Songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Selwyn Birchwood born in Florida 1985, is praised for taking the blues in a new direction. Rooted in tradition, he creates his own mix of heavy blues, psychedelic rock, funk and southern soul, performed with the fervor of an itinerant preacher threatening eternal doom. He calls the music “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues”.
He was the winner of the 2013 International Blues Challenge (IBC) (band category), as well the winner of the Albert King Guitarist of the Year award, presented at the same event. He started playing with the guitar at the age of 13, but grunge rock, hip hop or metal didn’t give him much. Instead he soon discovered Jimi Hendrix, who became a major influence. Reading about Hendrix’s blues influences led Birchwood to the blues, and he became a dedicated blues fan by the age of 17. He names Buddy Guy, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Albert Collins as among his favorite artists. At the age of 19, he was asked to join Sonny Rhodes on the road, but dropped out to complete his university education. In 2010 he was ready to establish his own band, which three years later won the IBC in competition with 150 other bands. He has released several award-winning albums, and now he can finally be seen at Dark Season Blues.
Dark Season Blues©2023
