Singer songwriter from the Isle of Wight. My influences include: Neil Young, Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Ron Sexsmith, John Prine, Tom Petty, Townes Van Zandt, Elliott Smith, John Denver and Nanci Griffith.
Dan Rumsey has been writing solo material since 2006 and gigging since then with simply an acoustic guitar and his voice. More recently Dan has been joined onstage by friends such as Martin Roberts (Discos out, Powderedcows) and Scott Pearce (Fall Victim) but has now settled on a full band setup which represents the original idea of the project.
Dan is currently recording his debut album "Voyage Andromeda" and gigging with the band under the name Dan Rumsey and the Bitter End.
"Dan is a pretty inspirational guy. Something about the unique way he see's the world comes across in his songs.
Claiming his own inspiration from 'The Great Beyond, Hotel Bars, Formal Dress Parties, Maps, Ocean Crossings and Disappointments' to name a few does something to set the scene for his music. On top of this years of playing in various bands as well as gigging as a solo artist have made him a seasoned and well versed performer.
In the studio he is always happy to explore the potential of his songs with no direction in particular which makes for some fascinating and beautiful soundscapes. From Horror Punk (a genre he introduced me to) to melancholy folk."
Olli Daffarn - 'One mind music' Producer
As at home on the Beach as he is on stage. Always strumming at an Acoustic Guitar, or occasionaly his signature white Ukelele. Singer/Songwriter Shaun grew up in Poole. A stones throw away from some of the most beautiful coastline in the world. And so it's easy to see why he sings about the world in all of its splendour. But at the same time he doesn't paper over the cracks. His are songs which try to deal with the world as a whole. As well as the usual songs of love, loss or betrayal are songs with a more introspective tone. Lyrics which are at once both personal and universal. A trait many put down to his love of fellow Songwriters Willy Mason & Ben Howard.
Shaun himself has said that his lyrics are by far the hardest things to write. And that he has hundreds of riffs and songs that have never been heard because he is unable to pin lyrics to them. And while that does indeed seem like a shame, at the same time it's hard to find fault with such values in a world full to bursting with the mindless and vapid stylings of the reality generation.
Lauren Bannon is a Bournemouth based Indie Singer/Songwriter. Regularly playing events across the South and London. Taking influence from artists such as Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones & Regina Spektor to create a sound of nothing you've ever heard!]
Listen to Lauren at http://myspace.com/laurenbannon
www.myspace.com/underthedriftwoodtree
Under the Driftwood Tree have only been together since February 2009 yet they have already achieved a great deal in a short time recording 4 tracks for BBC Introducing and receiving airplay on daytime Radio 1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/introducing/artists/underthedriftwoodtree Exceptional song-writing skills transform their music into mini-tales of simple philosophies that everyone and anyone can relate to. Add this to a cheeky “semi acoustic Gangsta Rap” irreverently mixed up, mashed up and “folked up” -videos of which often seem to find their way onto the internet & it is easy to see why the band already have a growing fan base thatincludes non other than Radio 1's Fearne Cotton. Fearne was so enthralled by the band that she invitedthem to the BBC's Maida Vale studios to record a interview & live session to be played to listeners of her daytime show www.bbc.co.uk/music/introducing/artists/underthedriftwoodtree/interview/...
Under the Driftwood Tree are:
Chris Stoodly – guitar, ukelele, accordion and lead vocals
Kathryn Shanahan -djembe, cajon + backing vocals
Robbie Price -guitar and lead vocals
Alex Perry - guitar
Sam Griffiths – bass + backing vocals
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK A SHOW CONTACT PETE WHELAN 02074825080
pete@program-music.co.uk
UNDER THE DRIFTWOOD TREE BACKGROUND BIOGRAPHY:
Under the Driftwood Tree met while on the look out for surf breaks on the Pembrokeshire coast. Discovering a mutual love for not only surfing but acoustic based and folk tinged music, what started out as a beach party fireside jam has now turned into a touring band. Boasting a chilled out West Coast surf sound of their own featuring soft melodic harmonies and exceptional song writing their sound has been described as “completely unique” by the BBC.
After some early busk sessions outside one of their favourite surf shops in their home town of Cardiff caused a roadblock the band realised that they were on to something that was capturing the hearts and minds of people. Word of mouth began to spread as they started playing in local live music venues in Cardiff including; Barfly, Clwb Ivor Bach, 10 feet tall and The Globe. Their stylised soft melodic drifting vocal harmonies (more often found in the music of West coast of America than West coast Wales) combined with subtle arrangements underscored by the unusual instruments they play were a hit with a large cross section of music lovers. Unsurprisingly in their first year together the band become Welsh winners of Surface Unsigned 2009 & were chosen to be the official band behind Stereoboard.com's “Access All Areas” campaign.
Expanding their musical universe Under the Driftwood Tree have already appeared on TV shows, making it to one of the final 10 bands on Channel 4's Evo Music Room & appearing on ITV’s The Wales Show. Alongside the aforementioned BBC Maida Vales sessions the band have performed on several other radio stations including BBC Radio Wales, RTE Radio 1 Ireland,The Wave, Cardiff Radio, Bryn Mawr FM and GT FM Under the Driftwood Tree have also received great press with reviews published in the Cardiff Echo, Bristol Post, the Capital Times and The Miniature Music Press and online. Festival opportunities started to appear in 2010 with performances booked at music and surf festivals including Beach Break Live, The Eden Sessions (with Jack Johnson), Bug Jam, VW Festival, Santa Pod, Mighty Dub Fest, VW Festival, Connaught Village Summer Festival, Kingsfest, The Lazy Bishop Festival, Nibley Music Festival Blow Out, Newport Comedy Festival and Oxjam.
2011 will see Under the Driftwood Tree looking to capitalise on their initial success with the planned release of their first single. Having played a few select show cases in London including a packed out performance at the lavish Bedford venue, they have engaged live agency Program Music to organise and book shows nationwide to preface the summer festival season and build up to the release of their début single. They are off to a flying start having already started the year on the crest of a wave winning the prestigious Isambard Nu Folk Award and have already received their first offers for their “SURF & TURF” festival tour 2011.
http://twitter.com/udwt
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/introducing/artists/underthedriftwoodtree/
Once heard, forever a fan Under the Driftwood Tree
Monkeys Uncle in multiple forms: There’s the original dynamic duo, known best for their mellow acoustic rifts and smooth harmonies, and now with Friends in full technicolour, aromascope and surround sound. Batteries are defiantly not required. Now experience more power, more sound, well just MORE! Monkeys uncle as you’ve never heard them before (Unless you’ve heard the album). Our mission is to Rock and we invite the world to join us!
Uncle (Andy Hall) - Lead Vocals, Rhythm with the occasional solo and all round general old guy.
Monkey (Lennon Moody) - Monkey: AKA Lennon Moody. Lead, Rhythm, Harmonies and self proclaimed master of the six string guitar. (He's not)
Bassplayingmonkey (Lee Burchell) - As the name suggests he plays the bass and describes himself as a massive band whore. Have bass will travel!!!
King Louie (Jim Kendall) - King Louie: AKA Jim Kendall. Master of the sticks, drummer and most defiantly seen in 3D
Matt Bonner has been writing acoustic tracks for around 8 years.
Matt Bonner has played in a number of venues in Brighton, Edinburgh, Lincoln & London and is now looking to play across the UK. He was one half of the award winning show Post Me To The Fringe and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Purchase Matt Bonner's debut album 'Songs to Live By' from http://www.mattbonner.co.uk/shop.html
I was born in England in 1993 with severe hearing problems; I only had 20% hearing till the age of four. As a child I had the privilege to travel around the world with my mother, experiences many cultures. My mother’s musical tastes influenced me from a young age, with the likes of led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Kurt Cobain and Pink Floyd.
We moved to Spain four years ago and I was introduced to the piano, which led me into guitar and to sing. My passion for music grew and I began writing my own original material. I have now written over 80 songs, all based on my personal experiences of life.
I moved back to England a few months ago and am hoping to forge my music career; I would describe my style of music as acoustic, urban folk, pop.
Alex Roberts - blends genres from baroque to blues, with vocals and finger-style guitar, some fine lap-steel, bouzouki and harmonica playing, and a stomp-box to boot.
With a catalogue of some three-hundred songs, gathered from his travels around the world, Alex set out from his tipi and on to the road. Performing in venues and festivals as far afield as Copenhagen to Barbados. 2009 saw over 150 shows.
Alex pushes the boundaries of his songs with each performance. There is an urgency beneath the gentleness of his composition. His writing is honest and direct. On stage he threads themes and stories into a timeless web of song.
With graceful style and masterful technique, vocal lines ebb and flow around elegant instrumental work. The result is an 'uplifting and wholesome union of voice and instrument'.
At home in Dorset, England, Alex teaches music & songwriting. This includes work with ‘Jail Guitar Doors’ - a project to aid rehabilitation, through music, in a young offender’s institute.
Alex's new album - Fairwood & Stone - is available now from:
www.alexrobertsmusic.com
Daniel Leigh has been a performer/songwriter/musician since the young age of 14. Throughout his career in music, Daniel has performed and tasted many musical genres, such as his works in soul, stage, and hard rock. Known to most as the front man for London based rock band New Device, Daniel has now decided to branch out, exploring the diverse paths of his solo career. Drawing inspiration from almo...st every facet of musical genre, Daniel Leigh writes, records and performs music which he feels is true to his personality and life experience. There is a distinct contrast between his work in New Device and his solo compositions, with Electronic drum beats, clean and acoustic guitars, and rich, colourful melodies. His intriguing collection is without a doubt primarily driven through powerful vocals, giving this exciting new project a genuine and honest feel. Through his music, Daniel Leigh is presented 'stripped bare', exposing a deeply personal and natural central core.
