The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Wednesday 11th August 2010

Formed in late 2009 by Mike Wilton, The Standard Lamps believe that it's about time that we took things back to basics. During the last two years, Mike has been experimenting with various musicians to produce ‘The Standard Lamps’ which now consists of James Livett on bass and Box on drums.

Playing countless gigs in the South East the band have been pleasing audiences for nearly a year. Their music can be described as a mixture of melodic tunes with a raw blues edge, and with their first EP ‘Portland’ finished in August 2010, they are now preparing to record their first LP.

The Standard Lamps believe in sounding where you come from. The Standard Lamps believe in variety. The Standard Lamps believe having fun with what you're doing. The Standard Lamps believe in giving you a good time.

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Nick Stephens grabs your attention with simultaneous singing, punchy bass, guitar and simple percussion, then keeps it when you realize he is doing it all on his own. On hearing Nick’s up-tempo songs at the Pizza Express, Geno Washington’s words to Nick were “Don’t change shit”.

Nick designed his Hybrid Guitarbass to produce an extraordinarily wide range of notes and developed the slap-bass, strum and finger-style techniques needed to play it. 2009 saw his unique sound come of age, with a dozen funky blues percussive songs that usually produce the response ‘Swearword good’ followed by ‘he sounds like a band’ and ‘how does he do it ? “F***ing Incredible!” ~ Jake Boyle’s (Growler).

When Nick plays his Guitarbass with a percussionist it sounds like a tight four piece band. He is currently recording an EP with drummer James McEwan.

Nick will be appearing for Rotosound strings at the prestigious Acoustic Avalon event this November (website link below). 2009’s AA included Ian Archer of Snow Patrol & Thomas Leeb.

Nick is also a consummate Acoustic performer with his gentler ambient material like the wonderful ‘Supernaturalness’. Have a listen!

www.youtube.com/nickkstephens

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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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A fresh young duo from Tunbridge Wells creating their own original material.

They met through music at TWGSB at the age of 12 and soon became a creative partnership appearing regularly at school events. The music facilities and guidance at their school have kept them inspired and they are both taking music as a key subject.

Eden plays guitar, piano and bass and provides harmonies to Oils’ sweet soulful vocals. He has been playing since he was 5, starting out on a £10 Argos guitar - which he still takes to the beach!

Oli is the lyricist and has been singing and performing since an early age, appearing in festivals, musicals and local events.

Influences are wide ranging, from indie/acoustic through to jazz and soul.

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