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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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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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British Country Music Awards Nominations Announced!

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The nominees for the prestigious British Country Music Awards have been announced. This event has attracted and become the benchmark for many artists who were previously unknown to the Country music fans who just attend the many events around the club scene and as Country music in the UK grows more and more young acts have been enticed to the genre and so these awards recognise those up and coming artists both here and abroad as well as the more celebrated performers. They are open to all. Members of the British Country Music Association will have the final say on the winners when voting takes place. Of the nominees Ben Earle gets three nominations including two with Crissie Rhodes as part of The Shires. Nathan Carter gets another nod for Entertainer of the Year, he was nominated too in 2014 and 2015 as was Raintown who must be doing something right, they have four nominations this year, one for Entertainer and the other three in Video, Album and Group categories. Gary Perkins, who recently won CCN Band of the Year also gets a nomination in the Entertainer category. Newcomers to the awards nominations are The Southern Companion, Ashton Lane, Thorne Hill and Red Sky July. A spokesman said: ‘The quality of the British acts who have come to the fore since British Country music has stepped up to the mark means we shall be soon listening to more of our own acts rather than importing them from across the world. We can match the US with quality, we just need to get them publicised more. The likes of The Southern Companion, Holloway Road, The Shires and Ward Thomas are creating waves and it is no wonder the large recording companies have opened offices in London.’ For more details of the Awards Show and the Best of British event to be held the day before at the same venue in London or go to bcmawards.co.uk. The nominees are: Entertainer of the Year The Shires Nathan Carter Jess & The Bandits Raintown Gary Perkins Group of the Year Dexeter Raintown Jess & The Bandits Gary Quinn Band Red Sky July Female Vocalist of the Year Laura Oakes Claire McArthur-Bain (Raintown) Katy Hurt Jessica Clemmons (Jess & The Bandits) Crissie Rhodes (The Shires) Musician of the Year Lee Guyler Justin Johnson Scott Poley Sarah Jory John Pettifer Duo of the Year Ward Thomas The Shires Luke & Mel Holloway Road Ashton Lane UK Album of the Year Belle Cannon – Evolution The Southern Companion – 1000 Days Of Rain Raintown – Writing On The Wall Thorne Hill – No More Holding Back Red Sky July – The Truth And The Lie Male Vocalist of the Year Thorne Hill Ben Earle (The Shires) Nathan Carter Pete Kennedy Gary Quinn Horizon Act of the Year The Southern Companion Narn Acoustic Journey Samantha Lloyd Fitzwallace UK Song of the Year The Southern Companion – Crash Katy Hurt – Love You More Luke & Mel – Bad Habit Ashton Lane – Seventeen Raintown – Nineteen Again International Song of the Year Chris Stapleton – Tennessee Whiskey Thomas Rhett – Die A Happy Man Tim McGraw – Humble And Kind Maren Morris – My Church Carrie Underwood – Smoke Break International Album of the Year Chris Stapleton – Traveller Thomas Rhett – Tangled Up Carrie Underwood – Storyteller Eric Church – Mr Misunderstood Chris Young – I’m Coming Over International Act of the Year Little Big Town Dixie Chicks Phil Vassar Thomas Rhett Kip Moore Video of the Year Thorne Hill – Open Road Raintown – Writing On The Wall Luke & Mel – Bad Habit Gary Quinn – Dodge Your Bullet The Southern Companion – Drive

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Bobby Rush signs to rounder records with new album PORCUPINE MEAT set for September 16 release

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Naming one’s album after a song titled “Porcupine Meat” may seem a little unusual — unless, of course, you’re Bobby Rush, who earned his first gold record in 1971 with a hit entitled “Chicken Heads.” He elaborates on his recent composition:  “If a lady won’t treat me right, but she doesn’t want anyone else to have me, that is hard to digest.” Hence the lyric, “too fat to eat, too lean to throw away.”  is Rush’s debut release for  Rounder Records, and one of the best recordings of his astonishing 60-plus year career. The album is due out September 16, 2016. Rush estimates that he has cut over 300 songs since he first began making music. He has been honored with three Grammy nominations, as well as ten Blues Music Awards and 41 nominations. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006. Make no mistake: Rush is not your typical octogenarian. At age 82, he exudes the energy of a 20-year-old, on the road for more than 200 dates a year. His hectic tour schedule has earned him the affectionate title King of the Chitlin’ Circuit. Rush has traveled the globe including Japan and Beirut. In 2007, he earned the distinction of being the first blues artist to play at the Great Wall of China. His renowned stage act features his famed shake dancers, who personify his funky blues and the ribald humor that he has cultivated during the course of his storied career.   PORCUPINE MEAT will not only please Rush’s older fans, but is likely to win over many new ones. Billington reflects, “We wanted to come up with something fresh, while staying 100% true to Bobby.” The album was recorded in New Orleans, and Rush was pleased and proud to be given the opportunity to make an album in his home state for the very first time. His impassioned vocals and in-the-pocket harmonica playing are among the best performances of his career. Unlike most of his recent releases, these sessions only feature real instruments and no synthesizers. All of the rhythm tracks were cut live in the studio, often edited down from jams that on several occasions ran close to ten minutes. For the project, Billington assembled some of the best Louisiana musicians, including Shane Theriot, David Torkanowsky, Jeffrey “Jellybean” Alexander, Kirk Joseph, Cornell Williams, and others. Rush brought along his old friend and longtime collaborator, guitarist Vasti Jackson, who worked with Bobby and Scott on getting the songs ready for the studio. Guitar greats Dave Alvin, Keb’ Mo’, and Joe Bonamassa all make guest appearances on the album.

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