We are finishing off September of Sound with a bang! On Sunday the 19th of October, we are having a showcase of local song and tune writers, with a whole TEN performances across the evening, with several pieces written during the challenge or from Shrewsbury Songwriters’ briefs earlier in the year due to be debuted. Albert’s Shed in Shrewsbury has kindly agreed to host the showcase and entry is completely free. Music starts at 7pm so make sure to come down a bit early so as not to miss any of the brilliant performers we have.
Tag: songwriter
September of Sound 2025 Showcase
When?
19th October | Music starts at 7-10pm
Performers
Ron Kill
Ron Kill began playing guitar late in life and writing songs soon after. Meeting Rod Graham 7 years ago, they formed Two Hats and Ron performed then for the first time in public.
Since then, Ron has played many gigs and open mics: solo, with Two Hats, the (short-lived) blues band Highway 46 and latterly with Steve Collins as The March Hares. He has written songs throughout this time, one of which, Call Me Later, was recorded with Highway 46 and played a couple of times on Radio Shropshire.
Ron has been a regular attendee of Shrewsbury Songwriters since the beginning and will be playing at least one song that came out of those sessions.
Two Hats Facebook: www.facebook.com/twohatsband
Charlie Jerrett
Charlie began writing songs in Shrewsbury in 1966 – a never recorded and rarely performed 10 song concept album “Greek Lover” exploring emotional responses to being “dumped”! After a 40-year hiatus he took up the guitar again in 2006. A Dean Friedman Songwriting Course in France re-ignited his creative spirit.
Teamed as lyricist with Phil from Machynlleth (ex-Gold Records contracted songwriter), the reaction “Now I know what Bert Bacharach felt like when he met Hal David” both surprised and encouraged him to persevere. Charlie wrote & performed 3 songs based on Benson Bebbington’s poems at the inaugural Big Busk. At successive Busks over 3 years Charlie produced an 11-song compilation “10 Bensons”.
He remains ready to drag out “Happy Days” (a cheery number about alcoholism & homelessness) at any time whether asked to or not! His songs veer from the deep introspection into his depression/anxiety, to humorous, slightly sideways views of life. He treats public performance as aversion therapy for his fears of public performance.
Eleanor Burnett
Eleanor is a local singer-songwriter, pianist and music teacher. Since childhood, Eleanor has been writing intimate, emotionally raw lyrics and poems, incorporating her questions and musings on life. Since meeting at school over a decade ago, Eleanor has collaborated in composition and performances with Joss, guitarist and fellow musician. For Eleanor, making music gives her an emotional canvas, and a special opportunity to connect with others. She’s now beginning work as a local music teacher and embracing the folk scene in Shropshire, keen to get herself back on stage once again to share the world through song.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ele.sound
Joss Heaton
Joss is an aspiring musician with a varied musical history, spanning multiple genres and instruments. He has played as a guitarist in cover bands and written indie-folk with his friend and collaborator Eleanor as a teenager (see above), composed his own music acoustically and on Logic Pro X, and played bass/composed with a jazz-tinged indie-rock outfit whilst studying Music in Leeds called Arnold Ziff. In whatever form it may come, Joss’ music betrays an ear for melody, a passion for harmony, and a genuine love of music.
Chris Crompton
Christopher Crompton is a singer-songwriter, musician, writer and poet from the West Midlands. He has toured across the UK and the USA with shows combining original, contemporary and traditional music. Christopher is also the organiser of Next Level Folk Club in Stourbridge.
Website: christophercrompton.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@christophercrompton
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChristopherCromptonWordsandMusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/christophercromptonmusic
Alan Jenkins
Alan is a local songwriter, poet and writer. In his short but eventful solo career, he’s somehow stumbled his way to local cult hero status, with a difficult to define genre of his own which often teeters into many styles but always upholds the great English storytelling tradition. His songs may be upbeat, quirky or surreal, yet still often deliver serious messages. He loves to engage with audiences and sometimes creates work on the spot. He’s been nominated for local awards and has performed at the Troubadour in London, on BBC & 6Towns Radio, Ludlow and Llangollen Fringes, as well as folk clubs and showcase events locally and further afield – and has recently been supporting touring artists.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alanjenkinsmusik
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alanjenkinsmusik
Sonya Smith
Sonya is a singer songwriter, writer and artist. She’s known for her emotive songs that take her audiences on contemplative cathartic journeys of the heart from lyrically rich contemporary ballads, to bluesy tunes of love lost & found. From the bitterness of betrayal, to the mellow sentiments of resolution, the passion of new found love, and the empowerment of redemption and self valuing. Playing acoustic guitar she draws you into her stories with vocals that have been described as ‘Honey Sweet & Blue ‘ to ‘ Beautiful & Haunting ‘ … “There’s something really captivating about her … you get locked in … Her distinctive tone and sound penetrates the soul. “ ‘ Micaela Wylde – BBC Radio Shropshire ’ . She’s performed at intimate bars, events & festivals including the Ludlow Fringe, Landed, Burning Woman, Festival at the Edge, Witch, Farmer Phil’s , Llangollen Fringe and the International Music Eisteddfod.
Website: sonyasmith8.wixsite.com/website
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SonyaSmithSinger
Scruffian (Ben Dwyer)
Scruffian was dragged through a hedge backwards, but somehow he’s still clinging on to that guitar. Carving songs from the raw materials that come to hand, he winds his tangled strings around questions that have no answer. These songs arose from climbing trees, riding concrete rivers and mowing meadows the old fashioned way. When you lose yourself, you’ve won.
Website: scruffian.com
Intagram: @scruffian
TikTok: @scruffian
YouTube: youtube.com/scruffian
Nikki Rous
Nikki is a local songwriter, portrait artist and live music event promoter. For the content of her song writing, she draws on relatable experiences as well as the emotional challenges of living with disability which produces some very honest and heartfelt songs. What she crafts is emotive, passionate and moving. Over the years Nikki has developed a connected and buoyant rapport with her audiences which makes her performance both scintillating and a genuinely memorable experience.
Nikki has performed alongside and opened up shows for artists such as Jamiroquai, Level 42, Kaiser Chiefs, James, Supergrass, Miles Hunt, Nick Harper, Jon Gomm and many more. She has graced the stages of venues and festivals up and down the country such as The Wolves Civic Halls, The Wulfrun, The Jamhouse, The Glee Club, The Robin 2, Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Solfest, Nozstock, Lakefest, Sistafest, Farmer Phil’s Fest and Sunrise Celebration to name a few.
Website: www.nikkirous.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nikkirousmusic
Quantum Peguin (Matt Woolley)
Matt Woolley is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter from Shropshire who plays under the name of Quantum Penguin.
His love of storytelling through song blended with driving instrumentals means his set is one minute lilting and filled with emotion and the next joyfully energetic with soaring Fiddle, Guitar or Bouzouki.
Matt is a founding member of the Folk music group String Workshop and enjoys collaborating with fellow musicians and artists on various projects and art installations from Cornwall to Shropshire.
He has been nominated three times for “Folk Musician of The Year” at the Shropshire Music Awards and his song This Gift, about the importance of the countryside and preserving it for future generations, was one of the winners at Lichfield Festival of Folk’s Songwriting Competition.
Website: www.quantumpenguin.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/QuantumPenguinMusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/quantum_penguin_music
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@quantumpenguinmusic
Songwriters Spotlight – Suphena
Welcome to the latest in the series of weekly blog posts about songwriting, which includes interviews with composers and artists about their views and experiences in this field. This week’s interview is with singer-songwriter Suphena.
Matt:
What is your background in songwriting and performing?
Suphena:
I started performing very early on in the school choir from about the age of 9. I suppose a lot of kids do that sort of thing but then when I reached high school I continued to study music and perform in school concerts. At the age of 18 I bought my first guitar and started learning songs that I liked from YouTube and used the chords I learnt as a basis to write my own songs. I never really finished a lot of songs but the ones I did finish I would play at open mic nights and busk on the streets in Leeds, my hometown, until I realised I wanted to study music at University. This is where I really honed in on my craft and got to a place where my songwriting felt more mature, because I was forced to think more about what I was writing and why.
Matt:
Everyone has different reasons for writing songs, sometimes to express themselves, to tell a story etc. What drives you to write a song and where do you get your inspiration from?
Suphena:
A lot of the time what drives me to write is feeling negative about something, maybe regarding a relationship or a societal issue. In order to process those complex emotions I create music so as to not become destructive. Whatever music I am listening to at the time inspires what I write, but generally Reggae music and Jazz singers are influences which are engrained in me. Right now, I’m listening to lots of Techno and Hip-Hop, so the new EP I am working on will definitely have elements of that creeping in. Also, my Jamaican heritage drives and inspires me too. I’ve always felt somewhat disconnected from that part of myself and when I sing I am reminded of those roots and that plays a big part in my overall identity.
Matt:
It’s really interesting that you use music to express your feelings and emotions, as a lot of other musicians I have spoken to have said they also use it as an outlet. Most art forms seem to be able to be used for expression but music seems to be especially able to do this. I personally can also very much relate to you being influenced by different styles and genres, as I have my Folk side as my main basing but have also been influenced by Pop, EDM and cinematic music. There are often differing views about songs, both on what the most important aspect is and what the most difficult element of a song to compose is. What do you think is the most important part of a song and is there a particular stage of composing that you struggle with?
Suphena:
The most important part of a song to me is the meaning and making sure the music reflects that meaning. Having a clear understanding of what I’m trying to say is first and foremost. If you don’t have a clear message then listeners won’t be able to relate. The most difficult aspect of songwriting for me (at this point in my journey anyway) is structuring. Sometimes I like to stray away from standard Pop structures to make my music more interesting, but then if I stray too far it can become confused and not make sense, so finding a balance can be difficult. I suppose that also has something to do with not wanting to be confined to the genre of pop, too.
Matt:
You mentioned earlier that you are working on an EP, can you tell us more about that and any other projects you’re working on at the moment?
Suphena:
Yeah, I’m in the midst of reworking some older songs of mine and the EP will just showcase what I’ve done so far. It’s the first solo release of mine so I’m very excited! It’s just a stripped back version of my songs with me and my guitar. Another project I’m working on is an EP release and UK tour with my band, Horses on the Beach. And for part of my degree I am working on a techno track, which is really random but challenging!
You can learn more about Suphena and her music by visiting her Facebook, Instagram and SoundCloud pages