Shadow Captain is the brainchild of Liverpool singer-songwriter, musician and award-winning promoter Stuart Todd.

After spending years chasing the musical dream( in Liverpool and London) Billy spent quality time bringing up his son Will ,now 20,then 3 or so years ago they moved back to Liverpool and Billy decided to start playing again.Well things couldnt have gone better,Through playing and hosting WWK signed+unsigned on liverradio.co.uk Billy is now back mixing,playing and enjoying music and the company of like minds again..Yippeee!!! Billy does a once a week LIVE LOUNGE on his show  introducing some fantastic unsigned artists to the listeners plus playing 50/60% unsigned tracks as well and hes lovin it!!!!!!

Joe Symes, along with Colin White, founded the band, then recruited bass player Alan Welsh. 

The band’s self-titled debut album is a resume of their musical versatility. A record containing songs of the rock, psychedelic, dah-dah, easy listening, country and movie soundtrack variety. One international reviewer called it an indie rock classic and two tracks appeared on the Charity Compilation Shoulder to Shoulder alongside tracks by Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), Robyn Hitchcock, Noel Gallagher, Pete Noone (Herman’s Hermits) and Wishbone Ash. This collection was organised by David Quaife, whose brother Pete was the original bass player of the British rock legends The Kinks. Creation Records’ Alan McGee even praised the album in question, even adding Hollywood stars like Matthew Modine, and Michael Keaton to the fan-base.

This was followed by the energetic rock orientated double A side single Things Get Better/I’m Gonna Find Out Someday: two tracks that show their current heavy pop incarnation, and gives the listener a glimpse of the direction the second album will take them. The single was not only played during half time at Liverpool Football Club’s ground on several occasions,
but was a three-week feature on BBC Introducing. Not too bad for the band’s second official release, spurring into more recordings and shows.

Keeping with the desire to show people more of their musical versatility, the next two releases took a detour down the unplugged route with the release of the Acoustic Variations E.P and the Acoustic Variations E.P Volume two: twin extended plays that show a rock band can translate their compositions from heavy electric guitars and pounding drums to acoustic
guitars, but with various forms of percussion and other instrumentation.

During the time-scale of these releases the band have not only gained major airplay and radio sessions in their native U.K but all around the world; predominantly in the U.S, Canada, and Australia.

But what do Joe Symes and the Loving Kind do best? What is the thing they shine at the most? The answer, of course, is live performance. Like their publicity resume, the list of places they’ve played and the other bands they’ve shared the bill with is equally impressive. Headlining Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds After-show Party twice on the main stage of the Liverpool 02 Academy (the first time being their second gig as a full band), supporting The Blockheads, Dodgy, XTC, Republica, Alt-J, Bloc Party, Starsailor, and The Christians, being part of the Hillsborough Truth & Justice Concert at the Royal Court Theatre Liverpool, headlining the lovely Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon, and bringing joy to audiences at venues and festivals right across the U.K in Manchester, Glasgow, Cheshire, Sheffield, Wigan, Nottingham, Shrewsbury, Northwich, Leicester, Wigan, Crewe, Stoke, Blackpool, London, Stoke-on-Trent, and various parts of North and South Wales.

September 2018 saw the eagerly anticipated release of the band’s second album: a ten track rock classic that will leave the listener wanting more. The production of this album took place in several locations such as Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic Studios, Oxfordshire, the Motor Museum, Liverpool, Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, and Abbey Road, London. 

And finally coming up to the present, after taking sometime off from live performances, the band began 2020 by working on a new 4 tracks E.P, which is scheduled for release later in the year. 

So, to sum it all up: Joe Symes and the Loving Kind from Liverpool, U.K, One of the most exciting new bands to come out of Liverpool (according to the late Early Beatles manager/Merseybeat promoter Sam Leach, R.I.P.)
To quote Ryan Martin from Chicago based station Jammerzine:
“Take note if you are thinking of starting a band, or wanting to get your music heard. This is how it is done.”

Liverpool based singer/songwriter Terry Gray singing fresh, upbeat songs! 

Award-Winning UK Singer-Songwriter – Folk | Americana | Country
“One of the UK’s best and most original songwriters.” —Maximum Volume UK
	 “A masterclass in storytelling and musical craftsmanship.” Pitch Perfect
“John Jenkins is not only prolific but also superbly talented at capturing the human condition in all its guises.” 
Lonesome Highways 
“Nobody tells a story and soothes the soul quite like John Jenkins.” — Stereo Stickman USA
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🎙 Artist Profile
Hailing from Liverpool—a city steeped in musical legacy—John Jenkins has emerged as one of the UK’s most compelling voices in folk, Americana, and country. His artistry blends emotional depth with melodic grace, earning widespread acclaim for his storytelling and lyrical subtlety. Whether performing solo, fronting The James Street Band, or collaborating with artists like Pippa Murdie (Storm the Palace), Jenkins’s music resonates with authenticity and intimacy.
A seasoned live performer, Jenkins has supported Chris Difford (Squeeze), Jarrod Dickenson, Robert Vincent, Dean Owens, and Steve Tilston, crafting live experiences that linger long after the final chord.
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🎶 Latest Release: Restless Hearts (2025)
Released 4 July 2025
Self-Produced | Recorded at Crosstown Studios, Liverpool
Following the success of Tuebrook (2023) and the poignant Weary EP (2024), Jenkins’s new album Restless Hearts showcases twelve original tracks steeped in warmth, nuance, and narrative elegance. Inspired by the simplicity of Dylan’s John Wesley Harding and the clarity of Nanci Griffith’s storytelling, Jenkins explores love, faith, loss, and renewal — themes drawn from life’s restless journeys.
💬 What the Critics Are Saying:
•	⭐ “Restless Hearts is a triumph of songwriting and soul. John Jenkins has never sounded more assured—or more needed. One of the UK’s most compelling voices in the Americana scene.”- Liverpool Acoustic

•	⭐ “With Restless Hearts he has come up with his best album to date... pure music and stories.” — The Spill Magazine, Toronto
•	⭐ “A quietly powerful collection that invites the listener into a world of emotional ambiguity and faded light, Jenkins has a gift for conjuring characters and moments that linger — not because they are grand or dramatic, but because they feel true.” - Americana UK
•	⭐” Nobody tells a story and soothes the soul quite like John Jenkins… Restless Hearts is another stunning album, and perhaps his most impactful project yet.”- Stereo Stickman
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•	⭐ “John Jenkins draws you into his narrative with a gentle, soothing voice. It’s this personal touch which makes him stand out as a great songwriter.”- Suzy’s Musical World
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•	⭐ “These may be songs of restless hearts, but they beat with the blood of a master craftsman.” — Fatea Magazine
•	⭐ “John Jenkins returns to the emotional front and picks up the mantle of faithfulness to the dedication of storytelling within song.” — Liverpool Sound & Vision (9/10)
•	⭐ “You rarely hear a full album of songs that are authentic the way this release displays them... listening to this record is like reading a book.” — Buzzslayers
•	⭐ “John Jenkins is a lovely storyteller. His compositions feel fine, but they do have a good touch and also a nice level of complexity.” — Flyctory (4.4/5)
•	⭐ “Restless Hearts reinterprets Americana with British soul, delivering a moody and melancholy reflection that’s perfect for these troubled times — Jenkins remains one of the UK's most original songwriters.” — Rockin’ Rich Lynch
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📀 Discography Highlights
•	Restless Hearts (Album, 2025)
•	Weary (EP, 2024)
•	Tuebrook (Album, 2023)
Past praise includes:
“Absolutely breathtaking… a must-have.” – Americana UK (Weary)
“A masterpiece… an album for the ages.” – Liverpool Sound & Vision (Tuebrook)
“Songs that squeeze your heartstrings until you have to press repeat.” – Rocking Magpie
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📚 More About John Jenkins
From John Peel sessions to ‘80s post-punk roots in The Persuaders and Come in Tokio, Jenkins has evolved into a master of melody and understated lyricism. His music bridges personal introspection and universal themes, drawing comparisons to legends like Neil Young, Simon & Garfunkel, and Suzanne Vega.
With growing recognition from institutions like NSAI and Americana UK — plus radio play and critical acclaim across borders — Jenkins continues to shape the UK Americana landscape.
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📩 Contact: littlestarjohn@btinternet.com

For ten years Rachael Dunn has been among the standout songwriters and vocalists on Merseyside. Every project, solo or collaborative, is headlined by her insistent, original melodies carrying popular poetic lyrics. The songs always aim towards a style of no fixed abode. Acoustic-ambient-folk-electro-dreampop-beats. They regularly attract international radio play and record label partnership.

Rob Clarke is a Liverpool born and based acoustic/rock singer-songwriter. His songs have been played on the BBC, in the UK, the USA, Europe and widely throughout the world on radio, TV and internet.
Described by AltSounds as 'more than just a man and a guitar' he is influenced by a range of genres including folk music, country music and psychedelic rock as well as formative experiences growing up in Liverpool, Nottingham, Huddersfield, Skipton and Aberdeen.

Solo Albums Long Way North, Portraits, About a Time

Rob Clarke and The Wooltones - The World of The Wooltones

Rob Clarke with The Brown Bears - 10 Country Greats and 1 Other

Films - North to West

West Coast warm vibes
Emotive nostalgic innovation
Liverpool

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