This is the third (and maybe the final) look at the crop of local musicians currently active on Barnsley’s vibrant music scene. I am trying to focus on just those performing or producing original material. Most of these have either performed or released material in the last year.
View parts I and II of our local music guide here:
A GUIDE TO CURRENT BARNSLEY MUSIC #1: ORIGINAL BARNSLEY BANDS A – L
A GUIDE TO CURRENT BARNSLEY MUSIC #2: ORIGINAL BARNSLEY BANDS M – Z
Enjoy. Get exploring and maybe hook up with someone for a gig.
And if I have missed someone out – chance is I have – then send me some links. Cheers.
AN ORCHESTRA OF ONE: An Orchestra of One is a solo project by Jake Foster. Jake writes and arranges his own classical music along with classical re-workings of famous popular tracks. https://www.facebook.com/OrchestraOfOne/
BACK PAGE STORY: Back Page Story is the solo venture of former Audio Repeat bassist and So Long, Summer front-man Craig Harrison. ‘Coming out of a small catalogue of local projects, the time to do something solo felt right. Influenced by Simple Plan, We Are The In Crowd, Destine, The Downtown Fiction, Yellowcard, he debut album is was released this year, with a new EP due December. https://www.facebook.com/BackPageStory/
LISA BENTLEY: Lisa is currently the vocalist in popular local rock covers band Miss Chief. However, she often performs, write and produced her own original music. She is influenced by Sia, Janice Joplin, Etta James, Kathy Richardson, Myles Kennedy and Chris Cornell, David Coverdale, Jeff Buckley, Stevie Nicks. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Bentley/224091684397171
EUGENE BRUCE: A singer/songwriter who started off writing poetry at 9 and was later introduced to artists such as Nas, Big Pun and Gravediggaz, and eventually turned his love of poetry into rap. He was spotted rapping in 2010 performing his ‘First Dose Freestyle’, and was offered the chance to support Tinchy Stryder – his first gig. His record ‘Invasion First!’ has sold over 20,000 copies. Since then he has supported Professor Green, Example and So Solid Crew as well as receiving support from BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Introducing. https://soundcloud.com/eugene-bruce
DAVE BURLAND: Dave left the Police Force in 1968 to pursue a career in folk music, as a singer and guitar player. He has been a permanent fixture of the UK folk scene since the sixties, playing both solo and with fellow musicians Kate Rusby, Tony Capstick, Nic Jones, Richard Thompson, Mike Harding, Tony Rose, Bob Pegg and quite a few others. His early records A Dalesman’s Litany and Dave Burland are massively influential. In 2012 Dave was the headline act at Barnsley Folk Club’s 50th anniversary celebration. http://www.daveburland.com/
AMY CONDREY: Just a girl with an acoustic guitar and occasionally a loop pedal! One woman band here we come! Influences include Bob Dylan, Karine Polwart, KT Tunstall, Regina Spektor, John Mayer, Alanis Morissette… https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Condrey-Singer-Guitarist/186684571369494
NICK DAVIES: In 2013, Nick celebrates 30 years of busking in Barnsley town centre. Imagine that, this man is the first experience of live music many in this town will have. How brilliant is that? As well as performing solo, Nick has also been a member of The Nick Davies Band and Wild Turkey. He’s inspired by some of the greatest blues based rock artists out there – Led Zeppelin, Free, Cream, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, BB King, George Thorogood, ZZ Top, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, ACDC, Rolling Stones and so on. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Nick-Davies-Band/110759702295295
SCOTT DOONICAN: Currently known as the front man from comedy folk band The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican. However, Scott has also been performing solo since the mid 90’s. He often collaborates with other. Most recently he produced Steph Shaw’s debut EP. He has just released a new live album. http://thebarstewardsons.bandcamp.com/album/me-a-geetar-a-uke-some-daft-songs-scott-doonican-live-at-the-fitz
DOZY: Dozy is Roseanna Hanson, musician, illustrator and photographer. She says ‘Shoddy homemade electro with chiptune synths, guitars and swing music samples. I specialise in pressing the ‘play’ button at house parties.’ Dozy has released three EPs and a number of remixes. https://www.facebook.com/dozymusic
REESE EDWARDS: Reese Edwards has been performing in Barnsley for a number of years. He has previously played guitar and sang in Mr Moon and The Thin Kings. He has self-produced a number of records local and played countless gigs. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reesiboy/202103023258561
LEE ENGLAND: Lee England has cemented his reputation by winning several major vocal contests, some internationally. In 2013, Lee, having beaten hundreds of other singers, performed at the prestigious O2 venue in London as a finalist in the Open Mic UK competition. Along with his guitarist Del Scott Miller, Lee specialises in intimate, well-considered vocal/guitar arrangements of songs by acts as divers as U2, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Paulo Nutini and Elbow. https://soundcloud.com/lee-england
DARREN FREEMAN: Darren is a local singer/songwriter, who is currently taking part in the UK Original Song Award Competition and has just been short-listed by Open Mic judges to take part in the first round. https://www.youtube.com/embed/vL_0HacaWxM
GEORGINA GILMARTIN: Georgina is an indie folk singer, performing original material. She has performed at many festivals in the region and has recorded a session for Radio. Hints of Joni Mitchell. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgina-Gilmartin/116178705163231
BRANDON GRAY: Definitely one of my favourite singer songwriters. A raw soulful voice with a punk edge. He’s supported lots of prominent local acts and has played venues around the region. Brandon has recently started to record music – available on soundcloud. https://www.facebook.com/BrandonGrayMusic
CHRIS HAIGH: BA HONS in Creative Music Technology Mastering in Film Scoring, Chris Haigh write and produces music for film and TV. He has had his scores recorded and performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, as well players from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. He music has been used in trailers for the films The Wolverine, Pacific Rim, The Host, Mama, Rise of the Planet of the Apes; as well as for huge TV shows such as Spartacus – Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., American Horror Story and Top Gear. https://www.facebook.com/ChrisHaighMusic
CONNOR HATTERSLEY: Connor is a musician that writes and records acoustic, ambient instrumental music. He has recorded two album – both available here. http://connorhattersley.bandcamp.com/
JOE HYAM: Joe is studying Music Production at degree level and is also an aspiring singer/songwriter. He has recorded a number or tracks, influences ranging from Neil Young to DubStep. https://soundcloud.com/averagejoehyam
KAYLA KAVANAGH: One-woman pop/rock/electronic band. Inspired by Imogen Heap, Nerina Pallot, Eva Cassidy, Lady Gaga, Sarah McLachlan among others. She has toured the venues across the UK, including three years at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. http://www.reverbnation.com/kaylakavanagh
LAURA KELLY: Laura is a local singer/songwriter who often uses live looping. She has recorded a number of tracks which appear on her soundcloud page. https://www.facebook.com/laurakellysmusic
BRENT KILNER // RESONATE: Brent is a local music producer experimenting with dubstep, jackin, electro and bassline house. He has recorded a number of tracks, available of his facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brent-Kilner-Music/252370508137746
RICHARD KITSON: Originally a guitarist in the 90s punk band Strawberry Jack, Richard has been playing solo since 2001. He blues and folk is loved by many. He released his debut album Home and Dry in 2010 and he’s inspired by Bob Dylan, Bert Jansch, John Martyn, Davy Graham and Rory Gallagher. https://www.facebook.com/richardkitsonmusic/
MIRYAN KOSTADINOV: Miryan is a singer and guitarist, now based in Barnsley.
You can see his versions of songs by artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and White Stripes on his youtube channel and a whole number of other treats on his facebook page. Often performs live as support or at local open mics. https://www.facebook.com/miryankostadinovsongs
SHANNON LASSU: 17 year old Shannon Lassu hoping to carve a career in the world of music. Taking her inspiration from Birdy, Rita Ora, Mumford and Sons, Jessie J and adding her own unique acoustic twist. https://www.facebook.com/ShannonLassuMusic
SARAH MAC: Thurgoland’s Sarah Mac is the vocalist in the Sheffield group From a Window. However, she also performs solo with just vocal and piano. Her voice and song writing are exceptional, taking inspiration from Ray Charles and Carole King. Her first EP Everyone Knows is available on itunes. https://soundcloud.com/sarah-mac
CHLOE MAYA: After being spotted signing locally by local songwriter and producer Dylan Charles, both worked together on what would become Chloe’s current brand of Baroque/Chamber Pop. She recently launched a debut album with a gig at the Lamproom that fused song and theatre. https://www.facebook.com/chloemayaofficial
JOE MIRRLEES: Joe is a young producer/rapper/guitarist and from a young age he was influenced from rappers such as eminent, tupac, tez Kidd and coco. His sounds can be heard on his soundcloud page. https://soundcloud.com/m-dmusic
BAM MORGAN: Bam was found playing in a tiny venue in Barnsley town centre. Since then he has released one unplugged EP, played numerous venues across South Yorkshire, including O2 Academy and The Plug in Sheffield. He is influenced by Ed Sheeran, Jason Mraz, Andy Hull, Luke Pickett, Jonny Craig, and is currently working on a new EP. https://www.facebook.com/BamMorgan/
MICHAEL MULHOLLAND: Professional solo acoustic guitarist and singer, performs live music for weddings, corporate events and festivals. His Liverpool roots show with a definite Merseybeat influence, in his indie folk. He has played in various venues across the country such as The Cavern in Liverpool, Sheffield O2 Academy and Sheffield City Hall. http://www.michaelmulhollandacoustic.com/
LEON O’DOHERTY: Leon is a popular local blues and folk singer. He has played in the band Hotel Brown and has played with local musicians such as Nick Davies. He has been a prominent fixture on Barnsley’s live scene for over fifteen years, playing many festivals and recording lots of music – much of which is available online. https://soundcloud.com/leon-odoherty
RAY PADGETT: Ray Padgett has been a regular attendee of Barnsley Folk Club since the 1970’s, both as a performer and as organiser. Ray sings traditional traditional folk, so as a solo performer and previously as a member of The Barnsley Lads. In 2007, Ray was part of a group of people who set up the online Yorkshire Garland Group – a database of Yorkshire Folk Songs. Ray has previosuly released a double album of his own interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk songs. http://www.yorkshirefolksong.net/
KATE RUSBY: Coming from a musical family, Kate started playing on the local folk scene, often with Kathryn Roberts, in the early 90s. She later formed the group Equation with Kathryn and the three Lakeman brothers. She later left the group to go solo. Her second album Sleepless, was released in 1999 and was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize. In 2012, she celebrated 20 years in the music business. She has collaborated with Paul Weller, Dave Burland, Roddy Woomble, Ronan Keating and Radiohead’s Phil Selway. ‘The first lady of folk’ and ‘a superstar of the British Folk scene’ have both been used to describe her in the media. https://www.facebook.com/officialkaterusby
LEWIS RYAN: Vocalist in The Rolling Down Hill and bassist in 10Flaws Down. Inspired by Eddie Vedder, Nat King Cole, Kurt Cobain, Charles Bukowski, Dean Martin, Jack Kerouac, The Doors, Tom Waits and more, he often plays solo live and has recorded an EP available on soundcloud. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lewis-Ryan/172623149424919
LYNDON SCARFE/ULTRAGLIDER: Lyndon Scarfe is a musician/producer working in the area of electronica/ambient/drone. Lyndon has been making music since 1978. For 5 years he played keyboards in the early incarnation of the Danse Society. Inspired by advances in technology he produced dance music under the name UltraGlider and ambient/drone work under his own name.
More recently he is a guitarist with The Black Lamps and has collaborated on a drone project with Mark Gittins (aka Cyberneticnoisefly). https://soundcloud.com/lyndonscarfe
DEL SCOTT MILLER: Del is the guitarist/vocalist and song writer in local band Mynas. As well as also playing guitar for Lee England and Parson’s Lot, he also writes and performs his own solo material. At his solo gigs he performs covers by a variety of artists alongside his own songs. https://soundcloud.com/del-scott-miller
STEPH SHAW: Steph Shaw is a local acoustic pop singer who has been on the local live seen for a number of year. Although generally know for covers, Steph has recently started recording and original material, three of which can be heard on her debut EP. http://stephshawbarnsley.bandcamp.com/
DANNY SMART: Danny Smart is influenced by Ed Sheeran, Johnny Cash, Nina Nesbitt, Jake Bugg, Amy Macdonald, Bob Dylan. Recently he has been seen at many local festivals and has recorded his debut EP ‘One More Night’. https://www.facebook.com/dannysmartmusic
LIAM STEWART: The former guitarist with 80’s post punk outfit Creatures of Habit/The Silent Scream and current vocalist/guitarist with The Black Lamps has released one single ‘Hanstands’ and had moderate success in Italy. He appearing on the compilation albums Bites and Stabs and Torn in Two, as This Colossal Youth, released on Torment Records. Liam was the guitarist with Biff, releasing one EP, Pop Riveter, on Pikelet Records in 1990. He has released a number of projects most recently through http://www.blocsonic.com/artist/liam-stewart
THEO SUPERNAISE: Theo made his first music at 7 years old. He made his first album ‘Tiny Dinosaur’ in 2012, not yet in his teenage years, the proceeds of which went to Wood Children’s Hospice.
Theo’s music has been heard on 6music’s Lauren Laverne show and has been praised by Dexy’s and Alan McGee. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Theo-Supernaise/239737992812560
LAUREN TATE: For the last few years, Lauren Tate has playing local gigs and musical festival around Barnsley and has developed a big fan based – both live and online. Recently, she has been known for her exquisite soulful, classic rock covers, her youtube videos and her brilliant live vocal performances. Inspired by artists ranging from Led Zepplin to Linda Perry, she released her album Bankrupt Sessions last year.
She’s left school now and is working on developing both her music and art full time now and is currently writing and recording an EP, which will be out early next year. There’s some original music being uploaded to Youtube very soon, and she is now making a move away from covers. https://www.facebook.com/LaurenTateBarnsley
IZZIE VOODOO: Izzie has been part of Barnsley live scene for some time now. Currently she is the vocalist in Tokyo Witch Hunt and has previosuly front the band Izzie Voodoo. She is known for producing Electronica, Drum and Bass, Dubstep, House and Pop, and often contributes vocals to various other artists projects. All here on her site http://www.izzievoodoo.com/
JAKE WOODHAMS: An acoustic guitarist and singer from Penistone. He has quickly become a popular act playing in a number of local venues and major charity events in and around the Barnsley and Sheffield area. http://www.facebook.com/jake.woodhamsmusic
EMILY WORTON: Acoustic pop singer/musicians from Barnsley. Known by many for appearing on BBC’s The Voice but has been a regular on Barnsley’s music scene for a few years now. She performs covers by a wide range of artists alongside her own material. https://www.facebook.com/emilywortonmusic/
JAMES WORTON: Another local singer/songwriter from the musical Worton family. James has performed recently at a number of open mics and festival and on his soundcloud you’ll find a mix of covers and original material. https://soundcloud.com/jamesworton
Alternative Barnsley 