A sweet, refreshing talent. Musically, vocally, eclectically, Shelly is in the middle of where Norah Jones meets Kelly Clarkson. With piano driven hooks and auto-biographical lyrics a blend of wilfully honest and strikingly powerful vocals that surround you; this music wears its heart on its sleeve.
Biography
In April 2008 she reached the regional final of 'Live and Unsigned' a national singing competition, in August she arrived in Toronto, Canada to record. In October of last year she was nominated by The Independent Singer-Songwriter Awards for two awards: Best New Artist and Best Adult Contemporary Song for "Love's Not All There Is To It". She also got an honourable mention in the 2008 Unisong Songwriting Competition. And this was before the official release of any studio material.
Shelly was born in Johannesburg, South Africa but grew up mainly in rural Staffordshire, England. She recently returned home to Staffordshire after living in Toronto, Canada. From an early age Shelly started working through the ABRSM syllabus in singing and piano. She has a wide interest in the arts; she trained in ballet and studied Performing Arts. Shelly continued to advance her studies and obtained a BA (Hons) in Music and Popular Music, whilst simultaneously working in a popular music duo. Shelly trained in both classical and contemporary music singing in small chamber ensembles and larger classical choirs. For many years Shelly was perfecting her 'instrument' and she went on to work as a freelance session singer with various bands, studio sessions and in shows. "Love's Not All There Is To It" was entered and selected into the BBC New Talent for songwriters in which she was one of only 60 participants across the UK to attend a weekend of collaborative song writing with highly acclaimed songwriters and producers.
Shelly's songs captivate; a blend of folk, country, pop and rock inspired by great songwriters such as Jimmy Webb, Randy Newman, Carole King and Beth-Nielsen-Chapman. Musically, vocally, eclectically, she is in the middle of where Norah Jones meets Kelly Clarkson. Comparative to female singer-songwriters like Paula Cole, Chantal Kreviazuk, Vonda Shepard and Sarah McLachlan her songs are powerful and emotive, they will leave you wanting more.
Shelly's songs consist of melodic ballads and always start out life with clear piano driven hooks, even if other instrumentation is added. She is known for her often honest, auto-biographical lyircs Feeling the very core of a song is what's important to her; clear, precise acoustic music has always been her passion. Any music should be able to be broken down and stand alone even with a simple piano accompaniment.
Shelly has a vast array of musicians she is influenced by and it would be hard to name them all, she knows who she aspires to and admires. "From a very early age I discovered the voice of Linda Ronstadt" she says "I can honestly say that if I had to name one person that made me want to get on stage and do nothing but stand there and sing it's Linda". "Some of my fondest childhood memories are taking out my parent's old records placing them on the turntable and sitting for hours with headphones just listening to her over and over, studying her intonation". "Vocally" she is Shelly's ultimate idol. "She has an incredibly powerful voice, with crystal-like clarity, yet such a rich tone at the same time." Along with Linda Ronstadt, she remembers listening to anything from Aaron Neville and the energy of The Neville Brothers, U2, Supertramp, Fleetwood Mac, Fairground Attraction and Terence Trent D'Arby to Bob Seger and old country music greats like Willie Nelson and Hank Williams! "I almost wished I had lived twenty years earlier, my friends always used to say the music I listened to was old!" She is still a great fan of country music, nowadays it's artists such as Trisha Yearwood, the Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flatts, Alison Moorer and Emmylou Harris. Then in her teens she heard Sarah McLachlan's 'Adia' and she has been a fan of hers ever since, her along with artists such as The Indigo Girls, Vonda Shepard, Jewel and Paula Cole.
For more biographical details please visit www.shellyquarmby.com.