Richard Hawley und John Grant

Born the son of a guitar-playing steel worker, Richard Hawley’s earliest musical inspiration came from folk-rock acts Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. The Sheffield-native soon learned the play the guitar during school, and later formed the fringe Britpop band the Longpigs in 1993. From 1995 to 1999 Hawley issued a pair of albums with the group, “The Sun Is Often Out” and “Mobile Home”, both of which charted within the UK Top 40, and a successful run of singles. Following Longpigs’ dissolution, the singer and guitarist joined friend and fellow Britpop musician Jarvis Cocker’s band Pulp as a touring musician, who ultimately persuaded Hawley to release solo material.

The alt-rock infused singer-songwriter subsequently issued his eponymously-titled debut mini-album in 2001 on Setanta Records. In October that year Hawley built on his success by issuing the brooding, melancholic debut full-length album, “Late Night Final”. Earning more than favourable reviews, Hawey supported the record opening for Pulp and Coldplay and released the single “Baby, You’re My Light” in promotion. Reaching No. 169 on the UK Albums Chart, Hawley’s sophomore studio album “Lowedges” arrived in 2003 marking his last proper release on Setanta. Noted as his most successful album to date, 2005’s “Coles Corner” rose to No. 37 on the UK Albums Chart, earned a Mercury Prize nomination and widespread critical acclaim.

Going from strength to strength and making his way towards the heights of the charts, the singer’s fourth full-length album peaked at No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart. Spawning the singles “Tonight the Streets Are Ours”, “Serious”, and “Valentine”, the album showcased Hawley’s resiliently melancholy lyrics with timeless, genre-defying accompaniment. The live album “Live at the Devil’s Arse” followed in January 2009, after which he reached No. 17 on the UK Albums Chart with his full-length “Truelove’s Gutter”. Proving his highest-charting album to date, “Standing at the Sky’s Edge” arrived in May 2012, peaking at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart, aided by the single “Leave Your Body Behind You”.

John Grant formed The Czars in 1994 in Denver with Chris Pearson. They released six albums together and despite never really achieving any form of commercial success they gained a cult following for their unique brand of dream pop. Critics also praised John Grant's innovative songwriting style and intelligent lyricism that often changed, developed and evolved from album to album.

The Czars eventually disbanded in 2006 and after this Grant retired short term from the music industry. He took time away to write and decide where he would go next with his artistry, he returned in 2010 with his first solo album 'Queen Of Denmark'. He collaborated with folk band Midlake whilst recording the album in his Texan recording studio and upon release it was hailed as a critical masterpiece. John's lyrics were all incredibly personal with many of the songs describing his battles with alcohol and drug addictions during his life as well as his sexuality and HIV status.

It was named Mojo's album of the year and won praise from esteemed publications including The Guardian, The Independent and The Sunday Times, the latter stating in their review that "One listen to 'Where Dreams Go to Die', for example, and you’ll realise that while Grant can’t attain perfection in his actual life, he gets pretty close in his art." The following album came in 2013 and was titled 'Pale Green Ghosts', it featured backing vocals from Sinead O'Connor on two tracks and was another critical success. It was named Rough Trade's album of 2013 and earned the songwriter a nomination for Best International Solo Artist at the 2014 Brit Awards.