The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Wednesday 4th November 2009

Iain Spink (guitar/vocals) and Heather Grabham (vocals/penny whistle/flute/harmonica) are established performers on the Kent music scene and have been playing together since 2002. Iain’s song writing reflects a passion for wordsmiths of all genres, particularly American roots music and has previously released two solo albums. Heather is a virtuoso penny whistle player and a singer of rare character; her talents have been in demand at celidhs, festivals and concert halls across SouthEast England, Belgium and France. Heather also performs with Celtic Roots trio Tan Tethra, and Belgian folk heavyweights Kadril for whom she was a featured vocalist on their acclaimed album De Andre Kust (2005). Iain and Heather will be performing songs from their debut album, Fables & Labels, released in 2006: “a unique blend of Americana roots and English folk, infused with a pop sensibility.”

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Mike says: My intention with life is to write and perform music, the sort of music that I feel passionately about. Music that really means something, the lyrics are about how I feel and the music is the sound of my life. I will die trying because it's the only thing that really means something to me and I've always known that it's what I'm meant to do.
I hope you enjoy my songs, there's a small selection on this site from my most recent recording and one (Steph's Song) that won the Make It Break It 2005 competition.

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Beckie, 19, grew up watching her dad and uncle playing the guitar and says of her music “ I wrote my first song at the age of 15 in a music lesson at Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School. My teacher, having heard it, encouraged and supported me and gave me the determination to continue writing and developing my songwriting which is something that I feel comes more naturally than anything else I had known.” Her influences range from rock to country, jazz, and mostly acoustic. Beckie admits to admiring lots of artists, such as Kt Tunstall and Kate Rusby, because they are true to their own style and music which is an ethos that she also believes in very strongly. Beckie won the best ‘song and performance’ award at the schools 2008 songwriting contest, which led to her joining the impressive roster of acts at the Grey Lady.

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Jennifer Ridley established her passion for writing and composing music at the age of thirteen. Filmic, folky and ethereal, her music is a reflection of listening to many poetic and musical influences of both “Romantic” lyrical composition such as Shakespeare, Keats and Blake to more modern folk artists such as Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tori Amos and Damien Rice. Her dark warm vocals combined with her individual folk sound mirrors the poetic lyrics which explore the many facets and emotions of the human soul. Jennifer has more recently formed a group with the instrumental ensemble “The Dead Poets Society” who bring a new expressive depth to her music and other poets work. They hope to be playing more locally as the year develops.

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