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As seen at the recent Doncaster Folk Festival – 18th May.

Formed in 2010, Hartlepool band The Jar Family is a collective of singer-songwriters Max Bianco, Dali, Al Devon, Richie Docherty, Chris Hooks and former Squeeze bassist Keith Wilkinson.

Providing an escape from the backdrop of their hometown’s economic hardships and driven by a collective will to succeed, The Jar Family forged a distinctive style of north-east blues & roots which, following a series of sell-out acoustic shows and the July 2010 release of their now highly collectable 'Livingston Studio E.P.’, saw the band quickly build a loyal fan-base.

Armed with an increasing sense of optimism, the band hijacked a couple of caravans and set-up ‘Camp Jar’ on a patch of deserted farmland in north-west Essex to begin songwriting sessions for the band’s debut album - and there they stayed for eight-months, writing over three albums-worth of material.

Having amassed such a sizeable collection of songs, the band decamped to the seminal Sawmill Studio to record ‘The Jar Family Album’ in June 2011, but not before adding the in-demand Kerry 'jubjub' Edwards on Cajon to complete the 7-piece line-up. Produced by Keith Wilkinson, the album was then mixed by the legendary John Cornfield (Muse, Supergrass, Razorlight, Oasis, Athlete).

In August 2011, with the album nearing completion, The Jar Family were confirmed on the bill at the celebrated ‘Camp Acoustic’ at the Hop Farm festival. To coincide with this date, the band released their debut single ‘Poolie Strut’.

In addition to being very well received by the national music press, ‘Poolie Strut’ became the most requested song in Radio Hartlepool’s history and has since been played at all of Hartlepool United’s home matches, leading to the home faithful chanting the song on the terraces.

With its accompanying video filmed during the recording sessions at Sawmill Studios, the November 2011 release of The Jar Family’s second single ‘In For A Penny’ preceded the band’s first ever UK tour, supporting the infamous Alabama 3. The tour provided the band with the opportunity to completed a series of radio interviews and live sessions across the country, gaining them many new fans as they further enhance their reputation as the north-east’s buzz band

Just before Christmas 2011, The Jar Family returned home played their biggest headline show to-date at Hartlepool’s Town Hall theatre. The gig sold-out and the band donated all the proceeds to the Hartlepool & District Hospice.

Beginning 2012 with a date supporting Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Craddock at the O2 Academy in Newcastle, The Jar Family are set to embark on a run of tour dates and festival appearances across the UK throughout the spring and summer, including slots opening for The Charlatans and Babyshambles’ Mik Whitnall and Drew McConnell, as they prepare for the release of their new single, ‘Broken Minded’ (May 21st), and the launch of their debut album ‘The Jar Family Album’ (June 25th).

In addition, following The Crack magazine’s favourable description of The Jar Family’s sound as ‘the aural equivalent of real ale’, the band have teamed-up with the Greene King Brewery and will soon announce a series of ‘Beerhouse’ gigs at selected venues across the UK.
www.thejarfamily.com
www.youtube.com/thejarfamily
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Jar-Family/111038982303076
twitter.com/#!/TheJARfamily

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