Lauren Housley

Watermill Sessions is proud to present Americana artists.....Lauren Housley at The Waiting Room on Dec 7th. Lauren Housley, is an award-winning singer and songwriter hailing from Yorkshire and a young female artist and recent mother of two who has already made her mark with three independent albums and two BBC Radio 2 playlist hit singles. Housley’s innate talent for writing beautiful, engaging songs, was born from the intuitive craft of earthy storytelling, which she delivers with an emotive knock out vocal performance at the core. Early 2022, she decided to focus on developing her live show with key members & long-term collaborators, Thomas Dibb and Mark Lewis. The live band has rapidly developed into both a recording and performance led music outfit that features The Northern Cowboys (Tom & Mark) with a new sonic departure, garnering two nominations at the 2024 UK Americana Music Awards for her song “High Time” (WON) and Live Act Of The Year, with UNCUT describing the climate change anthem as “a bulldozing Country-Soul sound”. Lauren wowed US audiences in 2022 with an AmericanaFest showcase at Nashville's EXIT/IN and an iconic BMI curated writer’s round with Gabe Lee and Tristan Bushman at famed venue The Bluebird Cafe as part of her showcase. Following this triumphant showcase in Nashville, the band were invited to the prestigious music showcase and film festival SXSW in March 2024, Austin, TX. Housley leaves a trail of joy with her ‘Rousing’ new shows, introducing songs from the next release as Lauren Housley and The Northern Cowboys and some classics. Influential Blog, ‘Holler’ included the band in their stand-out artists seen at the Black Deer Festival 2023, whilst others witnessing the band referenced the performance as a UK female vocal fronted version of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats - be prepared to be uplifted and moving those hips and leaving with some lyrics to think about. Housley's first three albums, Sweet Surrender in 2015, The Beauty of This Life in 2017 and latest album ‘Girl From the North 2021, produced a fresh and eclectic sound around the central theme of one rediscovering herself and her roots: "To move forward we sometimes have to go back. I wanted to prove to myself that it doesn't matter where you are in the world, you can make great music and have a positive impact on people’s lives." Lauren confides, "Returning to my hometown of Rotherham a few years ago, after leaving at the age of 18, seemed like the most bizarre decision I'd ever made. It was never part of my 'plan' but it has in fact enabled me to reassess my life and career goals and move forward in a way that feels true to myself.” Lauren’s Girl From The North album was recorded in a recording studio that she built with her long term collaborator, Thomas Dibb, underneath a foodhall in their home town. Recording took place before the pandemic and it was released during lockdown after having her first child. The album made impressive waves on several UK Official Charts, including landing a #4 on the Country Chart, #8 on the Americana Chart and #15 on the Folk chart. Lauren has consistently garnered acclaim from fans, critics and fellow musicians alike. Her songs “Ghost Town Blues”’ & “This Ain’t The Life” was playlisted by BBC Radio 2, where fans include Bob Harris OBE & OJ Borg, whilst “The Waiting Game”, became Robert Elms’ favourite track of the year on his BBC Radio London Show (“Absolutely monumental”). Rave press reviews included Q, Uncut “Her voice is potent and the emotional directness of her songs is estimable” and RNR Magazine “Lauren Housley’s blend of material is both thrilling and tender, propelled by a voice that stirs and soothes”. Music journalist and broadcaster Paul Sexton sums it up with: “What I love about Lauren’s voice, and the music she makes with her stellar band, is that she brings such pure, spontaneous soulfulness to everything she touches. Both on record and on stage, she’s the real deal.” Live, Housley was invited to perform at the 02 Arena in London as part of Bluesfest, alongside some of the artists that have inspired her, including Van Morrison & Tedeschi Trucks Band. As well as opening for John Grant at sold out shows at The Barbican in London and Dublin National Concert Hall, which featured special guest CMAT. She has also opened for Richard Hawley at Sheffield’s legendary venue The Leadmill, Vintage Trouble, Jack Savoretti and JP Cooper, and played support tours with The Wandering Hearts and Teddy Thompson. Lauren has also performed with some of her favourite female contemporaries including Yola and Klara Soderberg (First Aid Kit). MAGGIE MAY TREANOR “Knockout!” Jericho Keys, BBC Introducing “Treanor possesses an emotive and powerful voice that instantly draws comparison to such luminaries as Linda Ronstadt, Christine McVie, and Christine Collister, while her finely crafted lyrics are both thoughtful and personal. From the first bars of her opening number, ‘Medicine’, to the closing song ‘Whiskey’, Treanor held the knowledgeable clientele transfixed”. Americana-UK.com “Your voice is amazing!”, The Playlist Sculptor “Her voice is powerful and brimming with emotion, with each lyric packing a punch”, Folk Rock Alchemist “Beautiful vocal tone”, Rock The Pigeon “OMG, your voice, your lyrics!” Black Cat Music Promotions “Your songwriting is truly special”, The Best Life