Ian Easton & The Widowmakers

Performing as The Widowmaker, Ian Easton launched his debut album Soundtrack to Reality at SMILEfest 2010. Since then he’s played festivals like Glastonbury, Blissfields and Camp Bestival, released a second album, The Wink and the Gun, and gained huge critical acclaim along the way.

For SMILEfest 2017 Ian is back to launch is third album True Stories with his band Dan Parkinson (The Dirty Dead, Kids Can’t Fly), Daniel Morriss (Echotape) and Richie Towerton (The Madisuns, Kurbd).

Ian Easton & The Widowmakers are a folk, blues and groove-orientated whirlwind. Written about the magical mixed with the reality and disillusionment that the modern world brings, Easton’s songs exhibit Blues and Folk influences on a satirical and ironic level with intricate fingerstyle embellishing colourful prose.

“Led Zeppelin meets Simon and Garfunkel – 4/5” – Q Magazine

“One to certainly watch out for in the future!” – Tom Robinson, BBC6 Music

“A fine example of present-day folk blending, carefully selecting various roots styles to add to his tales from the edges of counterculture.” – The 405