Marsha Swanson has just been named as the runner up in the category of favourite female vocalist of 2007 in the fatea end of year awards. She also won the 2007 "Best Folk" and "Best Album" Glasswerk New Music Award for new album "Sentient Stardust" which was released Via Proper Music Distribution Ltd on November 5th. The album was launched at Virgin Megastore in Picadilly Circus on November 9th with an in-store live gig and signing session. The album has had production from ex-Jocasta front man Tim Arnold and Alex McGowan co/writer & producer for Martina Topley Bird's album Quixotic, which was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize in 2003. The album artwork is designed by the legendary Storm Thorgerson, creator of numerous iconic album covers for Pink Floyd, Audioslave, Muse and many more.
Marsha received widespread critical acclaim for the last two singles from the forthcoming album, released earlier this year ("My Life My Own" and title track "Sentient Stardust"). On the back of this wave, she is currently promoting new single "Still Wrong" with a live acoustic BBC radio tour. This single is available now, exclusively from www.marshaswanson.com. "My Life My Own", is currently available at iTunes or at www.wippit.com.
".....hauntingly wistful Kate Bush-pop" (Subba Cultcha.com)
"....unmistakably "hard pop" in a sultry 60's mode...this is smart and sassy and set for a wider audience" (New Noise)
"Combines the lost style of Bjork with the uplifting nature of Carole King against a backdrop of tingling and uplifting pop" (Losing Today).
Marsha Swanson is a singer/songwriter from London. With distinctively English vocals, hers is a voice of compassionate reason. Her songs have a literary quality to them. They are accessible, yet demanding, in a satisfying way. For a debut album, “Watershed” has a “Classic” feel, her songs reflecting inspiration from writers such as Carole King and John Martyn, through to the modern atmospheric soundscapes of Fiona Apple & Beth Orton.
The conception of Marsha's debut album "Watershed" began with an extended development deal at Universal Publishing. This allowed the time and space for Marsha to nurture her own individual sound and style. During this time whilst working in a rehearsal studio in Shepherds Bush, she met a group of like-minded musicians who form the current line up both on the album and live. Marsha is also involved in a side-line writing project with Steve Sidelnyk (programmer/drummer to Madonna) and Richard Robson (programmer/remixer to Richard Ashcroft/The Magic Numbers).
Following the internet launch of "Watershed" which took place at Borders music and book shop (a unique promotional event for artist's with independently released albums), Marsha secured national distribution for "Watershed" with Proper Music Distribution, catalogue no MMCDOOO1. It is now available to buy in all good stores as well as online.
The album mixes the simple with the experimental ranging from the upbeat, surreal and radio-friendly pop of Hoovering The Sky “this offering is dreamy bubble pop to wrap up and give to your loved one as a gift” (Heathen Angel) to the empathic story-telling of Johnny Can’t Read, which also “shows her variety…something sparkling and sprawling that could easily be massive attack” (High Voltage). There is theatrical drama in the form of Madam M, “it reminds me of Kate Bush at her most playful” (Collected Sounds), alongside simple and sublime ballads such as Losing Me “Swanson’s voice floats serenely on a surf-board of cushioning piano riffs, gliding around the mind” (Losing Today)
“This London lass has what it takes to carry the burden of responsibility of bringing veracity and thoughtfulness back into English pop music” (Glasswerk)
“Impressive production and a mountain of critical acclaim certainly help to create a sense of intrigue around Swanson” (High Voltage)
“The glimmers of something special are undeniable” (UKMusicSearch)
Hi, Marsha.. You may have added, or accepted a friend requested from us in the past? If you have not had a chance to listen to our music, pop by and let us know what you think?
If you want to see The Toniks live check out our page or see our advert in next week's NME.
If you like what you hear, why not pop your prefered e-mail address on the Reverb Nation banner on our front page, for up todate news and gigs info for The Toniks.
hey marsha,
its been a while. Hope you are well my friend, pretty smooth time here in jolly London Town.
It took me ages, but I finally finished my album!
I uploaded it for a free listen on last.fm. If you fancy, have a listen and tell me what you think about it, you can find it at this link:
or just on last.fm if you digit 'trent miller & the skeleton jive' (for some reasons if you digit only 'trent miller' nothing comes out, still have to figure out how it works...)
I also worked on a proper release on my Hangman Records label, I think I will sell it at gigs and via post, it is a very limited edition of 500 copies.
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
It’s been far too long since I last said hello and so much has happened I thought it about time we said did.
We’ve changed a lot, now we are an “UltraModern, post-electro rock, post-nu rave behemoth where Muse and Mansun meet a Massive Attack with Duran Duran pop sensibilities, louder guitars, and a stunning female front person/guitar virtuoso”, or so we have been told.
I’d love to know what you’ve been up to since we disappeared into the dark damp studio cave, let us know how it’s going, I’m always up for a chat! May your thoughts be Scarlet and your actions Blonde ;-) Dawn xx Scarlet/blonde
Just like to make you and the visitors to your profile page aware that I am writing a challenging and uplifting blog each weekday at http://themusicianslifecoach. blogspot. com/ Please feel free to visit and to subscribe. :) Keep on keeping on! Andrew (aka The Musicians Life Coach)
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
Take care and keep in touch.
Best, Faber.
"Just a guy trying to make the world a better place. "
hey marsha, I finally finished to mix my album wow it took me ages...It is probably gonna be divided in two cds of ten songs each. I put the side A of the vinyl (every night b4 goin to bed I pray the Supreme to send me somebody who's interested in issuing it as a vinyl)on myspace if you want to give it a listen... also I am recording some fellow artists in my home studio and I have the idea of a label, 1st issue will be a 6 track ep from my old band Last Chance Motel, check em in my topfriends if you fancy, you wont regret it. If you like the songs, send me your email and Ill send you the mp3s, no £ involved no worries, we are trying to keep it pure and keep it real. Sharing our music with people is the best reward ever.
Hi Marsha, lovely to have You & Seb here at Coxs again last night. The owner Simon remembered your gig upstairs & thoroughly enjoyed it once again as did we all. It was very cool of you both to Come all the way to play esp as you had come from London to Manchester to make the TV show & then all the way here to Stratfoed then back to London... you both deserve a good rest & plenty of pampering ;0)
Abigail Hopkins new album, 'The Memoirs Of An Outlaw', available to pre-order from: www. basilicamusic. bigcartel. com The first 100 copies are signed and numbered!
Hi Marsha, I'm sorry to hear the cold has finally kicked in. My journey home was a bit of a nightmare in the torrential rain and gales but can't have been as bad as your trek. That would have finished anyone off. I really enjoyed your set and couldn't tell you were struggling with a cold at all. I've now downloaded some of your tracks from Itunes and they shall be gracing my Ipod shortly. Great work! Please keep in touch and good luck with your album. Peter @.
