PJ Harvey, Devendra Banhart, Rufus Wainwright, Herbie Hancock, Ani Difranco, Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, Jeff Buckley, Tori Amos, Martha Wainwright, Mary J Blige, Bob Marley, Joni Mitchell, Bjork, Erykah Badu, Radiohead, Roisin Murphy, Tracy Chapman, Laura Veirs, Bat For Lashes, Ojos de Brujo, The Cranberries, Stevie Wonder, Deftones, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Lamb, Mr Scruff, Sly and the Family Stone, Kathryn Williams, Carol Ann Duffy, Diane Cluck, Sade, Jolie Holland, The Cocteau Twins...
‘her voice encapsulates beauty with a raw edge and brutal honesty. Her dynamic range takes hold of all your senses’ – Ann the Poet.
What you hear on this page is the work of Louise Mary Martin and Jay Rollins. We could never decide on a name for ourselves collectively and I was doing a lot of solo shows too so we stuck with mine.
Now, however, we think it would make more sense to us and others to share nominal ownership of the music...but... we still can't think of anything! Suggestions are invited, from the sublime to the ridiculous if for nothing other than inspiration, distillation or elimination.
Jay and I performing live on air at Abbey FM. Filmed by presenter Bill Clark.
I've been writing fairly steadily since I was a love-struck primary school kid.
I think my main motivations have always been expression, communication and understanding.
My tastes are varied in terms of genre but most of the artists I love share a certain integrity. I aspire to the same quality. I’m into art for arts sake in that I love beautiful things but it’s obvious to me when something sits at the shallow end of the spectrum.
I like to be wrapped up in emotion or enlightened with a new truth or perspective, to find intimacy in what other human beings are sharing, to be challenged as well as comforted.
I always wrote and performed either a’cappella for harmony groups or with bands until I picked up a guitar when I was 19. My drama degree took all my attention for a while until I went busking and soul-searching (well-disguised as dossing) in Spain for most of 2005. Whilst there I started playing the ukulele and writing songs again. I was about to go completely mental trying to decide what to do with my life when I strung together all the things people had been saying about my music. I had forgotten both how important music was to our lives and how natural it felt for me to create it.
I met Jay when I returned to the UK at the end of 2005 ready to start my new (yet old) mission. We’ve written a lot of songs since then and our live performance is now at the standard we always wanted it to be. At the moment we are working towards new live arrangements and recordings as well as scouting for friendly venues and events across the country. Our aim is to keep evolving, keep it interesting and keep sharing.
If there's one night for chemistry this year then this'll be it! Come to our space for online tickets... but get them quick they're hot off the press and shooting out the door!
There's a poetry slam at Forum 28 on Wednesday night - 7.30pm. The MC is Gary Bridgens and it features a 2 act play about Hovis Presley (the late comedy poet) Tickets are £4/£3 or free for Slammers. Slammers have 3 minutes in each round (2 rounds max) to impress the audience with original lyrics. The winners get £40. To sign up for the slam call me on 0797 415 4324. Please pass this on to anyone that will ne interested.
Hey Lou. Japan was great. good to see jay over there. Marukami is the man. Check out Sputnik Sweetheart. it's his new one and is similar to norwegian wood. i am trying to be sparkly. what about you? aid
Hey hey, we are both in fine fettle thank ya, india was AMAZING! hope you are grand also! been hawking the open mics cos i got a full sets worth o material now but too late to apply to any small fests. which ones you goin to and are you playin any? hopefully catch up with u soon x
Thanks for the add!! Love from the all new and shiny music festy by the sea!! To be added to the Friends of FurnessFest weekly news bulletin, send in your e-mail address. Tickets available now..!! www. furnessfest. co. uk
Hey there brothers and sisters, come check these out!
Saturday 12th April: Andy Votel Lambhuna and friends present Twisted Nerve’s supremo and crate-digger supreme, showing off a masterclass in psych, funk and freak folk - with LA’s Gaslamp Killer and Lambhuna residents
Monday 14th April: Mystery Jets Eel Pie Island’s fave oddballs bring the irresistible pop joys of their new album ‘Twenty One’ to the Brickyard stage
Friday 18th April: The Sugars Solfest faves, these fuzzed-up doo-wop sweethearts kick out bluesy duets of heartache and jealousy. Support from Carlisle’s own Cosmic Cat and the Parlotones
Saturday 19th April: Exit Calm Holy Are You present Exit Calm, the perfect prescription for the recovering Verveaholic. With garage rock from Night Of Sevens and drones courtesy of The Lucid Dream
Monday 21st April: Danny & The Champions Of The World The new psychedelic folk-pop megagroup of Danny Wilson (of Grand Drive) featuring members of Goldrush, Brakes and the Electric Soft Parade. Support from Fading Face and the Cotton Controller as deejay
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