Downend-based band ROAD NOT TAKEN are the headliners as we feature the best local folk and acoustic talent at an extra event on Friday 6th March.
Formed in the middle of last year, the band features four Downend Folk Club members: Anita Dobson (vocals), Ant Miles (vocals, guitar, harmonium), Joe Brydon (slide guitar, bouzouki, harmonicas) and Joe Hamlen (bass, harmonium). Their slot supporting India Electric Co. back in September was well-received, and since then their melancholy, contemporary take on traditional songs has seen them invited to play at Bristol Folk Festival and The Great Big Almonry Folk Weekend. Meanwhile, the band are attempting to find ways to finance their dream of recording a debut EP!
Road Not Taken will play their set as the second-half of the evening's entertainment.
The first-half will feature short sets from some of the best folk and acoustic talent from around the area.
EDD DONOVAN is a highly distinctive Americana/contemporary folk singer and songwriter. Originally from the north of England, he has made his home in Gloucestershire. His superb debut album, "Something To Take The Edge Off", was released in 2014 to rave reviews, and comparisons to Bob Dylan, Buddy Holly, Simon and Garfunkel and even Johnny Cash have been made in the press.
Returning to Downend Folk Club will be NOEY McELWEE, who played a short set at November's Jess Vincent Trio gig. Noey has been "mucking about with music" for as long as she can remember. Together with her twin sister, Noey was singing, harmonising and playing the guitar from an early age, and says that folk music has always been in her core... you can often find her at parties in the kitchen with her guitar, singing her heart out!
STEFFAN LEWIS & RACHEL FOSTER are a duo from Totterdown and Yate. Having played together in various bands in the past, they are now performing as a duo and will be spending 2015 gigging around the area and getting to know the local folk clubs. Their style takes in folk, pop and a good dose of country! They plan to record an EP later this year.
Downend-based teenager SUSIE DOBSON is relatively new to performing, but has enjoyed singing at church and school, and is currently working towards Grade 8 Musical Theatre while studying for her A-levels. Susie has recently taken up the ukulele and the guitar. She's got a killer voice... just wait until you hear her!
GEOFF PUGH is another who is no stranger to Downend Folk Club, having opened for Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar last summer. Geoff is a singer-songwriter who has been around the acoustic music scene in Bristol for five years. He is influenced by Steve Knightley, Harry Chapin and Bruce Springsteen, and his music draws on the folk, country and blues traditions.
Winterbourne's singer and guitarist MAX TREMLIN is a man of many faces. He has played in bands across a wide variety of musical styles including heavy metal, soul and funk and dodgy covers! Max loves performing stripped-back, acoustic music most of all, and he's pretty good at it, too!
Rounding off the first half will be MANGOTSFIELD KITCHEN PROJECT, who will lead some interactive singing (so bring your voice!). MKP is a non-audition choir, singing typical English folk songs... although their definition of "folk" is pretty broad, as is their definition of "English"! The group is run by Downend Folk Club members Cliff & Gaynor Woolley.
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The event will be held at Frenchay Village Hall on Friday 6th March, and doors open at 7.30pm. There will, as always, be a bar and raffle. Tickets are free for members (who must book a place by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and just £5 for non-members, available from Melanie's Kitchen in Downend or online here. Please come along and support us as we try something a little bit different!