Biography

Vashti was born in Cornwall in 1980, the youngest to three brothers from dreamy singer/songwriter parents Jeff ‘n Julie. However, by the time Vashti was one the family had exchanged their idyllic life-style for a Hotel in Bungay, Suffolk. Here Vashti grew up within a world of entertainment, stress, Can-Can girls, heavy drinkers, late night noise and a lot of time on her own. Charlie’s Bar (a large function room) provided Vashti with the platform to debut her one girl show at the age of 6. Pulling in guests and locals for the price of 50p, stilt walking, singing, dancing, skating and skipping were all part of the performance, and from this early age Vashti felt at home on the stage.

As Vashti struggled through school and her parents’ separation she began to find solice in music and in particular – songwriting. With influences from Madonna, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Chet Baker, Nick Drake and many more, Vashti’s songs are always personal, honest, fresh and interesting. In 1999, having completed a performing arts course, Vashti went to London where she worked as Assistant Manager at Angel Recording Studios for two years. Although a fascinating place with lovely people, Vashti soon realised working 9-5 was not for her. So she ventured off to Thailand for 6 months where she played in bars and gained a residency in a popular music venue in Pai – Jazz Up Café Bar.

When back in the U.K Vashti moved every 6 months or so, finding that music followed her every stride and that the songs kept flowing. Back in London in 2004 Vashti made her first album with 7 different producers. The result, three months later was “SCRAPBOOK” a polished, sleek piece of work reflecting Vashti’s varying styles. A follow up acoustic collection of songs “DRAGONFLY” capturing the more vunerable, melancholy Vashti was recorded in three days with Roy Dodds (Fairground Attraction, Eddi Reader, Jacqui Dankworth, Reg Meuross) in February 2005. Vashti is now singing backing vocals for both her older brothers (Tom Baxter for his 2nd album release and Charlie Winston for his 1st album release – check out their myspace pages). With new recordings happening soon – watch this space for beautiful illuminations!.

“Hearing Vashti is like hearing the birth of a dream, and it's to glorious effect! She is an up and coming diva with a soulfully distinctive tone.”
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