About Me
Marsha Swanson just won the 2007 "Best Folk" and "Best Album" Glasswerk New Music Award for new album "Sentient Stardust" which will be released Via Proper Music Distribution on November 5th. The album will be launched at Virgin Megastore in Picadilly Circus on November 9th with an in-store live gig and signing session. The album has had production from ex-Jocasta front man Tim Arnold and Alex McGowan co/writer & producer for Martina Topley Bird's album Quixotic, which was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize in 2003. The album artwork is designed by the legendary Storm Thorgerson, creator of numerous iconic album covers for Pink Floyd, Audioslave, Muse and many more.Marsha received widespread critical acclaim for the last two singles from the forthcoming album, released earlier this year ("My Life My Own" and title track "Sentient Stardust"). On the back of this wave, she is currently promoting new single "Still Wrong" with a live acoustic BBC radio tour. This single is available now, exclusively from www.marshaswanson.com . "My Life My Own", is currently available at iTunes or at www.wippit.com .
".....hauntingly wistful Kate Bush-pop" (Subba Cultcha.com)
"....unmistakably "hard pop" in a sultry 60's mode...this is smart and sassy and set for a wider audience" (New Noise)
"Combines the lost style of Bjork with the uplifting nature of Carole King against a backdrop of tingling and uplifting pop" (Losing Today).
Marsha Swanson is a singer/songwriter from London. With distinctively English vocals, hers is a voice of compassionate reason. Her songs have a literary quality to them. They are accessible, yet demanding, in a satisfying way. For a debut album, “Watershed†has a “Classic†feel, her songs reflecting inspiration from writers such as Carole King and John Martyn, through to the modern atmospheric soundscapes of Fiona Apple & Beth Orton.
The conception of Marsha's debut album "Watershed" began with an extended development deal at Universal Publishing. This allowed the time and space for Marsha to nurture her own individual sound and style. During this time whilst working in a rehearsal studio in Shepherds Bush, she met a group of like-minded musicians who form the current line up both on the album and live. Marsha is also involved in a side-line writing project with Steve Sidelnyk (programmer/drummer to Madonna) and Richard Robson (programmer/remixer to Richard Ashcroft/The Magic Numbers).
Following the internet launch of "Watershed" which took place at Borders music and book shop (a unique promotional event for artist's with independently released albums), Marsha secured national distribution for "Watershed" with Proper Music Distribution, catalogue no MMCDOOO1. It is now available to buy in all good stores as well as online.
The album mixes the simple with the experimental ranging from the upbeat, surreal and radio-friendly pop of Hoovering The Sky “this offering is dreamy bubble pop to wrap up and give to your loved one as a gift†(Heathen Angel) to the empathic story-telling of Johnny Can’t Read, which also “shows her variety…something sparkling and sprawling that could easily be massive attack†(High Voltage). There is theatrical drama in the form of Madam M, “it reminds me of Kate Bush at her most playful†(Collected Sounds), alongside simple and sublime ballads such as Losing Me “Swanson’s voice floats serenely on a surf-board of cushioning piano riffs, gliding around the mind†(Losing Today)
“This London lass has what it takes to carry the burden of responsibility of bringing veracity and thoughtfulness back into English pop music†(Glasswerk)
“Impressive production and a mountain of critical acclaim certainly help to create a sense of intrigue around Swanson†(High Voltage)
“The glimmers of something special are undeniable†(UKMusicSearch)
