Described as “One of the UK’s finest contemporary roots musicians” by Guitarist Magazine, Martin Harley stands at the crossroads of Americana, Blues, and Folk. With a career spanning three decades, Harley has captivated audiences around the world, recording critically acclaimed albums in Texas, Nashville, and the Wild West of Wales. His latest release, Morning Sun, showcases his finest songwriting to date and affirms his status as a celebrated figure in the global roots music community.
Harley’s music is defined by his expressive slide guitar style, which Roots Magazine hails as the work of “a slide guitar master” and The Guardian describes as “spellbinding.” Seamlessly blending American roots, blues, and folk traditions, his innovative approach has earned him nominations for the Americana Music Awards Instrumentalist of the Year, Best Acoustic Guitarist, and Best Acoustic Blues Artist.
His live performances are intimate, engaging, and ever-evolving, consistently selling out venues such as London’s Union Chapel and earning him slots at prestigious festivals like Glastonbury, BottleRock, and the Royal Albert Hall. Harley’s ability to connect deeply with his audience ensures no two shows are ever the same.
Harley’s talent has caught the attention of industry giants, leading to collaborations with 14-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas and Grammy-winning drummer Derek Mixon (Chris Stapleton). His 2017 album, Static in the Wires, reached #2 on the iTunes Blues charts, narrowly edged out by The Rolling Stones. His music has also been featured on hit TV shows like The Vampire Diaries and Banshee and in live segments on PBS’s Music City Roots and VH1’s Big Morning Buzz.
His new album, Morning Sun, reflects a broad stylistic range, featuring textural percussion by Michael Blair (Tom Waits, Lou Reed, Elvis Costello), alongside stalwarts of the UK Americana scene, Mark Lewis on bass and Chris (CJ) Hillman on pedal steel. Recorded at Airtight Studios in Manchester and produced by Nigel Stonier (Drumrolls for Somersaults), the album weaves Harley’s myriad influences into a richly layered soundscape.
From sold-out headline tours to collaborations with world-renowned artists, Martin Harley continues to forge an indelible path in contemporary roots music. Beloved by fans and critics alike, his work is a testament to his artistry and passion, cementing his legacy as one of the great modern voices in Americana and Blues.
“Harley has it all – voice, guitar artistry and the songs” Total Music
“No doubt that he is a slide guitar master. He is the business” Roots Magazine
“Quite simply a great live act” Time Out London
“Harley is the master of the bottleneck slide guitar” ***** Black Deer festival
“Simply sublime. Probably the best roots Blues album I’ve heard this year – or the last few years for that matter.” Music News 5/5 stars
An Exceptional Talent and Creator of Exquisite Sounds, Moulding Folk, Country and Contemporary Blues In a Seamless Fashion. - Rocking Magpie