Comparatively unknown in this company, Adam Stephens made his name as singer-songwriter in folk/blues duo Two Gallants; his weatherworn howl underpinned by wonderful fingerpicked guitar with a timeless, haunted quality remarkable for a man in his twenties.

An expert at filling out the bass while executing elegant arpeggiated parts and screaming his lungs out at the same time, Stephens’ reverb-drenched Gretsch hollow-body is caressed and attacked in equal measure, his influences older than rock ‘n’ roll, mining pre-war Americana and the folk tradition.

The uninitiated should begin with the sublime Despite What You’ve Been Told and work backwards through Two Gallants’ astounding discography. In addition, watch out for solo material from Stephens featuring a full backing band in 2010.