HAMPSHIRE’S Ian Siegal is a man of many facets.

He is at once a solo acoustic troubadour in true blues fashion, and then he is also a blues rocker with a full-throttle electric band behind him. And what’s more, he’s bringing the band with him to Southampton.

His 2014 album, Man & Guitar, captured Ian at his solo best, recorded by the BBC at The Royal Albert Hall and he has followed it with One Night in Amsterdam, which his first live album with the electric band and was recorded at last years’ show at The North Sea Jazz Club in Amsterdam.

Speaking from his new home in Amsterdam, Ian tells me that he’s very pleased with his band.

“We’ve been together about 18 months now. I had a band, but I just felt like getting some new guys in and a new and different energy.”

“They are really good and I’ve been wanting to play with them for ages.”

Born in Fareham, Hampshire in 1971, Ian was brought up on rock ’n’ roll.

“My early influences were the likes of Little Richard and Buddy Holly – and then I got into Blues and artists like Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf.”

But those aren’t the only influences.

“No, I also really love the singer/songwriters like Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson and Elvis Costello, so quite varied really.”

Ian’s career took off in 2003/4 when he opened for Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings on two successive European tours and then toured as a duo with Big Bill Morganfield, who is the son of one of his heroes – Muddy Waters.

He toured Europe extensively and even topped the Soul/Blues/Jazz charts in Holland ten years ago; and from then on he hasn’t looked back.

From 2009 to 2014 he has picked up no less than 14 Blues music awards including Male Vocalist of the Year award at the British Blues Awards in three consecutive years.

Although solo and band touring are two different things, Ian loves doing both.

“I do about 50/50 workwise and I’m grateful that I can do both.”

“Plus,” he adds with a grin, “When I do my solo stuff, I’m sitting down.”

For all his globetrotting, Ian is looking forward to his UK tour.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in the UK, I have a really good feeling about it. I can’t wait to play Southampton, near my hometown, as I haven’t been there for ages.”

As to what he’ll be playing, Ian isn’t quite sure.

“I’m still working it out and I’ll be changing the set every night. We will be doing lots of our own material.” He says.

Following the British tour, Ian isn’t stopping for a rest as he explains.

“We’re off to the States in May and touring around Europe during the summer.”

One Night in Amsterdam was released early in March and it is set to be classed as one of – if not THE – best Blues album of the year. With Ian around, the future of British Blues is safe.

  • Ian Siegal and his band will be appearing at Talking Heads, Southampton on Sunday March 29. Tickets £12. Box Office on 023 8067 8446.