Local musician makes good in London

From my experience, I’d say North Devon’s musicians are too diverse a bunch to be grouped under the same umbrella. But, if I was forced, I’d say scruffy hair, skinny jeans and cool t-shirts are all fairly staple traits. Not anymore. Not for this article. They are all nought but salmon!

I’m pretty sure that everyone reading this has at some juncture in their lifespan known a friend or family member that has dipped their toe in the unpredictable waters of amateur musicianship. Focus hard, and picture said person in salmon form; all scaley and fishy and pink inside.

Got it? Good.

So if our melody makers are salmon, their quest for musical success is the challenging journey upstream to spawn.

A charming lad from North Devon has flipped two fins to raging river currents, evaded the attentions of hunger-ravaged bears, and is currently enjoying a rapidly burgeoning music career.

“Most of my life goals as a musician have been achieved in the last 2 months alone, it’s been incredible.”

I’m talking to Sandy Beales, a musician who grew up in North Devon before his musical studies and search for success took him to London. He’s landed himself the role of playing bass for young vocal starlet, Leddra Chapman.

“I met Leddra while I was working at the music school I used to study at. It was one of those chance meetings, and very lucky on my part” he explains; paying scant regard to my painstakingly constructed fish analogy (‘fishalogy’). “She asked me if I played double bass and it all went from there.”

Leddra’s music is enchanting. And yet there resides a sense of decorum to her work. She pronounces her ‘T’s and everything. Her almost regal vocal delivery makes me want to straighten my posture and take up lacrosse. It’s stoking quite a response in everyone that hears her, in fact. Her growing reputation has already led to Sandy accompanying Leddra for live performances on BBC Radio 2 and ITV’s This Morning.

“The live session on Radio 2 was really relaxed and a lot of fun, but I would have to say that the highlight so far would be performing at London's Jazz Café as part of HMV's ‘Next Big Thing’. It was such an honour to be on the same stage that so many legends have played on and the reaction from the crowd was overwhelming. Time to set some new career goals I think.”

I went to school with Sandy and I find his fortune in Chapman’s band as romantic as it is inspiring. Go to www.sandybeales.com for more on him, and www.leddrachapman.com for more on her.

And just so you know, my pioneering and incisive interviewing technique unveiled the groundbreaking truth-nugget that Sandy’s favourite sweets are Jelly Babies. That’s an exclusive, right there.

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And there endeth the music column. But this isn’t my music column, this is my blog. So, like the bonus disc to the Beales interview, here is the rest of what was discussed.

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How did you meet Leddra and begin playing with her?

I met Leddra while I was working at the music school I used to study at. It was one of those extreme chance meetings, and very lucky on my part. After a workshop she basically asked me if I played double bass and it all went from there. That was less than 3 months ago and so much has happened since.

What was the reason you left North Devon?

The main reason for leaving North Devon was to go to music college in London and try and set up a successful career as a musician. I soon realised that it wasn't going to be as simple as jumping straight into the session recording/touring scene so I had to explore other avenues in order to further my career. Fortunately, by the time I left Uni I managed to earn a living performing at weddings and working at a music school. Regardless of all this I still miss the calm of Devon. The nearest beach to here is 60 miles away, way too far on a summer’s day.

What have been your musical highlights so far? I hear you’ve been on Radio 2?

There have been so many! Most of my life goals as a musician have been achieved in the last 2 months alone. Performing on ITV's this morning was an amazing experience and the live session on Radio 2 was really relaxed and a lot of fun. Janis Long is such an incredible, friendly person. Plus, she liked my beard.

But I would have to say that the highlight has been performing at London's Jazz Cafe as part of HMV's ‘Next Big Thing’. It was such an honour to be on the same stage so many legends have played on. I have been in the audience for many gigs at the Jazz Café and to finally play there was a dream come true. The reaction from the crowd was overwhelming.

Any gigs coming up?

The next few shows are:
25th March: The High Barn in Essex
26th March: House Concerts in York
30th March: Willow Foundation charity show at the Lexington in London
All the dates can be found on Leddra's myspace http://www.myspace.com/leddrachapman

How long have you all been together?

Leddra has been playing with the other guys for a bit longer but we have all been a band since December 2009, so not long at all. Like I say, I am very fortunate to have jumped on the bandwagon when I did.

What’s your stance on Fearne Cotton?

The enigma that is Fearne Cotton! I actually have no idea what to make of her. She seems to be
taking over both the radio and TV though, so she must be doing something right.

What are your plans for 2010?

2010 should hopefully be a very exciting year. We have our fingers crossed for more TV appearances, radio performances and festivals for the summer. So watch this space.

www.sandybeales.com
www.myspace.com/leddrachapman