OXFORD: St John the Evangelist

Friday 28th March, 2014

7:30pm

Event information

Born into a family of musicians in Kent, England, Charley and Hattie are The Webb Sisters. Dynamic performers with expressive voices and plangent harmonies, The Webb Sisters are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters of originality and intelligence. Their singing and playing (harp, guitar, mandolin, piano and drums) draw from the folk and pop traditions of Britain and the United States. The Webb Sisters have recorded three albums and built a substantial following during their extensive travels. Early on in their career in the UK they achieved album, single and record of the week on iTunes and BBC Radio Two – and performed twice for Princess Anne and once for Queen Elizabeth.
A few years back The Webb Sisters were chosen to join Leonard Cohen's live band on his first tour in fifteen years. The record-breaking tour has played over 300 concerts to date.

Charley and Hattie received an invitation to sing on Sting's album ‘If On a Winter’s Night…’ and on Natalie Maines’ (of The Dixie Chicks) version of ‘God Only Knows’, which was featured on the series finale of HBO’s ‘Big Love’. Additionally they collaborated on projects with fellow harmony siblings The Avett Brothers on their record 'The Carpenter'. The Webb Sisters represented the United Kingdom at America's 400th Anniversary celebrations, contributed songs to several major TV shows (such as "Cane" on CBS), and recorded a pro-peace song 'Fortune of Soldiers' for a Judy Collins tribute album 'Born To The Breed' alongside Dolly Parton and Chrissie Hynde.

Their album ‘SAVAGES' was produced by multiple Grammy Award winning producer Peter Asher and 'Baroque Thoughts' (featured on 'Savages') won the International Music Award for 'best Adult Contemporary Song'. ‘Savages’ also includes a live recording of “If It Be Your Will” which has been featured in almost every concert on the Leonard Cohen tour.

When not working with Leonard The Webb Sisters have not only played numerous successful gigs on their own but have also performed alongside Richard Thompson, Jamie Cullum, Rufus Wainwright, Gotye, Jason Mraz, James Morrison, and Katie Melua. Most recently they found time to record a new (and just-released) EP entitled “When Will You Come Home” and are writing songs for their next full length CD, scheduled for Spring of 2014.

Sam Semple
Sam Semple is a songwriter with a debut album called 'Mystery Songs', a timeless, soulful record that evokes the literary songwriting era of the 1970s. It's a testament to good old-fashioned song craft echoing the music of Neil Young, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Simon and James Taylor.

"Sam Semple's Mystery Songs have been haunting me for weeks. Here is a real new talent. A singer songwriter with a mastery of lyrics, a sweet voice, and an angle on life that will make you think even as you hum and smile... fabulous debut." - Stephen Fry

On the strength of 'Mystery Songs' Sam has recently toured with and opened up for some great artists including: Thea Gilmore, Lambchop and Patty Griffin. Before recording the album, Sam had established himself as a successful songwriter writing with other artists. He co-wrote 'Better' with Tom Baxter (a song covered by Boyzone), and 'Miracle', the signature track for the BBC's Beijing Olympics coverage. More recently Sam co-wrote the hit song 'How Would You Do It?' with French pop star Medi.

When Sam asked for help to finally make a 'proper' record of his own songs, an illustrious band of artists and musicians were ready to assist. Some of the players on Mystery Songs include: Tom Baxter, Scott Matthews, Jamie Morrison (Stereophonics), Charlie Winston plus epic string arrangements from Danny Keane (Bat for Lashes, Nitin Sawhney).

109a Iffley Road
Oxford
OX4 1EH

www.empty-rooms.com

01296748268