The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Sunday 31st July 2016

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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Becky Briggs is a young, but driven singer-songwriter, who acoustically accompanies herself. Despite her diverse repertoire, her music influences differ in genre. She would consider herself to be influenced by the likes of Gabrielle Aplin, Birdy and Maisie Peters. However, her new found love for other types of music, such as R&B and Indie rock will be a creative incentive to compose and experiment in a different style. Becky will be studying Songwriting at BIMM Brighton in September, where she hopes to learn and further develop herself as an artist.

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Zoe has been singing and song writing from the age of 13 and first picked up a guitar when she was 11 and hasn’t stopped playing since. Anyone who knows Zoe knows her biggest inspiration is the incredible Sia but she also loves Taylor Swift, Bastille, Lily Allen and Gabrielle Aplin. Zoe is a prolific songwriter and is constantly inspired and writing new material. Lyrics can come to her at any place and any time, even in her dreams! Music and lyrics are part of Zoe’s DNA, part of her identity; song writing is just as important as breathing to her. Zoe has performed her original songs at The Grey Lady many times since she started performing there at just 13 years old. She has also performed at numerous other venues, one of her favourites being Folking in the Strawberries every summer and her ambitions are to put together her first EP and to be signed to a song writing label.

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Local songstress Josie Lee of Mistress and The Malts has established herself as one of the leading female artists at the Grey Lady. Her haunting vocals carry a unique pure tone that is full of atmosphere and feeling. She has produced a distinct medley of contemporary, melodic songs with influences such as Jeff Buckley, Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell and Nirvana. She originally started out as a solo artist playing regularly at various local Tunbridge Wells venues and has performed here at the show previously as a duo. 

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