Music:

Member Since: 03/03/2006
Band Website: http://www.elainesamuels.co.uk
Band Members:

New Album - Metamorphosis - now available to buy

Metamorphosis Album - all clips / lyrics

Sean McGhee -
Rock'N'Reel Magazine says:-

"Love the band album. What a step up. Great production, great vocals and a really together and inventive band. Well done!"

Band Leader

Elaine Samuels

(guitar / vocals / songwriting)

Flute

Annie Parker

(flute / saxophone / whistle / harmonies)
Susie Fison
(flute / harmonies)

Violin

Gavin Jones

(electric violin / harmonies)
Sim Jones
(electric violin, viola and guitar)

Bass guitar

Mike Hislop

(bass guitar [fretless and 4 string fretted] / harmonies)
Joey Burke
(bass guitar / harmonies)
Chris Ross
(bass guitar [fretless and 4/5 string fretted])

Drums

Alan Barwise

(drums and percussion)

Sean Quinn (drums)

Russell Morgan (drums)

Hugo Loudon (drums)

Exceptional Deps

(not Johnny Dep - unfortunately!)
Tim West
(bass/drums/multi-instrumentalist and singer / songwriter)

Influences: Loads - including Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Fleetwood Mac, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, Yes, Joni Mitchell, Steeleye Span, The Strawbs, Led Zeppelin

Performing Live

Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at Weyfest, September 5th '09
Review Staines Weblog - Adpontes
Another of my favourites, ‘Kindred Spirit’ with their electro-folk prog-roots, also put on a fine show. I was still humming ‘The Chain’ (Fleetwood Mac) days later, but I also loved their self-penned tunes like Meta-Mor-Phosis and Dragonfire. Band leader Elaine Samuels has a sweet yet powerful ‘Country & Western’ type voice, well suited to the very English misty, moody and magical themes. Annie Parker adds some smoke and fire on flute, whilst Gavin Jones creates drama and majesty on electric violin. Mike Hislop on bass and Alan Barwise on drums provide the rhythm to the polished, meticulously crafted songs from this band.
© Neil_Mach
September 2009

Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at the Beacon Hill Beer Festival, May 29th '09

Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at the Central Studio Album Launch Concert, May 23rd '09
Here's 2 reviews of the concert, emailed from members of the audience.Another brilliant night Elaine from you and your great band. Loved every minute of it. The hanging screen and the costume change were another welcome new addition to the show. Also great to see you being the sole act now at Central Studios, shows you have made big progress from being a support act first time around and sharing the stage last time out with Blue Onyx. Maybe the step up away from the pub circuit is not that far away. The new songs from Metamorphosis fitted in seamlessly with the older numbers, just like old friends.(Love the new album by the way). Not a lot more I can say about the music as it just gets better each time out, great songs played by some brilliant musicians, congratulations to you all, look forward to next time.
Cheers,
Martin
Hi Elaine, Just to say that what an enjoyable concert it was! It was especially good to see Annie taking more prominence than she used to years ago. Along with Gavin,she is KS's USP (unique selling point)! (Although I'd like to see her use her saxophone more). I also think Gavin plays as well as Sim did, although I do miss the latter's guitar riffs. Nevertheless, a brilliant concert - and the new CD is superb, too!
With very best wishes
Barry


Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at Richmond May Fair May 9th '09

Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at Brentford Festival September 7th '08

Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at Central Studio with Blue Onyx, May 10th '08
The concert at Central Studio with the UK's only Moody Blues tribute band, Blue Onyx, was almost a sell out and both bands were very well received.

Review from reporter, Elliot Grimes of the Basingstoke ObserverThey may be a tribute band, but Blue Onyx sure know what they are doing. Moody blues’s classics such as “Gypsy” and “The Actor” were played with passion and a unique flare at times. The wide selection of song styles kept the audience transfixed until the end, along with extremely zealous members, one of which was using her flute to play guitar and the drums.
Despite having a band of seven, including a flautist and a keyboardist, the band kept a tight set of which the Moody Blues would be proud of.
With such a hard act to follow, Kindred Spirit would have their work cut out. It was not long, however, until it was obvious that this was a band who enjoyed every second of being on stage. They were playing in front of those who appreciate their music and are as passionate about it as the members themselves. Long instrumentals allowed both flautist and violinist to show off their hidden talents. The introduction of a saxophone in a selection of songs was an interesting change.
“Songs of Dragons” and “the Devil” were something very special and a brilliant example of Folk Rock at its best. The bassist coped extremely well playing his double necked bass, bringing another air of individuality to the band. A well deserved round of applause from the audience allowed the band to sneak back on stage, and, accompanied by the members of Blue Onyx, play through one last song. After thanking the crowd, it is brought to everyone’s attention that they will be playing in the not too distant future. Maybe an event worth checking out for those looking for a relaxing evening of live music?

Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at Sunbury Arts Centre, March 29th '08

Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at Brentford Festival, September 2nd '07

Annie, Mike, Sim, Alan and Elaine at Weyfest, September 1st '07

Annie, Mike, Sim and Elaine at Basingstoke Live Festival, July 8th '07

Annie, Mike, Gavin and Elaine at Ambient Picnic Festival, July 8th '07

Annie, Joey, Gavin and Elaine at Kingston Green Fair, May 28th '07

Full band at Richmond May Fair, May 12th '07

Full band at the Cavern Liverpool, Nov 11th '06

Annie, Sim and Elaine at the Cavern Liverpool,
30th June 2006.
At "Yellow Umbrella Day", 24th September 2006
At "Silfest", Imperial College Festival, 24th June 2006
At Kingston Green Fair, 29th May 2006
At Richmond May Fair, 13th May 2006
At The Beacon Court Tavern
with The Dean Howard Band, 21st April 2006
At Central Studio, Basingstoke, 2005 Review by Martin Harold
"Hi Elaine, just had to drop you a line. Just come back from your Gig at Central Studios, Basingstoke and was knocked out, just Brilliant...It was the best Gig I have been to in a while and I go to a lot. You remind me of Blackmores Night with a bit of Curved Air thrown in. Great songs (Ace songwriter) Brilliant Musicians. Sim, where has he been all this time, I was never too keen on Violins...till now, he was amazing, change my mind completely on the instrument, sort of Jimi Hendrix of the Violin. Some great work from Annie as well, loved the Sax and Flute, Rhythm team were spot on as well. I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed it ... Thanks again Martin."
At Grayshott Jambouree, Hampshire, 2005
At Farnham Carnival, Surrey, 2005
At the Coach and Horses, Isleworth, Middx, 2005
At Richmond May Fair, 2002

Mystic Journey Show

The Mystic Journey show was created by Elaine Samuels back in 2002 and is a magical experience combining the ancient and compelling art of storytelling with Celtic harp, performed by the wonderful France Ellul, and our own "celtic rock" songs performed by a six-piece Kindred Spirit band line-up. The show tells the story of the Green Man and how he helps mankind to save a planet on the verge of ecological disaster. More about The Mystic Journey
Sounds Like: The Corrs, Curved Air
Record Label: Own label - HKR