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Evening Telegraph - January 6th 2006 Sunlight will make Stephanie a star.
 Uncut Magazine - January 2006 Stephanie Kirkham rings sweet and vulnerable on the self-released folk of Sunlight On My soul (SLK). Backlit by spare piano and strings, her voice is soft but robust, bringing to mind Erin McKeown in all her finery.
Yorkshire Evening Post Album of the week - January 28 2006 I can't imagine what it must feel like to stake your life on making it big in the music industry, bag a record deal, release a crtitically-acclaimed debut and then be dumped unceremoniously in pop limbo when the label you get signed to gets closed down. The temptation would surely to be to give it all up as a bad job. Not Stephanie Kirkham though. The experience seems to have galvanised the singer-songwriter into delving deeper into her craft. Unfettered by commercial restraints, her follow-up album is being released on her own label and it's the perfect showcase for Kirkham's sweet, childlike voice, which has been compared to the likes of the Sunday's Harriet Wheeler and the Cocteau Twins' Elisabeth Frazer. It's a charming record, a musical trinket box full of 'folktronica' madrigals, chirpy jazzy numbers, quirky celtic ballads and folky pop songs full of quiet drama and beguiling beauty.  Portsmouth And District Post Feb 2006 Stephanie Kirkham Sunlight On My Soul * * * * * Truly Soul Searching Lancashire lass folk singer-songwriter Stephanie seemed all set for success in 2003 with her first album 'That Girl'. But then the Hut label was closed and the poor girl headed home to write more songs,undeterred with this setback. And boy has her determination paid off! She now reappears on her own label, with a fresh, gentle-on-the ears album which is just right for this time of year. Amongst the best are 'Butterfly Song', 'Hear The blackbird' and the incredibly jaunty "Show Me What you're Made Of'. The entire offering has good taste running through it, helped by spectacular musical arrangements by Johnny Dunne. And to my eye she looks just like she sounds, gentle but very driven. She is definitely my tip for the artist, who with a little luck, will really make it big this year.   Nottingham Evening Post Feb 2006 Stephanie Kirkham Sunlight On My Soul * * * * Another new album by another new female singer-songwriter. So where's she heading? The mum-pop Dido market? Well, it's pop but too off-the-wall for Ms Armstrong. It's too jazzy for the KT Tunstall fan and yet too...mental to line her up behind Norah Jones and Katie Melua. Tracks like "Show Me What You're Made Of" and "Sunlight On My Soul" feature double bass and snare brush but it's like Bjork has succumbed to folk music. At times the twentysomething from Preston reveals a Madonna-like pop sensibility (check the airy harmonies on Bonds Are Broken) but it's the kookiness which is the most striking characteristic on her second album. The former florist is closer to Kate Bush and Alanis Morissette. After jazz, the breathy beauty takes on folk and pop with panpipes,sitars,harps and even irish fiddles. It could be the word-of-mouth success story of 2006. Peterborough Herald & Post 27.1.06 Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul Stephanie Kirkham’s second album is a very unlikely mix of celtic folk and jazz. It works, it really does. It puts you in mind of a young Kate Bush. Stephanie has the most delightful whimsical voice. This CD is one that will not move far from my CD player for a while. Unfortunately, one fears that this kind of album will struggle to get airplay on many national radio stations, which is a shame. Treat yourself, go and get a copy! * * * * * Ipswich Evening Star 27.1.06 Stephanie Kirkham- Sunlight On My Soul The first album from Kirkham passed me by entirely, but saw her winning praise for her voice and interesting songwriting. The latest album must cement her position as one of the most promising new songwriters on the scene. She has a clear, fresh sound, sometimes jazz influenced and a light, girly voice that makes this collection a perfect lift on a dull day. * * * *  The Northern Echo January 19th 2006 Stephanie Kirkham: Sunlight On My Soul (SLK) A delightful,spangly album of acoustics and intelligence.
NetRhythms.co.uk - January 2006 Mike Davies Lancaster and Morecombe Guardian Feb 06. Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul Yet another Northern talent in need of a greater audience is Preston’s Stephanie Kirkham whose album “Sunlight On My Soul’ hits the shelves next week. Having secured an auspicious five album deal with Hut back in 2003, Kirkham fell foul of the label’s unfortunate demise but has now returned with this fine collection of modern jazz-folk-esque tales on her own SLK label. Intelligent lyrics and creative arrangements remind this listener of the equally wonderful Emiliana Torrini, with Kirkham’s engaging and evocative voice adding subtle gravitas to her delicate storytelling. Let’s hope that in this world of fake plastic pop creations there is enough room to accommodate the likes of the indisputably talented Stephanie Kirkham. Tweedale Press Group (7 papers) 27.1.06 Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul In a year when Kate Bush made such a stunning comeback, Preston’s Stephanie Kirkham has laid down a marker with Sunlight On My Soul. Bush is not going to have the dreamy singer/songwriter field all to herself anymore. “Sunlight on My Soul” is a delicate and fragile album, as introspective as you’d expect from someone described as “so reserved she makes Nick Drake look like Elton John”, but what can’t be hidden is the sheer poetry of the tales Kirkham weaves on “Sunlight On My Soul”. These days we are so used to being hit by young female musicians desperate to “out-rock” and “out-emotion” each other that it comes as a breath of fresh air to hear a musician who has the inner-confidence and imagination to allow the likes of “Wash Away The Ashes” to make it’s own space. But throughout there is also an unreal other-worldly quality to Kirkham’s music; her songs intrigue rather than explain themselves. She affords the listener the opportunity to interpret. What’s more, she does it all with a voice as sweet and questioning as the lyrics she writes. It is impossible to avoid becoming totally enchanted both by Stephanie and her music. Stephanie Kirkham may well find it difficult to win over the masses with her thoughtful and intelligent music but that must never deter her from making it. Herald Observer Group (12 papers) Jan 06 Stephanie Kirkham- Sunlight On My Soul If an antidote to the winter blues is required then Stephanie Kirkham’s “Sunlight On My Soul” could provide it. The Lancashire songstress’ second album, the follow up to 2003 debut “That Girl” has very much a summery vibe, from gentle harp-laced opener “Butterfly Song”, jazzy pop of “Show Me What You’re Made Of”, and the Eastern mantra “Bonds Are Broken” Her little-girl lost voice echoes Billie Holiday to Cocteau Twins’ Liz Fraser, and while there’s an underlying hippyness to Kirkham, not just the long hair and the flowery dresses, “Sunlight On My Soul” is very much a contemporary record. She’s even been touted as possibly Kate Bush, and while somewhat premature, Kirkham has certainly found her own voice within the current crowded world of singer-songwriters, and she could prove the one with the most staying power. South Hams newspapers (7 papers) 20.1.06 Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul Stephanie is a Lancashire-based singer-songwriter with an astonishing voice and fine line in delightful but not over-sweet songs. Introverted yet joyous and celebratory, invoking a long roll-call of similar acts from Mary Hopkin to Dar Williams, the material here is gorgeous. Soft, largely acoustic numbers like “ Hear The Blackbird” and “Wash Away The Ashes”, a jazzy overtone on “Show Me What You’re Made Of”, an Eastern tint on “Bonds Are Broken”, and much more-you should try to hear this one. Blackpool Gazette 28.1.06 Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul The Hut label’s unexpected demise left Stephanie Kirkham with four of her promised five album deal extinct. A little over two years later she’s going it alone and should pick up where her debut’s strong reviews left off. Her waif of a voice mixes and matches styles and influences- a touch of celtic harp here, a bit of Eastern promise and a healthy nod to new jazz every now and again. Impressive. Worthing Herald Feb 06 Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul Stephanie Kirkham’s debut album, 2003’s “That Girl” , was released to critical acclaim from both the music and the mainstream press. Just six months later her label, Hut, was closed by parent company EMI and all bets were off. Rather than accept the blow, Kirkham was spurred on by her loyal fanbase and the singer/songwriter headed home to Lancashire to work on the follow-up to “That Girl.” Two tears on and Kirkham returns with “Sunlight On My Soul” released on her own label SLK Music. Eleven effortless songs showcasing Kirkham’s waif-like vocals await the listener, with the strutty jazz-pop of “Show Me What You’re Made Of” the highlight. “Sunlight On My Soul” is a special album that will inevitably suffer fewer sales without major label backing, but deserves success regardless. Sheffield Star Feb 06 Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul More than just an impressive pout, this sweet-singing blonde follows her 2003 debut on the now defunct Hut imprint with her first on her own label. After delicate beginnings the songstress touches on jazzy-pop, wistful and playful as she takes on the musical equivalent of a stroll through a spring meadow and an English country bazaar. There is an occasional twee nature to the arrangements, but Steph exhibits a voice that is emotive yet buoyant. Fife leader 27.1. 06 Stephanie Kirkham- Sunlight On My Soul Back in ‘03 Stephanie Kirkham signed a five album deal with Hut and released the delicious “That Girl” album which garnered a whole heap of praise from both the rock and national press. Alas, six months later the label folded and that, as they say, was that. However, being a Lancashire lass, Stephanie took stock and decided to form her own label SLK Music, and here at long last is her eagerly awaited sophomore album. Described variously as having “waifish vocals reminiscent of Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays and Elizabeth Fraser of The Cocteau Twins” and “writing songs that hark back to the chiming pop of The Smiths and The Cure”, Steph captivates completely on this delightful collection of 11 self-penned songs with my particular favourites being the strutting, jazzy “Show Me What You’re Made Of”, the catchy, spiralling “Bad Dream” and the Eastern-inflected “ Bonds Are Broken” each enhanced by Johnny Dunne’s sympathetic production and imaginative orchestrations. Nice One! Morecombe Today 1.2.06 Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul Preston-born songstress Stephanie Kirkham’s new album “Sunlight On My Soul” has recently been released to glowing reviews. Stephanie sings cutesy ballads that tend to be fused with girly trinket-box style melodies. “She says: ‘Sunlight On My Soul’ reflects a journey. the songs are stories about what’s been going on in and around me and searching for understanding. I wanted it to be as colourful and magical as possible, natural and free”. Stephanie is a real rising star- a credit to Lancashire. Shields Gazette 6.2.06 Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul Great things were expected of Kirkham after her critically-acclaimed 2003 debut album, but it all went awry when her record label was closed by parent company EMI. Now the singer-songwriter from Lancashire is back on her own label, and you can see why she created such a stir. Her plaintive voice is ideally suited to country laments and soulful reflection, but she can also sing jazzy-pop, and with a bit of luck, this time she’ll be here to stay. SubbaCultcha 26 feb 06 Stephanie Kirkham- Sunlight On My Soul The musical equivalent of smiling, Stephanie Kirkham beams with aplomb. I like nothing more than playing Elliott Smith albums loudly through headphones until I block out enough of my natural optimism to cry along. The combination of self-pity and melody go like wine and cheese, setting each other off perfectly until my eyes well up with emotion and burst. Of course, I can’t be this much of a self-indulgent @*!?+* constantly and so occasionally I’m forced to redress the balance with music so blissfully happy it turns itself on. Sunlight On My Soul is such an album, leaping from it’s case and launching into first track Butterfly Song without invitation but forgivably so; with naïve charm, Kirkham’s voice is undeniably cute at first but with second track Show Me What You’re Made Of, a sultriness develops that continues for a while until the unabated positivity proves too powerful a force and album envelops itself in loveliness. After Dark Cheltenham. Feb 06 Stephanie Kirkham- Sunlight On My Soul Stephanie Kirkham has astounded those around her and aspiring singer-songwriters all around the globe with her tale of perseverance in the face of adversity. Every musician’s dream became her worst nightmare when the label that signed her went bust shortly after releasing her critically acclaimed debut. A soldier to the end, Stephanie found that special place where anything becomes possible. Here album “Sunlight On My Soul” is a testament to her hard work. A folk number layered with jazzy undertones that allow the listener the full sensation of her truly sultry voice. “Wash Away The Ashes”, “January Day” and “Show Me What You’re Made Of” see Stephanie at her best on this album that is moderately generic but ultimately a winner. Huddersfield Daily Examiner Feb 06 Stephanie Kirkham - Sunlight On My Soul Fairy-sounding troubadouring innocence that’s always gentle, never noisy, jazzy, folky, waifish and as whimsical as it gets. Yet she’s from Preston.  Wears The Trousers Website Feb 2006 Stephanie Kirkham Sunlight On My Soul * * * 1/2 Stephanie Kirkham must have thought that Lady Fate herself was smiling down when she signed a five-album deal with Verve imprint, Hut Records. But the label’s implosion just a few months later proved how fickle that Lady can be. Undeterred, Kirkham returned to the day job and nearly three years on from her disarming debut That Girl, Sunlight On My Soul arrives on Kirkham’s ownlabel and shows that determination and dedication against the odds can reap real dividends, in this case, a quirky collection of songs which resolutely refuse to be easily classified, rewarding instead the more determined listener. Opener Butterfly Song is a charmingly twee prelude on the fragile and fleeting nature of life, and tempting as it is to knowingly smile and place her in the Vashti Bunyan camp of delicate folksters, Kirkham refuses to be tied down so easily. Certainly, her voice still retains that winning fragility and innocence, cute and coquettish without becoming fey; winsome without cartoonish tendencies; light and delicate but still imbued with strength. Where Butterfly Song does clue you in though is in its use of two characteristic devices that Kirkham scatters throughout the album,unison vocal/backing instrument melodies and playing around with the rhythm and tempo of the songs. Here, they work well but they do get a little distracting on their umpteenth occurrence. New single Show Me What You’re Made Of is a lithe, feline jazz number with a walking bass and mood that deftly lands (on its feet, of course) somewhere between stray and aristocat. It’s a trick rather less successfully attempted on January Day, with its halting changes in rhythm and horn section that’s less like Coltrane than a bargain basement Casiotone. Hear The Blackbird and All For Nothing are open, folksy songs; the former boasting a sweet nursery rhyme simplicity and the latter a feast of beguiling backing vocals. But the centrepiece of the record is a trio of songs that mine the rich seam of Seventies Celtic folk for inspiration. Taking as their template bands like Planxty and Moving Hearts, who fused Arabic-styled melodies with traditional European instruments like the bouzouki, hurdy-gurdy and bodhran, Bad Dream, Today and Bonds Are Broken are nicely atmospheric. Even the fact that Bad Dream’s virtually a capella opening sounds a bit like the Shangri-La’s Leader Of The Pack does not prove too much of a distraction. Elsewhere, Moving & Breathing sounds a bit like Nanci Griffith, which is never a bad thing. Then there’s the title track, rounding out the album with_a bang instead of a whisper, a bizarre mélange of sounds that somehow successfully melds together each of the album’s themes and influences. To describe it is to think of a strange Frankenstein experiment bolting together leftover scraps of sessions from Joni Mitchell, Las Ketchup and, quite possibly, next year’s Turkish Eurovision entry, while Kirkham stands at the centre triumphantly yelling “IT’S ALIVE! IT’S ALIVE!”. Fortunately, it’s no fearsome hideous monster; what could have been a disastrous trainwreck of a track in less capable hands provides instead a gloriously luminous and uplifting close to this worthy second effort. Trevor Raggatt  Cornish Guardian Feb 2006 Stephanie Kirkham Sunlight On My Soul * * * * Charming British songstress Stephanie Kirkham makes a welcome return with album number two. A delightful record with jazz,pop, folk and celtic influences, Sunlight On My Soul is a joyously reflective 11-track affair with Stephanie's naturally soothing voice sounding even more heavenly than it did on her 2003 debut. A pleasurable experience, Sunlight On My Soul should see Stephanie add to her ever-growing and incredibly loyal fanbase. Christian Murison  The Beat Surrender - 5th February 2006 Stephanie Kirkham: Show Me What you're Made Of (single) (SLK) * * * * I have to be honest, when I saw the pretty blonde on the CD staring back at me, my first thought was “oh god not another solo female pop singer who is looking to scrape by on looks alone…”However within a minute of this being on my record player I was hooked, Stephanie Kirkham is anything but an airhead blonde making PWL style pop music. What you get is a toe tapping jazz pop track, that is as catchy as hell straight away, it has a familiar feel about it even though you’ve not heard it before, sumptious vocals and real swing. The single Show Me What You’re Made Of is available on download only and is taken from her second album Sunlight On My Soul, both of which are out now on her own SLK label.  Jewish Telegraph Feb 2006 Stephanie Kirkham Sunlight On My Soul Stephanie Kirkham has not had much luck. In 2003 she signed a five album deal with Hut, but soon after her debut album That Girl was released, the label closed. But far from let her head drop, the Lancashire lass just got on with what she does best - making music. Stephanie is one of the best singers this country has come up with in a long time. Her new album, Sunlight On My Soul, is a joy to behold - a mix of jazz, soul and pop.  Bournemouth Daily Echo - February 03 2006
icBirmingham.co.uk - January 2006 SINGER-songwriter Stephanie is an English rose, her waif-like vocal rooted in folk but with a completely modern overhaul that marks her out as the UK's answer to Suzanne Vega.
Indie London - January 30 2006 Boasting a really top-notch set of jazz vocals, Stephanie Kirkham’s wonderfully breezy new single, Show Me What You’re Made Of is a genuinely intoxicating insight into what can be expected from the album, Sunlight On My Soul. Sadly, it’s only available as a download but this happy go-lucky jazz pop classic boasts a hypnotic percussion, some excellent backing vocals and a generally satisfying style that marks Kirkham out as a considerable talent to watch. Interestingly, she was due to have made a big impression in 2003, when she signed a five album deal with Hut and released her debut album, That Girl to considerable acclaim. Sadly, the label was closed by its parent company, EMI, just six months later and Kirkham was forced to retreat to her native Lancashire to start again. The time away appears to have been spent very well indeed.
Ripple- Leicester Uni January 16 2006
After EMI's decision to close the Hut label saw Stephanie Kirkham's five-album deal stumble at the first hurdle, it's much to her credit that she has bounced back with this superb Sophomore set.
The Waterfront Online- February 1st 2006
What Women Want - Lancashire Evening Post - January 30 2006 Sunlight On My Soul is poetic and magical and quite unlike anything else you will hear this year. It's been on repeat play here at WWW since we received a review copy and we're sure you'll be hooked too! Get your copy at HMV, Amazon and all good record shops.
Contact Music - January 2006 A tingling folk flirting offering sees this songstress gazing upon the wonders of the world in an uplifting and lucid manner. Shades of Donna Lewis and Joan Baez give the track some maturity and sobriety. A provocatively commanding offering is hushed along by a bubbly piano laden accompaniment.  Cue and Review - January 2006 Stephanie Kirkham: Sunlight On My Soul (SLK)
Following a dreamlike start to her recording career, Stephanie Kirkham released her debut album "That Girl" in 2003. Receiving great reviews and amassing a strong following and a rarely heard of, five album deal with Hut in 2003....it was all violently stalled when Hut were terminated by their parent company EMI.   Somerset County Newspapers - 19th January 2006 Lancashire lass Stephanie Kirkham deviates from the British singer-songwriter norm with Sunlight On My Soul (SLK Music), and with satisfying reults.
Eastwood Advertiser - 21st January 2006 A Lancashire girl, Stephanie Kirkham illustrates her Bjork-style voice can produce carefully melodic, calming and spiritual music; nurturing and satisfying for the soul. All of the tracks on Sunlight On My Soul prove to be delicate and spare with a hint of delicious lightness. Depth features predominantly throughout, resulting in an album occupied by Introspection. A rare occurence, you like Stephanie more at the end of the album than the beginning- your heart is captured by her soothing and heartfelt songs. Pam Bustard
Q Magazine - March 2006 Stephanie Kirkham: Sunlight On My Soul (SLK)Three years ago, Stephanie Kirkham was the recipient of a five album deal with Hut Records(once home to The Verve and Placebo) and her debut release, "That Girl," was drawing comparisons with Kate Bush. Six months later, Hut folded and the singer was cast adrift. While the title of this homegrown second album is ostensibly positive, Kirkham is ultimately a fragile creature whose delicate manner sounds like she would be happier singing these fluttering folk songs to herself rather than a discernible audience.
 Designer Magazine - January 2006 Stephanie Kirkham: Sunlight On My Soul (SLK) Like fellow Prestonian Edwina Hayes (who's opened for Lulu, played with Jools holland and spent many years touring and recording in America), Stephanie Kirkham is surely destined to follow a career trajectory. Her debut album "That Girl", released in 2003 was inoffensive pleasant yet not timely memorable and came and went without anyone really taking notice. Her follow up "Sunlight On My Soul" sees Stephanie sounding more confident and her songwriting skills showing a growing maturity. Kirkham is also joined by Johnny Dunne who deftly weaves his web of musical ingenuity with the arrangements., production and his skill as a multi-instrumentalist. "Show Me What You're Made Of" is a touch folky, with Kirkham's sweet seductive voice not unlike a certain Erin McKeown. There's plenty of brass, piano and great percussion with hints of jazz which is so infectious that when the harmonies arrive you'll be amazed at her range and versatility. It's a song that's immediately likeable, quirky and charmingly eccentric. "Wash Away The Ashes" has a distinct country flavour in favour with the American scene. Structurally it's not unlike a sophisticated nursery rhyme and the lyrics confirm that Stephanie is still a hippy at heart which the line "been dragging my feet under my personal cloud" demonstrates. A folk like simplicity with the use of piano stunningly effective. The vocals are so natural and soothing which makes for pleasurable listening throughout the album. "Bonds Are Broken" has a tribal and psychedelic intro which is both refreshing and a touch unsettling with the use of vintage Levellers. The lyrics are very confessional, detailing the end of a relationship and moving on without regret or bitterness. "January Day" is a romantic view on the first month of the year with very observant and insightful lyrics. Kirkham sounds very upbeat and positive on this track amongst the brass arrangement which vocally puts you in mind of Suzanne Vega. It's unashamedly old fashioned and is none the worse for it. "Sunlight On My Soul" is a real breath of fresh air, an organic beautifully realized set of songs with a voice to fall in love with. Nicholas Paul Godkin
Rock City January 23 2006
Evening Times - January 2006  Go here for reviews of Stephanie's first album "That Girl" |
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