Despite predictions of a severe freak late winter storm, a great crowd were at Winchester's live entertainment pub "The Railway Inn" last night for a  evening party to celebrate the launch of Polly and the Billet Doux's first EP.

I first saw the group in an open air concert in the grounds of Wolvesey Castle two years and was knocked out with such a stylish performance, and Polly Perry's charm and beauty.

"Finally the long awaited debut release of the EP "Head of Steam" on the Bleak Mouse Records. A year of in-store shows, festival  appearances and more relases to come. "They take their influence from jazz greats like Billie Holiday and add a quintessentially English twist with divine harmonised vocals" described as a "sumptuous blend of jazz, blues, country, folk and gospel" and "with the sexiest voice in the south" From the launch party poster

The new EP has four great tracks performed live in the evening and has cool photographs of the group taken at Winchester's highly eccentric  "Black Boy" pub, where Polly often works behind the bar.

Other performers during the windy Sunday night were outstanding too. Vijay Kishore - an incredible singer and guitarist who was just off to perform in Texas and Anna Vaupel a university friend of Polly who is training as an opera singer and gave a wonderful performance of three songs which were brilliantly well received - perhaps the first time opera came to a pub, but I hope not the last.

Live music is also played at O'Neills in High Street

Winchester has a highly flourishing pop scene, with its own recording studios, music websites and the 2008 "Battle of the Bands" competition to find the best Winchester group took place on the same weekend Saturday 8th March.

• Polly and the Billets Doux
• Vijay Kishore
• Bleak Mouse - New EP
• The Railway Inn, Winchester