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Sporting a worn-out chocolate waist-coat, tartan flares and a ruby-red paisley tie for a belt, Ashley Hicklin is certainly a quirky little character. He could well have just stepped out of a classic novel – imagine Dickens smothered in Bronte romanticism, with a contemporary twist – folksy Irish blood, a Northern English heart and a classical training in operatic vocal performance. Here is a devastatingly talented singer-songwriter living in a secret ‘never-never’ land of his own – “Parrysland†– the string-quartet-based debut record in which lullaby dreams can swiftly dissolve into nightmarish realities. With a distinct vocal twang, a battered old grand piano, twinkling bells, 60s acoustic guitars, celtic harps, lyrical oboe, a driven rhythm section and the notoriously raucous string quartet, Ashley Hicklin & The Troubadours have carefully sculpted rootsy and heart-warming songs into a timeless sound-world of orchestral pop majesty – a dynamic musicality that speaks compassion and sensitivity.
Yet, in a life consumed by divergent musical adventures, Ashley’s tale is no text-book singer-songwriter progression; as a successful classical composer, he grafted his way into the highly revered ranks of Leeds College of Music alumni, having concert-hall works premiered by the world-renowned classical ensembles he aspired to - Whilst waving a baton at the likes of London Sinfonietta, the Goldberg Ensemble and the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, this natural, prodigious young talent was synonymously forging himself a solid reputation as a “mainstream meets leftfield†songster, gigging up and down the country in a rusty 1969 camper van, both as a solo artist and with his trusty Troubadours. From the Royal Albert Hall to the Carling Academy, Ashley found himself in a dual-purpose musical lifestyle, living in Leeds, but working in the heart of London’s vibrant music scene.
The making of a ‘BBC Introducing’ live video sparked some serious industry interest. With the backing of a new management deal, the band relocated to the capital and blitzed the city of smoke with memorable live showcase dates in some of the UK’s most prestigious music venues. Three months later, Peter Ende (the CEO of EMI Europe) personally signed Ashley on a new and exciting breed of Worldwide Publishing Deal, with exceedingly favorable terms for Ashley as a song-writer. A major record deal is currently being negotiated, and Ashley is very proud to be working closely with KRMB Management, building a secure international team to support his project and the great things to come. The eagerly awaited debut album ‘Parrysland’ is being recorded in Hamburg with acclaimed producer Franz Plasa (www.home-studios.com), followed by international tour-dates not to be missed.
More information about Ashley Hicklin & The Troubadours can be found via the new website:www.ashleyhicklin.com
You can also follow all the latest news on the making of the debut album "Parrysland" via the blog:www.ashleyhicklin.vox.com
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Peter Ende (CEO of EMI Europe)... ... "An Exceptional Talent, i've not heard anything like this in years..."
XFM (Marsha Shandur)... ... "Awfully Good! Major Mainstream Potential!"
City Showcase (London)... "When we saw him perform at City Showcase we were seriously impressed, incredibly talented, very distinctive voice. This guy is going places..."
Winner of Leeds 'Bright Young Things' 2006
Will Jackson (Producer for Coldplay, Embrace, Kaiser Chiefs)... ... "great songwriting, good strings & acoustic vibe... it's all there potentially. It just needs someone to cough up and make it happen!!!!"
Leeds Music Scene... "Orchestral Majesty that compelled at every moment"
The Leeds Guide... "Devastatingly talented"
Channel M... "Unique vocals that stand out from the crowd..."
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