The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Wednesday 13th July 2011

Sounding like Fleet Foxes got into a jam session with Kasabian and Paul Weller, Burning Shapes formed playing acoustic sessions at parties around their home towns in Kent. Catching the attention of electronica producers Bombay Monkey whilst playing out under the acoustic-electronica guise Sound Sanctuary, the collaborations went on to produced a series of EPs before releasing the Dust LP in 2007 racking up critical acclaim from DJs like Nick Luscombe and Lynn Parsons and airtime on Xfm, BBC Radio and SkyTV. In the process of touring as Sound Sanctuary live drums were introduced to replace some of the sampled drum loops and the bands live sound began to evolve a whole new layer of energy. When the studio beckoned again the band decided a name change was in order to fit with the new sound they were going to lay down and Burning Shapes was born. In late 2010 the band returned to the live scene supporting Mumford & Sons and The Stranglers to 10,000 people at Triumph Live and have been gigging regularly around the south east since. Early preview tracks from the album have already been finding their way onto BBC Radio's Introducing programs and internet stations with one song picked up for the soundtrack to the £2m British feature film Lucid coming out next year. Their brand new single entitled ‘Silence Amplified’ is released on Monday 24th October and will be available through all good online digital retailers. www.burningshapes.com

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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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Adam Starritt and Lucy Davis make up Capo Minor. Adam (Lucy's Brother-in-Law) taught her the guitar after getting one on her 14th Birthday, and ever since then, both music lovers have played together. Starting with covers and working their way to writing their own songs. They describe their music as alternative or melancholy folk, using sounds from guitars, piano and vocals. Capo Minor convey topics such as life after death, complex relationships and boredom.

Their main influences consist of Lightspeed Champion, Laura Marling, Cut Copy, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova and Turin Brakes.

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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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