Promoter Focus: Mellowtone

Image: Kathryn Williams

Mellowtone have been guiding lights on the Liverpool acoustic and folk scene for what seems like an eternity, and their monthly showcases circumvent the best across the spectrum of the music genre. They're a big part of the Threshold Festival at the tail end of the Month in the city, a perfect fit for the grass roots celebration of Liverpool arts and music, but in fitting style they've got four events of their own to push forward before that comes around. 

Paul Straws live @ LEAF Friday 21st February

Paul Straws is a Liverpool-based guitar, piano, ukulele and mandolin playing singer-songwriter- although he doesn't play them all at once! His songs include melodies from these instruments and tell tales of love, loss and betrayal. 

As well as showcasing his music, the multi-instrumentalist will reveal his hand-drawn animation for his new song, “You Wouldn't See It That Way”, at a launch party at LEAF, Bold Street, 21st February, in association with Mellowtone. The humorous animation was created and then brought together entirely by Paul. Championed by Dave Monks (BBC Introducing), you catch your tickets here.

Paper Aeroplanes live @ Kazimier Wednesday 26th February

Welsh folk duo Paper Aeroplanes head to the Kazimier on Wednesday 26th February, bringing their joyous harmonies, honest song writing and reflective topics to the fore. Last year saw the release of Little Letters to strong rcritical acclaim, this the chance for fans of the release to catch the duo live.

 They will be supported Cousin Jac, Echo & the Bunnymen keyboardist and boasting a sound described as "Whole grain church organ pop meets progressive bluegrass arrangements", and the Beaten Tracks DJs, with all ticketing details at this link.

Stefan Melbourne & Micheal reeve live @ The Shipping Forecast, Thursday 13th March

Mellowtone hotfoot to the Shipping Forecast and drift towards a more bluesy soundscape, with the presence of Stefan Melbourne at the centre. Described as a gravelly Tim Buckley, he's also been compared to Ray Lamontagne and Bon Iver, with praise coming from Clash, Louder than War and Pull up the Roots. Tickets here.

Kathryn Williams live @ LEAF, Wednesday 19th March

The final event of the month sees them once again at LEAF with singer-songwriter extraordinaire Kathryn Williams. The former Mercury Music Prize nominee has been an indelible presence on the alt folk scene since the 1990s, her first album Dog Leap Stairs recorded for a paltry £80 and setting off a singer of constant artistic development.

Whether creating children songs as part of the Crayonettes or the beautiful covers opus Relations, she's constantly been a standard bearer for the more heartfelt moments of popular music. This is the chance to catch her in the gloriously intimate confines of LEAF, making he rmusic more immediate and joyous. Tickets here.

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