• Dub Colossus
• Bellowhead
• Cara Dillon
• Dhol Foundation
• Red Light Company
• Orchid-Star
• The Long Notes
• Attila the Stockbroker
• Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara
• Shtetl Superstars
• Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson
• Rook and The Ravens
• Dakota
• The Beetroot Kings
• Josh Vizor
• Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun
• Stornoway
• Avipaul
• Kat Flint
• Queens English
• Revere
• The Travelling Band
• Maghribibeat
• Leni Ward
• Butler Williams
• Frazer King
• The Loving Cup
• The Nouvelles
• Tim Radins
• The Amber Sleep

This project brings together an extraordinary but little known African musical heritage, a labour of love recording in a makeshift studio in down-town Addis Ababa and then a journey back to Real World to capture for the first time ever in the UK some of Ethiopia's finest performers.

This album is the vision of Dub Colossus - Dubulah - aka Nick Page.Composer, guitarist, bass player and programmer Nick started his music career with Michael Riley (Steel Pulse) and in 1990 formed Transglobal Underground with Tim and Hammi, produced-wrote-played six albums before leaving in 1997 to form Temple of Sound with Neil Sparkes.

The style of contemporary Ethiopia music captured by Dub Colossus ranges from dreamy blues, hypnotic grooves, jazz piano and driving funk brass.

www.myspace.com/dubcolossusmusic

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We are very pleased to announce that after Jon and John's superb set this year, we will have the full Bellowhead collective at Wychwood 09. "The sound of 44 limbs in pursuit of countless more possibilities", The Times.

The Bellowhead Collective uniquely merge folk, rock, ska, jazz soul and world music influences with dashes of English Music Hall and Cabaret. Between them the musicians play more than 20 instruments, six of them sing and their arrangements are already the stuff of legend. Winners of numerous BBC Folk Awards (including an unparalleled 3 for Best Live Act), the band recently raised the roof at the first BBC Proms Day dedicated to folk at the Royal Albert Hall. "One of the most kick-ass live bands around", Observer Music Monthly.

www.bellowhead.co.uk/

www.myspace.com/thisisbellowhead

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Cara Dillon's soulful voice perfectly compliments Sam Lakeman's beautifully crafted Irish folk tunes. Their music combines traditional songs steeped in tradition with original compositions, bursting with fresh ideas. Cara has won BBC Folk Awards for best new act and track of the year for Black Is The Colour. Her fourth solo album 'Hill Of Thieves'  was released on her own label Charcoal Records at the start of this year. Cara has wowed audiences around the world, and now brings her captivating performance to Wychwood. "Dillon's crystalline, angelic voice is an instrument of rare beauty capable of melting the sternest of hearts" - BBC.

http://www.caradillon.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/caradillon

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Dhol drums are traditional instruments from North India. The Dhol Foundation are students of a drum school founded by Johnny Kalsi in 1989. They experiment with dance and electronic music, mixed with traditional banghra. Their music has featured in Hollywood blockbusters such as Gangs of New York and Incredible Hulk. Live performances have included the opening the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and many performances at Womad. Prepare to become a dholaholic! "Unique and outstanding." - BBC

http://www.dholfoundation.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thedholfoundation

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Red Light Company were formed in 2007 with members from England (via Australia and New Zealand), Japan (via America), Wales and Scotland.

The album Fine Fascination and single Arts & Crafts were released in March 2009 and have received air time on radio stations including BBC Radio 1 and 6Music.

www.redlightcompany.co.uk
www.myspace.com/redlightcompany

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Orchid-Star combines African, Arabic, Celtic and Indian influences, forming a blend of dub, drum & bass and funk. Various artists, dancers and performers take part in shows, creating a diverse and unpredictable musical experience.

www.myspace.com/peteardronsorchidstar

www.orchidstar.info

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Described by the Scotsman in a five-star review as 'truly something else', The Long Notes unite the revered talents of accordionist Colette O'Leary, fiddler Jamie Smith and banjo and mandolin player Brian Kelly. All three musicians have a wealth of touring experience and came together as a group through north London's ever-vibrant folk scene.

The Long Notes' ensemble synergy magically surpasses the sum of its parts, with captivating arrangements of Scottish, Irish, French, Galician, contemporary and original tunes, their playing "nothing short of sublime" - The Scotsman.

www.myspace.com/thelongnotes

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Sharp tongued, high energy, social surrealist rebel poet and songwriter. His themes are topical, his words hard-hitting, his politics unashamedly radical.

Inspired by the spirit and the 'Do It Yourself' ethos of punk rock, and above all by The Clash and their overtly radical, political stance, he started as a punk bass player in 1977 and took the name Attila the Stockbroker in 1980, blagging spots for his poems and songs in between bands at punk gigs. He quickly got a couple of John Peel radio sessions, a deal with London independent label Cherry Red Records and before very long was on the cover of  'Melody Maker'. He hasn't looked back since!
 
Attila has done about 100 gigs a year since 1982,  over 2700 in total, visiting 19 countries, and has published 5 books of poems and over 20 LPs/CDs. He has done hundreds of gigs at festivals - but this is his first time at Wychwood!

www.myspace.com/attilastockbroker
www.attilathestockbroker.com

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Seasoned by work with Robert Plant and Tinariwen, Justin Adams' driving guitar finds a perfect match in West African Master Musician Juldeh Camara's hypnotic ritti (African fiddle) and powerful voice. Their album Soul Science has been in the fRoots and Songlines top 10 albums of the year, and was also nominated for a Radio 3 World Music award. As a live trio with percussionist Salah Dawson Miller 'a shaman at the court of Genghis Khan', (Evening Standard), they invoke the spirit of ancient juju Rock and Roll, and will be playing for us on Sunday. 'Unquestionably the cross-cultural album of the year', Independent on Sunday.

www.justinadams.co.uk/

www.myspace.com/justinadamsproducer

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Think Manu Chao on a vodka bender, or Sgt Pepper starring in Fiddler on the Roof!

Shtetl Superstars is the brand new collaboration between Lemez Lovas (founder and leader of klezmer pop kings Oi Va Voi) & Yuriy G (DJ at Berlin's legendary Russendisko party and leader of Shantel's newest signing Rotfront).

Advance tracks from their debut album "Schengen Visa Wedding" are tearing up radio stations across Europe for good reason; their show at Wychwood is an exclusive UK festival preview.

Expect a very cheeky and deeply funky series of songs about the art of ducking, diving and living the European dream.

www.sonicbids.com/shtetlsuperstars

www.myspace.com/shtetlsuperstarssoundsystem

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One of the most enigmatic trio's to emerge from Scotland, these young musicians are not only vastly talented but have created a sound that is bursting with energy.

Dubbed the new stars of Celtic music, Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson first started playing together back in 2003 at the William Kennedy Piping Festival, and have since joined forces to create a pipe sound that pushes the boundaries of what both instruments can achieve together.  Their much anticipated debut album 'Partners in Crime' (Vertical Records) features fellow 'inmates' such as Paul Meehan, Caomhin Vallely, Ali Hutton & Rick Standley, it is a vibrant mix of new compositions along with traditional tunes as never heard before.

"Two Stupendous young musicians" - Mojo Magazine

www.myspace.com/rossandjarlath

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Rook and The Ravens' strong harmony driven sound reflects their influences, which include Neil Young, Kings of Leon and The Travelling Band. This young band combines exquisite musicianship and songwriting that cuts straight to the core.

Rook and The Ravens have mastered the art of effortless stage presentation. They have played alongside The Futureheads, Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip and Yeti.

www.myspace.com/rookandtheravens

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This charismatic quartet has just completed their eagerly awaited debut album "Here There And Everywhere". The album is full of masterfully constructed and wickedly memorable songs that tell of lead singer Ben Talbot's lost love and a hope forlorn.

The band's live performances display a rare passion and a raw energy that has to be seen to be believed.

www.myspace.com/dakotabandofficial

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The Beetroot Kings are promoting their debut release Critical Mass, which is out on 16th May.

The band hail from Mansfield and play some serious rock!

www.myspace.com/garyarmstrongmusic

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Josh has been song writing for a little over three years now, never purposefully to draw a crowd. Recently, due to popular demand he had been tirelessly gigging round smaller venues in Oxfordshire, and is ready to make his festival debut.

It is difficult to shoehorn him into a specific genre, but he has always had a healthy interest in folk music and the emphasis on lyric and meaning.

By his own admission heartbreak has inspired many of Josh's song, and as he aptly puts it, "long live the never lasting".

www.myspace.com/joshuavizor

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Cheltenham based folk-rock heroes Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun have established themselves as one of the most promising bands in the area.

The band have supported the likes of FrankTurner, Dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip, Mumford & Sons, and Chris T-T.

"If you're looking to crossover to listening to folk music and he should be one to look out for in 2009" - virtualfestivals.com.

Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun were selected to play by Kiss My Face Music.

www.myspace.com/jimlockey

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Up and coming Oxford band Stornoway will be delighting us with their folk-tinged pop on Saturday. They have already achieved mentions and plays on 6Music and Radio 1 so make sure you catch this young band now!
 
In their own words...

The band consists of an Ornithologist, an occasional Russian translator, a South African Pirate Captain, and a human radio. They were first united in a snow-encrusted garage in Oxford early in 2006 and have since attracted the attention of Dr & Mrs Killjoy the neighbours and their android children. They occasionally invite an equine guest onstage.

None of the band have ever been to Stornoway. But Brian once got to within 37 miles of it. Stornoway will be playing in Tom Robinson's "Fresh on the Net Sessions".

www.myspace.com/stornoway

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Avipaul is a writer, composer, vocalist,instrumentalist and performer from West London. This talented musician has a wide range and a unique sound. Influenced by many genres and styles, Avipaul fuses it all and adds his own style,throwing convention out the window.

Avipaul will be playing in Tom Robinson's "Fresh on the Net Sessions".

www.myspace.com/avipaul

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Kat Flint's delicate indie-folk songs have drawn comparisons with Regina Spektor, Narina Pallot and Joni Mitchell.

"Witty and clever lyrics with intricate but catchy melodies and serene harmonies, creating a beautiful web of sounds and images that tangles you up completely and you find pieces of it in your head for days after." - FunFunFun

Kat Flint will be playing in Tom Robinson's "Fresh on the Net Sessions".

www.myspace.com/katflint

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Formed in Leeds in 2004, Queens English signal a revival in DIY Hip Hop in the UK. The band are well known for their energetic and fun-filled live performances.

The band have extensively gigged around England and have also toured in Sweden and played at Outlook Festival in Croatia.

Queens English are playing as part of Tom Robinson's "Fresh on the Net Sessions".

www.myspace.com/queensenglish

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Revere incorporate violin, cello, keys, trumpet and harp into a guitar-led sound, touching on numerous musical reference points, combining elements of gypsy marches, klezmer, post rock, film scores and gospel.

Live, Revere play with an unparalleled intensity, working songs from music-box soft openings into relentless walls of sound shot through with a show-stopping falsetto.

www.myspace.com/reverelondon

www.revereonline.co.uk

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Rarely has a British band of recent times sounded this fresh and timeless as The Travelling Band.

Here is a band who excel at sounding happy, sad, frustrated, and vulnerable, often at the same time, and their best songs, whether they're fast or slow, feel like they're bursting with energy and wisdom.

Winners of the Glastonbury New Talent competition 2008, The Travelling Band's live show is a feel-good tour-de-force. Swapping instruments, inspiring audience participation whilst shifting effortlessly from heartfelt ballads, through psychedelic sing alongs to classic pop tunes, their's are shows where no-one leaves unconverted.

The Travelling Band are playing as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming.

www.myspace.com/thetravellingband

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Maghribibeat traditional Moroccan Gnawa music meets high energy acoustic driven trance. Be prepared to dance! The group play trance made by human beings and not computers! Maghribibeat's debut CD 'Al Sharitte La'awal' has a rhythmic, almost hypnotic sound, typical of North Africa.

Maghribibeat are playing as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming.

www.myspace.com/maghribibeat

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Leni Ward set up her own home studio and recorded "Body". She is the sole composer, performer, producer and recording engineer. Mastered by Tim Debney (Thom Yorke, Low, British Sea Power, Lily Allen), Body was released on British independent label Tunica Adventitia Records.

Beginning life as a cathartic exercise, in an attempt to rid herself of the traumas experienced during a prolonged childhood illness during which time she was put on experimental drugs trials, Body quickly expanded to cover a wide range of topics, from mortality to philosophy.

The album combines electronic and traditional instrumentation. Leni has quickly gained fans in England and beyond. Songs from the record were soon played on BBC 6Music and other national, local and internet radio as well as national television.

Leni Ward is playing as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming.

www.leniward.co.uk
www.myspace.com/leniward

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Butler - Williams released their limited edition debut EP 'Keep Your Head Down' in August 2008. The EP was picked as 'Indie Record of the Week' by Piccadilly Records Manchester on its release.

"Head and shoulders above the millions of other singer-songwriter efforts around" - Piccadilly Records, Manchester    
 
www.myspace.com/chrisbutlernoelwilliams

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"Frazer King impress from the outset with their considererable vocal ability and unique stylistic range. Song-by-song they flit between sounds as riotous as The Pixies at their most drunk and as harmonious as The Drifters at their most Oooh-ah-ooh" - Sandman Magazine

A glorious mix of psychedelic rock, folk and skiffle, Frazer King are playing as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming.

www.myspace.com/frazerking

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The Loving Cup have developed their own brand of rockin country and blues Americana, drawing together influences such as Gram Parsons, Delaney and Bonnie, Ry Cooder and The Band.

Very much a 'live act', The Loving Cup's sound was described by Mike Davidson of Gigwise in a review of a Liverpool Barfly gig as "a warm and soulful set of country-influenced rock'n'roll. The Loving Cup possess a mean songwriting ability for creating driving anthems that positively beg to be blaring out from a soft top Chevy cruising Route 66".

www.myspace.com/thelovingcup

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The Novelles are fast establishing themselves as one of the best new indie bands on the thriving Manchester music scene. The band have been described as "the best marriage of big brains and musical brawn in Manc music's long history" by The Manchester Evening News.

The Nouvelles are playing as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming.

www.myspace.com/thenouvelles

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The Amber Sleep consists of anything between one and nine members at any given time.

"With so many moving parts on stage it's like watching an organic engine, Graham Jones' monastic voice providing the engine note. Amber Sleep roll on the waves of their own sound, beautiful classical contemporary folk." - Sandman magazine.

The Amber Sleep are playing as part of The Doghouse at Wychwood programming.

www.myspace.com/theambersleep

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