Amongst others Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits, Richard Thompson, Townes van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Freddie King, Chris Rea, Runrig, Talk Talk, John Martyn, Christy Moore, Morrissey/The Smiths, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, The Stone Roses, Leonard Cohen, The Jam, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, CSNY, Dougie Maclean, John Lee Hooker, the legendary J J Cale, Blaze Foley, Suede, Tom Robinson, Terje Rypdal, Sleepy John Estes, The Finn Brothers, Lightnin' Hopkins, Colin Hay, Steve Hackett, Albert King, Son House, Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Steely Dan, Simple Minds, Neil Young, Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry, Ian Dury, David Bowie, Ry Cooder, ZZ Top, Tom Waits, Warren Zevon and John Cale.
Sounds Like
Beautifully crafted, laid back, blues tinged genius.
Classically trained on both the guitar and piano, Simon Kempston has been writing songs from an early age. Based upon this schooling as a classical guitarist, his guitar playing is founded upon a complex, finger-picking style in the mould of Mark Knopfler and John Martyn. Alongside these musical interests, Simon developed a fascination with English literature, architecture and politics, much of which would inform the unique lyrical style which has cemented his reputation as a songwriter without peer.
As a student in Edinburgh, Simon quickly became a highlight upon the burgeoning singer-songwriter scene and with his prolific and eclectic songwriting which straddled the genres of blues, jazz and folk he had ample opportunity to develop as an engaging and confident live performer. Simon appeared to acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival for the past two years, where he was noted by his current management. Early solo recordings were made, notable admirers of which included BBC Radio Scotland’s Tom Morton, punk legend and BBC Radio Six’s Tom Robinson and Dire Straits founder David Knopfler. The recordings on this page feature Simon and his former guitarist, Louie Robertson.
The Statement was born out of a desire to see Simon’s songwriting skills reach their full potential and in their short time together, the band have acquired a formidable live reputation, and are now Edinburgh’s latest must-see act. Dave Hughes, a noted singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in his own right, is well-known on the Edinburgh music scene and features on bass guitar offering the perfect underpinning to Simon’s melodies. His harmonies, expressed through his heartfelt, tender voice provide the ideal partner to Simon’s soaring, soothing vocal. Darragh Cox was the latest addition to the Statement. Having drummed in countless bands in his native Galway, his diversity and ability to add creatively and dynamically to the music has proved vital in the formation of the Statement’s individual sound.
Capitalising on Simon's local success and his recent solo support slots to Martin Stephenson, Archie Fisher and Brian Peters, the Statement are now taking their music to audiences across the Central Belt and have recently supported two of Dundee's finest - The Law and The Hazey Janes - and have performed at the Leith and Loch Lomond Folk Festivals, to name but two. Please contact the band through myspace or at the following e-mail address - bookings_kempston@fastmail.fm
The Statement will be entering the studio in early 2008 and a debut album is scheduled for release later in the year.
Simon Kempston & the Statement's Friend Space (Top 20)
cheers si. i will get new stuff online soon, these are all i had in mp3 format. your stuff sounding better and better. see you tommorrow at the institute
"The timeous arrival of a stranger.." love it! Having said that you are possibly the most untimeous person I've ever met but nevertheless as far as calls to arms go this is quite delicious
Open Micathon Acoustic Brew @ Cafe Fresh, Kirkgate, Dunfermline
Saturday 29th (5pm - 1am) Sunday 30th (9am - 5pm)
It would be great if you could come along and do a few songs on the Sunday. There will be a PA and mics there so all you have to do is plug in and sing. Would be great to see you.
Missed your presence at the Festival competition on Saturday in Glasgow!! I won the heat unbelievably so the Snakes are in the final on 3rd Nov, it would be great to have your support there!
Hi Simon, It was great to meet you too, I really enjoyed your wonderfully crafted songs, beautifully sung and performed by both of you. Hope to see you play down our way very soon. Simon
Thanks for finding me Simon ... I enjoyed meeting you and the guys last night .. yez are playing some really cool stuff ... great vibe to it ... and terrific musicianship ... hope to hear it again soon -- regards .. Hoff
Cheers Si! Thought you migth like the lyrics actually, almost folk in the verse I guess...
Need to get another listening session in soon, or at least just a drinking one... Starbank sessions are also available at some point if you so wish (though I may need ot give the studio a bit of a tidy first). I'm only away in York for the day (tomorrow) so I'll hopefully catch you at some point in the nest week or so.
Simon, thank you so very much again for the music and the use of your PA at The Village. Rico and I had a blast. I also really appreciate your picture of the Charles Bridge in Prague. One of my favorite places on earth...The Charles Bridge. I hope that this finds you well and I look forward to seeing and hearing you again soon. Peace, Jon
Hi Simon, thanks for linking! I was just popping on to do exactly that!?
Loved your set the other night!! Great tunes and you guys were both excellent players. Will hopefully get the chance to see you play again sometime soon.
Also, we're trying to arrange an all day gig in dunfermline to raise money for charity in August - the date we are working towards is Sunday 12th. We've got quite a few bands who are up for it so it should be a fun day. Let me know if you'd be interested in playing & i'll keep you posted with details.
Yeah, thanks Simon. We both had a great time & really enjoyed playing last night. Maitiu & your set were fantastic; a night full of great songs,good people,a little too much red wine & stories from the West coast of Ireland-A great way to spend a wet Sunday night in Edinburgh... Pam & I would love to perform there again, anytime;
Lord Kempston. Publicity is a key component of generating interest especially when something is of a more elusive nature. Therefore I dutifully request a big electronic handwritted advert concerning the sublime evening taking place in approx 9 days time be urgently couriered to my own personal melody store. Till then I remain your erstwhile custodian of Folk.
Thanks again for coming down and playing such a top set. Hugely appreciated. Was a grand old night. Shambolic and chaotic, but that's how we like it! Need to do it again soon. Cheers. Andy
Hey man,
Hope all's well. Just to say I won't be along tomorrow as im running Andersons, but hope it all goes well for ya.
Remember 1pm football in Meadows!!!!
Hope you make it
Just had a quick listen and yeah v good. Love the phrasing on Silver, very loose and almost quirky which I like. I trust you will be paying attention to events at Wembley on Saturday even though our respective fleets are sailing toward the same treasure? FLOREAT SALOPIA! (May Shropshire flourish and prosper)
