​                                              BIOGRAPHY

 

"My name is Mike Scott-Harding (M.A.S.H.)

I am a singer, songwriter, performer, spoken-word artist, playwright and facilitator based in S.E. London.

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For over 30 years, I have performed ‘cover versions’; in genres ranging from Soul, Motown, Jazz, Blues, Pop, Rock and Reggae.

I have performed all over the world, including Dubai, Las Vegas, in Hyde Park (BBC Proms), in the presence of such as Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie of Monaco, and in settings such as cruise-ships, theatres, clubs and festivals.

 

In terms of my own work, I have been writing for years; honing my craft and finding my voice - both literally and figuratively.

In mid-2000s, I composed, wrote and produced an original, contemporary music theatre piece, ‘Pattie Shop Diaries’. 

In summer 2018, the production was performed in London’s ‘Other Theatre’ (Victoria), and at Hackney Empire’s theatre. 

The project is currently under consideration at National Theatre.

In terms of my solo material, all my influences come into play; enabling me to create music that is almost unique.

Actually - due to the melodic/ literary/ vocal-based aspect of my creativity - as well as the literary and poetic  ‘bent’ -  I often describe my style as 'unbroken spoken word’.

 

In 2020, I collaborated with Producer/ Composer William South to create his original debut album entitled:

‘In Other News: Tales of a 21st Century Griot’.

The album showcases my rich, multi-octave voice, genre-defying compositions, deep eclecticism to create a series of songs best described as: ‘Unbroken Spoken Word’. 

 

In live performance, I continue to showcase songs from the album, as well as newer material; all the while examining my relationship with my creativity, the audience and the world around me.

 

I have created a series of workshops and facilitation sessions based on nurturing encouraging the creative’s artistry through singing, oratory and vocal performance, and have used my facilitation and teaching skills to create several workshops and courses; not least, mentoring and co-creating the final production show for the B.A. Drama course at University of Northampton.

 

I utilise a deep knowledge of different music genres, tonal colourings, vocal placements and performance techniques; all the while encouraging the practitioner to find - and refine - their voice(s)… and story-telling. 

 

Whether rendering sung material, written speech, poetry, scripted monologue, spoken word text, rap, nursery rhyme or word-less improvisation, I endeavour to tell each story using my own voice.  At the very least, my aim is to convey the narrative effectively, and to imbue it with my own tonal, rhtmic choices. 

Similarly - when facilitating - I encourage my fellow 'voice artists’ to do similar… regardless of experience.

Of course, practising breathing, listening - as well as various other vocal techniques - is vital.

However, they should always be used in tandem with the reasons for why we sing in the first place: 

to communicate - to tell a story - to share with the world different aspects of who we are - what we could be... 

and to share what we discover about being human. 

 

For over 12 years I have been a long-time contributor for influential website Afridiziak Theatre News; writing published reviews and critiques for over 90 West End and ‘off W.E.’ theatre productions.

 

I continue to write, record and perform my own material; seeking inspiration from my own creative well-spring, the energy and spirit of those who have gone before, the continuing lives of others, and a world beyond my reckoning."

                            

                                    Mike Scott-Harding