Bio
Carley Varley – Alternative Rock Artist and Band!
Based in Winchester, UK, Carley Varley is a powerful presence on the alternative rock scene. Originally a pop singer-songwriter, she discovered her true musical home influenced by chart-topping rock acts like Paramore, Evanescence, Pvris and Wolf Alice. Carley Varley consists of band members vocalist and guitarist Carley Varley, bassist Jordan Shepherd, drummer Fred Sedgeley and guitarist Alex Tompkins, together they perform original rock songs aswell as covers by The Cranberries, Paramore and Foo Fighters.
🎸 Early Roots & Rise
Carley began crafting songs and playing guitar and piano at age 14. Carley was very shy as a teenager so she didn't perform infront of people, especially not her own songs. Other than occasionally singing at church, Carley mostly kept her singing and songs in her room. In 2016, whilst at University, Carley decided to try her hand at busking which led to her performing inside more and more venues. Carley then went on to win The Venus Award for Musical Talent in Dorset (2018) and reached the finals of Open Mic UK (2019). In 2024, she was in the top three for Best Solo Act in Dorset and she was in the top three again in 2025 for Best Songwriter at The Original Music Awards. Carley has also been nominated for Best Solo Act in 2026.
🎵 Releases & Accolades
Carley released her first ever EP in 2019 titled Captured Memories, which included the fan favourite Won't Say Sorry. In 2020 released two singles ‘Dirty Laundry’ and ‘Since You Left’ before going on to release her Seasons EP in 2021/22. In 2023, Carley decided to go back to her roots and explore a more alternative rock genre. Growing up listening to Linkin Park, Paramore and Evanescence, Carley felt inspired to write songs inspired by her love for this genre of music. In 2023, Carley released Homesick and the EP went on to be featured on BBC Introducing, Voice FM, South Coast Music Show and Forest FM. In 2024, Carley released her track Attention!!! the song she calls her only happy song, honing in on the feeling of having a huge crush on someone and not knowing what to do. Attention!!! caught the attention of many blogs and radio stations including CLOUT, Tits Upon Tyth, Cardiff FM and Future Hits Radio. In 2025/6 Carley released Monochrome and Butterflies, the first singles from her ‘Anatomy of Loss’ EP focusing on the five stages of grief after a relationship ends. Both tracks received great feedback from local stations and features on some incredible blogs such as Plastic Magazine, FLEX and York Calling.
🎤 Live Highlights
Carley has consistently drawn acclaim with her dynamic stage presence and soaring vocals, often compared to Hayley Williams. She has headlined Poole Harbour Festival as the sole solo female act in 2022 and delivered captivating performances at Wickham Festival, Icebreaker Festival, Teddy Rocks Festival, Upton Food Festival, FOODIES Festival, Dorset Seafood Festival, Dogstival, Vdub at the Hub, Volksfest, Dorchester Cider Festival and Carfest.
Carley has also performed in some incredible venues over the years including The Bedford London, The Half Moon Putney, The Spice of Life Soho, The Fleece Bristol, Chaplin's Cellar Bar Bournemouth, 1865 and The 02 London.
🎙️ BBC Introducing & Press Features
Carley's music has enjoyed frequent support from BBC Introducing, with tracks such as Since You Left, Fall, Going Under, Miss Me?, Better Without Me, Somehow I’m Alive, I’m Not Angry Anymore, Envy, Homesick, Monochrome and Attention!!! all receiving airplay. She’s also been interviewed by the BBC and featured in outlets including Rolling Stone India, Amazing Radio, Voice FM, Forest FM, Bombshell Radio, Black on Track, Radio Cardiff, Radio Eirewave, and Punk Head.
Carley's work has been praised in independent blogs and features like Music Talks, Indie Music Center, Illustrate Magazine, Lost in the Manor, Rock Regeneration, She Makes Music, With Guitars, FV Music Review, Independent Music Reviews, Punk Head, Music Republic Magazine, and The Luna Collective.
✨ What’s Next
2026 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year: new EP ahead, major festival slots, and expanded touring plans. Carley is intent on dominating stages and hearts with honest, gritty pop rock and a fierce live energy. The band's dream to perform at Download, Glastonbury, Isle of Wight Festival, Bestival and one day support Paramore.
(Carley Varley commonly misspelt Carly Varly)
