• Imagined Village
• Kate Rusby
• Transglobal Underground
• Dengue Fever
• Emma Pollock
• Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls
• Rachel Unthank & the Winterset
• 3 Daft Monkeys
• The Young Republic
• Karen David
• Latin Dub Sound System
• The Long Notes
• Richard Walters
• Jason Soudah
• Sleeping with the Fishes
• The Red Bullets
• The Travelling Band
• It's a Buffalo
• Rainbow Trout
• The Tragics
• The Steals
• Isobel Heyworth
• Kathryn Edwards
• Butler Williams
• Rook and The Ravens
• Jenny Bromley

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Music became embedded in Kate Rusby's soul at a young age as she and her siblings, Joe and Emma, were carted around the folk festivals where mum and dad, Steve and Ann, would be playing in their ceilidh band or dad would be looking after sound systems, never realising that it would lead to a 15 year career in music which still involves her whole family.

Often described as the 'Barnsley Nightingale' and more recently as 'England's answer to Dolly Parton'  Kate continues to write  simple, down to earth, home stories into her songs and make your heart ache for them.

She will be singing songs from Radio 2 Folk award nominated new album 'Awkward Annie' including current Radio 2 playlisted song 'The Village Green Preservation Society' as well as some old favourites.

www.katerusby.com

www.myspace.com/katerusby

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Returning for a second year at Wychwood Transglobal Underground will be closing the main stage on the Sunday. We loved them so much the first time that we just had to have them back to show everyone how its done! Get ready to move your feet!

This year Transglobal Underground return with their 7th album, 'Moonshout', the follow-up to 2004's 'Impossible Broadcasting'. Released on their own label the album features founding members Tim Whelan (keyboards/ guitar) and Hamid Mantu (drums/ programming), plus the current core members of the collective, Godfrey 'Tuup' Duncan (lead vocals/ congas), Sheema Mukherjee (sitar/ bass), Gurjit Sihra (dhol/ kaos pad) Ravinder Neiyyar (dhol/ tables) and Krupa (vocals).

TGU have been nominated in the Club Global category at the Radio 3 World Music Awards.

www.t-g-u.com

www.myspace.com/transglobalunderground

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A Los Angeles-based sextet Dengue Fever have reinvented the rock'n'roll recorded in Phnom Penh in the early 1970s (imagine Ethiopian funk meeting Bollywood soundtracks meeting American garage rock). 

Keyboard player Ethan Holtzman first went to Cambodia in 1998 and whilst there was inspired when he heard tapes of some of these old hits.

It wasn't until he got back to LA that Holtzman discovered that he lived 20 minutes from the biggest Cambodian community outside the country itself. He tracked down original recordings and then put a band together to cover them including lead singer Chhom Nimol who left Cambodia at the start of the decade.

Their third album, Venus on Earth, was released at the end of January and they have been tipped in the Times as one of the sounds for 2008, as well as receiving four star reviews in both Uncut and Mojo for Venus on Earth.

www.myspace.com/denguefevermusic

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As a member of Glasgow band The Delgados, and a founder of their pioneering Chemikal Underground record label Emma Pollock has long been an influential and highly respected figure in independent music. The Delgados released 5 critically acclaimed albums during 10 years together - including The Great Eastern, which was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2000.

Slightly obscured by these collective achievements is the fact that Emma is one of the most bewitching singers and natural songwriters around - so it was great news for lovers of intelligent and intricately-crafted songs when, after the Delgados called it a day, Emma signed to 4AD as a solo artist.

Emma has been busy since 2006 creating her solo sound and producing the wonderful album 'Watch the Fireworks'

http://www.myspace.com/emmapollock 

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Over the past 20 years The Wonder Stuff have notched up 5 top 20 albums and played to hundreds of thousands of people throughout the UK.  Best known for their number 1 single with Vic Reeves, Dizzy, the band have performed hundreds of TV shows with their 17 top 20 singles and made 2,000,000 sales worldwide.

Having played 7 festivals and 2 UK tours in 2006 founder-member and lead vocalist, Miles Hunt, and fiddle player Erica Nockalls recorded the incredible album 'Not An Exit', which is has been heralded as Miles' finest work. In 2007 the duo took to the road for a 6 week tour performing acoustic versions of old and new Wonder Stuff songs, as well as selected titles from the album. Due to such popular demand a second tour was booked.  Now, in 2008 Miles and Erica are back out on the road throughout the UK, before heading to the US in September for a month of shows.  Erica brings a new dimension to set, playing fiddle on classic Wonder Stuff songs as well as on songs that have never featured fiddles before.  The strings throughout the entire set show the more roots/folk side of The Wonder Stuff's songs.  By way of introducing each song in the set, Miles recounts stories of life on the road, tales from The Wonder Stuff and life in general.  It's a double dose of Miles; the singer-songwriter and monologue-ist!

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"austere and glacial.. one of my favourite albums of the year" Stuart Maconie

Known for their warmth and humour on stage Rachel Unthank and the Winterset will be wowing the Wychwood audience with their gorgeous lilting Geordie accents.

Rachel Unthank and the Winterset were awarded the Horizon Award at BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards this year, as well as being nominated for Best Live Act, Best Group and Best album for 2007's The Bairns.

www.rachelunthank.com

www.myspace.com/rachelunthank

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We couldn't resist any longer! So back by popular demand are those cheeky monkeys. 3 Daft Monkeys will be in the Big Top on Sunday performing tracks from their new album 'Social Vertigo'.

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The Young Republic are a virtuoso octet equally schooled in the arts of sunny, country tinged guitar-pop and orchestral derring-do. Hailing from the Back Bay neighbourhood of Boston, Massachusetts, now based in Nashville, Tennesee, the band formed around a refectory table in their freshman year, and have rapidly proved themselves to be among the most distinctive ensembles in the greater New England area. Having toured the US twice and built a grass roots following via three self-released EPs and radio sessions for the likes of WOXY, The Young Republic are now ready to take their blend of classic pop and classical smarts to the world.

www.theyoungrepublic.net

www.myspace.com/theyoungrepublic

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Karen David is returning to Wychwood for the second year. Born in India, raised in Canada, lives in London, travels the world Singer-songwriter-actress Karen David's music crosses many boundaries geographically and musically. Her upcoming album Me V Me was recorded at AR Rahman's studio in Chennai and finessed by the Bombay Dub Orchestra in Monmouth, Wales. Nominated for Best Newcomer and Best Female at the UK Asian Music Awards 2008. Her live sound is captured on her "Live Sessions EP"  available on Foshfin Records.

www.myspace.com/karendavid

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Latin Dub Sound System is about big bass lines and carnival rhythms. It's about that moment when the music just makes you want to lose control.

Latin Dub Sound System delivers a live music experience never to be forgotten. It is part sound system, part South American orchestra featuring an ever changing array of like-minded singers and MCs. So far Latin Dub Sound System has featured artists including Rodney P, Ska Cubana, Yungun, Eva Abraham and Benjamin Zephaniah.

It is a genre-defying live sound that incorporates Latin percussion, house-driven melodies, dub beats, uplifting vocals, flamenco guitars, Mambo horns and rap.

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Jamie, Brian and Colette all come from very different backgrounds but share one wonderful thing in common - their passion for and understanding of traditional celtic music in all its shapes and forms.

All three musicians have come to know each other through the ever-vibrant and constantly shifting traditional music scene in north London. Ceilis, pub gigs, corporate events, sessions - the music keeps flowing. But, from time to time, musicians must step off the gig treadmill and do something that will last the test of time and capture the mood and excitement that exists when they're at their best. We hope we've captured that moment in this album. Enjoy!

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 23 year old singer/songwriter from Oxford, UK. Ex Theremin (Shifty disco Records) frontman, released his first solo Ep in May 2004 on Beard Museum Records. 'Umbrella songs' recieved lovely reviews the world over and caught the attention of Nic Harcourt, presenter of cult Los Angeles radio show 'Morning becomes electic' on KCRW. Richard is also part of Monoband, the side project of Cranberries guitarist Noel Hogan, who released their debut Lp in May 2005 in Ireland. Richard is currently working on his debut solo album with genius producer Guy Sigsworth (Frou frou,Bjork, Lamb, Madonna) and Suede legend Bernard Butler.

www.myspace.com/richardwalters

www.richard-walters.org

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Jason Soudah is a piano-driven singer/songwriter whose powerful yet compassionate delivery. Born in Japan (where he spent the first decade of his life) but now based in Cardiff, Jason is gathering critical acclaim for his unforgettable songs, emotive stage presence and distinctive vocal style, the latter of which caused London's Rise Magazine to rave, "Soudah's distinctive and passionate vocals are irresistible."

Jason has played a variety of gigs across the UK while also visiting American shores for sets at SXSW and "World Café Live" in Philadelphia, in addition to well-received gigs in Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin and New York City, where his show at Rockwood Music Hall provoked this rapturous response: "Jason's energy and excitement immediately captured everyone's heart." His various touring activities have helped trigger radio airplay in both countries, in addition to live performance segments on the air and television appearances in Britain.

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Sleeping with the Fishes are a Liverpool based 4 piece band. A blend of hard hitting melodies, a full on sonic attack that could party our hair at twenty paces! Topped off by lyrics about life, death, fact, fiction, future and past. No back seats on this journey, just 4 lads, 4d ifferent minds, where the only stragglers are in the boot.

They are playing their own weekly residency band nights at The Pilgrim in Liverpool as part of the Liverpool 08 Capital of Culture Celebrations.

www.myspace.com/sleepinwiththefishes

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The Red Bullets are an exciting rock/pop band from the UK featuring Peter Edwards, Mark Edwards, Kyle Hall and Mark Wheeler. Lead singer Peter Edwards is a classically trained pianist who has been working solidly for 8 years as a solo artist, playing at many prestigious venues with his band which included brother Mark Edwards on drums. Mark has become a respected musician in his own right having been awarded Master Performer of the Year at Drumtech for the 2006-2007 year.

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No matter what your taste in music, you can't help but get drawn in to the modern country-rock sound of The Travelling Band. They combine lively musical energy with poetic lyrics and brilliantly clear vocal harmonies.   

Originally from Manchester, the band has already made a name for themselves on both sides of the pond, dividing their time between gigs in New York as well as across the UK.

The story behind The Travelling Band started in Brazil, Guitarist Steve was playing some songs in his hotel room when he was overheard by a New Yorker called Richard Ross. Rich was so impressed by what he had heard that he arranged and paid for Steve and his musical buddies from Manchester to come to New York and record their music.

Rich sorted out a recording session at Cowboy Technical services, owned and run by Eric 'Roscoe' Amble and Tim Hatfield, The studio place that's produced legendary acts like Steve Earle, Ryan Adams and Regina Spektor to name but a few.

Like any folk-country band worth their salt, The Travelling Band are most at home on stage and have become famed for their live performances at Glastonbury, The Homegame festival in Anstruther, The Manchester Academy and The Regal Rooms in London. They have recently supported Elvis Perkins on his UK tour as well as performing regularly at the Sideways Saloon at the Bay Horse.

The Travelling Band will be headlining The Doghouse at Wychwood programming on the Wickwar Stage on Sunday

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It's a buffalo is the sound of 4 young men. Ben Thorley sings and plays guitar. So does Steven Warburton. James Cole plucks his bass and Nigel Bennett bangs his drums. Sometimes they tune up and do this in time with each other. Ben and Steve found each other in 2001, then James popped around to their place and liked what he heard and Nigel fancied hitting things along with them.

The boys then signed up to Manchester's very own Akoustik Anarkhy records. They released two singles, played a heroic amount of gigs, and have started recording a debut album. They are currently on the road supporting The Courteeners all over Blighty.

www.myspace.com/itsabuffalo

It' a Buffalo feature as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming

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We are Rainbow Trout, a three-piece rock band based in Manchester.

We like rays of colour in a grey world. We like the gradual awareness of the sun having risen, having already seen it set. We like the inborn smile you can't suppress in the face of beauty. We like the travel and the journey home. We like the way suits looked in the '50s, women looked in the '60s and cars looked in the '70s. We like the sound of a needle on vinyl; like getting into a warm bed. We like the cool side of the pillow. We like the moment that will never be forgotten. We like to worry about it later. Above all else, we like making music.

...they give Kings of Leon a run for their money - David Sue, Manchester Evening News

www.myspace.com/allaboutthetrout

Rainbow Trout feature as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming.

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The Tragics came together in winter 2007. Andy and Jim, two mates in separate bands found they had Friday afternoons free for writing songs together in between lengthy tea and fag breaks. The combination of Andy's punk/folk sensibilities and Jim's driving guitar and clever harmonies was first aired in the eclectic musical environment of the Puzzle Hall, Sowerby Bridge where it was deemed to be 'sort of gothic country punk'.

A band was quickly formed. Andy's brother Kev joined on drums, Wendy, a younger veteran of the local music scene, came in on keyboard, Dave, joined on bass and the final augmentation provided by renowned multi instrumentalist Martin Nuttall on lap steel and banjo. The music shaped up, fast, harmonic pop with a hard edged delivery and sardonic, downbeat lyrics. The Tragics are preparing to record their debut release.

www.myspace.com/thetrajics

The Tragics feature as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming

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With Jayn Hanna's vocals, described, by turns, as haunting, angelic and sublime, alongside John Hogg's awe-inspiring guitar work, The Steals are a band that transcend even the multi-layered, burgeoning Leeds music scene. 

In a climate producing and attracting musicians ranging from student bands by-the-numbers, to the likes of pop front-liners The Kaiser Chiefs, Hanna & Hogg, who's talents initially combined back in 2004, have produced an alternative sound with a rich blues/folk undertone, that is original, moving and accessible.

In the relatively short time since Jayn and John connected, the band have effortlessly attracted a series of powerful reviews for both their live performances, and 'Floodlights', their self- released, six-track EP.

www.myspace.com/thestealsmusic

The Steals feature as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming

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"an enchanting new songwriting talent" The Daily Mail
"..arrives from nowhere with this fantastic debut" ***** Cosmopolitian

Gifted with the voice of a tender angel - part heartbreaker, part heartbroken - Isobel Heyworth is a mid-20s misplaced Manchester songwriter who writes burning, intense songs using the simplest tools: a voice, a finger-picked folk guitar, the occasional piano. But as has become apparent since, those simple tools and gestures - if woven to some truth, passion and honesty - can have a habit of translating to a much wider world.

Making her gigging debut around 2002 on the Manchester open-mic folk circuit, Isobel was instantly wowing her peers and the music press with her impassioned, sparse, nu-folk stylings. Demos were being touted around eagerly, and there were excitable whispers of her being ' a modern day Joni Mitchell'.

2004 saw those talents in more tangible form with the release of a mini-album On The Back Of An Envelope, mightily acclaimed and now something of a rare collector's item. Fellow Manchester nu-folk titan Stephen Fretwell was sufficiently impressed, asking Isobel to guest on his standout album track 'Rose' and finally in 2007 the long-awaited arrival of her debut album Close Your Eyes.

www.isobelheyworth.com

www.myspace.com/Isobelheyworth

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23 year old Kathryn Edwards is a singer/songwriter based in Manchester. She's performed in and around the UK supporting Liam Frost and The Slowdown Family.

She was the first act to play at Manchester's new casino Manchester 235 on the opening night, presented by Tess Daley. Kathryn also performed a charity gig at The Hilton supporting Lemar and recently supported Kathryn Williams.

Kathryn is fast becoming a much talked of names on the Manchester music scene and it is not hard to see why after being compared to Joni Mitchell, Carol King and Martha Wainwright.

Kathryn Edwards was her usual charmingly intoxicating self, dolling out her subtly beautiful tunes and that stunning voice with simple style - Chris Long BBC Manchester

www.myspace.com/kathrynedwards

 Kathryn Edwards features as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming

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Chris Butler and Noel Williams have been writing together for three years. The pair began as two members of a four piece band, and as others went their seperate ways the duo upped sticks and headed for the bright lights of Manchester with a more stripped acoustic sound.

...A lot of bands in Manchester adopt an affected Gallagher swagger in order to appear like working class meatheads, which in reality, only serves to make others swing a greater number of punches in their direction. Butler-Williams are something different. With one half of the duo fitting the hippy troubadour mould, and the other looking like Oasis-lite, they are an unlikely pair, but when Chris Butler opens his mouth, the link between the two personas miraculously emerges. He has a fiercely striking 'Acquiesce' voice and sings of living a directionless life...and they quickly proceed to create gentle folk indebted more to Iron And Wine or Nick Drake than afternoons spent dossing around amusement arcades...- www.manchestermusic.co.uk

www.myspace.com/chrisbutlernoelwilliams

Butler Williams feature as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming

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Joe Fay, James Fay, Dave Brodie and John Major are all time-served players who have worked with a succession of bands and artists in the past - some more successful than others. They joined together through a shared desire to return to the art of writing, recording and performing their own music, doing what they do best.

Now they look set to become the axeslinging desperados they want to be, under the guidance of friends and mentors RATR have started well -numerous TV appearances, radio interviews and gigs have been 'flying' in and they've released their first proper EP. They've also just finished a 15-date tour of Northern England.

Rook and The Ravens have already played, and in the near future will continue to play, alongside a variety of established names. Having shared bills with The Futureheads, Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, 'Guitar' George Borowski and Terrorvision's Tony Wright, they are set to support Yeti in the coming weeks.

www.myspace.com/rookandtheravens

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Jenny Bromley first sang in public as a terrified 15 year old in a folk festival sing around session. The feedback she received from the performance encouraged her to continue singing and to develop her own unique style.

She is influenced by artists such as Polly Harvey, Eliza Carthy, Beth Gibbons and Sandy Denny, to name but a few. Her songs, which have been described as alternative/folk are supported by a rich and soulful voice.

Over the past few years, Jenny has been growing as a writer and performer, having been involved in local music festivals and intimate venues in and around West Yorkshire.

She also loves working with different musicians and bands in the area, who inspire her as much as, if not more than, any of the artists in her CD collection. Most recently she has been playing with a band called A Rookery (watch this space...)

Jenny Bromley features as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming

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