Event

MARTYN JOSEPH

Martyn Joseph is a performer like no other: Shades of Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews there may be - but he stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives delivering his "songs of lyrical intelligence" --- Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

One of the most charismatic and electrifying performers in Britain todaytough and passionate --- Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music

The Oaksong Music Society closes out its twenty-year run with a bang, presenting the amazing Martyn Joseph, direct from Wales. Pete Angwin, President of The Oaksong Music Society said, I first saw Martyn Joseph at the Sisters Folk Festival and he absolutely blew me and the rest of the audience away. I see him every chance I get, and after five years of trying to get him for a show in Redding, its finally happening. I cant think of a more perfect final hurrah for the Oaksong Music Society.

Born and raised in Penarth, Wales, Martyn Joseph is a completely unique and mind blowing artist. Take everything you think you know about singer songwriters.and rip it up. For one man and a guitar he creates a performance with a huge far-reaching sound that is energetic, compelling and passionate. Be it to two hundred people or twenty thousand, he blows the crowd away night after night.

Martyns career spans over 30 years, with 32 albums (with the next one coming this fall), over a half a million record sales and thousands of live performances. His music is hard to categorize- elements of folk, rock, soul, Celtic, funk and Americana are present, but the resulting sound is all his own.

Compared to Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews, he has created his own style and reputation as a mesmerizing live performer and stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives. Driven by passion, social awareness and love for his trade, hes a jaw dropping guitar player who has developed a unique percussive style, teamed up with a powerful show stopping voice, and has been called The Welsh Springsteen

Social justice has an essential presence throughout his music, which has been recognized with various humanitarian awards and plaudits. Concerned with making music that is relevant and vital to his audience, he engages with challenging narratives tackling the complexity of the human condition, underpinned with a promise of hope. In his own words Really what I do is to try and write songs that might step up and make some sense of a moment in time. A good song makes you feel like youre not alone in the world.

In 2013 Martyn released a CD of Bruce Springsteen songs, Tires Rushing By In The Rain, to great public and critical acclaim in both the United Kingdom and the United States, with the glowing endorsement of Dave Marsh, acclaimed American music critic, official Springsteen biographer and close friend of the Boss himself.

2014 saw him take the spirit of his music onto a more practical footing with the launch of his Let Yourself Trust, a not-for-profit organization which aims to make a small difference out of great love and commitment by challenging injustice wherever its found, educating via advocacy, campaigning for human rights, and raising issues that have been forgotten or ignored via fundraising initiatives, thus bringing about greater awareness for beautiful people in powerless situations. Hes also Patron of Advantage Africa and Festival Spirit in the UK and Project Somos in Canada/Guatemala.

He has won the love of audiences from USA and Canada to Europe through an impressive number of live dates, and has previously toured with the likes of Art Garfunkel, Jools Holland, Ani DiFranco, Suzanne Vega, Mike and The Mechanics, Joan Armatrading, Celine Dion and Shirley Bassey. He is hailed as a raconteur weaving tales on topical concerns, as well as stories on the fragility of love, with a magical ability to reach out to his listeners through his passion and humor. Reviews single him out as an unmissable solo performer whose music stays with you long after the show has ended.

http://www.martynjoseph.net/