Idle Skies

The music is influenced by Radiohead, Nick Drake, Hozier, Fleet Foxes, Lewis Capaldi, Ben Howard, Florence and the Machine, Beth Orton, Pink Floyd, The Doors, James Bay, Muse, Feeder, Snow Patrol, Coldplay, Constant Follower, Half Moon Run and many more. 

The songs have been described as:

“A powerful, emotive, evocation of relatable experience.” by Colin Bone of the band The Naturals - RCA Records.

“Idle Skies’s expressive music can best be described as an ethereal mix of melody and tonality that embraces you and transforms you to a higher place” - Stephen B. 

The songs are honest and vulnerable. There’s meaningful, affecting lyrics, catchy melodies, smooth soulful vocals and harmonies.

There’s acoustic finger picking, swirling electric guitars and electrifying solos. There’s stunning emotive and haunting strings, delicate and dramatic piano, melodic bass lines and close mic’ed drums. 

The Idle Skies project is performed live and acoustic by Tony Gwynne on guitar and vocals, Sharon Hubbocks on violin and Neil Drysdale on bass. 

Tony's toured California and has collaborated with Ivor Novello Award winner Iain Archer formerly of Snow Patrol and  collaborated with Multi Platinum songwriter Paul Statham.

He set up a community group called Music and Walks, which helped local people improve their wellbeing and their guitar playing. He was recently asked to give talks in Universities in England and Scotland on wellbeing and music.

After moving to Devon in 2002 Sharon played with many orchestras and ensembles including The British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Taunton Sinfonietta and South West Sinfonietta. She is a regular player with Plymouth Philharmonic Choir Orchestra and South Devon Choir Orchestra and was also a member of steampunk outfit The Copperfield Ensemble. Sharon has undertaken session work including for television and is in demand as a freelance violinist/violist.

She plays with Obligato string quartet and the Orchard cafe string quartet playing concerts and festivals. She performs folk repertoire from the Danish string quartet and also original compositions. They regularly perform candlelight concerts playing a variety of music including film, classical and pop.