Martin Harley Martin Harley London Esteemed UK Roots artist Martin Harley announces a new single ‘Roll with the punches’ ahead of an upcoming album of the same name in time for an impressive headline European Tour which includes London’s Union Chapel. The (title track) single drops Friday 2nd August (Martins Birthday for good luck) and you can check out the brand new video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N5S8w580KY For 2019, British guitarist and songwriter Martin Harley is making a change. Having created a deep impression on the acoustic blues roots and Americana scene with his last two Nashville recorded albums, his highly anticipated new record finds a more electric, band driven, direction with an intimate and gritty analogue album, recorded in a remote chapel deep in the wilds of Pembrokeshire. The album features Harley's trademark fine songwriting, with county blues riffs and electric bottleneck slide guitar a plenty, served with sweet vocal harmonies over the driving rhythms of co producer and drummer Harry Harding (Yola Carter/William the Conquerer), and Award winning Australian bassist Rex Horan (Eric Clapton, Van Morrison & Laura Marling), with Hammond maestro Jonny Henderson (Robyn Ford/Matt Schofield) adding extra sparkle on 6 of the tracks. Through Harley's road worn songwriting style, this record explores hopes and fears for fast changing times, offering gospel like comfort and consolation. The song 'Roll with the Punches' implores the listener not to get dragged down when challenges seem unsurmountable. ‘Coming Home' asks questions beyond the end of life and ruminates on freedom from worldly desires. "Harley's energy onstage is enough to resurrect images of blues greats such as Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf." Grammy.com About the single ‘Roll with the Punches’ Martin reports; ‘It is inspired by the notion that a positive mindset can help people deal with life’s problems, however big all small. It urges us to not get dragged down by other peoples judgements, to have strength and take pride in out own journey’. Speaking of the journey, if success can be measured by growing global demand to attend Martins dynamic life performances then perhaps his touring schedule is proof of that. He recently played to full house at the Union Chapel in Islington and has appeared at Edmonton, Vancouver, Canmore and Calgary folk festivals in Canada, Glastonbury, Bestival, Beautiful days in the UK, numerous European and US tours and events including the AMAs, The Bluebird in Nashville and Tønder in Denmark In 2018 Total guitar ranked him #16 in the worlds greatest acoustic guitarist poll and he was nominated as Instrumentalist of the year at the Americana music awards.
