Stolen Car

Pop-folksters with a story to tell in every song, Stolen Car have been turning heads on the unsigned scene since their inception a little over a year ago. In a mere twelve months their energetic folk inflected pop music has had hands clapping and feet tapping in such revered venues as Water Rats, The Troubadour and 93 Feet East in Brick Lane (…not to mention a kebab shop in Hayes High street.)

Amidst an ordinary existence of part-time jobs and moonlit rehearsals, debut release Way You Make Me Feel is the culmination of four years of broken strings and single-minded determination for lead singer Joe Card (who came up with the name for the band after his car was stolen twice in one week). Hopping on and off tube trains, minding the gap, and gigging and charming his way through the capital’s open mic scene Joe soon soothed audiences with his honest, heartfelt and unassuming lyrics, gaining a following in both the unforgiving ether of cyberspace and singer songwriter circuit of London. His growing popularity led to him being featured on BBC Introducing with Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music) in 2008 and later that same year – after a chance meeting in Romantic Poet John Keats’ back garden – Joe joined forces with virtuoso violin player Basia Bartz (former backing violinist for The Mercury Prize nominated Tom McRae). Not finished there, in the summer of 2010 more members were added to the line-up, including guitarist Ben Phillips (whose previously worked with mix artist Dave Bascombe of Kylie Minogue and Depeche Mode fame); bassist Aaron Griffiths and drummer Oli Leonard. A hugely popular live act, Stolen Car have become synonymous with a sea of smiles and happy mosh pits and their debut single The Way You Make Me Feel – a summery pop-folk song with a sing-along chorus – is destined to become a festival favourite.

Stolen Car is the UK new folk scene’s best-kept secret; seal your lips and open your ears this summer.