Talk to Me of Mendocino

British-Iranian alt-pop artist Zahra Deljoui blends raw emotion with sleek, genre-blurring production — crafting powerful, deeply personal songs rooted in queer identity, introspection, and cinematic storytelling. Her latest single Dreamt I Kissed Her, co-written and produced by long-time collaborator Jonatan Bäckelie, is a haunting coming-of-age anthem released during Pride season. The track has since been remixed into a dark, dance-ready Swedish garage version, set to drop in September, offering a fresh take on its original emotional landscape.

Zahra’s music has been featured on BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio UK, and platforms like Apple Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, FLO, and VEVO — where her video for Love is Love was highlighted on LGBTQIA+ Women in Music playlists. With a sound that draws influence from artists like Halsey, King Princess, Tove Lo, and FLETCHER, Zahra is building a world of introspective pop for anyone who’s ever felt different.

If your favourite song on here disappears due to me changing my subscription then just pop along to Bandcamp where you can hear all of my music https://marinaflorance.bandcamp.com
I am a singer/songwriter originally from London, my music crosses a number of genres & has been described as Americana, Folk & Country. While undoubtedly I draw inspiration from many sources, my voice & style are my own.
I've played many festivals, folk clubs, pubs, coffee bars, churches and my live performances are numerous and varied.
Radio play has been extensive from online to National, BBC6Music and BBCIntroducing.
My first album 'Somewhere Down The Line' was funded by Arts Council England, without that financial support all I have done musically would never have happened, the opportunities that have come my way may have just passed me by...

To book me please visit my contact page.

I am currently writing album reviews for FATEA Magazine Blog and in addition to this I really enjoy writing a poem or two (see my blogs page).
I have been a moderator for Tom Robinson's Music Blog (Fresh On The Net between 2019-2024), where I honed my ability to write reviews for other artists across many varied genres.

Blue Boat and Me
In 2022 I self-published the children's book Blue Boat and Me with wonderful illustrations by Annie Clapham. I loved doing this and one day I would love to do another one.

Expectation
Is my latest album, released in 2023. It has received wonderful reviews and been played on National Radio. With contributions from many awesome musicians.
Please put your listening apparatus on and be prepared to cry, laugh, sing, dance and smile with me.

Warm and Toasty Club
I worked with The Warm & Toasty Club between 2017-2019 & along with Jules Fox Allen, we were asked to write six songs based on the memories of residents at retirement complexes along the Essex Coast & in Colchester.
Alongside The Warm & Toasty Club founder, Johnno Casson we won the FATEA Innovation Award  for the lottery & Arts Council funded Memory Afternoons Project.

Fly beyond the border
In March 2018 I independently released my second studio album which features collaborations with Kate Dimbleby & Johnno Casson. The album has received great reviews, Every Woman being one of the most popular with beautiful BVs from Cathryn Craig.

This, That & The Other
Was released in January 2016 on Folkstock Records. The album represented a big leap forward for me as I also recorded & produced it. One of the tracks ‘Little Black Cloud' was selected for the Tom Robinson BBC6 Music Mixtape via 'Fresh On The Net'.
BBC6Music has also played The Moon from the EP ‘my own little piece of the sky’, Waves from 'Expectation' and the single 1974 (That's How It Was In Those Days)

Cry - The Single
I won the Oldies Composers Competition judged by BBC Radio 2 presenters including Bob Harris & the late Sir Terry Wogan to name a few, this resulted in Anthony Head (actor & singer) performing my song 'Cry' live on ITVs This Morning and played on BBC Radio 2, truly wonderful moments for me. Take a look on my collaborations page to read more about it

Festivals
I have played to name a few: Norfolk and Norwich International Festival, Wimborne Festival, Strawberry Fair, Kesgrave, the Cambridge Folk Festival both Club tent and a huge highlight Stage 2 with the great Brian McNeil. 

SoundCloud
I was nominated via Soundcloud as Soundclouder of the day with my song The Guilty One & added to their International Women's Day playlist, this resulted in 10s of thousands of plays for that track.

Comments & ideas for collaborations appreciated. 
Instruments: violin, mandoline, acoustic, bass and electric guitars, harmonica, tin whistle, darbuka, sansula, roland synthesizers. 
Recording with Cubase Elements 11 

Recommending these inspiring musicians: 

https://soundcloud.com/the-plugs ;  https://soundcloud.com/pleudoniem ;  https://soundcloud.com/markjbennett ; 
https://soundcloud.com/dan-lockhart ; 
https://soundcloud.com/julsy ; 
https://soundcloud.com/houckjt ; 
https://soundcloud.com/tante-meli .

Welcome to my Soundcloud Page. 
You will find songs in a singer-songwriterly vein by me, taking in a range of musical genres,  alt/indie rock songs recorded by The (Now Legendary) Maybees in the 1990s-early 2000s, some classical sounding music by The Lucem Symphonia, as well as banging EDM/electronic tunes by Casaubon and a few mixes of a collaboration with Bentcousin,. Unknown Unknown is another alias I have used for one release and Firenze Anemones is a new project. Most recently, I have collaborated with Massachusetts composer Betsy Breitborde on The Ghosts of Christmas Past.
Whether it's plainly a demo or a painstakingly mastered recording, I hope you enjoy what you hear. Please leave comments and don't be afraid to get in touch, I am always interested in getting feedback and connecting with other lovers of music. If you want to download anything, many of the finished recordings are available on Bandcamp and an increasing number are on all of the usual digital platforms. If you use other platforms, you can find music from me (and some others) there under the names:
Terry Naylor
Casaubon
The Lucem Symphonia
Firenze Anemones
Unknown Unknown
Bentcousin Terry
Atlantic Zipwire


Happy listening!

New single THE WORLD TURNS out now | Tickets for upcoming tour - http://orcd.co/theworldturns

This is my solo project. 
F.P.
All songs are home recorded by myself.
Check also on soundcloud : 
-De Parrot 
-BOAF


artwork by A.Pastori

Talk to Me of Mendocino

JohnSmith.