North London’s MISS HAVISHAM’S DIGITAL CLOCK are
Four storytellers with factual and fantasy tales to tell; different styles but musically-connected with a shared passion for well-crafted catchy songs.
This potent combination produces a unique sound that grabs you from the very start.
You may hear echos of The Kinks, Sparks, Beck, Prog Rock, The Cure or a bit of reflection ala Neil Young. But what they all have in common is the love of vocal harmonies in the tradition of The Beatles or Queen, and you might say this defines their sound.
Visually there’s a bit of Glam and Victoriana going on: Glittorian you could say!
MHDC are:
Grant Ian Davis -Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica .
Jeremy Colthup -Vocals, Keyboards, Flute, Sax, Saw
Adam Lombard Smith -Vocals, Guitars.
Rob Harper -Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Harmonica.
Paul Engles – Drums and other percussion.
Grant and Jeremy are also founders of the Music library, 20to9 music https://20to9music.com. Established in 2021 they have a wide range of Production music ready to be used in Films, TV, advertising, online and many other places,
Songs are also available to licence; you’ll find several MHDC’s songs there alongside orchestral pieces and other soundscapes ready to be licensed. We are always happy to write to a brief.
BAND STORIES
1a) Grant Ian Davis.
Long ago in the mists of time, Grant and brother Graeme enjoyed success as “The Plant Brothers” and “The Plants” influenced by Led Zeppelin and, in particular, Robert Plant.
As “Grant Plant” (seemed like a good idea at the time) and The Plant Brothers, they regaled audiences in Covent Garden with their close Harmony singing and did gigs with Eddie Izzard in support, (before he was famous).
With the Plants, their pre Brit Pop sounding original compositions soon got them noticed by Charisma records
And they recorded a demo at their studio just off of Oxford St in London. Interest from Go Discs, saw them in a two-horse race to be signed… but the La’s won the race and released the brilliant “There She Go’s”.
A period of playing in cover bands followed, notably with Empire State, and apart from many great gigs abroad, the highlight was performing live on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast. It was a surreal experience, being introduced by John Landis, director of The Blues Brothers and singing Everybody Needs Somebody in front of him, and on live TV at 7am.
The biggest event to influence Grant’s songwriting was to be selected from many applicants to attend the Ray Davies Songwriting course and it was soon after this that Grant and future Clock Adam met Jeremy, doing Bowie covers with brother Matt at the Hideaway in Archway.
A musical meet up was soon arranged with Jeremy writing a glorious flute part for Grant’s new song Teaching Insects About Glass. “I thought they were a bit weird at first,” was Jeremy’s memory of the event, ” but I found that I fitted in nicely!”
And so it was that The Clocks were born !
Episode 2, Jeremy Colthup……..Coming soon!
