There is hardly a Russian in the world that hasn't heard of the legendary underground rock band Aquarium and its leader Boris Grebenshikov. The singer-songwriter has released nearly 70 original albums over the course of his 26-year career.During the 70's and 80's Aquarium created an entirely unique musical and social aesthetic. Influenced by a variety of music styles and cultures, the group's sound nevertheless remained recognizable - whether performing quiet love ballads, light dancing reggae or powerful rock-n-roll anthems. Grebenshikov is also no stranger outside Russia. His albums were recorded and released throughout Europe, and North America, and he is widely known and respected among top Western musicians.

Boris has been at Livingston with Jerry Boys this month capturing Flautist Brian Finnegan and bodhrán player John Joe Kelly from award-winning Anglo-Irish band Flook, along with Sitar player Sheema Mukherjee and Sarangi player Maria Pomianowska who performed with Boris at the Royal Albert Hall last week in a concert for Peace. Boris returns to Livingston in late June to begin work on his next Studio album with Jerry at the controls.

Foy Vance operates in his own parallel universe. His music is an evolving journey, a constant search for artistic expression captured in the moment, operating well away from industry standards. Surely you'll hear echoes of Otis Redding, Richie Havens, Tom Waits and Van Morrison in Foy's music, legends he's already being compared to and definite influences. An ever so modest Foy will laugh at these comparisons, but then again that's what makes him so special.

After wowing the crowd with his jaw dropping performance with Ulster's 70-piece Symphony Orchestra at BBC's Orchestral Manoeuvres sell-out concert in Belfast, Foy is currently on a UK tour with festival dates planned throughout the summer and is here at Livingston working with Graham Dominy and Future Cut Productions on new tracks.