Midnight Mango presents on, Thursday 18th October 2012 RODDY WOOMBLE Plus... Polly Barrett
EXETER PHOENIX, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS
Doors 7:45 pm. Show starts 8pm. (Seated Show)
Tickets: £15.50 in Advance Tickets Booking fees may apply.
RODDY WOOMBLE
Genre: Acoustic
Familiar to many thousands of music fans as the front man in the Scottish rock band Idlewild, Roddy Woomble is also a celebrated solo songwriter & performer. He follows up the release of his acclaimed 2006 solo debut 'My Secret is My Silence' with a brand new album of new songs.
A native of Irvine - small-town Scotland writ large - Roddy Woomble co-founded Idlewild in 1995, naming the band for the quiet haven featured in his then-favourite book, Anne of Green Gables.
Given that the NME likened their early punk-fuelled sound - deftly revisited on their latest album, 2007's Make Another World - to "a flight of stairs falling down a flight of stairs", the quiet haven part was initially somewhat ironic, but gradually came closer as Idlewild meanwhile progressed through sweeping melodic rock to rootsy, melodic sparseness.
Extending that softer lyrical vein of Roddy's songwriting, 2006 saw his first solo release, My Secret Is My Silence, winning rave reviews across both the rock and folk press.
He was also a key instigator behind the acclaimed 2007 album Ballads of the Book, bringing together leading Scottish poets and musicians to collaborate on new songs.
Roddy went on to record and release the album 'Before the Ruin' with Kris Drever and John McCusker in 2008, which they toured extensively around the UK to much praise. The new album, ‘The Impossible Song and Other Songs’ was recorded on the isle of Mull. This was released in the spring of 2011 to critical acclaim and Roddy and his band have been touring the UK ever since playing some notable dates including Beautiful Days and Wychwood Festival last summer.
As well as songs from the new album the live set will feature tunes from 'My Secret is My Silence', 'Before the Ruin' alongside several Idlewild numbers.
Praise for ‘The Impossible Song and Other Songs’:
“This is a distinctly lovely affair” – NME
“A moving and quietly joyous collection of pieces weaving together strands of folk, jazz and country.” – Guardian
“The imagery is striking...like island life it's self it won't be rushed” – Mojo
“One of Britain's most distinct and talented voices” – Kerrang
POLLY BARRETT
Polly Barrett, the new jewel of Irish folk-pop, recently launched her debut album Mr. Bookshop to much acclaim in her native country. Polly's debut single and title track from the album, ‘Mr. Bookshop’, was chosen by international music industry bible, Music Week, for inclusion on their 'Sounds of Ireland' CD and resulted in Polly being invited to open for artists such as Agnes Obel, Chris Wood and Julie Felix on their recent tour dates.
Polly Barrett began her music career as a busker on the streets of Cork City. Her mellow, folksy songs and clear, easy voice reflect her love of nature and matters of the heart. The album 'Mr. Bookshop' draws comparisons with songstresses such as Nanci Griffith, Mary Black, Kate Rusby and Norah Jones, while its collection of beautifully crafted songs draw influence from artists like Joni Mitchell and John Martyn.
“Polly Barrett is the new jewel of Irish folk-pop” – Music Week
Mr. Bookshop is a fine introduction to a talent worth keeping an eye on.” – Hot Press
‘Ireland has a habit of producing wonderful female singers and Polly Barrett is no exception’. – Goldenplec“Polly seems to capture the true beauty of love and nature in her lyrics and that’s what makes this album stand out from the crowd.” – Music Review Unsigned
