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Search forSoul singer Steff reaches for stars after McFly gig
Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 08:53
Already being compared to pop soul sensation Adele, Steff Newton, 19, has recently won the Cornwall's Got Talent competition on local radio station Pirate FM.
Last weekend she performed on stage at the big top weekend in Newquay, supporting successful boy band McFly.
The soul singer and pianist, who was taught how to play by her grandad at a young age, started writing her own songs at the age of 10.
Now studying a foundation degree in popular music at Truro College, Steff spends her spare time sending off demos to record labels.
She said: “I love writing and singing and performing. You can just make up whatever you want. When you are writing you don't have a structure or anything you have to stick to, you can just be creative.”
Steff went on stage on Friday at 4pm in Newquay and performed in front of hundreds of people.
She said: “It was really good; I just played like I would any normal set. The crowd did a lot of clapping and I had a good reaction. Two little girls asked for my autograph and a couple of people wanted to know if I had a CD.”
Next month she is supporting Gabriella Cilmi at the Princess Pavillions, who sings Sweet About Me, a popular song which is currently in the charts.
Steff, who attended Fowey Community College, said: “I just want to make it with my own music.
“It would be great to hear my music on the radio, see myself on the TV and even perform on Jools Holland.
“It isn't about being famous, it's about getting somewhere with my music and being successful within the music industry.”
She classes her music as soul and R and B and looks up to singers within this genre, including American soul singer Alicia Keys.
Steff said: “I like the music because it's different to what a lot of other up and coming artists are doing in Cornwall.
“There are so many singer-songwriters who play the acoustic guitar it gets a bit boring and playing soul is a bit different.”
For full coverage of the Pirate FM Big Top weekend see page 46 and 47.
Singer Steff Newton from Lostwithiel. Picture: Jonathan Jacobs
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