Polly and the Billets Doux
Encyclopedia
Polly and the Billets Doux began life in the middle of a smoky Winchester
venue’s backroom in 2006, performing totally unamplified to a full-capacity audience. Their distinctive sound has been described as "a harmony blend of country, jazz, blues, folk and gospel" by The Sunday Times
Culture.
The band are known for their flawless and energy-filled live performances, and over the past couple of years they’ve embarked on headline tours up and down the country – from Ullapool to Brighton, and almost every city in between – and played to critical acclaim at festivals large and small, including Glastonbury
, Loopallu and The Big Chill
.
Polly And The Billets Doux self-released their debut album ‘Fiction, Half-Truths & Downright Lies’ via independent label Bleak Mouse Records in 2009. They charted at number 21 on the BBC Radio 1
Indie Chart and gained recognition from BBC national radio and regional stations throughout the UK, including Bob Harris
and Terry Wogan
on BBC Radio 2
.
Throughout 2010, Polly and co have continued their relentless UK touring, picking up fans and praise wherever they go. Highlights in recent months have included a feature in The Times
and a support slot with Fun Lovin' Criminals
. 2011 looks set to be their biggest year yet with two tours already confirmed and a new limited edition EP in the works.
and Loopallu Festival and many regionals, have been played by Terry Wogan
on "Wake Up With Wogan" and a live slot and interview for Cerys Matthews
on BBC Radio 6. They have also appeared on BBC Radio 4
"Loose Ends".
newspaper.
The Independent
newspaper have favourably compared the band to Imelda May
and Fairground Attraction
.
The Daily Mirror
: “From hot rocking thrills, to jazzy splendour to country darkness, the musical brief of Polly and the Billets Doux seems to be, if it sounds and feels good, go for it!”.
For Folk's Sake: "Keep an eye, and an ear, on them. They could be destined for big things".
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
venue’s backroom in 2006, performing totally unamplified to a full-capacity audience. Their distinctive sound has been described as "a harmony blend of country, jazz, blues, folk and gospel" by The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
Culture.
The band are known for their flawless and energy-filled live performances, and over the past couple of years they’ve embarked on headline tours up and down the country – from Ullapool to Brighton, and almost every city in between – and played to critical acclaim at festivals large and small, including Glastonbury
Glastonbury
Glastonbury is a small town in Somerset, England, situated at a dry point on the low lying Somerset Levels, south of Bristol. The town, which is in the Mendip district, had a population of 8,784 in the 2001 census...
, Loopallu and The Big Chill
The Big Chill (music festival)
The Big Chill is an annual festival of alternative, dance and chill-out music and comedy, held in the grounds of Eastnor Castle during early August...
.
Polly And The Billets Doux self-released their debut album ‘Fiction, Half-Truths & Downright Lies’ via independent label Bleak Mouse Records in 2009. They charted at number 21 on the BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
Indie Chart and gained recognition from BBC national radio and regional stations throughout the UK, including Bob Harris
Bob Harris (radio)
Robert Brinley Joseph "Bob" Harris, OBE , known as "Whispering" Bob Harris, is British radio host who currently works for BBC Radio 2, presenting music two nights a week...
and Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
.
Throughout 2010, Polly and co have continued their relentless UK touring, picking up fans and praise wherever they go. Highlights in recent months have included a feature in The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
and a support slot with Fun Lovin' Criminals
Fun Lovin' Criminals
The Fun Lovin' Criminals is an American alternative hip hop / alternative rock group from New York City. Their musical style is primarily eclectic, covering styles such as hip hop, rock, funk, blues and jazz. Their songs often deal with life in New York City, as well as urban life in general...
. 2011 looks set to be their biggest year yet with two tours already confirmed and a new limited edition EP in the works.
Appearances
Polly And The Billets Doux have performed at GlastonburyGlastonbury
Glastonbury is a small town in Somerset, England, situated at a dry point on the low lying Somerset Levels, south of Bristol. The town, which is in the Mendip district, had a population of 8,784 in the 2001 census...
and Loopallu Festival and many regionals, have been played by Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
on "Wake Up With Wogan" and a live slot and interview for Cerys Matthews
Cerys Matthews
Cerys Elizabeth Matthews is a Welsh singer and songwriter. She is known as the lead singer of the Welsh rock band Catatonia, her more recent bilingual solo career, and for a 1998 Christmas duet with Tom Jones.-Biography:...
on BBC Radio 6. They have also appeared on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
"Loose Ends".
Albums
| Date | Title | Chart Placing |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 2009 | Fiction, Half Truths and Downright Lies | — |
Singles
| Date | Title | Chart Placing | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2008 | Head of Steam | 11 (Indie) | Head Of Steam EP |
| May 2009 | Follow My Feet | — | Fiction, Half Truths and Downright Lies |
Reviews
In 2010, Polly and the Billets Doux were the subject of a feature in The TimesThe Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
newspaper.
The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
newspaper have favourably compared the band to Imelda May
Imelda May
Imelda Mary Higham, Clabby , known as Imelda May, is an Irish vocalist and musician. She began her career in music at 15 and released her debut album in 2005. She also plays the bodhrán and guitar...
and Fairground Attraction
Fairground Attraction
Fairground Attraction were a British acoustic pop band. They are best known for their hit single "Perfect", and for helping to launch the career of lead vocalist Eddi Reader.-Career:...
.
The Daily Mirror
The Daily Mirror
The Daily Mirror is a British national daily tabloid newspaper which was founded in 1903. Twice in its history, from 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the title on its masthead was changed to read simply The Mirror, which is how the paper is often referred to in popular parlance. It had an...
: “From hot rocking thrills, to jazzy splendour to country darkness, the musical brief of Polly and the Billets Doux seems to be, if it sounds and feels good, go for it!”.
For Folk's Sake: "Keep an eye, and an ear, on them. They could be destined for big things".
External links
- http://www.pollyandthebilletsdoux.co.uk/
- http://www.bleakmouse.co.uk/