join a band
Marcelle Stroud found her musical calling as a singer
The band sounds behind me, and I feel the vibration of the music running through my body as I take the mic in my hand. But this isn’t just any live performance – I’m about to make my debut as the lead singer of a rock band. My palms are sweaty with nerves but as soon as I start singing, my anxieties instantly disappear and I begin to wonder why I haven’t taken to the stage sooner.
I’ve always had an interest in music. Growing up, I’d raid my parents’ record collection to listen to The Beatles, Queen and whatever else I could find, then I’d shut myself in my bedroom and belt out notes to Bohemian Rhapsody and Hey Jude. I often pretended I was in a band, singing into my hairbrush as I jumped up and down on the bed.
As I got older, my music taste broadened to rock. I listened to The Cult and Whitesnake, and I always had the radio on in the car and at home.
But I didn’t think of pursuing music as a career. I just never thought it was a possibility.
So, in 1997, aged 27, I began training to become a detective. Working long hours, singing in the car or in the shower, or while I made dinner, was my way of relaxing. But other than a bit of drunken singing at a pub karaoke night with my colleagues, I never had the confidence to sing in public.
‘You’ve got a really nice voice!’ my friends cheered on nights out.
A year later I finished my training and began my career as a detective. I loved my job, but finding time for hobbies was rare. It wasn’t until I relocated to London in 2004 that I had a bit of extra time in the evenings and weekends. So I decided to treat myself to some singing lessons. From the moment I started, I was hooked. I loved training my voice, and the lessons gave me a confidence that I was lacking before. Just two years later I joined a rock choir and I even began taking on solo parts, belting out choruses on my own.
One day in 2015 I was walking past a rock club with friends when I heard music coming from inside. A drummer, guitarist, bass player and lead singer were rehearsing and they sounded fantastic, so I went inside to watch. When they stopped for a break, my friend jokingly shouted out that I could sing. I was mortified – even more so when the band, who I found out were called Union Square, invited me to sing a few numbers with them. I could feel my cheeks burning as I took a mic and sang a few notes.
But the band were so impressed that they asked if I’d like to join them as a backing singer. I couldn’t believe it. At 45, I wasn’t your typical rock chick and I worried people would think I wasn’t good enough. Still, the thought of joining a band sounded so exciting, and I owed it to my childhood self to do it.
I joined the band for rehearsals once a week, fitting it around my job. I had a lot of cover songs to learn, but I enjoyed every second. So when the lead singer told me he was relocating and he wanted me to take over, I didn’t hesitate. How could I turn down the opportunity to front a rock ’n’ roll band?
When the time came to make my debut as the lead singer, naturally I was nervous. But any doubts dissolved as soon as the music kicked in.
Since then I’ve performed with the band at weddings, festivals and corporate functions. I jump around the stage like Tina Turner or Freddie Mercury and chat to the audience between songs, as I want to make them feel a part of the show. On stage is where I feel truly at home. If people really think women over 40 fade away, they should think again.
‘I feel Truly at home on stage’