Prior to music becoming the love of my life, I was always passionate about art, doodling with cartoons and creating amusing characters and comedic stories. Then, when I was ten, myself and a few friends decided to form a street band, and I was so desperate to get started that my parents bought me the guitar I wanted well before the Christmas I was due to receive it.
I was never going to be an outstanding instrumentalist, as after working out just a few chords I went straight into writing songs, and thus began a long creative journey of discovery for me. My fascination with music spanned all styles, and I spent my childhood glued to a pair of headphones, breaking down all the songs in my father’s LP collection, which ranged from jazz to pop with a bit of classical thrown in. I would spend hours analysing how the songs were constructed, deeply contemplating the stereo mix positions of each instrument and vocal part!
In my early twenties, I teamed up with another musician, and we spent the next few years learning how to record onto a small cassette multitrack machine, adding harmonies and multiple layers of sound to our music. That collaboration eventually came to its natural end, at which point I embarked on a solo career.
At this point, my life fundamentally changed, and in doing so altered the course of my songwriting forever. I always say it was like a button was flipped into the ‘on’ position. Mainly because of my obsession with music, I had never been particularly interested in the world around me, but for some reason I started to take notice of the Environmental issues that were being increasingly featured on the news.
This new environmental awareness was like an explosion in my mind. I immediately joined our local Friends of the Earth group, and quickly found myself dressed as a gorilla in a local shopping centre, screaming to save the amazon rain forest from the back of a lorry!
Parallel to this, I had always been interested in psychology, and the ultimate question of why humans allow such destruction and suffering to occur in the world. Finally, I went full-on philosophical and found myself visiting New Age fayres seeking spiritual answers. I had never been religious (especially as I see most institutions as glorified Gentlemen’s clubs, with very little humility, seeking to control rather than to heal) so I began searching for my own truth, something that made sense to me.
I had already joined a group which hosted regular talks on various alternative topics, and this investigation eventually led me to a Spiritualist church, where I finally had that mystical ‘moment’ - an inner acceptance that life continues after death, and that this life has a greater meaning and purpose. At this point, I made the decision to dedicate whatever talent I had to producing positive and insightful music.
Being a child of the sixties, I had always been drawn to Pop music for its purity of message, in which one must refine their lyrics and arrangements to fit the three-minute single format, and this suited my approach. I was also starting to appreciate the new technologies that were becoming available, which gave me the freedom to move away from the guitar and adopt softer and subtler tones in my music.
I embarked on years of creation and self-exploration, which I funnelled through my songs. Although this was fulfilling, my relationship with the world around me took its toll. I am particularly empathetic, which in my case has the downside of resulting in depression, and for many years I declined into a darkness whilst simultaneously still writing uplifting and philosophical tunes, and this somehow kept me balanced. My own music prevented me from falling over the edge many times, and my belief that I had chosen this life (which has never faltered) reminds me I am more, as are we all, connected in one union, but choosing different paths to experience.
“Wellbeing” has been introduced into our vocabulary, and bridges that gap between a physical and mental state and spiritual awareness. Through my lyrics I share my own understanding of the soul and eternal existence, along with a self-belief in the here and now, which encourages the search for personal truth, and the building confidence in our individual potential.
I think one difference in my writing from all the classic Pop tracks that have inspired me, is that I try to come from an egoless position, avoiding the temptation to trigger emotions through my songs. My aim is to encourage people to consider the spiritual self and view of life. To stand back and embrace a different understanding of reality, which can sometimes be difficult whilst existing in our human form.
Music has become my voice, and has allowed a nervous, shy, ten-year-old to evolve into a confident and creative personality. I don’t smoke or take recreational drugs. Listening to my favourite songs has given me all of the incredible highs I have ever needed in my life, and has proved to be the way I can tap into the higher realms, which hold me in place when I begin to fall.
I still crave the joy of the blank canvas, and the wonder of producing something that emerges directly from the imagination, something that has always surprised me, as I don’t count myself as an accomplished musician. I tend to rely on those many ‘happy accidents’ that can occur when creating music. I’m sure many artists will know exactly what I mean!
Aquashii is a music artist born in the UK and currently living in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
From 2004 to 2013 Aquashii awoke to an internal commission to assist in balancing and protecting Earth’s energetic grids. A rapid and bumpy awakening quickly aligned Aquashii with a mission far greater than himself and travelled to many places across the globe including Arizona, St Kitts, Sarasota Florida, Ireland, locations around the UK and finally Vietnam where he shifted focus from energetic earth grid work to artistry when his commission came to an end in 2013.
From 2013 to 2016 Aquashii had many life shifts and challenges to face to free himself from the constructs of the current and crumbling control system on earth. For Aquashii to express art fully he needed to shift many aspects of his internal and external life and continues to do so.
2016 was a big year when everything started to reveal itself that music would be the ultimate expression and life path moving forward. Meeting his life partner and combining their visions and artistry, the Aquashii vision was seeded and continues to bloom to this day.
Aquashii sees art as an expression of source.
Aquashii; “Creation is the eternal nature of source and when embodying creation we embody this eternal nature. Deep healing and connection comes from this embodiment. When sharing creation we reflect and share that connection through the art… When others interact with authentic art coming from this connection it can be felt and often triggers the same connection within the listener/viewer. That is the deepest and strongest reason for the path of Artistry to unfold and is a calling I must fulfil.”
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As an artist I have performed at so many venues including Bridgewater Hall, Chester Races, The Royal Albert Hall, Peckforton Castle, Carden Park Hotel, Grosvenor Pulford, Plas Ifan Hotel, the Oriel Country Hotel, Manchester City Legends Lounge, Storyhouse Theatre Chester, Hilton Manchester, The Ryder Cup, Gleneagles and thousands of weddings, parties, functions at Golf Clubs, Jazz Bars and in particular Alexanders Jazz Bar Chester and hundreds of other Hotels.
I have performed at Wigan Festival and The Storytime Festival in Manchester. I am also featured on a Charity Album for Claire House Hospice and performed at Vale Party in the Park. I have also worked internationally as a Band Singer for both P&O and Thomson Gold Hotels (Cala Llonga Hotel, Ses Estaques Hotel, Hotel Panorama, Es Cana, Ibiza) singing around the Mediterranean during professional Equity Contracts. I have sang for Warner Hotels at both Norton Grange Hotel & Littlecote House Hotel. I also worked as Lead Vocalist at Louis Phaethon All Inclusive Beach Hotel, Pathos, Cyprus.
I sing at parties, events, weddings and corporate gigs as a singer/guitarist.
I am also a singer/songwriter and the songs I write are a unique brand of contemporary music with influences from the genres of soul, blues, country, folk, gospel and world music. My songs speak to me from quite a deep reflective part of myself and I find they are often channelled through dreams and come to me at times of distress in my life to empower and motivate me to overcome any adversity.
I feel my songwriting is indeed Spiritual, I am a spiritual person and I try to believe that the good in me will reflect in others. I try to believe that we are all here to do our best to show that goodness, integrity, compassion for others and rising towards the lighter energy, ethereal energy is the way towards creating more joy & hope and less hatred on earth. I have named my first album, Ethereal Sky to reflect this belief.
I am motivated by my love of creating and expressing my ideas through music. I love stories and for me my songs are stories and I love performing them. For many years I have played at various festivals showcasing what I have written so far.
I consider myself to be an artist and an artist is someone who loves to create their work. With my music I love to sing sincerely and I have been told my vocals are full of emotional power and purity. I am inspired to create material which is soulful, delicate, reflective, emotionally-wrought and playful. Sincere and soulful, I love harmonies and have brought harmonies into my recordings and performances to try and create that ethereal sound. I perform live with a loop pedal which creates some amazing sounds. I perform my original songs with myself on vocal/guitar, violin and piano.
I am also a teacher & mentor and have been honoured to coach many children and adults using my own life experience and passing on the skills I have used to overcome blocks to learning and any shyness and confidence building needed. I am qualified to Diploma level with the London College of Music (DipLCM) and have a Cert Ed in Education.
I also love to see others enjoying music and is the main reason I chose a career in music, singing and performance!
Theresa Matthew Whitebuffalowoman is a singer, composer, musician and teacher of many years’ experience who has explored the numerous dimensions within the spirit realm:
"I have come to knowledge through being able to sit with many ancient spirits including wise Native Indian Chiefs that have given me many sacred songs that I use in my work along with other musicians in spirit."
From the very moment of her birth she was very much aware of the constant connection with spirit beings who were directing her to what would become her life purpose:
"As I grew into adulthood I found it easy to make a connection with many teachers whose wisdom has endowed me not only to be a teacher but also to explore the mystical realms of that dimension behind the veil of the material world thereby being granted access to music from the higher realms."
Sitting in the company of many Native Indian Chiefs she was endowed with the ability to write down the songs in her mind to sense the music which would give them life:
"This amazing ability I hold very humbly as I'm aware it is not my own prestige but gifted to give others the key to their own sacred journey."
Theresa has also composed instrumental healing and meditation music on the album Journey Into Shambala, and Celtic, goddess, spiritual folk songs and devotional music on the albums New Dawn Rising, Breath of Peace and Devotion.
Theresa has created 14 albums so far and has just released two new albums: The Best of Theresa Whitebuffalowoman and The Best of Songs from The Council of 21 Native Indian Chiefs as well as a DVD Open My Heart To Peace.
A new album is currently in production, Rhythm of The Dove, being released In 2020.
YouTube Playlist | YouTube Channel
ILLUMINA are Lila & Anaam, two divinely inspired singers who hold a space of healing and celebration.
They use beautiful vocal harmonies and melodies of Sacred Sounds and Mantras from all around the world to reconnect to the still, silent presence of our divine nature.
ILLUMINA came about quite organically. In the early days we would often sit together, especially in the mornings, and sing sacred chants & devotional songs from our favourite artists (Snatam kaur, Deva Premal, Jai Uttal & Krishna Das etc.) We were experiencing such profound communion with Divinity and so much bliss singing these chants and songs, that it seemed the most natural thing in the world to share our musical experiences with the whole world!
Our music mainly honours the Hindu, Sufi (Islamic) and Sikh traditions however American Indian, Tibetan, Latin American & Taoist chants are also part of our repertoire.
It is an amazing & truly satisfying feeling after an event - whether a concert or workshop - to know that our time has been spent enriching, edifying and deeply reconnecting with everyone who shared our music with us. We have witnessed many people having powerful and healing spiritual experiences in such a setting. Originally we started out singing covers from other artists but over time we've acquired an engaging, melodic mix of original material which we love to share with others.
Our main intention is to encourage & allow a Still, Silent field of Pure Presence to emerge in the group space, helping everyone to experience their True Selves in this Divine Stillness. This is the whole art and science of Chanting and Mantra work - especially when lots of people come together with that intention.
Along the road we've become convinced that this is what we are meant to be doing at this crucial time in our beautiful planet's history.'
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I have always had a passion for music but was too shy in my younger years to pursue my interest. I remember the Lord calling me into the ministry, whilst sitting in the synagogue listening to the Rabbi talk about the tower of Babel and the people speaking in other "tongues", I knew then that the Lord had called me into His kingdom to minister to His people.
I had a lot of questions that went unanswered. I remember a lot of the "sermons" the Rabbi gave and very few had to do with Heaven, Hell or Eternal Life after death. I found the Old Testament very intriguing especially all of the history that is involved.
At 12 years old I asked G-d to give me the gift of music & singing. It was at this time I felt a tugging at my heart and was given the desire to minister in the UK. As years went by, my best friend gave me her guitar and I practiced everyday for hours. I checked out a few books on chords from the library and I taught myself how to play. At this time I started to write lyrics and the melodies would come to me automatically. I knew this just had to be G-d since I couldn't even read or write music at the time. As my talent developed I had opportunities to play and sing in a variety of places from "Top Gun" in Miramar AB, CA to other military bases, restaurants and Lodges all over the San Diego area. My parents didn't know, I told them that I was going out with friends. (Actually my friends went with me. Sorry mum!)
Four weeks prior to enlisting in the United States the Air Force in 1980, I was saved/completed at a David Wilkerson Revival .Talk about a significant turning point in my life! It was AWESOME! I never looked at people in the way I use to before this totally wonderful experience in my life! People still ask me when I "converted" I ask them when did Jesus, Y'shua convert? I am a Messianic Jewess a completed, renewed and I believe that OUR G-D is the Alpha & Omega.
While in basic training I still worked on my music which led into several more opportunities to perform. I auditioned for "Tops in Blue" and "Star Search" and sang in several Commissioned and Non- Commissioned Officer's Clubs. Years have passed and the doors continued to open for me.
I have now ministered /performed at The Louisiana Hayride, Texas, Mississippi, California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Canada, Spain, Mexico, a Cruise Ship, Scotland and England. I have been a guest on several radio shows, including a BBC Breakfast radio show as well as in a couple of commercials. G-d's promises are true and He loves us so very much. None of these things in my life have happened out of "coincidence". Even through divorce, illness/cancer, 13 surgeries, 2 car accidents, the loss of my husband of only 2 1/2 years, in a tragic accident, my sons being sent to Iraq, 911 (I had to be treated in the hospital 2 times due to the fall out of all the toxins that burned when the Twin Towers fell). I refuse to let the enemy get the victory! G-d NEVER left me or my children. G-d started preparing me 25 years ago for the ministry that I have (In His name) now. I had to go through a lot of refining fires to learn.
Everything is in His Glory and in His time. Adonai Echad...... The Lord Is One.
Putting all politics aside whether or not we should be involved in the war, please hold them in your prayers.
My newest CD "Through These Eyes" is VERY eclectic. I sing some of the songs English/Hebrew, English/Yiddish (Kelzmer), English/Spanish, English/Arabic. I want to be able to touch all corners of the world with music, visual aids and dancing...
YouTube Playlist | YouTube Channel
John Richardson aka Jayadev was born and raised in the county of Essex in the south east of England. He taught himself to play the drums at an early age and eventually became a session musician playing on many successful pop records in the UK. He found fame in the 1970’s as the drummer with glam rock band The Rubettes. Between 1974 and 1979 The Rubettes enjoyed chart success with a string of hit records in the UK and Europe including the number one smash hit ‘Sugar Baby Love’ and with over 30 million records sold worldwide and numerous high profile television appearances under their collective belts, were one of the most successful pop bands of that decade.
The fast paced lifestyle of the popstar soon lost it’s appeal for Jayadev and in 1979 he left the band to develop his interest in spirituality and alternative therapy. Music remained very close to his heart and that too began to embrace and compliment Jayadev’s new lifestyle.
He devoted the next chapter of his life to helping others through his beautiful music, hypnotherapy, past life regression therapy and reflexology. In 1989 Jayadev came into contact with his eternal spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Sivarama Swami Maharaja and was awarded Hari Nama initiation followed by the sacred Gayatri mantra in 1992.
It has long been a dream of Jayadev’s to bring chanting of the Holy Names to the masses through music and singing. In April 2010 he launched Mantra Choir.
Jayadev’s ambition is to create 108 mantra choirs worldwide and 2012 sees him more than halfway to achieving that ultimate goal.
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Mantra Choir is a unique experience in community devotional expression. Sitting somewhere between Rock Choir and the popular kirtan performances of the likes of Krishna Das, Mantra Choir blends the ancient euphoric call and response art of kirtan with upbeat counterpoint melodies to provide a beautifully rich sound and experience.
What is unique about Mantra Choir is that the audience literally become the performers! Everyone can take part regardless of musical ability or previous singing experience.
Jayadev (aka John Richardson) breaks the audience into sections and gives each section a counterpoint of one of his beautiful self-penned mantras to sing.
Once that section is comfortably singing their piece, Jayadev moves onto the next section and so on, until everyone is singing blissfully in perfect harmony.
Jayadev will have a group of total musical novices singing like a professional chorus within minutes. Mantra Chorus is an experience not to be missed and one which will stay with the participant for many years to come. Jayadev has created Mantra Choirs in the UK, Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia and the USA.
He is well over half way to achieving his goal of creating 108 Mantra choirs worldwide. Don’t miss out on this experience of a life time, where literally…. YOU ARE THE MUSIC!
YouTube Playlist | YouTube Channel
Rivers & Robots started as a solo project of Jonathan Ogden from Manchester, with the aim of releasing worship songs with a creative sound, often based directly on Bible passages, and produced mostly at home with a laptop, keyboard and guitar. The name came from the mixture of acoustic and electronic instruments used in recording.
In 2012, Jonathan grew the project into a full live band, going on to record albums as a 4-piece. The band have since had the opportunity to lead worship and do mission trips in many different cities around the UK, Europe and Asia.
The band now live as missionaries, and spend their time leading worship in churches, clubs and festivals, hosting monthly worship nights in gig venues around Manchester and running a non-profit organisation called Set Sail, aiming to raise up creative worship and art in the UK.
Rivers & Robots is Jonathan Ogden (vocals, keyboard, guitar, samples), David Hailes (guitar, vocals) and Nathan Stirling (bass, vocals).
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Tally Koren is the Fringe Award winner for Best Singer – Songwriter and was playlisted on BBC Radio 2.
Her music has been played by Chris Evans, Janice Long, Steve Wright and was on the Graham Norton 'highlights of the year 2011 show'. She featured on the Aled Jones’ Good Morning Sunday Show and on the Virgin Media TV playlist.
Her distinctive, emotive voice and sophisticated stage presence has received great critical acclaim. Tally has regularly performed at many of London’s top venues and at events such as the Houses of Parliament, Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, The Marbella International Film Festival and the celebration of William Blake at the Tate Britian.
Tally is very passionate about using her music to bridge the gap between different cultures, having hosted a concert – Music for Peace in the Middle East, where Palestinians and Israelis performed on one stage and received for that a prestigious award as an “Ambassador for Peace” at the House of Commons.
Tally was the voice of an Israeli agent in the last James Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’.
"Rotten Fruit" was written for the film ‘The man who sold the world’, screened at The Cannes Film Festival.
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My name is Paul Saxon and I'm a song writer, worship leader and follower of Jesus. I live in Bolton, England with my wife Sarah and am a full time youth worker.
I just finished my second recording called Peace Through The Night. It took me three years from start to finish and it is my best attempt at celebrating just how big God is whilst encouraging others to keep trusting His goodness even during the pain and sorrow of life.
At the age of 14 I picked up the guitar for the first time and never looked back. Music has been really important in my life and my journey as a Christian and so I would love my songs to inspire and encourage others just like some of my musical heroes have inspired me.
My hope and aim through the songs I record is to point people to a God who is vast beyond our wildest imaginations, but at the same time that He counts the hairs on our heads and is closer to us than we realise.
I really enjoy leading worship, talking about Jesus and hanging out with people, if you ever need anyone to do one or all of those things at an event you are part of please get in touch!
Michael Squire, is a singer/songwriter and guitarist based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire though he was born and brought up in Bromley, Kent, where he started writing and performing solo and in bands. His early influences include David Bowie and the Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello and new wave bands plus the great singer/songwriters including Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell.
Michael’s music is very diverse but in recent years has tended toward a acoustic based mellow, style, with deceptively simple guitar accompaniment with a liking for poetic sounding lyrics. He likes to tell stories in his songs, sometimes based on fact but with a healthy dose of licence! Subject matter ranges from the philosophical musing of Hummingbird to the whimsicality of Down by the River. Menace on Chopper which tells the story of a neighbourhood bully receiving his comeuppances and Feeling Good, Feeling Fine is a simple tale of enjoying friendship and music making. Some of the songs such as Menace and Keston Ponds relate to his teenage years in Bromley.
Apart from solo work Michael plays in the acoustic duo Higher Plane with Janet Edsall who plays flute, keyboards and provides harmony vocals. They started in 2005 and their repertoire consists of songs written by Michael and their own arrangements of pop, country and folk songs. Spiritual songs included in the Soundcould Higher Plane and YouTube links include the original Light to my Path and the traditional I Am a Pilgrim.
Although many performances are acoustic, Michael has recently reached back to his roots with a more rock based approach, having to this end put together an occasional band for gigs over the last year, performing under the name Mike Squire Collective or Michael Squire and friends. There are some examples of this at a recent charity going in the YouTube links.
Michael is always happy to entertain with his own songs or covers and will consider all kinds of events. Please get in touch if you would like him to play for you.
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Michael Squire YouTube Playlist | Higher Plane YouTube Playlist | YouTube Channel
