MARTIN HARLEY BAND

FRIDAY 3RD OCTOBER

Martin Harley is a contemporary singer/songwriter, extraordinary guitarist, and front man for the Martin Harley Band. Formed in 2003 after the release of Martin’s first solo album, the MHB have gone from strength to strength over the last five years, and almost all of it on their own.

Martin Harley is one of those people who were born for life on the road, and in his early twenties, disenchanted with suburban life in the UK, Martin went looking for adventure and music armed with a little money and an acoustic guitar. His travels took him across the continents, from the United States, to Africa, to India, and somewhere along the line he found himself writing music and playing in small bars across Australia whilst living out of a car. Using a converted 12-string he bought from a junk shop for $30 (and still uses to this day), he played wherever he was welcome and his warm voice, earnest yet poetic lyrics, and distinctive guitar style made an impression.

Upon his return to the UK he set about recording his debut album, “Martin Harley” (2003), enlisting Adam Wolters on two-string stick bass and Pete Swatton on a minimal cock-tail drum kit and balalaika. With a thrifty DIY attitude, a collection of great songs, and three musicians whose combined sound is hugely greater than the sum of their parts, The Martin Harley Band was born.

His debut took him across Great Britain and Ireland in support, playing venues big and small, from festivals in and around London to busking on the streets of Truro. In 2005 he was invited to take part in the World’s Highest Gig, an event aimed at setting a record for a concert held at the highest altitude in aid of creating an orphanage for victims of the on going violence in Nepal. Organized by the Nepal Balabalika Trust, the event raised over £30,000 to help Nepalese children affected by the conflict, which has been used to set up a shelter and skills centre. Returning to the UK soon after, the MHB set about recording their first album proper. In 2006 “Money Don’t Matter” was released to great acclaim, supported by numerous gigs and festivals across the UK as well as jaunts to France and Germany to spread the word further afield.
Martin’s sense of adventure, his love of traveling and his thirst for a deeper understanding of music took him to Mali, Guinea, and Senegal in early 2007. Here he spent 6 weeks in the company of some of the finest of those countries’ musicians, making music day and night, soaking up the experience, and most importantly making friends. Besides music and traveling, Martin’s other passion is surfing, and his music has been enthusiastically carried around the globe by fellow disciples of the wave. This word of mouth phenomenon has opened new doors already; Barbados is a shining example, where the Virgin Music Red Eye Festival 2007 was partly staged in order to enable the band to play there.

In 2007, the MHB headed back into the studio to record their latest effort, “Grow Your Own”, a collection of songs written largely on Martin’s travels. Recorded at One Life Productions in London, produced by Simon Handley, and mastered by audio guru Bob Katz, this is certainly their most enterprising record yet, venturing beyond home recording and broadening their sound with tasteful use of strings, horns, and electric guitars, drifting from mournful ballads to jazzy swing to bluesy hip-hop and beyond into full blown rock. Released in stores and online in April 2008 to outstanding reviews and extensive radio play, including Bob Harris and Johnnie Walker on BBC Radio 2 and with live sessions on the way, the boys hit the road in support, playing throughout the UK, stunning audiences with their now legendary live performances.

The remainder of 2008 will see the Martin Harley Band embark on their second UK tour of the year, with a return trip to Barbados immediately after, before Martin rounds off the year with an Australian tour. With all this and a brilliant new album, the astonishing journey of The Martin Harley Band continues to roll on, and with so much covered in such a short space of time, who knows what the next year will hold in store.

Tickets on sale now at £12 from www.ticketweb.co.uk or by calling 08700 600 100 (24hrs) or with no booking fee at the Tower Box Office, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5PW. Tickets are cheaper in advance.

This is an unreserved seating event and ages 14+
ID is required for everyone under the age of 25
Doors Open 19:30. Show Starts 20:00