The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Sunday 13th March 2011

Virgin Soldiers is an eclectic group of musicians who share a passion to create innovative music. One of the band’s unique selling points is the incredible rhythm and energy of the music – achieved without the use of a drum kit - and unable to find a genre that fits their music they have created their own, Strock.

Formed in the summer of 2009 by singer/guitarist/songwriter James Beeny the band creates a unique sound. James loved the idea of combining contemporary with classical instruments and had a head full of violin, viola and cello parts, but like many self-taught musicians was unable to put the music down on paper. He was lucky enough to meet Mike Parkin, a classically trained violinist, who was able to write down James’ sometimes unorthodox ideas and together they started gigging in London and the South of England with a girl singer, a bass player and a number of cellists and violinists. In 2010 they were joined by bass player James Luke, singer/pianist/songwriter Gina Georghiou and viola player John Hinchliffe. But it wasn’t until 2011 that the line-up was finally complete when James met cellist Hannah Masson on a station platform and asked her if she wanted to join the band. Hannah, who was studying at the Royal College of Music became the final piece of the puzzle. They now all work together to produce the sound that is uniquely Virgin Soldiers.

Virgin Soldiers will be appearing live on the main stage at the Good Weekend Festival in Hampshire on Saturday July 23 and at Local & Live on Monday August 29.

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Singersongwriter Bella Mckendree, formerly known as Annabel Durnford, has been writing and performing for 3 years. Bella’s musical style is acoustic and soulful. Bella’s influences are Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell, Einaudi, Cat Stevens, Elliott Smith, Joan Baez, Tracy Chapman, Alicia Keys and Bon Iver. Bella brings her experiences and memories into her songs. Her recent headline performance at The Grey Lady was described by Paul as ‘truly breathtaking’ Volunteering in East Africa 2 years ago provides Bella with much inspiration and energy to compose. Having been to Cardiff University to read music and dropped out Bella is now going to Brighton Institute of Modern Music.

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týn has been performing regularly at The Grey Lady since 2008 and before that with local band ‘the magd’. Originally a duo, Tracey (vocals and guitar) and Anthony (keyboards) were joined by Mark on percussion in 2010.

Their music is mainly acoustic, sometimes spare and stripped out and sometimes intricately arranged but always personal and intimate and performed with passion. Between them, týn has a few decades worth of classical and modern influences; which have left their mark on what you hear now. They have covered songs by Guns N’ Roses, Eva Cassidy, Damien Rice, Cole Porter and Muse, to name a few…

One of Tracey and Anthony’s recent projects was writing, recording and producing a contemporary musical about Mary Magdalene. ‘Rest In You’ which was performed at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells in April 2011. A CD of the songs is available and the script and score will be published later in the year.

týn continues to work on their albums of original songs and covers and hopes you will continue to support their musical projects.

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Sean de Burca is a percussive acoustic guitarist from Kent. By the time he had been playing guitar for just 7 years, he had already been named as one of the top 30 greatest acoustic guitarists under the age of 30 worldwide by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, alongside Ed Sheeran, Newton Faulkner and more. Sean has also been featured as Acoustic Magazine’s ‘Next Big Thing’. On his latest CD, Mechanism, an experimental album combining various playing styles and genres, Sean has also featured his bass guitar, drums and electric guitar playing alongside his original solo acoustic compositions.

“From harmonics to percussive slapping to agile fretboard dancing, this southpaw knows a thing or two about getting the most sound possible out of his guitar. On his three full-length releases on Bandcamp, the self-taught guitarist shows he isn’t afraid of taking risks.”
Acoustic Guitar Magazine 2014

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