Pie Factory Music in Ramsgate is to thank for the release of a debut EP.
So Close/Your Tonight is the first release by duo Liotia – made up of singer/songwriter Abigail Hubbard, from Whitstable, and Ramsgate producer/engineer Matt Smyth.
Matt, 44, has been involved with Pie Factory Music since 2001, leading DJ and music technology workshops for hundreds of Thanet youth over the years.
It was at Pie Factory where Abi, 28, and Matt first started working together. She initially came onboard as a work experience apprentice after finishing her degree in music.
But Matt says he was “blown away” when he heard Abigail’s four track demo.
This led to him to produce her debut EP People Watching which gained Radio 6 play and was licensed to a number of compilations, including one from producer Robert Miles.
Out of that work Liotia was born with a tighter, polished, more cinematic style using a range of acoustic and electronic instruments. The band have been likened to Portishead meets Little Dragon underwater in a submarine made from recycled washing machines.
The debut EP has now been released as is available on Bandcamp.
Bitcoin collector and Save Our NHS in Kent (SONiK) supporter Matt also works with international acts as a sound engineer, including US Rock band Living Colour and UK artists Adrian Sherwood, Little Axe and Congo Natty.
He said: “Music has always been my passion and I have managed to forge an international career whilst keeping close to my roots and helping out many disadvantaged young people gain self confidence and life skills through music making.”
Abigail also leads song writing workshops as well as teaching guitar and Ukulele to young people throughout East Kent. Her other another band Hello Gekko won last year’s Herne Bay Rocks battle of the bands.
She teaches English to Chinese students and has a love for far eastern culture, where she travelled extensively between 2014-2017. These influences can be heard in the music she writes.
Find the EP at https://liotia.bandcamp.com/album/so-close-yours-tonight
Also find Liotia on facebook or, for bookings, email [email protected]
Pie Factory Music is a charity set up to provide free accessible music and related arts workshops for young people across East Kent. These are primarily but not exclusively for people aged between 0-25 years. Find more here
