Bio
Leah Chynoweth-Tidy is an Australian-born, multi-award nominated singer-songwriter currently based in her father’s native Scotland. She created musical project Kissing The Flint (translation: ‘creating a spark’) in 2015 to cut through the fakery of the modern world. Authenticity and emotion run through her songwriting, story-telling and live performance, connecting and empowering a global audience.
Song themes flow from an adventurous spirit with crystal clarity of message and vivid imagery drawn from experience, empathy, and imagination. Solo or fronting her band, this soft-to-sass artist moves easily from roots beauty to rock raunch in explorations of the human condition, a genuine desire to empower others and a lifelong affinity with the natural world.
After honing live performance chops in cover bands from 2012, Leah began focusing intensively on her original songwriting in 2015. Participation in Queensland Music Festival’s ‘Songs That Made Me’ female artist mentorship program in 2017 formed the framework for her 2019 debut Kissing The Flint EP ‘Unconditionality’. The title track is a clarion call-to-arms to own true self and never compromise for others.
Sassy Kissing The Flint live performances in Australia have included the Agnes Blues Roots & Rock Festival alongside stellar artists Tex Perkins (Leah’s 2017 RocKwiz National Tour team captain), Hat Fitz & Cara, Hussy Hicks, Olivia Ruth and The Hillbilly Goats. Leah’s creative mentors include acclaimed Australian artists Katie Noonan, Deborah Conway, Clare Bowditch, Tania Doko (Bachelor Girl), Francesca de Valence, Roz Pappalardo (Women In Docs) and Sam Buckingham.
Since relocating to the UK in 2020, Kissing The Flint have wowed brand-new audiences at venues, events and Festivals around the UK and received global radio and digital airplay. Three international singles ‘100 or Less’, ‘Dune Girl’ and ‘Gunslinger Love’ have been released from Leah’s sophomore Kissing The Flint album ‘Standing On The Fringe of Rooms’ which is due for release in 2024. A swathe of UK live performances has included Scotland on Tour, Parkfest, Middlewich Boat & Folk Fesetival, Lodge Arts Collective and the Kirkcudbright Arts Trail and Kirkcudbright Steampunk Festival.
Kissing The Flint return to Australia in 2024 for their first tour in over 3 years, including a main stage Agnes Blues Roots & Rock Festival performance slot alongside headliners Vika & Linda in February. A further album has almost been completed in the UK with live gigs and touring also planned for the UK and Europe later in 2024.
As Kissing The Flint, Leah remains passionate in her exploration and growth as a global artist, meeting the challenges of unprecedented times in history head-on. Her multi-genre songwriting has already earned an Australian Celtic Song of the Year nomination, Australian Songwriting Association Inc (ASAI) Indie-Rock Top 10, Voyager International Song Competition finals spot and a highly commended in her first year of entering the UK Songwriting Competition. Journeying from soft to sassy, this multi-talented artist continues to seeks genuine connections with audiences around themes that speak to the soul but also get dance-floor feet tapping.
Wherever you find Leah in the world, she’ll be ‘kissing the flint’ on stage, penning new songs, immersed in nature or inspiring others with her authentic, relatable song stories and a deep passion for creating enduring, empowering connections.
REVIEWS:
“Enthralling sound, evocative lyrics and commanding vocals.” (Jyla Blog)
“Hailing from Queensland, Australia, but now based in Scotland, Kissing The Flint curbs her love for steampunk and rockabilly into feisty, genre-diverse music. Numerous rave reviews, energetic live shows and multi-award nominations prove she is one not be ignored.” (Nicole Mendes, The Other Side Reviews)
“Citing Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde and Stevie Nicks among her influences, Kissing The Flint is on a mission to resurrect female rock’n’roll, one banger at a time.” (Marilu Ciabattoni, Lost In the Manor)
Kissing The Flint (aka Leah Jett) is an artist adept at crafting immersive tales that delve deep into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Drawing inspiration from powerful, resilient feminine narratives, Leah’s music creates a tableau of intense passion, formidable power dynamics, and raw emotions. Her songwriting skilfully oscillates between strength and vulnerability, presenting listeners with evocative scenarios that both entertain and resonate. With every track, Leah challenges you to not just hear, but feel, question, and introspect, making her one of the most compelling artists in the contemporary music scene.” (Testing Melodies)
FOLLOW, LISTEN AND WATCH NOW AT KISSING THE FLINT
Artist Liaison and Media
Leah Chynoweth-Tidy
E: kissingtheflint@gmail.com
PH: +44 7534 515 518
W: www.kissingtheflint.com