Chris Hoban is one of the leading songwriters in the South West. His aim and style have simplicity at their core; many of his songs are initially written with young people in mind. He has a wide experience of musical styles and approaches and is regarded as a top-flight lyricist.
He regularly writes songs for the nationally renowned Devonian folk duo “Show of Hands”, has featured on a number of their albums and joined them for occasional performances and festivals including their sell-out show at the Albert Hall in 2018.
In recent years his songs ‘Hallows’ Eve’ and ‘The Old Lych Way’ have received regular airtime on BBC Radio 2 & 3, BBC Radio Devon, on Channel 4 television and are increasingly covered by folk artists nationwide. This year his lockdown song ‘Stay Close To Me’ has been featured on the Today programme (BBC Radio 4), Sky News and the BBC World Service.
Chris is enjoying a growing reputation as a solo performer and multi-instrumentalist, accompanying himself on guitar, piano accordion, keyboard, mandocello or cello. His narrative cantata ‘1918 – The Untold Stories of the Great War’, for voice and brass band, has played to sell out audiences in folk festivals.
He has appeared in folk clubs, gigs and festivals with the West Country folk musicians Steve Knightley, Phil Beer, Miranda Sykes, Jim Causley, Seth Lakeman, Geoff Lakeman, James Studholme (Police Dog Hogan), Phil Henry & Hannah Martin (Edgelarks) and others.
Chris is available for song commissions in any style or arrangement and for any occasion; please email him at [email protected] for more details.
‘The greatest unknown songwriter in Britain’ (Steve Knightley, Show of Hands)
‘I tell you what, folks, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, sit down when you hear this song (‘The Padre’), you’ve got to listen to it.’ (Simon Mayo, “Drivetime”, BBC Radio 2)
‘Katrina, Chris Hoban’s tribute to New Orleans and the power of love following the hurricane devastation, has stirring words…’ (Martin Chilton, Daily Telegraph)
‘Hoban’s two songs ‘Hallows’ Eve’ and ‘The Old Lych Way’ offer a wholly different dimension, rooted as the songs are in a mystical past and accorded suitably spiritual, atmospheric arrangements.’ (Colin Irwin, Folk Roots)
‘The best Hallowe’en song (‘Hallows’ Eve) I have ever heard’ (Michal Shapiro, Huffington Post)
