kydd www.kyddmusic.co.uk ‘these songs are masterpieces’ Joey Welz, CanadianAmerican records; ‘head and shoulders above most of the music sent to me recently’ - Jacobs Ladder Records; ‘very classy’ Tabloid Records; ‘clear and incisive lyrics, a really tight performance’- BusStop Records Kydd is a five piece consisting of bass, violin, acoustic guitar, drums and keyboards. Live, we reduce to four (bass, drums, acoustic guitar and violin) or even an ambient three piece (acoustic guitar, violin and double bass) The CD ‘Bench’ is fronted by singer/songwriter Jonathan on guitar, whose haunted enunciation has been described as a gravellier Peter Gabriel. The music is a subtle combination of rock/ pop with a Celtic feel (‘Celtic Blues’, in fact, it has been called) but there’s a rocky element fuelled by the dynamic fiddle playing of Dermot Crehan, all Ireland fiddle champion 1992 and contributor to the ‘Lord of the Rings soundtrack. The mixture is underpinned by solid bass and drums in the expert guise of celebrated rhythm twins Ian Thomas and Steve Pierce who play regularly with ex Average White Band guitarist Hamish Stuart amongst many others. The Piano and Hammond which subtly highlights the demo is courtesy of the great Simon Chamberlain who doesn’t like to admit it, but played ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ on the Hearsay number one and can be heard on recent George Fenton and Bjork projects. The horns and harmonica on the demo were played by Martin Winning and Matt Holland, currently playing with Van Morrison, and Nik Payn whose credits include both Van and Bill Wyman’s bands. When not abroad with Mr Morrison, Martin has been known to guest live on three or four tracks, being a big mate of Jonathan’s. Since September 2003 Jonathan has been gigging live in London with the following stonking line-up: On violin - the hugely talented Anna-Phoebe, who has played with Jaimeson and Daniel Bedingfield and was recentlry on Top of The Pops with the Sugababes; singer/songwriter Mal Darwen (with Praying for the Rain for ten years and guitar for various members of Faithless and the Cocteau Twins) is on bass guitar and Justin Scott, who’s played with Ova featuring Moira Lambert of St Etienne and Mekaal Hasan, on drums. Reviews for Jonathan as a songwriter and performer: ‘Phenomenally crafted songs, ingenious lyrics and smooth melodies’ The List ‘the songs are brilliant’ Irish Times; ‘the songs are great Kydd can sing beautifully’ Time Out.