Album Notes

Singer-songwriter, musician, doctor of medicine....Stavia has had an interesting life and an unusual path to the recording studio! She was born and raised in Kenya and started writing songs as a child, literally sitting by the campfire overlooking the great rift valley. Stavia's early musical taste and style was influenced initially by her older brother's records - including the great songwriters such as Cat Sevens, Leonard Cohen, James Taylor, Carly Simon - but also a rich mix of other influences such as the beautiful voice of her late Greek mother, and the exotic sounds of Kenyan musical styles.

Stavia's song writing took extra meaning with the death of her mother in a car accident when she was 21, and as a result all her songs are passionate and meaningful, and mostly personal. Her music is original and interesting. Her albums have been received with acclaim in the British press and featured on national and regional radio in the UK, as well as being featured on a BBC2 documentary. She has been likened to a 'more acoustic Dido'.

'Forbidden Fruit' was the first album Stavia recorded, experimental to some degree, and there are some real gems here. She is a truly original songwriter and an inspiring person.