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Billy Irvine's music can be heard in two ways depending on where you catch him. If he is playing solo you will see him play with his beautiful trademark resonator guitars, foot stomp and didgeridoos along with his vocals. If you see him with his band it will be a three or four piece electric set-up.

Billy uses his voice along with a collection of instruments and rhythmic tools to create a raw bluesy yet imaginative sound and style. He supports his live solo set with his album 'Bare Bones', a fourteen track recording captured live in the studio to recreate his live performance as much as possible.

Billy’s home recorded debut album Bare Bones, which was professionally manufactured, is not your common or garden offering as he explains, "I always wanted to do a raw old fashioned recording with everything done in one live take, just like the way the old 1930s guys did, but of course with a bit of modern sparkle also!" The whole album was completed in three stages in just one day.

His stripped-down brand of blues draws inspiration from the sounds of: Jimi Hendrix and Bukka White, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Robert Johnson, Son House, Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, Chris Whitley, Ash Dargan, David Hudson, Reef, The Black Crowes and many more.

Billy outsold any other unsigned musician at Guilfest for three consecutive years from 2005; his performance sold an average of £5,500 worth of tickets each year.

2008 saw Billy playing at a number of key venues and festivals including: The Platform Tavern, Southampton Southsea Folk & Roots Festival and Weyfest, Farnham. A five track electric EP was professionally produced by Tim Benson, Opus Studios; one of the tracks was made into a video for promotion, this was directed and produced by Laura Lee.

2009 is set to be a productive year for Billy; already headlining venues such as Bournemouth Folk Club and The Platform Tavern, Southampton plus repeat bookings for gigs, festivals and radio. Billy is currently writing new material to keep his live performances fresh and alive as well as building upon material for promotion which we are optimistic will include soundtrack work.

"Billy Irvine is a joy to watch onstage; a humble character producing sounds that stay with you long after his performance ends. From the driving stomp-box beat that resonates to your core, to the nostalgic blues journey he takes you on with his beat-up National guitars and mature voice switching from gravelly to honeyed, from the outset Billy is an artist that captures your attention. But it is when he skillfully adds in resonant melodies from his three didgeridoos that he becomes a truly exciting experience. Billy Irvine is a must-see."
Susie Clarke, Musician/ Promoter- The Tup, Surrey.

Photographs © Nina Duncan