On The Verge: The Dunwells

At 4:15 PM each Tuesday, WERS brings you our On The Verge segment which highlights an artist we think is up-and-coming. This week’s artist On The Verge is British Americana/rock group The Dunwells.

The Dunwells were formed by brothers Joseph and Jason Dunwell, who both learned to play guitar at an early age, as well as cousins Jonny Lamb and Rob Clayton plus longtime friend Dave Hanson. Each member of theband started out playing solo gigs at various pubs and clubs in their hometown of Leeds, England before coming together as a single group in 2009.

After The Dunwells’ debut U.K. single “Elizabeth” peaked at #31 on the Independent Albums Charts they quickly climbed the ranks of the local music scene until they earned themselves a headlining spot at the Bedford, a London venue that helped launch such musical artists as KT Tunstall and Paolo Nutini. The following year they came to America for the first time to attend the International Folk Alliance Conference at the request of singer-songwriter and BBC radio personality Tony Moore. Since then they have opened for such artists as Mumford & Sons and Los Lonely Boys, performed at festivals like Austin City Limits and SXSW, and were even featured onthe Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Last year also saw the release of their debut album Blind Sighted Faith. The album was produced by John Porter of Roxy Music, a nine-time Grammy-winner who has also worked with The Smiths, B.B. King and Ryan Adams, and features a blend of both British and American styles of music including Folk, Britpop, Rock and Country Roots.

Tune in this Tuesday at 4:15 pm to hear an exclusive in-studio performance and interview from The Dunwells only on 88.9 WERS.

By Bond Collard

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