Liverpool Acoustic Live preview – 26th November 2010: Jon Gomm

Jon Gomm is an acoustic singer-songwriter with an incredible virtuoso guitar style, where he uses one acoustic guitar to create drum sounds, basslines and sparkling melodies all at the same time. The emphasis is still on the soulful vocals and songwriting however, and his original material is influenced by everything from Robert Johnson to Radiohead.


His live shows combine deeply personal performances and a natural wit, with a once-seen-never-forgotten two-handed guitar style, both physical and complex, producing sounds people can barely believe are coming from a humble acoustic guitar.Jon first laid his hands on a guitar at the age of two (actually it was a ukulele – his parents couldn’t find a guitar small enough). He wrote his first song at the age of six, and was soon accompanying his father, a music critic, to gigs in his hometown of Blackpool. Touring musicians would often stay at the Gomm household on the understanding Jon would get a guitar lesson, meaning he had one-to-one instruction from such blues legends as Walter Trout and Bob Brozman.


Nowadays he tours Europe, playing at festivals from Rome to Athens, has a huge cult following and is regarded by those in the know as one of the world’s most talented and innovative guitarists. He is already cited as an influence by many other performers. His videos are watched thousands of times within days of appearing on Youtube, and his home-recorded debut album “Hypertension” sold over ten thousand copies with no industry backing. 


His brand new album “Don’t Panic” sold out on Amazon within 5 days, and has already seen Jon covered in the national print media including: The Sunday Express (UK), Akustik Gitarre (Germany), Guitarist (UK), Acoustic (UK), Guitar & Bass (UK), Chitarre (Italy), Blues Matters (UK), Blues & Soul (UK), The Herald (Scotland).


Press quotes
“One of the world’s most successful, gifted and inspirational guitar players” Acoustic Magazine
“Sheer bloody genius… sublime, impassioned songwriting” Sandman Magazine
“We have seen the future of acoustic guitar playing, and it is called Jon Gomm” Blues Matters


Early reviews of the new album “Don’t Panic”
“Once you get over the jaw-dropping manoeuvres and technique, you will be rewarded with some spectacularly beautiful songs.” Blues and Soul magazine
“Pushes the guitar’s envelope, fitting small moments of genius into each and every song” The Sunday Herald
“This is an album of great beauty, outstanding musicianship and fantastic songwriting.” The Music Critic

Yorkshire-born, Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Jo Bywater assumes the form of an innovative and inspired musical force. Solo and acoustic, her tunes are an infection of tasty riffs and blues rawness. A melting pot of styles and influence laced with funk and injected with the rusty edge of vocal honesty. Dynamic, rhythmic, tactile, rockin’ poetry. Her influences, though widely spun, have defined and quenched roots in alternative rock, blues and folk-rock. She has been compared to Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, Dave Matthews and Ani DiFranco.


Jo has played extensively across the UK and is a familiar face on the Liverpool music scene. Festivals include a succession of Liverpool Music Weeks, International Pop Overthrow, Brighton, London, Liverpool and Manchester Prides, Hope Street Feast and London Vegan Festival.


Her solo acoustic debut album ‘Cycle Grace Pulse Break’, released in November 2010, captures both the whispering gentleness and raw power of Jo’s expression. Bluesy, powerful and crafted. The album is available to buy through Jo’s website, various local independent outlets and at live performances.


STOP PRESS: Jo’s album launch will be at Mello Mello on Thursday 9th December. Check out her MySpace profile for more information.