The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Sunday 21st February 2010

Singer/Guitarist Steve Spall formed The Violet Jive in 2006 and describes the style and sound as "Original swing with a cool dark alternative twist!"

The band also features Double Bass, Drums and either hot Sax or cool Trumpet! Influences from 50's jazz, alternative rock, trip-hop and Latin styles help create The Violet Jive's atmospheric, alluring sound. Appealing to a wider variety of hepcats and music lovers in general, (somewhere between The Jungle Book, Portishead, Wes Montgomery & Soundgarden, perhaps!) As well as being the platform for Spall's original material, the band also perform a set of covers and arrangements of tunes swing style, with dark takes on classic standards and jazzy versions of Rock and Dance tunes.

The band headlined in style at the annual Local & Live music festival in 2008 and are fast emerging as one of the most popular and original sounding acts on the local scene.

The Kitchen Poet - aka Nick Webber - offers a distinct atmospheric style with crafted melodies, thought provoking lyrics and engaging, versatile vocals. Nick has established himself as one of the leading soloists on the local music scene and has been performing live since 2001 in venues all over the Southeast including festivals in Maidstone and Gillingham. He has also performed at the revered ‘Rock Garden' venue in Covent Garden, London. His influences include John Martyn Nick Drake and The Rollingstones. Recent achievements include finishing as one of the leading finalists in the ‘02 undisovered' Music talent search competition in addition to receiving airplay on BBC Radio Kent.

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.

Chantelle has been singing and dancing from a very young age. As a child and throughout her teenage years, she was involved in performing as a part of the Kent County Choir, a member of various stage schools and made an appearance at the West End’s Dominion Theatre. During this time, Chantelle’s main passion was always music and singing. At the age of 18, she auditioned for the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, where she had the opportunity to develop in song, dance and performance. Since graduating she has toured and performed with professionals in the music and theatre industry. 

Over the last year, Chantelle chose to focus primarily on becoming a more accomplished solo artist and developing her songwriting. She has been working closely with Diverse Music, enabling her to record her first EP ‘My Turn’ which is available to be heard on her myspace page: www.myspace.com/chantellecurling

Chantelle is currently working on an acoustic album to accompany her EP which will be ready by winter 2009 ready for up and coming shows she has planned in her home county of Kent.

Her music has been well received by the media with airplay of her live acoustic set on Uckfield FM and press feature in the Kent On Sunday newspaper. Chantelle has also been enjoying taking part in houseband nights with The Original Songwriters in London. When she is not performing her own music, Chantelle sings with a function band at key events. Her main influences include Kelly Clarkson and Delta Goodrem, but uses her wide range of musical knowledge to bring a different edge to her own music.