JOHNNY Sharp and Phil Lively-Masters have joined forces to share their mutual love of all things generally labelled folk rock, Americana or alt country.

The two have formed Maple Canyon and their music takes in a massive range of genres from retro jangle-pop three minute rushes to dreamy country rock soundscapes with a sun kissed haze via stripped down acoustic country blues.

Johnny Sharp (lead guitars and vocals), formerly of Spoonful, and Phil Lively-Masters (guitar and vocals), who has played locally with country rock five piece the Fillmore Spirits, are currently arranging and recording a wealth of original material to be debuted throughout 2010 with their first LP scheduled for release in 2011 on the band's own Sideburn Records label.

Catch them at:

● The Grampus Inn, Lee as part of the beer and music festival on Thursday, March 18, 9pm.

● The Landmark Beer Festival, Ilfracombe on Sunday, May 2, 9pm.

● Dartmouth Music Festival on the floating restaurant, The Resonova, on Saturday, May 8, 2pm.

● The Hunters Inn, Parracombe as part of the summer festival at 12 noon.

● Barnstaple Fringe Festival at Lilicos on Monday, June 28, 9pm.

● Priddy Folk Festival on Saturday July 10.

For more details visit the website at: www.maplecanyon. co.uk or www.myspace.com/maplecanyon.