Martin Stephenson

Martin Stephenson, working as a singer and songwriter, put together the original members of the Daintees while still in his early teens. The Newcastle-based Kitchenware label booked studio sessions for the group, and following the 1982 release of their intoxicating single "Roll on Summertime," recording began on a debut album. Boat to Bolivia appeared in 1986 and earned widespread critical praise. Gladsome, Humour & Blue, the 1988 successor, included the superb track "Wholly Humble Heart." Reviews remained strong, allowing Stephenson to solidify his already notable standing for hearty live shows. Salutation Road (1990) stood as the songwriter’s most politicized statement. After completing two more albums with the Daintees, he launched a solo career that yielded a string of acclaimed releases on Demon Records. Throughout the 2000s he issued multiple mail-order-only acoustic projects.