New Zealand singer songwriter, musician and visual artist, Delaney Davidson forged his identity as a figure on the European tour circuit, having been a part of the Voodoo Rhythm Family of Switzerland since 2003. His seminal influence and work with Marlon Williams on their “Sad But True” series as well as his visionary production on Tami Neilson’s acclaimed albums “Dynamite” and “Don’t Be Afraid” have also earned him great praise from the media and huge respect amongst his peers.

Initially inspired by the songs of Hank Williams and the Birthday Party, and the performance styles of distilled Johnny Cash and dead-pan Buster Keaton, Delaney synthesizes this into his own persona. A wry sense of humour, some theatre of unease, and a voice classed as “not conventionally beautiful” all combine to breathe life and space into the niche he has carved out for himself, winning him critical acclaim across the world for his original take on things.

The guitar and harmonica of his simple live show have become his trademark, a small battered suitcase as his props table for the magic show, looping sounds over each other to achieve the full drive of a juke band. Howlin Wolf meets Suicide. Reverbed vocals and the slap back beats he builds with his Ghost Orchestra capture the sound of Chicago’s Chess Records.

Generally dealing with the darker side of things, Davidson’s lyrical content ranges from classic murder ballads to songs with a deeper insight into the human condition and a sympathy and acceptance of the quirks of life and human foibles. Combining the older style of beerhall musician and the traditions of pantomime and audience involvement his live show is renowned for its sublime dance competitions and bawdy sing-alongs.

To use the English vernacular, Michael J. Sheehy has pissed away two or three careers. Alcoholism and his determination to never compromise put paid to his first band - 90s cult rockers Dream City Film Club who released two albums and a handful of EPs on the Beggars Banquet label. The label kept faith with Sheehy and released three critically acclaimed but commercially disastrous solo albums before finally dropping him in 2002. He briefly reappeared again in 2007 releasing two albums on the Glitterhouse label.

In 2011 Sheehy was lucky to escape a fire at his London apartment which gave him the much needed impetus to finally quit drinking. Since then he has been sober, gotten married and become a father. He has continued making music as part of the rock band Miraculous Mule and as one half of psychedelic electronic duo United Sounds of Joy. He is currently working on material for what will be his first solo album in 10 years.