Durham-born singer-songwriter and guitarist, Martin Stephenson, is a true storyteller.
His gigs, whether solo or with his backing group, The Daintees, are always a two-way affair with the audience. Stephenson shares anecdotes and regularly interrupts his own songs to tell a tale that has come to mind. He busked from age 15 and that ease and desire to engage and connect with those around him has clearly never left him.
Wearing his trademark hat and with his guitar, Stephenson is known for his eclectic range of styles – expect rockabilly, folk, jazz and blues and a fusion of all.
Stephenson often chooses to play smaller, off the beaten track venues. As well as intimate indoor venues, Stephenson’s extensive range of North East dates has also seen him play to audiences at the National Trust’s Washington Old Hall – setting up under a gazebo in the Hall’s herb garden on a late summer evening. He has recorded albums in a Scottish church and disused lighthouse, with the surroundings helping to shape his music and creativity.
From the 1980s onwards, Stephenson and The Daintees have continued to record and perform. The Daintees became one of the first bands to sign to the Newcastle-based label, Kitchenware, with their albums ‘Boat to Bolivia’ (1986) and ‘Salutation Road’ (1990) both achieving critical acclaim. And in 2020, they released a new recording, ‘Salutation Road 30th Anniversary Edition’, as well as releasing a new album together, in ‘Howdy Honcho’, last year.
Towards the end of last year, Stephenson teamed up with Billy Connolly in a two-part documentary about the Scottish comedian’s life, with Stephenson performing the track ‘Rain’. Connolly described Stephenson as his type of musician and songwriter.
Though now living in the Scottish highlands, Stephenson’s affinity with his native North East has not waned. As well as his date at Middlesbrough’s Westgarth Social Club, he is playing two nights at Durham’s Old Cinema Laundrette. At the Westgarth gig, support comes from Modern Hinterland for what will be the final concert of their current tour.
His new album, ‘Good Will Factory’, recorded in Newcastle’s Blank Street Recording Studio and released this year, is currently available.
Martin Stephenson plays at Middlesbrough’s Westgarth Social Club on Saturday 30th April.
Tickets, priced at £12.00 in advance, are available from seetickets.com.
