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...a voice twinning Siouxsie Siouxs intonation with PJ Harveys holler. Venue magazine
"I cannot believe this girl is not signed this is without a doubt one of the finest pieces of music I have heard on this site for a long time"..."This lady is big!"... She will get signed no doubt"..."definitely holds potential for indie labels looking for a new female starlet". bravenewbands.com
Words that have been used to describe Miss Manuks music: strong, soaring, powerful, glimmering voice, dark, intriguing, drifty, stormy, operatic, original, honest, archaic, intense, seductive, avant- garde, edgy, experimental, bluesy, jazzy, intricate, meandering, mature, diverse, atmospheric, deep, attention- holding, raw, special, unique, voodoo-swamp-rock, enchanting, intelligent, haunting, stylish, quirky, disco-waltz-rock
Miss Manuk's (Abigail McDougall) songs cover various themes, including those of dreams and waking. Dreams of love and secrets, bizarre and mysterious dreams, sometimes nightmares. Waking up to the world we live in and the mess weve made of it. The oddness of reality and trying getting on track. With a unique and surprising voice the songs move from the melancholy and claustraphobic to a soaring and powerful intensity. They are met with sometimes unconventional and meandering compositions that take the listener on an emotional rollercoaster. The singer values honesty above all else and her lyrics have at times an abstract sense of humour. The early music conjures up images of the sea and earth, dense forests, dark caves, rugged cliffs. Having spent time studying in Cornwall, she carries the memories of this creative time, as well as her time growing up in the green hills of Umbria and voyages to other foreign countries. Her experiences feed the imaginary velvety night-times and lonely moorland excursions suggested by the atmospheres the music summons. More recent material draws on the subjects of Greek Mythology (Clytaemnestra), Alcohol (Absinthe), and the afterlife (No More Time) The influences on the music range from the avant-garde and classical, to rock, trip- hop and electronica, to 80s.
"I started my adult life as a painter and graphic artist, before music started taking over my life far more. I have sung throughout my life, sometimes in choirs, and became quite skilled at piano as a child. I played with various groups before deciding to follow my own path and gather my own band of merry men. I started gigging in Cornwall, gigging in pubs before appearing at a couple of large-scale events (Royal Cornwall show, Tremough Campus) and receiving play on BBC radio Cornwall. I recorded with four producers and had record company interest. I am now in Bristol. Since moving I've managed to gain a grant from the Princes Trust and am performing and promoting events, I have also played in London. I am working on new material, building up a fanlist and entering competitions, while preparing a tour and a new solo album. I spent a spell playing in a punk- rock band called the Gift. It was a good experience, the songs were really catchy and fun to play. I returned to Cornwall in 2006 to record the Miss Manuk e.p. and again in 2007 to record a few songs in the new Black and White Studio in Redruth. I have done an interview on BCFM which was featured on BBC Bristol."
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