GuilFest 2006. The 3 Day Guildford Music Festival on 14th, 15th and 16th July 2006

About the bands
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Artist: Claire Toomey
Genre: Acoustic
Performing: 15th July 2005 / The Uncut Magazine Stage
Website Address: [ www.clairetoomey.com]
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When you encounter promising newcomer Claire Toomey performing some of her compelling self-penned songs, the sweet aroma of something big about to happen fills the air. The singer-songwriter from Croydon has been honing her musical talent since she was barely out of nappies and as she conjures Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morisette, you could almost swear she had already fully navigated a lifetime of heartbreak, rejection, hardship and all the other elements of the hard-knocks school. But this youngster has hardly even finished navigating her teens.

A series of live performances that repeatedly underpinned Claire's ability to grab and takeover diverse audiences resulted in an invitation to appear at last year’s Guilfest. Following a year of gigging, recording and songwriting, Claire has been invited back to GuilFest 2005 where she will be playing with her band on Friday 15 th July at 6pm on the UNCUT stage. Claire has played at various prestigious venues in and around London, including the Cobden Club, the Bedford in Balham and is now a regular at the famous Borderline. Claire is currently co writing with Judie Tzuke and Graham Kearnes.

Claire has played live sessions on BBC Radio Kent for Dave Cash (former BBC Radio One dj) and has also appeared live on Radio Eagle and BFBS Radio 1. She is scheduled to play a live band session on BBC 2CR this summer. The fresh-faced 18-year-old certainly has enviable pipes for her young age. Anybody with one good ear can hear the potential of this all-important avoid-one-hit-wonder-status performer. Her voice, a soft sound containing an old soul, is impressively complicated, bringing attitude, sonic maturity and barroom grit to her songs.

A great songwriter can write words and music that transcend any genre, and Claire's poignant lyrics and strong melodies are perfect evidence. It is part of her gift: The capacity to write succinct, intelligent songs devoid of genre, fads or fancies. Though she has set her sights on international acclaim, Claire has her feet firmly on the ground. Quiet and somewhat reserved she is not one to talk endlessly about herself, preferring to let her music do that.

Though she has been singing and writing songs since she was ten years old, and plays guitar and bass, it was only a short time ago that she first got up in front of an audience to perform some of her songs at a Croydon folk club. She completed her GCSEs last year and began her A-level courses, but left school after a few months because she wanted to concentrate on her music and take it as far as it can possibly go.

"I see no reason why it shouldn't all go to plan." she says, although she may be a quiet person, on stage is when you really get an insight into what Claire Toomey is all about: Her thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Taking it one step at a time is slowly but surely paying off for the talented Claire Toomey. It's a good feeling to know that one day soon the whole, wide world might get into her music.

Alan Cackett

Editor
Maverick Magazine