the year.”