Morton Valence Return to The Piper
Morton Valence is the name for the vocal pairing of Robert ‘Hacker’ Jessett and Anne Gilpin. The London-based duo take the classic boy/girl duet and feed it through their own left-field filter, creating a sound and style that they call ‘urban country’, Morton Valence’s songs bring to mind the classic country ballads of John Prine and Willie Nelson, with their strong narratives and heartbreaking lyrics. But the backdrop is very much their home turf, putting a different twist on what is often labelled Americana.
Their duet Chandelier was ‘Record of the Week’ on the Radcliffe and Maconie Show on BBC Radio 6. Following this, they released a series of critically acclaimed albums, with the BBC describing one of their songs as “the best single of the decade that you’ve never heard.” Their most recent album, eponymously titled, is a collaboration with legendary pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole, who produced it and also performed on it, and often plays live with the band.
Morton Valence are at present working on a new album, and their song Hey Misty is set for release on 16 June. This sees them join forces with guitar hero Stephen McCarthy (of the Long Ryders, Dream Syndicate and the Jayhawks).
Having opened for the Long Ryders last October to such a great response from local audiences, it only seemed natural for this band to make a return visit. So, Morton Valence are excited to announce they have a one-off show on 26 June at The Piper, with local heroes O’Connell and Co in support, fronted by virtuoso guitarist Brendan O’Connell (a regular collaborator with the Alabama 3’s main man, Larry Love) and backed by some of the finest musicians in Hastings.
Tickets: dice.fm/event/k6qmx8-morton-valence-oconnell-co-26th-jun-the-piper-saint-leonards-tickets
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