News

Invitation from City of Lights

After seeing Dylan perform at one of his gigs, Sean from City of Lights contacted him with an out-of-the-blue offer to appear as a supporting act at the prestigious launch of their new Album.
City of Lights are one of the leading groups in the area. The band performed their first ever live gig in August 2011 to an attentive, packed out venue supporting The Dunwells. The three piece band consists of Matt Dunwell, Guitar; Sean Howey on Drums and recent addition, bassist Ashley Howey.
The past few months have seen ‘City of Lights’ gig extensively around the UK, including The Bedford, in London, Brooklands Radio's, Live Lounge to name a few. The band have also gained the official stamp of approval for their latest release 'Was It All Worth It?’ from the widely acclaimed, Alan Raw on BBC radio. Tickets £10, are available for their launch party via the City of Lights Facebook page and will be exchanged for a copy of the album on the night. Advanced bookings only as availability is limited.

Dylan plays Holmfirth Festival

Dylan has been busy during January and has not been able to do a lot of gigs, but don't worry he's back on the circuit now. You can catch him at the usual local venues (See Events Page) and in May he will be appearing at the Holmfirth Festival of Folk (Visit Here). Dylan will be appearing on Saturday 12th May, but the festival itself starts on Friday 11th and ends Sunday.
Holmfirth is a significant annual event on the Folk and Acoustic scene. This year's line-up will include Dylan's old friends Rosie Doonan and Roger Davies as well as many of the regions top folk groups and artists.

Dylan on the BBC

Dylan was invited by Andrew Edwards to do a guest appearance on his BBC Radio Leeds afternoon show on Tuesday 13th December.
It was Roger Davies, a regular guest on the show, who gave Andrew a copy of Dylan's Christmas EP and suggested him as a guest. As usual, Dylan handled the studio and the interview in his normal relaxed style and performed his Christmas song live. He also managed to break the mould by getting his mum along to say a few words too.
You can listen to the show on BBC iPlayer until the 18th December - just follow this link.

With Miranda Sykes

Dylan was privileged to be one of only a couple of floor singers invited to do a spot at Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston's appearance at Topic Folk Club Bradford on December 8th.
He made an impression on Miranda who had a long conversation with him in the break and was kind enough to remark on stage that Dylan was an inspiration to others writing beautiful lyrics so young.
Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston are currently on a tour of the UK amd Germany to promote their debut album and Topic Folk Club was one of over 30 one-night appearances they will have made between October and next February. Do please pay a visit to their website.

Out with Empress

Dylan's old friends Empress Rock Band have asked Dylan along to support them in their Christmas Special gig at The Vulcan in Huddersfield on Sunday 11th December.
Dylan and the band have been mates almost since he started out. They were the first to recognise Dylan's talent and have been supportive ever since.
Louise, Empress' lead singer makes her own special appearance as Miss March in the Frock of the North calendar, available at any Empress gig or the Rock of the North web site. At only £5 and with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK, this is the best chance you are going to get to see Louise wearing only a vintage V6 guitar donated by JHS - and you'll have the chance to win that too (the guitar, not Louise)..

Back on the Airwaves

Dylan has again been invited by host Bill Horncastle to feature in the Fox's Den Show on Vixen101 FM in their Christmas Special on 30th December.
Dylan was first at Vixen back in April and had a very successful session with Bill and the gang. This time he will be featuring his Christmas EP Come Back to Me (this Christmas Eve) which you will be able to hear on the show or pick up your own copy at any of Dylan's gigs. www.vixen101.co.uk

Christmas Single

Dylan is bringing out a christmas EP with his own song Come Back to Me (this Christmas Eve).
Like most of Dylans work, this is a heartfelt song dedicated to his uncle who passed away and won't be with us this Christmas.
The EP, which also includes Dylans well-liked My Hero and Morley Song will be available at his gigs from December 1st.

In the News again

Thanks to the guys at Wild Child Media for their recognition and kind words. Wild Child Media is a really cool web magazine that specialises in "reviewing products, services, events, lifestyle, music and also updating you with any news we just plain and simply find interesting!". Check out what they had to say about Dylan at www.wildchildmedia.co.uk and take a look at the rest of the e-zine and top photographer Michael Walker.

Supporting Rosie Doonan

Dylan was invited by Emma McPartlan Tate to support Rosie Doonan in the Acoustic Revolution at The Adelphi in Leeds on Saturday 29th October. This event, organised by Emma, showcases acoustic bands and solo artists from all over the country for a door-fee of only £2.
Dylan first met Rosie Doonan over a year ago and they have become firm friends following several appearance at her open mic nights. Rosie is currently promoting her second album, Pot of Gold, while her first, Moving On, which earned her a Radio 2 Folk Award Nomination. continues from strength to strength.  We now wish her all the best as she departs for a tour of America with Peter Gabriel. Check out Rosie's website at http://www.rosiedoonan.com.

Almost Famous

On October 12th, Dylan made an appearance on Radio Poplar's Almost Famous show with host Jon Mann.
Dylan was invited  to guest on the show a couple of months ago. He was looking forward to adding to his growing list of radio guest spots and was very comfortable fending Jon's light-hearted questioning and playing several of his songs live on air. The fact that he has been invited back to do another spot sometime next year sums up an evening enjoyed by all. More photos in the Gallery.

With Troubadors at Henry Boons

Back in March we reported that Dylan was honoured to have been asked by Steve Chapman Smith to appear with the Troubadors at one of their prestigious acoustic nights at Henry Boons in Wakefield. These are normally booked up at least a year in advance, but Steve was so keen to have Dylan there that the gig took place on Thursday 29th September and was a great success (see Gallery).
Troubadors play an eclectic mix of Americana, Folk, Bluegrass and roots.
They have been busy promoting their album Stolen Time and have recorded sessions for BBC Radio Leeds and Liverpool as well as making a video for their song Broken Bridge.

Originals Honoured

Tytania, one of the biggest Leeds-based bands who have established their name touring throughout the country, first saw Dylan perform at Churfest and were so taken with him that they called specially to invite him to perform at the Originals Night they were planning for 6th October at Brooklands Bar, Batley.
This was strictly for artists who perform their own music and Dylan was very pleased to have been recognised. Much as he enjoys doing cover versions, his real interest, and a large part of his talent, is in writing his own stuff. See the Gallery for photos.
Tytania were so impressed with Dylan's performance  that they have now invited him to join them at one of their prestige performances in Hull. Watch the News Page for times and dates.

 

Dylan continues his support of Charities

Dylan's next charity gig, at the invitation of organiser Neil Atkinson, will be at the Blue Light in Wakefield in support of Cancer Research.
He is now well known as a supporter of many charities and has earned a mention on the Rock of The North website for his good work. Among the charities that Dylan has supported by his appearances are; Yorkshire Cancer Research; Candlelighters; Help for Heroes and Ben Manning's Music Foundation.
In August he will be appearing at Wicket Fest (Morley) in support of Jane Tomlinson Foundation and Help for Heroes, in September he will be one of the guest performers at The Tarn at Yeadon for the big Rock of The North Cancer Charity event and in October for Candlelighters at Ackroyd St. WMC.

Building 21 Madfest - Folk Festival

Dylan has been invited by the organiser, Hedley Jones (left), to play at the 2011 Building 21 Madfest to be held on 2-3-4 of September at Elsecar Heritage Centre, Barnsley.
Hedley organised the Barnsley Acoustic Festival at which Dylan carried off the Rising Stars Award, and has kept in close touch since, hence this invitation to appear with some of the top performers in the acoustic folk scene. He will be playing on the centre stage at 2:15 on Saturday (3rd) and again in the marquee later.
The stars he will be joining include, Barbara Dickson Band; Turin Brakes; Boy on Dolphin, The Outside Tracks; Amy Wadge & Pete Riley; Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman and many more.
It's going to be a great weekend, so come along. Madfest

Back In Blackpool

Following Dylan's success at Stanley Park in May, Lee Robson, director of All Round Music, invited Dylan to perform in Blackpool again.
This time he was participating in the Blackpool Variety Show at Layton Institute on Monday 1st August.

On Radio Aire at Leeds Waterfront Festival

As part of the Leeds Waterfront Festival on Saturday 25th June, Radio Aire Invited applications for their Open Mic event at centre stage in Armouries Square, Clarence Dock. This opportunity to perform before an audience of thousands, not to mention Radio Aire's vast listening audience, was keenly contested. No problem for Dylan who was, of course, one of the ten chosen for this great event. -  Leeds Waterfront Festival

Supporting Kieran Halpin

While starring at the Morley Folk Club last year, Kieran Halpin saw Dylan do a couple of songs and was so impressed that he sought Dylan out for a chat. Since then he has kept in touch and as a big fan, Dylan has been to his gigs. The outcome was that Kieran invited Dylan along to support him at The Red Shed, Wakefield on Saturday June 11th. (See Gallery).
Since 1979 Kieran Halpin has recorded 17 albums, one live DVD and published 2 songbooks with 50 songs in each book. He is a successful songwriter with many of his songs covered by other artists such as Ilse De Lange, Vin Garbutt, Dolores Keane, Tom McConville, Niamh Parsons, The Battlefield Band, Flossie and the late John Wright. In fact his songs are performed in clubs, pubs and concert halls throughout the world. He has recorded albums in his native Ireland, Scotland, London, Nashville and Sydney. www.kieranhalpin.com

We Won Rising Stars!

Dylan has scooped first place at the Barnsley Acoustic Roots Festival !!!
The festival is a major event in the acoustic calendar and Dylan scooped first place in the Rising Star competition against twelve other musical talents.  The judges said that it had been a close competition with a great deal of talent on display but Dylan’s freshness and easy-going appeal, along with his ability to write his own songs as well as perform them had swung the decision.
The fact that it was Mother’s Day weekend can’t have gone unnoticed on competition Saturday as he performed his winning entry, My Hero, the self-penned song about his mum which one judge said had moved her to tears. His reward was to sing the song again on Mother’s Day itself as he led off in support of headline acts Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman (photo left) in the event’s closing Sunday concert. Part of his easy-going appeal being to embarrass his mum into taking a bow before receiving the award itself.
Also appearing in this top quality line-up were Sharon King & the Reckless Angels; Vin Garbutt; Larkin Poe; Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts; Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman and Kayla Kavanagh. All in all quite a weekend and a big success for Dylan, but it doesn't end there - another part of the award was an invitation to appear on the main stage at Shepley Spring Festival - an even bigger event coming up in May.   Watch on YouTube

Dylan Invited by Troubadour

Steve Chapman Smith of top band The Troubadours caught Dylan at the Acoustic Rotherham event and was so impressed with the songwriting abilities and stage presence of someone so young that he got in touch the following day with an invitation to appear in one of their acoustic nights at Henry Boons in Wakefield . These are normally booked up at least a year in advance, but Steve was so keen to have Dylan there that he arranged it for Thursday 29th September 2011.
Troubadors play an eclectic mix of Americana, Folk, Bluegrass and roots. They have been busy promoting their album Stolen Time and have recorded sessions for BBC Radio Leeds and Liverpool as well as making a video for their song Broken Bridge. Check out their MySpace page.

Dylan on the Airwaves in April

Dylan and his music were invited by host Bill Horncastle to feature in the Fox's Den Show on Vixen101 FM on the 22nd April.
The show consists of three hours of unsigned music - local, national and international - and there is always a guest singing live in the studio. Unlike other live on air shows, the guests are included as part of the show, giving them the full three hours on-air - so a good chance for Dylan's many fans to get up close and personal.
Vixen101 is a small station broadcasting in the East Riding, but it is bang in the centre of the thriving folk scene around Beverley and features both live and download podcast, so you will be able to listen in on the net - check it out at www.vixen101.co.uk

Old Friends - New Gigs

Dylan and Rockweiler have been friends for a while, but Rachel has now asked if he will do a few more support spots at their gigs.
The band are growing fast in popularity and Dylan will be joining them at Yeadon Tarn; Duck & Drake at Leeds; Montys at Harrogate and the Golden Lion at Pudsey over the next few months - Keep an eye on the EVENTS pages for the dates. And keep an eye on Rockweiler too at their website http://www.rockweilerband.com

Dylan Meets Phil Beer

When Dylan visited Birdsedge to see the multi-talented, multi-instrumental Phil Beer, it wasn't long before he started chatting to his fellow musician.
That led to Phil very kindly offering to swap CDs with Dylan, with the promise that he would look forward to listening to it on the way to his next solo gig, having taken a break from Show of Hands.
A dazzling instrumentalist, Phil Beer is perhaps best known as a top flight fiddler and plays in the all-star line-up, Feast of Fiddles. But his skills don't stop there - he also plays slide, Spanish and tenor guitar, mandocello, viola, mandolin and South American cuatro, not to mention contributing rich vocals.
Easy to understand why Dylan is a fan, and now it looks as though he may have gained another important one of his own.

Dylan Invited to Support Top Act in March

Roger Davies, winner of the 2009 LMPA Best Male Solo Album Award for The Busker.
This top acoustic singer/songwriter personally invited Dylan to guest at one of his local appearances at the Red Shed in Wakefield in March - (visit the LINKS page to explore Roger Davies' website).
Roger has crafted his skill as a songwriter, singer and guitarist into something impressive, direct and uncluttered. Every song on his second album Northern Trash is a standout.
www.rogerdaviesmusic.com

New Recordings

Dylan spent the day with Ben Dews at DPS Recording studio in Morley and laid down two new tracks, that you can find on our MUSIC page and which will also feature on his forthcoming second CD.
Mona Lisa is a cover and Come Back to Me is the latest of Dylan's own work, featuring a harmonica riff.
Enjoy.
www.dpsleeds.com