Bruce Springsteen, Joe Strummer, Leonard Cohen, Jacques Brel, Elvis Costello, Steve Knightley, Neil Hannon, Morrissey, Ray Davies, Tom Robinson, Martyn Joseph, Ralph McTell, Chris TT, Billy Bragg, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Jim Moray, Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens, Noam Chomsky, Ayn Rand, M Scott Peck, Nick Davies, Philip Larkin, Allen Ginsberg, Sam Inglis, Nick Kent, Jack Kerouac, CS Lewis, George MacDonald, Bernard Cornwell, Roger McGough, Frank Miller, Henry Miller, Angela Morley, Richard Rose, Brian Talbot, Virginia Woolf, Evelyn Underhill, The Afghan Whigs, The Cure, The Doors, Echobelly, Killers, Kingmaker, Levellers, Manic Street Preachers, Miss Black America, Pulp, Rocky Horror, The Rolling Stones, Royksopp, Show of Hands, Smashing Pumpkins, Suede, Tindersticks, U2, The Verve, Whipping Boy
Greg McDonald is a London songwriter who has been described as "Joe Strummer fronting Elbow" and called "a poetic genius" by Rolling Stone.
A once-in-a-generation lyricist in the Dylan mould, Q magazine recently awarded McDonald’s debut album “Stranger at the Door” its highest ever rating for a self-release - despite it being recorded above a South London corner shop for a grand total of £45.
But it's blasting out the loud-‘n’-proud “street-folk” anthems on new album “Reclaim the Night” - an electric melee of punk energy, indie guitars, massed harmonies and English folk eccentricity concocted with Radiohead producer Chris Brown - that McDonald's at his impassioned best.
As a teenager McDonald formed cult indie band The Dawn Parade, making a name as one of John Peel’s final protégés before striking out alone in 2008, playing 200 gigs a year, tearing up the Beautiful Days 2009 Main Stage, and adding to a support roster including Show of Hands, Keane and Kings of Leon. Even Morrissey has been spotted at London shows.
Meanwhile McDonald’s “street-folk” anthems have struck a chord everywhere from the cutting edges of XFM and BBC 6music to Radio 1, Radio 2 and MTV, prompting industry bible Music Week to proclaim him one of the breakthrough acts of the year.
As BBC 6music DJ Tom Robinson puts it, “Greg McDonald reminds you why you got into music in the first place.”
WEBSITE:
www.gregmcdonald.co.uk
MYSPACE:
www.myspace.com/gregmcdonalduk
YOUTUBE:
www.youtube.com/gregmcdonaldtube
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:
“Captivating… redolent even of Leonard Cohen himself” - Q
“Genius songwriter” - Rolling Stone
“A spirit – should go far” – NME
“Amazing” – Steve Lamacq, Radio 2
“One of our favourite songwriters, in the mold of Bruce Springsteen” – Record of the Day
“Absolutely fantastic” - Tom Robinson, BBC 6music
“Transcendent - one of the most charismatic singers in the business” - The Fly
“Brutally personal, impressive song writing” - Room Thirteen
“Great” – Mark Radcliffe, Radio 2
“With Greg at the helm anything is possible.” - Drowned in Sound
“Classic song-writing and insightful lyrics” – Rocksound
“Timeless” - Original Sin, Holland
“Great, very English” – Robyn Hitchcock
“Romantic and visionary… great, great songs” - Glammage
“Stunning and emotional” - Rhythm & Booze
“Magnificent” - R*E*P*E*A*T*
“Stranger at the Door sounds great” – Martyn Joseph
“Brilliant” – Phil Beer, Show of Hands
“Passionate, wide-eyed, anthemic pop that tastes of timeless classic song writing” - Organ
CONTACT:
GENERAL ENQUIRIES: JAMES WARD sugartownrecords@live.co.uk
RADIO ENQUIRIES: NEIL ASHBY 07976 424298
PUBLICITY ENQUIRIES: JAMIE STOCKWOOD 07866 435 876
LABEL / DISTRIBUTION: DEREK CHAPMAN derek@backsrecords.co.uk
Greg thank you for friendship I will see you at Beautiful days festival later this month we are loving re-claim the night what a tune!!!!!! all the best Teddy
HI Greg, Sounds good! Thanks for befriending me and Paint It Black. Hope you like it. Wish you success and inspiration with your music, and many delights. all best, Janet F.
hey greg enjoyed your interview - looking forward to hearing reclaim the night live and seeing the video. got some new tracks up on here and facebook, hope you like them. xx
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