Description

Starting out as a bluegrass band, Vancouver?s Viper Central have seen some changes over the years ? in line-up and in musical direction. A constant since the band formed in 2007 is the main songwriter, fiddle player and lead singer Kathleen Nisbet.

Having made a local reputation as a young hot live bluegrass band, Viper Central capitalised on this attention by recording their first album in 2008 ? ?The Devil Sure is Hard to Please? which mixed solid bluegrass instrumentals with racy new slants on suitable topics for bluegrass to cover ? ?Shotgun Wedding? being perhaps the exemplar of the ?hmm?.not many bluegrass bands sing songs like that!? attitude that Viper Central were aiming for.

Never super-prolific in the recording stakes their second album ?Thump and Howl? didn?t arrive until 2012 and showed a band starting to experiment with their musical palette with pedal steel highlighting some tracks, and the fiddle work now showing the influences of the Metis tradition. These new directions took full root with 2017?s ?The Spirit of God & Madness? which in effect split the band?s output down the middle ? half the album being pretty direct bluegrass whilst the other half brought in country ? both of the Hank Williams style and some unmistakable outlaw leanings. An eclectic mix for certain ? which is what makes Viper Central a distinctive and exciting listen in the crowded bluegrass/old-timey musical worlds.

"This Canadian group have a fine grasp of the fiddle and banjo dynamics and barn-burning tempos. Their outreach is wide, embracing western swing, blues and rockabilly" THE GUARDIAN
"Top notch bluegrass" NO DEPRESSION

From large festivals to boutique gatherings, from supporting Chris Isaak to Justin Townes Earle, Matt Joe Gow has built a reputation as an earnest performer to go alongside the authentic Alt country tones. Also a producer and consistent songwriting collaborator, Matt grew up in the deep south of New Zealand in a town with bad weather and good music: Dunedin. Surrounded by music, he was encouraged to pick up a guitar at an early age. After traveling the world, Matt moved to Melbourne, Australia, drawn by its vibrant music scene. In 2009 he released his debut record The Messenger, produced by multi-Aria award-winner Nash Chambers. As Alternative Country continued to grow in popularity, Matt toured and supported acts such as Chris Isaak, Justin Townes Earle, The Jayhawks, Kasey Chambers, GrantLee Phillips, Melissa Carper and Marlon Williams.

Description

Harvey Road,

Leytonstone,

London,

Greater London,

England,

E11 3DB.