June 2020

Joey Clarkson has released the first single since her debut album ‘The Year That Never Happened’ was released with of a duet titled ‘If You Want Me To’, featuring Louise Parker. You can listen to the track here. The track – which also precedes Parker’s upcoming EP,  due later in June – came about in a rough form just before lockdown took place, with the finishing touches taking place from a remote location. Speaking about the song, Canadian artist Clarkson said that the track is designed to lift spirits in a very rough time, while Parker also shared some insight as to how the track was structured. “Following lockdown measures, the entertainment industry seemed to grind to an abrupt halt but – after initially grieving for the sudden loss of work – we realised that we had the means to continue content creation from home,” explained Clarkson. “We chose to release this track now with the intention of lifting the nation’s mood during the pandemic.” “After being friends online for a number of years, Joey and I wrote ‘If You Want Me To’ on the day we first met face-to-face,” added Parker. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get chance to record the number prior to lockdown, so we laid down a demo remotely. “Listening back, we realised the drum loop was reminiscent of the soundtrack from Disney’s The Princess Diaries; it transpired the film had been a childhood favourite for both of us and decided – there and then – that the track would be produced in the same style.”

Midland have been busy in lockdown stripping down some of their songs, which have now appeared on their new ‘Guitars, Couches, Etc., Etc.’ EP. You can listen to the EP here. The trio – made up of Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy – were on course for a hugely successful 2020 prior to lockdown, with the group being nominated for Group of the Year at the ACM Awards and with their second album, ‘Let It Roll’, continuing to gain traction. However, they have still found a way to keep momentum going despite the lockdown and speaking about the EP, lead singer Wystrach explained that it felt therapeutic to delve into their back catalogue and re-record them with an acoustic twist. “The title is a bit tongue in cheek with reference to a seminal album that largely influenced this band cut against the strange reality that we’ve all found ourselves living these last few months,” Wystrach explained. “It was medicinal to pick these songs back up and re-interpret them in a new way both recording wise and in the arrangements & colourings. “We hope you enjoy these new iterations as much as we did making em.” The tracklist for ‘Guitars, Couches, Etc., Etc.’ by Midland is: 1. Fourteen Gears (Acoustic) 2. Cheatin’ Songs (Acoustic) 3. Fast Hearts and Slow Towns (Acoustic) 4. Burn Out (Acoustic) 5. Drinkin’ Problem (Acoustic)

Ray Wylie Hubbard has shared the third single from his upcoming collaboration album ‘Co-Starring’ in the shape of Fast Left Hand, featuring The Cadillac Three. You can listen to the song here and pre-order the album, due July 10, here. Fast Left Hand follows in the footsteps of Bad Trick – featuring Ringo Starr, Don Was, Joe Walsh and Chris Robinson – and Outlaw Blood featuring Ashley McBryde, as Hubbard has put together a remarkable record featuring a number of outstanding musicians. Speaking about the album itself, Hubbard stated that he is trying to get better with each album that he releases, but to be able to try and improve with all the people he has collaborated with on this record has been a special experience. “Each record is built on the steps of the last one and I’m just trying to get better,” Hubbard says. “To have all these cats we’ve toured with and played with, I’m very, very proud of it. “Young and old, established, new, Rock & Roll, Folk, Country, to even know these people is awesome, but to make music like this with them? Well, it really impresses me.” The track listing for ‘Co-Starring’ by Ray Wylie Hubbard is: 1. Bad Trick ft. Ringo Starr, Don Was, Joe Walsh, Chris Robinson 2. Rock Gods ft. Aaron Lee Tasjan 3. Fast Left Hand ft. The Cadillac Three 4. Mississippi John Hurt ft. Pam Tillis 5. Drink Till I See Double ft. Paula Nelson and Elizabeth Cook 6. R.O.C.K. ft. Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown 7. Outlaw Blood ft. Ashley McBryde 8. Rattlesnake Shakin’ Woman ft. Larkin Poe  9. Hummingbird ft. Peter Rowan 10. The Messenger ft. Ronnie Dunn and Pam Tillis 

Jessica Lynn has announced that her ‘Lone Rider’ tour that was initially planned for June 2020 has been rescheduled for May 2021. To accompany the announcement, Lynn has also released the music video for her latest single, Run To, which you can see below. [wpdevart_youtube]3lloSJUQP7s[/wpdevart_youtube] As with every other artist in the world, all touring plans have had to be put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the reschedule has allowed Lynn to include two new dates and she will now also stop at Swansea and Aberdeen. Speaking about the reschedule, Lynn said that she is delighted that she has been able to find a resolution and that while she was upset that this year’s tour couldn’t go ahead, she has found solace in that her livestream gigs have gained traction with her UK audience. “I am so thrilled to be coming to the UK next May for my rescheduled ‘Lone Rider’ tour,” Lynn said. “We were even able to add on two additional cities that I’ve been really wanting to go to. “As sad as I was this year for our cancellation, I have been able to connect with everyone over in the UK via my livestreaming performances and have made so many new friends along the way. “I cannot wait to see you all and will work on an even bigger and better show in the meantime, as well as release a lot of new music for you.” The updated dates for the ‘Lone Rider’ tour by Jessica Lynn are: May 4 – Cambridge Junction, Cambridge, England May 5 – The Waterfront, Norwich, England May 6 – St Pancras Old Church, London, England May 7 – Bodega, Nottingham, England May 8 – Patti Pavilion, Swansea, Wales May 9 – The Cluny 2, Newcastle, England May 11 – Drummonds, Aberdeen, Scotland May 12 – The Glad Café, Glasgow, Scotland May 13 – The Waterloo, Blackpool, England May 14 – The Blue Note, Derby, England May 15 – Gullivers, Manchester, England May 16 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, England May 18 – The 1865, Southampton, England May 19 – The Dancing Dog, Sittingbourne, England