The artist is called 'HazelRed'. I am a Liverpool born singer/songwriter - my real name is Sylvia Philimon. At the age of 9 I briefly discovered the joys of being in the spotlight after winning a Merseyside based competition that would later enable me to record an EP in LIPA with my band at the time ‘VIP’. They performed at the ‘MIZZ’ awards, in Liverpool’s Philharmonic hall, supporting acts of the day including ‘Damage’, ‘N’tyce’ and fellow family orientated band ‘Cleopatra’. 

After a 10 year hiatus from performing, my confidence had understandably been shaken, but fortunately through studying at LIPA, my confidence has been renewed with a new style. I have been working with many session musicians. I'm currently playing with a collective of lovely first year LIPA students. They are:-

Runar Grimstad from Norway, who is the drummer. Often, I will look across the room and see him with a smile across his face when one of our circle references a band/song or drum riff he likes. Haha! It’s endearing how he cant contain his  excitement or frustration when trying out a new idea for the first time - he’s often seen trying out ideas thought up by the brilliant bombastic bass player that is Jesse Ishai Eigen, but more about him later - not to mention he has the funniest “I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing” expression I have seen in a long while. Poker players, go easy on him please…

We then have fellow Norwegian guitarists Morten Evensen and Joakim Arnt Holmen. - Those of you following closely will observe that there’s a lot of love and appreciation for the Norwegian talent, ahahaha! These are two of the nicest, genuine guys I know, and they work well together. Morten’s tranquil chords and playing techniques offset by Joakim’s colourful rhythmic melodies combine to produce some amazing sound.

And last but most certainly not least, it’s my man from Israel Mr Jesse Ishai Eigen. Bassist extraordinaire, his talents are not limited to his four stringed instrument. In fact, quite often he comes up with some of the melodies and and drum fills. In fact, if there’s a complicated abstract drum fill/time signature in the song, I’d bet my student loan it’s Ishai behind it. It’s fun to watch his mind work but it’s especially fun to watch them interact with each other.

I love these guys!!

xx

Kevin Philemon is following