Mark O'Neill - Bass & Acoustic Guitar
Chris Harrison - Guitar
Richard Gould - Drums
Laurence Hodge - Keys
Emma Ford - Backing Vocals
Ali Latchford - Backing Vocals
Thea Ford is a London based singer/songwriter currently gigging with her band across London and the UK to promote her debut album 'Monkey to the West'. Despite being surrounded by music from an early age, it was only when Ford moved to London in 2006 that she started taking songwriting seriously and has never looked back since. Determined to achieve her dream of recording an album Ford spent the past 2 years working a demanding 9-5 by day to fund rehearsal and studio sessions by night. Now, following the album's completion she's left the corporate world to manage the band full-time.
The stunning album ranges from mellow acoustic sounds to upbeat pop/rock, folk and funky guitar covering a huge range of issues from love and family, to bullying and the recent Gulf wars, all of which have had a significant impact on her life. Both the energy in her performance and the power of her lyrics reach out to the entire audience, telling a story with every line. Performing on stage with her incredibly talented band each song leaves the crowd bouncing for more.
To add to Ford's magic, 'Monkey to the West', which was released independently in the summer of 2009, is dedicated to raising money and awareness for ‘MaD for good!’, a small Cambodian charity dedicated to building housing and medically treating orphans and other vulnerable children in a village near Siem Reap (Angkor Wat). 'MaD' lost their financial backing when a US investor was hit significantly by the global recession and having spent time with the children benefiting from the program Ford couldn't stand by and see the housing project fail. The title of the album itself and the lyrics within it's 'Intro' track say it all for Ford's passion for a more balanced world, and in her own words using 'Monkey to the West' as a fund raiser is her way of 'getting money spent in the right direction across the world, I'm hoping it'll help us reach that balance just a little bit quicker'.
Watching Ford on any stage is a must-see, get yourself along to one her upcoming shows - you won't be disappointed!
