MAGPIE22
"It's all about the song!"
Original Americana/Folk/Blues/Country
A legend in his own lifetime..
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
- Such a joy to meet "Whispering Bob" Harris while recording at Under the Apple Tree studio - from The Old Grey Whistle Test to the Country show on BBC Radio 2 he shines a light on artists new and old...
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
Bob's son Miles Myerscough-Harris made us all feel so welcome at UTAT . He has obviously benefited from his father's interest in music, but has also developed his own career in music, video and photography - we can't wait to see the results of his work with MAGPIE22
A 'Charm' of Magpies?
A 'Charm' of Magpies?
A 'Charm' of Magpies?
I love the fact that the collective term for magpies is a charm! Neil and I certainly enjoyed being joined in the Under The Apple Tree studio by our charming and talented harmony singer Amy, always a great addition to the overall MAGPIE22 sound
Dawn MAGPIE
A 'Charm' of Magpies?
A 'Charm' of Magpies?
I'm a lifelong Bob Harris fan so I think my delight at being here shows in my eyes! We've recorded 3 live songs/videos: Crossroads, our tribute to the Blues legends Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith; Forgiven, a torch song about love and heartache; Wheels, a joyful celebration of taking chances in life - get ready for a seriously contagious ear-worm! "Doo-doo-doo-do..." :)
Meet the band
Dawn Kelly
Amy Bartlett
Dawn Kelly
Founder member DAWN sang at her Irish parents drinks parties as a child in Birmingham and Ireland, and by her teens, was singing in bars and clubs and writing her own songs. She went on to front London bands The Wait, Newspeak and Rainbow Nation, playing at the Rock Garden, Water Rats and Gossips, and around the UK and Europe at Festivals such as Strawberry Fair in Cambridge, the Big Green Gathering and Deepdene Jazz Festival. She enjoyed session studio work and backing vocals, especially layered harmonies. Her lyrics often reflect her keen interest in looking after our world and each other. Now living in Bristol, she feels that teaming up with Neil Bailey has led to her writing "the best songs of my life" and "hanging out with Neil is like being with my musical brother and best friend rolled into one. I've got absolute faith in the music of MAGPIE22."
Neil Bailey
Amy Bartlett
Dawn Kelly
Founder member NEIL started his love affair with music at the age of 4, sharing his bed every night with a small blue and white plastic guitar - wherever Neil went so did the guitar, and not much has changed since! At 13 he did his first studio session, playing lead guitar for established electric Folk band, ‘Charlie Crow’, in his home town of Sheffield. Neil has played as a session musician, toured both in the UK and abroad and appeared on radio, T.V, and several albums and singles, including his own. He’s supported SAM BROWN ( Pink Floyd/Jules Holland), SONJA KRISTINA ( Curved Air), WILLY PORTER, KING KURT. Most precious memory? "Being part of Dawn’s dream on stage at ’THE BLUEBIRD CAFE ’ in NASHVILLE and the look on her face when the audience stood and cheered for Dawn’s autobiographical track ’Nashville’…pure magic. Meeting Dawn, writing together and performing with MAGPIE22….this is my life and I love it, man.“
Amy Bartlett
Amy Bartlett
Amy Bartlett
Coming from a theatre background, AMY has always loved singing harmonies... which is why the perfect new venture arose when she first met with Dawn and Neil from Magpie22! With a broad love of all genres, she likes to indulge in folk, pop, soul and anything in between. When she's not busy being a Magpie, Amy can be found presenting Science shows and teaching drama. Amy might be the busiest MAGPIE in this band, doing solo performances of popular songs, sometimes working as part of a vintage harmony girl group, teaching, kids events... everyone's just glad that that she finds time to share her lovely nature and lush harmonies with MAGPIE22.
Kris Cameron
Kris Cameron
Amy Bartlett
Having started out with marching bands in the ‘80s/‘90s, Kris quickly moved to a full kit playing for a number of original/ covers bands including Redplendence and Brigadier Purple. In that period he happened, through a mutual friend, to meet a chap called Neil Bailey who gave him the opportunity to move away from rock/pop bands and explore a different avenue. Fast forward 20 years and here he is, reunited with Neil and hooked up with Dawn and the gang for another big adventure...
Chris Crooks
Kris Cameron
Chris Crooks
At 15 somebody donated an old acoustic guitar to Chris which only had the bottom four strings, so he learned to play bass instead. At college in N London during the 70s he played at The Marquee, Islington Hope and Anchor and The Nashville, where he supported The Police. A growing family and doing shift work meant music had to be put on hold, but he went on to make two solo albums and was always happy to strap on the old Fender bass. Good music is the inspiration whatever the genre, says Chris, and Magpie 22 fits that bill.
Eve Sapphire
Kris Cameron
Chris Crooks
Eve Sapphire is an infrequent but welcome addition to the Magpie flock. She sang harmonies with her mother, Dawn, while still a little girl, but in recent years 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 those unique vocal harmonies.
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. 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 debut EP "These Kind of Days" was followed by Magpie22 singles, "Cowboys and
- Magpie22 is the musical love-child of Dawn Kelly & Neil Bailey, two UK singer-songwriters. 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 debut EP "These Kind of Days" was followed by Magpie22 singles, "Cowboys and Indians ", "Leaving Arizona" and "Crossroads". New Magpie band members are introduced in the 'About Us' section
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. Amy Bartlett and Eve Sapphire have each added lush harmonies to the Magpie22 sound. With new bassist Chris Crooks and
- 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. Amy Bartlett and Eve Sapphire have each added lush harmonies to the Magpie22 sound. With new bassist Chris Crooks and drummer Kris Cameron, the sound is getting bigger and more diverse!
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, Folk and Blues guitars, all find a home in the original songs of Magpie22.
MAGPIE NEWS
Coming soon in 2021...
We're expanding our line-up to include bass, drums and keyboards/violin??
New recording of our Robert Johnson/Bessie Smith inspired "Crossroads" with producer Pete Ardron in London
Video for next single "Wheels" 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'... :)
New MAGPIES!!
We Magpies have been tucking our heads under our wings over the greyest part of winter and during the various restrictions, but we've also been thinking up lots of new songs. We've just finished recording three videos at Under the Apple Tree and are adding new live dates regularly. Some fun ones... New Room, Bristol to celebrate Francis Asbury's 250th anniversary (Sept 11th), Kent Chickenstock Festival (July) 25th) Ilfracombe Country Festival (Sept 12th)....
NEW DATES BEING ADDED NOW>>> Check out our EVENTS page :)
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OLDER NEWS
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..
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Singer/songwriter Dawn Kelly and guitarist songwriter Neil Bailey have joined forces with new Magpie Amy Bartlett who has 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 -listen to the new single, Crossroads!..
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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!
Share the news!
what they're saying...
Reviews
- "Wheels - I love this, it's got a Katie Tunstall kind of vibe" Adam Crowther, BBC Radio Bristol
- “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
