Birmingham-based Rebecca is a fully independent artist creating original blues/rock music with her co-songwriter Steve Birkett and releasing it on her own label, Mad Hat Records. She usually plays live within a 5-piece band, performing her original tracks along with one or two classic covers.
Wolverhampton-born Rebecca’s current music began when she linked up with co-songwriter Steve to write blues-infused material for their excellent first album, Back To The Start (2013) which was followed by Believe (2016) and the live album BeLive (2017). Rebecca was voted Female Vocalist and Emerging Artist of the Year at the British Blues Awards 2016 and Female Blues Vocalist of the Year in the FORM UK Blues Awards 2018.
More Sinner Than Saint (2019) contains material honed with advice from producer Chris Kimsey, famous for working with the Rolling Stones and Peter Frampton, and the tracks were mixed by California-based producer Bill Drescher and Thunder’s bassist Chris Childs. The album received considerable critical acclaim and the second single – Hurts – was playlisted by Planet Rock Radio UK.
Listen to Rebecca’s Song ‘More Sinner Than Saint’ below.
Stripped Back (2021), is an album created under lockdown conditions, with ten tracks from Believe and More Sinner Than Saint each re-presented in a laid-back style, together with two previously unreleased tracks.
The Space Between Us (2022), produced by Steve Birkett and mixed and mastered by Gavin Monaghan, features ten original songs and one cover in a collection of raw, passionate, multi-hued tracks that allow Rebecca to deliver her very personal lyrics with vocal conviction.
Listen to Rebecca’s Song ‘Hold On’ below.
Stranger Blue EP (2025) is a collection of cover songs recorded in ‘stripped back’ style.
A new studio album will be released on 31 October 2025. Two singles are out already and the second – Falling Into You – was playlisted by Planet Rock. The third – Hold The Reins – drops on 15 August.
Let’s see what Rebecca Downes has to say about Vocalzone!
“I have been using your products for years. I’m also a vocal coach and recommend them to all my students (I have worked with X factor / The Voice performers amongst others and some high profile Rock clients). I recommend them because they ‘work’. There’s been many a show I wouldn’t have got through due to colds or throat infections without them. I have now added the throat spray to my collection and this has been really valuable in the studio. Vocalzones are always part of my vocal health routine”
Follow Rebecca Downes on either Songkick or Bandsintown to see where they are performing next!