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)
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 @.
Hello Marsha! I've posted the photographs I took of you at the album launch in Virgin Records at Piccadilly Circus in my pics: help yourself to any you fancy, and let me know if you'd like the hi-res versions. (I'll post them today to Manilla PR anyway.)Hope the tour is going well, and that I'll get to photograph you again soon! Best wishes, Andy
Congratulations Marsha on an awesome with a capital 'awe' set on friday! Honestly, you were amazing, i was so proud of you, all confident and grounded. Didn't look like you were nervous at all! What a fab gig, i was so impressed. Tea sounds gorgeous, take care Ms Virgin Megastore! P.S. i'm totally loving 'the secret of Mazey' x
Hi Marsha! It was so amazing to see you there last night, i'm so touched that you came. It was a very intimate venue and i really enjoyed it, was one of those ones where everyone showed their raw selves instead of being polished. I can't wait for your album launch, i shall be there with bells on! Enjoy it xx
On Monday 4th June 2007 between 1.30pm and 3.45pm a rehearsal for Liverpool’s Big Sing will be held at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. Thirteen schools from Merseyside will be represented by their choirs to sing a new charity song called Warchild.
The song Warchild originally written by musician /actor Chris O’Neill, from the award winning film Backbeat, where he played the part of George Harrison. After seeing the plight of starving children shown on the ITV programme This Morning, when they were raising awareness for the charity Warchild.
The new recording will be available for a very small charge on download from www.indiestore.com/chrisoneill. For every £40 pounds made from these proceeds, incredibly, we can feed a child for a whole year who has been orphaned by Aids in Africa! A very small price to pay to save a child’s life. Peace and love to you all Chris.
many thanks 4 the kind comments!
maybe we met in 1 of these crazy london night, but I always have blurred picture of what happens after 8pm.
definitely need to start drinkin less..
all the best
trent
Mufti Party Sat 23rd June @ Loggerheads
Current mood: excited
Category: Parties and Nightlife
Going For A Song!
We'll confirm more details soooooon, but the gist of it is... it's another Mufti Party! It's fancy dress, obviously! We're looking forward to seeing some amazing leaps of the imagination as we're inviting you all to come dressed as the Title Of A Song... any song you like, anything at all :)
it's at The Loggerheads on Sat 23rd June - see our MySpace friends for a link to them.
and please, please, please send us a copy of your chosen song as we're making a CD of everyone's choices to play on the night :) we have checked, and it is legal, so long as we don't sell the album! we'd prefer you email us MP3s if possible.
Marsha Swanson
Hey! Hope you are doing well. I'm in Key West right now......playing at the Hogsbreath......lost the voice last night, but with the help of a steroid shot....we will see what happens tonight!!?
Anyway, i'm hitting it hard in June and July.....in June i'll be on the road with Tommy Allsup of Buddy Holly fame. I made a little video about the tour and put it on youtube. You can see it here. July will find us in Key West for the Songs in the Sun festival. I've booked Shurman, Howard Livingston, and Danny White for the special concert on the water. It will be a party, and i'm inviting you now! I made a video for the festival as well. You can see it here. Anyway, take care and i hope you are doing well........Sincerely,
Kevin Montgomery..
Marsha Swanson
Hey! Hope you are doing well. Summer is fast approaching, and we are all gearing up for the 1st Annual festival. We are really excited about the week in Key West, and have a full week planned.
We hope you can join us for a week full of craziness in the Keys! This year's line-up is packed full, but we are already thinking about next year, and the possibilities for the line-up, so would love to hear your thoughts?
Anyway, now that we have the line-up confirmed.....we made a little video about the festival, and the characters involved. You can see it on youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrzrAaPKLd0
Take care, and hope to see you in the Keys soon!
Kevin Montgomery, Shurman, Danny White,and Howard Livingston
