The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Wednesday 11th August 2010

Having played gigs since the age of 11, Mike Wilton is a multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter from Brighton via Crowborough, East Sussex. Mike's 'Standard Lamp' project has been action since November 2008 with 2 EP's recorded totally by himself. His project idea is to record whatever songs he has got, produce them up to an 'acceptable' standard, load them up to his myspace page and perform them live with a handpicked band under the name of 'The Standard Lamps'. Tonight he shall be performing with familar percussionist, Bart Brummer and bassist, James Livett.

Expect melodic indie, roaring blues, loop pedals and a bit of harmonica thrown in for good measure.

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!

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.

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.