Josh Bray Devon born folk singer announces UK tour
aaamusic | On 19, May 2011
“Gorgeous”- Dermot O’Leary – BBC Radio 2
“Josh Bray’s hugely impressive debut, is both an understated acoustic gem and a powerful statement of intent”. – Acoustic Magazine
“Solidly Constructed Songs- with a clear- voiced articulacy… duelling acoustic and electric guitars taking a leaf out of Robbie Robertson’s book” – Uncut
“The warmth of the production is all enveloping as the acoustic based songs cast a hypnotic spell that had me happy to sit, head back, eyes closed and just wallow in its beauty.. or my money it is the best album I’ve heard so far this year.” 5/5 – The Music Critic
“Suffice to say that this may be the most fully formed debut to appear since Ray LaMontagne’s Trouble. And approach with caution – beneath their fastidiously crafted surfaces, these songs can kill.”- Adam Sweeting, The Arts Desk
After a string of highly acclaimed reviews surrounding the release of his debut album ‘Whisky And Wool’ on March 28th 2011 on New Tide Records, Devon- born Josh Bray returns with a UK tour, supporting the much admired British troubadour Jon Allen.
Josh will be performing solo for the majority of the tour, which he explains is something he was keen to do, as although recently he has enjoyed playing with his four piece band, where their live gigs have developed into a mixture of low key folk and electric blues/ rock, he is keen to explore his folk roots more profoundly.
Josh feels doing the tour solo will help him develop and grow as an artist. “This tour will give me a chance to go back to the more traditional folk sound of the album and promises to be really intimate gigs, with just me and acoustic guitar. I am very much looking forward to connecting directly to the audience with no band to hide behind”, he explains.
‘Whisky and Wool’ draws plenty of inspiration from Josh’s childhood. Although he was Devon born he grew up in Dorset, where unlike most acoustic singer-songwriters Josh was listening to Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin Soundgarden and Alice In Chains. It wasn’t until Bray switched on the TV and saw Nick Drake performing “Riverman” and as Josh puts it “It all made sense”. Josh started down a path which encouraged him to investigate further and he soon became immersed in the whole 1970’s folk/rock sound, taking influences from Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, CSN, John Martyn, Dylan and Fairground Convention. These are the sounds and inspiration that so clearly echo throughout “Whisky and Wool”.
Josh picked up an old Spanish guitar which belonged to his late father and which he still plays with and began to teach himself. That detuned style he inherited from the British folk scene is still a significant part of his style.
Having dabbled in music for a while and having played local clubs, Josh decided to put music to one side for the time being, and went to study law at university. After graduating, he was all set to move to the US and work in human rights law for people on death row, where he’d been offered a job – but then a friend persuaded him to put his law career on hold for a while and give music a go, as occasionally Josh had played the odd gig whilst at uni. He never looked back!
Josh explains “Whisky and Wool” is his personal work of passion, Josh explains, “I don’t want to be on ‘Cribs’ or walk around in fur coats. I just want to play live and put records out that I hope people will enjoy.”
UK Dates
Supporting Jon Allen unless stated
May 18th – Mama Stones – Exeter
May 19th – Glee Club – Birmingham
May 25th – The Lexington, London (Full Band) – Supporting Miserable Rich
May 31st – Arts Centre – Norwich
June 7th – The Stables – Milton Keynes
June 8th – Jericho – Oxford
June 11th – Brudenell – Leeds
June 14th – Cox’s Yard – Stratford Upon Avon
June 15th – Bodega – Nottingham
June 16th – Musician – Leicester
June 18th – Discovery Centre – Winchester
June 22nd – Bush Hall – London
June 23rd – Komedia Studios – Brighton
