2011
Anarcho-anglo storytellers JL&tSS deliver their blend of country-folk/punk - the most energetic, poetic and engaging British folk music in the UK today. In two short years the band have incessantly toured the country playing alongside the likes of Mumford & Sons, Frank Turner, Dry the River, Johnny Flynn, Alessi’s Ark and Pete Doherty amongst many others, their visceral approach to live performance often takes them from the stage into the crowd for intimate singalong moments, impressing crowds everywhere they go. In mid 2010 they released debut album ‘Atlases’ (produced by MPG Engineer of the year and double Gammy nominated producer James Towler) through istartedthefire records to critical acclaim and airplay from Steve Lamacq on Radio 2, Kerrang Radio and BBC Introducing – including being named BBC Gloucestershire Introducing’s ‘Band of 2010’. During the summer they performed at major and independent festivals such as Big Chill, Wychwood and Y-Not, including one of the highest attended perfomances on the second stage at 2000 Trees Festival last summer alongside Goldheart Assembly, The Subways and more and have just returned from a stint as main support for Frank Turners Sold Out UK tour including an NME Awards showcase.
The young quintet draw influence from a plethora of alt. country folk artists and hardcore punk bands alike, opting to mould these influences with a strong political ethic and a ‘play-til-you’re-dead’ attitude to live performance to create an innovative and arresting sound, crammed with hook -filled soaring harmonies, country/punk rhythms and passionately honest lyrics - often likened to Bright Eyes, Frank Turner and Billy Bragg.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JL&tSS are a country folk punk band from Cheltenham town made up for four lost souls with a passion for politically poetic storytelling. Whilst beginning its life as a solo project for Jim at the close of 2006, the subsequent years have seen him develop strongly as a songwriter and performer, leading him to recruit a cavalcade of the towns best musical talent (including fellow istf label mate Joe and ex-holloh bandmate Phil) to equal the forthright natures of his influences (Bright Eyes, Billy Bragg, Frank Turner).
Following the success of his 2008 debut record "I'll Be Neon", Jim Lockey has gone from strength to strength achieving profile slots at prestigious festivals and venues and being personally invited to share stages with those musicians who have and still do influence his sound to date. Since the rise of the Solemn Sun the band have played alongside cult members of the new folk movement including Frank Turner, Johnny Flynn, Mumford & Sons, Chris T-T and Peter Doherty and have just put the finishing touches to this year's follow up record entitled 'Atlases', an LP which sets the world to rights, through screaming lungs and alt.country rhythms, it stands as a testiment to the toils of a young British generation.
With the band being hotly tipped as 'ones to watch' coupled with 'Atlases' being planned for release in September this year and extensive touring to follow, 2009 could be Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun's year. Watch this space.
press:
'We predict the folk acts of 2009'
"Fresh-faced Lockey's lyrics show more maturity than his years would suggest ... Lockey is far from a carbon copy with the influence of indie music shining through in his work. He's a great place to start if you're looking to crossover to listening to folk music and he should be one to look out for in 2009"
www.virtualfestivals.com
"Jim Lockey is one of, if not the best, singer-songwriter i met in 2008. Deserves to be massive"
Frank Turner
"Articulate and intelligent songs of pure power and honesty... fucking excellent"
Calmer* Music
"Gloucestershire's very own Frank Turner"
2000 trees festival
Contact:
For booking information please contact:
booking@istartedthefire.co.uk
______________________________________________________________________
Falling somewhere between love, politics and post-adolescent escapist infatuations, is Jim Lockey. a 23 year old ‘folk-punk troubadour’ from Cheltenham.
Starting out as frontman for alt.rock band ‘theholloh’ - achieving accolades and airplay through BBC and KERRANG! radio - Jim has found his feet in the world of alt. country and folk.
The past year has seen him write and release his first album through‘istartedthefire’, available through local record stores and various download sites worldwide - such as itunes, napster and amazon mp3.
Since the release of “I’ll Be Neon” - “A record that charts a young man’s ideal in his relationships with friends, his loves and losses, his values and politics” - Jim's busied his self with shows. Taking in the best of West Country venues; supporting the likes of Chris T-T and Hayseed Dixie, featured at ‘EXPOSURE MUSIC AWARDS’ as ‘best live folk artist’ nominee,instore sets at independent record stores and festival performances at Wychwood and Two Thousand Trees (including an impromptu appearance with Frank Turner)
With the continuing success of “I’ll be Neon” supporting his cause, Jim plans to strive further afield. With upcoming tours and the intention of releasing new material by the end of the year, his future belongs on the road and in the studio doing what he loves.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Lockey, from the U.K., and recent winner of KMF Promo's 'Road to Wychwood competition, has just finished
recording his debut album. Combining punk and folk in a way that you'd be hard pressed to fault, grass-root licks thrown in with husky vocals that spit lyrics about this life, his life and modern life. Although prefering to push his thoughts alone on stage, the album features an array of guest appearences from Cheltenham's finest musicians, both past and present.
As well as notching up the gigs on his bed-post over the past year, Jim played the top end of Two Thousand Trees acoustic stage in '07, and has been invited back for a repeat performance in '08. If the futures bright, its because of shining new talent, and Jim Lockey stands quite firmly in the front line. 'I'll Be Neon' is to be released through 'I Started The Fire Records' in March '08 & will be available from Rise Records Cheltenham, itunes and napster worldwide, & live shows from 29th Feb 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 Trees Festival 08
He's come a long way since his set on the acoustic stage at 2000 Trees 07. A bit of a hero on the local scene, nowadays our Jim can be found pouring his heart and soul into numerous musical projects at any one time. But we like him best when he's fronting his own band and tearing through the songs from his recent, rather fantastic "I'll Be Neon" album. A record which charts a young man's idealisations in his relationships with friends, his loves and losses, his values and politics.... from a bed of warm country rhythms and contemporary synthetic instrumentation, Jim's engaging narratives and frank commentary on local life offer a new face to British music in 2008.
Gloucestershire's very own Frank Turner. Check him out. Now.
Anarcho-anglo storytellers JL&tSS deliver their blend of country-folk/punk - the most energetic, poetic and engaging British folk music in the UK today. In two short years the band have incessantly toured the country playing alongside the likes of Mumford & Sons, Frank Turner, Dry the River, Johnny Flynn, Alessi’s Ark and Pete Doherty amongst many others, their visceral approach to live performance often takes them from the stage into the crowd for intimate singalong moments, impressing crowds everywhere they go. In mid 2010 they released debut album ‘Atlases’ (produced by MPG Engineer of the year and double Gammy nominated producer James Towler) through istartedthefire records to critical acclaim and airplay from Steve Lamacq on Radio 2, Kerrang Radio and BBC Introducing – including being named BBC Gloucestershire Introducing’s ‘Band of 2010’. During the summer they performed at major and independent festivals such as Big Chill, Wychwood and Y-Not, including one of the highest attended perfomances on the second stage at 2000 Trees Festival last summer alongside Goldheart Assembly, The Subways and more and have just returned from a stint as main support for Frank Turners Sold Out UK tour including an NME Awards showcase.
The young quintet draw influence from a plethora of alt. country folk artists and hardcore punk bands alike, opting to mould these influences with a strong political ethic and a ‘play-til-you’re-dead’ attitude to live performance to create an innovative and arresting sound, crammed with hook -filled soaring harmonies, country/punk rhythms and passionately honest lyrics - often likened to Bright Eyes, Frank Turner and Billy Bragg.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JL&tSS are a country folk punk band from Cheltenham town made up for four lost souls with a passion for politically poetic storytelling. Whilst beginning its life as a solo project for Jim at the close of 2006, the subsequent years have seen him develop strongly as a songwriter and performer, leading him to recruit a cavalcade of the towns best musical talent (including fellow istf label mate Joe and ex-holloh bandmate Phil) to equal the forthright natures of his influences (Bright Eyes, Billy Bragg, Frank Turner).
Following the success of his 2008 debut record "I'll Be Neon", Jim Lockey has gone from strength to strength achieving profile slots at prestigious festivals and venues and being personally invited to share stages with those musicians who have and still do influence his sound to date. Since the rise of the Solemn Sun the band have played alongside cult members of the new folk movement including Frank Turner, Johnny Flynn, Mumford & Sons, Chris T-T and Peter Doherty and have just put the finishing touches to this year's follow up record entitled 'Atlases', an LP which sets the world to rights, through screaming lungs and alt.country rhythms, it stands as a testiment to the toils of a young British generation.
With the band being hotly tipped as 'ones to watch' coupled with 'Atlases' being planned for release in September this year and extensive touring to follow, 2009 could be Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun's year. Watch this space.
press:
'We predict the folk acts of 2009'
"Fresh-faced Lockey's lyrics show more maturity than his years would suggest ... Lockey is far from a carbon copy with the influence of indie music shining through in his work. He's a great place to start if you're looking to crossover to listening to folk music and he should be one to look out for in 2009"
www.virtualfestivals.com
"Jim Lockey is one of, if not the best, singer-songwriter i met in 2008. Deserves to be massive"
Frank Turner
"Articulate and intelligent songs of pure power and honesty... fucking excellent"
Calmer* Music
"Gloucestershire's very own Frank Turner"
2000 trees festival
Contact:
For booking information please contact:
booking@istartedthefire.co.uk
______________________________________________________________________
Falling somewhere between love, politics and post-adolescent escapist infatuations, is Jim Lockey. a 23 year old ‘folk-punk troubadour’ from Cheltenham.
Starting out as frontman for alt.rock band ‘theholloh’ - achieving accolades and airplay through BBC and KERRANG! radio - Jim has found his feet in the world of alt. country and folk.
The past year has seen him write and release his first album through‘istartedthefire’, available through local record stores and various download sites worldwide - such as itunes, napster and amazon mp3.
Since the release of “I’ll Be Neon” - “A record that charts a young man’s ideal in his relationships with friends, his loves and losses, his values and politics” - Jim's busied his self with shows. Taking in the best of West Country venues; supporting the likes of Chris T-T and Hayseed Dixie, featured at ‘EXPOSURE MUSIC AWARDS’ as ‘best live folk artist’ nominee,instore sets at independent record stores and festival performances at Wychwood and Two Thousand Trees (including an impromptu appearance with Frank Turner)
With the continuing success of “I’ll be Neon” supporting his cause, Jim plans to strive further afield. With upcoming tours and the intention of releasing new material by the end of the year, his future belongs on the road and in the studio doing what he loves.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Lockey, from the U.K., and recent winner of KMF Promo's 'Road to Wychwood competition, has just finished
recording his debut album. Combining punk and folk in a way that you'd be hard pressed to fault, grass-root licks thrown in with husky vocals that spit lyrics about this life, his life and modern life. Although prefering to push his thoughts alone on stage, the album features an array of guest appearences from Cheltenham's finest musicians, both past and present.
As well as notching up the gigs on his bed-post over the past year, Jim played the top end of Two Thousand Trees acoustic stage in '07, and has been invited back for a repeat performance in '08. If the futures bright, its because of shining new talent, and Jim Lockey stands quite firmly in the front line. 'I'll Be Neon' is to be released through 'I Started The Fire Records' in March '08 & will be available from Rise Records Cheltenham, itunes and napster worldwide, & live shows from 29th Feb 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 Trees Festival 08
He's come a long way since his set on the acoustic stage at 2000 Trees 07. A bit of a hero on the local scene, nowadays our Jim can be found pouring his heart and soul into numerous musical projects at any one time. But we like him best when he's fronting his own band and tearing through the songs from his recent, rather fantastic "I'll Be Neon" album. A record which charts a young man's idealisations in his relationships with friends, his loves and losses, his values and politics.... from a bed of warm country rhythms and contemporary synthetic instrumentation, Jim's engaging narratives and frank commentary on local life offer a new face to British music in 2008.
Gloucestershire's very own Frank Turner. Check him out. Now.
Folk Acoustic Seen live Vocal