Brendan Lewes, influenced by the folk songbooks of old, uses a mix of mouth harp melodies with guitar and vocal loops to create his own rhythm section, providing a distinctive mix of acoustic timbres, harmonica wails and vocal howls strongly grounded in a simple tune.

New EP - A Little Less High - Out in October 2017

"A Little Less High is the beginning of the work between Singer-songwriter Brendan Lewes and The Gambling Ambers (Tobi Lemberger - Lead guitar, Myriam Lemberger - Vocals, David Suchy - Cajon, Freddi Kleinschmidt - Bass). What started out as a few short practice sessions together, in January 2017 Brendan and Tobi started gigging together and quickly developed in to live a band with David on Cajon and Myriam joining on backing vocals.

Still coming from Brendan's Acoustic Folk direction, Tobi on Electric guitar brings a more rocky guitar tone, played with a style founded in the 60s. Tobi with Myriam, also provide a sometimes delicate, sometimes punchy feel backing Brendan's strong vocal style. 

In May they went in to the studio with David on Cajon and Freddi on Bass. Recording at Fortsound Studio, in an old 17th century Fort North of Kiel. The Four song EP "A Little Less High" provides a folk pop/rock sound attempting to fuse together the influences of such greats as Bob Dylan, Credance Clearwater Revival and Clapton."

Blues Americana based in Devon. Strong vocal harmonies with punchy songs

Full album ' On Your Side' available from www.counttofire.com now

Biography:
There are plenty of British bands who have tried to take inspiration from the emotions and expansiveness of Americana but end up losing their own identity in the process. Not so for Exeter’s Count To Fire. Playing original songs influenced by both early country and contemporary rock music the band have trod their own musical path.

Formed out of a meeting in a record shop in 2006 and fast becoming Devon favourites, the band’s early work drew wide acclaim for the quality of their song writing. Their first recordings caught the ear of a celebrated Canadian producer and they were invited across the pond in 2010 to record their anthemic second album. The alt-country sound of guitars, violins and pedal steel matched with the group’s obvious Englishness proved a hit and earned them great critical acclaim for their original and organic approach. This included BBC radio play, reviews in the likes of Uncut magazine & even 5 stars from the News of The World! 

Obvious comparisons to folk-rockers Mumford & Sons abound but this is country, not folk, more “refreshing and cutthroat”. Coming alive on stage the band leapt into a hectic gig schedule culminating in a series of high-profile festival appearances playing to packed out crowds in the summer of 2011.

Fast forward a few years and the band have all experienced some life turns and lessons, some with new relationships, some with new children and all with new homes. Cutting back on lives shows they returned to their roots, choosing to record at Exeter’s boutique Valvetastic Studios, the site of their very first album. Working closely over two years with the ever stalwart owner & producer Joe Holroyd, band members visited, usually one at a time, to gradually lay down parts and build up an extraordinary collection of songs.  

Seeped in pathos and with space to breath there is a quiet strength to these recordings which are rich in vocal harmonies and are driven once more with gripping song writing planted firmly in the fore. 

Recent press clippings:

'Dramatic and visceral' Americana UK 

'Swelling melody lines that make you want to punch the sky' Folk Radio UK


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