NIKKI LAMBORN
LEAD VOCALS
Lead singer Nikki Lamborn is one of the most talented vocalists in the music world today. From Bristol, England, she left for the bright lights of London after working since the age of 15 at everything from hairdressing to waitressing, as she knew there was no road too tough to follow her dream to sing.
Roger Daltrey once gave possibly the highest accolade when he said “Nikki is the best female rock singer since Janis Joplin, and I should know what I am talking about, I knew Janis!” Many compliments come from great singers: Diva Dame Shirley Bassey on hearing Nikki sing The Living Tree for the first time said “I got goose pimples and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.”
They went on to produce Bassey’s Get The Party Started album. The Dame found working with the girls “inspirational” and thanked them for making recording fun again. Their collaboration reached Number 6 in the UK album charts.
Nikki is also in demand as a successful Vocal Coach who has worked with a host of household names. Coaching professionally for over a decade, she has been described as “the best vocal coach I have ever known” by Beverley Knight and “a wonderful pleasure to work with” by Jocelyn Brown. As well as coaching privately clients such as Gabrielle Aplin, Lana Del Ray and Newton Faulkner, Nikki holds sessions at London’s Dean Street Studios and has appeared on TV in Channel 4’s “Faking It” and the BBC’s “Just the Two of Us.”
CATHERINE FEENEY
KEYBOARD, GUITAR & VOCALS
Catherine ‘Been’ Feeney is main composer, keyboard player, vocalist and occasional guitarist. She is an exceptionally talented songwriter who brings a unique blend of strength and melody to each song, which makes this duo who they are today. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, she also made her way to London where she met Nikki on stage in a London Pub. Soon after they started writing and working together and haven’t stopped since.
A student of the Royal College of Music and Dramatic Art, together with Nikki she has performed live and recorded with the world’s top musicians, numbering such greats as The Who, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, ZZTOP, Alice Cooper, Peter Frampton, Paul Rodgers and Gary Brooker (Procol Harum) who all found their talent extraordinary.
As well as recording and producing Never The Bride, they also own Lock Stock & Barrel Records. Since the label’s successful Dame Shirley experience they are now involved in producing other artists and providing breaks for new up and coming artists as they look optimistically towards an exciting musical future.
Nikki and Been are the nucleus of the band and depending on touring and the style of event we’ll be joined by some of these talented world-class musicians...
KALEB ROSE
GUITAR
Guitarist and popular music alumnus Kaleb Rose is the official face of Roland BOSS’ campaign to promote its new guitar effects pedals, expanding on the near-legendary status of these invaluable, sound-manipulating foot-switches. BOSS, a division of Roland, is the pioneer of compact effect pedals, offering a diverse, world-leading product line-up, which includes compact-effects processors, multi-effects processors, digital recorders, rhythm machines, metronomes, tuners, and more.
David Barnard, Head of Education at Roland, said: ‘I first met Kaleb in 2013 on a visit to the RNCM. He was keen to talk to me about his playing, performing and composing, and gave me some examples of his work. I was blown away by what I heard and sent his recordings to Roland’s European product manager for guitars and BOSS, who in turn introduced Kaleb to Roland Corporation in Japan (the parent company). They liked him too and offered him the opportunity to promote the new Waza Craft Blues Pedal as part of a global marketing campaign. The moral of this story is: always have your chops in good shape; have a recorded demo (including video) ready for immediate dispatch; say ‘yes’ to every opportunity offered (no matter how small), and always be prepared for new experiences. I wish Kaleb every success in his portfolio career and look forward to his next promo project.’
Andy Stott, Head of Popular Music at the RNCM, added: ‘Kaleb is one of the most distinctive and talented musicians to graduate from the RNCM’s popular music degree. He’s a perfect fit for Roland’s marketing campaign and I’m sure he will inspire the younger generation of guitarists to aim high to play like he can. He’s a great advert for the top quality of musician we train here and we’re really proud of him for landing this global gig.’
SALLY-JO
VIOLIN
Sally Jo hails from Perth, Western Australia. SJ trained from the age of eight in classical music, first on the violin and later on the viola. Much of her teenage years were spent touring with orchestras before she went on to university to study classical music performance.
From 2000-2010 SJ lived in Bali where she was based with her World Music Fusion band Saharadja. She performed all over South Africa, Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia for festivals, concerts, and TV shows. She recorded 3 albums with Saharadja: 'One World', "Limited Edition' and 'Abracadabra'. Together they performed a blend of Celtic, Gypsy, Arabic, Aboriginal, Indonesian, and many other styles of music with their own twist.
Then in 2010 she moved to London where she joined cinematic metal band Splintered Soul. With her 6-string Viper Violin and Fractal Audio's Axe FX II, she is able to produce a vast range of sounds from acoustic violin, to string orchestra, to overdrive guitar sounds. She spent several months recording with Splintered Soul. As well as the solo violin and lead viper parts, she also recorded 4 first violins, 4 second violins and 4 viola parts making up the majority of the orchestra.
SJ also performs with Progressive Metal Band 'Seven7' as well as a few other UK based bands. She can often be found around Brighton playing Irish fiddle with Ceilidh band Tight Squeeze.
YOYO BUYS
ELECTRIC BASS
South African bass player YoYo has lots of gigging and recording experience. He has worked with over 150 bands and artists and toured the world supporting the likes of Bryan Adams, Counting Crows, Collective Soul and Buddy Guy.
He was a member of South African chart-topping band The Usual from 1993 – 2000 where he scored a string of hits before moving to London.
An established clinician who also plays double bass, stunt guitar and Chapman Stick, Yoyo does workshops and demos for various manufacturers and has worked with drummer Mark Schulman, supported guitarist Frank Gambale and recorded with producer/engineer Eddie Kramer.
YoYo Buys has worked with over 200 artists and bands including: Roachford, Latin Quarter, Bastian Baker(Platinum album), Lisa Hannegan, Marcus Malone, Ravid Hang, Limahl, Dana Gillespie, Zohar, Vusi Mahlasela, eVoid, Lenny Zakatek and various movie soundtracks with composer Erran Baron Cohen.
RICHIE NEWMAN
DRUMS & PERCUSSION
Richie has toured with Take That, Hank Marvin, Vanessa Mae, Vasko Vassilev, Human League, and recorded with Melenie C, Beverley Craven, Duran Duran, Peter Gabriel, Madonna, Katie Melua, William Orbit to name but a few.