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Alt Milk is an independent organisation dedicated to supporting women, gender expansive, and queer musicians, with a focus on those who are self-taught.

We run a range of music business and music tech workshops designed to provide DIY artists with the skills and knowledge to build their own creative path in to music. We also operate as a micro record label and provide 1-1 marketing and branding services.

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Press Release: Ashley Valensteïn, Day Dreamer EP

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Press Release: Ashley Valensteïn, Day Dreamer EP

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Press release, designed and written for electronic artist Ashley Valensteïn's debut EP, Day Dreamer.

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Freelance Digital Marketer and Communications Assistant, Groundswell Scotland, 2025 - present

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Freelance Digital Marketer and Communications Assistant, Groundswell Scotland, 2025 - present

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As well as working with musicians, I do freelance work for two charities. Groundswell Scotland runs surf therapy programmes for women in East Lothian and the Scottish Borders. I am currently overhauling their website through Wordpress as well as copy editing and re-writing text and information on the site. I am also creating social media and newsletter templates.

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Groundswell Scotland – Surf Therapy & Community programmes for women.

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Newsletter communication written for electronic artist Ashley Valensteïn.

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Hello Young Lovers My debut EP, Day Dreamer, is out today on Bandcamp 🌆 Over the last few years, I have been pulled to write about the trauma and drama of my teenage years. I am…

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PhD, Music and Gender, Edinburgh Napier University, 2023 - present

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PhD, Music and Gender, Edinburgh Napier University, 2023 - present

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Press Release: Ashley Valensteïn, kthxbi

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Press Release: Ashley Valensteïn, kthxbi

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Press release designed and written for electronic artist Ashley Valensteïn's 2nd single, kthxbi.

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Associate Lecturer, Edinburgh Napier University, January 2023 - present

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Associate Lecturer, Edinburgh Napier University, January 2023 - present

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I teach on the Music Industries and Entrepreneurship module, an elective course for 3rd years on the BA Honours Music degree.

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We are Edinburgh Napier University, the #1 modern university in Scotland (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023), the #1 university in Edinburgh for student satisfaction (NSS 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023), a top 10 UK modern university (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023), and the top Scottish modern university for research power and impact (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

We pride ourselves on being the home of difference makers-an enterprising and innovative community, renowned internationally, with an unrivalled student learning experience.

With more than 300 undergraduate and postgraduate courses and nearly 20,000 students from over 140 countries studying on campus in Edinburgh, online and at partner universities worldwide, we deliver meaningful, difference-making education and research for a rapidly changing world.

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We prepare our graduates to make a positive difference in a rapidly changing world and deliver innovative research that improves people's lives.

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Communications Assistant, SongSees, October 2022 - present

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Communications Assistant, SongSees, October 2022 - present

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This is a voluntary role in which I help the founder to run residential songwriting retreats. I liasie with workshop tutors, venues, and attendees, and assist with the creation of content for social media and the newsletter.

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Welcome to Song Seeds, the home of affordable , inclusive industry standard residential songwriting retreats.

We are now taking reservations for 2023!

What the creators say...

"As a writer and educator , I recognise that the best learning comes from peer-sharing. I never claim to have the secret to a hit song, but I care about how music makes us feel. I believe the craft of songwriting can provide insight into ourselves and evoke a powerful response from our audiences"

Becci Wallace- Song Seeds Co-Creator

Want to know more?

We've answered some more in depth

questions for you...

​

​

​

...proudly part funded by

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Songwriting Retreat | Songseeds Online Songwriting Retreats

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Welcome to Song Seeds, the home of affordable , inclusive industry standard residential songwriting retreats. We are now taking reservations for 2023! What the creators say... "As a writer and educator , I recognise that the best learning comes from peer-sharing.

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Freelance Digital Marketer, Autumn Voices, November 2022 - present

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Freelance Digital Marketer, Autumn Voices, November 2022 - present

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Autummn Voices runs creative workshops for people over 60. As well as creating, scheduling, and posting content for their social media platforms, I also edit and send out their monthly newsletter using Mailchimp.

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Founded by Robin Lloyd-Jones in 2017, Autumn Voices is an organisation based in Scotland that seeks to celebrate creativity in later life. We welcome everyone aged 60 and over, and aim to dispel many of the negative stereotypes associated with getting older. We focus instead on positive ageing and the tonic provided by creativity in later life.

Become a member for free to remove these adverts. There are over 350 Autumn Voices!

Our website features blogs, photographs, creative writing, art and video content, as well as details of our events and projects across Scotland.
NOVEMBER 2022 UPDATE

Due to our funding situation, and some of those involved with Autumn Voices leaving, things may be a little quieter than usual here on the website and on our social media channels over the winter. But do keep an eye out for our news - including the winners of this year's poetry competition, a new songwriting project in Midlothian, and more events in Dumfries & Galloway.

We focus on positive ageing and the tonic provided by creativity in later life.

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Founded by Robin Lloyd-Jones in 2017, Autumn Voices is an organisation based in Scotland that seeks to celebrate creativity in later life. We welcome everyone aged 60 and over, and aim to dispel many of the negative stereotypes associated with getting older. We focus instead on positive ageing and the tonic provided by creativity in later life.

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Music Writer, The Skinny, August 2019 - July 2022

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Music Writer, The Skinny, August 2019 - July 2022

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I wrote gig and album reviews, as well as features about women's experiences of the music industry.

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Nicole Holofcener teams up once again with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who shines as an author who discovers the truth hurts when she overhears her husband discussing her new novel Read more "

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The Skinny: Independent Cultural Journalism

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The Skinny Magazine: bringing you Independent Cultural Journalism and events online and in print across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and beyond.

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Newsletter designed and written for POWA.

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POWA is now over a year old! We've had an incredible time and want to thank all of our members for making our work possible; their monthly donations allow us to create paid work for women and gender minority artists.

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Making Music Safer: Friendly Festivals in Scotland

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Making Music Safer: Friendly Festivals in Scotland

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A 2018 YouGov poll found that 43% of female music festival goers under 40 had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour, with only 2% of incidents being reported to the police. The statistics were shocking, especially considering the Association of Independent Festivals had launched its charter of best practice, aimed at tackling sexual violence at festivals, just one year prior.

Four years on, perhaps due to little evidence of change, AIF has relaunched its charter, with 103 UK music festivals signing up. In Scotland, however, it has taken the joint effort of three activist groups to work towards inciting real change. POWA (Protection of Women in the Arts), Fanny Riot and Popgirlz have collaborated to create Friendly Festivals in Scotland (FFS), a dataset detailing which Scottish music festivals have clear policy published on their website about the prevention of sexual harassment and assault.

Before publishing the dataset, FFS contacted each festival, giving them the opportunity to commit to publishing a clear sexual harassment policy on their website. Shockingly, only one festival - HebCelt - had a visible policy before FFS was launched. The dataset offers a new way for ticket buyers, performers and staff to see what festivals are committed to safeguarding against sexual harassment.

Edinburgh-based musician and activist Lou Mclean tells us why having access to this information is so important: "Almost every female musician, staff member and attendee I know has experienced some form of harassment or assault at a festival. Backed by the YouGov research, and supported by other organisations, we have a chance to make Scotland's festivals safer. Although the literature focuses on cis women, I know genderqueer people and men who have also experienced this. It's important for all of us to make a stand and say this is not acceptable. It never was, we were just expected to put up with it."

FFS is based on Fanny Riot's FLAPS project which supports Scottish Music Festivals to make their events safer by being "present at festivals with a safer space tent, engaging with the public and providing on-site first responders to any sexual misconduct issues," says Marie Williamson of Fanny Riot. "FLAPS has one rhetoric - consent and respect - and we want festivals to ensure they are being visible and proactive in this too. FLAPS has been met with resistance; some say their festival doesn't need a safer space as they are already doing enough. Unfortunately, this isn't the case when looking at the statistics and listening to personal stories. There are those, however, who are fully on board, like Kelburn Garden Party who we are currently working with."

Popgirlz were brought into FFS due to their 2020 Scotify campaign, where diversity issues were highlighted within Spotify's 'Scotify' playlist, and their lecture series which breaks down Vick Bain's Counting the Music Industry research and discusses inequalities within playlisting. Popgirlz founder Rachel Alice Johnson says: "FFS is a crucial campaign that aims to ensure the safety and health of attendees and workers at Scottish music festivals. Festivals should be fun and sociable, where music can be enjoyed safely."

The FFS dataset will be updated monthly and has already received positive responses from TRNSMT, Hidden Door and Celtic Connections. As POWA states: "FFS wants to stop predatory behaviour at festivals and having a sexual harassment policy clearly displayed will hopefully prevent someone being assaulted this summer. It's that black and white. Prevention-based approaches like policies and education programmes are the world standard for tackling gender-based violence."

Evidently, good intentions in the form of signposting to support services is not enough, and a sexual harassment policy is worthless if it's not visible to ticket buyers, staff and performers. Music festivals must prove they can provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all by providing clear policy, investing in safeguarding training, and ultimately taking responsibility for what happens at their event. The safe, supportive and inclusive music industry we want is attainable, but only if those at the top are willing to make changes that benefit everyone.
Four more organisations tackling sexual assault and harassment in the music industry
Girls Against
Girls Against is a non-profit that stands up against sexual assault and misogyny in the live music scene, and acts as a support network for victims. girlsagainst.co.uk

Good Night Out Campaign
The Good Night Out Campaign helps nightlife spaces and organisations better understand, respond to and prevent sexual harassment and assault, through specialist training, policy support and an accreditation programme. goodnightoutcampaign.org

Gig Safe Glasgow
Gig Safe Glasgow is a non-profit that hosts help desks within venues to tackle issues such as harassment and discrimination, as well as to provide a general sense of security to whoever is in need. gigsafeglasgow.co.uk

Association of Indpendent Festivals
The Association of Independent Festivals is the UK's leading non-profit festival trade association and creator of a charter of best practice aimed at tackling sexual violence at festivals.
If you run a festival and want to talk with FFS, email: info@friendlyfests.com

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Making Music Safer: Friendly Festivals in Scotland - The Skinny

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A 2018 YouGov poll found that 43% of female music festival goers under 40 had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour, with only 2% of incidents being reported to the police. The statistics were shocking, especially considering the Association of Independent Festivals had launched its charter of best practice, aimed at tackling sexual violence at festivals, just one year prior.

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Gender balance at festivals and Keychange

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Gender balance at festivals and Keychange

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In 2019 Primavera Sound became the first major festival to proudly host a truly gender balanced line-up with its slogan The New Normal. For a moment it seemed a new precedent had been set. The myths about low ticket sales and a 'lack of female artists' had been vehemently disproved - surely it was just a matter of time before others followed suit. Then, as the first festival line-ups of 2020 were revealed, we all slipped slowly back into discontentment. There they were, the same horde of male bands who had occupied that space since the beginning.

Above the disappointment, however, rides a wave of positivity. While many of the major music festivals have chosen to ignore progress, more than 120 UK music organisations - many of them festivals - have promised to achieve a gender balance by signing up to the Keychange 50:50 pledge.

Led by Reeperbahn Festival (Hamburg, Germany, 16-20 Sep), the PRS Foundation and Musikcentrum Öst, Keychange is a pioneering international project which invests in female talent through championing emerging artists. They are also encouraging all music-based organisations to sign their gender balance pledge, effectively making a public promise to achieve a 50:50 line-up or roster by 2022.

"The Keychange gender pledge is now open to all music organisations so that everyone, at all levels of the music industry, can take responsibility and make change," says Keychange Project Manager, Maxie Gedge. One Scottish festival that has signed the pledge is Glasgow's own Flying Moon Music and Arts Festival (2020 dates TBC). The festival's Director, Nicole Stapinski, tells us: "Flying Moon Music and Arts Festival is all about art, access and action. At its heart it exists to support Scotland's women in frontlining the festivals they deserve."

Gedge feels inspired by Scotland's participation in the project, as, alongside Flying Moon, festivals such as Wide Days (Edinburgh, 23-25 Apr), Celtic Connections (Glasgow, 14-31 Jan 2021), XpoNorth (Inverness, 24-25 Jun) and Hebridean Celtic Festival (15-18 Jul) have all signed up. She says: "We are so encouraged by the action being taken by organisations in Scotland, including our 15 signatories and proactive PRS Foundation partners and friends such as the Scottish Government and the Scottish Music Industry Association."

But it's not just UK festivals who have signed up to the Keychange pledge. Many international countries have their fair share of participants, including the US. "We chose to partner with Keychange because we recognise that, as an industry, we are limiting our own ability to achieve our full potential by muting the voices of such a large part of our community," Rehan Choudhry, founder of Las Vegas' Emerge festival tells us.

So, what does he think needs to change for this to be achieved? "Until we have equal representation on not only our line-ups, but at all levels of our organisations, we will continue to operate with one hand tied behind our backs and the industry will continue to suffer because of it."

Gedge agrees: "We have found that positive action is essential if we, as an industry, want to start breaking down the barriers that underrepresented genders face on their journey to festival stages."

And thankfully it does seem that a lot of smaller UK festivals, even those who have not signed the pledge, do appear to be making the effort to change. Glasgow's relatively new Playground Festival (Rouken Glen Park, 31 Jul-2 Aug) have just announced CHVRCHES and Neneh Cherry as two of its headliners while Green Man (Brecon Beacons, Wales, 20-23 Aug), has already announced an excitingly diverse line-up which includes Nadine Shah, Otoboke Beaver and Prima Queen. Then of course there are the women led festivals like Hear Her who have committed to running with all female line-ups from the beginning.

So, how can those who want to enact positive change go about it? Simple, explains Gedge. Just do it. "We encourage everyone to take that first step, and come forward to pledge their allegiance to equality at keychange.eu."

Five more Keychange festivals to check out

Tallinn Music Week
Featuring Camilla Sparksss, YASMYN, Frankie Animal. Tallinn, Estonia, 25-29 Mar (due to the coronavirus, Tallinn Music Week has been postponed and will now take place from 26-30 August)
Featuring Eunique, AVEC, Dream Wife. Cologne, Germany, 22-26 Apr

Africa Oyé
Featuring Les Amazones d'Afrique, Santrofi, Valerie Ekoume. Sefton Park, Liverpool, England, 20-21 Jun
africaoye.com

Ruisrock
Featuring Tove Lo, Camila Cabello, Zara Larsson. Island of Ruissalo, Turku, Finland, 3-5 Jul
ruisrock.fi

Way Out West
Featuring Robyn, FKA twigs, The Black Madonna. Slottsskogen, Gothenburg, Sweden, 13-15 Aug
wayoutwest.se

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Exact Change: Gender balance at music festivals - The Skinny

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In 2019 Primavera Sound became the first major festival to proudly host a truly gender balanced line-up with its slogan The New Normal. For a moment it seemed a new precedent had been set. The myths about low ticket sales and a 'lack of female artists' had been vehemently disproved - surely it was just a matter of time before others followed suit.

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Hen Hoose, The F-List and Popgirlz on their 2021 plans

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Hen Hoose, The F-List and Popgirlz on their 2021 plans

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The creative industries have been forever changed by the coronavirus pandemic, with live music being one of the areas to suffer most. Musicians lost their livelihoods while venues struggled to survive, some having to close their doors for good. In the midst of all this uncertainty, however, a host of incredible, women-led projects grew out of the need for community, connection and sisterhood.

Before the pandemic hit, more and more women were coming forward about the sexism, abuse and assault they face every day working in the creative industries. When COVID struck and silence fell over the music industry, these women's voices suddenly seemed louder than ever. Their experiences were shocking, but only to those who hadn't been listening, who had never had to listen before.

Siobhan Wilson on POWA

As a writer and musician, I have always focused on discussing women's issues and raising the voices of queer and womxn artists through my work. I wanted to continue this during lockdown but had no idea how, until I got a call from composer and singer-songwriter Siobhan Wilson. She talked to me about her experiences as a female freelancer working in the music industry; the fear of speaking out, the lack of accountability around inappropriate behaviour, sexist comments, and unequal pay.

She wanted to start a project that would raise awareness of the issues women face and asked me to join her. I agreed, and together we founded (Protection of Women in the Arts), a musical collective which works in collaboration with womxn artists to create songs based on our collective experiences of sexism and abuse both within the arts and in our personal lives. We launched in November and are planning to release a new original track every six weeks, which will be available only to members of our Patreon page. Our aim is to raise awareness of the issues faced by womxn working in the arts, while providing paid work for artists struggling during the pandemic.

"This year is a really difficult time for music, and I'm worried about how womxn freelancers will be disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic," says Wilson. "Ashley and I are inspired by the momentum of what's happening in Scotland, and want to bring some hope into musicians' lives in this really hard time by adding to the brilliant work that organisations are already doing in the UK to represent womxn in our industry in building back a better music scene for womxn."

Tamara Schlesinger on Hen Hoose

One such organisation is Hen Hoose, a new all-female songwriting collective funded by Creative Scotland and founded by musician and songwriter Tamara Schlesinger, who performs as MALKA. "The project is initially aimed at gaining syncs [music for film and TV] for the songwriters, to find a new way to generate an income for so many women that have found their usual revenue streams disappear in the current climate," she explains.

"The stats are really pretty depressing when it comes to women songwriters in the UK (and beyond) and I felt like I wanted to try and help make a difference. I have recently been pitching a lot of music for syncs and thought it would be nice to make it more of a collaborative process. My hope is that the music will be so exciting and innovative that we will want to release it and put it out into the world as well.

"I think that you can gain so much from collaborating - a shift in tone of a song, a different idea for a melody line or a direction in which to take the chorus. I write a lot on my own, producing my own music, and I think working with someone new always broadens my outlook. I find that I can be so inspired when I see how others work and I wanted to open the opportunity out to others."

Do you think women artists have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic? "I think that all artists have been affected by the pandemic, the problem is women were at a disadvantage in the industry to begin with. We have lost revenue streams from gigs (merchandise) due to not touring; the ability to record new music due to not being able to access studios, the list goes on. So I wanted to force us to all work at home [to] get better at production if we weren't already confident we could do it and strengthen our confidence if we already could."

What are your plans for Hen Hoose in 2021? "We are currently in our first groups writing to briefs in multiple genres with the goal of creating 15 songs. Those songs are being produced in-house by all of the writers. I have had a lot of other women reaching out about joining the project and while I am at capacity at the moment I believe that this could grow and grow. It has been so exciting to see how many women have been inspired by the project and I can't wait to hear what comes out of the process."

Vick Bain on The F-List

Also launched last year was The F-List, a directory of over 4,500 UK female musicians. The project's founder Vick Bain has worked across the creative industries for the last 15 years and is former CEO of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. She's currently doing a PhD on women in the music industry, and working as a diversity in music consultant.

The F-List came out of research done by Bain in 2019, a gender audit of over 300 UK record labels and music publishing companies. "The results were not great for women!" She continues: "But in doing that research I realised I had a record of thousands of female musicians and bands with women in them, and publishers too. I decided to extract that information and publish it for free on a Googlesheet, which I did [last] February.

"Once lockdown happened I decided to invest my time in making that information more accessible by building a beautiful, searchable website aimed at event promoters and festival organisers. They can find any genre of musician they want by searching The F-List. I also decided to create a not-for-profit organisation to back it up and do more work aimed at campaigning on behalf of female musicians and running initiatives that will help them start and sustain their music careers for longer. So we now have The F-List for Music Community Interest Company with a wonderful board of 12 women, very diverse, from every part of the UK, representing every genre of music."

What do you think needs to change for the music industry to become a supportive and accessible space for women? "Big question! Music industry employers need to be aware of their own employment demographic statistics and do more to employ, promote and retain women. They need to ensure they are as flexible as possible for women who are balancing parenting or caring duties; they need to pay them equal to what the men in their companies are earning for similar jobs (and redefine those jobs if necessary); they need to be aware of their creative rosters and SIGN MORE WOMEN!"

And The F-list's plans for 2021? "We have LOTS of plans up our sleeves. This includes a project getting women into professional recording studios in safe, nurturing all-female environments, working with various festivals on their line-ups, partnering up with sister organisations to do mentoring, working on a cross-UK research project looking at sexual harassment in the music industry, responding to various government consultations on behalf of women in music, and of course adding more and more female musicians to The F-List directory. We are going to be very busy! And if anyone else wishes to reach out and work with us, please do drop me a line, I would love to hear from you."

Kohla on Popgirlz

Another important project is Popgirlz, a support group for female and female-identifying artists in the Scottish music scene. SAMA-nominated, alternative R'n'B artist Kohla, real name Rachel Alice Johnson, created the group in late 2019 with the idea of making a safe, motivating space for female artists. "We have collaborative Facebook and Instagram pages where we help and support one another, and I also arrange socials for the womxn to meet, collaborate and become friends. We currently have 75 incredible members and are rapidly expanding!

"Despite the coronavirus restrictions in 2020, we did manage to have our first social in the summer, so I am looking forward to arranging more in 2021. I am also in the midst of planning a Popgirlz convention/festival to support womxn and raise their profiles within the Scottish music scene, with the aid of my fellow Popgirlz Josephine Sillars and Elisabeth Elektra. I have also been arranging a Popgirlz Scotland Podcast series with the group, where members will interview one another about being a womxn in music."

The pandemic may have forced us all apart, but these incredible women have managed to find ways of bringing us back together again. They have created safe, supportive spaces where women can thrive and connect with one another. And, as we attempt to leave behind the difficult, tumultuous and unprecedented year that was 2020, it's uplifting to know that we can look forward to seeing what they create.
Vick Bain photo by Andrew Laming

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Hen Hoose, The F-List and Popgirlz on their plans for 2021 - The Skinny

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The creative industries have been forever changed by the coronavirus pandemic, with live music being one of the areas to suffer most. Musicians lost their livelihoods while venues struggled to survive, some having to close their doors for good.

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Press release, written for riot grrrl band Fistymuffs second EP, We Fight.

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MA Creative Writing, Edinburgh Napier University, 2019

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MA Creative Writing, Edinburgh Napier University, 2019

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POWA (Protection of Women in the Arts), Project Manager. Nov 2020 - June 2022

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POWA (Protection of Women in the Arts), Project Manager. Nov 2020 - June 2022

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POWA was a feminist, activist, songwriting collective that I co-founded in 2020 which was funded by Creative Scotland. We commissioned women to create music to help raise awareness of the issues they faced while working in the music industry. I was responsible for managing communications our artists and the producers we paired them with, designing and writing our newsletter, and managing and creating copy for social media. I also managed our online workspace, Slack, and our Patreon page.

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Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you’re into with the people who get you.

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MMus Musicology, The University of Edinburgh, 2022

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MMus Musicology, The University of Edinburgh, 2022

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Passed with merit.

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Creative Writing, The Open University, 2017

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Creative Writing, The Open University, 2017

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London based singer songwriter Chloe Ray released her debut EP, The Waiting Room, on January first and has been touring the UK since to promote it. Since being bought her first guitar at age 15, Chloe has developed her talent and style by playing continually at open mics around London, her favourite being The Brook in Wallington where she has been performing for the last 3 years. It was at this venue that she came to meet the exceptional musicians who would help her to create the EP as well as the man, Andy Brook, who would produce it.

Using 3 old songs and one new track, Chloe and her team put together an inspiring mix that seems to tell a story from every corner of her life. The title track itself sets an emotional scene of hospital waiting rooms; hours spent wondering, time to think, time to worry, time to cast doubt on your life choices. In a recent interview, Chloe explained that this song, whilst being about quite directly about mental health, was also a metaphor for the music industry " The waiting room also refers to waiting to make music as well as a slant on the fame game. I envisioned thousands of musicians just waiting, when you can just release your own music now." Musically I loved the use of the cello; it was played beautifully in all the right places and worked well with the light percussion bringing a very modern feel to Chloe's folkish sound.

Another deeply emotional track was Someone Good. At first listen I couldn't help but notice how raw the vocals became on the last chorus; Chloe's voice is almost breaking, almost like she is unable to control herself. When I discovered the story behind the song I couldn't help but wonder how hard it must have been to record it. She told me " It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do...Loosing such a close friend to suicide was terrifying. It made me think about the concept of death and how I could become someone better."

Chloe's newest single, New York, details her 2015 trip to the city where she performed every night for the entirety of her stay. I really enjoyed the very traditional folk sound of the guitar coupled with Chloe's modern sounding voice; together they create an interesting contrast. I also thought that the slow build-up of instruments over the song was really clever as it gave the track a huge, full band sound by the half way point, especially with the use of the choral like voices toward the end.

The EP's last track, I Don't Like Me At All, feels like a much older song than the rest. Chloe's thick London accent can be heard so clearly on every word and the whole thing just drips with don't fuck with me attitude. Interestingly however there is also a real sense of vulnerability within the lyrics that I wasn't expecting; " I don't like it when we don't speak, I guess I'll sit here for another week, making up these stupid songs. No, I don't like me at all." It puts me in mind of the aftermath of a huge argument, when you're terrified of losing someone because of how you acted and you can't stand yourself for what's happened. In between all this the fluttering piano brings a slight softness to the track, acting as a ray of light breaking up the negativity of the songs content.

I really enjoyed The Waiting Room, every song's instrumentation was so creative and I loved the mix of piano and cello scattered between the usual drums, bass and guitar. Chloe is a superbly talented singer-songwriter; I am really interested to see what she does next.

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London based singer songwriter Chloe Ray released her debut EP, The Waiting Room, on January first and has been touring the UK since to promote it. Since being bought her first guitar at age 15, Chloe has developed her talent and style by playing continually at open mics around London, her favourite being The Brook in Wallington where she has been performing for the last 3 years.

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Brodka is a Polish alt-pop singer-songwriter who began her career as the winner of Polish Pop Idol in 2004. Her music, however, couldn't be further from the usual mainstream pop that these winners tend to churn out. Every song on the appropriately named Clashes enters in to a different genre making each one unique in style and tone.

The opening track, Mirror Mirror, feels very experimental. The haunting, choral like vocals and still atmosphere created by what sounds like a glockenspiel has a very enchanting effect; the simplicity of it is almost startling. As the next song, Horses, begins you are transported to a whole different plane. The guitar has a distinct country feel and although the instrumentation is once again simple the song still feels fully rounded. The intricate and really quite beautiful steel guitar lead outro is a trait that is shared by all of the tracks in one way or another.

Some of the instrumentation is almost orchestral in that if there were no lyrics, the music alone could tell the story itself. Can't Wait for War is a perfect example of this. The trumpets, regimental drums and dull sound of children cheering in the background conjures up the image of a proud military procession marching forth to war; their pride creating an almost morbid sense of glory. Funeral is similar in its atmosphere creating ability. The organ, tuned to sound like background music from an old horror movie, coupled with the slow drum beat and subtle theremin like noises brings to mind a funeral march. You imagine rain on cobbled streets, a black carriage with black horses, Victorian style mourners walking slowly behind. Brodka's ability to feed this in to your imagination through her use of instrumentation is astounding.

It is, in fact, matched only by her ability to conquer any genre without disturbing the flow of the album. She rolls effortlessly through pop, country and even, as we near the end of the album, punk rock. Her most interesting songs however are void of the typical factors through which genre is perceived. Holy Holes and Haiti both use tribal style vocals along with strange yet simple guitar riffs and a whole lot of organ. The latter puts the glockenspiel centre stage creating the atmosphere of a forest as she sings " Drink his fears so he can't fear it. Eat his ears so he can't hear it." As many slightly disturbing images are brought to mind the outro pushes the creepy up a level as different voices sing " Just another hungry girl " as every instrument drops out, leaving the glockenspiel to finish what it started.

As the album draws to a close with dreamstreamextreme, Brodka's ethereal voice tells us to " Dream everything that's dreamable " as fluttery piano and light trumpets create a minimalist lullaby; a brilliant and beautiful end to this incredible musical journey.

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Brodka is a Polish alt-pop singer-songwriter who began her career as the winner of Polish Pop Idol in 2004. Her music, however, couldn't be further from the usual mainstream pop that these winners tend to churn out. Every song on the appropriately named Clashes enters in to a different genre making each one unique in style and tone.

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All other live music and album reviews I have written can be found on my blog.

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Friendly Festivals in Scotland Illustration by Viki Mladenovski My latest feature for The Skinny is out now in their July issue.

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Ashley worked with us on our first single releases and helped us figure out a marketing campaign. She is lovely, calm and professional and - it worked! Our singles got great independent radio play that we can now build on.

Even if you have great songs , you won’t get anywhere without the right promotion  - and Ashley can help!

Jac, lead singer