Ian McNabb

Event information

Fantastic and prolific sInger/songwriter Ian McNabb is known both for his work as leader and songwriter-in-chief of The Icicle Works in the 1980s, and his critically acclaimed solo career throughout from the early 1990s to date. He has also played with musicians as diverse as Ringo Starr, Crazy Horse, Mike Scott (of The Waterboys), and Danny Thompson of folk legends Pentangle. Ian's music is witty, deep and soulful; he is a really generous performer, and we are really honoured to have him return to Brentford for a third time.

Before Ian goes on, Phil Martin will perform a set. Multi instrumentalist, singer/songwriter with a career spanning over 30 years in the music industry, including the 80s and 90s indie-folk scene with Dr Millar & The Cute Hoors and The Shanakies (Blur's support band of choice for the Parklife Tour). Phil has latterly been found among the ranks of Vic Godard & The Subway Sect, Jowe Head & The Demi-Monde, The Men They Couldn't Hang and his current bands Kindred Spirit and The Bitter Springs (recent recipients of considerable media love for their Everyone's Cup Of Tea album). Influenced as much by Jake Thackray as Marc Bolan, Phil Martin is - in the truest sense - both languid balladeer and punk demagogue.

Praise for Phil's first solo album Before We Go To Paradise:

Before We Go To Paradise is an achievement, displaying Phil Martin's talents as a lyricist, composer, musician, singer and even artist... a remarkable album. Pennyblackmusic.com

Phil's arrangements were spot on... as a writer, he hits the nail on the head. Well worth investing in....
8/10 Whisperin' & Hollerin'

Refreshingly original... Mudkiss

Before We Go To Paradise is as fine a piece of songwriting as you'll find this side of Robb Johnson...
FATEA

Phil will perform songs from his second solo album, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark which is due for release in September. He will be accompanied by Simon Rivers, leader of the wonderful Bitter Springs!
Simon also appears on Phil's new album!
www.philmartinmusic.com
http://www.thebittersprings.com/home.cfm

Diana Johnstone, will be opening the show :

"Superb talent, soul-quenching" - Maverick Magazine

"A voice of startling clarity and a heck of a back story" - Venue Magazine, Bristol

Diana Johnstone left London in search of her creative muse, having worked in film-set design for many years .

Although she had written lyrics for ex-husband, Elton John guitarist Davey Johnstone when he recorded 2 albums on Rocket Records, Diana only discovered her ability to put words to music in her own songs when she put down new roots near Bath.
She has been performing at festivals, arts centres and acoustic venues across the U.K. since then and has recorded 2 c.d.s "Learning to Walk " and "The Troubled Heart".

Diana is joined on stage by talented multi-instrumentalist Ray Bradfield, another ex-Londoner with a wealth of musical (and life!) experience. They have been collaborating since 2005.

www.dianajohnstone.com