Mat Walklate & Alex Haynes lean into an early electric blues crackle and the drive and swing of ’50s R&B, whilst keeping the hypnotic hill country blues pulse simmering in the background. Electric guitar, harmonica and two contrasting voices sit at the centre of a stripped-back sound built around groove, dynamics and original songs.
Working together since 2019, they have developed a collaborative approach that draws deeply on the tradition without attempting to imitate it. The tradition is the foundation, not the destination: the aim is not to reproduce the past, but to make new music that could not have been made without that history.
Across two independently released EPs and an expanding live repertoire, that approach has developed into a distinctive partnership, with appearances at the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival in Colne, Tenby Blues Festival and Twinwood Festival. They are now developing their first full-length album together.
Alex’s own website and other work/projects: Alex Haynes Music