#uncon12

Stephen William Bragg (born 20 December 1957), known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left wing activist who blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes. His music career has lasted more than 30 years, and he has collaborated with Natalie Merchant, Johnny Marr, Hank Wangford, Florence and the Machine, Kate Nash, Leon Rosselson, members of R.E.M., Michelle Shocked, Less Than Jake, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Kirsty MacColl, and Wilco. Bragg often plays and speaks at the Tolpuddle Martyrs festival. Bragg Close, a street in Dagenham, is named in his honour, and he currently lives in Dorset.

Chris Henniker, aka, Lowry is the frontman and lyricist of Mancunian Alternative Hip Hop outfit Coupe De Ville. Chris, under the guise of Hustle Productions, has spent the last 4 years working with a strong DIY ethos setting up a recording studio in Manchester whilst managing, promoting and performing in Coupe De Ville. Now currently signed to independent Manchester label Fat Northerner Records and about to release their debut single and album, Chris and the band are busier than ever trying to make their own rules and forge their own path in the music industry.

Emily Dennison is a freelance photographer based in Manchester. Her unique brand of conceptual portrait photography has established her as an in demand photographer on the UK music scene. Her portfolio includes portraits for Humble Soul's 'Glastonbury Unsigned' winner Liz Green, rising folk stars John Smith and Nancy Elizabeth, and the album and promotional artwork for the Jon Thorne/Danny Thompson project Watching the Well. Her work has been featured in various publications including The Guardian, NME and Mojo, and she was nominated in Urbis Museum's 'Best of Manchester' awards in 2006. She has also worked extensively in commercial and advertising media. A selection of her work can be found at emilydennison.co.uk

Almost uncategorisable, Gabby’s unique perspective on the world around her is inspired as much by her singularly surreal imagination as it is real events. Gabby Young and Other Animals offer a slew of stunningly beautiful, often haunting songs that are a genre bending explosion of gypsy folk, pop, rock, jazz, cabaret – and a whole lot of soul. Fresh from performing 15 festivals this year including Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party Gabby is about to visit the United States and Tokyo before touring the UK with her band on a tour – largely booked herself via her social networks. As well as receiving much critical acclaim for her eclectic circus-swing sound, Gabby has also founded her own company Gabberdashery, stocking handmade accessories made by British craftspeople, inspired by Gabby's flamboyant style. Due to her unique 'Become an Animal' membership club, she has also been previously featured in the Guardian, Sunday Times and Sky News and more.

Sam Duckworth is Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., the Southend-born troubadour who named his solo project after a solution from an old Batman adventure game, surfed the enigma of it to the Top Thirty with his home-made 2006 debut album ‘The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager’ (an album written and recorded on a self-discovery tour of the UK). He then hooked in Kate Nash and Billy Bragg to guest on the similarly successful 2008 follow up ‘Searching For The Hows And Whys’ (co- produced with Nitin Sawhney), became a leading figure in the political pop scene (a pub run-in with the BNP prompted Sam to become heavily involved with the Love Music Hate Racism campaign) and helped spark the new wave of modern folk heroes that’s brought us Jamie T and Jack Penate. Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. 3rd album inspired by a new love for hip-hop and a rediscovered passion for drum’n’bass. “Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly” is available now at http://www.getcapewearcapefly.com/ he is also is in the middle of UK tour.

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Róisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style. Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her debut solo album Ruby Blue, written and produced with Matthew Herbert, in 2005. Her second solo album Overpowered was released in 2007. On 10 January 2008, Overpowered received a nomination for the Choice Music Prize in Ireland; the award is given each year to an Irish artist who has proved to produce a critically acclaimed album. Her version of "Slave to Love" by Bryan Ferry is featured in the 2008 Gucci commercial starring actor James Franco.

Born in Spain, raised in Chicago and now living near Penzance, Cornwall, after having spent 14 years in Ireland, Sarah McQuaid is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and author of The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book. She has recorded two critically acclaimed solo albums, When Two Lovers Meet and I Won’t Go Home ’Til Morning, in addition to Crow Coyote Buffalo, an album of songs co-written with Zoë Pollock (composer and performer of 1991 hit single ‘Sunshine on a Rainy Day’) under the band name Mama. Sarah has been a full-time musician for over three years and tours extensively in the UK, Ireland, Continental Europe and the USA. She is currently at work on her third solo album. http://www.sarahmcquaid.com