maria ilett and smithy band

I sing, play guitar and programme the bleeps and he makes the beats. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we have special guests who play with us.

(We like brass instruments)

I am Maria Ilett and this is my band…..his name is Richie Wildsmith.

Maria has been writing songs for as long as she can remember. Her solo songs move from the simplicity of acoustic arrangements to the beautiful electronic. She is an Oxforder with strong ties. Ok, so what’s she all about? Think Trip-Pop, Natural, fresh, honest songs like little stories. Maybe you’re sat on a train gazing out the window thinking; well her music is the soundtrack to one big daydream.

“There’s such a sweet, naïve charm about Maria Ilett’s voice that only a Dementor could fail to be swept along on it’s summery breeze” – Nightshift, April 2008

Strong on natural accent with memories, photographs and films being just as much an influence as music; (To name a few…The Life Aquatic, Donnie Darko and Thunder Rock – stories within stories within stories…) Picking her images carefully, she was photographed by Banksy’s photographer, and is working with a fantastic illustrator, Tiernen Trevallion, for her new ep.

"...(Eliot's single 'Shine') with vocals from Maria Ilett whose voice sounds very similar to the late Kirsty McCall. The vocals are beautifully sung and grip you from the offset"... - DJ Pataan, DJ Mag

Maria has played live at venues from the prestigious 100 Club in London and Tearoom Des Artistes at a Sunday Best night to the wonderfully intimate Betsy Trotwoods. She’s supported Norman Cook on the Radio 1 stage at Glastonbury Festival and played on the mighty main stage at Cornbury Festival 2008 supporting the legend that is Paul Simon.

"Maria Ilett masters a gorgeous jazzy, trip-hop sound which is impossible not to fall in love with"....Tim Hughes, Oxford Mail

She works with the coolest of producer dudes including Gilles Petersons tip for the top hip hop virtuoso GHOST and the supremely talented Jim Eliot (Kish Mauve) of Kylie Minogue '2 Hearts' fame. Her vocals have been featured on Ministry Of Sound and Sunday Best compilation albums alongside Royksopp, DJ Shadow and Fat Boy Slim.

BBC OXFORD INTRODUCING....TIM BEARDER CORNBURY 2008 ft Maria Ilett

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Maria Ilett and Smithys Bond cover "You Only Live Twice" now available on iTunes!

An album made up of Bond covers from Oxford bands called "A Quantum of Covers" is available now on iTunes and for every individual track downloaded 49p goes to Children In Need and for every album purchased £4.90 will go to the charity.

For more info from the BBC website & to listen to samples of all the songs click on this link:

GO TO iTUNES AND SEARCH FOR "QUANTUM OF COVERS" http://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/

Maria Ilett - Sit On The Sun Live

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