Info:

Ashley Hicklin
www.myspace.com/ashleyhicklin

There is something quirky about Ashley Hicklin's little world. Hidden in the cabin of an old sail-boat in Hamburg's harbour is a creative home somewhat fitting for such a distinctive voice. It's an enchanting setting thats certainly added a unique twist to his debut album Parrysland. The roots of this nautical theme go deeper - He was raised on open-mic nights in his parents bar on the North-East Coast of England, and first picked up the guitar, piano and drums in his early teens. After rocking-out in punk and brit-pop bands, he then turned to classical music, going on to compose works for World-renowned ensembles such as London Sinfonietta. Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall were followed by many months touring up and down the UK as a Folk-Pop singer-songwriter ("in the most orange camper van known to man"). He swiftly made a name for himself as the 'Bright Young Thing' from the North, and the BBC soon invited him into their TV studios. The live video broadcast created an immediate buzz in the music industry, and among those who approached him was Peter Ende, the CEO of EMI Publishing Europe. In less than a year after signing, Ashley had written his first number one single for Swedish Idol's Johan Palm, Belgium's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest (another number one single) and a host of other chart hits for major artists across Europe (working with the teams behind Skunk Anansie, Leona Lewis, James Morrison, Marit Larsen, Amy Winehouse, Sugababes, etc. - "basically a lot of cool cats"). Its hard to believe that he's still only 24 years young. [...]