Pizza Express Maidstone, Thursday 21st April 2011

Virgin Soldiers is an eclectic group of musicians who share a passion to create innovative music. One of the band’s unique selling points is the incredible rhythm and energy of the music – achieved without the use of a drum kit - and unable to find a genre that fits their music they have created their own, Strock.

Formed in the summer of 2009 by singer/guitarist/songwriter James Beeny the band creates a unique sound. James loved the idea of combining contemporary with classical instruments and had a head full of violin, viola and cello parts, but like many self-taught musicians was unable to put the music down on paper. He was lucky enough to meet Mike Parkin, a classically trained violinist, who was able to write down James’ sometimes unorthodox ideas and together they started gigging in London and the South of England with a girl singer, a bass player and a number of cellists and violinists. In 2010 they were joined by bass player James Luke, singer/pianist/songwriter Gina Georghiou and viola player John Hinchliffe. But it wasn’t until 2011 that the line-up was finally complete when James met cellist Hannah Masson on a station platform and asked her if she wanted to join the band. Hannah, who was studying at the Royal College of Music became the final piece of the puzzle. They now all work together to produce the sound that is uniquely Virgin Soldiers.

Virgin Soldiers will be appearing live on the main stage at the Good Weekend Festival in Hampshire on Saturday July 23 and at Local & Live on Monday August 29.

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Born on the 17th January 1988, Alex Beharrel has always been somehow involved with music. From the young age of 8 he was singing in the choir as well as taking part in the Beckingham festival with his classical guitar. From there Alex has always experimented with different genres of music from classical to rock to blues but then found a neutral divide with acoustic music. Taking part in a two-year music course at west Kent College, Alex boosted his knowledge of music and improved his performance skills and to this day is still performing and trying to adapt to the ever-changing world of music. His influences (to name some among many) would include the likes of Bruce Cockburn, Herbie Hancock, Barenaked ladies, Elliot Smith, and Daivd Bowie.

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In October 2014, Phoebe was commissioned to write the only piece of music in BAFTA and BIFA winning movie ‘Kajaki. The True Story’ (‘Kilo Two Bravo’ – US release). Her single ‘All Of My Life’ is the theme to the modern British War Film and has reached over 130,000 plays on both Spotify and YouTube.

In September 2017 Phoebe released a piano-vocal album of her own music, show casing her talent as a performer and diverse songwriter. Phoebe’s new single ‘Promises’ is set for release in March 2018 (prod. by Tim Bazell, Heart of Gold Studios). Phoebe’s talent for diverse songwriting has led her to work with a number of producers and artists across a range of genres.

On the performance side, as both a solo artist and with her band, Phoebe has played at a number of prestigious venues including sold out Jazz Club @ Pizza Express Dean St and Ronnie Scott's. She has also played the festival circuit, including Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, and Bestival. Phoebe performed at the private 70th anniversary party for BBC Radio 4 Women's Hour, and has had numerous appearances and support from BBC Radio Kent.

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Singer-songwriter, Paul Dunton leads his own unique cross-over orchestra providing an atmospheric fusion of alternative and pop with a classical twist. Paul & his Orchestra take influences from varying modern day artists such as Pink Floyd, Elbow, ELO, Turin Brakes, Massive Attack, Damien Rice and contemporary composers such as Samuel Barber, Ludovico Einaudi, John Barry and Hans Zimmerman. The Orchestra performs Paul's own compositions and a varied selection of uniquely arranged standards from a wide range of artists. The line-up of 8 violins, 4 cellos, guitar, flute, bass and percussion accompanies Paul on vocals and piano, joined by his lead vocalists, Charlotte Andrew and Poppy Raine. Paul and his Orchestra regularly perform at concerts, festivals and private events throughout the UK and internationally, including headlining the Theatrium Wilhelmstraße Festival in Wiesbaden, Germany and an 8 state tour of the USA which culminated in a spectacular roof-top performance on top of the New York Strand Hotel. Increased attention and success led to the orchestra being featured on BBC Radio 2 by Joan Armatrading with interviews and airplay of one of Paul's songs, 'Don't Forget'. This led to Paul supporting Joan Armatrading on five occasions during her recent UK tours.

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