	Newsletter 20 July 2009		Contact details Tel. 01342 716975 or email: info_at_acousticsussex_dot_org_dot_uk
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Monday 20 July Iain Matthews at The Ravenswood Sharpthorne www.theravenswood.co.uk Support: Mary Leay £10 (£13 door) 8.00pm Tickets 0780 901 3329 or buy online via Acoustic Sussex website (before 3pm on day pf show) Tickets are also available at Hobgoblin in Crawley and Bullfrog in East Grinstead Click here for News Release and biography (PDF file) BACK TO TOP		When some artists are referred to as “legends” it is usually measured in years, or based on the quality of their music. Few are measured in both time and quality. One artist that has been judged by both is Iain Matthews. As a founding member of Fairport Convention back in ’67, Matthews appeared on the bands’ first three recordings (Fairport Convention, What We did on our Holidays and Unhalfbricking) until musical differences caused him to leave in ’69 during the recording of their third album. In order to facilitate and develop his growing fascination with American singer/songwriters, in 1969 he formed his own band, Matthews Southern Comfort, This group spawned a massive European hit with the Joni Mitchell song "Woodstock". However, within a year, Matthews felt restricted and began his solo career, signing with the Vertigo label and a new era began. After 2 albums for the company, once again, he felt the need for newer pastures and in 1972 Plainsong, a quartet, was formed with friend Andy Roberts, where together and to high critical acclaim, they chronicled the exploits of American aviator, Amelia Earhart. Within a year Matthews was again on the move, this time changing continents in a move to Los Angeles, where he established an artist, producer relationship with ex Monkee, Michael Nesmith. Intending to make the one album, stay for a year and return to Britain, Matthews eventually became a US resident, staying for the next 28 years. He didn’t exactly drop out of the music scene (he actually recorded 15 solo albums in the period) but when Matthews performed at the annual Fairport Convention reunion at Cropredy, Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant told him in no uncertain terms that that he owed it to the public to return to performing in the UK (listen to radio interview). In 2000 he returned to Europe and for the next 4 years worked closely with Dutch singer/songwriter, Ad Vanderveen and together with Eliza Gilkyson, they formed the trio More Than a Song, recording and releasing 2 albums. On his latest album, Joy Mining (with the Searing Quartet), Matthews says:”It’s the best work I have ever done, without a doubt. It took me forty years to find this place and now I’m here, I wonder where the hell I’ve been looking all those years.” Matthews will be joined tonight “for a couple of songs” by Andy Roberts, co-founder of Plainsong, who’s played with The Liverpool Scene, Roy Harper, Viv Stanshall, Pink Floyd, Hank Wangford, The Scaffold, Kevin Ayers, Maddy Prior and many more. Also joining the bill as support is Sussex-based Mary Leay, an exciting new ‘urban folk’ artist with a timeless and authentic quality both in her voice and songs. Leay is a powerful lyricist with an ability to make you feel she's talking only to you. She already has writing and vocal credits on several films including the autumn 2009 release 'Heartless' starring Jim Sturgess. Most recently she's been writing and recording towards a debut album at the studio of legendary artist Steve Winwood. There are no gimmicks in Mary's music, no clever tricks, just a rare honesty and beauty that has captured the hearts of those that have discovered her so far. Watch out for this one!	Iain Matthews Fairports with Iain Matthews Mary Leay
Don’t forget that as well as our own shows, the Acoustic Sussex website has a Regional Gig Guide and links to venues and clubs in the South East that offer folk, roots and acoustic music – and our MySpace site contains over 500 links to a variety of other MySpace ‘friends’ sites, including musicians, venues, magazines and lots more.			Regional Gig Guide
*For* *your future diaries...* BACK TO TOP		Future 2009 dates in the Acoustic Sussex programme include: Ø 3 September – Claire Martin Ø 7 September – Sam Baker (band) + The Haley Sisters Ø 15 September – Sinéad & the Dawnbreakers (SELLING FAST) Ø 21 September – Corinne West + Tinderbox Ø 12 October – Uiscedwr + Luke Sital Singh Ø 9 November – Chris & Kellie While + Joseph Topping Ø 20 November – Dar Williams Ø 23 November – Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies+ Lucy Ward Ø 11 December – The Unthanks (formerly Rachel Unthank & The Winterset) More information on all up-and-coming artists can be found on our website: www.acousticsussex.org.uk. You can also find us on MySpace (with samples from some of the artists appearing) at: www.myspace.com/acoustic_sussex. If you know anyone who you think may enjoy our events, please forward this email to them.	*UNSUBSCRIBE* If you do not wish to be on this mailing list, please reply to this email, ensuring you include your name in the email and the word 'unsubscribe' in the heading. Thank you.