MAGPIE22
"It's all about the song!"
Original Americana/Folk and Blues
MAGPIE NEWS
BREAKING NEWS!
WE Magpies have been tucking our heads under our wings over the greyest part of winter and thinking up lots of new songs. We've entered the Snowdrop Festival's songwriting competition with one of them "The Ballad of the Milk White Maid" - we'll keep you posted about how we get on :) For a sneak peek, see below...
Plans are afoot for a short tour of the North of England (including Neil's hometown, Sheffield), followed by a tour of Ireland! Watch this space...
What a busy charm of Magpies! We embarked on a mini winter tour with dates at the iconic Frost Fayre in Glastonbury (and the lovely King Arthur), Bristol, Shepton Mallet... for some of these, we supported Australian visitors President Street - double the fun! Take a look at our events page for full details...
New Magpie Amy Bartlett added her luscious harmonies and soaring vocals to the MAGPIE22 sound - AND if you're lucky, you may also catch the velvet tones of Dawn's daughter Eve Sapphire who also sings with the Riff Raff Choir - watch out for new dates...
Back from Nashville, Magpie22 have been trying out new songs for their forthcoming album.. take a peek at the "Live from the Red Room recording below... More songs - and dates - to be added soon!
Coming soon in 2020...
New recording of our Robert Johnson/Bessie Smith inspired "Crossroads" with producer Pete Ardron in London
Video for next single being planned - would you like to be in it? Message us!!
New songs written in Nashville are getting ready for recording now, including the heartfelt ballad, "Don't Let Go", inspired by the movement to reduce suicides among young people, and "Rainbow's End" , written in the beautiful Land Between the Lakes on the borders of Tennessee and Kentucky, featuring Neil's new shiny resonator guitar 'Lily'... :)
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About Us
Our Story
What Inspires Us
What Inspires Us
- Magpie22 is the musical love-child of Dawn Kelly & Neil Bailey, two UK singer-songwriters now working with percussionist Jack Carver. Their love of indie-folk, blues, Americana and country has inspired them to write songs that audiences can relate to, enjoy, and celebrate. Dawn & Neil's live in the studio EP "These Kind of Days" was recently followed by Magpie22 single, "Cowboys and Indians (Playing Indian). Lots of new songs are in the pipeline...
What Inspires Us
What Inspires Us
What Inspires Us
- Dawn Kelly is also a published writer and she brings her love of words to her songwriting - every song tells a story. Neil Bailey lives and breathes his guitars, and it shows in the level of his playing and song-writing. Jack Carver underpins Magpie22's songs with rhythms that range from sensitive embellishment to driving beats - his love of world music shines through his playing.
Our Influences
What Inspires Us
Our Influences
- Our music is a blend of acoustic melodies, thought-provoking lyrics and foot-stomping, feel-good songs which create our unique sound. Our recent trip to Nashville has given us lots of ideas, but our influences range from far and wide - West Coast grooves, African beats, Country licks, all find a home in the original songs of Magpie22.
Meet the band
Dawn Kelly
Neil Bailey
Neil Bailey
As a child, Dawn sang at her Irish parents parties and then went on to front London bands The Wait, Newspeak and Rainbow Nation ,and did session studio work and backing vocals. Now living in Bristol, she has teamed up with Neil Bailey and feels she is writing "the best songs of my life".
Neil Bailey
Neil Bailey
Neil Bailey
Neil has been playing guitar since he was an infant and was gigging by 13. He went on to work as a touring guitarist in support of artists like Sam Brown and King Kurt. Since meeting Dawn he says he's never had such faith in his music or his musical partnerships.
Jack Carver
Neil Bailey
Amy Bartlett
When he's not tutoring the next wave of young musicians, Jack is usually to be found wielding the sticks behind a full drum kit with soul stars Kick the Kat, but he brings a touch of class with his versatile percussion to the MAGPIE22 collective.
Amy Bartlett
Amy Bartlett
Amy Bartlett
Amy is the busiest MAGPIE in this band, with solo performances of popular songs, work as part of a harmony girl group, teaching, kids events... everyone's just glad that that she finds time to share her lush harmonies with MAGPIE22.
Eve Sapphire
Amy Bartlett
Eve Sapphire
Eve sang harmonies with her mother, Dawn, while still a little girl, but in recent years she has moved on to performing with Bristol's Riff Raif choir and leading a children's choir at the primary school where she teaches. Eve's voice has been described as 'velvet' and her performances with MAGPIE22 allow audiences a glimpse of that special mother-daughter closeness and unique vocal harmonies.
Amy Bartlett
Eve Sapphire
what they're saying...
Reviews
- “Cowboys and Indians… that’s a great little track - I've got a lot of time for that! And the Indian chants at the end are great – Magpie22 – Nice!” Adam Crowther, BBC Radio Bristol
- “Dawn’s voice is very strong and the music too is excellent …atmospheric… great story lines… the lyrics are very important and need to be listened to. Expressive, enjoyable and memorable songs that will no doubt evoke emotions.” Brian Inglis, Jelli Records
- “Clever songwriting and interwoven harmonies make this perfect, easy listening, on its way to the next great summer festival. Hopefully they will be on one of the stages I manage next year. Great to work with and consummate professionals.” Trevor Turvey -Sealey, Stage and Artist Management
- “Awesomely refreshing retro late 60's style and places emphasis on songwriting… reminiscent of Joan Baez on the ballads…. Nice job, y'all!” Greebly Mork, USA Songwriters Assoc.
- “Thank you for keeping our cyclists entertained throughout the day! And for being so understanding about the mix up regarding our stage equipment…incredibly optimistic and accommodating! I hope you’ll come back next year :)” Tabitha Dickson, Events, British Cycling
- Love the vocals, harmonies… I really like it… a distinctive sound… chord progressions blend beautifully. Lyrical composition with layers of deeper meaning (I really liked that!)” Oz Cahill, GisaBreak Event Management
