A little bit about me
I am a singer/songwriter and through music I hope to touch hearts and minds one song at a time.
I write using my lovely Fender Sonoran acoustic guitar, the sound usually brings up emotions that I use to form the basis of an idea, I then weave in a narrative. Presently my style is very much in the school of folk and Americana but other influences seep into what I do. It is the act of creation and being able to vocalise the shades of life through music that keep me writing. I am just dipping my toe in the water at the moment but intend to keep making new music.
A little bit more...
It has taken me a while to see myself as an artist. I grew up with Bowie and 80’s pop and saw music as a real form of expression but not something I pictured for myself.
I have always been drawn to artists like Elton John and David Bowie, each of them unique and not afraid to do things their way. I think it is so important to have a voice and be able to express yourself creatively, they made a big impression on me which eventually drove me to become a singer/songwriter.
Bowie shaped my teen years and opened the door to thinking outside the box with songs such as “Five Years” and “Drive In Saturday”. A front seat to his technicoloured mind and a different world. I first listened to Bowie on my dad’s record player in 1982 wearing out his Bowie’s Pin Ups LP.
I am also greatly influenced by Nanci Griffiths. Her unique vocals and folk sound create songs and stories that carry us away such as “Love in the 5 and dime”, “Late night grand hotel” and “There’s a light beyond these woods” which are timeless.
After watching the Songbook series presented by Will Hodgkinson on Sky Arts I was inspired after hearing artists such as Jarvis Cocker and Ian McCulloch talk about the ways they created music. I realised there isn't a cookie cutter songwriter and I didn’t have to read music or play guitar like Eric Clapton to do what they were doing. It was an eye opener and encouraged me to follow my own rules, gave me confidence to make music and to not be afraid to make mistakes.
I started recording melodies on my phone after the birth of my son. The process gave me a creative outlet and ten years later in 2018, I began a foundation degree in music production and creative recording.
In 2021 I completed my degree at WaterBear, The College of Music, Brighton. I am very grateful to all my tutors, and all of the people who have supported me in my pursuit of artistic and creative freedom. For me, songwriting is the greatest form of freedom, and I love it!