press

Source: Wiltshire Gazette & Herald
Subject: Preview of the Treeology Tour

Big time calls with national tour for pop folk band

Former Hardenhuish schoolgirl Jasmin Hollingum is preparing to hit the big time as her band, shady bard, take to the stage on the first national tour.

Jasmin, 21, said the six-date tour which kicked off last night was a dream come true.

"You get a real buzz and I can't wait for it to get started," said Jasmin, who grew up in Marshfield, where her family still live.

Jasmin had her first violin lessons at the tender age of five but says she really got into music during her time at Hardenhuish in Chippenham. There she took up the piano and French horn and was involved in the school orchestra, brass group and choir. But she came into her own at Birmingham University, where she quickly joined the Indie Society. "I went on to run it and that's where I met the other guys from the band," Jasmin said.

"We decided to get together and spent ages practising before we started playing the local circuit. We had five regular venues and then we ventured out of Birmingham to Oxford, Leeds and Winchester."

shady bard have been hailed as the next big thing after appearances on Radio 4, Radio 2 and 6music with supporting acts such as Embrace and Stars.

Jasmin, who graduated in English and music last summer, said performing live for Radio 4's Loose Ends show was a turning point in her career. "It's the biggest audience we've ever had," she said. "Apparently they just heard our demo and loved it.

"Our song Bobby was then played on Radio 2 and on Friday we were interviewed for 6music by Phill Jupitus." Their debut release, Treeology, comes out in February.

back