Darvel Music Festival

Wednesday 3 October 2007
Doors 7.30pm Tickets £10


It's been over a year since The Willy Clay Band released the Rebecca Drive album which was to establish them as one of the hottest properties on the Americana music circuit.

In that time, they have toured extensively, built a strong fan base, thrilled big festival crowds, recorded various radio sessions…and continued to write the kind of material that will guarantee even more attention.

Last time they appeared in Glasgow at Darvel Music Festival, they wowed a capacity crowd and made many friends. The band will fly back to Scotland again on October 3 for a triumphant headline slot at the festival where they stole the show last year.

BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris is one of the band’s biggest fans and has been playing tracks from Rebecca Drive, over and over, happy to remind listeners what a "very fine" album it is.

They are keeping the momentum going with the release of a five-track EP (UK launch on July 1) which features the killer track "Hollow". Bob Harris has been featuring it on both of his radio shows as well as Iain Anderson and Bryan Burnett at BBC Radio Scotland.

The song, "Homesick" from the Rebecca Drive album is included in the soundtrack of the new Minnie Driver movie, "Take". Meanwhile, writers in Scandinavia, across the Continent and the UK continue to rave. "The classiest thing to come out of Sweden since Greta Garbo," said one, "sheer bliss" declared Mike Ritchie, writing for Americana UK, while leading UK roots music mag, Maverick said: "Right now, this band is radiant".

Find out more at

www.willyclayband.com

www.myspace.com/willyclayband



The Willy Clay Band's Tony Bjorkenvall happily answered these questions from Mike Ritchie of Mike Ritchie Media and revealed a new term, perhaps, to describe their music...read on.

Q: Another visit to Scotland - what do you like about touring here?

A: Scotland has become a second touring-home for us, we love it.

Q: Do you find the reaction of audiences in Scotland different to other countries - including your own?

A: We've had the fortune of meeting great crowds on every gig over there. It's a great pleasure playing for LISTENING people.

Q: Darvel is a small festival: why were you keen to make a return here?

A: We loved the classic venue and the audience last year. It was a great night!

Q: What's been the reaction in Sweden to your success and obvious popularity, not only in Scotland but also in the States?

A: Of course, it helps getting spotlight on us back home, especially

in our home territory, the very northern part of Sweden. Americana music deserves a bigger audience in Sweden and we're happy to think that we are a part of its growth. Q: Have you been surprised by the overall reaction?

A: In some ways, it still amazes us when we do a show in a new town and people are singing along to our songs...or hearing yourself on the radio in a foreign land.

Q: For those gig goers who still might not be too familiar with your music, how would you describe it - and what sort of live show would you say they can expect?

A: "Scandicana" someone said. I think you can hear classic influences shine through, like The Band, Early Eagles. Strong straight forward songs, spiced with a little Pop.

Q: Your first release "Rebecca Drive" was a brilliant debut and you've got an EP of five songs out at the moment. Is a full-length effort due and has it been difficult to create new material with expectations high?

A: We're working on the next full CD, which we know is something we will be proud of. We're constantly writing and testing new material while touring. The response has been great so far but, of course, on release-day we will be nervous.

Q: Will Kimbrough, Garth Hudson and Bucky Baxter "guested" on "Rebecca Drive" - any "guests" lined up this time round?

A: Perhaps..it's a great feeling getting someone else's look and touch on your music while recording. It was a magic feeling recording "RD."

Q: You've spent a long time on the road in the past couple of years so what music do you listen to or would recommend?

A: We recommend listening to some friends of ours, like Will Kimbrough, Mary Gauthier, Todd Snider. But you never get tired of Steve Earle, Stones, The Band, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Little Feat...

Q: Finally, a daft question (or maybe you've thought all of them are daft, hope not): malt or blended whisky - what's your pleasure?

A: Who's buying?