Welcome!

I’m so excited to be launching Parlour Arts into the big wide world!

I’m Marion (Fleetwood), a musician based in the Midlands with over 35 years experience in the industry. I play bowed strings and guitar, am a singer, producer, songwriter and teacher.

I currently perform with (amongst others) The Sandy Denny Project, Reg Meuross’ Fire and Dust project, Jim Cregan’s New Acoustic Band and with my favourite ‘boy-band’, Feast of Fiddles. I produce recordings for various artists including one of our first registered artists, Clem Lovell - whose debut album (my first as producer) won Fatea’s Debut Album of the Year 2025. I’ve recorded at some of the best studios in the country, with some of the very best musicians, producers and engineers and love my work. I also teach violin, viola and cello for Warwickshire Music Hub and occasionally conduct the Warwickshire Youth String Orchestra.

But enough about me. This project is all about the fabulous musicians I have either worked with in the past, am currently working with or have spotted at festivals and gigs I’ve been at.

Talking to my lovely friend and our agent for Fire and Dust, Katie Whitehouse, I realised there was a gap in the career pipeline - creating opportunities for artists who are not at the beginning of their careers, but for those who are active performers but don’t have an agent. So many accomplished musicians (particularly women in their 40’s and beyond) just can’t get their feet through the door. Or struggle to make those connections which lead to work. Some simply don’t want an agent, but want to be seen by bookers some other way. Some want someone to take charge of all of the admin. Others relish creating content for social media and are happy to do that, but hate all the admin surrounding gigging. There doesn’t seem to be a one-size-fits-all solution out there.

Having been single for a few years (happily settled down now!), I dabbled with on-line dating - an eye-opening experience (sometimes not in a good way!) but one which has led to some lovely new platonic friendships as well as to my husband!

It occurred to me that what might work is a kind of dating app but for musicians looking for support slots or headline bookings to meet venues. A place where venues or the ‘big name’ artists and their management who might be looking to book a support act could go to for ideas, inspiration and connections.

So here it is - in all it’s embryonic glory. If you are a venue, promoter or a musician, can I encourage you to register. It’s free to sign up and I’m working on the business model right now (we’ve all got to eat!). I’m thinking that there would be three tiers of engagement with musicians at the moment:

Tier 1 - Free! a simple entry on the ‘Our Artists’ page with links to your own online resources.

Tier 2 - a featured entry on the ‘Our Artists’ page - like the ones currently on there plus facilitated introductions to a venue or venues. I’m talking to artists to gauge what is a fair fee for this so am still working on the charge for this

Tier 3 - full administrative support including things like contracts, advancing discussions with venues, logistics etc. As above, I’m talking to artists to find out what would be a fair fee/percentage rate for this.

For every artist who registers at any level, there is a FREE special artists area on the site with useful template documents and advice. The idea at the moment is that this will develop into an area which will include interviews and podcasts with fellow musicians about their careers and offering real world advice to emerging artists. Watch this space as it grows.

My promise to anyone signing up as a musician for the full administrative package from me, is that I will NEVER earn more than you or your band members, and I will be transparent and honest about my work for you. What this isn’t is an agency. I’m not promising to organise, market and book a tour for you. It’s a friend who will big you up, show people just how great you are and get them to give you the opportunity to perform that you wouldn’t otherwise have got.

Venues and promoters are able to sign up and/or browse our artists for no charge at all!

At this stage, we can all work this out together, so if you have ideas or thoughts about how you’d like this to work, I’d be really happy to hear from you. Drop me an email to marion@parlourarts.com and I’ll get back to you.

How exciting! Come along for the ride and let’s see what happens together.

Marion xx