Published: Monday, 1st September, 2008 09:30
Open-mic - Lauren Knox and Peter Lewin
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Peter and Lauren
THE Border Telegraph presents the second in a series of eight new weekly columns inspired by String Jam Club, which meets upstairs at the Salmon Inn, Galashiels, on the last Saturday of every month.
It offers local musicians the opportunity to play alongside some of the country’s top performers on their own doorstep during the open-mic spot – hence the name.
Here, our reporter Ally McGilvray gives Peeblesshire pairing, Lauren Knox and Peter Lewin, a sound-check following their appearance at the club…
GIGGLING their way on to the stage, there was an obvious chemistry between them which wasn’t immediately apparent from their stage name - simply billing themselves as “Lauren and Pete”.
However, the musical duo – who met during swing band practice at Peebles High School – have been writing and performing together for more than two years.
They flirted with the audience and each other as they reached for their microphones before the start of their set.
Lauren Knox, 20, from Innerleithen, and Peter Lewin, 17, from Broughton, are a couple both on and off the stage.
But, their musical influences only confirm the saying that opposites attract.
While, Lauren, who sings in the band, revealed Eva Cassidy and Eddi Reader are among her idols; Peter, who plays guitar, states his as Guns N’Roses guitarist Slash.
Nevertheless, as they began playing a cover of Crosses by Jose Gonzalez, it was obviously a mix well matched.
Lauren, who is studying music and hopes to go on to become a primary teacher, said: “We have very different musical tastes, but our different styles somehow merge together.
“Although neither of us are pursuing a career in the music business, we both love writing and performing and would like to thank Allie at the String Jam Club for letting us play to brilliant audiences and letting us showcase our songs.”
Lauren and Peter were at their best on self-penned track Cover Girl, a quirky number poking fun at us journalists, which allowed her to show off her vocal range.
They finished their three-song set with Hold On, another original - both of which were only written in the summer.
But Lauren and Peter’s song-writing abilities have already been recognised having won the Best Song award with Stop Your Crying at String Jam Club’s Musician of the Year competition last year.
And they recorded their album, With You, at Borders-based Big Sky Studios after being crowned Musician of the Year at the Innerleithen Music Festival two years ago.
String Jam Club founder Allie Fox said: “Lauren and Pete have been playing together for a very long time and I think it shows in their performance. The songs they write together and the way they relate together on stage is really strong.
“Lauren’s got an incredibly pure sweet voice and she really belts it out.”
She added: “Pete’s going off to university to study to be a lawyer but I hope they continue to play because they have a great future together.”
amcgilvray@bordertelegraph.com
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