Green Note and Blue Monday present GIRLS TO THE FRONT.
A night celebrating women in music by bringing the finest crop of rising female music artists to the forefront. Back by popular demand and after two sold out evenings, MIRI and RoseRed bring you a third installment of artists who are currently making waves in the London music scene. Expect a eclectic musical feast of alternative folk, acoustic soul pop and fable electric dreamy music to whet your appetite and stir your soul.
DOORS OPEN: 5.30pm / MUSIC from 6.30pm – 10.30pm. Seating is limited, so we recommend arriving early!
FEATURING…. Marine + Ruth Theodore + Oh Sister + Bee Bakare + Rosered & The Butterflies + MIRI
MARINE
Marine grew in the gaps between the concrete of the city, with four very different stories they hoped to combine uniquely into just one, where all they had listened to overlapped. Intuitive beats that make you want to move, bass hypnosis in the undercurrent playfully countering melody, and with a deep love of contrast, two vocals which braid together over hooky guitar lines into a complex plait of old and new, understated and operatic, light and dark.
The songs of Marine are crystallised from mythology and fables, mingling with personal words and emotions to form tales of the ordinary and not ordinary. They describe themselves as Fable Electric. A genre all their own, made out of things we all know and things we don’t know. The Underworld, Seal Demons, mighty Kraken, Werewolves, Witches and Gods…. even questioning the very nature of storytelling itself.
When pushed for comparisons, listeners have drawn parallels with Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Radiohead, and Warpaint. These plucky girls have been running their own show in their own way, touring Europe and the UK, quickly building a cult following in Berlin and London, flogging countless handmade CDs and artwork. Their first festival season together last summer saw dynamite shows at Secret Garden Party, Shamabala and more, spinning their singles on BBC6, and being highlighted in Major and Independent magazines and blogs along the way. Momentum is building as they swim deeper into their concept, having just proudly finished their Debut album with a producer they greatly admire; Rob Ellis (Anna Calvi, PJ Harvey, Cold Specks). They are set to release their new single, their first official video, and a string of new tour dates, this autumn. Come along to a show and witness as each girls unique character brings surprising twists and turns into the music, the conviction of the sound they make being both wild and elegant. These are four girls who play straight to your gut from the heart.
RUTH THEODORE
“Extraordinary” – The Guardian ★★★★
“Confident, assured and truly unique” – Fatea Magazine
“Truly original…” “Her new album’s a killer” – fRoots
Ruth Theodore’s songs fascinate audiences with their gripping honesty and distinctive lyricism. Over an array of unconventional guitar tunings, Ruth sings stories of the known universe with captivating vocal dexterity and poetic originality.
Ruth moves almost recklessly between pacey political passages, stomping slide guitar, and enchanting piano pieces that conjure the compositional freedom of a young Keith Jarrett, with the timeless qualities of such artists as Carole King and Nina Simone. Turning her music on its head at every opportunity, Ruth’s natural lyricism and deliberate turn of phrase is that of a skilled writer in command of, and having fun with, the idea of contemporary songwriting.
Ruth’s fourth studio album ‘Cactacus’, which she recorded with producer and bassist Todd Sickafoose (Anais Mitchell/Ani Difranco), was released through Aveline Records in September 2016. Ruth travelled and played her way through California and up into Oregon to work alongside a stellar cast of musicians including organist Rob Burger (Tom Waits, Willie Nelson), percussionist Mathias Kunzli (Regina Spektor, Lauryn Hill), and Violinist Jenny Scheinman (Lucinda Williams, Lou Reed).
“Occasionally recalling Kate Bush and Ani DiFranco, this is a beautiful, sad, wonderful LP” – MOJO ★★★★
“… [an] impressive ability to excite audiences with her truly original, fascinating and thoroughly entertaining music….. a wealth of poetry, satire and pure, natural artistry. ‘Cactacus’ is a wonderful, captivating album.” – Folk Radio UK
“…songs that are full of vitality. Quirky lyrics tumble out of her in a torrent, with angular melodies and inventive settings… an excellent album of invigorating freshness and originality.” – Country Music People
“…a beautiful voice, backed it up with amazingly accomplished guitar skills, songs of substance…” “…[her] lyrics are Dylanesque in scope and skill” – Red Guitar Music
“Ruth writes alternative folk and blues music but at heart she is a pure punk San Franciscan beat poet” – Todd Sickafoose
OH SISTER
Sarah Berresford, better known as Oh Sister writes moody torch songs then, she and her friends add synth, drums and dreamy harmonies.
Intimate lyrics with mature, confident vocal talent, over delicate guitar melodies.
BEE BAKARE
Bee Bakare is an acoustic soul pop singer-songwriter based in London, UK. Her music is recognisable by the soulful, rich and warm contralto that features in her sound. Singing and writing from a young age, her musical influences include the likes of Lauryn Hill, Tracy Chapman and India Arie. Bee recently released the first single ‘Waiting to Happen’ from her upcoming EP (2017). The single is currently making waves as “catchy and fresh”, a consistent feature in her songs which leave live audiences saying ‘wow that voice’.
ROSERED & THE BUTTERFLIES
RoseRed And The Butterflies, aka Lydia Nicolaides is a prolific singer/songwriter from north London Enfield, with a DIY ethos. She pens catchy lyrics and silver tongued melodies that tell stories in a refreshing and original way. With a mixture of realism, fun, quirkiness and sadness, RoseRed’s music can move effortlessly from lightness into dark, and her style crosses a variety of genres, from Folk to Rock; from Country to Reggae. ‘Imagine Mary Poppins on acid’ playing the guitar and dancing like a pixie.
RoseRed released her eagerly awaited debut album ‘Just A Glimmer’ in 2010 an album which she wrote, recorded, produced and funded herself, in-between several years of playing the London gig circuit and which got voted and won the Fatea Magazine debut album of the year 2010 Award.
She has had two of her songs feature in two British Independent Films ‘Jesus Versus The Messiah’ and ‘Chinese Burns’. She has just released her second album New Age Drifter.
MIRI
MIRI’s new release Sound Vibrations is her third EP, blending distinctive soft, smoky and gritty tones with thought provoking heartfelt lyrics; pop songs that speak fluent indie. ‘Electric Vibes’ has received BBC 6 Radio airplay on Tom Robinson’s Fresh On The Net mixtape show, whilst ‘The Plight’ has been making waves on the underground.
Described as the love child of Sting and Edith Piaf, British singer-songwriter MIRI blends heart and grit, distilled through a smooth, melodic pop filter.
Three of MIRI’s songs are featured in the film “Fear Of Water” which screened at the International Women’s Film Festival in LA and will be broadcast on TV in the UK later on in the year. Her track ‘Broken City’ taken from the film has received radio airplay on BBC London.
MIRI co-promotes and co-hosts highly acclaimed monthly live music night “Blue Monday” at The Boogaloo in London; collaborating in 2016 with award winning music venue Green Note on two sold out female artist focused events called “Girls To The Front”. MIRI also put on her own event at Strongroom in Shoreditch entitled “MIRI’s Sunday Chill” which went down a storm.
Performing regularly around the UK & Europe MIRI has gained a reputation for her eclectic gigs and stage presence. Past live shows include 100 Club for The Official Bob Marley Birthday Celebration, alternative reggae artist Natty’s Vibes & Pressure at Passing Clouds, and supporting American folk artist Laura Veirs at Bush Hall. Her European travels have led her to perform at L Fest Del Mar in Spain, and Sofar Sounds in Amsterdam.
Behind the scenes MIRI works with the charity School Ground Sounds which provide additional opportunities for young people to enhance their musical education. MIRI has been a guest mentor for Wired4Music’s drop in for young people aspiring to have a career in music and is also on the FAC’s BEAT Board.
