Discovering the best new music, curated by Annie Mac

One of South Yorkshire's most talented local musicians - James Taplin performs with deep passion and often total abandon, captivating audiences large and small across the country.

James has little knowledge of modern marketing or networking and, finding self-promotion very uncomfortable, chooses instead to keep the tradition of the itinerant entertainer alive and well through frequent gigs and word-of-mouth. Whilst his musicianship is solid what keeps people coming back is the incredible tone of his singing. No other artist expels air with such commitment and emotion and there's a reason people call him 'The Voice'.

Playing a huge ensemble of hand-picked, left-field covers as well as a growing number of diverse and catchy originals, James is the embodiment of good-hearted music from his lion's mane to his sneaker feet.

Frontman of blues-rock outfit Smoking Beagles, James just wants to play and write great music, and the team of musicians he's assembled are similarly minded. The net result of all this love for the job means of course that they are a lot of fun, if a bit mischievous.

Lead vox/rhythm: JAMES TAPLIN; Lead guitar: TOM LOWBRIDGE; Keys/vox: GARY DRAKETT; Blues harp: MICK HOLMES; Bass: MATT McCORMACK; Drums: RICHARD STOTT.

[Smoking Beagles does not endorse animal testing.]

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