When: 7.30pm on Monday 5 November 2012
Where: The Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE

We’re very happy to welcome back Australian singer-songwriter Darren Hanlon – for his first Manchester show since 2008.

A charming and clever songwriter, Darren Hanlon has drawn comparisons to Evan Dando and Billy Bragg, but is really his own kettle of fish. An easily distracted crossword addict and itinerant globe trotter (up until recently he hasn’t lived anywhere for over three years), he has wasted little time in establishing himself as a compelling storyteller and prolific songwriter with his observational wit and memorable pop hooks, at home and in other far-flung pockets of the globe.

Releasing his Early Days EP in 2000, he quickly gained recognition within the Australian indie music scene and begun touring Europe and the United States shortly thereafter. In 2002, his full-length debut, Hello Stranger, a wonderful mix of folk-rock and quirky songwriting was released to comparably favorable reviews. Little Chills arrived in 2004, followed by Fingertips and Mountaintops (2006) and a collection of B-sides and rarities called Pointing Ray Guns At Pagans (2009). In 2010, Darren celebrated 10 years as a solo musician with the release of I Will Love You At All, which was met with critical acclaim and featured the hit single All These Things. He is currently writing his next album in the back of a Melbourne bookshop, slated for release in late 2012.

Known for his engagement with his audiences, through his down-to-earth storytelling at his live shows, Darren has toured with Billy Bragg, the Magnetic Fields, Bright Eyes, Violent Femmes and continues to tour across the globe.

Shelley Short was born in and now lives in Portland, Oregon. The songs she writes today are somewhat inspires by experiences she had growing up there around musicians, lots of records, books, characters, complex movie plot situations, and a very overactive imagination. She started writing songs in high school on the bass, as well as learning covers such as Mo Tucker‘s After Hours and Hank Williams’ I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.

Several years later after being in some love affairs with the songs of Jimmie Rodgers and Ween, she learned how to play guitar, and began to write songs again. She loves being at home, but a life lived on the road has been the usual as of late, which has changed her definition of what home really is. This is a subject that her new album Then Came The After explores. Touring with the likes of Tom Brosseau, Darren Hanlon, M Ward, Loudon Wainright III and Whispertown has kept her busy in Australia, Europe and the USA for the past few years.

Local support comes from Jonathan Woodhead. Jonathan is a singer-songwriter with a musical nod towards the likes of Nick Drake and The Tallest Man On Earth. As a student in Manchester, Jonathan is a part of the thriving acoustic music scene, and has just self-released his EP Birdsong.

Buy tickets now. Tickets are also available from the bar, Common (both no booking fee), Piccadilly Records, Vinyl Exchange, Seetickets.com, WeGotTickets.com, Ticketline.co.uk and on 0871 220 0260.

Attend on: Facebook | Last.fm