Dancer - Jessica Sweetman

Our next LCM featured artist is UK singer-songwriter Jessica Sweetman, who is originally from Sutton Coldfield just north of Birmingham. Over the last two years, Jessica has supported world renowned artists such as Van Morrison, Keane and Sir Cliff Richard. She also played a show for Jools Holland at The Boisdale Club. Our LCM #SongOfTheDay is a wonderful live version of 'Dancer' taken from a recent 'Under The Apple Tree' session with Bob Harris.

If you would like to see Jessica live she will be the special guest of Rodney Crowell at Nells Jazz and Blues on the 26th July.

Jessica started singing at the age of 16, where she did her first live performance at a Pizza Express restaurant in her home town of Sutton Coldfield. Knowing that the restaurant had a jazz night every Wednesday, Jessica walked in one day and asked the manager if she could do an audition. The manager agreed to listen to her and after hearing her sing just two songs gave her the residency she had hoped for.

At the age of 17, Jessica and her family moved to Cornwall, where they lived in a caravan for a year before settling down properly into their family home. This is where Jessica started writing and found her creative side as a songwriter. At the same time, Jessica went to college and was singing most weekends at various bars and restaurants in and around Cornwall and Devon. After taking the decision to drop out of college to focus all her efforts on her singing and song writing, Jessica also decided to throw herself in at the deep end and move by herself to London. Booking a one way ticket and arriving with nothing more than her guitar, a few clothes and just enough money to get by, Jessica found a small room in the heart of Soho where she began her new musical life in the big city.

Within her first week of living in Soho, Jessica got a booking at the famous Ronnie Scott’s Club and supported Brit Award artist Finlay Quaye for two nights at The Troubadour. Since then, her career has been on the up and up with regular gigs at some of London’s finest hotels and night spots, including The London Hippodrome, The Dorchester Hotel, The Mayfair Hotel and Cafe Royal. 

Jessica has played at various festivals including the famous Benicassim Festival in Spain (2 years running) where headliners were Paulo Nutini, The Killers, The Arctic Monkeys and Ellie Goulding. Also, The Groove Festival in Ireland, appearing on the same bill as Paloma Faith and David Gray and The Day Tripper Festival, appearing on the same bill as The Kaiser Chiefs.

She was the featured vocalist and co-writer on the track ‘In Your Arms’ with DJ Andy Moor and Armin Van Buuren. This well known dance track was featured on Armin Van Buuren’s compilation album ‘A State Of Trance.’

Jessica is now concentrating her efforts on releasing an album of original songs; songs she feels that best represent her and where she is ‘at’ at this moment.

I Already Know - Devon Mayson

We are big fans here at LCM HQ of Bob Harris' 'Under The Apple Tree' sessions. They have great guests and always capture a little bit of magic in the performance. We have another great example for you today as we head to the Cotswold's to meet our next LCM featured artist Essex born UK Country singer-songwriter Devon Mayson. Devon released her excellent debut album 'Lie To Me' in August 2016 which reached #3 in the UK Country iTunes Chart. Our LCM #SongOfTheDay is a great live version of 'I Already Know' from the album taken from recent UTAT session which was produced, sound engineered and edited by Bob's son Miles Myerscough-Harris. Extra points if you can name all the members of Mayson's band at the session.

Described by Andrew Marston, BBC Introducing, as "“Beautiful songs from an artist who’s been our BBC Introducing Track of the Week on so many occasions.”, Devon's unique mix of country, folk and pop went on to become a favorite with BBC Radio 2's Whispering Bob Harris.

Currently in the process of creating her second studio album, Devon has already been requested for several main stage slots at festivals across the UK with previous performances including The 100 Club, Brownstock Festival, Lakefest, The Warehouse in Harrogate and The Hammersmith Apollo.

I'll Be There - Fayre

Our LCM featured artists today are London based Rock, Folk & Country band Fayre who you might have seen at this year's C2C or on Sky One's 'Sing: Ultimate A Capella'. We first introduced the group to you as Belle & the Busker in April last year, with their excellent song 'The Showdown'. Our LCM #SongOfTheDay is a wonderful acoustic version of 'I'll Be There' taken from a recent UTAT session recorded at the home of Bob Harris.  

FAYRE are a new London band fronted by Irish singer/songwriter Cíara Rafferty and London born singer/songwriter Daniel Spiller. They have just recently released a live EP working with producer Rupert Christie (Bellowhead, Catherine McGrath, Lou Reed) recorded  at The Pool Studios in London. These are a series of Muscle Shoals style recordings all captured live in one take. There are 7 tracks in total, all filmed and available to watch on their Website/ YouTube channel. 

The band performed recently on the Sky 1 show 'Sing' with host Cat Deeley and guest Imelda May and have also featured on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4, Talk Radio and BBC Radio London, Soho Radio and Chris Country. 

Fayre are also proud to be part of London's busking network where they perform regularly by the London Eye, on the London Underground and on Network Rail. Fayre constantly gig as a duo but also perform special showcases with the band, the last show being a sold out gig at The Pheasantry in Chelsea where they played a 2 hour set of original material.  

Live at the Pool Studios London

FAYRE MUSIC

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Get Out Alive - Robbie Cavanagh

For our next LCM #SongOfTheDay Robbie Cavanagh performs a great live version of his song 'Get Out Alive' for Under The Apple Tree sessions at Warehouse Recording Co. The song is taken from Robbie's 2017 album 'To Leave/To Be Left'

If you would like to see Robbie and the band live, they will be in #London on the 7th April at the Slaughtered Lamb in Farringdon.

Robbie Cavanagh performs melodic, haunting yet beautiful music, combining his intricate guitar playing with powerful, emotive lyrics. Following the release of his critically acclaimed debut album, ‘The State Of Maine’ in April 2014, Robbie has made a big impact on the country/Americana scene. Developing a dedicated and loyal following around the UK. Robbie writes poetic and starkly honest songs, and performs them with a real passion and sincere honesty that other artists can only attempt to imitate.