Alva Leigh, Me For Queen

Born in Mississippi, but currently living in North London, Alva Leigh's songs are as rich and poetic lyrically as they are musically. In 2005 she moved to Nashville to study and in 2009 recorded her self-titled debut with John Painter (Ben Folds, Sixpence None the Richer). She has since recorded an album of covers paying tribute to her favourite Nashville artists available on Noisetrade. Most recently, she has tracked her latest set of new songs for her next album to be released this autumn.

Me for Queen aka Mary Erskine is inspired by people and their stories. Growing up feral in rural Fife/Scotland in a big old house near the sea, she started writing songs when she was 13, around the same time that she started dressing herself. At this time music was her method of making her mark against four older siblings, and getting out of the washing up. Years of classical training together with a Blues guitarist for a father make for an interesting mix of Soul and Folk. Mary says Me For Queen is ‘a sort of sketchpad for whatever’s happening in my head. I just try to write songs that talk to people.’ Mary is from Kingsbarns in Fife but now works in London… but continues to flap back and forth like a confused swallow.