I can't really say when I got into music because I think music got into me first. Fortunately I have been fed on music my whole life and it always was a very natural and very necessary part of me. Words and their power gripped me from a young age also, poetry and stories were something I constantly read and wrote as a child; giving a platform to what many 'grown-ups' classed as an overactive imagination, which of course I took as a compliment. Fantasy literature took me on journeys out of my day to day reality, I could be anybody anywhere as I read, absorbed and travelled worlds in my head.

My musical influences were Irish folk, mainly from my dad, with soul and rock from my mum, and all the eighties music from my sister and Top of the Pops! As an eleven year old living in the borders of Scotland, at my seventh school, I found hip hop. I remember being captured in rapture the very first time I heard "Paid in Full" by Erik B & Rakim. Spoken word over obese bass and samples from many different influences, that all worked so well together creating something very powerful.

I embraced this poetry over music which gave a completely new element to expressive thoughts. Writing and poetry for me was a private tool to register feelings as I was growing and learning new experiences; both bad and good.

At 17, living in Edinburgh, I was now a mother to be. By this time having a club and deejay background, I remember going to watch bands and feeling envious, sick with frustration causing a realisation that this was me, I had to sing. Not for what I had, but for what was missing. This has brought me to where I am today, years of tuning my skill -at whatever level it may be- confidence grew, songs were created and the time came for recognition.

In 1998 I recorded my first single with Blacka'nized, a small yet very important step on this particular ladder. Then in 1999 after discussing with a fellow singer, Rowena Wells, the concept of Recognition @ Cafe Graffiti in the Edinburgh Festival was born, I hooked up with Leona Webster, a singer/guitarist from Aberdeen. We clicked immediately with our writing and singing, and went on to record several tracks and perform at various gigs including during the Festival. Organising Recognition gave me opportunity to invite Shâme to perform. My friend Caroline Crozier was deejaying for Shame at the time and introduced us all.

Hearing Michelle & Aerron inspired and reassured me, real people creating real music with lyrics that really matter, all wrapped up in a breathtaking sound.

Meeting Michelle & Aerron was one of those things that was meant to happen, thank God! It's an honour to be working with people that care as much as they do and live their lives absorbed in the true essence of music. Shame are an inspiration and it's the best feeling to create songs with people who see the world in all the different aspects as I do. We have just compiled our first CD called "Recognition", a reminder of where this project began. This marks the beginning of a lot of good things to come, so open your mind, turn up the volume and watch this space...