Irish singer-songwriter Foy Vance will release his new four-track Melrose EP digitally on August 28th via Communion Records, the UK-based label founded by Mumford & Sons member Ben Lovett.
In support of the Melrose EP, Foy Vance has an exciting US tour lined up this fall opening for label mate Michael Kiwanuka, kicking off September 18th in New York at Webster Hall and ending October 9th in Los Angeles at John Anson Ford.
He will then return to the UK for a run of dates opening for Brit Award winner, Ed Sheeran.
The Melrose EP is a collaboration between Foy and acclaimed producer David Holmes as the score for Terry George's 2012 Academy Award winning short film The Shore.
Lead track "Be The Song" has been featured on television shows Private Practice, House and Vampire Diaries. For a taste of the EP, Foy Vance is giving away the track "Something in the Water", which can be found on his official website (link below).
The Melrose EP is Foy's first of two film scores for Terry George, a second entitled "Whole Lotta Sole," and is the first body of new material in a handful of years. He will release a full-length solo album in early 2013.
Foy Vance was born in Bangor, Northern Ireland in 1974, and soon after, his minister father moved the family to Oklahoma, deep in the U.S. Bible Belt.
Foy spent the first five years of his life in the American South, learning basic guitar patterns from his father and observing first hand thecross-racial friction, harmony and disharmony that gave rise to jazz, blues and soul. Drawn particularly to the spiritual aspect of those music forms, Foy took his cues from the likes of Otis Redding and Nina Simone, adjusting his own guttural singing style accordingly.
Musically, Vance draws as much from the British folk tradition as he does American music; this influence manifests itself in the rhythmic, invariably alternately tuned, acoustic guitar style that is almost as prominent a melodic voice on much of his work as piano or vocals. His distinctive Northern Irish lilt finds an obvious point of comparison in similarly styled compatriot Van Morrison.
Foy's reputation as one of Ireland's most exciting songwriters is evident in the praise for his talent.
"One of the most soulful and powerful singers and writers I've heard in a long while" - Bonnie Raitt
"An unbelievable voice...in the premier league of British songwriters." - The Sunday Times
"The missing link between Richie Havens and Stevie Wonder." - The Independent
"A gospel fueled Pearl Jam" - What's On In London
"Foy's a giant" - Pete Townshend
Foy Vance US Tour Dates Fall 2012 Supporting Michael Kiwanuka:
(Dates and information subject to change.)
September 18 - New York, NY at Webster Hall
September 19 - Boston, MA at Paradise Rock Club
September 20 - Philadelphia, PA at Trocadero
October 5 - Seattle, WA at Showbox at the Market
October 6 - Portland, OR at Wonder Ballroom
October 7 - San Francisco, CA at The Independent
October 9 - Los Angeles, CA at John Anson Ford
For the latest tour dates, music and more, please go to:
Foy Vance Official Website