Greg Rees - Vocals & Guitar
Emily C Smith - Bass, Harmonica, Percussion & Backing Vocals
Mark Slater - Guitar
Andrew Hall - Guitar
Benjamin Thomas - Drums & Percussion
Laura Dinham - Percussion & Backing Vocals
Nick Briggs - Saxophone
Influences
Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, Richard Thompson, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Wilco, Woody Guthrie, The Band, The Byrds, Tim Buckley, Joni Mitchell, Patti Smith, R.E.M., Leonard Cohen, Gene Clark, Fairport Convention, Ani Difranco, Uncle Tupelo, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Josh Ritter, Sandy Denny, Ben Harper, Robert Johnson, Hank Williams, Steve Earle, Gram Parsons, The Clash, Nirvana, Big Star, Billie Holiday, Leadbelly, Gillian Welch, Nina Simone, Tim Hardin, Phil Ochs, Tom Waits, Loudon Wainwright, Warren Zevon, Randy Newman, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Alim Qasimov, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Nick Drake, Vashti Bunyan, Television, Buzzcocks, The Who, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Van Morrison, Bruce Cockburn, Lucinda Williams, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, John Prine, My Morning Jacket.
Music has always been part of my life, even if it took me a while to take notice. My maternal grandfather sang Caruso and Lanza in old working men club's along the Garw Valley. He did it for the love of it, and not to put coins in his pocket. He was the local cobbler and mended shoes for a living. My paternal grandfather was a competition-winning ballroom dancer. He graced the polished halls of the Llynfi Valley. He was a miner and spent most of his time underground. Again, he danced out of adoration and not for it. My father is an engineer. He once walked the best part of thirty miles to see The Who in concert. I need say no more.
I started writing words at a young age, probably six or seven, began my first novel at eleven, and wrote my first song at sixteen. I believe in the heritage of music. I believe in a shared history, the highs and the lows and the in-betweens. I could say I play folk music but I'm not sure what that means. I could say I play country but I don't wear a hat. I don't play the blues 'cause it's too much fun and I'd never try anything else. Maybe Townes was right and it's all just zippedee-do-dah.
I write songs with words. That is, the words don't merely serve to punctuate the vocal but formulate it. Phrasing is the most important aspect of the art of singing in my eyes and ears and I strive to make each performance disturbingly fresh. My work is as much influenced by Dostoevsky, Pessoa, & Keats as it is Dylan, Van Zandt, & Thompson. I play under a pseudonym 'cause I've never been able to deal with the fact that my first band didn't last forever. I confess that the name comes from a Josh Ritter song. I hope he doesn't sue me.
I run a monthly night at The Half Moon in Herne Hill called "Folk At The Moon" that features the very best artists I encounter on the road. They fall on the first Friday of every month and if anyone out there wants to pop down and buy me a guinness I'd be most grateful.
Recovered yet, Mr Harrisburg, from your recent tour of Greek beachfront bars? Rumour has it that you were too scared to go in the water for fear of ending up as Shark bait. Wonder how many new songs this little jaunt inspired. Talkin' Hungry As A Raccoon Petting Zoo Blues? Left He Said (Lost Without A Supermarket)? Talkin' Pot Luck Jammy Swine Pool Hall Blues? Oh Me, Oh My, Love that Spinach Pie? They must be pourin' from your pen...
"The Circle Ain't Broken" is great. I love the harmonies when the chorus kicks in ("Sweet Anne Marie.."). This is a great song. You know how much I love "Evangeline". This one is right up there on the list. "One more voice for hire.." I envy that line! Brilliant.
f#cking great night! stayed up til late too! let me know if you want us to play any other dates and mail me your address so i can post the album ... peace Griff
oh man cant wait to give south london a lil taster of good ole country rev... did you speak to dan about the traditional album? he had a great idea. Its gonna be great man! cant wait to share the bill with the harrisburg family band T
Haha yeah I know - I think this one is a stayer though - for a little while anyway... hows music and things with you anyway Big G? Me I'm going a bit crazy in the head at the moment, I've got a really annoying creative block and when I do have inspiration I find myself without a sodding notebook or pen!! Grrr. I'm sure it'll come back soon though. Wrote a song a couple of weeks ago, so I suppose it can't be ever flowing... xx
