7 Storey Soul - The Band

7StoreySoul are . . .

Mark Poole - Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals
Mark is the founder member of 7storeysoul and writer of the band’s original material. He put the band together originally in 2004 and he’s recorded and performed with many talented musicians over the last few years. He’s been playing guitar since the age of 16 and writing songs for a lot longer. Mark is a devoted Stevie Wonder fan and a lover of upbeat soul, funk, disco and pop, particularly from the late 60s to the 70s. Other soul/funk favourites include George Benson, Average White Band, Curtis Mayfield, 5th Dimension and Bill Withers. Mark’s also a great lover of quality pop such as Beach Boys, XTC, The Smiths, Madness, The Divine Comedy, They Might be Giants etc. These are the main influences on his other musical project - Dr Markus and the part timers. See www.myspace.com/parttimers. Mark also writes researches and teaches on the sociology and politics of popular music focusing particularly on the relationship between music and personal and social histories. He completed his PhD – ‘Songs, Stories and Selfhood’ (a study of the everyday struggles of musicians on the Leicester acoustic scene) - in 2007.
Laura Kate Hughes - Lead Vocals / Backing Vocals
Laura joined 7storeysoul early in 2007, and is now lead singer. She has been performing on stage for over ten years, from the age of 16, both as a solo singer and in various bands and groups, including a jazz quartet, a Corrs tribute and more recently, fronted irish folk-rock band, 'Three Legged Dog'. Laura has a varied range of vocal influences, which include Joni Mitchell, Eva Cassidy, Deniece Williams and Billie Holliday. She has a smooth and sweet jazzy quality to her voice which demonstrates these influences. As well as vocals, Laura also plays various other instruments including guitar, fiddle (and the tin whistle!). You can visit Laura's MySpace at www.myspace.com/laurakatemyspace.
Mike Steward - Bass Guitar / Backing Vocals
Mike, 7StoreySoul's newest recruit, has been playing bass regularly for 30 years. Passionate about the Funk, Jazz, Disco and Soul genres, he started playing in the orchestra pit for local shows and pantomimes in Leicestershire during the Seventies. Mike recently thought he'd woken up in heaven when he met Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten backstage in 2009 after their Paris gig! Other influences include Stevie Wonder, Sting and Mark King.
Paul 'Robbo' Robinson - Drums
Robbo has been playing drums in a wide variety of musical genres for over 30 years (!!!). He is also drummer for 'Kingsize' - undoubtedly one of the Midland's top Ska bands; with whom he has played for 10 years.

	Mark Poole - Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals Mark is the founder member of 7storeysoul and writer of the band’s original material. He put the band together originally in 2004 and he’s recorded and performed with many talented musicians over the last few years. He’s been playing guitar since the age of 16 and writing songs for a lot longer. Mark is a devoted Stevie Wonder fan and a lover of upbeat soul, funk, disco and pop, particularly from the late 60s to the 70s. Other soul/funk favourites include George Benson, Average White Band, Curtis Mayfield, 5th Dimension and Bill Withers. Mark’s also a great lover of quality pop such as Beach Boys, XTC, The Smiths, Madness, The Divine Comedy, They Might be Giants etc. These are the main influences on his other musical project - Dr Markus and the part timers. See www.myspace.com/parttimers. Mark also writes researches and teaches on the sociology and politics of popular music focusing particularly on the relationship between music and personal and social histories. He completed his PhD – ‘Songs, Stories and Selfhood’ (a study of the everyday struggles of musicians on the Leicester acoustic scene) - in 2007.
	Laura Kate Hughes - Lead Vocals / Backing Vocals Laura joined 7storeysoul early in 2007, and is now lead singer. She has been performing on stage for over ten years, from the age of 16, both as a solo singer and in various bands and groups, including a jazz quartet, a Corrs tribute and more recently, fronted irish folk-rock band, 'Three Legged Dog'. Laura has a varied range of vocal influences, which include Joni Mitchell, Eva Cassidy, Deniece Williams and Billie Holliday. She has a smooth and sweet jazzy quality to her voice which demonstrates these influences. As well as vocals, Laura also plays various other instruments including guitar, fiddle (and the tin whistle!). You can visit Laura's MySpace at www.myspace.com/laurakatemyspace.
	Mike Steward - Bass Guitar / Backing Vocals Mike, 7StoreySoul's newest recruit, has been playing bass regularly for 30 years. Passionate about the Funk, Jazz, Disco and Soul genres, he started playing in the orchestra pit for local shows and pantomimes in Leicestershire during the Seventies. Mike recently thought he'd woken up in heaven when he met Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten backstage in 2009 after their Paris gig! Other influences include Stevie Wonder, Sting and Mark King.
	Paul 'Robbo' Robinson - Drums Robbo has been playing drums in a wide variety of musical genres for over 30 years (!!!). He is also drummer for 'Kingsize' - undoubtedly one of the Midland's top Ska bands; with whom he has played for 10 years.