The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Wednesday 23rd September 2009

The Diarys are Rich Sanford (vocals & Guitar), Giles Patrick (Bass guitar), Stuart Wallinger (drums) and Mike O'Hara (guitar/vocals). The band has established themselves as one of the UK's finest emerging acoustic talents. Their distinct style is laced with lilting melodies and captivating, memorable songs. Whilst actively gigging around the UK at numerous prominent festivals and venues, including headlining the ‘Local & Live' music festival in 2007 have amassed a sizeable fan base and in early 2007 released their self-produced album; 'If walls could talk' which continues to receive critical acclaim. At the moment they are at their strongest, writing and performing up beat gypsy reggae style grooves refected on their newly released second album entitled 'one room'. The follow up record is more upbeat than the first album, with a rougher truer edged to the music. The band recorded the album with Giles Patrick at the controls in an old fire station in Kent.

With influences such as modern day artists; Ben Folds, Anthony & The Johnsons, Burt Bacharach and composers such as Barber and Rachmaninov, Kent based singer-songwriter Paul Dunton offers something unique! Paul’s music is best described as a captivating fusion of popular contemporary and classical. He composes and performs both instrumental pieces and songs. He is due to provide the soundtrack for an upcoming international film release. For smaller intimate shows Paul (piano/vocals) performs with along side his quartet know as the ‘Crew’. The atmospheric and ethereal live sound features Cello, violins and Flute. Paul is due to release his third album at the beautiful King Charles Martyr Church near The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells on Friday June 11th. That concert will see both Paul giving away a free signed copy of his new album entitled ‘Escapism; to all who come and paul will be performing alongside his ‘full’ crew known as The Paul Dunton Orchestra which comprises a line up of 10 violins, 5 cellos, Flute, Guitar, Percussion and vocalist Fiona Keeler.

With no love for the traditional trappings and clichés that pollute the world of acoustic music, Mechanical Sunrise is a two-piece band from the Southeast who deliver a raw, uncompromising sound. Musically, their influences range from Nick Cave and early New Model Army to Israeli trance act Infected Mushroom. Lyrically inspired by everything from universal entropy to the works of avant-garde occult writer Grant Morrison, the duo deliver an acerbic, yet playful commentary on the counterfeit culture that pervades Britain in the 21st Century. Between them, bassist Craig Burton and guitarist Ed Hammond had burnt through a flurry of bands before forming their current project, including local goth-rock legends Purity of Decadence and Stable award winning indie band Zoë From London. However, it is with the Mechanical Sunrise that the two have at last found their voice -and with an almost fetish-like obsession with the apocalypse, the only thing burning this time will be the world as it prepares for the dawn of the Mechanical Sun.

Karl Haynes entered the music scene performing and recording 6 years ago after many years in and around Kent learning and playing with some of the great musicians and bands in the South East area, a very competent guitarist with many years of playing under his belt the ability to marry his playing with his soulful vocals has produced a bright new direction for the upcoming artist, influenced by artists like Chris Cornell, John Mayer, Richie Kotzen and Matchbox 20 to name a few he has spent his time trying to create a subtle blend of Rock, Pop & Acoustic music that has universal appeal and the ability to make you reflect with it's heartfelt lyrics and upbeat drive. At the present time Karl is in the process of finishing and releasing his début album Sunburnt Smile which he will promote with shows around the South East.