WINNER OF FATEA AWARDS EP/MINI ALBUM 2013

Chasing Tales is Acoustic Blues slide guitar meets finger-picking brain food. Raw and finely-crafted beauty with a dark twist, soothed with harmonies, melodies and textures. A worthy follow-up to 2010 album Cycle Grace Pulse Break in creative growth. The EP features guest performances from Andy Jones (Just by Chance) and Blythe Cooper and was mastered by Russell Cottier (Parr St. Studios). It is released in collaboration with Searching For Dandelions Label/Collective. Cover Artwork by Jo Bywater.

Quotes:

‘Respect to Jo for bringing that something new and different to the Listening Post and for her original quirky song format bringing a twist on the genre. Well done’. – Fresh on The Net.

'Jo Bywater's four track disc serves as a noble entry to highlight her potential as an upcoming folk-blues mistress'. - Blues Matters

'delicious, laid-back piece of blues inspired, folk-tinged Americana that slides effortlessly from soft expectation to hard-edged understanding. There’s a great deal to Jo and her music. This EP, although really only a taster, serves to showcase an exceptional talent. This lady can craft a tune, no doubt about it. ' - Folkwords

'Unorthodox, uncompromising, simply brilliant..purely on the evidence of this latest EP, Jo is an absolutely extraordinary talent - as singer, a darned accomplished stylist with an unusual voice, and as a guitarist pretty phenomenal too' - FATEA

‘..an excellent musician and most engaging performer..’

‘..showcases Jo’s emergence as a fine finger-picker and slide player who is capable of building a great deal of drama and soulful expression into her arrangements. It is a fine recording which most certainly leaves you wanting more’ - Liverpool Acoustic

'an ear for the rhythmic and an ability to place words in such a way that the guitar is more than an instrument to her, it is more like a confidant, a co-conspirator in her music and Chasing Tales once exemplifies this confident and genuinely very cool woman’s ability.' - Liverpool Sound & Vision

'Jo Bywater seems to flit very comfortably between Nick Drake-esque pastoral, Polly Harvey’s gritty blues and the odd shade of Nirvana Unplugged – Americana UK

'Bywater plays a funky, acoustic, alternative blues like no music you’ve heard before. Her style is one of organic, creative exploration as she looks inside and outside herself equally deeply for inspiration' - R2

'Lyrical witticism and emotional range of voice, combined with some slick strum ‘n’ bass guitar bashing – bristling blues and folk riffs that suddenly withdraw, weaving raw honesty with a flirtatious, dark twang' - Seven Streets

’we develop, quite effortlessly it has to be said, a kinship with the music… it provides many pleasurable listening hours once you locate the repeat button’ - Northern Sky

'Honest, gritty, tell-it-all sound that evokes the spirit of any number of blues guitarists such as Kelly Joe Phelps or P.J. Harvey's now occasional musical roar and singer songwriters such as the innovative touches reminiscent of early Ani DiFranco..' - Nerve

‘Jo's musicianship and song-writing ability is outstanding!! - Tiltshift Music

'The songs expose her empathy with bluesy folk-tunes and portray the singer as a mature artist who knows her flaws and virtues yet knows how to play to the gallery' - Folk Radio UK

'The sultry jo Bywater, replete with smoky voice and fine guitar accompaniment, has the look and feel of a certain Alanis Morrisette before money and fame cleaved her inspiration and spirit in two..Bywater is currently ensconced within the role she was always born to play' - Bido Lito

'An album of incredible maturity that deserves to be visited and enjoyed no matter how late or by what means you come to this very talented woman' - Liverpool Student Media

If you’re looking for something exciting, challenging and refreshingly honest I recommend you check out Cycle Grace Pulse Break and you will not be disappointed’ - The Girls Are