North & Soul

We’re an Edinburgh-based guitar and vocal duo with a shared passion for live music and a repertoire spanning soul, funk, R&B, Motown, acoustic pop, jazz, indie, soft rock and modern chart favourites. Our live performance experience, expertise in our instrument, and ability to connect with an audience has enabled us to consistently deliver engaging performances that resonate with audiences of all ages and music tastes. We bring energy, authenticity and enthusiasm to every performance, while knowing how to read a room and shape the music around it. Our repertoire is deliberately diverse, and by moving seamlessly between genres, we keep the audience engaged and the momentum going. We can create a relaxed atmosphere with foot-tappers such as 'Just the Two of Us', 'Stand by Me' and 'Valerie', then turn up the energy for a crowded bar with crowd favourites like 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody', 'Mr Brightside' and 'Ain’t No Mountain High Enough'. We can set a romantic mood with 'Careless Whisper' and 'Thinking Out Loud', bring the funk with 'I Want You Back' and 'Hit the Road Jack', or move into modern pop with songs such as 'Pink Pony Club' and 'Umbrella'. We our own twist on familiar music to keep them fresh and memorable without losing the moments that make people want to sing along. Our musical journey began while studying Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. What started with regular performances at WhistleBinkies open mic nights quickly developed into paid opportunities, including performances at Brewhemia and Ghillie Dhu. These experiences gave us a strong understanding of what it takes to perform professionally in different environments: being engaging when the room wants energy, understated when the music needs to sit in the background, and adaptable enough to respond to the audience in front of us. We each bring a strong musical foundation to the duo. Liya has been singing from an early age and developed her vocal technique through classical singing competitions. Matthew has played guitar since the age of 13, developing a distinctive style that combines jazz-influenced harmony with funky rhythmic playing. We’ve also performed in a wide range of settings, from intimate venues and restaurants to large university events and high-energy parties. During a year abroad at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), we expanded into a band with drums and bass, performing at university events, private parties and a showcase organised by UCLA’s Department of Music. Today, we continue to perform throughout Edinburgh and beyond, always striving to create memorable live experiences. Whether providing laid-back background music in a restaurant, setting the mood in a cocktail bar, or performing for a special event, we combine technical musicianship, personality and a genuine love for live music. Every performance is carefully prepared, every audience is different, and we believe that's what makes live music so rewarding.