Songs From South Shields

From Nashville to Newcastle, indulge in a world of songwriting with one of the North Easts first Nashville-style Writers Rounds. Led by Sandancer, Eve Simpson, the round will feature long-term collaborators, friends and songwriting inspirations, including Sunderlands-own Marty Longstaff, Edinburgh-based Mike McKenzie, and Ballycastle native Dara Dubh (da-ra doo). All four songwriters will offer the stories behind their songs before playing an intimate, acoustic version of their song, encouraging the other writers to improvise along. We have no idea what to expect, but we know it will be both heartbreaking and hilarious.

Eve Simpson:

Sandancer-born Eve Simpson has been reaching audiences across the world with her folk and americana-infused pop, performing to crowds from New Zealand to Nashville. Combining the folk-pop influences of Hozier and Maggie Rogers, with the nostalgia of Joan Baez and Patsy Cline, Eves classic voice and playful storytelling leaves audiences reeling for more. Under a new publishing deal, Eve has written with prolific writers such as Beth Nielsen Chapman, Shelly Peiken, and Pam Sheyne, working towards her debut album. Chosen as BBC Scotland's Track of the Week, The Lists Future Sound Artist, and Horus Musics Spotlight Artist, Eve has sold out two headline tours across the UK, performing at London Fashion Week, Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Hogmanay, and Edinburghs Festival Fringe. With airplay across BBC Introducing and BBC 6 Music, Eve writes for other projects across film, TV, and trailer, notably writing for a FOCAL International award-winning film.

Marty Longstaff:

The Lake Poets is Marty Longstaff, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Sunderland, England. Inspired by artists such as Elvis Perkins, Villagers, Feist, Fionn Regan, John Martyn, Wilco, Damien Rice & Bright Eyes, Martys output as The Lake Poets is as haunting as it is beautiful. Described as 'Quietly Devastating', 'Accomplished and Intelligent ', and 'Spellbinding and Heart-breaking, Marty's music regularly silences audiences and turns heads. Lead single 'Your Face' from The Lake Poets debut album has received over 8 million Spotify plays as well steady daytime airplay on BBC Radio 2, Radio X, and BBC 6 Music. In recent years, Longstaff has earned his reputation as a jewel in the crown of northern songwriting with self-penned Shipyards featuring in the opening credits of Sunderland Till I Die.

Mike McKenzie:

Mike McKenzie (he/him) is a BBC award winning singer-songwriter and producer based in Edinburgh, Scotland, often compared to Maggie Rogers, Tom Odell, Ben Howards, Noah Kahan, and Tom Misch. McKenzies laid back, inclusive shows have proved a smash with audiences around the UK and beyond. Touring has seen him perform at iconic venues across the UK including King Tuts and TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow, Queens Hall in Edinburgh, Green Note in London, The Drawing Room in Chesham and several SoFar Sounds shows including co-curating a SoFar Edinburgh PRIDE event and playing to a sold out crowd in Paris. His music has received huge support from Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2, Grant Stott, Roddy Hart and Janice Forsyth on BBC Radio Scotland, Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio and Ruth Clark at RT among other stations across the UK.

Dara Dubh:

JBL & Martin Garrix Music Academy top 10 UK artists, featured in The List 2024 Hot 100 and nominated for Best Newcomer at the SAMAs, Dara Dubh is known for her genre defying harp playing and distinct voice. Dubh has burst into the Scottish music scene, receiving airplay on BBC Scotland and Ulster, with the last track from her debut EP Bubble Town, receiving Track of the Week on BBC Scotland, and was scouted to be a soloist in the world renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Challenging the idea of an instrument often associated with traditional music, the harp has found new life in Daras hands as she pushes the boundaries of its capabilities, infusing indie-pop sensibilities with her authentic vocals.