We're performing at Weyfest - 6th & 7th September! Discounted tickets are available to our fans by clicking below.
Billy Irvine from Surrey regularly gigs locally and nationally. He can be seen either as a solo performer or with a three/ four piece band.
His playing style has a roots/ blues edge to it with lots of airy open tunings and the use of a boot board for body and percussion. Billy is an original songwriter whose songs are diverse, melodic and contemporary. He dexterously plays National resonator guitars and uses them frequently during solo sets, "I love my National to sound like clashing swords when I play slide!†Equally, he is just at home plugging in a Strat through an old Marshall and turning up the heat.
Billy fell in love with didgeridoos on a trip to Australia around the time of the Millennium. His set now sees him deftly mastering an array of didgeridoos in different keys; he successfully and outstandingly manages to combine these with his vocals, guitars and foot stomp to create a bluesy and unique fusion of remarkably powerful sounds guaranteeing a fully engaged audience breathless with anticipation for more.
Billy’s home recorded debut album Bare Bones, which was professionally manufactured, is not your common or garden offering as he explains, "I always wanted to do a raw old fashioned recording with everything done in one live take, just like the way the old 1930s guys did, but of course with a bit of modern sparkle also!" The whole album was completed in three stages in just one day.
His stripped-down brand of blues draws inspiration from the sounds of: Jimi Hendrix and Bukka White, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Robert Johnson, Son House, Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, Chris Whitley, Ash Dargan, David Hudson, Reef, The Black Crowes and many more.
Billy outsold any other unsigned musician at Guilfest for three consecutive years from 2005; his performance sold an average of £5,500 worth of tickets each year.
2008 will see Billy playing at a number of key venues and festivals as well as writing new material and cutting an electric EP of the album Bare Bones. Billy has commissioned the creation of a video for ‘Right Some Wrong’ which is on target to be ready for June 2008.
“Special mention should be made of Billy Irvine’s roots/blues set, built around the unique use of didgeridoos, guitar with plenty of slide, rhythm boot and a voice which sits perfectly on top.†Geoff Wootton, Petersfield & Bordon Post- review of a gig in April 2008.
Artist management:
Cameron Music Management & PR +44 (0) 7791 957365
Photographs © Nina Duncan
Billy and Natalie Ross sometimes treat audiences to a combined gig, please check gig listings for details. Check out Natalie's page