Rob da Bank - Radio 1
"Can you believe that's unsigned? Can you?
We're scratching our heads, how can it be?....
Get your cheque books out and sign em up!"

Claire Sturgess - X-Posure on Xfm
"Isn't that absolutely gorgeous?.... beautiful!"

Praise for Wallflower... (Sept 2008)
It's that feeling you get when a song starts up with a lo-fi crackle then all of the sudden drops you into full spectrum stereo. That, coupled with finally being relieved of a frustrating morning with zero good band discoveries, put an easy smile on my face. Their latest EP, "I Hold My Breath" (only 4 songs to my un-delight) is...well, beautiful. They're assumed single under the same name is incredibly polished and will, without a doubt, be stuck in my head until I have it removed surgically... (read full review here)

Rob Wright - Sandman Magazine (December 2006)
...the five tracks’ subtle blending of folk, indie and
post-rock make this a beautiful EP to listen to
repeatedly: obtain and enjoy. (read full review here)

To Hell With... (March 2006)
...with pop songs that have a bigger than average
dose of intelligence and choruses that lodge in
your brain (in a good way), the public at large
could do far worse than to choose a band like
artisan over the kt tunstall's or the now sadly
awful turin brakes that the record industry seems
so keen to foist upon them on a regular basis.
(read full review here)

Come Pick Me Up (March 2006)
The acoustic duo shtick is all too familiar, isn't it?
We've heard enough of two guys and their two
guitars, delivering the same old tired sound.
I've had enough of it. Apparently, Artisan has
too because they've opted to surrender this sound
and bring something new to the table. Implied in
their music is not only the ingenuity they boast
as it pertains to songwriting, but also their
ability to turn these seemingly simple sounds
into something extraordinary.

Despite the simplicity of their instruments, the band
was able to develop some really enchanting,
multi-layered tracks that I'm completely crazy
about. Sincerely speaking, acoustic guitars and an
upright bass have never sounded so good. It looks as
though they're in the process of recording some
new tracks for an official release. I couldn't be
happier. Keep in mind that the provided mp3s are
from the band's AG-Style EP which are, in essence,
demo tracks.

Also, lets all agree that upright bass
= ridiculously cool.

24/7 Magazine (Nov 2005)
Artisan have got it right. Armed with a bag of songs
that feed from the deep troughs of Simon & Garfunkel,
Belle & Sebastian, Rae & Christian, Thom Yorke, Kings
of Convenience, Ben Christophers and other delicate
crooners, they hold their own due to the outstanding
song-writing and understated delivery. Add some
syncopated loops ('Without This') and absolute
classics ('Of Cats and Conscience') and you have one
very accomplished album by one very under-exposed
band. Listen and learn.
Backbone

Tasty Fanzine (Nov 2005)
Artisan - Promo EP
This pleasantly soothing collection (which, at
9 tracks long, turns out to be more of an LP…sirs,
you are TOO generous!) comes courtesy of a London
-based acoustic duo who were also childhood friends
back in Devon. Ah, bless! They liken themselves to
Radiohead and Turin Brakes, among others, and one
of ‘em plays a mean double bass.

I can certainly hear the influence of Yorke and co.
in the vocal style, chord progression and weird
tremolo-tinged solo of “Without This”, and the
skittering techno drum patterns are very “Kid A”.
Indeed, there are many interesting noises and
tweaks to capture one’s attention.

The more straightforward opener “I Hold My Breath”,
meanwhile, would sound great on the soundtrack of
a teen romantic-comedy…which is meant as a
compliment, by the way…and overall each song has
something to recommend it. Good to hear someone
trying to do something a bit different within the
acoustic idiom, and proof that the West Country
can produce more in the way of musical talent than
the repulsive Reef. Well done, chaps.
Will Columbine

Spill Magazine (Oct 2005)
Artisan EP – 81%
Good music should give you an armoury of words
with which to describe it. Great music often leaves
you speechless. Artisan don't quite fall into the
'great' category yet but calling them anything less
than 'very f*cking good' just won't do. Normally
the description 'acoustic duo' would have me
reaching for a sick bag, but Artisan pull enough
of a tune together for you to just revel in
their gorgeous songwriting.

Belle and Sebastian's title as kings of twee is
not under threat just yet, but they best keep on
their toes, for Artisan have come up with a cracking
EP of songs here.
Stef Lach

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Contact: artisan@artisanmusic.co.uk