Pete Guy's first single release with us, which we are proud to be sharing with the world on 8th February 2015

Years of perfecting your craft and then a big decision to go solo. Happens to a number of artists who start off in bands in their teens and then a mixture of life and love of music refine the offering again and again. What Pete Guy's songs are offering us is a distillation of hope over experience, an optimistic selection full to the brim of redemption, reaction and a refusal to give up. And he’s worked ceaselessly on his songwriting to get to this stage. His EP 'Houdini' will be released early Summer.
However Pete is not your run of the mill male singer songwriter. In fact, it would not be unreasonable to describe Pete as ‘a mature musician’, who is what many would say ‘the wrong side of 40’ to be launching a solo career. We feel that Pete is carrying the flag for the more experienced performer in a society which appears to prize youth above all else. Surely that extra life experience has to count for something ?
Pete approached Folkstock’s Helen Meissner at a festival stage she was curating as part of Baldock’s annual town festival in September 2014. Intrigued by the softly spoken gentleman offering her some cds and invited her to watch his festival slot the next day, Helen listened when she got home, despite almost dropping with fatigue. Finding a voice which was appealing and warm yet curiously understated, Helen went to watch Pete Guy the next day.
A few hours of deep conversation later and Helen knew that she was fortunate that her world had collided with Pete’s. Someone whom she felt had much to offer and would be able to benefit from some marketing and mentoring, the two main tenents of her Folkstock Arts Foundation.
Pete’s first foray into working with Folkstock involved providing the final track on the ‘surprise hit’ The Christmas Present, Folkstock’s compilation release which has found itself the subject of The Sunday Times’ Christmas CD recommendations. Pete sang his version of Silent Night and was surprised to find the guitar accompaniment removed for the first verse in the final mix. A decision made by the boutique label boss to emphasise his vocal delivery seems to have paid off. In fact, one reviewer even implied that the joining accompaniment in verse 2 was extraneous !

But don’t take our word for it : These were some of the reactions from new music fans after hearing Pete for the first time.

“This is something different, something new. As the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention, I’m transported back to the first time I heard Damien Rice, then further still to my first introduction to Jeff Buckley. There’s a raw sincerity here that not every artist has the talent to convey”.
Joe Ferris – AbolishRecords.co.uk
“You know that feeling where you don’t really fancy an orange, but you eat one anyway and your body kinda goes “Oh yeah! That hit the spot. I ruddy well needed that!” because your body just knows when something is good for it? Well listening to Pete Guy is like pouring a delicious and nutritious fruit smoothie into your ears and your ears going “Oh yeah! That’s the stuff!”
Abolish Clothing – Facebook
“He is good!! love it! I like the instrumental backing and his voice sounds good on the quieter tracks.” Brian Player, Brian Player Folk and Roots Acoustic Cafe
“His voice is a bit reminiscent of the wonderful Tymon Dogg, but without the crazed energy” Ian Anderson, Froots
“I love his sound..Pete has a slight fresher tone to keep you wanting to hear more. “ SSEE Split Second Events
“vocal elements of one of my obscure "finds", Chris Yendell (Humble Man) which is a huge compliment.” Steven Hodges
“ I'd call Pete's stuff "contemporary folk" (as well as "acoustic"). He comes across as "Cat Stevens meets the Kinks". Good songs, and he delivers them very well vocally, in a nicely understated manner but beguiling all the same, making your ears prick up (that's where the Cat Stevens bit comes in, but also in his lyrics - very reminiscent of my old compatriot).
This guy could go very far indeed. He is still folk in my book, but like Cat Stevens he can cross into popular aesthetics effortlessly.” George Papavgeris
“love his voice” Tom Oswald, Red Dragon Records/ Videscape
“I still like it after about 5 tracks, I've not heard a bad one, though I liked the first one best. I suppose the good thing is the overall sound reminds me of "someone" but I can't think who - so it sounds "familiar" without being derivative” Guitar Tuition Basingstoke
“upbeat fresh music and ready for the radio at gas mark 6” Alex Hawkins, Frome FM, Homely Remedies
“I absolutely loved Weathered The Storm - it's such a happy song! It made me feel nostalgic. And it just worked so well” Chloe Harmsworth
“There’s a real maturity in his outstanding lyrics and beautiful melodies. Reminds me a lot of Cat Stevens- I thought I was going to listen to just one track, then many others followed, which was a treat.” Trevor Beaumont