ALI GEORGE
Ali George is a British singer-songwriter with a distinct fingerstyle guitar technique, mellow vocals, and an earthy songwriting style. Inspired most deeply by Bon Iver, Nick Drake, and John Martyn, he has been active in the southwest English folk scene for 20 years.
His 2020 album, Platys Yialos, marked a departure from his folk roots, and the lead single, Wait for the Mist to Clear, was praised by BBC Music Introducing DJ Sarah Gosling as an "absolute gem."
George has been compared to Nick Drake and Mark Knopfler for his intricate guitar skills. Like Drake, he also employs experimental and obscure guitar tunings, and in his recent work, he has explored percussive and ambient guitar styles. He often uses effects such as reverb, overdrive, and delay to enhance his electro-acoustic guitar. George grew up in the countryside in Somerset, exploring the woods and fields of the Mendip Hills, and his lyrics reflect this.
It's no surprise that George has made his way into the Permanent Collection of the British National Library with his six incredible albums. He's also supported some of the biggest names in the folk world, including Martin Simpson, Steve Tilston, Nick Harper, and Rory McLeod.
Fans can look forward to George's upcoming album, Watchful Days, set to be released on August 11th, 2023. The album features cello from the award-winning Beth Porter, and drums from Josh Clark, a producer and musician who has worked closely with folk legend Kate Rusby.
Press
- A look at the story behind the single.
- Read their thoughts on the single.
- An in-depth look at the single.
- A journey into the heart of the EP.
- George talks with Romeo Ciarla about his latest album and his inspirations.
- An in-depth review of George's latest album.
- A closer look into the song, exploring George's lyrics.
Bio
Ali George is a British singer-songwriter with a distinct fingerstyle guitar technique, mellow vocals, and an earthy songwriting style. Inspired most deeply by Bon Iver, Nick Drake, and John Martyn, he has been active in the southwest English folk scene for 20 years. His 2020 album, Platys Yialos, marked a departure from his folk roots, and the lead single, "Wait for the Mist to Clear," was praised by BBC Music Introducing DJ Sarah Gosling as an "absolute gem." His new album Watchful Days will be released in August 2023.
Music
"An artist who has an unusually earthy quality, sounding genuinely natural in an otherwise processed world."
MP3 Hugger
"The guitar picking and sweet melody is more than enough to get you to fall in love with singer-songwriter, Ali George."
Rock the Pigeon
"His guitar playing is delicate and picturesque, his lyricism poignant and gripping, and his command for songwriting obvious."
Two Story Melody
“This UK artist in some ways reminds me of old school Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam),
and that is a great thing!”
American Pancake
Recent Single: Little Prophecy
"This is a voice that you could listen to for hours. 'Little Prophecy' is the epitome of a perfectly written song. We absolutely have to draw attention to the precision playing on the acoustic guitar. It just flows out of Ali as if he was born playing. The fills are just spectacular. They’re very reminiscent of Mark Knopfler’s style of acoustic playing. Ali George is a true talent."
Send Me Your Ears
Videos
Land or Gold
Dreams Within Dreams
Platys Yialos
Album
Expore the latest album, Platys Yialos
"That was completely gorgeous - an absolute gem by @aligeorgemusic called 'Wait For The Mist To Clear'. We are so into that track, which is the debut single from his upcoming album 'Platys Yialos'!
We can't wait to hear the whole thing!"
BBC Music Introducing via Twitter.
"'Platys Yialos' will make you fall in love with the sounds of Ali George through its rich lyricism, instrumentation, and intimacy. The inclusion of a live band only acts to enhance George's signature earthy sounds, and adds a new level to the intimacy that envelops you from start to finish."
The Other Side Reviews.
George performing his song "Hard to Find"" for the finale of his "80 Songs in 80 Days"
Project. Athens, Greece, 2021.
"Land or Gold"
Unplugged performance of "High Rolling Hills", and Interview with Livewired Music (Featuring Louis Brennan) in 2019. (Video by Zeyus Media).
"Times of Hunger" single. Released by Myriad Pink Record Label in 2018.
Interview with film-maker, Sam Holloway,
plus performance. Bath, UK 2017.
"Underneath the New Spring Sky" and "Back to the Way" Filmed by Gumbo Media, Bristol, UK, 2016.
"If She Knew" Filmed in Vintage and Rare Guitars, Bath, UK, 2014.
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A Song That Sleeps broadcast on BBC Music in the West on 10/10/2020.
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Melanie Brown broadcast on BBC Music in the West on 14/11/2020.
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Wait for the Mist to Clear broadcast on BBC Music Introducing in the South West and PALMR in the Mix on 04/07/2020.
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Meagre Heights reached No. 1 in the UK Submit Hub Folk Charts (No. 14 in the world), December 2020.
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Another Girl reached No. 2 in the UK Submit Hub Folk Charts, February 2021.
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Meagre Heights added to Songs for December by Mr Foxx Frequency (77k subs), a YouTube Playlist with over 450, 000 views, 27/11/2020.
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Full discography added to the British National Library Sound Archive Permanent Collection, December 2019.
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Performed Wait for the Mist to Clear live on BBC Radio Bristol, Jonathan Ray Show on 01/06/2019.
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A Fine and Foolish Thing added to Songs for January by Mr Foxx Frequency, a YouTube Playlist with over 115, 000 views, 06/01/2021.
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Supported revered folk acts such as Martin Simpson, Steve Tilson, Nick Harper, and Rory McLeod live.
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Notable UK Festival Performances: Glastonbury, Trowbridge Village Pump, Shindig.
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Notable UK Venue Performances: Komedia (Bath), Cheese and Grain (Frome), The Canteen (Bristol).
Quotes
"An artist who has an unusually earthy quality, sounding genuinely natural in an otherwise processed world."
MP3 Hugger
"That was completely gorgeous - an absolute gem by @aligeorgemusic called 'Wait For The Mist To Clear'. We are so into that track, which is the debut single from his upcoming album 'Platys Yialos'!
We can't wait to hear the whole thing!"
BBC Music Introducing via Twitter
​
"The guitar picking and sweet melody is more than enough to get you to fall in love with singer-songwriter, Ali George."
Rock the Pigeon
"His guitar playing is delicate and picturesque, his lyricism poignant and gripping, and his command for songwriting obvious."
Two Story Melody
​
"'Platys Yialos' will make you fall in love with the sounds of Ali George through its rich lyricism, instrumentation, and intimacy. The inclusion of a live band only acts to enhance George's signature earthy sounds, and adds a new level to the intimacy that envelops you from start to finish."
The Other Side Reviews.
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