Stourbridge musician Sunjay to play Staffordshire show
Stourbridge folk and blues musician Sunjay has announced two local live dates to celebrate the release of his latest album.
The solo artist, full name Sunjay Brain, will bring his tunes to the Floodgate Ale House in Stafford on September 16 and Wheaton Aston's Bradford Arms Folk Club on September 27 to play his new material as well as old favourites.
A spokesperson said: "Sunjay is pretty much the antithesis of your typical denim-clad dishevelled folk and blues musician. From his perfectly groomed hair to his spotlessly shining winkle picker boots he walks onto the stage every inch the city slicker. When Sunjay starts to sing and play the guitar however, you are transported to a world where blues and country music meld seamlessly amidst humid mangrove swamps and red neck barbecues. Sunjay is, without doubt, the real deal."
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2019 has seen the release of his new album, Devil Came Calling - his first to include original material in four years. The new record showcases Sunjay’s trademark blues with a modern day twist.
Recorded near his hometown, Devil Came Calling features long-time producer and multi-instrumentalist Eddy Morton, drummer Darren Barnes, bassist Ian Jennings (Tom Jones, Van Morrison, Jeff Beck), Pete Bond playing piano and Lee Southall on harmonica. Special guests include fiddler Katriona Gilmore (Gilmore & Roberts, Albion Band), Stafford's banjo maestro Dan Walsh (Urban Folk Quartet, Dan Walsh Trio) and Charlie Barker singing backing vocals.
Drawing from a rich, musical and cultural background it is hardly surprising Sunjay has quickly become recognised as one of the UK’s rising stars. His performances have been described as “mature and confident”, while his guitar playing has been hailed as “superb, brilliant, experienced, intricate and faultless”.
The spokesperson continued: "Sunjay’s style has that natural drift between folk and blues and both camps have spotted his obvious flair. There have been a clutch of award nominations, including winning the Wath Festival Young Performers Award. He also made the final selection for the BBC’s Young Folk Award in 2012, had three nominations at the Exposure Music Awards 2014, and was also recognised by the 2014 British Blues Awards.
"Sunjay has grown up in public, having performed regularly to ever increasing audiences from the age of seven. Now, still only in his mid-20s, Sunjay has become a master guitarist, who has crafted his show to perfection. He also has an encyclopedic knowledge of his music, and a wicked sense of humour.
"An evening with Sunjay is an evening of exquisite blues, country and folk music combined with a master-class in guitar playing, interspersed with hilarious anecdotes."
To experience one of these shows, tickets can either be bought from the Ents 24 website for the Stafford date, or the Bradford Arms Folk Club website for the Wheaton Aston show.
