Polly and the Billets Doux

Polly and the Billets Doux is a Winchester based band who performed their first gig unamplified in the middle of a smoky venue's backroom in 2006; belting it out so the crowds at the back could hear.
The four-piece band take their influences from jazz greats like Billie Holiday and add a quintessentially English twist, with divine harmonised vocals; they've been described as a sumptuous BLEND of jazz, blues, country, folk and gospel. .
They are AbOUT to set off on their second Tour Of England and Scotland in support of their debut album 'Fiction, Half-Truths & Downright Lies.’ After Signing to Bleak Mouse Records, they released the ‘Head of Steam’ EP, which charted at number 21 on the Radio 1 Indie Chart. Featured in ‘The Word’ Magazine’s Best New Music, they have also been championed by Bob Harris & Terry Wogan on Radio 2 as well as performing live sessions with Cerys Matthews on Radio 6, ‘Loose Ends’ on Radio 4 and BBC regional stations throughout the UK. Generating quite a stir at Glastonbury and Loopallu Festival in Scotland and everywhere in between, their reputation as a formidable force on the stage is spreading quickly. .
Fronted by lead singer Polly Perry - Vocals & Double Bass
Andrew (Steeny) Steen – Electric / Acoustic & Slide Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals.
Daniel Everett – Electric & Double Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals.
Ben Perry – Drums.

Appearances

Polly and the billets doux have performed at Glastonbury and Loopalu Festival and many regionals, have been played by Terry Wogan on "wake up with wogan" and a live slot and interview for Cerys Matthews on BBC Radio 6. They have also appeared on BBC Radio 4 "Loose Ends"

Discography

Albums

Date	Title	Chart Placing
Sept 2009	Fiction, Half Truths and Downright Lies	—

Singles

Date	Title	Chart Placing	Album
Jan 2008	Head of Steam	11 (Indie)	Head Of Steam EP
May 2009	Follow My Feet	—	Fiction, Half Truths and Downright Lies

Reviews

“The new Duffy? No! Polly Perry’s way better!”

Uncut Magazine ****

“Fine-cut and multi-faceted diamond of a debut album. It’s seductive intelligent listening.”

Venue Magazine *****

“An astounding achievement for a band with a bright future”

Big Distraction 9.5 / 10

“From hot rocking thrills, to jazzy splendour to country darkness, the musical brief of Polly and the Billets Doux seems to be, if it sounds and feels good, go for it!”

The Daily Mirror

“One of the more entertaining and more fully formed debuts of the year!”

RocknReel Magazine

“Displaying strut and style to have them blowing up in the UK, the album is definitely a must-have.”

Fazer Magazine

"Polly and the Billets Doux offered time travel back to festival days gone by with country, gospel and blues flowing from the flower covered stand. Polly offered a great accompaniment to the double bass and guitar, showing good range in delivering a rock n roll 'Don't Trouble Trouble' and a slower, more thoughtful number that would have put Norah Jones to shame.

The band was made even more interesting by some timely harmonising that gave it all a great country twist. This short sharp injection of nostalgia reminded me exactly why I only rarely make it to the Pyramid Stage; there seems to be much more hidden in the countryside."

-Ian George, Official Glastonbury Review 2008