Morton Valence are a London-based band based around the vocal pairing of songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Robert ´Hacker´ Jessett and Anne Gilpin. They´ve released eight albums over the past 13 years or so.

Morton Valence’s songs bring to mind the classic country ballads of John Prine and Willie Nelson, with their strong narratives and heartbreaking lyrics. But the backdrop is very much their home turf, putting a different twist on what is often labelled Americana.

Morton Valence describe their music as “urban country”, i.e. not easy to categorise, but their recorded work and live performances have been acclaimed by both audiences and critics in the UK and Europe. They´re noted for their idiosyncratic song-writing style, which is very much informed by Americana, but with a heart and soul firmly rooted in the UK, creating something that´s not only both familiar and innovative, but also 100% authentic. In 2020 Folk Radio UK described the re-released Black Angel Drifter as "an alt-country album that puts the rulebook through the shredder and starts again. Morton Valence’s gritty escapism is far too Dickensian to wear the pure Americana badge, rather their brand of urban country is a sparring force to be reckoned with on its own terms giving UK alt-country an authentic new, dynamic voice."

Their most recent album, eponymously titled, is a collaboration with legendary pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole, who produced it and also performed on it, and often plays live with the band.

"In a genre they’ve made their own – tales of the city rendered in a country idiom, their take on it suggesting that it might be the last surviving form of soul music" Louder Than War.
"Just about the most intriguing band on these shores" The Guardian

Hailing from the North-East, Johny Brown moved to London in the mid-80's forming the Band of Holy Joy, who were signed to Rough Trade and Cherry Red Records. And have gone on to release more than 20 albums, going through varying incarnations, with the one constant being the irrepressible Johny Brown. Johny is a visionary lyricist and charismatic frontman, described by Rob Young in his book ‘Rough Trade’ as “a bohemian mix of inner-city guignol, Brechtian street song, and soaring romanticism”. Johny will be performing songs from his life-affirming solo album, 'Dream a Memory of Home' released on the Skill label, which pays homage to his family and his North-East roots.