Pizza Express Maidstone, Thursday 16th June 2016

ARCELIA - Soulful folk from the valleys of Kent 

“Wonderfully warm harmonies”....  MOJO Magazine 

“With this kind of talent on display expectations are high,and they are resoundingly met on each track.”  ★★★★★  R’n’R Magazine

“Here is songwriting and singing of the very highest order..” 9/10 Americana UK

“Owes so much to the likes of Crosby,Stills & Nash with their dreamy acoustic meanderings, contrast of the individual voices and combination of well matched harmonies.” Louder Than War 

“Trailblazing a new genre”… Classic Rock Society  

Arcelia’s critically acclaimed new album, Building On The Land, is out now on How Now Records. 

Arcelia (pronounced Ah-KELL-ia – meaning ‘treasure chest’ in old Spanish) are songwriter Gavin Alexander (has supported the likes of Mark Nevin, co -wrote the theme tune to Studio Ghibli's Emmy award winning TV series, Ronja the Robber's Daughter), voice artist Teresa Gallagher (Octonauts, Thunderbirds, Thomas & Friends) and Flying Picket Simon Foster. Together they create an exquisite sound which has been likened to Crosby Stills & Nash, America, Paul Simon and Squeeze (they regularly perform and tour with Chris Difford). They have also been in demand as a support act for the likes of Scott Matthews, Oysterband, Coope Boyes and Simpson, Michele Stodart and Maddy Prior. 

For their new album Building on the Land' the band continues to evolve into an exceptional songwriting and performing unit, further exploring stunning songs of everyday life and loves.

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Luke is a rising 19 year old Roots singer/songwriter from Canterbury, Kent, and 2013 saw him nominated for both the Horizon Award for Best Emerging Talent and the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. 

With a bold, show stopping voice and honed guitar skills, Luke is a confident and captivating performer demonstrating an astonishing maturity. He has been making ripples on the live acoustic scene supporting such luminaries as Show of Hands, Paul Brady, Chris Wood, Steve Knightley, Karine Polwart and Oysterband. Last autumn he made his debut in Scotland, winning praise for a stand-out voice, songwriting skill and stage presence that completely belies his years.

His debut album More than Boys, produced by the acclaimed Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph, launched at the  Shrewsbury Festival, has been receiving plaudits from critics and airplay on numerous radio stations and 2014 sees the release of his accomplished follow up album, Fumes and Faith, which Luke has co-produced with Cardiff-based American record producer Mason Neely It’s a belting roots and blues infused album of 11 original songs and his voice is richer, his fan base is bigger and he has delivered startling performances on the UK festival scene, from Cambridge to Sidmouth and The Great British Folk Festival.

With a wealth of finely-observed narrative songs, The album emphasises the exceptional maturity and versatility of one of the most exciting young singer songwriters and live performers on the scene!

“A great singer, a great songwriter and a really commanding presence” – Mike Harding

“A fantastic voice,  a great year and a terrific new album” - Simon Mayo, BBC Radio 2

“For a while after Nic Jones and Chris Wood there was a big gap and you wondered where the next generation was coming from – now Luke’s the next guy” – John McCusker

“A huge talent is emerging” – Acoustic Magazine

“An affecting and highly promising debut album – one to watch” – Daily Telegraph

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At just 18 years old, Jack has made a promising start to his music career, with new material making its debut on iTunes, Spotify and SoundCloud, and fast gaining momentum as a captivating live artist.

Previously holding a weekly residency at the Zed Music Café in Sevenoaks and having played in bars for long before he was legally meant to be there, he is no stranger to an audience.

Jack has mentors in Tom Williams (of Tom Williams & the Boat; featured regularly on BBC Radio 1 with Cerys Matthews and Huey Morgan) and Dan Clews (singed to George Martin’s record label, manager of the Beatles) and his influences can be heard in the lush poetic demos now making their way out into the world. Having established himself of the local music scene, performing at a number of renowned Kent, Sussex and London venues including the Tunbridge Wells Forum, the PizzaExpress Music Room in Maidstone and the Troubadour in Earls Court, he plans to release his debut EP in the near future. Early days but one to watch out for!

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