Neil McSweeney (born Irvine, Scotland, on 9 June 1976) is a British songwriter and musician based in Sheffield, England. His acoustic guitar playing style combines folk, blues and country influences but it is his voice (likened by The Guardian newspaper to a male Tracy Chapman) and his direct and personal lyrics for which he is most recognised. His first album, Remember To Smile, was released in 2006. In 2007 London label KIDS put out 2 singles: Postcards and Rope To Hang. McSweeney's second album, Shoreline, was released in October 2009. An EP (The Seventeen EP) and a third full-length album (Cargo) were both released in 2013. The album features contributions from Lucy Farrell, Sam Sweeney, Brooks Williams, Matt Boulter, Vera Van Heeringen, Jock Tyldesley, Andy Seward and others. McSweeney sometimes tours with a backing band and is billed as Neil McSweeney & The Gents. www.neilmcsweeney.com www.myspace.com/neilmcsweeney
