Spotlight 84: Friday 25th January 2013 – The Toy Hearts

The first Liverpool Acoustic Live of the New Year is taking place on Friday 25th January and is set to be one of the best music events of 2013 when the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street plays host to the fantastic The Toy Hearts.

The Toy Hearts are no stranger to Liverpool, having enjoyed two sold out appearances at Grateful Fred’s Roots and Acoustic Nights in Formby. Colin Maddocks, Grateful Fred’s organiser, says:-

“The Toy Hearts are my all-time favourite live acoustic band. Each member is a real master of their instrument and together they set the stage on fire. We could have sold out each night twice over. If you can make it, get your tickets now. I promise you will not be disappointed, and this could turn out to be one of the best concerts you will enjoy in 2013.”

The group will be playing two full sets, with support being provided by local musician Marc Sunderland.

• The Toy Hearts
• Marc Sunderland (The Drifting Classroom/Peter and the Wolf)

This Birmingham based sister fronted outfit have been not-so-quietly carving out their own niche in the Americana and Roots music scene for a while now. Since 2006, The Toy Hearts have toured extensively over the UK, Germany, Belgium, France, Holland, and the USA, headlining their own shows, as well as opening for the likes of Robert Plant, Imelda May, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, The Hot Club of Cowtown, Peter Rowan, Tim O’brien & Ricky Skaggs.  They have made 4 albums released on their own label Wood Ville Music. Their last two releases ‘Femme Fatale’ 2010 and ‘Whiskey’ 2012, have received much critical acclaim and demonstrate the band’s ability to pay homage to stalwarts of American Country Music, Bluegrass and Western Swing, while also developing their own unique sound and bringing this music firmly into the 21st Century.

Although it may seem improbable that two young women from the midlands of the United Kingdom would have the ability to produce authentic and innovative Country music, you really should leave those pre-conceptions at the door. They have appeared in multi award winning short film about bluegrass music ‘Fanning The Fire’ made by the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, and they are also the only UK act to have received long list nominations for the past three years as ‘Emerging Artists’ by the International Bluegrass Music Association. 2013 sees the most exciting step in the band’s career so far as they make plans for a new record and a relocation from the heart of England to Austin Texas.

“A solid slab of good time listening” Guitarist Magazine 2012

 

If you get the chance, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, liking their facebook pages, following them on twitter, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible. The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website, and is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting. The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.