UK Band Palladino, Studying at SF State, Makes Mark with Blues Folk

GOLDEN GATE XPRESS -- Rowie Walsh and Fin May are originally from Norwich, England, where they formed their band in October 2013. Now, more than a year later, the two study at SF State and have performed on the same stage as Elvis Costello, an iconic singer-songwriter from London. Walsh and May have been a duo since the two performed in a jazz band and found common ground in their similar musical style. “Fin messaged me and said, ‘Hey do you want to join my band?’ and that’s what inspired me to play music,” Walsh said. Walsh, who studies literature, mainly acts as the vocalist for the band but also plays her acoustic guitar, which she calls “Bunny.” The singer said she always knew she had a singing voice. “I realized I just become a diva onstage,” Walsh said. “I dig it.”