biography

“Gren’s Songwriting is constantly outstanding in the best poetic tradition” – fRoots Magazine.

“will be heard more often…. once people realise just how good he really is.” – Northern Sky Magazine

Reading like a pencilled growth chart on your door frame, Gren’s albums have ceaselessly outgrown their predecessor’s trousers. From traditonal folk influences and contemporary songwriters to banjos and bluesters, Gren now explores his own experiences through a genuine desire to find something of magic.

His 2015 album “Magnificent Creatures” (★★★★★ – R2 magazine) put Gren in the ears of modern acoustic lovers around the UK. With his stunning band of cello, violin, piano, percussion (and more) and produced by legend Gavin Monaghan (Robert Plant, Paolo Nutini etc…) he created something “inspring” and “highly original”.

“he’s invented his own kind of music… everything about it is class” – BBC Radio

“Gren’s Songwriting is constantly outstanding in the best poetic tradition” – David Kidman fRoots. May 2015

 

Not one to sit still for very long, 2018 saw the release of “Quiet”, an album of world music performed on bottleneck slide guitar. The album is available to download for free. This collection of songs; some traditional, some old songs and some original pieces, is a unique navigation of folk cultures from around the globe.

“a deeply reflective and meditative suite of beautiful music” – Northern Sky

Currently Gren performs seldom, preferring to spend his time writing and recording. 2020 will see the release of both “Quiet part II” and a new collection of contemporary songs with some of his previous musical partners.

His live shows are carefully selected and vary between solo shows of musical explorations and trio shows with the formidable string and harmony section of Kath Ord (violin/vocals) and Sarah Smout (cello/vocals). Always worth a trip out the house for!

“Bartley’s acoustic folk vision – uncluttered, occasionally austere but never cold – has truly come into focus” – Acoustic Magazine