Description

When Josienne Clarke signed to the illustrious independent music champions Rough Trade Records, its founder Geoff Travis told The Guardian that she writes, 'songs that rearrange your internal emotional landscape reinventing the popular song structure'.

With a rare gift for poetic melancholy, Josienne's songs have also been described as 'extraordinary' (Mojo), 'gently exquisite' (The Observer) and 'full of depth' (The Telegraph). While the world music bible Songlines said, 'Clarke's dark, complex imagery in the lyrics pushes the songs into rich metaphorical territory, one of the heart and of self-enquiry'. American Songwriter magazine named Josienne one of the best songwriters of 2016.

Having been awed by a live performance at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, 6 Music DJ Cerys Matthews arranged for Josienne to act and sing in The National Theatre's revival of Timberlake Wertenbaker's Our Country's Good. In addition to performing on the Olivier stage each night in a role specially created for her Josienne contributed two of her own songs to the play. In their review of the acclaimed production, The Financial Times said, 'Josienne Clarke sings like a haunted angel'. It marked the start of a continued relationship with the National Theatre which has included composing songs for a new adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen, with acclaimed young playwright Zoe Cooper.

With an elegant, nuanced and emotionally affecting singing style (Cerys Matthews described her as having a voice that can 'trickle back over centuries') Josienne has frequently been compared to the great Sandy Denny, but present too are elements of Nina Simone and Gillian Welch; all three are important influences on her work.

Expanding beyond the folk music for which she was first known, Josienne has partnered with rising star jazz pianist Kit Downes to release the Such A Sky EP. And her friendship with London-based Scottish singer songwriter Samantha Whates has bloomed into new group PicaPica, whose debut album will be released by Rough Trade. fRoots magazine has already described the band's sound as 'originally exciting'.

In the last two years, Josienne has supported the great Richard Thompson on a dream-come-true tour of the UK and opened for the legendary Robert Plant in Europe. The summer of 2018 saw her perform with guitarist Ben Walker at some of the UK's best-loved festivals, including Latitude, Larmer Tree and End Of The Road. She even found herself in demand as a writer and broadcaster, contributing to Standard Issue magazine and appearing on BBC Radio 3's The Verb to discuss her pet subject melancholy, alongside poet Simon Armitage.

With several new records and theatrical productions to look forward to in 2019, Josienne Clarke remains one of the most impressive, accomplished and downright heart-breaking singers, lyricists and composers we've got

Antonia Kirby.Antonia is a solo singer-songwriter from Warwickshire, whose original songs are known for being emotionally exposing and her voice both memorable and evocative.

She has been described as one of the most charismatic, dynamic and beautiful voices currently working the acoustic circuit and affectionately referred to by some as songbird.

Having previously supported The Sam Kelly Trio locally, as well as other well loved local artists, she enjoys supporting and promoting the live and local scene, whether as an artist or member of the audience and is passionate about keeping live music loved, alive and available

PLEASE NOTE: Not a Comfy & Acoustic show

Description

Coventry's comfiest used bookshop serving lunch, wine, beer and folk music.

A place to Discuss, Learn, Play and Create.
Based at the new creative village Fargo in Coventry, The Big Comfy Bookshop provides thousands of second hand books of all genres with the added extra of cake, coffee and tea and even a licensed bar! We've also now added a lunchtime menu.

Established since 2012, The Big Comfy Bookshop houses thousands of books from pulp crime fiction through to travel, art, cooking and all in between. With hundreds of shelves bulging with books, there's something for everyone.

Open 7 days a week, while-away a few hours in our relaxed environment with a cup of coffee and homemade cake, or even treat yourself to our freshly made jacket potatoes.

In the evening we transform our space to host music, poetry, book clubs and more, with our bar serving real ales and wine, a great alternative night out.

With an ever changing selection of books and an eclectic event schedule, The Big Comfy Bookshop is a destination to return to again and again.

Fargo Village, Far Gosford Street,

Coventry,

West Midlands,

England,

CV1 5ED.