Katey Brooks and Special Guest Beth Rowley

Event information

KATEY BROOKS

“A once-a-generation talent” Henry Yates (NME, Guardian)

Growing up inside a cult, Katey Brooks found refuge in song. A rebellious artist that resists formula, the ‘powerful’ (Evening Standard) award-winning singer, songwriter & producer brings a seamless blend of Americana, Folk and Pop to listeners’ ears, which has earned her radio play from BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, 6music, Canada’s CBC, Jazz FM, and Amazing Radio amongst many others.

“She had the crowd eating out of her hands” The Independent

No stranger to the stage, Brooks has toured in the US, Australia, Canada, Europe and the UK. She has shared bills with artists like Cat Burns, Nick Mulvey, Newton Faulkner, and Yola, as well as playing big name festivals such as Glastonbury, WOMAD, Paralympics 2012, the Australian National Folk Festival, and several BBC Introducing stages, to name a few.

“One of the best albums of the year” Pop Dust

KB’s album Revolute was released in 2019 to huge critical acclaim across the world including a ‘Best Album of the Year’ credit from music magazine Popdust, and premiers for the singles from Billboard, Pride Magazine, and Gay Times. Since then she has released a live album, several singles, and had multiple collaborations including upcoming track with award-winning Blues artist, Elles Bailey.

Brooks’ vocals have featured on records with Brian May (Queen), Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) and Paloma Faith. Her music has been used in the West End (PRIDE), TV (Hulu’s Harlots soundtrack) and film (My Christmas Hero). She has so far earned three Best Original Song awards at film festivals.

“Love this lady’s voice…she really means what she’s singing” Joss Stone

Brooks has made fans out of her influences and heroes including Joss Stone, Nick Van Eede (Cutting Crew), and Chris Difford (Squeeze) who have all spoken warm words of support for her. It’s safe to say she has been catching the attention of big names, with her song ’All Of Me’ making the finals in the International Songwriting Competition in 2023, whose judges included Mariah Carey, Coldplay & Tom Waits.

With 205 songs written in 200 days in 2023, expect to hear a lot from Katey Brooks in 2024.

kateybrooks.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6rlMEdJkRg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCkzXRTBuoc

BETH ROWLEY

Beth Rowley acknowledges her early influences predominantly from Gospel Spirituals, Americana and Blues inherited from her parents, who whilst living in South American during the 70’s brought the family up on an eclectic mix of Led Belly, Mahalia Jackson, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams.

Over the years Beth has been known for her rich effortless vocals but her sound has grown rawer with a deeper, louder edge. In 2019 her second album Gota Fria saw a more 70’s electric guitar influence with gritty harmonica and pedal steel, accompanied by a sold out UK headline tour.

In the 4 years since then, and 2 children later, Beths new project Pale Jewel’ is a collection of her most loved childhood songs and her early influences of americana/ spiritual inspired songs can still be strongly heard. The first EP ‘Pale Jewel – Volume I’ was released in 2022 to great acclaim and the next instalment ‘Pale Jewel – Volume Il’ is due for release in the Summer of 2024. Both EP’s were recorded straight to tape with just 2 musicians sat around a mic, which is how Beth says she feels most comfortable recording; “I love recording like that, no frills or fuss, just one or two takes straight into a group mic is my ideal set up.”

Whether Beth performs with her full 5 piece band or as a stripped back duo, it’s evident that her natural talent and the 24 years that she’s spent so far crafting her art have grown a confidence and sense of ease that only experience, commitment and a love for the music will create. ‘Pale Jewel -Volume II’ is released on Stoopnik Records/Absolute in July 2024.

bethrowley.com
https://youtu.be/uWySSLxW3yU
https://youtu.be/gc4cFTOwI7k