"One of the UK's hottest underground folk acts"
--BBC Wales 2007
"They can really please a crowd. . . one of the most polished and satisfying acoustic acts in the country today"
--Fabulous Furry Folk, Glastonbury
"Ember have been quietly taking their 'easy roots' style to the wider world outside Powys for a time but this is the album that will open doors for Emily Williams and Becky Sullivan. . .There's a light atmosphere, great harmonics and a gentle swing to a collection that touches on far more than folk."
--fRoots Magazine, June 2008
"The highlight of this year's Folk Week . . . Two
wonderful women, an immensely talented
singing/songwriting/playing-of-many instruments duo,
who totally entranced me and everyone else who heard
them."
-- Isle of Thanet Gazette
"Meltingly fine harmony lines . . . a red hot duo."
-- Taplas Magazine
"Both voices are fantastic and move beautifully together."
-- Bryony, The Demon Barbers
"Superb. Brilliant."
-- Brian Willoughby, the Acoustic Strawbs
"This is excellent stuff!"
-- Johnny Coppin, BBC Radio Gloucestershire
"Truly a class act."
-- Julian, Wheaton Aston Festival Director
"A young singer songwriting group who are rapidly making a name for themselves on the world stage. With roots in both Wales and the USA, Ember play original and idiosyncratic songs and music with a huge enjoyment factor!"
-- Trouble Tree Folk Concerts, Netherlands
“Musical electricity!” -- Netrhythms
"It's not boring!" -- a woman in Great Rollright village hall
It's no wonder they sometimes feel like "a two-headed lady"! Since 2001 Emily Williams (Wales) and Rebecca Sullivan (USA) have travelled and sung together constantly: a unique busking act that has evolved into an in-demand band in the UK and Europe. Two distinctive voices form sizzling harmonies accompanied by guitars, fiddle, harmonica, whistle and clarinet. The catchiest songs about prison, love, murder and apocalyptic floods you’re ever likely to hear!
The unique acoustic magic of Ember has delighted audiences from California to Mexico, Ireland to Spain. Now based in Wales, where they have recorded all four of their albums, the two songwriters travel less far afield in order to write more, and to play regularly on the British acoustic music circuit.
They've thilled and amused audiences at dozens of UK festivals, including Glastonbury, Big Green Gathering, Sunrise Celebration, Cambridge, Sidmouth and Sesiwn Fawr. They've played at folk clubs all around the UK, often as a repeat booking. . .
While recording their fourth album "Open all the Doors" in Abergavenny's Felin Fach Studio, Ember had the great fortune of collaborating with multi-instrumentalist Dylan Fowler, whose inspired playing can be heard on many of the new songs. Other musicians involved include Jamie Smith, the accordionist of energetic dance band "Mabon," and virtuoso upright bass player Nathan Thomson. The sound is further propelled by an unusual collection of world percussion instruments expertly played by Job Verweijen (Netherlands).
You could call it contemporary folk -- with an edge. Comparisons have been made to Indigo Girls, The Be Good Tanyas, Simon and Garfunkel, Tracy Chapman, Michelle Shocked, Rickie Lee Jones, Peggy Seeger, Chris and Kelly While, Wailin' Jennies, the McGarrigles, etc.
Engaging and humorous performers, Emily and Rebecca build a natural repartee with the audience - in true troubadour style. Hecklers are always welcome!
Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
