Me and My Friends
Leeds, England, United Kingdom | SELF
Music
Press
The first band on were the stunning Me and My Friends, a five piece from Leeds, playing an inspiring blend of laid back jazz and folk. The influences sounded one moment Parisian, then Brazilian, then Gypsy, but it was all somehow very much their own sound. Understated bass and percussion lines allowed for the clarinettist, cellist and guitarist/lead singer to create an overall sound that was incredibly full for just five people on mostly acoustic instruments - Now Then Sheffield
Quirky, joyful... a wonderful sound that combines some serious artful tones with a sense of fun... delightful - forfolksake.com
Listening to them is musical sunshine: the artist John Ruskin once remarked that 'one cannot be angry when one looks at a penguin' - it's also true that one cannot be sad when listening to Me and My Friends - digyorkshire.com
“Each member of the band turns their instrument to fresh and unexpected roles, the cello playing pulsating reggae bass lines, the sax sweet, delicate harmonies, the guitar drumming out beats, the djembe unobtrusively embellishing relaxed moments... At the heart of the whole performance is an unselfconscious warmth and obvious delight emanating from the band... a treat” - Leeds Music Scene
Discography
Live video ep performed 18/06/2011 available on youtube channel, youtube.com/meandmyfriends0band
Also our 6-track ep, Bird of Paradise, as Introduced on BBC Leeds!
Photos
Bio
Me and My Friends seamlessly blend together disparate styles into an entrancing, delightful and steaming whole. Charming, delicate folk melodies and sweet, layered vocal harmonies sit alongside syncopated rhythms of reggae, ska, highlife and bossa nova. These unlikely crossings are held together by imaginative musicianship, youthful energy and a heavy dose of sunshine. Me and My Friends are sure to raise a smile, get some hips shaking, and leave you feeling re-vitalised and invigorated.
Sharing stages with the likes of Jesca Hoop, Hannah Peel, Alessi's Ark and the Duke Special, and featured recently by the influential online magazine forfolksake.com, the group have been garnering rave reviews for their unique stylings and have dates booked at Beatherder, Limetree and Musicport festivals!
The band is comprised of slap-happy guitarist and singer Nick Rasle, versatile and lovely cellist Emma Coleman, rowdy rootin' and tootin' clarinettist Sam Murray, badman to tha bottom bassist James Grunwell, and last but certainly not least, beatsmith and riddim-merchant Fred Harper on congas, cajon and his magical bag of percussive tricks.
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