An evening of solid kicks and red hot licks!

We are delighted to announce that on the 4th May 2012 at 8pm, one of the Uk’s most exciting country/bluegrass/western swing bands, who are undoubtedly one of the country’s finest live groups, The Toy Hearts will be playing at the Ivybridge Watermark to celebrate the release of their fourth studio album ‘Whiskey’.

The Toy Hearts have been making music together for over ten years, Sisters Hannah (lead vocal/mandolin) and Sophia (guitar/harmony vocals) front the band, and along with their father Stewart (banjo/dobro) they carry on the established tradition of the family aspect within country music. Blood harmonies, original songwriting and arrangements, instrumental virtuosity and a deep love for that high lonesome sound means that despite being geographically removed from the bluegrass state, the Johnson family have successfully created their own kind of sound that encompasses both Bill Monroe in Kentucky with a dash of hot club straight from the Continent. They have honed their skills the hard way by gigging across the UK, USA and Europe, the result being that they deliver an exciting, energetic and dynamic live show, packed with just the right amounts of sweetness, sass and style.

The new record ‘Whiskey’ is an original mix of old and new material, The Toy Hearts prove their songwriting worth with more than just a nod to the good old country tradition of ‘the drinking song’, while also including in their own takes of material by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Ronnie Self, Moon Mullican, Bessie Smith and Wayne Hancock. The new record, and indeed their live show, is as sincere as it gets: their love for the music they play and the conviction of their delivery far exceeds any simple mimicry of American music. They manage to tip their hats to their influences from Bluegrass, Western Swing, Country, Rockabilly & Blues, while making their own mark, and having their own distinct style, which is quite different to that of those whom inspire them. From the heartbreak in Hannah’s voice, to her sister’s take-no-prisoners guitar playing, to their father Stewarts multi instrumental talents, this unlikely trio demonstrate what it really means to want to play this kind of music and truly love doing so.

This Birmingham based outfit have been not-so-quietly carving out their own niche in the Americana and Roots music scene for a while now, so if you haven’t been to one of their shows before you are in for a real treat, there brilliant musicianship and stunning stagecraft combine to leave audiences gasping for more. And, although it may seem improbable that two young women from the midlands would have the ability to produce authentic and innovative Country music, you really should leave those pre-conceptions at the door.
With an extensive UK tour, and with fans in people as diverse as Bob Harris, Ronnie Wood, Rob da Bank, and Imelda May isn’t it time you saw them for yourself?

Tickets are £12/£11 Box Office 01752 892220