STARCROSS: St Paul's Church

Saturday 21st March, 2020

7:00pm

Event information

Three top singer-songwriters present a SONGWRITERS CIRCLE concert in this iconic venue. Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Tobias Ben Jacob will take the stage together and then, in turn, perform selections of their compositions. This is a perfect format to compare and contrast styles and techniques, and there will be plenty of interaction - both musical and verbal between the performers!

Greg Hancock only began performing a few years ago after many years living overseas but has quickly built up a solid reputation as one of the UK’s most original songwriters and skillful guitarists. He makes observations on the human condition that can be serious, but are always imbued with a wry sense of humour and an unexpected turn of phrase. There are echoes of influences such as Nic Jones, John Martyn and Joni Mitchell in his work... but the overall sound is completely his own.

“A master guitarist, exquisite songwriter and beautiful arranger of music... one of the finest songwriters in the UK and should be heard by as many music lovers as possible!”

Blues and Roots

Alex Seel’s songs go right to the heart of the matter. Whether he’s exploring themes of love, life or modern society, he weaves his deceptively gentle lyrics around subtle and sophisticated melodies and song structures. More Americana and blues influenced than Greg, his virtuoso guitar playing ranges from the sweetly melodic to a crisp punchy rhythmic style that is entirely unique.

“His voice is a thing comprised of equal parts comfort and mystery, and it perfectly suits the songs, which are intimate but at the same time just a little bit untamed.”

folkradio

Devon based Singer-Songwriter Tobias ben Jacob has been recently lauded by BBC 6's Tom Robinson and this Spring has seen airplay for new single 'Burning Low' on national radio including BBC Radio 2, BBC6, Amazing Radio, BBC Introducing, BBC Bristol, Blues & Roots and FRUK as well as being described by R2 Magazine as 'inventive and thrilling'. He has also performed for the legendary broadcaster Whispering Bob Harris in one of his 'Under The Apple Tree' sessions.

Greg has known Tobias and loved his music since they first met when Greg set up home in Exeter in 2012. Tobias can write in styles that seem simple, and equally in more complex structures, but what always comes across is the precision and beauty of his guitar playing supporting his passionate ethereal singing and extraordinary emotional and moving lyrics. In the beautiful venue of St Pauls, where Greg has played several times and Alex and he did a Songwriters Circle in 2019, the sound of Tobias’s vocals reverberating around the rafters will be stunning!