“On The Verge is a great piece of work... Polly and David have a clear connection that allows them to not only write great songs, but also deliver them with skill and empathy. Jangle folk is on the map."

Stuart Green, FATEA Magazine 

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'False Colours' are an "award-winning" duo (otherwise known as Polly and David) performing their own unique and intricate style of uplifting, 'happy/sad', rhythmic, indie, jangle folk music. Based in East Anglia, the pair have become known throughout the live music scene of the south east of England for their highly entertaining, and often unexpected, live jangle folk show, playing many of the regions best festivals- from Broadstairs Folk Week to FolkEast, and (almost) everywhere in between.

 

Their inventive and ear worm-inducing songwriting combines traditional open and fresh sounding folk style tunes, with a tenor guitar sound which is reminiscent of 1960’s jangle pop- which David plays both harmonically and melodically, but probably also rhythmically, at the same time as providing a percussive drive with a nice, not too big, bass drum. When combined with Polly’s "beautiful voice," warm and characterful bass-lines and the never ending vocal harmonies in their interesting but well blended singing styles, the thoughtful lyrics come to life with an original, unexpected sound that is sure to captivate, welcome, divert and uplift the listener.

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In 2023, after five years of planning, writing, learning, recording and then ripping it all up and starting again, False Colours finally released their second EP- "On The Verge" to widespread (relatively speaking) acclaim... (but seriously, it's really, really good, and we're very stern critics- it's been played on radio stations all over the place- from the BBC to your local station!), with the help of long time friend and collaborator, the Surrey based, born and bred multi-instrumentalist Dominic Mackie, who mucked in on mandola, banjo and boring old six string (otherwise known as the...) guitar, and now... just occasionally... joins the spectaculiar False Colours bandwagon and live show to make this five-piece duo an eight piece trio! Huzzah!

 

All in all 2023 turned out to be a good year for False Colours. As well as the EP release and East Anglian tour, it was the year they crossed the pond/thames and finally broke Kent, with performances at Broadstairs Folk Week on the Queens Road Baptist Church Stage supporting the truly mindblowing Urban Folk Quartet and the awesome and up-and-coming Chickenstock festival combined with a well planned trip to Ikea Lakeside.

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“I think this is my top song for 2018 [Make Yourself a Sandwich] ... I spent a good two hours yesterday just watching everything  [False Colours content] online and listening to the EP and I’m a fan! I love folk music and feel like this is great. These are great artists and I’m all in!”

Angelle Joseph, Presenter, BBC Introducing in Suffolk (speaking live on air on the Boxing Day Special 2018)

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Historically speaking, the duo began performing together in 2018 and in their first couple of months were booked to perform at the coveted FolkEast Festival- their spiritual home (and a place they have now performed many times). Being determined not to pass up the opportunity to make a good impression, they recorded, mixed and mastered their first EP ‘Here’s Something’ live in one day and released it that summer. This EP came to the attention of BBC Introducing and has received regular airplay since -as well as becoming a popular hit for listeners of Cambridge 105 Radio, where the title track ‘Here’s Something’ held a position in the Unsigned Chart for twenty weeks.

 

2019 saw False Colours support Miranda Sykes (Show of Hands) at Ely Folk as well as being rebooked for FolkEast in another full summer programme of festivals.

 

“Unique and captivating.”

Amy Wragg, Get on the Soapbox

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What our audiences say:

"It's rare that I recommend any band but what I find so wonderful about Polly and Dave is that they are truly unique in what they do. This is real original music played and sung from the heart and mind and delivered with a huge amount of charm and warmth. I would book them any day."
Dan Fraser

"Superb! I highly recommend checking this talented pair out. They were my favourite part of LeeStock. I loved the humour, great songs and the overall sound was superb."
Becky Louise

"Quality duo. Such a full sound. Lovely harmonies and refreshingly unique."
Jonny Day

"Individually talented but put them together - wow, what a fantastic sound. Wonderful harmonies."
Arthur Dalgleish

"One of the best bands on the folk scene today."
David's Mum