Press

Bio:

Mr Britt has always been one of the harder artists to pin down. In some ways he fits the singer songwriter plot nicely, but it is fair to say that he encompasses the idiosyncratic impulses of maverick creativity, with some tracks combining electronic elements that are far removed from your a-typical Damien Rice, Jack Johnson soundalikes. His music definitely keeps you on your toes. He declares himself an artist in music, before adhering to any one genre specific. The singer songwriter aspect arose due to the ease of making himself and his songs portable around the world. With often hugely personal accounts of his own experiences and at others times gleefully light-hearted and comical content. All this wrapped up in a strong melody, his distinguished, soulful voice and tasteful guitar technique.

Having picked up the guitar because of his love for the film “Back to the Future” many moons ago, he went on to study music in Manchester on the back of which he was signed, rather obscurely, to London based Breaks n Beats label Jalapeño Records who released his debut album in 2005. The album “One Day I” peaked at number 2 in the iTunes folk charts. The lead single was pipped to the post for record of the week at BBC Radio 2 by Damien Rice and the album saw him play showcases at BBC Radio One LIVE WEEKEND and at the world renowned industry music festival SXSW in Texas…

…But the journey had only just begun. When the fervour of the debut album died down Ian and the label went their separate ways, the hard graft of seriously honing and developing his live performance and song writing began and quite by chance, things really began to take off in Holland. With his follow up EP “Big Light” Ian began touring the length and breadth of that small but welcoming country and gained many new friends and fans alike, supporting some of the biggest emerging artists in Holland whilst calling into many a radio show on the way. In 2009 he withdrew from touring to begin self-producing an album at home in Sheffield to satisfy a growing demand in The Netherlands. Then in 2010 a Dutch label was brought on board to support the album. Re-mix sessions were undertaken to tweak certain aspect of the recordings, and then, well, then the label went bust! I guess that’s the modern music industry for you right there. So, with Ian itching to move on artistically from a record already a year old to him, it was decided to officially release BOX in summer 2011 in order to put its name down in the concrete.

Pre official release, BOX has already had numerous tracks on television including an indent for the hit TV show Grey’s Anatomy, several appearances on the hit British show Hollyoaks and even as far as Russia with a song being placed on a major mobile phone advert over there. So, the monster he created almost entirely single handed in a small bedroom in Sheffield is doing its work nicely and earning its place in the world already.
After spending over 6 years as a solo artist and touring/developing as the unaccompanied troubadour, and with the final release and fruition of BOX in 2011, Mr Britt, ever looking for the next chapter musically, is now working on a brand new project, a band project, a louder, heavier angle but still based upon his strong song writing, intelligent lyrics and clever musicianship. There will also be new Ian Britt material in late 2011, so it is all to play for.

Quotes:

“…king of quirky, Ian Britt, who managed to fill the room with his lovelorn antics and troublesome tails. He, as always, delivers them in his typical upbeat manner making the spectators feel part of the process. A wink, a smile, a song it’s all part of the Britt magic. Top track of the set for me was the inviting In the Middle. With its haunting tones and breathless desires it’s aimed to get stuck in your head.”
Counterfeit Mag – May 20011

“Having been described by top critics as ‘one to watch out for’, we’re echoing the sentiment.”

Exposed Magazine – May 2011

“Ian Britt has the banter to be a stand up comic, but when he gets down to business its easy to see why he is so highly rated, technically excellent, his emotive vocals and personal lyrics on the likes of Dedicate were captivating and got a great reaction from the growing crowd.”
Counterfeit Mag