Three's company for folk artist Jon

Jon Brindley and the Avon Men have been in the studio creating demos showcasing their blend of traditional British and American folk music, instrumental tunes and songs written by their front man.

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Jon, who is originally from Whitley but now lives in Chorley, has been joined in the new line-up by guitarist Pete Begley and double bassist James Budden.

Taking their name from the river which runs through the village where they played their first gig, the band is, according to Jon, the most promising he has put together in his time on the scene.

He said: “Getting the three of us together is the first time I’ve felt like I’ve really got a band. I’ve done a lot of projects but this feels like it’s going to carry on.

“Pete is an old musical acquaintance from when I busked around Europe in my 20s, and James is a fantastic musician. I thought I knew about bass playing until I met him.

“The name is not about the fact we sell lipstick or anything like that. It gets a smile so we’re sticking with it.”

The trio made its first venture into the studio at Alien Sound near Skelmersdale to record their demos for festival and gig promoters and also recently played live at the Unity Club in Standish.

As well as folk tunes and songs the group recorded a version of The Killers’ song Human and two of Jon’s own tracks: When The Swallows Come Around, inspired by an African choir, and The Magic’s Not Gone, a tribute to a popular busker who lived in Chorley.

However, although the recordings will be heading off to festival and gig promoters Jon says music fans may have to wait for a full-length release.

He said: “We will certainly be sending our demos out but I’ve always been an albums man.

“I think When The Swallows Come Around is the one with the most potential of any I’ve written. I was driving and just about to get on the motorway at Standish and this tune came into my head.

“I thought it sounded a bit African and decided it was going to be a song.”

For more information visit www.jonbrindley.co.uk