Ashley Hicklin
: Guitars, Vox, Piano // Songwriter, String Arranger, Production
String Quartet:
Henry Salmon / Tom Soanes / Barbara Bartz
: Violin I
Becky Moore / Clare Wheeler
: Violin II
Miles Brett / Emily Richards
: Viola
Tom Bettley / Karen Davies
: Cello
Sian Manning / Federica Mossone
: Clarsach (Troubadour Harp)
Kim Sawford
: Piano & Backing Vocals
Matt Sim
: Bass Guitar
Si Messenger
: Double Bass
Jon Hunt
: Drums, Cajon & Percussion
Laura Hunter / Stephanie Thom
: Female Backing Vox
Additional recording, mixing & production - Will Jackson (Coldplay, Embrace, Kaiser Chiefs), Tim Speight (McFly, Gareth Gates, Steps), Andy Brothwell (of Vessels Fame), Bruce Woods (Nightmares On Wax), Bruce J. Woods (Those Freeloaders - Absolutely legendary Producer - We owe him a great deal, and he owes us a great deal of Haribo ;) - In all seriousness, he's the daddy!)
Artwork Designs & Photography - Simon Heaton - This chappie is stupendously talented. We want his children. All of them :)
www.si-monty.co.uk
Additional Photography - Tomasz Zdankowski - True Genius & Muchos Fun :)
www.zdankowski.com
Much love also to Milhouse for his artwork help - Send him arousing messages by clicking HERE
- he'll lap it up:
Influences
OUR RECORDS:
Ryan Adams, Magnet, Gemma Hayes, Arvo Part, Richard Hawley, Martin Grech, Rufus Wainwright, Bright Eyes, Dvorak, Suede, I Am Kloot, Nerina Pallot, Tom McRae, Elgar, Lambchop, Low, Kate Bush, Belle & Sebastian, Easyworld, David Ford, Cranberries, Karima Francis, Patrick Wolf, Seth Lakeman, Phillip Glass, Kate Rusby, Stephanie Dosen, Liam Frost, Sigur Ros, Nickel Creek, Radiohead, Brahms, Tori Amos, Cherry Ghost, JJ72, Iron and Wine, The Buckleys, Vashti Bunyan, Beth Orton, Beirut, Nick Drake, Antony Heggarty, Joni Mitchell, Stephen Fretwell, Nick Cave, Fela Kuti, Elbow, The Frames, Turin Brakes, Straw, Joanna Newsom, Elliot Smith, Aimee Mann, Beachwood Sparks, Joy Division, Bell Orchestre, Tom Baxter, The Blue Nile, Coldplay, Duke Spirit, Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Placebo, Calexico, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Antony and the Johnsons, David Gray, The Decemberists, Ben Folds...
OUR MOMMA'S RECORDS:
Hank Williams, The Band, Leonard Cohen, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, The Velvet Underground, Fleetwood Mac, Bread, Edie Brickell, Dylan, Leo Kottke, Dinah Washington, Early R.E.M, The Beautiful South, Marianne Faithfull, Beatles, The Police, James Taylor...
Watch more from Ashley Hicklin & The Troubadours on:
Sporting a worn-out chocolate waist-coat, tartan flares and a ruby-red paisley tie for a belt, Ashley Hicklin is certainly a quirky little character. He could well have just stepped out of a classic novel – imagine Dickens smothered in Bronte romanticism, with a contemporary twist – folksy Irish blood, a Northern English heart and a classical training in operatic vocal performance. Here is a devastatingly talented singer-songwriter living in a secret ‘never-never’ land of his own – “Parrysland” – the string-quartet-based debut record in which lullaby dreams can swiftly dissolve into nightmarish realities. With a distinct vocal twang, a battered old grand piano, twinkling bells, 60s acoustic guitars, celtic harps, lyrical oboe, a driven rhythm section and the notoriously raucous string quartet, Ashley Hicklin & The Troubadours have carefully sculpted rootsy and heart-warming songs into a timeless sound-world of orchestral pop majesty – a dynamic musicality that speaks compassion and sensitivity.
Yet, in a life consumed by divergent musical adventures, Ashley’s tale is no text-book singer-songwriter progression; as a successful classical composer, he grafted his way into the highly revered ranks of Leeds College of Music alumni, having concert-hall works premiered by the world-renowned classical ensembles he aspired to - Whilst waving a baton at the likes of London Sinfonietta, the Goldberg Ensemble and the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, this natural, prodigious young talent was synonymously forging himself a solid reputation as a “mainstream meets leftfield” songster, gigging up and down the country in a rusty 1969 camper van, both as a solo artist and with his trusty Troubadours. From the Royal Albert Hall to the Carling Academy, Ashley found himself in a dual-purpose musical lifestyle, living in Leeds, but working in the heart of London’s vibrant music scene.
The making of a ‘BBC Introducing’ live video sparked some serious industry interest. With the backing of a new management deal, the band relocated to the capital and blitzed the city of smoke with memorable live showcase dates in some of the UK’s most prestigious music venues. Three months later, Peter Ende (the CEO of EMI Europe) personally signed Ashley on a new and exciting breed of Worldwide Publishing Deal, with exceedingly favorable terms for Ashley as a song-writer. A major record deal is currently being negotiated, and Ashley is very proud to be working closely with KRMB Management, building a secure international team to support his project and the great things to come. The eagerly awaited debut album ‘Parrysland’ is being recorded in Hamburg with acclaimed producer Franz Plasa (www.home-studios.com), followed by international tour-dates not to be missed.
More information about Ashley Hicklin & The Troubadours can be found via the new website:
www.ashleyhicklin.com
You can also follow all the latest news on the making of the debut album "Parrysland" via the blog:
www.ashleyhicklin.vox.com
Click the images below:
Peter Ende (CEO of EMI Europe)... ..."An Exceptional Talent, i've not heard anything like this in years..."
XFM (Marsha Shandur)... ..."Awfully Good! Major Mainstream Potential!"
City Showcase (London)... "When we saw him perform at City Showcase we were seriously impressed, incredibly talented, very distinctive voice. This guy is going places..."
Winner of Leeds'Bright Young Things' 2006
Will Jackson (Producer for Coldplay, Embrace, Kaiser Chiefs)... ... "great songwriting, good strings & acoustic vibe... it's all there potentially. It just needs someone to cough up and make it happen!!!!"
Leeds Music Scene... "Orchestral Majesty that compelled at every moment"
The Leeds Guide..."Devastatingly talented"
Channel M... "Unique vocals that stand out from the crowd..."
nice show yesterday, I will send you the pics later, because i didn't upload them yet. we hope you will perform again in the Netherlands, it was nice to meet you.
Hi Ashley We are delighted to have such as talented artist performing on City showcase, thank you for taking part. We are looking forward to see your performance. All the best
Hi Ashley how are you doing? Thank you for your virtual friendship here on myspace.Its my pleasure to meet you on there.Sounds great here i like it,keep up the good work.Cheers E. G
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