Bex Marshall

Bex Marshall

Bex Marshall is a UK singer-songwriter who works in americana and blues rock, with a country-tinged blues rock style. She comes from Devon and lives in London. Her background is described as coming from two very different families: one from landed gentry, the other Irish Romany.

Early life and musical development

As a child, she sings at family gatherings while her uncles play, and she is put on the table to perform. At 11, she receives a 1963 Gibson Hummingbird from her uncle David and begins playing guitar. She develops a strong interest in instrumental music and classical guitar standards, which helps shape her technique and later writing. Her playing also draws on flamenco, ragtime, country chicken pickin’, rock and blues.

Travels and influences

Marshall later works as a croupier from the age of 18 and travels widely, including work on cruise liners, in Park Lane and in illegal poker games in Amsterdam. She also hitchhikes around the coast of Australia on cattle trains, carrying a guitar with her. Her songs are described as drawing on the experiences gathered through these travels.

Style and recognition

Her music sits in blues rock and americana, and she is also associated with blues, Southern rock and female vocalists. She is compared in the press with artists including Memphis Minnie, Joan Armatrading, JJ Cale, Derek Trucks and Bonnie Raitt, alongside Led Zeppelin. She is presented as a guitarist and vocalist whose work combines blues and roots influences with a country edge.