Press

Not folk, not pop, not rock, they defy categorization; file them under feisty, funny and approachable Charlie Gillett, BBC Radio London

“Waking The Witch write extremely original material with a depth unheard of in popular culture since the likes of Joni Mitchell et al. Not only this, there ability to arrange their voclas is akin to bands like Queen, The Beatles and Crosby Stills & Nash. It is for this reason they can be seen time and time again, without becoming tiresome. I would suggest people support this band, as they blow everybody else out of the water." – BBC Leeds website

"The songwriting and level of performance are of staggering quality " - Classic Rock Magazine

‘One of the most distinctive new acts on the British live music circuit’ - Southend Standard

‘their laid back demeanour belies the quality of their songs’ – Paul Heyes, eFestivals.co.uk

‘a band that are making serious waves on the music scene’ – Jim Seymour, Yorkshire Evening Post

‘it really makes you wonder at a music industry that raves about the likes of Britney Spears when voices such as this are waiting for radio play’ – Hannah Vickers, Stirrings

‘stunning close harmonies and a passionate mix of mainly acoustic based styles, Waking the Witch have been compared to both Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young – the new female Yorkshire super group’ – Graham Charmers, Harrogate Advertiser

‘Headliners Waking the Witch performed an excellent set’ – Scarborough Evening News

‘That Group Waking the Witch are gonna be huge…talk about a shiver up the spine..bloody great voices’ – Memories of Glastonbury, Radio Avalon Website

‘Take a cup of blues, a dash of folk, gently stir in some heavenly honey harmonies, add some more secret ingredients, mix well, taste and the result? Deeeeelicious!’ – Marilyn Michaels, Radio Avalon

‘If you can take your eyes from the stage and bounce them around the room, so many people are singing along, or nodding that it’s a beautiful thing…the overall effect is warm, warm, warm’ – Annallee Call, Leeds Music Scene

‘A lovely contrast with what preceded and succeeded them, Waking the Witch gave us acoustic harmonies in the unseasonal gloom. Sometimes with just one guitar, sometimes with all four, their sweet melodies contained some sharp observations on life'n'love'n'stuff.’ – David Pickerskill, Wakefield Today

'Waking the Witch are a talented group with songs that stick in your head and demand to be played again' - Hannah Crush, Stoke Sentinel

‘ a diverting set’ – Playing Out Loud UK

This band has four equally talented members, differently inspired, amazingly contrasting yet marrying into perfection. I think if they were a food, they would be Gordon Ramsay's signature dish. They do deserve three Michelin Stars.
Jools Parker has a unique gift able to call on, with amazing depth and feeling, the delta blues and even further back, the roots of African music with amazing story telling abilities - this is surely a troubadour in waiting. I must also add, her finger picking technique defies physics.
Patsy Matheson can penetrate your soul and make your hairs stand on end. Her songs are simple, yet her melodies seem to be plucked out from the air. Her smokey voice complements her wonderful touch on guitar perfectly. Patsy, in my opinion, has the songs which will appeal to the widest spectrum of audience.
Rachel Goodwin leaves you standing in awe. Her voice is beautiful, her guitar playing smooth, dextrous and touching, she adds the element of mysticism and sexuality to the group (although they all add this). Unfortunately, she doesn't have the number of songs she should have, judging from the album. Write more. (Here endeth the sermon).
Becky Mills - a new member as I understand it, performed amazingly and has a great gift for the guitar and a wonderful voice. Unfortunately, she has not appeared on the current album, but I look forward to hearing her on the next album. Becky adds the folkier side to the band which makes them perfectly rounded. I agree with T-Bone (whoever that may be), they should be on Jools Holland.
Here's to Glastonbury and surpassing the success of the Corrs and Dido! - Geoff, Wolverhampton

'These four women have been winning rave reviews everywhere they've played for their original song writing and tingling harmonies. Hearing them in such an intimate atmosphere is ideal, and all credit to Hartlepool venues for going for quality instead of the usual poor offerings' - Alan Wright, Hartlepool Mail

Classic Rock Society magazine issue (May/June):
"Waking The Witch are a Yorkshire based all female band whose four members are respected performers whose careers have seen them play with the likes of Chumbawumba, John Martyn, Sam Brown and Glenn Tilbrook amongst others.
Together they have created this stunning debut album of ten original band compositions, each member has a strikingly beautiful voice and they share the same vocals but when they combine the voices in luscious four part harmonies it really does send a shiver up the spine.
The songwriting and level of performance are of staggering quality and the semi acoustic folk/rock of the material draws you towards The Be Good Tanyas for comparison but that is a little unfair as Waking The Witch are a completely unique band in their own right and whatever the analogy, Rachel Goodwin, Michelle Plum, Jools Parker and Patsy Matheson have created an album of breathtaking music." - Steve Ward (May 2004)

"I have recently read a review stating WTW are a cross between the Corrs and Dido. I am afraid this is untrue. The Corrs and Dido are appalling in comparison to WTW and quite frankly does not do them justice. Maybe the potential for commerciality is a factor, however, Waking The Witch write extremely original material with a depth unheard of in popular culture since the likes of Joni Mitchell et al. Not only this, there ability to arrange their voclas is akin to bands like Queen, The Beatles and Crosby Stills & Nash. It is for this reason they can be seen time and time again, without becoming tiresome. I would suggest people support this band, as they blow everybody else out of the water."
- Paul M.

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For more information on Waking The Witch visit www.wakingthewitch.co.uk

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