Mark Gwynne Jones and the Psychicbread
A fusion of words and music
Intertwining voice, rhythm, roots music and vivid lyrics, Mark Gwynne Jones and the Psychicbread could hold a light to the finest bands on the UK circuit. Playing music, arts and literature festivals alike, here is no ordinary act - but a captivating show of fine music, poetic drama and a surreal sense of humour that leaves a lasting impression. Both pastoral and urban their inventive, transcendent arrangements are somewhere beyond the lyrical drama of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and somewhere near the musical sensitivity of Nick Drake. It’s a powerful combination, capable of transforming the mundane into magical landscapes and leading an audience through bewildered innocence to laughter and dance.
‘A spiritual merge point of all human experience’ Living Poets Magazine
‘A percussive ensemble of great rhythm and tone who took Gwynne Jones’
performance to another level’ The Big Issue
‘Astonishing...You’ll love this show!” The Daily Mail (Scotland)
A brilliant lyricist with a charismatic stage presence, Mark Gwynne Jones is consistently engaging and charming. He mixes humour and poignancy with great skill and his twists and turns of narrative make him a favourite in venues throughout Britain and abroad.
Drawing on various genres (folk, blues, African rhythms and Latin American licks) and playing a variety of instruments including piano and bass (Deb Rose), kora (Nick Pearson), flute, djembe, djun djun, and drum kit (John Thorne) the Psychicbread underscore and empower the spoken word. The sound is fresh, yet the form is an old one. It is that of the Griot or bard. For this show draws on an ancient tradition yet tackles the complexities of our changing world with a beautiful and savage humour.
§ ‘Shakespeare wouldn’t approve, he’d just be jealous.’ Mixmag
§ ‘Gwynne Jones should be ruined with fame and money before he shows the rest of us up for the bunch of sissies we are. But if you don’t want the truth don’t call a poet, at least not a real one.’ Martin Newell of The Independent
§ ‘The brilliant Mark Gwynne Jones. Passionate...captivating and slightly mad...mind-altering.’ Edinburgh Three Weeks
§ ‘A charming performer. Hear him live!’ John Hegley
§ ‘I always stipulate that who ever is on with me hasn't got to be any good - this one got past me - I don't know how, but heads will roll.’ John Cooper Clarke
Recently featured by Verity Sharp on BBC Radio 3, Mark Gwynne Jones and the Psychicbread’s debut album In the light of this has been played on radio stations from California to Sydney, Australia. Their performances include: Beverly Festival; SolFest; Off The Tracks; The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal; Sheffield City Hall; The Phoenix Theatre, Leicester; The Komedia, Brighton; The Zodiac, Oxford; Salisbury Arts Centre; Acorn Arts Centre, Penzance; Derby Dance Centre and The Enterprise, London. The show has twice won the Buxton Festival Fringe.
Mark Gwynne Jones has toured with Kate Rusby and performed alongside The Levellers, Ashley Hutchings, Alan Bates, Half Man Half Biscuit, John Hegley, Lemn Sissay, Jean Binta-Breeze and John Cooper Clarke.
He has sold poetry to the CIA.
Held the attention of 500 teenagers for over an hour .....
Performed (by invitation) at the Edinburgh Festival for four consecutive years; won the Manchester Poetry Slam and The National Trust poetry competition; and staged multi-media shows with artists in Glasgow, Copenhagen and Amsterdam.