Holly Lerski Band @ The Bicycle Shop (Norwich Sound & Vision Festival)

Event information

HOLLY LERSKI BAND

"It's like solving a puzzle that's been given to you. It's like coming home..." For Holly Lerski, the step back into writing new music carried its own momentum; all the pieces of the puzzle were laid out invitingly in front of her, and couldn't be ignored. Holly's return to her rural haven in 2006 followed a history that would carry familiar etchings in many musicians' journals. Receiving the deserved comparisons to her hero Jeff Buckley, and with a familiarity towards Beth Orton, Holly and her former band Angelou had seen acclaim and gone through its necessary motions; the touring, the releasing, label struggles, which led her to come home. Since then, Holly has enjoyed a contentment, which has allowed her to explore her creativity off-timetable. Earlier this year Holly realised her music was omnipresent, and was just waiting to be let back in.

JAY LEIGHTON

Jay Leighton began his music career in 2008 with a major label deal for his band Buffalo 77. After two singles, an album and very little success, the band decided go their separate ways. Disillusioned with the music industry, Jay considered quitting music altogether, but soon found himself back in the studio recording a solo mini-album 'Polaroids & Stills'. Released as a limited edition CD, the record quickly sold out. Buoyed with a new found enthusiasm for his music Jay picked-up his guitar and toured - playing live anywhere anyone would have him. He has been playing festivals and live shows all over the world ever since, including a European tour with Lou Rhodes and extensive touring with LAMB which included a show at Shepherd's Bush Empire playing to 2,000 people in May 2011.

HELSINKI WINS

Helsinki Wins is honesty and a guitar. Last Christmas Eve, Abby Thomas was asked to support her favourite local band in her favourite local pub and, despite never having played anywhere live before, has since stood on that stage as many times as is socially acceptable. Armed with delicately homespun lyrics and a deeply tonal voice, she's been delighting Norwich with the tracks from her Winter EP since last autumn, and will no doubt find herself a new favourite stage in Norwich to stand upon soon.

GEORGIOS HADJI

Georgios Hadji was first inspired to pick up a guitar and write music after finding a myriad of unsigned musicians who posted their material online in 2008. His influences include Justin Nozuka, Ed Sheeran, Leddra Chapman and Kina Grannis. Having organised and promoted the gig himself, Georgios made his live debut to a full capacity room at The Bicycle Shop. Originally from North London, Georgios has since been adopted by the Norwich music scene and continues to charm audiences wherever he goes.