Biography

Born in Fenstanton, Cambridge and based most of her life in a sleepy town in West Sussex, Mary knows all too well what it’s like to have a big dream in a small town.

After training with a professional opera singer and thinking musical theatre would be her path, Mary joined her first rock band and suddenly the chorus line seemed a million miles away.

"Joining a band changed everything for me. I started listening to big voices like Skin from Skunk Anansie, and Alanis. While I also loved the edginess of bands like Radiohead, it was my Dad who introduced me to a lot of new country artists – Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alison Krauss, Beth Nielson Chapman and Shawn Colvin - who were all huge inspirations to me, although I don’t think I knew it at the time!"

After a chance introduction to songwriter, film composer and producer Michael J McEvoy, things began to take off and Mary and Michael spent three years writing and recording, laying the foundations for her debut album.

"Writing songs was still fairly terrifying for me when I first met Mike. I knew I had all these lyrics and melodies rattling around inside but I found it hard to know what to do with them. I needed someone to pull me out of my comfort zone and Mike did just that!".

Mike recalls the first meeting with Mary; "My wife heard Mary perform and was blown away. She came home very excited and convinced me to meet her. So Mary came over to my studio and I played guitar while she sang a few well-known songs - and her voice was just so pure, perfectly in tune, effortless and honest. She wasn't trying to sound like anyone or be anyone else. After talking for a while about the sound she envisaged, she played a song idea she had - very tentatively - as though she didn't quite believe in her writing ability. But it was a beautiful idea...and it turned out to be the first song we completed together, 'Rose of Gold'. It really was the start of what has become a very fulfilling and important creative relationship for me".

Most recently Mary's been writing and recording at the studio of legendary artist, Steve Winwood. Her first EP 'Making My Move' is now available on iTunes and her album release is planned for end of 2011.

'Over the years I've met and worked with many great singers, but I would say – hand on heart - Mary is probably the most naturally gifted singer I’ve worked with...and a really lovely person!'.

Mike McEvoy

Songwriter, film composer & producer

There are no gimmicks in Mary's music, no clever tricks, just a rare honesty and beauty that has captured the hearts of those that have discovered her so far.