Tickets: http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/folk-union/hiss-golden-messenger

Hiss Golden Messenger is the nom du jour of Californian songwriter Michael Taylor. Weaving ancient themes of sin and redemption, innocence and whiskey into modern day settings, Taylor's songs are infused with a compelling emotional warmth. With hints of jazz, electronics and citing influences ranging from Robert Wyatt to Ry Cooder, Taylor encompasses aspe...cts from a wealth of genres to lift his music above and beyond straightforward folk music.

For tonight's Folk Union concert Taylor will be joined by Rick Tomlinson of Voice of Seven Thunders fame to perform songs from his forthcoming album Bad Debt on blackmaps, the London and Tokyo based independent imprint that expands the parameters of a record label to cover experimental film, private press literature, design commissions and more.

Inhabiting a world of mystics, prophets and ghosts, Hiss Golden Messenger has recently been described by David Bowie as 'Mystical Country. An eerie yellowing photograph'. Tonight promises something rather special from a unique voice.

Matthew Nicholson is a songwriter, composer and horticulturalist whose dedication to sound as a transcendental force has taken him from his native Melbourne to every corner of the globe. As Function (Ensemble) Nicholson was signed to the seminal Locust music of Chicago and now, as Outshine Family, finds a home on blackmaps who will release the eagerly anticipated ‘Galleria De La’ in late February 2011. Nicholson’s quietly powerful songs of ecstatic wonderment will be offset with twinkling electronics and devastatingly beautiful drones - a ‘space volk’' sound that recalls in equal measures Jim O’Rourke, Fennesz, My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth’s more pastoral moments.

http://www.myspace.com/hissgoldenmessenger
http://www.outshinefamily.com/
http://www.blackmaps.org/
http://www.jointhecircle.net/