Location: South East

Influences: Alanis Morrisette, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Fray, Imogen Heap, Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate, John Mayer, Incubus, Frou Frou

Band Members: Liv Roche - Guitar and Vocals

“I am young and foolish,
So I sit, and learn, and write.”

Artist Biography

Liv Roche finds few things more difficult than writing an autobiography. She hates writing about herself in the third person just to make her documents look more official.

However, when writing music, she finds nothing more inspiring than her day-to-day experiences or the mistakes she has either made or watched unravel and writing about them.

This may be why at the age of 18 she is well on her way to establishing herself as a credible and deep songwriter, as well as a talented vocalist with a knack for performing to keep audiences’ eyes upon her.

Liv describes her musical influences as being an integral factor in shaping her development, both musically and personally.

Everyone needs something stable and constant to lean on and to grow up with, and for her this was the music of others. With this she could then begin to create for herself.

After years of stints in cover bands, working for producers who wanted her to sing music to which she felt no attachment (or interest) and encouragement from others she trusted within the industry, Liv decided that the notebook she had been scribbling sets of lyrics in for as long as she could remember should be dug out, and scrutinised.

She found a couple of things she could work with and decided to give it a shot. A successfully acclaimed EP named ‘Tension’ was to follow, coinciding with a string of gigs and a consistently expanding fan base, as is displayed on her web page.

As far as achievements go, Liv has worked hard to obtain recognition not only for her vocal and song writing talent but for her live performance. In 2004, Liv was announced as the winner of J17 Magazine’s nationwide search for the ‘Next Big Talent’ (the magazine went into liquidation before her article was published. Liv maintains that she had nothing to do with its closure. She was only 14.)

She has since been awarded with scholarships for two years running to the Rocked Out live performance workshop, being named Best Vocalist during the course in 2006. She has received radio play from student radio stations PureFM and Solent, as well as beating two signed bands to have Tension played on BBC Radio Berkshire. Tension gained 50% of the public vote as well as picking up critical acclaim from a panel of music journalists.

“I see nothing more important than putting my heart into music. The music is after all, where my heart is.”

Liv is currently working on new projects with local talent, and enjoys writing alongside others as well as composing samples for tracks outside of her usual genre, all whilst writing new tracks for a forthcoming album. She is also getting involved in a little musical politics by joining the campaign to save the West End Centre from demolition.

Despite the madness of a modern day world, Liv wishes for nothing more than to continue working on musical projects, and maybe to provide a little empathy for others through the tunes she becomes a part of.

Past, Present and Confirmed Future Gigs

The Original Vibe, Epsom KT17 1DT
• Opened for Rob Reynolds and Newroom

The Cellar Bar @ South Hill Park, Bracknell RG12 7PA
• Played with Sophie Henderson, Shoreline and The Vice
• Regular slots for The Platform: Acoustic Nights

Sleepers Wine Bar, Basingstoke RG21 5NB
• Opened The Platform: Acoustic evening

The Maltings, Farnham GU9 7QR
• Played with Andy Stedman and Daniel Mulhern
• Summer Breeze Festival slot with Kids in Glass Houses and Sequoia

West End Centre, Aldershot GU11 3JD
• Played with Miro Skies and 4Fifteen
• Westival Slot with Frank Turner and The Rushes

The Purple Turtle, Reading RG1 2JR
• Played with Tricoteurs and Mister Kite

The Boileroom, Guildford GU1 4LS
• Opened for Atom and Anna Neale

Plantation Café, Guildford GU1 4LB
• Headlining slot with support from Sean Taylor and Eske

Live and Loud Bar @ The Star Inn, Guildford GU1 3TY
• Forthcoming headlining slot with support TBA

The Roundhouse, Camden Town NW1 8EH
• Forthcoming show for Ray of Sunshine Charity event

Reviews

BBC Radio Berkshire, Sunday 1st July 2007, 19.00-20.00
The Session: Demo Panel

“Palatable and classy, I like it.” – Mark Dyson, Music Journalist

”This is not the sort of thing I’d usually listen to, but Liv puts her heart and soul into the sonsg and it is clear that she wouldn’t consider wanting to do anything else [other than music]. The work is incredibly well-produced and Liv has a good ear for melody and writes a mean tune.” – Tony Stodt, Reading Fringe Festival co-ordinator and member of Details