2016

Andy Watts & The Blue Mountain Rockers announce new album TURN THE LIGHTS OUT

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Multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter Andy Watts trades brass for ballads on his stunning Americana inspired album, TURN THE LIGHTS OUT. TURN THE LIGHTS OUT is the exceptional new album from multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter Andy Watts. Teaming up with a gang of like-minded musicians dubbed the Blue Mountain Rockers, Watts brings his fresh and captivating perspective to the time honoured tropes ofAmerican country and folk. A highly proficient vocalist, trumpet player and guitarist, Andy Watts is widely recognised on the London music scene as a man of many and remarkable talents. Originally from New Zealand, Wattsmoved to the UK in 2007 and has since established himself as a consummate performer across an astonishing spectrum of musical genres: alongside regular session work as a jazz trumpeter and his firm fixture in the horn section of the acclaimed London Afrobeat Collective, Watts has also written and performed with a number of other projects, from the indie stylings of his band Running Club to the alt-folk tones of festival favourites 6 Day Riot. For his latest outing, however, Watts has devoted himself to the one of the most distinct and evocative of genres: Americana. Showing a deep affection for the singular music and poetry of the American spirit, Watts draws on country music’s unique timbres and traditions to deliver a string of idiosyncratic, charming, and often deeply moving musical meditations. Perhaps the greatest revelation of TURN THE LIGHTS OUT is the way in which this seemingly unlikely musical touchstone provides such fertile ground for Watts’s own unique compositional and lyrical talent: somewhere between song and story, Watts locates a wellspring of expression that finds its fullest voice in the timeless American themes of love, loss, and whiskey. TURN THE LIGHTS OUT will enchant and enthrall a broad range of music fans, from the dyed-in-the-wool country enthusiast to fans of any genre with an ear for honest and heartfelt song writing. The album will be released on East Green Records, a London based indie founded in 2016 by musicians Ben Greenslade-Stanton & Sam Eastmond, dedicated to releasing music that they love, while retaining the full integrity of the artist’s creative vision. With his international band of fellow country devotees, Watts has captured the essence of Americana in all its jangling glory and has demonstrated the character, charm, and effortless versatility of an artist operating above and beyond the boundaries of genre.

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The Shires Announce UK Tour 2016

The Shires announce UK tour 2016

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Fresh from a triumphant headline set on Glastonbury’s Acoustic Stage, UK country duo The Shires have just announced they will be touring the UK later this year.  The tour will see the critically acclaimed pair play tracks from their forthcoming album, alongside fan favourites from their gold selling debut ‘Brave’ to gig goers up and down the country finishing at London’s prestigious O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The Shires showcased how recording in Music City: Nashville has further honed their songwriting craft for making clever and catchy Country-Pop that continues to push the genre into the UK mainstream.  Last year, they were one of only a handful of British acts to see their debut release certified Gold alongside Jess Glynne, James Bay and Years & Years.  The first UK country act ever to have a top 10 album in their home country, The Shires have been at the forefront of the British Country music movement which has seen a sea change in the opinion of the British public, who have embraced the genre and UK bands making music inspired by US country artists. Eager fans can secure their tickets for the tour when they pre-order a special edition of the new album at HMV before midnight on Monday 18th July.  The HMV exclusive edition of ‘My Universe’ includes exclusive artwork and two bonus tracks.  Those who order the album before midnight Monday 18th July will receive a unique code to give them access to the tour ticket pre-sale from 9am Thursday 21st July before general on-sale at 9am Friday 22nd July. On recording the new album in Nashville, The Shires said ,“It was great to go back to Nashville.  This time we had a different approach as we knew it better and we practically lived there. We have friends there now and for some reason when you write and record there you just feel more inspired. It definitely comes through in the new music.” The live dates will follow an intense period of song writing for the Shires, who have been working on their new album in Music City: Nashville, with top country music producers and recording their album at Sound Stage Studios, one of the most prestigious recording studios in Nashville, which has cut records for other country superstars such as Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum.  They also graced the stage at the famous Grand Ole Opry and can add their name to Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Garth Brooks and a veritable who’s who of Country music who have played at the famous Nashville landmark venue.

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Aaron Lewis digs down to his roots with SINNER on September 16

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Known for genuinely gritty lyrics and hard rock anthems, Aaron Lewis is getting back to his country roots September 16 with his first album on Dot Records entitled SINNER. Lewis comes out of the gate ‘with both fists flying’ on the lead single ‘That Ain’t Country,’ where he laments the current state of “Country, if you call it that,” and pines for the sound of his honky-tonk heroes. The Bocephus-styled musicality and Lewis’ accessible vocals showcase the “pain, heartache and desperation,” a bedrock of traditional Country that is often missing from the airwaves today. Produced by Country legend Buddy Cannon (George Strait, Merle Haggard, George Jones), and recorded over 16 intense hours at Nashville’s Blackbird Studios, SINNER  captures Lewis’ mindset, a laid back soundtrack that is reminiscent of the genre’s most honest and musically adventurous artists. “I’d like to think that SINNER  is a newer take on classic, traditional Outlaw Country, Waylon and Merle and Willie, and Hank Jr. and Johnny Cash and all that stuff,” says Lewis. “That was the music I heard a kid, and that’s the Country music that permeated my soul and stuck with me my whole life.” While SINNER  may surprise those unaware of Lewis’ lyrical depth and vocal authority, hard-core fans of his concerts (which he describes as “a very healthy mix of cowboy hats, baseball caps, tattoos and black shirts”) will rejoice in having definitive copies of songs they’ve been hearing live and on the Internet, some for a couple of years.

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Wildwood Kin announce new single 'Warrior Daughter' out 2nd September

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Exeter indie-Americana trio Wildwood Kin have revealed their new single ‘Warrior Daughter’. A call-to-action for female empowerment, ‘Warrior Daughter’ tells the story of a passionate mother sending her daughter into battle as a headstrong leader and foreboding force. The mystical harmonies of Wildwood Kin – sisters Beth and Emillie Key and Cousin Meghann Loney – seduce the soul whilst stirring the heart, alongside the driving rhythms of strings and percussion. The track is taken from their forthcoming EP, which is produced by Jamie Evans (Mexicolas) and mixed by Brad Spence (Radiohead, Passenger, Coldplay, Alt J). ‘Warrior Daughter’ is the first taste of new music from the trio since 2015’s  SALT OF THE EARTH EP, which saw the track ‘Hold On’ achieve substantial success at BBC Introducing and Radio 2 after being added to the Spotify Acoustic Afternoon Playlist where the song is now close to clocking up over a million plays on the platform. Wildwood Kin were shortlisted for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards last year and recently played the BBC Introducing showcase The Phoenix, Exeter as part of Radio 1’s Big Weekend as well as headlining the BBC Introducing stage at Somersault festival last summer. Wildwood Kin tour extensively and recently completed a headline tour in the picturesque settings of the Alps at the start of the year. Not resting on their laurels, the band have been playing across the UK recently, including a number of performances at Glastonbury, with Larmer Tree Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival and many more upcoming as they prepare for the release of their new EP later this year. The trio have also captured the hearts of iconic modern folk star Seth Lakeman and production extraordinaire Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon, Joe Cocker, Laura Marling), who have enlisted Wildwood Kin’s heart-warming harmonies throughout Lakeman’s forthcoming new album. The trio will be playing with Seth Lakeman on his headline tour at the end of the year. Wildwood Kin have also just been announced as the supporting act for critically acclaimed Texan duo The Oh Hellos on their UK tour next month, which features a London show at Bush Hall on August 17th.

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Bonnie Raitt

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Review date: 30th May 2016 Reviewed by: Simon Redley Location: Symphony hall, Birmingham, UK When I recently spoke to Bonnie Raitt about her current hit album Dig In Deep, she told me it was “thrilling” to be writing again, but “always scary;” because she always doubted whether she was coming up with something good enough. Well you can bet your sweet bippy she did. She said she set out to write some real “grooves” that she could enjoy playing with her band on stage. Having recently caught a show on her UK tour, I can honestly say the material is far more upbeat and rockin’ than the four previous times I have seen her, and it really does groove. Of course, there are still the hit ballads she is known for. She has never sounded in better voice or played that ol’ slide guitar of hers with more sublime skills. Palpable chemistry between Bonnie and her crack band too. George Marinelli on guitar, James “Hutch” Hutchinson on bass, Ricky Fataar on drums, and Mike Finnigan on keyboards. Great sound, world class acoustics at that venue helped and gorgeous lighting; complete with a backdrop showing a vast sky full of clouds, which changed colour with each song; from a stormy setting to a blazing red sunset and sunrise. Spotlights picking her out nicely too. She kicks off her one hour and 55 minute set with a cool cover of the INXS hit Need You Tonight from the latest CD, her 20th album. The multi-Grammy winner and Hall Of Famer and her band really let loose on the The Los Lobos song, Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes nailing a dirty killer groove. She pays tribute to the memory of Gerry Rafferty with his song, Right Down The Line, from 2012’s triumphant Slipstream, and she also remembers her late Little Feat friend, Lowell George on a Chris Smithers song. Bonnie’s voice never loses a thing as the years roll by. At 66-years-old, there’s a wee bit of a growl which adds to the sassiness, but she can still deliver a sweet, spine tingling ballad that’ll poke you in the solar plexus. Such as her smash hit, I Can’t Make You Love Me, later covered by Adele. A show stopper tonight, Bonnie Raitt is always totally emotionally invested in the songs she sings and inhabits brought-in material as though she lived it and wrote it. Ms Raitt has that rare ability to make it sound like she is singing just for you, no else is in the room. Add to that her other-worldly slide guitar skills. What’s not to like? The 1991 big hit that revitalised her career, Something To Talk About, sounding as fresh as ever. The Stones style rocker The Comin’ Round Is Going Through from the current album was bang on, sizzling slide from Bonnie and George tearing his Telecaster a new one. An hour into the set, The John Prine-penned Angel From Montgomery gets the loudest applause of the night thus far. As a reviewer and as a huge admirer of her work, I am sat in awe of this woman, to be quite honest. But my mind wanders to two nights before, when I was a few feet from John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten sounding like a burning pet shop. What a flipping contrast! One’s an incredible singer, the other sells butter! “Thank you Birmingham, such a beautiful hall to play. I keep trying to turn it into a road house!” she jokes. Before the three-song encore, she and the band get a deserved standing ovation and again, as they take their bows at the end of a glorious night. Well, you really did dig in deep tonight, Bonnie. An international treasure for more than forty-five years. She really should have a preservation order slapped on her. Special mention to Bonnie’s support act Jarrod Lawson from Texas. Superb solo Americana artist who is one to watch.  

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Jonathan Wilson

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Review date: 9th June 2016 Reviewed by: Carl Warren Location: Union Chapel, Islington Despite the fact that Jonathan Wilson’s Union Chapel gig was billed as solo acoustic, it was exciting to find the stage set out with chairs, music stands and a grand piano. It looked like we were in for something special and we were proved right. Wilson took to the stage along with a string quartet in what is the perfect setting for tonight’s show. Bathed in washes of light reflecting from the stained glass rose window and candle light a rather nervous looking Wilson set out his laid back stall stacked high with the best from the previous couple of albums. Gentle Spirit, released in 2011 came about as a result of a series of jam sessions at his Laurel Canyon base and which summons up the spirit of the canyon in it’s heady days of love peace and understanding. The more recent and fascinating offering, Fanfare, featured contributions from David Crosby, Graham Nash and Jackson Browne. Wilson is also a highly regarded and talented producer working with the likes of Father John Misty, Deep Dark Woods, Dawes and Glen Cambell. Musicians are drawn to Wilson by his ability to provide a certain feel and sensitivity to their work and this is also what tonight was all about. Strings accompanied the initial five numbers and Omar Velasco, a member of his touring band and tonight’s support, also joined Wilson for the majority of the set. Switching between acoustic and electric guitars Wilson weaved his way through the evening until the string quartet returned as he sat at the piano before introducing his old friend Roy Harper who’s wonderful presence and stunning rendition of January Man can still hush a venue and make the hair stand on end. This celebration of Jonathan Wilson’s work was sometimes bordering on self indulgent but always endearing, borne out by the reaction of the near capacity, spell bound crowd. So, after almost two hours of bathing in the warmth of this heartfelt, Merlot fuelled performance, we are back out into the frantic Islington night, a million miles from the mellow vibe of the canyons of California. Next time Jonathan! Photo Credit: Carl Warren

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SaraBeth’s EP FULL SPEED AHEAD debuts at #1 on iTunes in the UK

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SaraBeth’s new EP Full Speed Ahead was just released and debuted at #1 on the UK iTunes chart and #11 on the U.S. chart. “When a friend texted me that my Full Speed Ahead EP was at the top of the Country iTunes charts in the UK, I was absolutely blown away and thrilled and excited.  I don’t even know what emotions I was feeling but to see my name in the #1 slot on any chart on iTunes is absolutely a dream come true and just to be sitting there along with some of my favourite artists like Taylor Swift, Shania Twain and Keith Urban is something that is unreal.” SaraBeth said. Full Speed Ahead includes a stellar version of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way,” as well as four other tunes co-written by SaraBeth. She will be returning to the UK this August for the third consecutive year to headline a 13 city tour.

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Alejandra shares new song Orlando

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Having spent the last two years living in Europe to support the release of La boca, Alejandra Ribera returned to Canada in 2016 to begin recording her follow-up album at Kingston’s Bath-house Studios. Alejandra was deeply affected by the events happening around the world during the creation of the album, and with the recent events in Orlando, Florida has decided to offer a brand new song from the album as a tribute to the victims and also to help those affected by these and similar events cope with their loss. Alejandra said: “Audre Lorde said ‘Your silence will not protect you’ and it is a sentiment I have always taken to heart. Yet in the days following the shooting in Orlando I found myself paralyzed by my sadness and wanting nothing more than to retreat from the world. Grief is an unpredictable beast and the truth is that the only way that I really know how to respond in moments like these is with art. So I’m breaking my silence.” “Songs often function like prayers for me and I look to them for both guidance and comfort. The week of the Orlando shooting I received the final mix of the album that I’ve been working on since February. I wrote the track Orlando in 2015 and recorded it this past winter. Originally it began as a poem inspired by the character in Virginia Woolf’s novel by the same title. I wrote it whilst in Paris the week of Charlie Hebdo shooting. At that time I needed to remind myself of the potential for transformation that can only come in our most vulnerable moments. I believe that when we feel totally stripped bare by sadness we are given a particular kind of opportunity to soften towards ourselves and see the pain as an invitation to be more present and awake.” “Orlando and the theme of rebirth feels as pertinent to me now as it did a year and a half ago when I wrote it. I mainly wrote it to soothe myself and so it is in that same spirit that I’m humbly offering it now. I wish you all light. Take care of each other starting with yourselves.” You can stream the track from her site here: http://alejandraribera.com/news/new-song-orlando/ This is the direct soundcloud link to the track: https://soundcloud.com/alejandraribera/alejandra-ribera-orlando-album-vers

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Uncle Lucius announce UK tour dates for autumn

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For a decade, the band built its fan base the hard way, through relentless touring and restless searching. When the time came to exit the Nashville ‘machine’ and find a new way to create and release the music they needed to make, they called on their die-hard fans for help. Hundreds of believers pledged tens of thousands of hard-earned dollars. Both humbled and exhilarated, the band hit the studio, eager to justify their fans’ love with the labor of their hearts and souls. The resulting fourth LP, THE LIGHT is the statement their fans have waited for, with its songs of seeking and questioning, of reaching out to others, of excavating the hidden strength within. After years spent spreading their message across Texas, here at last is the vehicle that can take them to the national – and international – level. Much about Uncle Lucius sets them apart. Five songwriters combining forces is neither common nor easy, but what each individual loses in pride the band more than gains in power. The song itself matters more than who wrote it, more than the genre to which it belongs. “It’s not about trying to write a certain kind of song,” says Galloway, “it’s about harvesting whatever song comes.” Despite that organic method, THE LIGHT’s 12 songs share themes of travel, movement, and quests without destinations. The album places the band in unfamiliar sonic territory, and much credit belongs to producer George Reiff (Shinyribs, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Band of Heathens) for testing their limits. Every member influences every other, and that combined filter comes close to defining what Uncle Lucius is. “We’re a five-headed beast,” Galloway insists, “and our songs speak for us. Whether we succeed depends on how well they resonate in the world.” Uncle Lucius’ single ‘Age of Reason’ is available now to stream via Soundcloud.

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Nashville in the round tour announced with Sarah Darling, Jenn Bostic and Kyshona Armstrong in Spetember 2016

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A taste of Nashville comes to the UK in September 2016. Nashville in the Round will comprise three Nashville residents and wonderful female voices performing together and individually whilst supporting each other. An evening in the style of the Nashville’s famous Bluebird Café as Sarah Darling, Jenn Bostic and Kyshona Armstrong, each recording artists in their own right come together for an evening of songs in the round from the music city. Sarah Darling: http://www.sarahdarling.com/ https://youtu.be/iZk44Wt-KyI Jenn Bostic: www.jennbostic.com https://youtu.be/pBg9btpGqKU Kyshona Armstrong: http://www.kyshona.com https://youtu.be/YojaAOkZ0VQ 3 Sept The Winemakers Club London EC2 4 Sept The Musician Pub Leicester 5 Sept The Met Studio Stafford 7 Sept The Green Note London NW1 8 Sept Norden Farm Centre for the Arts Maidenhead 9 Sept Jubilee Town Hall Kirton in Lindsey 10 Sept The Atkinson Southport 11 Sept The Hive Shrewsbury 12 Sept Kitchen Garden Cafe Birmingham 13 Sept The Bicycle Shop Norwich 14 Sept Chapel Sessions, St. Edwards Church Netley 15 Sept Tin House Coffee Portadown NIR

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