Clifford Village Band
‘The Clifford Village Band bring to mind the lush orchestral pop of groups like Beirut, but also veer into rawer territory, with rousing country influenced numbers. Enthusiasm and passion comes across throughout the set’ – Tom Keighley – Leeds Music Scene
The Clifford Village band are a quirky folk-pop septet named after the village front-man Sam Murray comes from. The band create a unique blend of an eclectic plethora of musical folk and pop styles taken from a vast range of influences including Paul Simon, Laura Veirs to 60s pop artists like Bobby Vee and Gerry & The Pacemakers while making a round the world trip. Not one song is the same with a variety of sounds created. The band sings songs of fisherman out on the sea, beautiful cities of white and star-crossed lovers.
The band formed in March 2008 as the result of lead singer Sam Murray’s song writing project. He recruited flatmates Steffi (vocals) and Mafro (lead guitars of all variety) to record an album in 8 hours and the result was first album ‘Stories of Old & Weir’ based around a story of a fisherman and a city big-shot novelist falling in and out of love. Following this the newly formed Clifford Village Band recruited Steph Hovey (Violin), James Greenland (Drums), Sam Terrett (Bass) and Jenny Allen (Sax) to perform the songs live in a new exciting arrangement.
The band have supported Australian pop-sensation Lisa Mitchell at the Brudenell Social Club and The Cockpit. The band also take pride in the fact they have performed in some rather bizarre places including a bed-shop and outside a well-known opticians for the Harrogate International Festival as Young Musicians in Residence during both the summer and Christmas season of 2009 and also playing in a tennis court for the Leeds Contempary Arts evening known as ‘Light Night’. During the Harrogate International Festival the band headlined a gig at the Harrogate Blues Bar. Other notable venues the band have played are Hi-Fi, The Library, The Royal Park Cellars, Mr Ben’s and Leeds University Union Old Bar. Recently a small acoustic contingent of the band returned to their spiritual home of Clifford to play at the village’s ‘Carols Around The Tree’ Celebration bringing their own Carols.
The band have won the ‘We’ve Got Talent’ contest in Bramham securing a slot at the famous Limetree Festival and are also on the bill for Live at Leeds. The band are launching their debut EP on the 27th of April at Ugandafest giving away free copies to support the East African Playgrounds charity.
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