From Tom Petty to Jools Holland, Marshall Gilmour Webbs have worked with artists that span rock and roll history, and after meeting each other as backing singers on David Gilmour’s Luck and Strange tour, the quartet are carving their own path in the folk music world.
Chatting to Erazer backstage at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, Louise Marshall, Romany Gilmour, Hattie Webb and Charley Webb told us about their song writing process as a band.
“Somebody brings something to the table and then we’ll complete the song together,” Hattie said. “Everybody brings different flavours, that’s the joy of it.”
With an EP on the way, Romany said ‘there is a lot of music recorded and on the back burner. It takes a lot of work to get even one song ready to go, especially with four perfectionists behind the desk.’
Before they met each other on tour with David (yes, Romany’s dad) Gilmour’s 2024 world tour, Louise had been playing with boogie-woogie pianist Jools Holland for almost two decades, and even headlined Cropredy 2007 with the former Squeeze member.
Hattie and Charley, meanwhile, found themselves on tour with Leonard Cohen and American music icon Tom Petty.
“His hair just smelt so lovely,” Hattie said about the late Free Fallin’ hitmaker.
Describing the shows as ‘so much fun’ Charley revealed it was a BST Hyde Park concert, featuring a guest appearance from Stevie Nicks, that stuck in her mind. “That was something I had no idea was coming round the corner and was a total joy,” she said.
Another legendary venue the group have all performed at is the Royal Albert Hall, which Romany described as weird to play because of how local it is.
“Circus Maximums is historic and incredible but it’s almost not real because you never see them in real life. The Royal Albert Hall is where you go to concerts when you live in England.”
When you are the backing singers for one of the hottest tickets in town, people are bound to need a ticket, and Louise described the guest list requests for David Gilmour’s shows as ‘endless.’
“We got a few comps for each night and then you’d give a vague friend one and they’d turn up with their mum, dad uncle and brother,” Romany joked.
“To be fair I’d do the same because it was a magical time,” Charley added.
Although they have worked with so many people in the music industry, the group namechecked John Mayer, Stevie Wonder and Yusuf Cat Stevens as dream collaborations.
Alongside working on their own music, the band said they have recently collaborated with Mercury Prize nominated folk musician Eliza Carthy, on a project that will be revealed at a later date.
“She is just the most emotional incredible fiddle player,” Romany said. She just blew us away.”
Describing Eliza’s music as ‘guttural and feminine,’ Hattie said making music as Marshall Gilmour Webbs has a feminine melody and feeling. “I’m glad to hear more of that in the world,” she added.
Fairport’s Cropredy Convention continues this weekend, with performances on the way from Hayseed Dixie, Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth and Fairport Convention.
