QUANTUM PENGUIN + WALKER JAMES + ZAP | Albert's Shed Shrewsbury

Name: QUANTUM PENGUIN + WALKER JAMES + ZAP | Albert's Shed Shrewsbury
Start: 2025-11-26T20:30:00+00:00
Location: 8 Barker St, SY1 1QJ Shrewsbury, United Kingdom

Schedule

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025 at 08:30 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

8 Barker St, SY1 1QJ Shrewsbury, United Kingdom | Shrewsbury, EN

Get ready for a night of incredible original music at Albert's Songwriters Showcase! Join us at Albert's Shed in Shrewsbury on Wednesday, November 26th, kicking off at 8:30 PM. This fantastic evening of live music is completely free to enter, so bring your friends and soak up the talent.
We're thrilled to feature three unique acts who will no doubt captivate you with their songwriting prowess. Kicking things off are Z.A.P, Shropshire's beloved cover duo, Zoë and Petey. Their angelic harmonies and unique blend of charm and talent promise a crowd-pleasing start to the night. Prepare for a ZAPTastic time!
Following Z.A.P, get ready to experience the poignant sounds of Shropshire-born folk & country musician, Walker James. Having recently released his debut EP, 'A Crying Shame', Walker pours raw emotion and personal experience into his songs, drawing inspiration from legends like Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. His storytelling is absolutely brilliant, and his performance is sure to be a deeply moving experience.
Rounding off our showcase is Quantum Penguin, the multi-instrumentalist project of Matt Woolley. From lilting, emotional ballads to joyfully energetic fiddle and bouzouki tunes, Quantum Penguin offers a dynamic and captivating set. A nominee for "Folk Musician of the Year" and with his album 'Adélie' receiving critical acclaim, Matt's performances are a journey through the full spectrum of emotions. Don't miss this eclectic and talented artist!
Come down to Albert's Shed and discover your new favourite songwriter. We can't wait to see you there!

Artist biographies and links:
QUANTUM PENGUIN
Matt Woolley is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter from Shropshire who plays under the name of Quantum Penguin.
His love of storytelling through song blended with driving instrumentals means his set is one minute lilting and filled with emotion and the next joyfully energetic with soaring Fiddle, Guitar or Bouzouki.
Matt is a founding member of the Folk music group String Workshop and enjoys collaborating with fellow musicians and artists on various projects and art installations from Cornwall to Shropshire.
Past performances include Bromyard, Warwick and Chippenham Folk Festivals, the Shrewsbury LoopFest Music Festival, Folk In The Orchard Festival, Lichfield Festival of Folk and Brimfield and Dreamers Folk Clubs.
He was nominated for “Folk Musician of The Year” at the Shropshire Music Awards in both 2023 and 2024. His song This Gift, about the importance of the countryside and preserving it for future generations, was also awarded 3rd place at Lichfield Festival of Folk.
His second album Adélie won "Best Album" at the Shropshire Music Awards and “Album of The Series” on the Salopian Mixtape podcast. In the album, Matt takes advantage of being able to layer-up instruments to his songs that he otherwise wouldn’t be able to in his live performances, featuring his collection of instruments that include Fiddle, Guitar, Bouzouki, Vocals and Chin-Cello. The album includes several of his songs covering a wide range of topics, from shipwrecks to homelessness to songs about musicians’ woes.
From songs that make you cry to rip-roaring Fiddle tunes that will make you stomp your foot, Matt will guide you through the full spectrum of emotions while you sing along!
“Matthew Woolley played an incredible set at Chippenham 2023 so much so that we invited him back in 2024. Matthew’s love for the folk tradition shines through his soulful singing and exceptional multi instrumental accompaniments.” (Debra Hannis – Chippenham Folk Festival)
"It was a joy to see an artist play in a finger picked style, it’s not a style usually adopted by bouzouki players, but Matt did a wonderful job, and it very much complimented the songs he chose to sing... He rounded off the performance with a set of tunes on the fiddle and it was very apparent that this was his forte... A rising star indeed.” (Will Sartin – Patakas)
“A talented multi-instrumentalist, switching effortlessly from bouzouki to guitar to fiddle, Matthew’s song and tune writing abilities are truly impressive. His songs, though based in the time-honoured folk tradition, sound fresh and contemporary and pursue arresting and intricate narratives. His violin compositions provide welcome additions to the established canon of fiddle tunes and he sings with a rich mature voice which belie his years.” (Fergus Reid – Wheatsheaf Open Mic Shrewsbury)
“Matthew approaches folk music with such a refreshing exuberance… The multi-instrumentalist is a delight to watch and hear. This is a new generation of Folk Singer, and it is exciting, he leaves one with no doubt that our traditional music will be left in safe hands if all performers were to apply themselves as Matthew has… With a clarity of vocal akin to crystal, Matthew is undoubtedly on the right end of a very busy and active career. (Sofia Lewis - Sound of Shrewsbury Folk)
https://www.quantumpenguin.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/@quantumpenguinmusic
https://www.facebook.com/QuantumPenguinMusic
https://www.instagram.com/quantum_penguin_music/
WALKER JAMES
Shropshire-born Walker James, 42-year-old folk & country musician, releases debut EP of original music.
The folk/country styled three-track EP 'A Crying Shame' is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music, through Bohemian Poet Records.
The EP's title track has already seen favourable airplay on US radio, with fans describing it as "absolutely brilliant", "excellent storytelling" & "haunting".
The two other tracks on the EP are 'To The Ground' and 'The Beast From The East'.
Walker is no stranger to writing and performing live. He has toured as a session drummer for several bands, has been involved in music his entire adult life and has even written a 1950s rock and roll musical. The past five years has seen Walker go through a multitude of personal issues, from separation and divorce, to ADHD diagnosis, to family problems such as an estranged relationship with his son, that have led to anxiety, mental health issues and depression.
Walker quotes: "I've poured a lot of emotion into these songs & recordings, and although the songs were written a number of years back, the lyrical content very much applies to the shape my personal life has taken in recent years - divorce, separation, loss, grief, mistrust, anger...and I'd like to share my experiences with all who'd like to listen."
Live shows are currently being planned, with Walker recently performing at HMV in Shrewsbury.
Walker takes influences from Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson and Joe Strummer and has an eclectic taste in music, having been raised on Queen, The Clash, Guns n' Roses and The Beach Boys.
All songs written and performed by Walker James.
http://linktr.ee/walkerjameshq
http://Instagram.com/walkerjameshq
http://spotify.link/axnVultLCXb
Z.A.P
One of Shropshire's best cover duo's, Zoë and Petey have been in the game so long now that I'm sure they could perform their angelic harmonies in their sleep. Open mic hosts, songwriters and two best friends, creating a crowd pleasing and unique act.
Join us for a ZAPTASTIC time!
https://www.facebook.com/ZAPUKMusic