Bursting onto the acoustic music scene - you cant fail to notice Al Start. Her music is as striking as she looks! Firmly rooted in the indie-acoustic singer/songwriter genre; her exceptional songwriting sets her apart from the rest. With smooth vocals that have been compared to Tracey Thorn mixed with kd lang, and a strong guitar style worthy of Ani Di Franco or Joan Armatrading; the sum total is a breath of fresh air!
Having attained a distinction for the Advanced Songwriting HND at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, (BIMM), in 2003, Al was chosen by BMG executives to attend the infamous residential songwriting week with Chris Difford (Squeeze). Here she excelled, and co-wrote with top industry writers such as Helen Boulding (Alex Parks), Matt Deighton (Oasis/Mother Earth), John Hammond-Hagan (Liberty X) and Jill Sobule to name but a few. She has now been invited back by Chris three times.
Start tells stories Joni Mitchell would be proud of - cross-dressing neighbours; rent boys and missing cats are inter-mingled with touching reminiscences of childhood, surreal dreams and candid confessions.
Musically, the sound ranges from natural and intimate acoustica through to solid Fleetwood Mac-style folk-rock with sprinklings of cutting-edge programming. Produced with Tracey Field, the arrangements are thoughtful and effective throughout; giving an accessible, radio-friendly sheen to some raw, ingeniously left-field songs.
TOURS
2004 Coveted Tour. Opening for Horse
2005 Girlsworld Tour with Nat Ripepi & Belinda OHooley (June)
2005 - Winter Acoustic Tour with Belinda OHooley (Nov/Dec)
2006 Mini Adventure Tour with Belinda OHooley (Feb)
2006 The "GO" Tour USA and UK (Oct & Nov)
WHAT NEXT...?
**NEW ALBUM OUT FEB 14th 2008**
" I Heart History" is rocking the archives! Each song tells a true story from Brighton's history. Love, passion, deceit, betrayal and even murder.
Go is available online at: www.lonecoyote.co.uk and www.cdbaby.com and as a digital download from: Apple iTunes, Napster, Arvato, MusicNet, Sony Connect, Liquid Digital Media, QTRnote, MusicNow, Next Radio, Solutions, Tradebit, MSN MusicPassAlong, Rhapsody, NetMusic, AudioLunchbox, BuyMusic, WrapFactory, Emusic, Iriver, Media Online, GroupieTunes, Hear Music, Interi, MusicIsHer, MO, Systems, Destra.
Hi Al, lovely to hear from you! Just got back from the States, it was great. Lots of travelling, but fantastic to see all those places you hear so much about, Rachel x
.."I Heart History" by Al Start is an outstanding acoustic guitar-based album with tantalizing melodies and sultry vocals. The album has a haunting undertone with mellow, crisp arrangements and beautifully layered vocals. The production quality is great and Al shines as a songwriter with interesting lyrics and a fine listen-ability to her songs. This is a totally-pro radio-ready CD with mass appeal. Highlights are "Lover's Lane," with a gorgeous, intimate vocal performance and airy guitar. "Freak Show" has an excellent Tracy Chapman-type groove in which Al's vocals sound great. "The Vinegar Valentine" is a heart strong story with more great guitar work and nice vocal harmony. "More of a Man" is the dirge of the album, with a punchy drum track and an overall moodiness. If you enjoy female singer-songwriters you'll love this CD. ..-William and the RadioIndy. com Reviewer Team Check out Al Start's music on RadioIndy. com with link to purchase and links to popular sites
I love your new album - You and Lorna Brooks havn't been off the CD player for days. Beautiful work - I hope to see you performing live again soon - thanks x
PINK 2008 is taking place on Saturday 30th August at Cherry Hinton Hall Cambridge! We're now looking for bands, artists, comedians and more! Email all performance enquiries to acousticstage@hotmail.com all other enquires email info@pinkfestival.com
fantastic performance at Cardiff Al, and your new album is brilliant, the little stories behind the songs are fascinating. I'd like to apologise for being 'a little' drunk on sat night, and getting Fi to lick your shoe...and for any other 'incidents' that my memory has chosen to forgotten! Take care, Hayley (Julies other half) x
Fabulous performance on saturday night! The best woman certainly won! You blew me and the missus totally away! New album is amazing too - any gigs uo north planned?
I used to come her often, before my partner had cancer! My partner is called Steph, i'm Ali, and Sam is our Son.
And i need some help.
Steph is dying from secondary breast cancer in her bones now. She's been on this last chemo for just over a yr and the cancer was growing, but not fast. Oncology on Fri now tells us that the chemo is not working and her cancer battle of 4 effing yrs is now going down a different path, i hate changes.
Anyway, yet again we are shoved down a road we've not seen before, another chemo to try which will probably make her puke and be in pain and all that crap... Hopefully not as bad as the other ones.
So this is where you's lot come in.. If you want..
We've booked to goto France on the 4th April. (Steph is French) So i can get Steph to see her family.
I have some Horse stuff that i want to sell, to raise as much dosh as i can for us all to have a wicked time.
They are rare cd singles and they will be listed on fleabay tonight starting at 8pm and so on..
Hey Al.. Happy New year to ya, and just wanted to wish you the very best of luck with your new album. Hope to catch up with ya soon. Lots of Love Lorny xx
Online Now!
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