Marie Batchelder
Rugby, England, United Kingdom | INDIE
Music
Press
"Marie is a young performer with a captivating presence and compelling voice. She has a natural air that endears her to audiences. I think she has a very successful career ahead of her."
"This girl is going to be a star" were the words on everyone's lips as Marie Batchelder made her highly anticipated debut in London at the renowned Bedford Club. As Marie mesmerised the audience with her simply stunning set, everybody in the room knew that they had just witnessed something special. During her performance Marie's innocence and naked vulnerability visibly moved the audience, especially during the chillingly beautiful 'Cold'. Yet her faint, almost secret smile unveiled her inner strength. This combined with her beautifully composed melodies, her carefully crafted lyrics and her delicate yet unbelievably powerful voice made Marie a delight to watch on stage. Among the audience leaving impressed was Richard Allison from BBC Radio 2, who after already identifying Marie as "...a stunning new British talent..." left more convinced than ever. Compere, Tony Moore, summed up Marie's performance perfectly with just one word, "breathtaking". - - Tony Moore, The Bedford Club
"a stunning new British talent" - - Richard Allinson, BBC Radio 2
"The songs are great and I can understand why Radio 2 is creating so much interest." - - Neil Smith, Right Track/Universal Distribution
"Marie is going to be a great British artiste following in the tradition of Kate Bush and Beverley Craven." - - Charlie Pinder, Sony Publishing
Evocative melodies... a vocal delivery that gave me goosebumps, lyrics that were so well crafted my senses were reeling, those are just a few of the sentiments I experienced when I recently listened to some amazing sounds from Marie Batchelder, a very much up-and-coming artist who entered the world of professional music via a TeenIdol competition that was held last year in Warwickshire, England. In total contrast to the not-so-original-re-mixed-re-vamped-retro-trendy-in-your-face-club-oriented sounds that have a tendency to dominate the TV music channels, Marie's songs are like a breath of proverbial fresh air; they are quite simply 100% original material of the highest possible standard. The first thing that struck me as I listened to an unplugged clip from Marie's, "In Our Own Time", was the beguiling piano introduction and within a nanosecond, it had succeeded in captivating my attention. On the studio version, I was moved beyond words as I listened to Marie's well-written lyrics blending perfectly with the beautiful instrumentation and arrangement of her melodies. For the benefit of those who have to have some sort of measuring device in place in order to identify with a particular sound or artist, I really can't help you beyond telling you that Marie's work is so incredibly exciting and inspiring I really believe she has managed to create her very own "identity box" as far as genre is concerned, not bad going for someone who actually began by keeping her song-writing a secret. As for what lies ahead for Marie, I believe her unique writing and performing qualities will ensure her music will be enjoyed and appreciated by an audience above and beyond her wildest dreams."
- - Maggie Powell (Music Journalist)
I've just got round to listening to Marie's CD. All I can say is Wow! shes great. I have to agree with Richard Allison she is a "stunning new british talent" - - Terry Hollingsworth, 10 X Better
Discography
"In our own time" UK debut CD single 2005
"Watching the World" UK/China debut album 2006
Photos
Bio
Marie completed a successful short tour in China in 2006 - including 5 concerts and over 20 live Media events - TV and Radio. One of her live TV shows gained an impressive audience of 43 million viewers. Her tour was filmed by SINA TV which will culminate in a TV documentary and Concert Film to be screened on Chinese networks in late 2006.
Maries first album will be release in China in October 2006 - and shortly afterwards in the UK. It is certain to be welcomed warmly by the loyal fan-base she has been steadily building. Those fans include Richard Allinson of BBC Radio 2 who described Marie as "a stunning new British talent" - and the legendary promoter Tony Moore who commented that "this girl will be a star!". Marie continues to earn similar accolades from both media and audiences.
One of the highlights of Maries career so far was when the International Childrens Games Committee selected her song, "Believe in Yourself", as the anthem for the 2005 Games. Marie performed live at the Opening Ceremony England.
Besides extensive club, theatre and various festival appearances, Marie has also given exclusive interviews as well as performances for radio broadcasts by BBC and commercial stations and produced a series of highly enlightening behind-the-scenes Podcasts.
Accordingly, Maries music and song writing talents are now being recognised far and beyond the shores of the UK; not only was she featured on "The British at MIDEM" CD, but her song, "Rembered", was also played at the official reception for the British delegation at this renowned International Music Festival which took place in Cannes during January 2005. Another of her compositions also appeared on the 2006 compilation CD for MIDEM.
The samples of Maries work that youll find on the music page include, "Cold", a song that was written as a result of her sudden introduction to the world of professional music. Its haunting melody together with its evocative lyrics express beautifully the depth of emotion Marie was feeling at the time these changes were happening in her life; in particular, the unplugged version of "Cold" exposes the magnificent range of Maries vocal prowess as she reaches amazing pitches with an unparalleled quality and precision.
Marie Batchelders singing and song writing talents emerged in March 2004 when she was awarded a coveted place on the TeenIdol training scheme for promising new musicians.
Prior to this, Marie had been practising and writing songs on an old piano that was kept in the garage of her parents house but essentially, the song writing part was her secret. However, Marie gave a sensational solo performance of her original material at the graduation show in June 2004 and from that moment, she hasnt looked back.
Marie Batchelder, most definitely a name to remember.
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