Stuart Lawrence

Originally from Oxfordshire, now on the south coast of England, not far from the beautiful and historic city of Portsmouth. I sometimes jokingly say that I was educated at Oxford, which is true, but not quite what the expression is mean't to convey.

Music has always been important to me, not formally, but as a means of escape with it's cathartic qualities, and I'm mostly self taught. Actually, anything artistic makes me comfortable. Drawing, painting, making. 

If I changed my employment description on my passport I'd probably change it to: Singer Songwriter, rather than musician. I can play the guitar, well enough I guess, but not well enough to regard myself as a guitarist.

Having ADHD is why it takes me a while to be comfortable around new people, can be a little awkward, and also probably why I am so creative. It is also the reason that writing music is important to me as it has a healing function, and why it has taken me so long to get the courage to start recording and performing.  I respect so completely everyone who is anxious and gets up at an open mic night, no matter what their level of ability, and stands on a stage performing. It takes real courage. 

In my school years I remember being regarded as not very bright, by people who didn't know me closely. I wasn't very socially comfortable. Now the ADHD explains so much. I left school with virtually no qualifications but as I got older in my early 20's I had an irrepressible urge to learn, and a thirst for knowledge, culminating in earning a degree in Law. 

Some song writers use their life experiences as the source of the inspiration for their lyrics. I do not, not even slightly, I am just a story teller, it's all pure fiction, another part of my creativity.