The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Tuesday 9th February 2016
This is a past event.
Headline Act: McCrei
McCrei was formed in 2012 when two sisters, Leanne and Shannon McCree began sharing their experiences through their song writing and started gigging on the Camden acoustic circuit. Fast forward three years and the sisters have performed at over 250 gigs including the O2 Academy, The Hope, The Cavern, Distillers, Rochester Castle and various other venues throughout England.
In 2014 the record producer Alan Glass, whose credits include Aretha Franklin, Misteeq and The Lighthouse Family, discovered McCrei on Facebook and started co-writing with McCrei. The songs Show Me, Now I'm With You, Shines So Brightly and I'm Missing You were co-written by McCrei and Alan Glass. I'm Missing You is featured on a film called Last Round which is being premiered in London in April and the film is also being submitted to the Cannes Film Festival. McCrei will be performing I'm Missing You live at the film's London premier in April.
In January 2015 the record label Disco Soul Gold Music (DSG Music) heard 'Show Me' being played on a radio station and approached McCrei to discuss releasing their material. 'Show Me', the debut single is being released as a double A side in April 2015 through DSG Music.
McCrei have been invited to perform in Munich and will be playing their first shows outside of the UK in 2015. They are also performing in May at The International Pop Overthrow Festival in Liverpool.
Inspired by an introduction into traditional Soul and Funk, the music takes some direction while staying true to their signature style. McCrei's influences include Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Joss Stone and Aretha Franklin.
In December 2014, Leanne and Shannon were introduced through a friend to a musician trio consisting of Tom O.Mitchell, Charlotte Whiting and Neil Cornwell who have since become McCrei's band.
Ashley Evans
Ashley Evans is a singer-songwriter from Tunbridge Wells. He writes songs about events in everyday life which haunt, inspire and obsess him. With a talent for combining soulful themes with well-crafted melodies, his powerful vocals create memorable, emotive tunes.
His love for music started at an early age when he wore out his dad's original 'Sergeant Pepper's' LP. He attributes his distinctive melodic sound and thought provoking lyrics to a teenage bedroom immersed in the sounds of the biggest and best guitar bands of the 60's and of a well established love for Oasis, Stereophonics and Blur. More recent inspiration has sprung from listening to Doves, Ryan Adams and Ed Harcourt.
All of these musical signposts merge to form the backdrop for Ashley's music coupled with a fascination with love, mortality, people-watching and on occasion inspiration from Jack Daniels.
Ant & Fie
Chiddingstone based duo Ant & Fie are Anthony Vicary (guitar and vocals) and Fiona Keeler (vocals & Piano.) Anthony was previously the frontman of local indie/rock band ‘Catching Flies'. After five years of rigorous performing all over the southeast it was decided that the band had reached a natural end leading Anthony to put down his electric guitar and explore the acoustic side of rock music. With Fiona joining more recently, this talented duo have fused together to emerge as one of the most talented and highly respected acts at the show here at The Grey Lady. Their breathtaking vocals express creative and thought provoking lyrics coupled with crafted melodies which comprises elements of folk, blues and alternative acoustic rock. The duo enjoyed their radio debut earlier this year with a recent live performance of ‘Tobacco Stained Guitar' on BBC Radio Kent. They have just released their debut EP entitled ‘The Quiet'.
Martin Stenning (of The Floodgates)
Soundwave - "You - a warm bluesy tune with enough scope to get you through any day of the week."
Backseat Mafia - "A simply great, uplifting and easy to listen to band."
Originally starting out as a folk duo at the beginning of 2013, The Floodgates is the brainchild of 17 year old singer/lead guitarist Martin Stenning, and bassist Tim Fullbrook. "We just dabbled with the idea of playing together. We started with YouTube cover videos of Mumford & Sons in the garden and...ran with it." A year on, their success has become much more than an idea. Now teamed with Alex Wane on percussion as well as session players Sander Priston and Eden Fish on keys, the band has begun a new sound entirely. Combining folk and blues, it’s easy to hear their influences – Mumford & Sons, Paolo Nutini and Tom Odell. But it’s far more intriguing to hear their own, fresh approach. While they have the blessing of youth on their side - only being 17 years old and still tackling their A Levels - there is also a maturity to their sound that fits together perfectly, making it clear these boys stand out of the herd.
A few hours busking in London caught them enough attention to be personally invited along to Heavyweight boxing champion, David Haye’s gym to play at an open day, and they haven’t looked back since. In just one year, they have gone from their YouTube videos to headlining shows around the country, releasing their debut EP 'God Knows', helming a vastly growing online presence and planning a small Summer 2015 Tour, showing that in the upcoming months; The Floodgates are one to watch.
New Single 'You' out now. Available to download on iTunes and stream on Spotify.
Website by Depth of Focus Ltd. Other photos © Michael Houghton and respective owners.
The rest © 2009-2013 Paul Dunton.
