Mary Spender, a 23-year-old singer/songwriter based in Bristol, UK. In 2013, she has completed tours of the UK and Germany, performed at Glastonbury Festival, supported Sandi Thom, Sam Bradley and played on the same line-up as KT Tunstall at the Larmer Tree Festival. Mary was also invited to perform her new song ‘Fugitive’ for Songs From The Shed. During the weekend of Larmer Tree, Mary played to a crowd of 500 people in the ARC Tent, performed several unofficial busking sets and was thrilled to have Seasick Steve, who was the headline act on the Friday night, as a member of her audience. During his gig he gave Mary a shout out onstage to 5,000 people ‘I started out busking, I’ve seen a few buskers around and Mary Spender is one definitely to watch’. In 2012 Mary put on a show for the press at the London 2012 Olympic Games, having just returned from a European tour with Jose Vanders. She has supported Trampled by Turtles, Ruarri Joseph, the Martin Harley Band and Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo, playing at prestigious venues (Ronnie Scotts, 100 Club and Notting Hill Arts Club, London and Thekla, Bristol). Her music has taken her as far as New York and LA and she has performed a variety of unique shows, including playing to a crowd of 200 people for the underground movement of Sofar Sounds in Bristol (June 2013). Announced in December, Mary won the open category of the 2012 UK Songwriting Contest for her song ‘Ignite’ which “greatly impressed the judges with its originality and sincerity”. “I’ve busked and sung in cover bands,” says Mary “and now I’m getting my own songs heard, it allows me to enjoy giving a heart-felt and honest performance at every show, which I think my fans appreciate.” Mary has been played and interviewed on radio stations in the UK (BBC 6 Music, BBC Bristol, BBC Wales and BBC Wiltshire), France, Greece, Germany, America, Canada and Australia. Having graduated from Bristol University with a BA (Hons) degree in classical music, Mary engineered and produced her new release 'The Eclectic EP' which is available to stream and download on iTunes, Spotify and Bandcamp. “What a voice! Such strong songs.” Blue Rose Code, recording artist for Reveal Records “a Joni Mitchell-type affair” Venue Magazine “I was completely blown away by her emotion, control and confident delivery” Chris Taylor, Audiophiles – Dot to Dot Festival 2013