I am always looking for new projects to get stuck into. If you’re interested in collaborating get in touch! 🙌
Throughout my career as a songwriter and session musician I have worked on various projects alongside producers such as Russ Russell (Machine Head, Napalm Death), Adrian Bushby (Muse, Foo Fighters) and Gordon Raphael (The Strokes, Regina Spektor) and session musicians such as Josh Devine (One Direction), Ryan Carins (HalfNoise, Hollow Coves), Alex Thomas (Squarepusher, Air, Bloc Party), Jay Russell (Yard Act) and Charlotte Hatherley (Ash, Bat For Lashes, KT Tunstall).
My first major project came in 2016 while writing and producing my band KOYO’s debut album at Foel studios in Wales. I also performed lead vocals, guitar, bass and piano on the album. It was released in September 2017 to widespread critical acclaim, receiving outstanding press reviews in in Q, Classic Rock, PROG, Louder Than War, BBC Introducing, DORK, CLASH, Planet Rock, God Is In The TV and more. We also made the top 25 albums of 2017 in Classic Rock, PROG and Louder Than War, at #24, #19 and #21 respectively. This led to us being featured on Steve Lamacq’s BBC Radio 6 Music show, where he interviewed us as part of Independent Venue Week.
Based on our live performance we were selected to open the BBC Introducing Stage at the 2017 Reading and Leeds festivals, the latter resulting in a mention in the Guardian Online review. In 2018, we followed up with critically acclaimed performances at Rockaway Beach Festival, Live at Leeds, Camden Rocks, Sheffield Tramlines, Ramblin’ Man and Download festival. We were also invited to record a live session at RAK Studios in London by Marshall Arts.
During this time I was also involved in a project with Polish electro-pop artist KARI as a session guitarist, synthesist and vocalist. Leading up to and during the release of her third album, I Am Fine, we toured extensively around the UK and Europe to sold out high capacity venues. Highlights include performing at Open’er, Poland’s largest festival, sharing the stage with Jimmy Eat World and M.I.A, and performing live on Dzień Dobry TVN, Poland’s number one breakfast show. I also performed vocals and synthesiser on the album, released in April 2017.
Following that I became involved in writing and recording KOYO’s follow-up album, working alongside producers Tom Orrell and Mike Horner (Everything Everything, Franz Ferdinand, Hot Chip, Placebo). The album, entitled You Said It, is out now via 88 Watt Records and spawned the singles “Circles”, “Ostracised”, “You Said It” and “Out Of Control”. Most notably "Ostracised" peaked at #7 in the Amazing Radio chart, while "Out Of Control" found support from BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Tom Robinson who aired it twice as part of his BBC Introducing mixtape.
More recently I’ve been focusing on self-producing my solo chillwave/indie-pop project, Huwbergine; co-writing library music for Bleach (BMG); performing as a session guitarist for artist RIKA (signed to Warner Music Group) (highlights include performing live on CBBC’s Blue Peter); DJing private parties, corporate events and weddings on behalf of the Jonny Ross Music agency and playing guitar for function band Club Mojo on behalf of the Jonny Ross Music agency.
I also ran a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to help raise funds for KOYO’s third album, Onism. The campaign was selected by Kickstarter as a “Project We Love”, highlighting it as a brilliant example of creativity. Onism is out now.
”With an awful lot of great music around, it’s easy to get carried away with superlatives, but with Onism, Koyo take us into favourite new (to most) / new favourite band territory”
— Louder Than War
“Huw has over a decades worth of guitar experience, but what is more prominent is his passion for playing guitar. He makes sure that any pieces he plays is played with precision, technique and most importantly, joy! It is an honour to listen him play. He is also very well versed with playing in bands and live, and will help bring your piece to life!”
“I’ve known Huw since he was sixteen when we worked on a session together. He was a brilliant guitarist even then who had a bright future ahead of him. I highly recommend him.”
“A dream session musician to work with and an incredible artist. Highly recommend! ”
“A super talented musician.”
“I mainly know Huw as a songwriter, and I think he’s truly brilliant. Can’t get his songs out of my head! Also a fantastic musician, really cool guitar player.”
