BETH ROWLEY
Genre: Jazz, Gospel, Blues, Singer-Songwriter
Location: London (UK)
Discography: Beth Rowley EP (2004), Sweet Hours EP (2006), Violets EP (2007) Little Dreamer (2008) Wretched Body EP (2013)
Record Label: (Previous) Universal Classics & Jazz (Now) Independent
Website: http://bethrowley.com/
Beth Rowley is one of our favourite vocalist and singer-songwriters. She has the kind of perfect jazz/gospel vocal that you can't help falling in love with. We first heard Beth's music when she first released her stunning 'Little Dreamer' album back in 2008. One of the first songs released as a single on the album 'Oh My Life' co-written by Ben Castle, has been a great favourite of ours ever since. We were not the only one's who loved Beth's debut album, as Beth was nominated in 2009 for a 'Brit Award' for Best British Female Solo Artist.
Beth was born to British parents who moved back to Bristol from Peru when she was two years old. She was influenced by her family's love for many different musical styles, particularly blues, country, folk, gospel and Latin American music. When aged 16, Rowley formed The Apogee, an original 5 piece funk/soul/acid jazz group. At age 17, she was spotted at an open mic night in the London club, Ginglik, in Shepherd's Bush.
Beth studied music and art at Weston-super-Mare College and in 2003, went on to the Brighton Institute of Modern Music with the particular help and encouragement of soulsinger Carleen Anderson. During her time at the school, Beth toured with Ronan Keating and Enrique Iglesias providing backing vocals.
In 2000, Beth teamed up with Jazz saxophonist Ben Castle (son of Roy), well known for his work with Jamie Cullum. She began writing her own material and with Ben's encouragement and assistance she released three EPs, Beth Rowley (2004), Sweet Hours (2006) and Violets (2007). From the Violets EP she released a single entitled, 'Nobody's Fault But Mine' which was the iTunes 'Single of the Week' for December 2007.
Beth has collaborated with other artists and bands, including Crowded House on their Time on Earth album providing backing vocals for the song "Transit Lounge" and Duke Special, who joined her for a duet on her début album, Little Dreamer.
Beth's album entitled "Little Dreamer" was released in the UK on 19 May 2008, and went straight into the UK album charts at number 6. On 4 February 2008, the lead single, "Oh My Life" (released on 3 March 2008) from the forthcoming album was featured as 'BBC Radio 2 Record of the Week'. The second single of from the album is called 'So Sublime' and was released on 12 May 2008.
Beth attended The Edge of Love world premiere on 18 June, which marked the opening of the Edinburgh Film Festival. Based on the life of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and featuring Keira Knightly. Beth recorded the exclusive track 'Careless Talk' of the film's soundtrack .
In 2006, Beth recorded a song entitled 'Too much too late' written by Bristol based singer/songwriter Steven Reid Williams in a collaboration featured on the album 'Corners'. In the same year she provided the vocals on Nostalgia77's track 'Quiet Dawn' from their album 'Everything Under the Sun'. On 22 October 2008, Rowley appeared with Burt Bacharach on the BBC Electric Proms series, singing 24 Hours from Tulsa.
Beth also featured in the nightclub scene in the 2009 film An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig. Her track, "You Got Me Wrapped Around Your Little Finger", is featured prominently in the official movie soundtrack and the Sony Classics promotional website.
On 8 July 2013, Beth released a new EP "Wretched Body". This is the first part of planned 3-piece EP series.
Beth is currently working on her much anticipated second album and performing at a handful of sell-out shows this summer, Beth says ‘Its taking time to finish my new album, but thats ok, it'll take as long as it takes. I’ve had the opportunity to explore what I want to record next and its on its way. I’ve been revisiting old blues and gospel and looking at ways to include some of my musical main influences - like Captain Beefheart, Emmylou Harris, Ron Sexsmith and Mahalia Jackson. Expect more electric guitar and harmonica.” All of us at LCM are eagerly awaiting the new album.