Far from the archetypal bluegrass band, the five-piece’s new album, which consists of 11 originals and 3 covers, is an accomplished collection of genre-busting tracks.strong text
“…effortlessly entertaining …sublime five part harmonies …the pace of their performance is breathtaking – I recommend seeing Flats and Sharps at the earliest opportunity. If you can prove your disappointment, I’ll personally send you a cash refund.” - Mark Ellen – R2 Magazineemphasized text
99 Years live at Purbeck video My Life video
Hailing from Cornwall, in the South West of England, Flats and Sharps blur the lines between Bluegrass, Folk, Country & Pop, and have gained recognition for performing their own highly original songs as well as their renditions of Bluegrass classics. These five incredible young musicians honed their skills in 350 live performances over nearly five years charming and wowing audiences along the way.
The five track ‘Always There’ EP, released in June 2015, drew critical acclaim with R2 (Rock ’n’ Reel) Magazine saying that they were “destined for great things” and ‘Boat’ and ‘It’s OK My Love’ both picking up specialist and daytime UK radio play with the videos for these songs gaining traction on YouTube. The lads recorded a new album in summer 2015 which will be released in early 2016. Entitled ‘King of My Mind’ it breaks new ground instrumentally with added drums and even a Hammond B3 organ and guest performances from BJ Cole on Pedal Steel and a duet featuring emerging singer-songwriter emaé. 3 cover songs are sandwiched between 12 original songs written by Kirk Bowman (Banjo) and Mikey Ponsford (Mandolin). Added to these two Josh Warner (Guitar), Liam Fitzharris (Double Bass) and 2015 addition Danny Hart on Fiddle. ‘King of My Mind’ was recorded in a week at Deep Litter studios, South Devon and was produced by David McEwan who has won awards for his production work on Plan B’s “The Defamation of Strickland Banks” and has a long relationship working with Nitin Sawhney.
Flats and Sharps have come a long way from their humble beginning busking in Penzance as 17 year-olds to performing on the Town Square stage at the Country 2 Country Festival at the O2 in London in March 2015 and at Proms in Hyde Park, London in September 2015, which was recorded for later broadcast on the Bob Harris Country show on BBC Radio 2. Along the way that have played for (and with) the Governor of Kentucky who jumped on stage to play with them, won fans at scores of festivals including Isle of Wight, Maverick and many Bluegrass and Folk Festivals and performed for events for Ralph Lauren and Jack Wills shops in London They were the headline act at the Ireland’s Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival in June 2015. Flats and Sharps are ones to watch out for in 2016 and these five talented young men are clearly going to pick up many fans throughout the year.