Please can you introduce yourself?

I’m Thea Gilmore, I’m a singer and songwriter and I’m also the music programmer at Storyhouse.

 

What does your role at Storyhouse entail?

I identify and book music events.

I played Storyhouse a few years ago and fell in love with the venue. From the second I walked in I felt it should be a stop on every musicians tour itinerary, so when the opportunity came up to be part of helping to expand the music programme, I jumped at the chance.

I was really pleased to be able to bring Transatlantic Sessions and Corinne Bailey Rae to Chester among many others over the last few months.

It is such a privilege to work alongside the incredible Storyhouse team including Emily Mackenzie (programme manager) who helps turn my ideas into reality and all of the amazing people from the tech teams to marketing to front of house. I’ve never been part of such a committed and passionate bunch. I feel incredibly lucky.

 

Can you tell us about some of the upcoming music gigs that you’ve booked for Storyhouse and Storyhouse Outdoors?

I’m very excited to be bringing This Is The Kit to Storyhouse. I’ve been a big fan of their gentle, alternative acoustic music for a long time. I love acts that major on songs and This Is The Kit are masters of song writing. If you don’t know them, you really should. So get yourself a ticket!

You’ll be performing at Storyhouse yourself on 21 November. How would you describe your sound?

I try very hard not to describe my sound.. mainly because it doesn’t stand still. But If pushed, I’d say it starts with the song and the voice. Those are the bits that are unchangeable. Then I’ll build around that. I generally play acoustically, I sometimes use a loop station, but I always respect the song. That makes me sound far more arty than I am. Basically, we’ll all be in a room together making and hearing music. What’s better than that?

 

Who are your biggest influences as a songwriter?

My biggest influences have always been the great lyricists. Leonard Cohen, Dylan. But my musical tastes bend all over the place from Arlo Parks to She Drew The Gun. From rap to folk. From Joni Mitchell to Lana Del Rey.

If it speaks about the world or from the heart, I’m all in. And that’s how I try to write too.