Wisconsin native Willy Porter is a guitar virtuoso with an insinuating voice that sneaks past your defenses and gets under your skin. He has toured with Tori Amos, Paul Simon, Sting, and Jethro Tull, whose leader, Ian Anderson, said of him: “Willy Porter’s music demonstrates admirably that the technical excellence of his guitar-playing will never overwhelm the essence of the song itself. In perfect symbiosis, the disciplines of performance and songwriting combine together to create the unique work for which he is admired by professional peers and audiences alike. Oh – and a damn fine singer too. Thank goodness he doesn’t play the flute.”

It’s been a few miles across America, Canada, the UK and Europe since Willy Porter released his debut CD, “The Trees Have Soul” in 1990. In 1994, he released his second independent CD entitled, “Dog Eared Dream.” The album highlighted his pop songwriting sensibility and also his acoustic guitar work that would grow into a style uniquely his own – a mixture of Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Richard Thompson and Lindsey Buckingham. He would ultimately sign with Private Music/BMG in 1995. European and American tours with Rickie Lee Jones, Tori Amos and The Cranberries followed over the next year and a half. Private Music went super nova in 1997, and Porter was left in contractual limbo with BMG. Porter regained momentum in 1999 when he signed with San Francisco-based Six Degrees Records and released the folk-pop gem, “Falling Forward.” Produced by Grammy winner Neil Dorfsman (Dire Straits, Sting), “Falling Forward” contained the radio friendly tracks “Mystery” & “Cut the Rope.”

In 2002, Porter brought seemingly disparate elements together on his eponymous self-titled disc, “Willy Porter.” The album combined his ?ery acoustic guitar work with career de?ning songwriting and vocal work—equal parts rock muscle, and folk-based intimacy. “Willy Porter” showed his growing vocal talents as he sidestepped through various character songs with power and detailed subtlety. In 2003, the solo live album “High Wire Live” would further forge Porters’ relationship with his growing audience. It clearly showcased his mastery of the acoustic guitar in his most comfortable environment—his live show.

Porter’s combined experience at both major and independent record labels ultimately fueled the drive to release a wider variety of music on a more frequent basis, and led Porter to start his own imprint, Weasel Records in December 2005. Since then he has released, “Available Light” and “How to Rob A Bank” through this independent label as well as produced and released two discs for singer/songwriter Natalia Zukerman. Porter then began a unique collaboration with Carpe Diem String Quartet called The Mealies. Adding an acoustic guitar and vocals to a traditional string quartet, The Mealies have captivated audiences throughout the USA and captured one of their performances as “LIVE AT BoMA” released on Weasel Records in 2010. Porter’s most recent release brought him back to his roots with an acoustic focus and his collaboration with Milwaukee area singer Carmen Nickerson. His latest EP “Cheeseburgers & Gasoline” was recorded at Porter’s home studio and captured live largely as they would be heard at a live show.

His music is engaging, original, and occasionally haunting, and between songs he tells hilarious stories, perhaps inspired by his background in improvised comedy. Each tour date became a unique event, a musical experience much greater than just a review of past, present and future recorded work.

He toured the UK in Autumn 2013 and February 2014 with Martyn Joseph, and his performances went down a storm every night with audiences all asking the same question…”When he is coming back?”

“I enjoy the security of obscurity,” Willy said in a recent interview, but he’s an artist who deserves an even wider following.

Willy plays Snails Deli, Cardiff on Sept 27

Tel: 029 2062 0415 | Website: www.snailsdeli.com www.wegottickets.com/event/282118