Guitarist/Sound Designer/Singer/Songwriter/Producer

Welcome to SMF Audio.

The SMF hosts two podcasts, bringing expertise to the policy-making conversation. 


Policycast hosts SMF staff to discuss research concerning today's big issues.

The Ask The Expert series, in association with the ESRC, brings academic research on public policy into the heart of Westminster.

Podcasts from the RSA that inspire and provoke. Interviews and discussion programmes exploring the challenges of our time.

I am a folksinger/musician/songwriter, based in Sunderland, UK.  Fifteen years after taking a short break, I am releasing my fourth studio album Wonderful Fairytale, and will be playing dates in UK and USA from May - July 2019.

Created and produced by Princeton students, Policy Punchline sits down with the thinkers, leaders, and innovators defining public policy today.  Each episode features in-depth interviews with leaders shaping today’s most pressing debates. We bring rigorous analysis and accessible storytelling to the issues that matter.

Sponsored by the Julis-Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy and Finance and the Griswold Center for Economic Policy Studies at Princeton University. 

Visit us on policypunchline.com

Ione, originating from Manchester UK, is a singer-songwriter.

Her love of singing began in her church choir at the age of three, from where she progressed through classical vocal training and performances to sharing her gift with renowned professionals across the globe.

 At just 14, Ione became a session singer and backing vocalist, displaying an outstanding vocal talent that earned her the opportunity of performing with the likes of GORRILAZ, Errol Brown (Hot Chocolate) and Paul Heaton.  

In 2007, Ione moved to London to further her career and was soon invited to join a European and American Tour as backing vocalist to singer Adam Green.

The success of the tour proved a catalyst for her career and Ione moved to the US to fulfill her dream of studying musical theatre at the acclaimed New York Film Academy.

Her time spent working as a backing vocalist Inspired her to continue writing her own songs and gave her the impetus to showcase them as a singer in her own right.

Her first single ‘Back in the Day’, released in 2014, is an eclectic mix of soul and pop music with electronic sounds and is a blend of everything she loves in music. The song was heavily supported by BBC INTRODUCING and was aired by Tom Robinson Mixtape on BBC Radio 6.  It was also chosen by songwriter Mark Hadfield, who has written for NEYO and IGGY AZALEA, to be played on Huw Stephens show on BBC Radio 1.

In 2016 Ione was one of the original singers in the much acclaimed "Haçienda Classical" project which saw legendary Manchester Dj's Graeme Park and Mike Pickering along with a 70 piece Orchestra re-work some of the best dance tunes from the Haçienda era. Ione sang lead on the Brand New Heavies smash hit 'Get Back to Love"

Later that year Ione joined the cast of "Thriller live" and eventually became Lead in one of the longest running shows in the West End.

Ione currently is lead singer of "The London Soul Section" and working on new material that she cannot wait to release.

Iven Stead is following