Pictures of Clay
about the band
The band Pictures of Clay started in 2021 as a collaboration between Jenii Lemme, an aspiring songwriter with one published album, “Those Lemonade Days” (Jenii Lemme 2017) and ‘Doc’ Martin Brotheridge, producer and creator of the record label Castegroove Muzic. Published albums include “Intro-mental” (Mainway), “As The City Sleeps” and “Doc's Productunes” (Doc Martin Poductunes) plus a collection of one off collaborations with local artists. ‘Doc’ Martin's work spanned some 20 years and featured several one off recordings of local talent that he had a certain knack for spotting, usually released under the title ‘featured artist n the Doc’
Following this tradition, Pictures of Clay started their journey as Jenii n the Doc and honed their unique sound by touring the country busking and playing in iconic locations from as far North as Lochness in Scotland to as far South as Christchurch in Dorset and everywhere inbetween. The album “The Gift Of The Curse” was a lifelong ambition for Martin to complete as it was a culmination of years of songwriting with Martin's former Mainway bandmate and friend Dean, who passed away before the songs could be recorded.
With the help of Appletone Studios, (Lancaster, UK) the album was realised in 2022 and is available on this website to listen to and dowload.
Martin was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June 2023. Undeterred, Martin continued to write and record new songs, tour the country with Pictures of Clay, playing live, raising money for charity and inspire and encouraging other musicians. Martin passed away in April 2024.
The music continues…
“Sometimes”
“ It's not the big things that you do, it's the little things you don't”
Sometimes', written by Martin and former bandmate Dean around 20 years before this recording and performed by Pictures of Clay (at the time still Jenii n the Doc) on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District, UK in 2021. This is the first demo outdoors of this song, still in the early stages before any recording began.
“Magical Sense of Wonder”
This song was written and recorded for donation to the Freddy Stratton Children's Cancer Charity in 2023. The link has since expired. The song was written in Barrow in Furness and this version, recorded in Wiltshire, is one of the last compositions by Martin and reflects his selfless nature and positivity in the face of adversity.
“It turned my world around, what came next was so profound, such an easy lease of life, such a magical sense of wonder”
“This is s live version of my new song ‘Magical sense of wonder’, you can buy the full version of the song from the link button below, all proceeds go to a charity that raises money for children with cancer, there are other songs by other artists on the website so please share please donate, all the songs are only £1 cheers…” Martin Brotheridge (The Doc) December 2023
“A Day Like Any Other”
“listen, everything is just whispering, everything is just whispering, everything is just whispering, waiting for it's turn”
This song written by Jenii in 2024 is the title track of an EP of the same name currently being recorded. It explores themes of grief and appreciation for those who helped through difficult times. The EP is to feature four songs, all written in 2024 in Yorkshire and Wiltshire and aims for release in 2026.