12 April (Monday) - Braxton Hix+Ben Watling+Melatone+Kumikaze

Formed in late 2009. Braxton Hix are Ben Parker & Kate Aumonier.

Ben Parker, a former member of band Ben & Jason who released 4 albums on Universal between '99 & '03, spent most of the last year working on Lennon film 'Nowhere Boy' and producing music for TV shows 'Skins' & 'How Not To Live Your Life' he also writes with and produces other artists at his own studio in North London.

Aumonier, formerly signed to Sanctuary in early 00's, was discovered by legendary Rolling Stones producer Glyn Johns, who put Kate with his son, producer Ethan, (Kings Of Leon, Ray Lamontagne, Paolo Nutini etc.). Kate's band then went on to tour with James Blunt. She also sung alongside Londa Rondstadt & Emmylou Harris as part of the Tuscon Sessions recordings.

The two have been writing together for other artists and naturally begun writing and singing together for their own project in 2009. They plan to make a record in the summer for release towards the end of the year.
 

Ben Watling is a 20 year old singer/songwriter currently based in southeast london. Having been bought up in the New Forest, Ben is now studying at Trinity College Of Music were he divides his time between songwriting and performing. Ben takes influence from many different styles of music and attempts to portray this in his songwriting. He has just released his first professionally recorded mini album "Building On Stronger Foundations", which is now available on itunes, and is looking forward to playing with his new band formed of other musicians he has met at Trinity.
 

The current incarnation of Melatone is Matt Berry playing gigs all by himself with an acoustic guitar and a few effects pedals. He uses 'live looping' to slowly build up multi-layered tracks; he might begin by tapping out a rhythm on the guitar, and at the tap of a pedal, the rhythm loops, and he'll then play the bass line. Then a melody is added, or a bit of rhythm guitar, or a backing vocal; you get the idea. For a couple of songs you think "hey this is really clever", but then you forget about the delivery and realise that the songs themselves are amazing.