MARY SPENDER is the featured artist for June 2014 at MarkMeets

Having promoted some of today’s best known and hottest music acts from when they began their journey, we’re pleased to showcase the amazing talent of solo star: Mary Spender

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Mary Spender, 23, a musician based in Bristol, reached #4 in the iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts with her single ‘Willpower’ released 16th December 2013. It was also featured on ITV’s ‘Tonight Show’, filmed at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios.

June 30th 2014 will see the release of the ‘Faux Americana ‘ EP’. Recorded in London and Nashville, it has been produced by Ant West (We The Wild, Futures, Layla) and recorded with Aaron David Rodgers (Grammy Nominated Producer based in Nashville).

Read on as we chat exclusively with Mary Spender about performing at Glastonbury and her plans for the future.

At UK entertainment website MarkMeets, our passion, online presence and reputation for promoting fresh emerging new talent offering artists a great platform to be seen and heard by the public, media and fellow artists.

“A unique talented artist, who mixes pop, Americana and blues sounds” – Mark Boardman (Music Journalist).

The past year has seen Mary support Matthew Mayfield, Sam Bradley, Trampled by Turtles, Bruno Major, Sandi Thom, Ruarri Joseph and comedian Dr Phil Hammond. She played at Ronnie Scotts and Glastonbury Festival, completed a solo tour of the UK, Germany and USA, and was even described as ‘one to watch’ by Seasick Steve when he caught her set at the Larmer Tree Festival.

Having graduated from Bristol University with a BA (Hons) degree in classical music, Mary engineered and produced her last two releases ‘The Eclectic EP’ and ‘Live in Philadelphia’ which are both available online. ‘Ignite’ from ‘The Eclectic EP’ won the open category at the UK Songwriting Contest 2012

Exclusive Interview

How different was the recording environment feel in Nashville compared to London?

Being in a studio is a similar experience wherever you are, but it’s the people involved that make the difference.

Recording in Nashville was a very unexpected and unique experience. Along with a friend, the US manager for Vigier Guitars, we went to Aaron David Rodgers’ studio (Grammy Nominated Producer and Engineer) for a drink but I couldn’t resist picking up a beautiful Gibson acoustic guitar and playing a few grooves. He asked if I was currently recording anything as he hadn’t heard my music before. Having finished two tracks with Ant West in London, I said that I wanted to record two more for a new EP when he said “Let’s do it now” and we did. We began at 11pm and finished at 6am and ended up recording ‘Paperback’ and ‘Melancholy Parade’ off the new ‘Faux Americana – EP’. A very satisfying, but tiring experience, which was very Nashville!

Which venue for you would top performing at Glastonbury Festival?

The Colston Hall Main Room in Bristol would be a dream come true. I’ve witnessed some of the most inspiring performances ever there, and hope that I can grace that stage someday as a singer/songwriter. I have performed as a classical musician there (on viola) with my University Symphony Orchestra.

You’re performing in Germany soon, how did that opportunity come about?
I’ve always heard great things about the singer/songwriter music scene in Germany, and got to experience it for the first time last year (2013),when I booked a short five date tour. The response was so great, that I was invited back in June this year. I don’t have management so I sort my own bookings, so it was my own general inquisitiveness, research and “neckiness” that got me the shows in Germany.

Do you think doing it the hard way makes you an artist rather than a singer/performer?

What is the hard way!? Grafting has always been important to me, I’ve never been one to sit around and wait for things to happen. I am out performing my songs as often as possible and learning and hopefully improving my craft. I really enjoy seeing which songs work in front of a crowd, often a room full of ….strangers. I call myself a musician first, rather than artist/singer/performer. For me, my performance is entertainment, and I feel the audience can draw different things from the show – whether that’s from my voice, my lyrics or the stories I tell, or just the enjoyment of my percussive guitar work.

What are your favourite covers to perform live?

I enjoy doing rather strange covers for my own entertainment. Recently I had a long drive to a show in Kent (about a 300 mile round trip) so I gave myself the challenge of learning the rap from ‘Superbass’ by Nicki Minaj. It’s rather out of my comfort zone, but I just about pull it off!

Interview by Entertainment Journalist, PR Professional & Social & Media Expert Mark Boardman

Here is the link to her latest live video: Melancholy Parade

Music Video for MarkMeets.

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Find out about our FEATURED ARTISTS

Each month we celebrate an artist who we feel deserves some recognition, whether they are an undiscovered talent trying to make it into the music business, or an existing star who has not reached the level we feel they deserve to be at!!

Previous MarkMeets Music Artists have included: Kit Rice, Derek Ryan, Harvey, Jamie Eldridge, Tom Andrews, Blaise, Luke Towler, Carly Rae Jespen, Aiden Grimshaw, District 3, Adam Lambert and The Dolly Rockers. We have supported brand new artists too from Kingsland, Tich, through to Concept, Ria Ritchie and Overload.

“We’re Here To Inspire And Lead The Way In Entertainment”.

Background MarkMeets – Having attended thousands of music showcases, gigs, red carpet events and showbiz parties and having written a huge amount of album reviews and features on celebs, film, music and TV over the years; Site editor and founder Mark Boardman and everyone who contributes to MarkMeets including celebs, journalists and freelancers have one things in common: The Passion for Music and Film. MarkMeets – Promoting new talent.