Eclectic Start For Volume Festival (From Crewe Guardian)

Eclectic Start For Volume Festival

2:38pm Tuesday 12th May 2009

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AN eclectic line-up of live bands kicks off Crewe's Volume Festival on Thursday May 21.

The first sounds of this year's five-day event will come from all-girl duo Sahreal, who deliver some scintilating electro pop in Bar 22 on Mill Street from 8pm.

Former Seahorses frontman Chris Helme will perform a solo set at Square One from 9pm, followed by Crewe's rock covers band Mutha Humbucker in The Box from 10pm.

Classically trained but with a pop-folk influence, Stoke-based Sahreal push the envelope of classical acoustic pop to a new level.

With powerful lyrics and delicate harmonies they have won over audiences across the North West.

Sahreal consists of sisters Sarah and Rachel who interchange instruments, composition and vocals to develop arrange of moods and styles.

Rachel, aged 19, is studying violin at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and has worked with world-renowned musicians such as Evelyn Glennie and BBC Young Musician of the Year Mark Simpson.

Sarah, aged 17, is currently studying performing arts at St Joseph’s college sixth Form.

She has studied piano and violin from a young age and her powerful and poignant song writing skills have propelled Sahreal to the national final of the Live And Unsigned competition.

After taking time out to ‘sleep, write and start a family,’ talented singer songwriter Chris Helme has recently returned to the UK music scene.

Last year saw the launch of his first solo album Ashes, recorded by himself with his trusty, dusty old four-track tape recorder.

His songs are a sublime commentary on all that’s grim and great with love and hate, and all the other special little things in between.

Chris first appeared in the public eye fronting John Squire’s post-Stone Roses project, the Seahorses.

Releasing their debut album, Do it Yourself, in 1997, it went on to top the UK album charts, and was followed by a string of internationally-successful singles, Love is the Law, Blinded by the Sun, You Can Talk to Me and Love Me and Leave Me.

After three years of touring the world, and playing with some of the biggest acts in music, including The Rolling Stones, U2, Oasis and Beck, the band called it a day in 1999.

Speaking about that time now, Chris said: “The Seahorses was a fantastic apprenticeship, and I’d never change those years.

“But I started playing music because I wanted to emulate the artists I grew up listening to, like Neil Young, Van Morrison, the Velvet Underground or the Stooges, and at the end of the day I didn’t feel we were achieving that.

“The last year recording Ashes has been fantastic, but I’m really looking forward to the freedom to do what I want with these live shows.

“I’ve been writing all year, and this will be the first chance I’ve had to play these songs to an audience that hasn’t heard them before and see what happens.”

Mutha Humbucker are a Crewe-based four-piece rock covers band that was formed in the early part of 2006.

All experienced musicians, they decided to pool their talents to bring a new band to the pub/club circuit and have some fun along the way.

They have since earned themselves a loyal following with their extensive setlist of rock covers ranging from Bon Jovi to Aerosmith and Green Day.

A Volume spokesman said: "We didn't have anything on the Thursday at all last year and actually only had a minimal Friday compared to this year's full line-up. So that's an indication of how we've moved forward.

"We had planned to start the event on a fairly low key note - but with the likes Chris Helme playing it's hardly that.

"People will find find schedules for the weekend in all the venues so they can plan ahead who they want to see. I'd just like to remind everyone that all gigs on the schedule are free unless stated."

For more information on the festival visit www.crewelive.co.uk

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