Josh Bray
 |
Josh Bray | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Devon, UK |
| Genres | Folk Blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Labels | NewTide Records |
| Website | www.joshbray.co.uk |
Josh Bray is a folk blues singer-songwriter born in Devon, currently living in New Hampshire, USA. His debut album Whisky And Wool will be released on March 7, 2011 on NewTide Records. His track 'The River Song' was featured recently in a TV advert for Jack Wills.
Biography
Josh Bray was born in Devon in the south west of England and raised in the north of Dorset.
Whilst at Bristol UWE and living on his brother's sofa, the two Brays had something of an Epiphany whilst watching the Nick Drake documentary, "A Skin too Few". Inspired by the songs featured in that film, the Bray brothers began to unpick the playing style of, at first, Nick Drake and subsequently the plethora of British Folk revival talent that was revealed to them in the course of their studies.
And so it was, that whilst at Law School, Bray began to record his idea in to his Tascam 4 track tape recorder and place them on the then pre eminent social platform, Myspace. It was there that a private investor convinced Bray to drop his studies and make an album so inspired was he by the results of Bray's dabblings.
The resulting album was, Whisky & Wool. Recorded in the winter of 2009 by The Bennet Brothers of Truck Festival fame and featuring many of the Oxford scenes brightest talents as guest performers.
Bray subsequently embarked on the album's promotional work and performed for a number of years around the UK and Europe, supporting the likes of The Parlotones, Matthew Morrison and Jon Allen as well as touring solo in the clubs, pubs and festivals of the UK. He was featured on the Zoe Ball, Dermot O'Leary and Aled Jones shows on BBC Radio 2 a s a live performer and on the Geoff Lloyd show on Absolute Radio. He also performed on BBC London for Robert Elms and Jo Goode and has been played on all major UK radio stations.
Bray had previously delighted in the world of Grunge, punk, metal and post hardcore. Bands such as Alice in Chains, American Football, Rites of Spring, Deftones and Rage Against the Machine to name a few and subsequent to Whisky & Wool, Bray craved the harder, darker edge of the bands of his youth. It was with this in mind that Bray formed alt/indie outfit The BlackWhite with the members of his touring band.
The BlackWhite self produced and released their "Food for the Mouthless" EP in 2014 before disbanding.
Bray now produces and composes music for the Television, film and advertising worlds working with agencies such as BBH and WCRS and clients such as Warburtons, EBay and Jack Wills.
He has worked on BFI Shortlisted feature "Side by Side", also featuring Lorne Balfe, dir. A Landon and the award winning comedy short "Minimus", dir. Jonathan Hopkins.
He is currently working out of Rocking Horse Studios in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, USA as their head of creative media.
Discography
EP
- "Whisky & Wool" (2010)
Albums
- "Whisky And Wool" (Release Date March 2011)
Half of the album was recorded in Truck Studios, run by the Bennet Brothers, members of the critically acclaimed Oxford-based group Danny and The Champions. Whilst the other half of the record was recorded in London’s Apollo Control Studios by renowned producer Howard Gray and Ashley Krajewski. Howard has worked with Tom Jones, Van Morrison, Jimmy Page, U2 and the Cure.
Press
Indie London: “EP of the Week - You really do need to check this guy out.”[1]
BBC Music: "An album that’d sit nicely between solo efforts from the likes of Roddy Woomble and Fyfe Dangerfield, Bray’s debut is a really accomplished, affecting set"[2]
allgigs.co.uk: "I'm certain that at least a Mercury Music Prize Award nomination is surely forthcoming later this year."
External links
- Josh Bray's Website
- The BlackWhite's website
- The BlackWhite - Cut Through the Middle
- The BlackWhite - All of Your Voices