Morrissey once said "We hate it when our friends become successful", which seems a bit of a harsh thing to say really. Perhaps it says more about Morrissey than the human condition in general. However we at Hobgoblin are over the moon when our friends become successful, particularly when they work in one of our shops!

Yes folks, our man Ollie King in Leeds is on the brink of pan-global domination. He has been nominated for a "best newcomer" award by Songlines magazine for his album Gambit (listen here).

Ollie is a melodeon player and singer whose music is steeped in the customs and traditions of England. Based in Sheffield, he is starting to make a name for himself as one of the most exciting and interesting up-and-coming melodeon players in the country, and has already developed into a mature, well-rounded musician with a unique style and approach to traditional music. A defining feature of his sound is his sole use of vintage Hohner instruments (maintained and modified by Mike Rowbotham), setting him apart from other players of his age.

Since becoming a New Roots finalist in 2011, Ollie has played up and down the country, and appeared on releases by Megson and The Young’uns. In 2013, he was selected by the English Folk Dance and Song Society to be on their Aspire Programme for artistic development. This has led to collaborations with BBC Young Folk Award winner James Findlay, both as a duo and as a vocal trio with traditional singer Rosie Hood.

You can vote for him here (in the "best newcomer" category)

I am sure you will all join me in wishing Ollie all the best in his quest for musical glory.

Remember the little people, Ollie.