Worry Dolls
+ Robbie Cavanagh + Ian Knapp
Entry Requirements: 16+
Worry Dolls are a compelling duo born out of the joint talents of multi-instrumentalists Zoe Nicol and Rosie Jones. Serendipity brought them together at an open mic night when they were 18, both studying music in Liverpool. Both redheads with guitars, on their chosen path of becoming solo singer songwriters, and both falling under the spell of ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’. Paired by their teachers for an opportunity to have their songwriting critiqued by Paul McCartney, they were inspired to start co-writing, and could now be described as an almost telepathically linked songwriting force.
They set off from University together, making music as Worry Dolls. It was a new sound, blending the tender urgency of Zoe’s Irish-influenced voice with the fiery integrity of Rosie’s vocals and rhythmic guitar. Zoe transferred her fingerpicking skills to ukulele, followed by Earl Scruggs-style banjo, motivated by players like Emily Robison (Dixie Chicks). These days playing piano has been added to the live performances and Worry Dolls frequently perform with a band. They have also started touring in Europe spreading the special blend of UK Americana folk rock.
The duo signed to Bread & Butter, who released their debut LP, Go Get Gone, 2017. A ‘Song of the Year’ nomination lead to them performing at London’s historic Hackney Empire with Ethan Johns at the UK Americana Awards earlier this year, alongside Robert Plant and Mumford and Sons. The duo will flying back to Nashville to showcase at AmericanaFest this September in support of their album release Stateside this summer 2018.
https://www.facebook.com/worrydollsmusic https://twitter.com/WorryDolls https://soundcloud.com/worrydolls https://www.youtube.com/user/WorryDollsMusic https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Bako2nff2D3Ftiy6TBgaS
Line Up
London’s Worry Dolls met at Paul McCartney’s school of music in Liverpool. Bonding initially due to having the same fiery red locks, what sets them apart is their tongue-in-cheek, honest lyrics and their refusal to sing “cliché love songs”.
Described by Bob Harris as "a warm and infectious sound”, Worry Dolls’ music is packed full of sublime harmonies, atop a plethora of varied instruments. Many will have seen them performing at Glastonbury Festival, supporting Joan Armatrading on tour, or heard their music played on Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music. With a strong online following, Worry Dolls have clocked up over 100,000 views on YouTube, and over 85,000 spins on SoundCloud.
With two EPs already under their belt, Worry Dolls are currently based in Nashville to record their debut album with producer Nielson Hubbard, to be released in 2016. Since their first EP, Worry Dolls’ sound has grown as their influences have shifted more towards the rootsier sounds of Nashville & the Appalachian mountains – still with a strong UK stamp. In their time together as a duo, they’ve forged something substantially stronger than a hair colour match. A beautiful and captivating result.
A self confessed devotee of 'real music', Robbie Cavanagh is not defined by genres. Taking influence and inspiration from old school country and western, modern americana, pop, blues, soul, folk, rock, metal and everything in between.
The only rules are good musicians, real instruments, great microphones and performance with emotion. Capturing sound, not producing it.
Robbie Cavanagh performs self penned, unscrubbed tales of heartbreak, loss, love and discovery, and when he puts pen to paper, he lives by his own words. 'The more you wrestle with an idea, the more contrived it becomes'. Robbie writes with honesty, emotion, and most importantly; instinct. Robbie's sophomore record (To Leave/To Be Left, released on At The Helm Records, Oct 2017) proves that he is quite right to trust those instincts. To Leave/To Be Left frames 11 original tracks, recorded almost entirely live, full of feeling, passion, tasteful instrumentation and instinctive performance, captured with good quality, warm, vintage microphones.
Though the record has received high praise from fans and industry professionals, it's Robbie's live performance that has really turned heads and attracted much deserved attention.
Stepping out on stage with his long hair, Levi's and a stetson, a guitar over his shoulder and a well earned confidence in his chest, Robbie can hardly open his mouth without too opening his heart. Performance is Robbie's way of channelling emotion and his passion and energy are incredibly contagious.
Robbie and his band celebrated the release of the new record with a sold out headline tour around the UK, as well as making their way onto many UK festival stages this summer, including Black Deer, BlueDot, Cornbury, Maverick, Buckle and Boots and Silverstone Woodlands.
Robbie also worked with BBC Radio 2's Whispering Bob Harris, recording live sessions in his house and his studio and being played on his Radio 2 show numerous times.
Bob's company 'Under The Apple Tree' have also been heavily involved with Robbie's music, inviting him to perform at festivals and showcases across the UK as well as Bob hosting Robbie's record launch show in Harrogate in 2017.
Chris Difford has invited Robbie to his annual songwriting retreat, sponsored by The Buddy Holly foundation, two years running where he has written with many successful writers from UK and USA. After working with youtube channel 'Mahogany' to release a live, solo performance of his single 'Godsend', Robbie saw the video clock up over 180k views, and over 300k streams on spotify. American Artists 'Us The Duo' asked Robbie to open for their 16 date European tour, providing a huge platform to develop his ever growing fanbase.
After being asked to perform at The Americana Music Association Showcase in London, January 2018, Robbie went on to be invited to perform at the AMA-UK and Under The Apple Tree showcases at Americana Fest in Nashville, Tennessee in September 2018.
'The House Of Songs' invited Robbie to take part in their week long writing retreat in Bentonville, Arkansas where he wrote with other artists from around the world, before showcasing the new material at live shows around Arkansas, as well as adding to his list of appearances for Americana Fest in Nashville.
Robbie is still writing and finalising songs for a third record, whilst planning UK shows for the end of the year and a return to America early 2019.
