Wikipedia

Mel Sanson

Mel Sanson (born 28 July 1979) is an English singer-songwriter most notable for performing lead vocals and guitar with rock band Kenelis and Murder Ballad duet "White Lillies" with Fairuza Balk.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Mel Sanson
Background information
Birth nameMelanie Anne Sanson
Born (1979-07-28) 28 July 1979 (age 45)
Chertsey, Surrey, England
GenresAlternative, grunge, rock, punk, post-hardcore, slowcore
Occupation(s)Musician, singer and songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, percussion
Years active2005 – present (musician)
Websitehttp://www.melsanson.com

Early life and career

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Sanson was born in Chertsey, Surrey, England and finished her high school years in Camberley, Surrey.[7][8]

Kenelis

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In 2008, Sanson and her band members performed with Ghost of a Thousand & Fightstar at Guilfest's 2008's Rocksound Cave.[9] In January 2009 the band released their first album Remember How It Felt, produced by Angus Cowan. In 2010, the band played numerous Pride stages all over the UK including Brighton Pride, Cardiff Mardi Gras, Birmingham Pride, Sheffield Pride, Nottingham Pride and Suffolk Pride.[10][11] In 2011 Sanson moved to Brighton, and in 2012 the new Kenelis EP MOVE was released on Sanson's own label, Sanson Records. Produced by Chris Coulter. Shows included Indigo2 at The O2, Greenwich, Ep track 'GFY' on Balcony TV in the summer followed by the band's EP launch at The 100 Club. Kenelis continued to perform regular shows on the London Underground scene as well as continuing to play Pride and festival stages including supporting Arcane Roots and Soulfly at Guilfest Big Cheese Cave, until their final shows at Brighton and Hove Pride and Under The Bridge supporting Republica.[12] In 2013 Kenelis won Brighton Music Award – Viewers Choice where Sanson met lead singer of Republica, Saffron Sprackling.[13][14][15][16]

LGBTQ+ activism

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Mel Sanson at Cardiff Mardi Gras in September 2010

In 2012 Sanson appeared on the 2012 charity single 'It Does Get Better' created by The L Project. The single benefitted LGBTQ charities and was written in response to the suicide of LGBTQ teenagers.‘It Does Get Better’ not only had chart success but won Outstanding contribution to the LGBTQ Community – 2012.[17][18] Sanson volunteered to be the Artist Liaison and Promoter for live music stages at Brighton and Hove Pride 2012, Brighton and Hove Pride 2013 and Brighton and Hove Pride 2014.[19][20][21][22]

Auxesis

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The band began in 2016 when singer-songwriter Sanson Sanson started writing songs with lead guitarist Jack Rowan. Alec Greaves joined the band on drums and the three-piece went into the studio with Mark Roberts and recorded their debut EP, Swallow The Sun. Shows included The Cowley Club, The Quadrant, Sticky Mike's Frog Bar in Brighton and The Black Heart in London. In September 2017 the band performed their final show at the Prince Albert in Brighton.[23][24]

Armed Love Militia

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In 2017 Sanson starting writing dark melancholic grungy folk songs. Later, Fairuza Balk invited Sanson to be part of Armed Love Militia music collaboration project. Fairuza sent Sanson an Appalachian folk/murder ballad style song called White Lilies and thought it would sound really great with some harmonies. Sanson recorded the track with Fairuza live in one take in downtown LA.[1][25][26][27]

Discography

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  • Nobody See's Me (But You) – Single 2007
  • Drained – Single – 2008
  • Remember How It Felt – Album 2009
  • Jealous – Single 2011
  • Fake – Album 2011
  • Move – EP 2012
  • Ghost – Single – 2018
  • The L Project – It Does Get Better 2012 – single
  • Armed Love Militia – White Lilles with Fairuza Balk 2021 – EP lead track[28][29][30][31]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Armed Love Militia (Fairuza Balk & Mel Sanson): White Lillies Review". Féroce Magazine. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  2. ^ "UK lesbian artists band together to combat homophobic bullying". www.diversityrolemodels.org. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  3. ^ "JoanOvArc The Black Heart, Camden 9 November 2016". Your Online Magazine for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Saffron, lead singer of Republica announced for L Fest 2016 –". 28 March 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  5. ^ "'Lesbians Go Loud & Live' for Lesbian Visibility Day 2020, Sunday, April 26". 23 April 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  6. ^ "U.K. lesbian musical acts record charity single "It Does Get Better" to counter homophobic bullying". The Georgia Straight. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Mel Sanson – Biography". melsanson.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Mel Sanson". www.indiebandsblog.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  9. ^ "It'll be a scream, promises Mel". SurreyLive. 24 June 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Brighton to host fifth Student Pride event". PinkNews. 2 March 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Guilfest 2009 Lineup!". Skiddle.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Kenelis – Gfy Presented by Mickey". Balcony TV. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Gscene Gay/LGBT Magazine. News, Reviews & Listings for Gay/LGBT Brighton, UK, Gay Media, Pride performers Kenelis win BMA Viewers' Choice Award". Scene Magazine. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  14. ^ "The Brighton Music Awards". Latest Bars Ltd. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Kenelis". www.indiebandsblog.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Brighton Pride – Interview with Republica and Kenelis – RoomThirteen – Online Rock Metal Alternative Music Magazine – Reviews Interviews News Tours". www.roomthirteen.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  17. ^ "It Does Get Better – The L Project (Official LGBT Charity Song)". The Art of Protest. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  18. ^ "UK lesbian artists band together to combat homophobic bullying". www.diversityrolemodels.org. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Brighton Pride Guide 2013". Issuu. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Republica, Kenelis : Brighton Pride : Live Review". Louder Than War. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  21. ^ "On This Day in Music for April 24". OnThisDay.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  22. ^ Burke, Fiona (18 January 2012). "Charity single It Does Get Better: Hope for victims of homophobic bullying". The Upcoming. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  23. ^ "JoanOvArc The Black Heart, Camden 9 November 2016". Your Online Magazine for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  24. ^ Katie (15 November 2016). "JOANovARC "Ride Your Life" album launch – The Black Heart, Camden (9th Nov 2016)". The Moshville Times. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  25. ^ Burke, Fiona (18 January 2012). "Charity single It Does Get Better: Hope for victims of homophobic bullying". The Upcoming. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Fairuza Balk: How She Survived Returning To Oz". Giant Freakin Robot. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Armed Love Militia – White Lillies Teaser 2 Chords – Chordify". chordify.net. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Republica, Kenelis : Brighton Pride : Live Review". Louder Than War. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Kenelis 'Move' EP Launch". The Rocktologist. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  30. ^ Drained – Single | Kenelis Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios, retrieved 7 May 2021
  31. ^ "Kenelis". www.ukfestivalguides.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
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