#HarFest2016

Ian Prowse was born in Chester and grew up in Little Sutton, a suburb of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.  He formed Pele in 1990 and was signed by Michael Levy and Baron Levy in March 1991 to M & G Records, the band went on to release 2 studio albums and 1 live album.

He went on to for  Amsterdam in 1999 with former Blow Monkeys drummer Tony Kiley and cousin John Barlow.  They released one album 'The Journey' in February 2005 and three singles including 'The Journey' (which hit number 32 in the UK top 40) and 'Does This Train Stop On Merseyside'.

'Does This Train Stop On Merseyside regularly elicited an emotional response from Radio 1 DJ John Peel.  His Widow, Sheila Ravenscroft went on the station after the DJs death and confirmed that "he was not capable of playing it without crying".

Ian's latest album is called Companeros and he describes it as "one of the most listenable records we've ever made, and album with a twist, and full of exceptional songs".  Companeros has been a unique project in that the song have been collected by Ian of 27 years and have their provenance in the many musical comrades he has met down the years (hence the albums title).

Officer (aka Dc Logan) is an Indie Soundscape songwriter from The Corner of The Ferns.  He was born in Glasgow and grew up in Northern Ireland.  Officer’s debut album, Myriad was crowd-funded by his fan-base without his knowledge such was their love for him.  Released last year the album has been described as ‘a debut to be proud of’ – Louder Than War, ‘flawless and promising’ – Fame, deliciously dark with huge atmospheric roller-coaster landscapes’.  

Officer has released a collection of singles to rapturous critical acclaim and widespread radio play, and most importantly, has seen a huge growth in his loyal fanbase.

The Broux's multi genre style is unique and infectious, and has earned them a growing cult following amongst North West music lovers.  Vocalist Rose Greenwood grew up around the Whitaker Park area.

Their latest EP ‘Primordial Moonshine’ has attracted airtime and live sessions for BBC Introducing, All FM, and countless independent radio stations, and their live show is not to be missed. Honest, poetic and interesting, “Superb lyrics that will really strike a chord.” – Michelle Hussey, BBC Radio Manchester.

 

Signposted Disaster (aka Ric Cowley) is an artist singing songs about love, life and stairs (not at the same time).  Based in Manchester, Signposted Disaster is a fool with a guitar that no-one has had the good sense to take away from him yet.  He is a one man anti-folk/comedy acoustic act, making songs about anything that sounds like it might be worth a few chuckles.

Jamie Stevens really couldn't be more local to Whitaker Park as he currently lives about four hundred yards down the road in Rawtenstall.  He is an acoustic singer/songwriter influenced by the likes of Frank Turner, Ed Sheeran and Billy Bragg and Charlie Simpson.

In between artists music will be supplied by local DJ Neil Willis.