Description

Black Tar Roses are a Dark Folk/ Americana band from Plymouth, UK, playing authentic, original music with a rootsy feel and a gritty edge.

This 5 piece band consists of songwriter Darren Long and his wife Sally, Dr John Maddock, a luthier, mandolin and banjo player; Anna Crabtree on violin and Ian Stewart on bass. Josiah J their producer has added much to their sound with his exceptional multi-instrumentalist skills. In Los Angeles Darren & Sally collaborate with Steve McCormick & Heather Donavon of Love Me In The Dark among others. In Germany they have connections playing with a Rockabilly band.

Darren is the primary songwriter of the band, his style is gritty, historical and storytelling in nature along with a few fast upbeat bluegrass/ rockabilly style numbers. His colourful past surviving years of drug addiction and street homelessness give his songs a unique authenticity with an inspirational message of survival. Likewise his later years working recovery voyages at sea on a traditional gaff ketch bring some nautical/sea shanty-esque themes into play.

The vocals have been described as sweet and sour with a blend of Darren's gritty and Sally's sweet harmonies. As a guitar player Darren is a 6 string picker whose rhythm hand is rooted strongly in the brush picking style. He also carries strong gyspy jazz and finger style blues influences.

Black Tar Roses recorded their debut album, 'Rebels, Rogues & Outlaws' between Momentum Studios in Plymouth and Studebaker Studio in LA. It was produced by Josiah J at Momentum and was released in the summer of 2019. In June they released their charity EP Plymouth Gin to raise money for Sailing Tectona & The Tectona Trust, the organisation that was instrumental in Darren's recovery from drug addiction by offering recovery voyages on traditional boats They have just finished recording their second studio album, due to be released in 2022.

Description

32 Mill Lane,

Hounslow,

Greater London,

England,

NW6 1NR.