Ruarri Joseph to play show at the Sandsifter

Local boy Ruarri Joseph (born in Edinburgh but raised in Callestick and later Newquay) has confirmed he is to play an acoustic show at the Sandsifter in Gwithian on May 16th.

Anyone who has a copy of his debut album "Tales of Grime and Grit" (released last year on Atlantic Records) will know it as a slice of deliciously laid back melody and good old-fashioned troubadour. You won't find the classic singer songwriter fodder of misery and anguished introspection, Josephs' songs focus instead on family, friends, and good times and burgeon with feelgood narrative.

His new EP, "They Run The World But They Can't Ride A Bike", which has been recorded in his shed came out at the end of March, and focuses on the minutiae of the people and characters around him. "I'm not here to set the world to rights" he says, "I guess I write about the little things, the tiny details that make people unique". Joseph started playing guitar at the age of 11, when he moved to Newquay and his parents split up, a moment in his life which he now sees as pivotal.

"Songwriting suddenly became a really natural thing to retreat into," he explains. "I'm not saying I was some hopeless misfit, but at the same time I wasn't out playing football, or drinking with the other kids. I wasn't Johnny Popular. So I just sat at home writing songs."

Currently on tour with Seth Lakeman, Joseph will be supported by Noel Prior, who has recently recorded a new album, whilst laid up with an ankle injury. It's a rare opportunity to see The Noel Prior Band's songs stripped back to an acoustic set (he will be accompanied by bass player Harry Mackaille)

Tickets are £5 (stbf) and are available from www.seetickets.com 0870 2200260 (24hr) and The Sandsifter.