Following on from the release of his debut album Before
We Go To Paradise on Brentford Records, West London singer-songwriter Phil
Martin has lined up a series of dates across the capital. He plays:
27 April 2012 Birkbeck Tavern, 45 Langthorne Rd, London E11
14 June 2012 Left of Centre, Rhum Jungle, Exmouth Market,
London EC1
7 July 2012 St Paul’s church,
Brentford TW8 0PN (with Ian McNabb)
Across ten new recordings, Before We Go To Paradise
presents us with a selection of Phil’s own original songs, alongside the words
of some of England’s greatest poets – Shakespeare, Coleridge, Hopkins, Blake –
recast and reimagined against the emotive, occasionally quirky, background of
Phil’s original music. But much more than this, by incorporating a spare,
gentle background of acoustic guitar, keys and sax, Phil has set out to deliver
a quintessentially English album dwelling on spirituality, resignation and
humour in the modern world.
Having served time on the 80s and 90s indie-folk scene with
Dr Millar & The Cute Hoors and The Shanakies (Blur’s support band of choice
for the Parklife Tour), Phil has latterly been found among the ranks of Vic
Godard & The Subway Sect, Jowe Head & The Demi-Monde, The Bitter
Springs and The Men They Couldn’t Hang. Influenced as much by Jake Thackray as
Marc Bolan, Phil Martin is – in the truest sense – both languid balladeer and
punk demagogue.
Phil begins work on his first full-band album – featuring
numerous guest luminaries from across his career – during the Summer.
Praise for Before We Go To Paradise…
Before We Go To Paradise is an achievement, displaying Phil
Martin’s talents as a lyricist, composer, musician, singer and even artist… a
remarkable album. Pennyblackmusic.com
Phil’s arrangements were spot on… as a writer, he hits
the nail on the head. Well worth investing in…. 8/10 Whisperin’ & Hollerin’
Refreshingly original… Mudkiss
Before We Go To Paradise’ is as fine a piece of songwriting as you'll find
this side of Robb Johnson… FATEA
