Glen Kirkham - Geneva 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Kirkham
Glen David Kirkham (born January 11 1985, Blackpool, Lancashire) is an English singer-songwriter, record producer & guitarist who plays a mixture of pop, blues & funk music. He is best known for his acoustic guitar playing style.
Early Life:
Kirkham was born in Blackpool Victoria Hospital & grew up in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire. He was educated at Carleton C of E School, Hodgson High School and Blackpool Sixth Form College.
Eventually he went on to study at LCMM (The London College of Music & Media) where he received a first class Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Technology.
Musical Career:
Following a move to London in 2003 to attend Thames Valley University, Glen got his break playing at local cocktail bars and restaurants progressing into playing headline slots & gaining coveted residencies at famous venues in the Central London area.
Glen soon realized that instead of studying the technology of music, he was more interested in writing and playing it. An intense live schedule led to Glen quickly making a name for himself on the London live music circuit as a singer-songwriter with a fresh and adventurous music direction including covers of Dr Dre’s “Forgot about Dre”, Frank Sinatra & The Rat Pack crooner interpretations as well as bizarre medley’s including Flight of the Concords/Lady Gaga and Fireman Sam.
Dawn On Mars & She Walks E.Ps (2006)
Glen’s first official release was the double E.P, Dawn on Mars and She walks which was self released on 13 May 2006 on Kirkham’s label “Whitegate records”. It features 2 simultaneous storylines running between the 12 tracks from the perspective minds of a spaceman and a lunatic with only Kirkham playing guitar, vocals and programmed beats. Guest vocals from Michelle Turner on “Desire” and Sam Manning on “Cradle me” was released on myspace and given to the crowd as a free gift at his regular London shows. The first single released from the album was “Until The Morning Comes” which was uploaded for 24 hours on myspace for free.
Conbeliachi (2008)
Following a number of offers from numerous independent record labels Glen wrote and self produced his first full length album alone in his makeshift bedroom studio, released on 19th November 2008. It is believed that Glen so named the album following him reading Napoleon Hill’s 1937 personal development book “Think and grow rich” in which he states “What the mind can ‘con’ceive and ‘bel’ieve it can ‘achi’eve”. The album comprised of twelve tracks and two secret tracks, which had to be signed up for at midnight on the 19th November 2008 by a myspace link, live for only 3 hours. Glen printed only 156 copies of Conbeliachi which each contained a unique hand drawn and personalised front cover, inlay and CD image specific to the first fifty people to sign up to receive it. (Copies of Conbeliachi are now a serious collectors item amongst fans).
The single “Room with a view” was released on 1st December 2008 and reached number 87 on the download chart followed by a disappointing second single “Lessons” on 4th January 2009.
Halfway Through the Middle (2009)
Glen’s 3rd release was a 5 track E.P released on the official Website on the 14th October 2009. Halfway through the middle saw Glen take a more mature response to writing and for the first time, other musicians onto the recording: Jean Berthon – Bass guitar (Mexico, Maddison, Bleeding Me Dry) Andrew Copeland – Drums (Mexico, Maddison, Bleeding Me Dry, Planetarium) , Melhet Abraihn – Percussion (All Tracks) and Andrew Johnson – Piano (Planetarium).
Halfway through the middle was open as a free download and online stream via Kirkham’s myspace and official site for free which responded questions as to why Glen gave all of his music away for free.
Despite playing them at most of his London shows, Glen did not release any singles from this E.P.
Other Notable Work
Kirkham has played with many groups, including Daniel Bedingfield & Gabrielle as well as doing a stint at the hit musical We Will Rock You at the Dominion theatre in London’s west end.
Although Glen has maintained a reputation for being a sensitive songwriter, his real skill lies in his unique guitar playing on the acoustic and electric. Influenced by Jeff Buckley and John Mayer, it has been argued that Glen’s unique guitar playing is truly what makes his sound so unique for a British artist.
Glen also enjoys encouraging fan interaction which make his shows spontaneous, tying in with the unpredictability of ‘free giveaways’ Glen has been known for distributing on the Internet. Trading recordings is what helped Glen become more well known in the early days.
Glen is an avid Blackpool Football Club supporter.
Discography
- Tuscana – 2009 – Tuscany, Italy – Live in Concert -
- Halfway Through The Middle E.P - 2009 – Indie Release –
- Conbeliachi L.P – 2008 – Indie Release -
- She Walks E.P – 2006 – Indie Release -
- Dawn on Mars E.P – 2006 – Indie Release -
