I started out as simply a guitarist way back in 1994, when I got my very first guitar for my 12th birthday. From 1997, I wanted to be the next Noel Gallagher... well, Noel Gallagher with boobs. My very first live performance was on 19th December 1997, on the last day of term in school, and I played Stand By Me by Oasis. It was the beginning of the beginning...
On 17th July 1999, I played another Oasis song in front of complete strangers, at a drama festival outside London. Don't Go Away was the true beginning. People began to recognise what I was capable of as a singer - not just a rhythm guitarist.
Not long after, I wrote my very first song, Perpetuate, for someone who was becoming special to me - a boy I met at the aforementioned festival. He was the inspiration for many more songs over the coming years.
Most of my catalogue of songs were written between September 2000 and March 2003, which was when I was part of a Performing Arts course back home in Northern Ireland. Aaahhh, those were the days, when I would be found hugging my guitar in the canteen, or hiding somewhere in the hall writing my next masterpiece...
It wasn't until 2003 that things started changing for me as a musician. I'd had gigs before (only 2 or 3), but I had my first paid gig in March 2003. This came from a chance play on a guitar in front of new friends and my family. My parents had never heard me play or sing before, even though I had been playing guitar for 9 years at that point. They were so impressed that they gave me a very special gift for my 21st birthday. They paid for studio time so I could record four of my own original songs. Those songs have each spent time on my playlist here on MySpace. The CD went on to sell locally, and copies have been sent as far away as Australia and the USA.
In September 2003, I moved to Barnsley College's Popular Music course. Ever since I played for my Performing Arts music teacher for the first time, he'd always said I would make it to Barnsley, that it was the place for me. I was hopeful that people would receive my music as well as the good people of Northern Ireland. Sadly, it wasn't so.
I spent my first year in Barnsley trying to make it on my own, as no one in my music class was interested in what I could do. I played a paid gig in The Blar Bar once, and played support slots for a local band twice. That was me trying to keep my passion alive. Eventually, my dream died. My willingness to play waned and I was left with three guitars gathering dust. It's like the big stars say, they'd never do it if it wasn't for the fans...
But I had one person behind me, crashing down on me if I refused to play. "You have so much talent, don't let it go to waste" was what was said to me each time I fell on the floor in tears because I was so scared I had lost the ability.
As a result, the ability to write came back in October 2005. After two years of writer's block, I wrote a very poignant piece, documenting the turmoil a writer goes through when they hit the one barrier they don't want to hit. Fighting Fearless became my proof that I could still carry on, that I still had it in me to write.
And now, as I sit here in my pit of a room, I have succeeded in overcoming my demons - as a musician, a writer, and a woman. I have developed my voice (carrying a striking resemblance to the late Karen Carpenter), stimulated a want to learn violin, and enhanced my progression in the field of guitar. May the music play on...
THE BIG SUN VINTAGE FAIR AT THE LUCORUM!
SUNDAY THE 9TH AUGUST
All your favorite vintage trends brought direct to your doorstep!
Jackets, Skinny's, Scarfs, hats, dresses, Leathers, shirts and t's! Tracky Tops!
AT THE VERY BEST PRICES!
Manchester based club night Electric Vendetta launch in Barnsley with this quality line up guaranteed to take the yorkshire club scene by storm.
This night is also the 2nd Launch party of our sponsors DIRTY SMART CLOTHING www. dirtysmart. co. uk, expect free givaways and a quality party atmosphere.
After Electric Vendetta smashed onto the scene in May last year we have been making waves in some of the biggest and best clubs in the North, including Sankeys, Manchester and The Syndicate super club, Blackpool.
Electric Vendetta re opened its doors in Manchester at the Mint Lounge for 2009 and have now decided to move the electro brand to another amazing club.....Citrus Rooms, Barnsley.
Expect massive line ups and big name DJs from around the globe playing the very best in Electro and Fidget, Tech and progressive house.
Room 1 - Main Room - Electro, Tech and Fidget House.
MICKY SLIM KELEVRA Satsta Andy Shaw Scott Moore Emil Basiuk Tom Kelly
Room 2 - Hosted by UNhinged - Minimal Tech and Deep House.
*”˜˜”*°•. ˜”*°•••Acoustic Jam Night Every Sunday•••°*”˜ .•°*”˜˜”*°•.°*”˜ °*°˜°*”•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜ ˜”*°•.˜”*°•. ˜”*°•.˜”*°*° FANCY SUMET A BIT DIFFERENT ON A SUNDAY EVENING? LIKE TO RELAX WITH SOME LIVE MUSIC? Well citrus has an acoustic Jam night every Sunday from 8pm [setup from 7pm] If u want to have a play bring down your instruments and get your music out to a crowd. *”˜˜”*°•. ˜”*°••• ALL DRINKS £2! FREE ADMISsION!••°*”˜ .•°*”˜˜”*°•. If u would like to know more details about perforing at our jam night please get in touch....
*”˜˜”*°•. ˜”*°•••Electro Therapy Valentines Launch Party•••°*”˜ .•°*”˜ ˜”*°•.°*”˜ °*°˜°*”•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜ ˜”*°•.˜”*°•. ˜”*°•.˜”*°*° If u like your nights out with a little more charge then Electro Therapy at Citrus Saturday 14th February is the place to be. If yr a single along this Valentines then don't be feeling sorry for yourself, let the Electro Therapy team come to your aid!
DOORS OPEN 11 [ENTRY £5 TIL 1:30/MORE AFTER] (main room - electro/tech house) 11 - 12.30 Alcatraz Harry 12.30 - 2 Luke Pompey 2 - 3.30 Jamie Fisher 3.30 - 5 Twisted Development
(funky room) 1-3 Jack the Lad (JTL) 3-5 Ross Edwards
*”˜˜”*°•. ˜”*°••• ALL SPIRITS 241 ALLNIGHT!••°*”˜ .•°*”˜˜”*°•.
Laura Thanks for the add !!!!! I stumbled over one of your video's last night and you simply blew me away. Do you have a video of you playing "All I Need"?
hehe If they don't have it in the shops like HMV ask em to get it in as there's no risk to them if they don't sell it cause they can just send it back :) and then at leaset it's in the shops there xx
Hello Laura! I was going through some of my old footage,when I came accross this.
The people you can hear rattling on in the background @ the start are me & Laura Kelly,so apologies for that! :S It looks like I've got your whole set,about 30mins or so. Let me know if you'd like to see more,& I'll upload some soon as I can.
How's tricks? Just to let you know we've got 2 tracks up for free download, get them while you can. More live dates and new recording coming soon, thanks for your support, stay in touch!
We're just busy working on new material for the next album and rehearsing for the upcoming shows we have soon. It's gonna be a busy year by the looks of things :)
LIGERSLOUNGE!! EVERY SUNDAY!!
ANYONE WELCOME
SINGERS/SONGWRITERS
COME GIVE IT A GO!!!!!!!
THIS WEEK WE KNOW THERE WILL APPEARENCES FROM
CARL PIECE (EXTENDED SLOT, HEADLINER)
STEPH SHAW
LORA KELLY
JOHN LEDGER
WOODHOUSE
PEACE
Online Now!
