REVIEW/ Jamie Ley Plus Guest
Music : 09:01:10
Home grown British singer/songwriter talents Jamie Ley and Elena Tonra were at Westbourne Grove on Saturday to indulge customers with
mesmerising acoustic performances. The two distinct but unmistakably kindred souls had the store reverberating to the emotive vibes of
their American – tinged folk music, which was laced, richly, with the narratives of love and loss. Gamine Elena, with just a guitar as her
accompaniment performed a beautiful set in her mellifluous, almost ethereal voice, which sharply and sweetly contrasted with the deeper,
powerful tones of Jamie, whose talents have received widespread recognition in the music world. There was a searing honesty in his performance
and impassioned lyrics which belied his age but not his ability.
As people swooned in-and-out, and the January freeze stiffened outside, all agreed it was a more than pleasant way to wile away the afternoon.
Jamie Ley Plus Guest
Music : 09:01:10
This piano, ukulele and guitar-playing songwriter has received huge support from
social networking giant MySpace, having been their hand-picked featured artist in
June 2009. Recently featured on Radio 1, Ley has gone on to impress festival crowds
with his Jeff Buckley-esque vocals and soulful creations, which will be showcased
on an album, planned for release in 2010.
Jamie’s songs have featured twice on MySpace online teen drama series, Freak.
National Club
Music : 10:10:09
National Club are a handful of children of the 80’s and on the back of a few demo-recordings, have already
featured on the ‘Best of MySpace’ iCast and gained fans at the Guardian, who describe National Club as ‘A splendid
young band whose track Somebody Punched The King should be compulsory listening’.
Formed in London, National Club are Will Carter - vocals and guitar, Thomas Wyllys - bass and Bang Madsen of
Danish descent on drums who moved to join the band back in 2007.
The Enemy Not The Sea Anemone
Music : 10:10:09
Hailing from the soft centred village of Bosham, where King Canute unsuccessfully tried to stop the tide,
The Enemy Not The Sea Anemone, is a no-fi musical nomad who, armed with a six stringed, balsa necked familiar,
an eye for the obscure and a natural grasp for couplets and enjambment, casts his fine veil of wit, humour and
cynicism over anyone willing to widen their ears.
Apart from the acoustic recordings which have a warm and benevolent air, there are a few experiments with
sampling and glitchy backing beats which make for a fascinating live show.
Supporting the National Club on October 10th.
REVIEW/ Thomas J. Speight - Charlotte Campbell
Music : 01:08:09
'I enjoyed it. It was like playing in a living room', came the response from the exuberant Thomas J Speight after being quizzed on how it felt to perform in the rather intimate surroundings on the second floor of our Notting Hill Store.
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With mannequin and sofa in close quarters, Thomas demonstrated the talents that have brought him much recent acclaim as a fledgling talent with an indisputably bright future.
Spearheading this Autumn's much touted What's On Season, the young London based singer / songwriter did not disappoint the soon to be heart-warmed West London crowd, as he strutted, bobbed and swooned through a fervent and (self confessed) longer than usual twelve song set. Undoubtedly, the recently released debut single Baby Blue, one of the finer melodies written of late by a young British songwriter stole the show, but it was indeed a relaxed and phlegmatic performance, from his choice of attire - a classic checked shirt, vintage tee and stonewashed denim combo - through to his masterful amalgamation of the blues, country and pop.
Whereas Thomas Speight had reverberated with the cool, calm demeanour of an aged performer, Charlotte Campbell arrived like an exocet champagne cork that was clearly destined to be a party popper.
The fresh-faced teenager, complete with floral dress and blonde hair which was neatly kept from the eyes by way of a headband, promptly plomped herself on the upstairs armchair, clutched her guitar and poured forth with a voice that seemed to have the ghost of Jodi Mitchell echoing from within. It was easy to see, as she played a short but faultless set, why she excelled at the much esteemed 'Brit School', an establishment which has been attended by a plethora of contemporary female pop stars including Leona Lewis, Kate Nash, and Katie Melua.
A supremely confident and buoyant songwriter, full of wit and feminine observation, whose influences (especially the vocal stylings of Alanis Morisette) will, with maturity, vanish and leave us with a truly original talent. This young starlet is definitely one to keep your eyes on.<< hide
Thomas J. Speight - Charlotte Campbell
Music : 01:08:09
Launching our Autumn campaign are the juvenile acoustic talents of Thomas J. Speight and Charlotte Campbell.
With a youthful veneer that belies his talents, Thomas - armed with vocals as smooth as a Tennessee malt and a songwriting style that makes puppets out of hearts - has been on a charm offensive since hitting MySpace a year ago. An ever expanding fan base and a single release in October make for a pretty eventful year for Mr. Speight.
Eighteen years young, Charlotte Campbell delivers a barrage of wit and observational cynicism backed by an on-stage confidence far beyond her years. She performed a commanding thirty minute set last year on Glastonbury’s Left Field Stage and is a regular act on the London acoustic circuit. Unquestionably one to watch.
