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from blues in britain magazine - august 2025

Brought together to perform five songs at a one-off gig in November 2022, Brighton’s The Southern Slamdoor Band found playing together was such fun they decided to carry on. Four musicians from diverse music backgrounds, all with a great deal of experience from playing in many different bands, The Southern Slamdoor Band bring a new twist to the blues and rhythm ‘n’ blues genres with their upbeat rhythms, blues, boogie and boogaloo. Their versatile guitar player, Louise Maggs is also an experienced freelance guitar tutor and she’s performed across a wide variety of musical setting over the years, from funk and blues to jazz and ska, having studied music at university. Louise began playing when her uncle, a refuse collector, gave her an acoustic guitar someone had thrown out. To fund lessons, she worked as a gardener, pulling weeds for £1.50 per hour. “I was bullied at school,” she says, looking back. “Playing guitar was my solace.” She was a member of the Sussex-based five-piece soul and blues band Ruby and the Revelators, who were favourites on the grassroots scene and supported many well-known acts, including The Blockheads, Geno Washington, Lil’ Jimmy Reed (at the 100 Club), Chris Farlowe and the Norman Beaker Band. The band released two albums and had a good reception on blues radio stations. Today’s blues scene certainly has considerably more female guitarists actively performing and recording, but it’s still a male-dominated environment, as Louise admits. “It’s hard for girls. I teach but have few girl students. But blues suits women, it’s all about feelings. I’ve experienced a degree of hostility over the years – people say, ‘Oh, are you carrying your guitar for your boyfriend?’ Blueser Norman Beaker said, ’Oh, you play like a man!’” I ask Louise if she has any advice for new, budding girl guitar players? “Find the genre you love, learn by ear, don’t worry about TikTok. I tell students, express what you’re thinking or feeling through your playing.” As well as gigs with The Southern Slamdoor Band, she still makes the time to show up at various Brighton blues jams. “Everyone is so encouraging, you get a warm reception. That’s the original ethos of the blues. People with nothing sat down and played together.” She also often plays at care homes and hospices: “Playing is relating,” she says simply. A relaxed style, with tone and undoubted chops, Louise Maggs says she originally wanted to play for ten years – “I’ve managed decades,” she laughs, “I’m not eloquent, playing is my outlet - it’s what I care about. People have lost touch with the benefits of playing an instrument. Even if you’re not going to be famous, enjoy it.” - Rhiannon Daniel.