The Changing Room is a new folk collaboration between Cornwall-based singer songwriter Tanya Brittain and vocalist/musician Sam Kelly. Their name lends itself to the ever changing guest performers which, on their debut EP ‘A River Runs Between’ includes Jennifer Crook on harp (a current featured album of the month on FRUK), Ryan Jones on guitar and backing vocals, and the atmospheric choruses of Polperro Fishermen’s Choir.
They’ve clearly given a lot of thought to their debut as along with the impressive line-up they also secured the involvement of top producers Boo Hewerdine and Jon Kelly. Boo Hewerdine said: “It is thrilling to see this project come to fruition and exceed expectations. This is the start of something very special.”
The Changing Room’s full debut album is already in production … the EP gives a flavour of what’s to come. Expect more evocative lyrics and addictive melodies, more guest performers
and more quality music early in 2015.
An EP recorded in Cornwall, featuring songs inspired by Cornwall, and performed by people based in Cornwall – that was Tanya Brittain’s vision when she wrote the funding bid and submitted it to FEAST Cornwall for consideration. She’d already written the songs for the project and wanted to use it to encourage participation in the arts. As event director of Looe Music Festival, an annual beach-based live music event attracting in excess of 9,000 visitors per day, Tanya understands the challenge of attracting audiences and encouraging involvement in the arts.
Tanya explained: “I live in south east Cornwall which has a strong industrial heritage and consequently involvement in the arts is lower than in other areas of the county. I wanted to create something unpretentious that local people could relate to, be proud of and would get involved in. We made it easy. We invited local musicians, singers, actors, designers, artists, and dancers to take part.”
Tanya went on to say: “We recorded the music at Gareth Young’s Cube Studio in Truro, and worked with Cornwall-based videographers, animators and photographers for the visual elements of the project. We invited our local fishermen’s choir to join us the studio and we regularly hear them perform the songs as part of their standard repertoire now, which is fantastic.”
A River Runs Between is released 3rd November and their debut album is scheduled for early 2015.
More here: http://www.thechangingroommusic.com/