The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Wednesday 25th January 2012

David Mumford began songwriting on a trip around the world in 2001, with a 6-chord-songbook and hurriedly purchased guitar as his tools and only companions. The boybands were dead and gone, so he turned instead to the likes of Paul Simon, John Martyn, Bob Dylan and Martin Simpson to show him the way. Fast forward to 2003, and David is emerging from a university toilet, ashen pale and shaking like a popcorn pan, about to perform live for the first time. Ever since that first gig in front of a sell-out crowd of 12, David has gone from strength to strength, combining influences from folk, blues and acoustic music to weave his sorry tales; of foreign shores, rolling rivers, talking dogs and, of course, broken hearts.

The Visitors are Bart Brummer and Mike Wilton. After spending many years in the far east working as a holy man and plumber, Bart returned to the UK with an assortment of percussive instruments he collected on his travels, having mastered them all. Mike takes time off from his own band, the Standard Lamps, to play bass guitar and mandolin for the Visitors.

David Mumford and the Visitors are in the process of recording an album, and are looking forward to beating Cliff Richard to a Christmas Number 1.

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I'm a 17 year old acoustic singer/songwriter, currently studying music atThe BRIT School. I've been playing guitar since the age of nine and performing live for the past year. If I had to put my music in a catergory of genre, it would probably edge towards...'Progressive-Folk' I'm currently self releasing my Debut EP 'Plane Thoughts' - a self produced version of some of the songs heard in my acoustic set...My musical influences include - Pat Metheny, Jeff Buckley, Jose Gonzalez, EMINEM & not forgetting; Backing Vocalist on my EP; my Padre...Robert Fardell, who has been a professional session singer for last 25 years.

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Local songstress Josie Lee has established herself as one of the leading female artists at the Grey Lady. Her haunting vocals carry a unique pure tone that is full of atmosphere and feeling. She has produced a distinct medley of contemporary, melodic songs with influences such as Jeff Buckley, Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell and Nirvana. She originally started out as a solo artist playing regularly at various local Tunbridge Wells venues and has performed here at the show previously as a duo. Josie started university at Falmouth in late September 2008 where she is reading English and creative writing although she fully intends to keep her songwriting and singing ticking along in the process!

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Matt Carr (guitar & vocals) and Andy Phillips (drums) are the founding members of The Artie Fufkins, a Sevenoaks and Surrey based band currently receiving very favourable reviews. Andy and Matt previously played together in the promising 90's combo “Meet Mr Wonderful." When the band folded in 1995, Matt & Andy hung up their respective instruments – they thought – for good.

Fast forward to a damp and blustery Hyde Park Calling in July 2007 where, inspired by the energy of The Feeling (in the sunshine) and the honesty of the recently re-formed Crowded House (in a torrential downpour), Matt and Andy decided that it would be fun to start playing and writing together again.

In April 2009, and no longer blinded by the bright lights of Vegas, the duo recorded three songs which would go on to form their first EP “Comb-over Beethoven.” In 2011, the band recorded their second EP “What’s Not to Like?” including the beautiful and well-received “Honesty” and the stomping “Vincent.” In January 2012, Andy Smith joined The Fufkins as bass player/muti-instrumentalist.

With an appreciative nod towards the music of Neil Finn, Aimee Mann, Crowded House and Squeeze, The Fufkins have supported the likes of Colvin Quarmby, Modern English and The Blockheads. In October 2011, the track “Vincent” was chosen by the BBC as the new theme tune for BBC Radio 5’s popular weekly “Pienaar’s Politics.”

The Artie Fufkins can be found on Myspace and on Facebook.

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