Johnny Flynn 'Leftovers'

25-01-2008 12:44

2007 was a hell of a year for Johnny Flynn. Releasing three acclaimed singles ('The Ballad Of Tom and Sue' and 'Ode To A Mare Trod Ditch' on Young & Lost Club and 'The Box' on his new home, Vertigo), wowing crowds from Buffalo Bar to Bestival, from the End Of The Road festival to the Royal Albert Hall (together with his band The Sussex Wit) and recording his debut album in the Autumn made for a busy year.But if 2007 was the year when word began to spread about this prodigiously talented 24 year old, then 2008 is the year that those whispers become a chorus.Johnny Flynn's music is brimming over with heart, soul and intelligence. Drawing on diverse influences - The Pixies, Vaughn Williams and anti-folk pioneer Dianne Cluck are all name checked on his Myspace page - Johnny draws on a century's worth of folk, blues and country to create a sound that dwells profoundly in the now. Acknowledging his debt to these musical traditions but never being overwhelmed by them, Johnny Flynn offers an alternative of substance to those who have grown sick of flimsy singer songwriters and their inane observations.Johnny Flynn spent much of the autumn deep in the Seattle countryside recording his debut album with producer Ryan Hadlock (The Gossip, The Strokes, Regina Spektor) at his secluded Bear Creek studio. Here they managed to capture the raw energy of Johnny Flynn and The Sussex Wit's live shows, underpinning the acoustic guitar, cello and ukulele with muscular drums and bass. New single 'Leftovers' provides a revealing taste of what's to come: Johnny's rich melodies and lyricism are driven onwards by a pounding rhythm section.Live Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit are a sight to behold - think Nick Drake fronting The Pogues at the Underage Festival and you're nearly there. After a Summer of rapturously received festival performances, and Autumn tours with Jack Penate and Iron & Wine, Johnny and band head out on their first headline tour of the UK this February, swiftly followed by a stint supporting Laura Marling on her UK tour.

Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit Live

Headline Tour 24 Jan 2008 School of Art, Winchester 27 Jan 2008 Nice & Sleazy, Glasgow 28 Jan 2008 Cluny, Newcastle 30 Jan 2008 Glee Club, Birmingham 31 Jan 2008 Ruby Lounge, Manchester 1 Feb 2008 Adelphi, Leeds 2 Feb 2008 Bunkers Hill, Nottingham 4 Feb 2008 Jericho Tavern, Oxford 5 Feb 2008 Hamptons, Southampton 6 Feb 2008 The Albert, Brighton 7 Feb 2008 Luminaire, London 9 Feb 2008 Louisiana, Bristol 10 Feb 2008 Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff 12 Feb 2008 Graduate, Cambridge 13 Feb 2008 Auntie Annie’s, Belfast 14 Feb 2008 Roisin Dubh, Galway 15 Feb 2008 Cyprus Avenue, Cork 16 Feb 2008 Crawdaddy, Dublin

on tour with Laura Marling 4 Mar 2008 Oran Mor, Glasgow 5 Mar 2008 Glee Club, Birmingham 6 Mar 2008 Union Chapel, London 7 Mar 2008 Trinity Arts Centre, Bristol 8 Mar 2008 Academy 2, Manchester

Watch the Johnny Flynn video.