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Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and features by
Ross Muir
Freelance Music Writer & Music Promotion
"Putting the Words to the Music"
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Contributing writer & reviewer: Nelson McFarlane
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Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and features by
Ross Muir
Freelance Music Writer & Music Promotion
"Putting the Words to the Music"
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Contributing writer & reviewer: Nelson McFarlane
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Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News
Celebrated Swedish rock band H.E.A.T have rescheduled their Sign in the Northern Sky five-date tour of the UK in October 2021 to October 2022.
Like so many other rescheduled 2021 to 2022 tours, the one-year shift is in health & safety consideration of the current pandemic.
Tickets already purchased remain valid for all dates; tickets for the rescheduled 2022 gigs are available from: www.myticket.co.uk/artists/h-e-a-t
Like so many other rescheduled 2021 to 2022 tours, the one-year shift is in health & safety consideration of the current pandemic.
Tickets already purchased remain valid for all dates; tickets for the rescheduled 2022 gigs are available from: www.myticket.co.uk/artists/h-e-a-t
The live shows, which will include Mason Hill and Collateral as Special Guests, will feature the welcome return of H.E.A.T’s original lead singer, Kenny Leckremo.
Leckremo replaces H.E.AT’s previous lead singer, Erik Grönwall, who announced his departure from the band toward the end of 2020.
To help celebrate and showcase Kenny Leckremo’s return, H.E.A.T have re-recorded and re-released 'Rise,' featuring Leckremo; the song is lifted from the band’s critically acclaimed album H.E.A.T II.
Leckremo replaces H.E.AT’s previous lead singer, Erik Grönwall, who announced his departure from the band toward the end of 2020.
To help celebrate and showcase Kenny Leckremo’s return, H.E.A.T have re-recorded and re-released 'Rise,' featuring Leckremo; the song is lifted from the band’s critically acclaimed album H.E.A.T II.
"I’m thrilled to be back, and to be a part of what H.E.A.T is today. It’s like a shot at redemption; no longer just a shadow of the past, but a force into the future.
I am so excited to be back performing with my H.E.A.T brothers and can’t wait to rock out with our UK fans in October 2022; this tour is going to be a very special occasion for all of us."
- Kenny Lockremo
H.E.A.T plan on releasing new material in 2022 to coincide with the rescheduled UK tour dates.
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I am so excited to be back performing with my H.E.A.T brothers and can’t wait to rock out with our UK fans in October 2022; this tour is going to be a very special occasion for all of us."
- Kenny Lockremo
H.E.A.T plan on releasing new material in 2022 to coincide with the rescheduled UK tour dates.
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The Black Country’s big sounding hard rock quintet Gin Annie have announced a UK headline tour across eleven venues through the late Autumn; The Next Chapter Tour is scheduled to run from the 23rd September to 10th October, with special guests on all dates (except Bournemouth) White Raven Down.
The tour dates (listed below) will also showcase some brand new music from the band.
Gin Annie – David Foster (vocals), Byron Beej’ Garbett & Brian Green (guitars), ‘Hammer’ Burrows (bass), Lewis Turner (drums) – kicked off 2021 by releasing the one-off single, 'Devil in Me,' which charted at #1 on the Amazon Bestsellers & Hot New Releases Rock Chart.
The tour dates (listed below) will also showcase some brand new music from the band.
Gin Annie – David Foster (vocals), Byron Beej’ Garbett & Brian Green (guitars), ‘Hammer’ Burrows (bass), Lewis Turner (drums) – kicked off 2021 by releasing the one-off single, 'Devil in Me,' which charted at #1 on the Amazon Bestsellers & Hot New Releases Rock Chart.
To assist in giving live music a much-needed adrenaline shot after the pandemic restrictions, Gin Annie have asked that the fans grab tickets in advance:
"Just like everyone else, promoters and venues have been struggling for the last year, so a show of support will help them to have faith in the music scene surviving. You can also help us out by sharing this post and encouraging your friends to check us out and get them to come along to a gig, or several!”
Tickets are now on sale. To book head to: www.ginannie.com/uk-tour-2021
"Just like everyone else, promoters and venues have been struggling for the last year, so a show of support will help them to have faith in the music scene surviving. You can also help us out by sharing this post and encouraging your friends to check us out and get them to come along to a gig, or several!”
Tickets are now on sale. To book head to: www.ginannie.com/uk-tour-2021
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The New Wave of Classic Rock team, who champion and promote one of the fastest growing movements in rock music, have confirmed they will be releasing a 2CD NWOCR compilation album in July.
This exclusive to NWOCR release, which will be accompanied by special merchandise
(t-shirt plus NWOCR 'Class of 2021' tea towel, to commemorate the occasion) is available to pre-order now.
Featuring 42 tracks, the official New Wave Of Classic Rock - Volume 1 is a special, 2CD compilation that features a selection of the best and current NWOCR artists, carefully curated by the NWOCR team and RPM (Rock People Management).
Artists featured on the forthcoming release include official chartbusters Massive Wagons and Mason Hill, The Dust Coda and Phil Campbell, fan favourites such as The New Roses, Elles Bailey, Bad Touch, Massive, Thundermother, and many more.
"It blows my mind how fast the NWOCR thing has grown! It’s literally exploded! They shine a real bright light on new bands all over the world, and it's a real honour to be a part of this official NWOCR compilation album!"
– Baz Mills, Massive Wagons.
"Marshall Records is stoked to have some of our artists include on this essential album. We have been long time supporters of this amazing group of people keeping the flame of guitar rock burning brightly. NWOCR, we salute you!"
– Steve Marshall.
"With the help of all of the fans of all the bands, and the ever growing membership of the NWOCR Facebook Group, we want to get this CD high up into the UK compilation chart, and raise the profile of the movement and the bands to a massively wider audience.
This could be the truest execution of people power; a compilation by the community, for the community."
– Richard Brindley (NWOCR)
Bands and artists featured on the new NWOCR album:
Anchor Lane; Ashen Reach; Bad Touch; Bastette; Blackwater Conspiracy; Bootyard Bandits; Collateral; Daxx & Roxane; Dead Man's Whiskey; Dig Lazarus; Doomsday Outlaw; Elles Bailey; Empyre; Everyday Heroes; Gin Annie; Gorilla Riot; Häxan; Hollowstar; Jack J Hutchinson; King Creature; Mason Hill; Massive; Massive Wagons; Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons; Revival Black; Rews; Ryders Creed; Scarlet Rebels; Shape Of Water; Skam; Sons Of Liberty; South Of Salem; Takeaway Thieves; The Dust Coda; The Hot Damn; The New Roses; These Wicked Rivers; Thundermother; Tomorrow Is Lost; Twister; Ward XVI; Wolf Jaw
New Wave Of Classic Rock - Volume 1 is available to pre-order now; it will be released on 23rd July.
Pre-order the album: www.nwocr.com
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This exclusive to NWOCR release, which will be accompanied by special merchandise
(t-shirt plus NWOCR 'Class of 2021' tea towel, to commemorate the occasion) is available to pre-order now.
Featuring 42 tracks, the official New Wave Of Classic Rock - Volume 1 is a special, 2CD compilation that features a selection of the best and current NWOCR artists, carefully curated by the NWOCR team and RPM (Rock People Management).
Artists featured on the forthcoming release include official chartbusters Massive Wagons and Mason Hill, The Dust Coda and Phil Campbell, fan favourites such as The New Roses, Elles Bailey, Bad Touch, Massive, Thundermother, and many more.
"It blows my mind how fast the NWOCR thing has grown! It’s literally exploded! They shine a real bright light on new bands all over the world, and it's a real honour to be a part of this official NWOCR compilation album!"
– Baz Mills, Massive Wagons.
"Marshall Records is stoked to have some of our artists include on this essential album. We have been long time supporters of this amazing group of people keeping the flame of guitar rock burning brightly. NWOCR, we salute you!"
– Steve Marshall.
"With the help of all of the fans of all the bands, and the ever growing membership of the NWOCR Facebook Group, we want to get this CD high up into the UK compilation chart, and raise the profile of the movement and the bands to a massively wider audience.
This could be the truest execution of people power; a compilation by the community, for the community."
– Richard Brindley (NWOCR)
Bands and artists featured on the new NWOCR album:
Anchor Lane; Ashen Reach; Bad Touch; Bastette; Blackwater Conspiracy; Bootyard Bandits; Collateral; Daxx & Roxane; Dead Man's Whiskey; Dig Lazarus; Doomsday Outlaw; Elles Bailey; Empyre; Everyday Heroes; Gin Annie; Gorilla Riot; Häxan; Hollowstar; Jack J Hutchinson; King Creature; Mason Hill; Massive; Massive Wagons; Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons; Revival Black; Rews; Ryders Creed; Scarlet Rebels; Shape Of Water; Skam; Sons Of Liberty; South Of Salem; Takeaway Thieves; The Dust Coda; The Hot Damn; The New Roses; These Wicked Rivers; Thundermother; Tomorrow Is Lost; Twister; Ward XVI; Wolf Jaw
New Wave Of Classic Rock - Volume 1 is available to pre-order now; it will be released on 23rd July.
Pre-order the album: www.nwocr.com
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Australian foot stomping rock ‘n’ rollers Massive have added more dates to their upcoming 2021 tour through the UK including, for the first time ever, Ireland.
The road dogs from Oz will be playing tracks off all three of their albums as well as new songs from their forthcoming, fourth album.
Frontman Brad Marr says "It's been long enough between drinks, I think after staying safe through the pandemic for so long, this will be our most special tour.
When we're allowed back on a stage, we will have over a years’ worth of energy to unleash!"
The tour/ dates incorporate headline gigs and those as Special Guest support to The Quireboys on their 30th Anniversary A Little Bit Of What You Fancy tour.
Tickets are available now: https://www.massiveoz.com/on-tour
Massive – "F**k off pandemic we want to play some rock n roll" UK + Ireland Tour 2021:
Oct 14th - Garage - Glasgow *
Oct 15th - Lemon Tree - Aberdeen *
Oct 16th - Corporation - Sheffield
Oct 17th - The Waterloo - Blackpool
Nov 2nd - Hope N Ruin - Brighton
Nov 3rd - Brickmakers - Norwich
Nov 4th - Hard Rock Hell Festival - Great Yarmouth
Nov 7th - Cavern - Exeter (New Date)
Nov 12th - The Sound House - Dublin (New Date)
Nov 13th - Voodoo - Belfast (New Date)
Nov 14th - Hewsall Hall - Wirral (New Date)
Nov 16th - Gullivers - Manchester (New Date)
Nov 18th - Brudenell - Leeds*
Nov 19th - Sage - Gateshead*
Nov 20th - Sugarmill - Stoke*
Nov 21st - Trillians - Newcastle
Nov 22nd - Salutation Inn - Nottingham (New Date)
Nov 24th - Black Heart - London (New Date)
Nov 25th - Fuel - Cardiff
Nov 26th - Academy - Manchester *
Nov 27th - Guildhall - Gloucester *
*Supporting the Quireboys
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The road dogs from Oz will be playing tracks off all three of their albums as well as new songs from their forthcoming, fourth album.
Frontman Brad Marr says "It's been long enough between drinks, I think after staying safe through the pandemic for so long, this will be our most special tour.
When we're allowed back on a stage, we will have over a years’ worth of energy to unleash!"
The tour/ dates incorporate headline gigs and those as Special Guest support to The Quireboys on their 30th Anniversary A Little Bit Of What You Fancy tour.
Tickets are available now: https://www.massiveoz.com/on-tour
Massive – "F**k off pandemic we want to play some rock n roll" UK + Ireland Tour 2021:
Oct 14th - Garage - Glasgow *
Oct 15th - Lemon Tree - Aberdeen *
Oct 16th - Corporation - Sheffield
Oct 17th - The Waterloo - Blackpool
Nov 2nd - Hope N Ruin - Brighton
Nov 3rd - Brickmakers - Norwich
Nov 4th - Hard Rock Hell Festival - Great Yarmouth
Nov 7th - Cavern - Exeter (New Date)
Nov 12th - The Sound House - Dublin (New Date)
Nov 13th - Voodoo - Belfast (New Date)
Nov 14th - Hewsall Hall - Wirral (New Date)
Nov 16th - Gullivers - Manchester (New Date)
Nov 18th - Brudenell - Leeds*
Nov 19th - Sage - Gateshead*
Nov 20th - Sugarmill - Stoke*
Nov 21st - Trillians - Newcastle
Nov 22nd - Salutation Inn - Nottingham (New Date)
Nov 24th - Black Heart - London (New Date)
Nov 25th - Fuel - Cardiff
Nov 26th - Academy - Manchester *
Nov 27th - Guildhall - Gloucester *
*Supporting the Quireboys
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Swiss-based blues rock quartet the Ellis Manos Band will release their second album Ambedo on 25th June via Jazzhaus Records.
The band, who describe their sound as “a sort of rock n’ soul, rooted deep down in the blues," have just release lead-off single, 'Keep It Simple,' a song that emphasizes the soulful, blues shaded side of the band.
The single is available to stream or download now; the album is available to pre-order at:
https://orcd.co/ellismanobandambedo
Visit the band's merch shop here: https://www.ellismanoband.com/shop
The band, who describe their sound as “a sort of rock n’ soul, rooted deep down in the blues," have just release lead-off single, 'Keep It Simple,' a song that emphasizes the soulful, blues shaded side of the band.
The single is available to stream or download now; the album is available to pre-order at:
https://orcd.co/ellismanobandambedo
Visit the band's merch shop here: https://www.ellismanoband.com/shop
In Switzerland, the Ellis Mano Band are not unlike the Wrecking Crew or the Funk Brothers; they are top-flight studio musicians and elites in the Swiss music scene.
As such the band members never got much time to make music of their own until 2019 debut album Here And Now and, two years on, Ambedo.
"We chose the album title Ambedo because it reflects the state of the process of recording an album," says guitarist Edis Mano.
"Ambedo refers to the tendency both to reflect and to absorb. Musicians like us do it all the time, especially when we compose new songs and create a new album."
"We would get together with just a few ideas, fill it out, let it grow, work on it, with a great passion," continues vocalist Chris Ellis. "For session musicians, it was not about having just another project to play on, but an opportunity for us to play as a real band again. It was a great feeling to see the guys together and getting emotional from time to time playing the music."
The album was recorded at Edis Mano’s Studio E10 with a lot of vintage gear and instruments including a Hammond B3 organ.
All songs were recorded live with just a few later overdubs, including backing vocals and horns.
Influenced by Led Zeppelin, J.J. Cale, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jimi Hendrix and more recently John Mayer, the Ellis Mano Band have put their own stamp on the blues and on Ambedo, which the band hope to follow up with tours across Europe and North America.
The Ellis Mano Band:
Chris Ellis – lead vocals; Edis Mano – guitars
Nico Looser – drums; Severin Graf - bass.
Praise for debut album Here And Now
"The Ellis Mano Band has a bright future ahead. If this is their debut album after collaborating for just a year, imagine what’s in store next." - Rock & Blues Muse
"Chris Ellis’ voice is like Kentucky bourbon – smooth as glass but with an addictive burn. He sings with a tense sincerity that pairs gorgeously with the lyrical ferocity of Edis Mano’s guitar." - Blues Magazine NL
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As such the band members never got much time to make music of their own until 2019 debut album Here And Now and, two years on, Ambedo.
"We chose the album title Ambedo because it reflects the state of the process of recording an album," says guitarist Edis Mano.
"Ambedo refers to the tendency both to reflect and to absorb. Musicians like us do it all the time, especially when we compose new songs and create a new album."
"We would get together with just a few ideas, fill it out, let it grow, work on it, with a great passion," continues vocalist Chris Ellis. "For session musicians, it was not about having just another project to play on, but an opportunity for us to play as a real band again. It was a great feeling to see the guys together and getting emotional from time to time playing the music."
The album was recorded at Edis Mano’s Studio E10 with a lot of vintage gear and instruments including a Hammond B3 organ.
All songs were recorded live with just a few later overdubs, including backing vocals and horns.
Influenced by Led Zeppelin, J.J. Cale, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jimi Hendrix and more recently John Mayer, the Ellis Mano Band have put their own stamp on the blues and on Ambedo, which the band hope to follow up with tours across Europe and North America.
The Ellis Mano Band:
Chris Ellis – lead vocals; Edis Mano – guitars
Nico Looser – drums; Severin Graf - bass.
Praise for debut album Here And Now
"The Ellis Mano Band has a bright future ahead. If this is their debut album after collaborating for just a year, imagine what’s in store next." - Rock & Blues Muse
"Chris Ellis’ voice is like Kentucky bourbon – smooth as glass but with an addictive burn. He sings with a tense sincerity that pairs gorgeously with the lyrical ferocity of Edis Mano’s guitar." - Blues Magazine NL
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Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman have reunited after 20 years to issue a 3CD Box Set entitled Tales By Gaslight, featuring remastered versions of the Nolan & Wakeman albums Jabberwocky and The Hound Of The Baskervilles along with a new disc, Dark Fables.
The Tales By Gaslight box set, which also includes a 16-page booklet (with lyrics and stories behind the creation of the albums) and individual art prints of the three covers, will be released by Burning Shed on 23rd April.
Additionally, the first 250 box sets will also include a fourth, limited edition numbered art print of the box set cover signed by Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman.
To help promote the forthcoming box set a Lyric Video for 'Coming to Town' has just been released.
The track is taken from the first album in the box set, Jabberwocky; it features Bob Catley of Magnum on vocals and the late Peter Banks on guitar.
Of the song Oliver Wakeman says: "This is a fun, upbeat track which became an ever-present song in my band's live set. Revisiting the original for this box set reminded me of what a great job Bob Catley did with his vocal performance, and it is always lovely to listen to Peter playing a wonderful guitar solo."
The Tales By Gaslight box set, which also includes a 16-page booklet (with lyrics and stories behind the creation of the albums) and individual art prints of the three covers, will be released by Burning Shed on 23rd April.
Additionally, the first 250 box sets will also include a fourth, limited edition numbered art print of the box set cover signed by Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman.
To help promote the forthcoming box set a Lyric Video for 'Coming to Town' has just been released.
The track is taken from the first album in the box set, Jabberwocky; it features Bob Catley of Magnum on vocals and the late Peter Banks on guitar.
Of the song Oliver Wakeman says: "This is a fun, upbeat track which became an ever-present song in my band's live set. Revisiting the original for this box set reminded me of what a great job Bob Catley did with his vocal performance, and it is always lovely to listen to Peter playing a wonderful guitar solo."
Clive Nolan (Pendragon, Arena, Shadowland) and Oliver Wakeman (Solo, Oliver Wakeman Band, ex YES and Strawbs) first combined their considerable keyboard and compositional talents to create two rock opera/ concept albums Jabberwocky and The Hound of The Baskervilles.
Jabberwocky, released in 1999, was based on the famous Lewis Carroll poem.
It was followed in 2002 by The Hound of The Baskervilles, inspired by the Sherlock Holmes novel penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The rock opera project was intended to be a trilogy of musical interpretations of literary classics but, sadly, an album inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was shelved because of a lack of record company funding.
However the third disc in the box set, Dark Fables, features over thirty minutes of previously unreleased pieces that were intended for the abandoned Frankenstein album.
Jabberwocky, released in 1999, was based on the famous Lewis Carroll poem.
It was followed in 2002 by The Hound of The Baskervilles, inspired by the Sherlock Holmes novel penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The rock opera project was intended to be a trilogy of musical interpretations of literary classics but, sadly, an album inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was shelved because of a lack of record company funding.
However the third disc in the box set, Dark Fables, features over thirty minutes of previously unreleased pieces that were intended for the abandoned Frankenstein album.
Additionally Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman also found pieces which were unused from The Hound of The Baskervilles. These include 'The Man Called Sherlock' (which was the original version of the 'Overture') and '221B,' inspired by Sherlock Holmes’ famous address.
The two released albums featured a host of guest performances including, among others, the late Peter Banks, Bob Catley, Tracy Hitchings and narration by Oliver Wakeman’s father Rick and actor Robert Powell.
The new/ unreleased recordings feature the talents of, among others, Gordon Giltrap, Paul Manzi (Arena, Oliver Wakeman Band, Sweet), Andy Sears (Twelfth Night) and David Mark Pearce (Oliver Wakeman Band).
Also included is an original reading of the Jabberwocky poem by Rick Wakeman.
You can pre-order Tales by Gaslight here:
https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman/nolan-and-wakeman_tales-by-gaslight_3cd
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The two released albums featured a host of guest performances including, among others, the late Peter Banks, Bob Catley, Tracy Hitchings and narration by Oliver Wakeman’s father Rick and actor Robert Powell.
The new/ unreleased recordings feature the talents of, among others, Gordon Giltrap, Paul Manzi (Arena, Oliver Wakeman Band, Sweet), Andy Sears (Twelfth Night) and David Mark Pearce (Oliver Wakeman Band).
Also included is an original reading of the Jabberwocky poem by Rick Wakeman.
You can pre-order Tales by Gaslight here:
https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman/nolan-and-wakeman_tales-by-gaslight_3cd
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Robin Trower/ Maxi Priest / Livingstone Brown have just released an Official Music Video for 'Are We Just People' from their acclaimed, collaborative album United State of Mind.
The album, released digitally in 2020, has just seen CD release, on Manhaton Records.
Filmed at and around Maxi Priest’s home in Jamaica, the lush and lucid visuals complement the song's emotive, 70s soul melody and wistful lyrics perfectly…
The album, released digitally in 2020, has just seen CD release, on Manhaton Records.
Filmed at and around Maxi Priest’s home in Jamaica, the lush and lucid visuals complement the song's emotive, 70s soul melody and wistful lyrics perfectly…
"If you are looking for a seriously well performed album with cool, coastal drive appeal and a bucketful of smooth ‘n’ silky, soul-funk-blues, you may well have your answer." - FabricationsHQ
You can purchase the CD of United State of Mind direct form Manhaton Records here:
https://www.manhatonrecords.com/product/usm-united-state-of-mind-cd
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You can purchase the CD of United State of Mind direct form Manhaton Records here:
https://www.manhatonrecords.com/product/usm-united-state-of-mind-cd
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Dennis DeYoung has announced the release of his final studio album, 26 East, Vol 2, a fond farewell to recorded music by the former Styx founder member.
The album will be released on Frontiers Records on 11th June.
As with its acclaimed predecessor, 26 East, Vol 2 again hints strongly at DeYoung's rock roots with Styx, along with a fitting finale in the shape of the six-and-a-half minute 'Isle of Misanthrope,' of which DeYoung says "is, metaphorically speaking, a commentary on the contemporary state of mankind under the guise of ancient times – the more things change the more they remain the same.
Also, it’s my musical journey back to the days of Styx’s Equinox and Suite Madame Blue, as I attempt to explain the confounding nature of mankind through metaphor.
It’s got a good beat, but won’t be a hit at the disco!"
The album will be released on Frontiers Records on 11th June.
As with its acclaimed predecessor, 26 East, Vol 2 again hints strongly at DeYoung's rock roots with Styx, along with a fitting finale in the shape of the six-and-a-half minute 'Isle of Misanthrope,' of which DeYoung says "is, metaphorically speaking, a commentary on the contemporary state of mankind under the guise of ancient times – the more things change the more they remain the same.
Also, it’s my musical journey back to the days of Styx’s Equinox and Suite Madame Blue, as I attempt to explain the confounding nature of mankind through metaphor.
It’s got a good beat, but won’t be a hit at the disco!"
As with 26 East, Vol 1, the second and final instalment sees Dennis DeYoung collaborate with fellow Chicagoan, friend and Grammy Award winning songwriter Jim Peterik (the process that brought about the albums started when Peterik sent DeYoung a song he thought would suit him; that song became the catalyst for ten further collaborations, four of which appear on Vol 2).
26 East was the address where Dennis DeYoung grew up on the south side of Chicago.
Across the street lived the Panozzo twins, John and Chuck, who, along with DeYoung, went on to form the nucleus of Styx in 1962.
26 East, Vol 2 – Track listing:
Hello Goodbye; Land Of the Living; The Last Guitar Hero (feat Tom Morello); Your Saving Grace; Proof Of Heaven; Made For Each Other; There’s No Turning Back Time; St. Quarantine; Little Did We Know; Always Time; Isle Of Misanthrope; Grand Finale
Pre-order link: orcd.co/ddyvol2
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26 East was the address where Dennis DeYoung grew up on the south side of Chicago.
Across the street lived the Panozzo twins, John and Chuck, who, along with DeYoung, went on to form the nucleus of Styx in 1962.
26 East, Vol 2 – Track listing:
Hello Goodbye; Land Of the Living; The Last Guitar Hero (feat Tom Morello); Your Saving Grace; Proof Of Heaven; Made For Each Other; There’s No Turning Back Time; St. Quarantine; Little Did We Know; Always Time; Isle Of Misanthrope; Grand Finale
Pre-order link: orcd.co/ddyvol2
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'Walking Free,' the first single release from trad/roots-blues Scottish duo Sister Gavin and the Gator (aka singer Adele Gavin and highly expressive blues-slide guitarist Iain Donald), couldn’t be better timed.
At the heart of the song’s pleaful and evocative vocal, slide and handclaps arrangement is a traditionally framed, delta meets gospel blues; but it also doubles as an uplifting, soulful cry to remain positive in the current state of global affairs and the hope we can, indeed, all be walking free from pandemic and political divide in a future yet to be realised.
Strong as the song is, it becomes even more the story-telling number when set within the accompanying Lyric Video...
At the heart of the song’s pleaful and evocative vocal, slide and handclaps arrangement is a traditionally framed, delta meets gospel blues; but it also doubles as an uplifting, soulful cry to remain positive in the current state of global affairs and the hope we can, indeed, all be walking free from pandemic and political divide in a future yet to be realised.
Strong as the song is, it becomes even more the story-telling number when set within the accompanying Lyric Video...
Singer-songwriter Adele Gavin and guitarist Iain Donald formed a musical partnership in 2019 when the two friends played together at a jam session and brought new life to each other’s music.
During the first Covid Lockdown the duo isolated together in order to stream live music through the
Covid-19 Charity Page they had set up to help musicians raise money for local charities in Scotland and encourage people to remain hopeful whilst at home; they continue to perform live-steam concerts during the second lockdown.
An otherwise unavailable and longer version of 'Walking Free' (a more "fife & drum" arrangement featuring drummer Dave Cantwell) can be purchased via the duo's Bandcamp page: https://sistergavinandthegator.bandcamp.com/
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During the first Covid Lockdown the duo isolated together in order to stream live music through the
Covid-19 Charity Page they had set up to help musicians raise money for local charities in Scotland and encourage people to remain hopeful whilst at home; they continue to perform live-steam concerts during the second lockdown.
An otherwise unavailable and longer version of 'Walking Free' (a more "fife & drum" arrangement featuring drummer Dave Cantwell) can be purchased via the duo's Bandcamp page: https://sistergavinandthegator.bandcamp.com/
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On the heels of his recently released New York Times Best Selling memoir, Do You Feel Like I Do? legendary rock musician and Grammy winning artist Peter Frampton turns his focus back to music with a new studio album, Frampton Forgets The Words, which will be released on April 23rd.
On the new album Peter Frampton brings his virtuosic guitar playing to some of his favourite songs in instrumental arrangement; the ten track selection includes 'Isn’t It a Pity' by George Harrison, 'Avalon' by Roxy Music and an atmospheric and emotive rendition of 'Loving the Alien,' which the renowned guitarist has "dedicated to Owen Frampton, my father and David Bowie, my friend."
On the new album Peter Frampton brings his virtuosic guitar playing to some of his favourite songs in instrumental arrangement; the ten track selection includes 'Isn’t It a Pity' by George Harrison, 'Avalon' by Roxy Music and an atmospheric and emotive rendition of 'Loving the Alien,' which the renowned guitarist has "dedicated to Owen Frampton, my father and David Bowie, my friend."
"This album is a collection of ten of my favourite pieces of music. My guitar is also a voice and I have always enjoyed playing my favourite vocal lines that we all know and love. These tracks are my great band and me paying tribute to the original creators of this wonderful music - It was so much fun to do and I really hope you enjoy it too!" - Peter Frampton
You can pre-order the album (available in CD, Double Black Vinyl & Double Clear Vinyl) along with other Peter Frampton merchandise, including Do You Feel Like I Do : A Memoir, here: https://store.frampton.com/
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You can pre-order the album (available in CD, Double Black Vinyl & Double Clear Vinyl) along with other Peter Frampton merchandise, including Do You Feel Like I Do : A Memoir, here: https://store.frampton.com/
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Irish rockers Trucker Diablo have released a new single and video 'I Am Still Alive.'
The track, as with the band’s two previous singles, will feature on forthcoming album Tail End Of a Hurricane, set for release on 7th May.
A true stadium rocker, 'I Am Still Alive' was written and recorded in late 2019, as was the album, just before the global spread of COVID-19; the track however resonates with the current pandemic given its lyric of survival.
The track, as with the band’s two previous singles, will feature on forthcoming album Tail End Of a Hurricane, set for release on 7th May.
A true stadium rocker, 'I Am Still Alive' was written and recorded in late 2019, as was the album, just before the global spread of COVID-19; the track however resonates with the current pandemic given its lyric of survival.
Trucker Diablo's new album takes a few diversions off the main rock road that the Big Truck normally drives on, such the almost punk energy of 'Insects' (a social commentary on how we’re just worker insects feeding everything to the corporate machine), the short sharp punch of 'Slow Dance' and the more laid-back 'Woodstock to Vietnam,' telling the tale of two friends in the hippy movement of the 60s who choose different pathways for their lives.
Pre-order Tail End of a Hurricane here: http://bigtruckkeepsonrolling.com/shop/
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Pre-order Tail End of a Hurricane here: http://bigtruckkeepsonrolling.com/shop/
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Swedish blues rock band Backwood Spirit, who carry a very definable influence of southern blues-rock and a heady mix of the Black Crowes and Free, will release their second album Fresh From the Can on 23rd April on Pride & Joy Music.
Founded in Örebro, Sweden, in 2014 by guitarist/songwriter Kent Engström, Backwood Spirit's impressive self-titled debut album appeared three years later, featuring Engström, drummer Joje Lindskoog (Crossroad Jam), singer Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum), bassist Niclas Boson and keys player Tobias Åslund (later replaced by Peter Emilson).
Bolstered by the positive feedback and reviews for the debut album, Backwood Spirit made a number of return visits to the studio between 2019 and early 2021 to record and complete the follow up, Fresh From the Can, which features new bass player Mats Berglund.
The new album builds from the debut to showcase a band now honing their own sound, while still nodding to those southern influences and the classic era of blues rock, as typified by lead-off single 'Witchwood.'
Founded in Örebro, Sweden, in 2014 by guitarist/songwriter Kent Engström, Backwood Spirit's impressive self-titled debut album appeared three years later, featuring Engström, drummer Joje Lindskoog (Crossroad Jam), singer Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum), bassist Niclas Boson and keys player Tobias Åslund (later replaced by Peter Emilson).
Bolstered by the positive feedback and reviews for the debut album, Backwood Spirit made a number of return visits to the studio between 2019 and early 2021 to record and complete the follow up, Fresh From the Can, which features new bass player Mats Berglund.
The new album builds from the debut to showcase a band now honing their own sound, while still nodding to those southern influences and the classic era of blues rock, as typified by lead-off single 'Witchwood.'
Fresh From The Can was recorded at Zone 17 and produced by Kent Engström, Joje Lindskoog and Kari Malm, who also engineered and mixed the album. Mastered at Nevo Mastering.
Release date: April 23rd on Pride & Joy Music.
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Release date: April 23rd on Pride & Joy Music.
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Wille & The Bandits are the latest band to announce a rescheduling of a UK tour in light of the pandemic.
All previously scheduled dates will now take place in March and April of 2022; Special Guest on all dates will be Troy Redfern.
Tickets are available via: www.willeandthebandits.com
The tour will showcase songs from the band's forthcoming studio album When The World Stood Still (the tour will follow the release of the highly anticipated album).
The album was recorded at Sawmills recording studios with producer John Cornfield; a coupling that has produced some of the most ground-breaking albums of the last thirty years including Fools Gold (Stone Roses), Definitely Maybe (Oasis), In it For the Money (Supergrass) and Showbiz (Muse).
The album documents a moment in time that the whole world will never forget, a time where each person on the planet has felt repercussions in one way or another. Each of Wille’s songs tell their own stories, but there is also a cohesion between the tracks that tells a bigger story of "When the World Stood Still."
All previously scheduled dates will now take place in March and April of 2022; Special Guest on all dates will be Troy Redfern.
Tickets are available via: www.willeandthebandits.com
The tour will showcase songs from the band's forthcoming studio album When The World Stood Still (the tour will follow the release of the highly anticipated album).
The album was recorded at Sawmills recording studios with producer John Cornfield; a coupling that has produced some of the most ground-breaking albums of the last thirty years including Fools Gold (Stone Roses), Definitely Maybe (Oasis), In it For the Money (Supergrass) and Showbiz (Muse).
The album documents a moment in time that the whole world will never forget, a time where each person on the planet has felt repercussions in one way or another. Each of Wille’s songs tell their own stories, but there is also a cohesion between the tracks that tells a bigger story of "When the World Stood Still."
Wille & the Bandits, a band that cannot truly be pigeonholed (venturing from blues-soul, rock and funkier grooves to Zeppelin-esque riffs and Floyd-scapes), are lauded for their live performances and impressive musicianship.
In addition to the lead guitar, lap steel guitar and lead vocals of Wille Edwards, the sound of the band is bolstred by a dynamic and brand-new rhythm section composed of Tom Gilkes (drums, percussion) and Harry Mackaill (bass, keyboards). The band now also features multi-instrumentalist Matthew Gallagher (Hammond organ, guitar, percussion) making for a bigger sounding four-piece.
"I’m very excited by the new line-up," says Wille Edwards. "Our music was starting to have layers within it that were beginning to be impossible to do justice to as a trio. With a band of multi-instrumentalists and a drummer who is technically outstanding, yet plays to what the song needs, we are able to achieve live what I thought might only be possible in the studio."
In addition to the lead guitar, lap steel guitar and lead vocals of Wille Edwards, the sound of the band is bolstred by a dynamic and brand-new rhythm section composed of Tom Gilkes (drums, percussion) and Harry Mackaill (bass, keyboards). The band now also features multi-instrumentalist Matthew Gallagher (Hammond organ, guitar, percussion) making for a bigger sounding four-piece.
"I’m very excited by the new line-up," says Wille Edwards. "Our music was starting to have layers within it that were beginning to be impossible to do justice to as a trio. With a band of multi-instrumentalists and a drummer who is technically outstanding, yet plays to what the song needs, we are able to achieve live what I thought might only be possible in the studio."
Wille & the Bandits have toured with the likes of Deep Purple, Status Quo, Joe Bonamassa and Warren Haynes. In 2014 they were voted in the Top Ten Bands to see at Glastonbury Festival (they have also payed at the Isle of Wight festival, Rambln' Man Fair, Steelhouse and the London Olympics; they were also invited to perform at the world-famous Iridium venue in NYC.
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Durham born, Brighton based singer-songwriter-guitarist & multi-instrumentalist Mike Ross, who is as consummate and comfortable delivering his fuzz-guitar toned blues rock as he is presenting his rootsier, Nashville influenced Americana, has released a new single entitled 'Shake ‘Em On Down.'
The song is lifted from the Mike Ross’s forthcoming solo album, The Clovis Limit - Tennessee Transition, which will be released on the 28th May.
"Shake ‘Em On Down is a pre-war Delta blues stomper," confirms Mike Ross. "It was written by Mississippi native (and BB King’s cousin) Bukka White. The lyrics tell a stark story of a hard man living in hard times.
Actually, part of the idea for Tennessee Transition came about after listening to Bukka’s Shake ‘Em On Down and becoming obsessed with the idea of recording a version myself.
It’s been done in all kinds of styles over the years: in fact, it was recorded more than once by Bukka himself. In the version I put together for The Tennessee Transitions, I’ve kind of combined both of the Bukka versions I know: the accompaniment of the latter one to the lyrics of the older recording."
The song is lifted from the Mike Ross’s forthcoming solo album, The Clovis Limit - Tennessee Transition, which will be released on the 28th May.
"Shake ‘Em On Down is a pre-war Delta blues stomper," confirms Mike Ross. "It was written by Mississippi native (and BB King’s cousin) Bukka White. The lyrics tell a stark story of a hard man living in hard times.
Actually, part of the idea for Tennessee Transition came about after listening to Bukka’s Shake ‘Em On Down and becoming obsessed with the idea of recording a version myself.
It’s been done in all kinds of styles over the years: in fact, it was recorded more than once by Bukka himself. In the version I put together for The Tennessee Transitions, I’ve kind of combined both of the Bukka versions I know: the accompaniment of the latter one to the lyrics of the older recording."
Regarding the new album, Mike Ross explains that "the thinking behind the session was to take songs from both halves of my Clovis Limit duology and re-imagine them from a solo performance perspective.
Sitting as it does midway between the rootsy Americana of Clovis 1 and the more urgent southern rock of Pt.2, The Tennessee Transition is about the most authentic interpretation of me as a singer and guitarist that I can offer – what I’ve ended up with is four songs from each album, plus a version of my old song Fixing to Die and a few deep Delta blues cuts from Blind WIllie McTell, Charlie Patton and Bukka White."
'Shake ‘Em On Down' is now available to download or stream from all digital platforms:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikeross/shake-em-on-down
Pre-order the CD and Blue Vinyl edition of Tennessee Transition here: shop.mikerossmusic.co.uk
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Sitting as it does midway between the rootsy Americana of Clovis 1 and the more urgent southern rock of Pt.2, The Tennessee Transition is about the most authentic interpretation of me as a singer and guitarist that I can offer – what I’ve ended up with is four songs from each album, plus a version of my old song Fixing to Die and a few deep Delta blues cuts from Blind WIllie McTell, Charlie Patton and Bukka White."
'Shake ‘Em On Down' is now available to download or stream from all digital platforms:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikeross/shake-em-on-down
Pre-order the CD and Blue Vinyl edition of Tennessee Transition here: shop.mikerossmusic.co.uk
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Downes Braide Association (featuring the musical and songwriting partnership of Geoff Downes and Chris Braide), who recently released their fourth studio album Halcyon Hymns on CD/DVD, have now made available the 2LP White Vinyl Edition.
A new single from the album, 'Warm Summer Sun,' was also released recently, which you can hear below.
Of the White Vinyl Edition of Halcyon Hymns, Geoff Downes says: "It's the icing on the cake for Chris & I.
The incredible response to the album has been way beyond our greatest expectations. Now, to see the album in all its white vinyl glory, with the wonderful Roger Dean artwork, really takes it a step beyond and makes it extra special for us."
Chris Braide adds: "Geoff and I really feel that our music was made for vinyl and Roger Dean's stunning art is at its optimum when printed as a 12-inch LP sleeve. We also know that our wonderful and dedicated fans would love to see Halcyon Hymns presented in this format so this if for them too!"
A new single from the album, 'Warm Summer Sun,' was also released recently, which you can hear below.
Of the White Vinyl Edition of Halcyon Hymns, Geoff Downes says: "It's the icing on the cake for Chris & I.
The incredible response to the album has been way beyond our greatest expectations. Now, to see the album in all its white vinyl glory, with the wonderful Roger Dean artwork, really takes it a step beyond and makes it extra special for us."
Chris Braide adds: "Geoff and I really feel that our music was made for vinyl and Roger Dean's stunning art is at its optimum when printed as a 12-inch LP sleeve. We also know that our wonderful and dedicated fans would love to see Halcyon Hymns presented in this format so this if for them too!"
Of the new single 'Warm Summer Sun' Chris Braide says: "The piano part that Geoff came up is full of yearning; that inspired me to write a melody and lyric that were both melancholy and dream like.
Marc Almond heard the rough of Warm Summer Sun and loved it so much he suggested we sing it together as a duet. His voice was the icing on the cake."
Geoff Downes adds: "When I sent the original idea to Chris, I was wondering if it was enough for him to get a handle on turning it into an actual song. Rather than adding other sections, Chris turned it around by alternately changing the keys between verse and chorus, thus keeping the flow of the song but also retaining the interest. The result is a sombre, sedate feel but at the same time joyously uplifting."
DBA combines the talents of keyboardist Geoff Downes (YES, Asia, Wetton-Downes, The Buggles) and singer-songwriter-pianist-producer Chris Braide, who has produced music for film scores and worked with artists such as Sia, Lana Del Rey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Paloma Faith, Britney Spears and Marc Almond.
Halcyon Hymns (which features contributions from Marc Almond and David Longdon) is the fifth DBA collaboration, following in the pop-gressive footsteps of previous studio albums Pictures of You (2012), Suburban Ghosts (2015) and Skyscraper Souls (2017).
The duo also released Live In England (2019), which was recorded at their first ever concert at Trading Boundaries, East Sussex, in 2018.
The 2LP White Vinyl edition of Halcyon Hymns can be purchased here:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-halcyon-hymns-limited-edition-2lp-white-vinyl/
The CD/DVD can be purchased here:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-halcyon-hymns-cd-dvd-edition/
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Marc Almond heard the rough of Warm Summer Sun and loved it so much he suggested we sing it together as a duet. His voice was the icing on the cake."
Geoff Downes adds: "When I sent the original idea to Chris, I was wondering if it was enough for him to get a handle on turning it into an actual song. Rather than adding other sections, Chris turned it around by alternately changing the keys between verse and chorus, thus keeping the flow of the song but also retaining the interest. The result is a sombre, sedate feel but at the same time joyously uplifting."
DBA combines the talents of keyboardist Geoff Downes (YES, Asia, Wetton-Downes, The Buggles) and singer-songwriter-pianist-producer Chris Braide, who has produced music for film scores and worked with artists such as Sia, Lana Del Rey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Paloma Faith, Britney Spears and Marc Almond.
Halcyon Hymns (which features contributions from Marc Almond and David Longdon) is the fifth DBA collaboration, following in the pop-gressive footsteps of previous studio albums Pictures of You (2012), Suburban Ghosts (2015) and Skyscraper Souls (2017).
The duo also released Live In England (2019), which was recorded at their first ever concert at Trading Boundaries, East Sussex, in 2018.
The 2LP White Vinyl edition of Halcyon Hymns can be purchased here:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-halcyon-hymns-limited-edition-2lp-white-vinyl/
The CD/DVD can be purchased here:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-halcyon-hymns-cd-dvd-edition/
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America’s legendary progressive rock band Kansas will release a new live album Point of Know Return Live & Beyond in May. Pre-orders for the album start on 26th March.
Point of Know Return Live & Beyond was co-produced by Kansas ever present co-founders drummer Phil Ehart and guitarist Richard Williams; recording and mixing was handled by the band’s front-of-house sound engineer, Chad Singer.
The album features 22 songs selected from twelve shows recorded in 2019 and 2020, during the Kansas Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour. The set list includes both classic hits and deep cuts, along with the band’s multi-platinum album, Point of Know Return, performed in its entirety.
Following the success of the Leftoverture Anniversary Tour, Kansas followed up with the even more popular Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour.
The overwhelming success of the tour, as well as previous live album Leftoverture Live & Beyond, led the band, along with Inside Out Music, to release this new live album…
Point of Know Return Live & Beyond was co-produced by Kansas ever present co-founders drummer Phil Ehart and guitarist Richard Williams; recording and mixing was handled by the band’s front-of-house sound engineer, Chad Singer.
The album features 22 songs selected from twelve shows recorded in 2019 and 2020, during the Kansas Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour. The set list includes both classic hits and deep cuts, along with the band’s multi-platinum album, Point of Know Return, performed in its entirety.
Following the success of the Leftoverture Anniversary Tour, Kansas followed up with the even more popular Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour.
The overwhelming success of the tour, as well as previous live album Leftoverture Live & Beyond, led the band, along with Inside Out Music, to release this new live album…
"Being unable to tour for more than a year has given us the opportunity to work on Point of Know Return Live & Beyond and release it for our fans who are missing live concerts as much as we are." says Phil Ehart. "When we discussed who would mix the album, we thought the best possible person would be the guy who mixes the band live every night and recorded the shows on the road. Nobody knows better how Kansas sound live than our front of house engineer, Chad Singer!"
Along with Kansas originals Phil Ehart and Richard Williams, Point of Know Return Live & Beyond features Tom Brislin (keyboards, vocals), Billy Greer (bass, vocals), Ronnie Platt (lead vocals, keyboards), David Ragsdale (violin, vocals) and Zak Rizvi (guitar, vocals).
Point of Know Return Live & Beyond will be released on May 28th on Inside Out Music with distribution by The Orchard.
The album will be available as a double CD digipak, 3LP 180-gram vinyl + 2 CD boxset, and digitally (download and stream).
Point of Know Return Live & Beyond Track Listing:
Cold Grey Morning; Two Cents Worth; The Wall; Song for America; Summer; Musicatto; Taking in the View; Miracles Out of Nowhere; Point of Know Return; Paradox; The Spider; Portrait (He Knew); Closet Chronicles; Lightning’s Hand’; Dust in the Wind; Sparks of the Tempest; Nobody’s Home; Hopelessly Human; Carry On Wayward Son; People of the South Wind; Refugee; Lonely Wind.
When touring resumes, Kansas will continue the rescheduled Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour dates as well as Kansas Classics tour dates.
More information on the tour and specific dates can be found at www.kansasband.com
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Along with Kansas originals Phil Ehart and Richard Williams, Point of Know Return Live & Beyond features Tom Brislin (keyboards, vocals), Billy Greer (bass, vocals), Ronnie Platt (lead vocals, keyboards), David Ragsdale (violin, vocals) and Zak Rizvi (guitar, vocals).
Point of Know Return Live & Beyond will be released on May 28th on Inside Out Music with distribution by The Orchard.
The album will be available as a double CD digipak, 3LP 180-gram vinyl + 2 CD boxset, and digitally (download and stream).
Point of Know Return Live & Beyond Track Listing:
Cold Grey Morning; Two Cents Worth; The Wall; Song for America; Summer; Musicatto; Taking in the View; Miracles Out of Nowhere; Point of Know Return; Paradox; The Spider; Portrait (He Knew); Closet Chronicles; Lightning’s Hand’; Dust in the Wind; Sparks of the Tempest; Nobody’s Home; Hopelessly Human; Carry On Wayward Son; People of the South Wind; Refugee; Lonely Wind.
When touring resumes, Kansas will continue the rescheduled Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour dates as well as Kansas Classics tour dates.
More information on the tour and specific dates can be found at www.kansasband.com
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Photo by Kevin McCollum
The pandemic and associated lockdowns may have curtailed live gigs but it hasn’t stopped many an artist getting on with recording or adding further strings to their bows – or in the case of Ali Ferguson, his guitar.
An ambient focussed composer, Scottish guitarist-singer-producer-solo artist Ali Ferguson is also known for his touring and recording time with fellow Scot, singer Ray Wilson (Stiltskin, Genesis/Calling All Stations), 80s hitmakers Red Box and Scottish folk legend legend Dougie Maclean.
More recently however Ali Ferguson stepped in as a radio guest-host when he presented The Prog Show on Radio Mix 106.
Given the musician’s penchant for atmospheric and melodic soundscapes (his own work combines spoken word, samples, beautiful Gilmour-esque guitar and electronica) his playlisting wasn’t, refreshingly, all about the usual prog suspects or songs; instead the likes of Sigur Ros, Ashra and Tycho shared ambient space with deeper cuts from Peter Gabriel and Pink Floyd.
You can hear a recent episode of The Prog Show hosted by Ali Ferguson here:
https://radiomix106.com/podcast/planet-prog-episode-22/
Additionally, with touring still some way off, Ali Ferguson has rejoined the ranks of GuitarGuitar Edinburgh as part of their sales team.
Even better news for fans of Ali Ferguson and his music was the recent announcement that four of the eight tracks that will make up the Edinburgh based artist’s third solo album, The Contemplative Power Of Water, have now been completed.
The tracks are being mixed by Graeme Hughes, who also mixed Ferguson’s previous album, 2016’s A Sequence Of Moments, which featured ethereal soundscapes such as 'Out Of the Dark.'
An ambient focussed composer, Scottish guitarist-singer-producer-solo artist Ali Ferguson is also known for his touring and recording time with fellow Scot, singer Ray Wilson (Stiltskin, Genesis/Calling All Stations), 80s hitmakers Red Box and Scottish folk legend legend Dougie Maclean.
More recently however Ali Ferguson stepped in as a radio guest-host when he presented The Prog Show on Radio Mix 106.
Given the musician’s penchant for atmospheric and melodic soundscapes (his own work combines spoken word, samples, beautiful Gilmour-esque guitar and electronica) his playlisting wasn’t, refreshingly, all about the usual prog suspects or songs; instead the likes of Sigur Ros, Ashra and Tycho shared ambient space with deeper cuts from Peter Gabriel and Pink Floyd.
You can hear a recent episode of The Prog Show hosted by Ali Ferguson here:
https://radiomix106.com/podcast/planet-prog-episode-22/
Additionally, with touring still some way off, Ali Ferguson has rejoined the ranks of GuitarGuitar Edinburgh as part of their sales team.
Even better news for fans of Ali Ferguson and his music was the recent announcement that four of the eight tracks that will make up the Edinburgh based artist’s third solo album, The Contemplative Power Of Water, have now been completed.
The tracks are being mixed by Graeme Hughes, who also mixed Ferguson’s previous album, 2016’s A Sequence Of Moments, which featured ethereal soundscapes such as 'Out Of the Dark.'
Work on the remaining four tracks that will make up The Contemplative Power of Water is expected to commence soon; the pre-order/ crowdfunder for the album will also be announced shortly.
Meanwhile you can check out and/ or purchase Ali Ferguson’s previous albums and other songs on his bandcamp page: https://aliferguson.bandcamp.com/music
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Meanwhile you can check out and/ or purchase Ali Ferguson’s previous albums and other songs on his bandcamp page: https://aliferguson.bandcamp.com/music
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The 2021 Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival in Colne, Lancashire has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The famous festival was due to take place over bank holiday weekend, 27th - 29th August 2021 headlined by Band Of Friends, Kyla Brox, Layla Zoe, Davy Knowles, Mike Farris & more.
However Festival organisers, Colne Town Council, have concluded that, at this time, it is "not possible" to run the event safely.
Naomi Crewe, Colne Town Council's Town Clerk, explains that "in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot find a way to guarantee the safety of our festival goers (often upwards of 25,000 people), venues, traders, performers and staff. Although we love the blues festival here in Colne, we love and respect our residents and visitors more. The safety of everyone involved in the event is the motivation for our decision."
All ticket holders will be contacted directly by Friday 2nd April, and given a refund on their purchases.
Updates will also be posted regularly on the festival website and via the festival social media.
The previous Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival (August 2019) was the 30th Anniversary of the event; it won the much-coveted UKBlues Award for Best Blues Based Festival Of The Year.
Keep in touch with the festival:Website: https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk
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The famous festival was due to take place over bank holiday weekend, 27th - 29th August 2021 headlined by Band Of Friends, Kyla Brox, Layla Zoe, Davy Knowles, Mike Farris & more.
However Festival organisers, Colne Town Council, have concluded that, at this time, it is "not possible" to run the event safely.
Naomi Crewe, Colne Town Council's Town Clerk, explains that "in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot find a way to guarantee the safety of our festival goers (often upwards of 25,000 people), venues, traders, performers and staff. Although we love the blues festival here in Colne, we love and respect our residents and visitors more. The safety of everyone involved in the event is the motivation for our decision."
All ticket holders will be contacted directly by Friday 2nd April, and given a refund on their purchases.
Updates will also be posted regularly on the festival website and via the festival social media.
The previous Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival (August 2019) was the 30th Anniversary of the event; it won the much-coveted UKBlues Award for Best Blues Based Festival Of The Year.
Keep in touch with the festival:Website: https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk
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Due to the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, Samantha Fish has rescheduled her UK tour to January and February 2022.
The rescheduling includes a new date at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton on Tuesday 8th February: www.kkssteelmill.co.uk/event-samantha-fish.php
Tickets purchased for all other shows remain valid and are also available via:
www.alttickets.com, www.gigantic.com and www.samanthafish.com
In 2019 the rootsy, genre-crossing guitarist, singer and songwriter released her critically acclaimed album Kill Or Be Kind, which featured the two rock radio singles 'Bulletproof' and 'Watch It Die.'
Kill Or Be Kind has also proven to be Samantha Fish’s breakthrough album. The edgy, roots infused record was recorded at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, produced by three-time Grammy winner Scott Billington and mixed by two-time Grammy winner Steve Reynolds.
The rescheduling includes a new date at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton on Tuesday 8th February: www.kkssteelmill.co.uk/event-samantha-fish.php
Tickets purchased for all other shows remain valid and are also available via:
www.alttickets.com, www.gigantic.com and www.samanthafish.com
In 2019 the rootsy, genre-crossing guitarist, singer and songwriter released her critically acclaimed album Kill Or Be Kind, which featured the two rock radio singles 'Bulletproof' and 'Watch It Die.'
Kill Or Be Kind has also proven to be Samantha Fish’s breakthrough album. The edgy, roots infused record was recorded at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, produced by three-time Grammy winner Scott Billington and mixed by two-time Grammy winner Steve Reynolds.
After launching her recording career in 2009 Samantha Fish quickly established herself as a rising star in the contemporary blues world. The charismatic musician has since earned a reputation as a powerful live performer and an artist with a series of acclaimed albums that constantly evolve to take her, and the listener, in new and exciting musical directions.
"I'm never going be a traditional blues artist, because that's not who I am, but it's all the Blues for me.
When Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf came out, what they were doing didn't sound like anything that had been done in Blues before. You've got to keep that kind of fire and spirit. I'm never going to do Muddy Waters better than Muddy Waters, so I have to be who I am and find my best voice."
- Samantha Fish
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"I'm never going be a traditional blues artist, because that's not who I am, but it's all the Blues for me.
When Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf came out, what they were doing didn't sound like anything that had been done in Blues before. You've got to keep that kind of fire and spirit. I'm never going to do Muddy Waters better than Muddy Waters, so I have to be who I am and find my best voice."
- Samantha Fish
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Progressive legends YES have announced their rescheduled European & UK Tour Dates in 2022 when they will perform their 1974 album Relayer in its entirety.
All shows have been rescheduled excepting the Rockhal in Luxembourg, which has had to be cancelled.
Tickets purchased for all other shows remain valid.
The tour line-up features Steve Howe (guitars), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Jon Davison (vocals), Billy Sherwood (bass guitar and backing vocals), Jay Schellen & Alan White (drums and percussion).
The 2022 shows, which will feature a high-definition video wall, will include favourite classic tracks from YES’s extensive catalogue together with Relayer, one of the band’s most distinctive sounding albums, performed in full.
Released in 1974, Relayer marked a slight change in direction for the band as Patrick Moraz replaced Rick Wakeman on keyboards; the album has a jazzier edge and features the twenty-two minute piece Gates Of Delirium.'
Artist Roger Dean, who designed and painted so many of YES’s classic album covers, will be joining the tour with an exhibition of YES related art.
For full details and to book tickets for all shows go to the venue websites or head to http://yesworld.com/live where you can also book & purchase Meet and Greets with the band.
All shows have been rescheduled excepting the Rockhal in Luxembourg, which has had to be cancelled.
Tickets purchased for all other shows remain valid.
The tour line-up features Steve Howe (guitars), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Jon Davison (vocals), Billy Sherwood (bass guitar and backing vocals), Jay Schellen & Alan White (drums and percussion).
The 2022 shows, which will feature a high-definition video wall, will include favourite classic tracks from YES’s extensive catalogue together with Relayer, one of the band’s most distinctive sounding albums, performed in full.
Released in 1974, Relayer marked a slight change in direction for the band as Patrick Moraz replaced Rick Wakeman on keyboards; the album has a jazzier edge and features the twenty-two minute piece Gates Of Delirium.'
Artist Roger Dean, who designed and painted so many of YES’s classic album covers, will be joining the tour with an exhibition of YES related art.
For full details and to book tickets for all shows go to the venue websites or head to http://yesworld.com/live where you can also book & purchase Meet and Greets with the band.
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Montreal rock band The Damn Truth will release their third album Now or Nowhere, on May 7th.
The first / lead-off single 'This Is Who We Are Now' is out now; The single is available to pre-save here:
https://orcd.co/thisiswhowearenow and the album is available to pre-order: https://orcd.co/nowornowhere
Now or Nowhere chronicles the band as they navigate life, love, and everything else in a world gone seemingly upside down and sideways during the past year.
The title of both album and single could also represent the band and their aspirations – The Damn Truth has been hiding in plain sight for the last nine years, slowly but assuredly bubbling up from the underground and sold-out local scenes to support slots in the USA and Europe with such notables as ZZ Top and Styx.
Now or Nowhere, one hopes, will deservedly put them on the rock radar of an even wider audience because this is, indeed who they are now...
The first / lead-off single 'This Is Who We Are Now' is out now; The single is available to pre-save here:
https://orcd.co/thisiswhowearenow and the album is available to pre-order: https://orcd.co/nowornowhere
Now or Nowhere chronicles the band as they navigate life, love, and everything else in a world gone seemingly upside down and sideways during the past year.
The title of both album and single could also represent the band and their aspirations – The Damn Truth has been hiding in plain sight for the last nine years, slowly but assuredly bubbling up from the underground and sold-out local scenes to support slots in the USA and Europe with such notables as ZZ Top and Styx.
Now or Nowhere, one hopes, will deservedly put them on the rock radar of an even wider audience because this is, indeed who they are now...
Photo by Mikael Theimer
Now Or Nowhere features not just great songs but a great sound – six of the nine tracks were produced by legendary Grammy Award winning producer Bob Rock (Metallica, Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, to name but five) at Bryan Adams’ recording studio in Vancouver.
Following COVID-19 restrictions and unable to finish the album with Bob Rock, the band were lucky enough to put the finishing & mixing touches of the other songs into the hands of Juno Award-winning producer Jean Massicotte, Mike Plotnikoff (Van Halen, Cranberries, Three Days Grace) and two other Grammy Award winners, Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton) and Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against The Machine).
The above is all the more impressive when you consider The Damn Truth are a still young band whose dedicated work ethic far outweighs their financial scope, as guitarist Tom Shemer confirms:
"We are fortunate enough to live in a time where knowledge is free, and you can basically learn how to do everything yourself; it was instrumental for us as a young band with no budget.
We had to make and shoot our own videos, produce, and record our own releases and do all the promo ourselves. The by-product of this was that we were the artist, record label and distributor of our art."
That DIY attitude appealed to Bob Rock as it was reminiscent of his early days working with indie bands during his formative years in Vancouver.
He was so impressed with The Damn Truth’s attitude and songs, and with singer Lee-La Baum’s voice, that he decided to not just produce them, providing advice an encouragement, but record them live off the floor, in keeping with the band's 70s rock roots.
The Damn Truth are:
Lee-La Baum – lead vocals, guitar, tambourine; Tom Shemer – guitars, keys, mandolin, vocals
Py Letterlier – bass guitar, vocals; Dave Traina – drums, vocals
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Following COVID-19 restrictions and unable to finish the album with Bob Rock, the band were lucky enough to put the finishing & mixing touches of the other songs into the hands of Juno Award-winning producer Jean Massicotte, Mike Plotnikoff (Van Halen, Cranberries, Three Days Grace) and two other Grammy Award winners, Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton) and Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against The Machine).
The above is all the more impressive when you consider The Damn Truth are a still young band whose dedicated work ethic far outweighs their financial scope, as guitarist Tom Shemer confirms:
"We are fortunate enough to live in a time where knowledge is free, and you can basically learn how to do everything yourself; it was instrumental for us as a young band with no budget.
We had to make and shoot our own videos, produce, and record our own releases and do all the promo ourselves. The by-product of this was that we were the artist, record label and distributor of our art."
That DIY attitude appealed to Bob Rock as it was reminiscent of his early days working with indie bands during his formative years in Vancouver.
He was so impressed with The Damn Truth’s attitude and songs, and with singer Lee-La Baum’s voice, that he decided to not just produce them, providing advice an encouragement, but record them live off the floor, in keeping with the band's 70s rock roots.
The Damn Truth are:
Lee-La Baum – lead vocals, guitar, tambourine; Tom Shemer – guitars, keys, mandolin, vocals
Py Letterlier – bass guitar, vocals; Dave Traina – drums, vocals
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World-renowned guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, has rescheduled his Shapeshifting UK Tour to May 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tickets for his April and May 2021 UK Shapeshifting tour dates remain valid for the rescheduled May 2022 dates. Tickets are available from www.satriani.com and www.alttickets.com
"Due to the ongoing pandemic we have no choice but to again postpone our upcoming UK tour planned for this spring. The currently rescheduled dates are listed below (additional dates to be announced shortly).
Please hold on to your tickets and we look forward to seeing and playing for everyone next year, which can't come soon enough! Stay safe!"
- Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani’s latest studio album Shapeshifting, released in 2020 via Sony Music/Legacy Recordings, features the radio tracks 'Big Distortion' and 'Nineteen Eighty.'
The May 2022 shows will feature tracks from Shapeshifting plus many Satch classics and fan favourites; Joe Satriani’s talented touring band features drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty), bassist Bryan Beller (Aristocrats) and keyboardist Rai Thistlethwayte (Thirsty Merc).
Tickets for his April and May 2021 UK Shapeshifting tour dates remain valid for the rescheduled May 2022 dates. Tickets are available from www.satriani.com and www.alttickets.com
"Due to the ongoing pandemic we have no choice but to again postpone our upcoming UK tour planned for this spring. The currently rescheduled dates are listed below (additional dates to be announced shortly).
Please hold on to your tickets and we look forward to seeing and playing for everyone next year, which can't come soon enough! Stay safe!"
- Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani’s latest studio album Shapeshifting, released in 2020 via Sony Music/Legacy Recordings, features the radio tracks 'Big Distortion' and 'Nineteen Eighty.'
The May 2022 shows will feature tracks from Shapeshifting plus many Satch classics and fan favourites; Joe Satriani’s talented touring band features drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty), bassist Bryan Beller (Aristocrats) and keyboardist Rai Thistlethwayte (Thirsty Merc).
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The Black Country's award winning, melodic blues rock songstress Rebecca Downes has just released her fourth Studio album, Stripped Back.
Recorded during lockdown with songwriting partner and guitarist Steve Birkett, Stripped Back features six re-worked tracks from previous album, the critically acclaimed More Sinner Than Saint, four from second album Believe and two brand new songs.
The UK Lockdowns have hit the music industry hard. Rebecca Downes performed a storming set at Planet Rock’s Winters End on 1st March 2020 but since then, like many others, she has been limited to online streamed solo gigs (the full band did manage a superb show at the Birmingham Streams venue).
Without the prospect of a tour to promote it, a full new studio album had to be put on hold, but Rebecca Downes & Steve Birkett saw an opportunity to use the time to revisit and reimagine some of their most popular tracks.
A prolific songwriting team, the pair had over twenty songs that did not make the cut for More Sinner Than Saint, primarily because they simply didn't fit the mood and tone of the album.
Two of those songs have deservedly found a home on Stripped Back – 'Washing All Over My Heart' and new single, 'Blues For Us.'
Recorded during lockdown with songwriting partner and guitarist Steve Birkett, Stripped Back features six re-worked tracks from previous album, the critically acclaimed More Sinner Than Saint, four from second album Believe and two brand new songs.
The UK Lockdowns have hit the music industry hard. Rebecca Downes performed a storming set at Planet Rock’s Winters End on 1st March 2020 but since then, like many others, she has been limited to online streamed solo gigs (the full band did manage a superb show at the Birmingham Streams venue).
Without the prospect of a tour to promote it, a full new studio album had to be put on hold, but Rebecca Downes & Steve Birkett saw an opportunity to use the time to revisit and reimagine some of their most popular tracks.
A prolific songwriting team, the pair had over twenty songs that did not make the cut for More Sinner Than Saint, primarily because they simply didn't fit the mood and tone of the album.
Two of those songs have deservedly found a home on Stripped Back – 'Washing All Over My Heart' and new single, 'Blues For Us.'
Stripped Back is a laid-back yet vibrant album that showcases the range and depth of Rebecca Downes’ voice as well as featuring the scope of Steve Birkett’s instrumental and vocal skills.
While band members Neil Ablard, Nigel Darvill, Aiden Goldstraw and Vince Yarrington contributed remotely to the track 'Hurts,' the rest of the music is performed by Steve Birkett, who also arranged, produced and engineered the recordings (Steve’s son Steve Birkett Jnr. mixed and mastered the album).
Stripped Back - Track Listing:
Take Me Higher; More Sinner Than Saint; Blues For Us; Washing All Over My Heart; Screaming Your Name; Believe; Hurts; Night Train; Sailing On a Pool Of Tears; Come With Me Baby; Wave Them Goodbye; With Me
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While band members Neil Ablard, Nigel Darvill, Aiden Goldstraw and Vince Yarrington contributed remotely to the track 'Hurts,' the rest of the music is performed by Steve Birkett, who also arranged, produced and engineered the recordings (Steve’s son Steve Birkett Jnr. mixed and mastered the album).
Stripped Back - Track Listing:
Take Me Higher; More Sinner Than Saint; Blues For Us; Washing All Over My Heart; Screaming Your Name; Believe; Hurts; Night Train; Sailing On a Pool Of Tears; Come With Me Baby; Wave Them Goodbye; With Me
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Blues rock aficionado (and guitarist with British UK melodic rock stalwarts FM) Jim Kirkpatrick has released a Single Mix version of '61 & 49,' his tribute to pioneering blues icon Robert Johnson.
The noted guitarist also recently released a 2LP edition of his critically-acclaimed solo album Ballad of a Prodigal Son, which made FabricationsHQ’s 2020 Roll of Honour as Blues Rock based album of the year.
The title '61 & 49' is a reference to where the legendary Robert Johnson is said to have met The Devil at a crossroads (between Highways 61 and 49) to sell his soul for musical excellence.
Regarding the track and its release as a single, Jim Kirkpatrick explains that the song "has become a bit of a fan favourite. There’s a great version on the CD album, but this single mix turned out amazing; it was such a different take on the CD album version that I just had to release it!"
The track, which opens with slide and acoustic that nods to and echoes the Robert Johnson style, also features the talents of Neil McCallum (drums), Chris Bevington (bass), Jem Davis (keys) and Sarah Miller (backing vocals).
The noted guitarist also recently released a 2LP edition of his critically-acclaimed solo album Ballad of a Prodigal Son, which made FabricationsHQ’s 2020 Roll of Honour as Blues Rock based album of the year.
The title '61 & 49' is a reference to where the legendary Robert Johnson is said to have met The Devil at a crossroads (between Highways 61 and 49) to sell his soul for musical excellence.
Regarding the track and its release as a single, Jim Kirkpatrick explains that the song "has become a bit of a fan favourite. There’s a great version on the CD album, but this single mix turned out amazing; it was such a different take on the CD album version that I just had to release it!"
The track, which opens with slide and acoustic that nods to and echoes the Robert Johnson style, also features the talents of Neil McCallum (drums), Chris Bevington (bass), Jem Davis (keys) and Sarah Miller (backing vocals).
'61 & 49 (Single Version)' is available now via download and all streaming services; the new vinyl edition of the album is the only physical format to carry this version of the song.
The 2LP edition of the album, which also features another non-CD track, 'Blue Blue Heart,' is available from www.jimkirkpatrick.com
Jim Kirkpatrick has also made available a CD of acoustic versions of all 12 songs from Ballad of a Prodigal Son plus 'Blue Blue Heart' from the vinyl edition.
Fittingly titled Prodigally Acoustic, the CD, which would make for a worthy stand-a-lone release in its own acoustic-blues right, is only available with the vinyl edition of the album when purchased direct from Jim Kirkpatrick’s website.
Current live dates (subject to UK Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions):
Thursday 20th May - Cavern Freehouse, London (solo acoustic).
Friday 30th July - Eleven, Stoke.
Sunday 7th November - Bude R&R Festival.
Sunday 14th November - Planet Rockstock, Trecco Bay
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The 2LP edition of the album, which also features another non-CD track, 'Blue Blue Heart,' is available from www.jimkirkpatrick.com
Jim Kirkpatrick has also made available a CD of acoustic versions of all 12 songs from Ballad of a Prodigal Son plus 'Blue Blue Heart' from the vinyl edition.
Fittingly titled Prodigally Acoustic, the CD, which would make for a worthy stand-a-lone release in its own acoustic-blues right, is only available with the vinyl edition of the album when purchased direct from Jim Kirkpatrick’s website.
Current live dates (subject to UK Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions):
Thursday 20th May - Cavern Freehouse, London (solo acoustic).
Friday 30th July - Eleven, Stoke.
Sunday 7th November - Bude R&R Festival.
Sunday 14th November - Planet Rockstock, Trecco Bay
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Leading lights of British blues rock, King King, will head out on the road for a seven date UK tour in October.
Making it not just a King King of the road tour but a Win Win for British blues rock fans is the announcement that When Rivers Meet (formed around husband and wife duo Aaron (guitars, vocals) and Grace Bond (vocals, mandolin, fiddle)) are to be special guests on all dates.
Tickets for the shows can be purchased from:
https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/King-King.htm and www.kingking.co.uk/tour
Making it not just a King King of the road tour but a Win Win for British blues rock fans is the announcement that When Rivers Meet (formed around husband and wife duo Aaron (guitars, vocals) and Grace Bond (vocals, mandolin, fiddle)) are to be special guests on all dates.
Tickets for the shows can be purchased from:
https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/King-King.htm and www.kingking.co.uk/tour
Both King King and When Rivers Meet achieved new album success toward the end of a pandemic and lockdown ridden 2020.
In November King King released their excellent fifth studio album, Maverick; the album, through songs such as singles and 'I Will Not Fall' and 'Never Give In,' delivered a perfect blend of the band’s classic rock meets blues rock style.
The same month attention grabbing up and comers When Rivers Meet released their debut album We Fly Free to great critical acclaim.
You can purchase the album in various formats and other WRM merchandise here:
https://shop.whenriversmeet.co.uk/
We Fly Free features latest single 'Walking On the Wire,' a song which typifies the duo’s gritty and rootsy brand of blues rock as well as their dovetailing harmonies...
In November King King released their excellent fifth studio album, Maverick; the album, through songs such as singles and 'I Will Not Fall' and 'Never Give In,' delivered a perfect blend of the band’s classic rock meets blues rock style.
The same month attention grabbing up and comers When Rivers Meet released their debut album We Fly Free to great critical acclaim.
You can purchase the album in various formats and other WRM merchandise here:
https://shop.whenriversmeet.co.uk/
We Fly Free features latest single 'Walking On the Wire,' a song which typifies the duo’s gritty and rootsy brand of blues rock as well as their dovetailing harmonies...
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Cajun flavoured country blues rock combo The Outlaw Orchestra have just released a new single 'Rattlesnake Sour;' the song is lifted from the band’s new mini-album Powercut.
'Rattlesnake Sour' perfectly captures the after-show, backroom feel of both band and mini-album.
"When we're not on the road we miss the stage and hanging with our outlaw buddies," says lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Roux. "So we've taken a handful of our favourite songs and played them like we do in the backroom with a few cold ones. There are no wires or amps; just candles for light and a stripped back sound. When the bottles run empty our country roots come out, usually in the small hours!"
'Rattlesnake Sour' takes its name from a drink the band concocted on the road, as explained by drummer Ryan Smith: "Take any good cooking whiskey, add a generous squeeze of lime and a spoonful of honey, stir quickly, then slam even quicker. It sure soothes a singing voice first thing in the morning!"
'Rattlesnake Sour' perfectly captures the after-show, backroom feel of both band and mini-album.
"When we're not on the road we miss the stage and hanging with our outlaw buddies," says lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Roux. "So we've taken a handful of our favourite songs and played them like we do in the backroom with a few cold ones. There are no wires or amps; just candles for light and a stripped back sound. When the bottles run empty our country roots come out, usually in the small hours!"
'Rattlesnake Sour' takes its name from a drink the band concocted on the road, as explained by drummer Ryan Smith: "Take any good cooking whiskey, add a generous squeeze of lime and a spoonful of honey, stir quickly, then slam even quicker. It sure soothes a singing voice first thing in the morning!"
Powercut follows on the cowboy coattails of the band’s debut album, Pantomime Villains, which was met with critical acclaim and well-received review alike.
"Their sounds are as authentic as a slice of homemade apple pie and their songs come packed with clever rhythms and intricate guitar entanglements." - Neil Mach, RAW RAMP
"To create a body of work as stylistically diverse as Pantomime Villains takes talent, and to make it look as it if it was seemingly thrown together over a few beers, is pure genius."
- MNPR Magazine
"Through strong song-writing (peppered by that Outlaw Orchestra humour), clever arrangements and some great musicianship, The Outlaw Orchestra have delivered one Cajun flavoured, finger lickin’ good album." - FabricationsHQ
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"Their sounds are as authentic as a slice of homemade apple pie and their songs come packed with clever rhythms and intricate guitar entanglements." - Neil Mach, RAW RAMP
"To create a body of work as stylistically diverse as Pantomime Villains takes talent, and to make it look as it if it was seemingly thrown together over a few beers, is pure genius."
- MNPR Magazine
"Through strong song-writing (peppered by that Outlaw Orchestra humour), clever arrangements and some great musicianship, The Outlaw Orchestra have delivered one Cajun flavoured, finger lickin’ good album." - FabricationsHQ
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Former Little Angels frontman and Wayward Sons singer-guitarist-songwriter Toby Jepson has just released a remastered retrospective of his solo work entitled Viewfinder.
Comprising 16 songs taken from various releases between 2002 to 2013, Viewfinder includes four previously unreleased bonus tracks.
Additionally 'Unwind,' an upbeat and anthemic slice of alternative rock with pop smarts, has just been released with a new Lyric Video.
Of the song, which originally featured on his 2002 "comeback" EP Refresh, Toby Jepson says:
"As I was resurfacing back into the fickle world of the music business, I wrote Unwind as a way of trying to explain my deep feelings of unease - and therein lies the rub of anxiety and stress - it’s often hidden from view. Most of it was caused by the very ordinary need to navigate life and figure myself out having been away from music for quite some time; 'am I good enough?' 'Will anyone care?’ - the imposter syndrome in action.
This song definitely underlines my needs at the time to seek a better way of relaxing and... well, unwinding!"
Comprising 16 songs taken from various releases between 2002 to 2013, Viewfinder includes four previously unreleased bonus tracks.
Additionally 'Unwind,' an upbeat and anthemic slice of alternative rock with pop smarts, has just been released with a new Lyric Video.
Of the song, which originally featured on his 2002 "comeback" EP Refresh, Toby Jepson says:
"As I was resurfacing back into the fickle world of the music business, I wrote Unwind as a way of trying to explain my deep feelings of unease - and therein lies the rub of anxiety and stress - it’s often hidden from view. Most of it was caused by the very ordinary need to navigate life and figure myself out having been away from music for quite some time; 'am I good enough?' 'Will anyone care?’ - the imposter syndrome in action.
This song definitely underlines my needs at the time to seek a better way of relaxing and... well, unwinding!"
Toby Jepson found fame as the frontman-singer-songwriter in British rock band Little Angels who achieved significant success in the UK, Europe and Japan.
The band’s final studio album Jam was released in 1993, followed by a farewell sell out show at the Royal Albert Hall in 1994.
Between 2007 and 2017 Toby fronted Eddie Clarke’s Fastway, sang for Scottish rock band GUN and then fronted Dio’s Disciples – a band made up of the late great Ronnie James Dio’s last line up.
As a producer, his production credits include working with Macclesfield rock act The Virginmarys (on their critically acclaimed debut album King Of Conflict); this led to working as a producer/ arranger for many acts including Saxon, Fastway and The Answer, as well as being the principal writer/ arranger/ producer for UK rock act Toseland.
Toby Jepson has also written and co-written songs for and with a vast array of artists including Katie Melua, Dan Reed, Russ Ballard, Biff Byford, Hugh Cornwell, Matt Sorum, Giuliano and Dante Gizzi, James Lomenzo, Brian Tiche and Jim Vallance.
His new band Wayward Sons have been hailed as one of the key bands at the forefront of the UK hard rock scene.
Their debut album Ghosts Of Yet To Come was voted #8 by Planet Rock Radio’s listeners in 2017’s Top 20 while Great Music Stories listener's voted them Live Band Of The Year.
Wayward Sons were then voted Planet Rock's Best New Band in the station’s ROCKS Awards in 2018. Wayward Sons latest album The Truth Ain’t What It Used To Be is out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
Toby Jepson's continued work as a mentor to bands saw him co-found Lightning In A Bottle with Rob Town (Stampede Press/Panic Cell), a music management consultation agency, in 2018; recently he launched his own film production company, Big Bad Films.
In 2019 Toby Jepson was presented with the prestigious Legend award by Hard Rock Hell at the HRH Awards.
In 2020 Planet Rock announced that Jepson would be joining the radio station as a full-time presenter.
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The band’s final studio album Jam was released in 1993, followed by a farewell sell out show at the Royal Albert Hall in 1994.
Between 2007 and 2017 Toby fronted Eddie Clarke’s Fastway, sang for Scottish rock band GUN and then fronted Dio’s Disciples – a band made up of the late great Ronnie James Dio’s last line up.
As a producer, his production credits include working with Macclesfield rock act The Virginmarys (on their critically acclaimed debut album King Of Conflict); this led to working as a producer/ arranger for many acts including Saxon, Fastway and The Answer, as well as being the principal writer/ arranger/ producer for UK rock act Toseland.
Toby Jepson has also written and co-written songs for and with a vast array of artists including Katie Melua, Dan Reed, Russ Ballard, Biff Byford, Hugh Cornwell, Matt Sorum, Giuliano and Dante Gizzi, James Lomenzo, Brian Tiche and Jim Vallance.
His new band Wayward Sons have been hailed as one of the key bands at the forefront of the UK hard rock scene.
Their debut album Ghosts Of Yet To Come was voted #8 by Planet Rock Radio’s listeners in 2017’s Top 20 while Great Music Stories listener's voted them Live Band Of The Year.
Wayward Sons were then voted Planet Rock's Best New Band in the station’s ROCKS Awards in 2018. Wayward Sons latest album The Truth Ain’t What It Used To Be is out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
Toby Jepson's continued work as a mentor to bands saw him co-found Lightning In A Bottle with Rob Town (Stampede Press/Panic Cell), a music management consultation agency, in 2018; recently he launched his own film production company, Big Bad Films.
In 2019 Toby Jepson was presented with the prestigious Legend award by Hard Rock Hell at the HRH Awards.
In 2020 Planet Rock announced that Jepson would be joining the radio station as a full-time presenter.
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Award winning Scottish singer songwriter Jason Sweeney, whose love for infectious, guitar-driven melodic rock (as heard with The King Lot) is equalled only by his love for roots & modern country (heard to fine effect last year on the single 'The Glasses on the Table') has switched back to the former for an upcoming EP.
Preceded by first, 'She's a Fighter' and now the hard-edged melodic power-pop of 'My Wasted Heart,' the latter is a little different to what might be expected for a heartache song, as Jason Sweeney explains:
"Instead of the familiar slow style associated with this topic, the song is upbeat in tempo to serve as irony to mock, while realising that it is great to be free and moving on.
I wrote the song off the opening riff with the sound of a Gibson Les Paul and Marshall JCM800; in partnership with a Fender precision bass through an Ampeg, it has that authentic and familiar Classic Rock sound!"
Preceded by first, 'She's a Fighter' and now the hard-edged melodic power-pop of 'My Wasted Heart,' the latter is a little different to what might be expected for a heartache song, as Jason Sweeney explains:
"Instead of the familiar slow style associated with this topic, the song is upbeat in tempo to serve as irony to mock, while realising that it is great to be free and moving on.
I wrote the song off the opening riff with the sound of a Gibson Les Paul and Marshall JCM800; in partnership with a Fender precision bass through an Ampeg, it has that authentic and familiar Classic Rock sound!"
Jason Sweeney is an award-winning musician and private music tutor with over thirty years of performing experience as well as various commercial releases under his belt.
His solo music and melodic rock power trio The King Lot (who have released two acclaimed albums) has taken him all around the UK in a touring and performing capacity.
As well as holding a 1st class honours degree in music and a masters degree in songwriting, Jason has also been recognised by Abertay University (contributions towards music in the community) and presented with the Tartan Clef Award by Nordoff Robins (as part of the Hard Rock Cafe awards).
Jason Sweeney's new EP will be released in May.
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His solo music and melodic rock power trio The King Lot (who have released two acclaimed albums) has taken him all around the UK in a touring and performing capacity.
As well as holding a 1st class honours degree in music and a masters degree in songwriting, Jason has also been recognised by Abertay University (contributions towards music in the community) and presented with the Tartan Clef Award by Nordoff Robins (as part of the Hard Rock Cafe awards).
Jason Sweeney's new EP will be released in May.
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Following on from their impressive 2020 debut album White Noise, all female Welsh power-trio Häxan have now announced an eight date Release The Girls UK headline tour.
Subject to UK Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions, the the summer tour is set to commence on the 27th June in Newcastle, with a final date on the 7th August in Crumlin, Newport.
The band, who have an impressive array of live shows and festivals already under their belt (including Download, Planet Rockstock, Hard Rock Hell, shows with Status Quo and Phil Campbell, to name but five), have been building their fanbase throughout the pandemic with the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, White Noise, which featured the single 'Skeletons.'
Subject to UK Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions, the the summer tour is set to commence on the 27th June in Newcastle, with a final date on the 7th August in Crumlin, Newport.
The band, who have an impressive array of live shows and festivals already under their belt (including Download, Planet Rockstock, Hard Rock Hell, shows with Status Quo and Phil Campbell, to name but five), have been building their fanbase throughout the pandemic with the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, White Noise, which featured the single 'Skeletons.'
Of the upcoming dates vocalist/guitarist Sam Bolderson says, "We can't wait to get back out there after what has been an extremely challenging year for everyone. Times have changed drastically, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. A huge thank you to all those who kept us going during the darker times, all the support we received for White Noise and beyond. We're so pumped to finally be able to play the album live!
Special guests on the dates will be Mad Haven and Ashen Reach.
Other bands featured on certain dates include White Raven Down, Hired Guns, Nine Miles South, Ravenbreed and Unknown Refuge.
Häxan Release The Girls UK Tour 2021
(subject to UK Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions)
27th JUNE – NEWCASTLE, Trillians Rock Bar
w/ Mad Haven & Ashen Reach (FREE ENTRY)
2nd JULY – LONDON, Fiddler’s Elbow
w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Nine Miles South
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3uVWtql
3rd JULY – CHELTENHAM, Frog & Fiddle
w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Hired Guns
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3qjbX3T
9th JULY – MANCHESTER, Gullivers
w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Unknown Refuge
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3qwiEA1
16th JULY – BIRMINGHAM, Billesley Rock Club
w/ Mad Haven & Ashen Reach
Tickets: https://bit.ly/2OykuTG
23rd JULY – NORWICH, B2 Venue
w/ Ashen Reach & White Raven Down
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3c9bb4p
1st AUGUST – WILDFIRE FESTIVAL, Wanlockhead
Tickets: https://bit.ly/30kEwU4
7th AUGUST – CRUMLIN, The Patriot
w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Ravenbreed
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3cdXLEC Official Website: https://www.haxan.co.uk
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Special guests on the dates will be Mad Haven and Ashen Reach.
Other bands featured on certain dates include White Raven Down, Hired Guns, Nine Miles South, Ravenbreed and Unknown Refuge.
Häxan Release The Girls UK Tour 2021
(subject to UK Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions)
27th JUNE – NEWCASTLE, Trillians Rock Bar
w/ Mad Haven & Ashen Reach (FREE ENTRY)
2nd JULY – LONDON, Fiddler’s Elbow
w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Nine Miles South
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3uVWtql
3rd JULY – CHELTENHAM, Frog & Fiddle
w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Hired Guns
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3qjbX3T
9th JULY – MANCHESTER, Gullivers
w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Unknown Refuge
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3qwiEA1
16th JULY – BIRMINGHAM, Billesley Rock Club
w/ Mad Haven & Ashen Reach
Tickets: https://bit.ly/2OykuTG
23rd JULY – NORWICH, B2 Venue
w/ Ashen Reach & White Raven Down
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3c9bb4p
1st AUGUST – WILDFIRE FESTIVAL, Wanlockhead
Tickets: https://bit.ly/30kEwU4
7th AUGUST – CRUMLIN, The Patriot
w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Ravenbreed
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3cdXLEC Official Website: https://www.haxan.co.uk
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Nashville based (but far from traditionally Nashville sounding) duo The Bloody Nerve have returned five years on from their noted debut album Taste (a creative blend of Delta meets the Rolling Stones (had they been from Nashville) meet alt-pop blues) with a bigger, bolder and rockier statement that will be second album, All Blood, No Treasure.
The new album is a two-fold concept; while the songs tell "the story about the battle of individualism and collectivism that is somehow still raging on today" as outlined by guitarist/ singer Stacey Blood, the album itself will be conceptually serialisedand released episodically/ track-by-track like a Netflix series.
'Episode 2 - What’s It Say? (About You)' has recently been released with accompanying lyric video.
Of the song, vocalist Laurie Anne Layne says "it makes me feel like how dysfunctional our whole situation gets when we try and administrate and fix all of the damn things. There's a certain type of person who just can't mind their own business and it ends up Hell for everyone else!"
The new album is a two-fold concept; while the songs tell "the story about the battle of individualism and collectivism that is somehow still raging on today" as outlined by guitarist/ singer Stacey Blood, the album itself will be conceptually serialisedand released episodically/ track-by-track like a Netflix series.
'Episode 2 - What’s It Say? (About You)' has recently been released with accompanying lyric video.
Of the song, vocalist Laurie Anne Layne says "it makes me feel like how dysfunctional our whole situation gets when we try and administrate and fix all of the damn things. There's a certain type of person who just can't mind their own business and it ends up Hell for everyone else!"
'What’s It Say? (About You)' follows on from last year’s ear catching (courtesy of Laurie Ann Layne’s powerful vocal performance) 'Part One – A Million Arms.'
The angst driven 'A Million Arms' made such an impression here at FabricationsHQ that it remained a feature on the Home/ News Feed Page right up until being supplanted by the release of Part Two (you can however check out the new Lyric Video for Part One below).
For more information on the album and the band, head to: https://thebloodynerve.com/
"All Blood, No Treasure ain’t going to be no flash in the pan. It will be a slow-burner (lots of mileage), and like all good television series, there will be lots of cliff-hangers along the way!" - Stacey Blood
The angst driven 'A Million Arms' made such an impression here at FabricationsHQ that it remained a feature on the Home/ News Feed Page right up until being supplanted by the release of Part Two (you can however check out the new Lyric Video for Part One below).
For more information on the album and the band, head to: https://thebloodynerve.com/
"All Blood, No Treasure ain’t going to be no flash in the pan. It will be a slow-burner (lots of mileage), and like all good television series, there will be lots of cliff-hangers along the way!" - Stacey Blood
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British good-time rock 'n' rollers The Quireboys have rescheduled four dates on what is an already once rescheduled A Bit Of What You Fancy 30th Anniversary Tour.
Because of the 2020 and 2021 pandemic, the tour is now being performed across two periods, October-November 2021/January 2022, and June 2022.
Special Guests on all dates are Australian rockers Massive.
The new rescheduled 2022 dates are Oxford Bullingdon (June 11th), Southend Chinnerys (June 12th), Bristol Thekla (June 17th) and Nottingham Rescue Rooms (June 18th).
All previously purchased tickets remain valid. Tickets are on sale via www.thegigcartel.com
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of A Bit Of What You Fancy, the Quireboys are currently re-recording their now iconic debut.
The album, which will be available on CD (with bonus live tracks), digital and limited-edition vinyl, will be released later in the year.
You can pre-order the 30th Anniversary Edition of A Bit Of What You Fancy at:
www.offyerrocka.com/product-category/artists/the-quireboys
"A Bit of What You Fancy is where it all began for the Quireboys" says the band’s front man Spike.
"It was an incredible album that launched our career. However, the way we sound and play now doesn’t do it justice. Henceforth, it has been a pleasure updating it to our modern-day gypsy rock and roll sound.
I’m sure everyone will enjoy this new version in all its glory, marking its 30th Anniversary."
Because of the 2020 and 2021 pandemic, the tour is now being performed across two periods, October-November 2021/January 2022, and June 2022.
Special Guests on all dates are Australian rockers Massive.
The new rescheduled 2022 dates are Oxford Bullingdon (June 11th), Southend Chinnerys (June 12th), Bristol Thekla (June 17th) and Nottingham Rescue Rooms (June 18th).
All previously purchased tickets remain valid. Tickets are on sale via www.thegigcartel.com
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of A Bit Of What You Fancy, the Quireboys are currently re-recording their now iconic debut.
The album, which will be available on CD (with bonus live tracks), digital and limited-edition vinyl, will be released later in the year.
You can pre-order the 30th Anniversary Edition of A Bit Of What You Fancy at:
www.offyerrocka.com/product-category/artists/the-quireboys
"A Bit of What You Fancy is where it all began for the Quireboys" says the band’s front man Spike.
"It was an incredible album that launched our career. However, the way we sound and play now doesn’t do it justice. Henceforth, it has been a pleasure updating it to our modern-day gypsy rock and roll sound.
I’m sure everyone will enjoy this new version in all its glory, marking its 30th Anniversary."
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Following the news that recently released debut album Against The Wall had hit #19 in the UK National Album Chart (an d #1 in rock/ metal), Glasgow contemporary rock quintet Mason Hill have announced an extensive UK tour for September, with support from Hollowstar and Empyre.
Tickets for the tour (dates below) are priced from £12 and can be purchased now via:
https://myticket.co.uk/artists/mason-hill
The success of Against The Wall is all the more impressive given part of the recording process was fan funded and the album was released on an independent label, all while amidst a pandemic that has curtailed any live gigs or touring.
The album, which features latest single 'Broken Son,' is available in multiple formats including coloured vinyl, picture disk vinyl, CD and digital.
You can order here: https://eyesoremerch.com/band-tshirts/m/mason-hill
Tickets for the tour (dates below) are priced from £12 and can be purchased now via:
https://myticket.co.uk/artists/mason-hill
The success of Against The Wall is all the more impressive given part of the recording process was fan funded and the album was released on an independent label, all while amidst a pandemic that has curtailed any live gigs or touring.
The album, which features latest single 'Broken Son,' is available in multiple formats including coloured vinyl, picture disk vinyl, CD and digital.
You can order here: https://eyesoremerch.com/band-tshirts/m/mason-hill
Of the album and tour Mason Hill front man Scott Taylor says: “We are all so thrilled with everything that has been happening, it’s almost surreal. Our fans have been so supportive and to have a top 20 national album on our first release is mind blowing. Everyone is itching to crank up the volume and blast out the new material, so we’re stoked to be able to announce of first ever 15 date headline club tour in September! There’s finally some light at the end of this Covid tunnel”
The band are presently on several rock radio playlists having amassed a staggering 1,600 radio plays throughout Germany since January. They are also in the top 10 Heavy1 French radio playlist and have recently been added to the USA Music Choice Active Rock station.
The band are presently on several rock radio playlists having amassed a staggering 1,600 radio plays throughout Germany since January. They are also in the top 10 Heavy1 French radio playlist and have recently been added to the USA Music Choice Active Rock station.
Mason Hill are:
Scott Taylor (lead vocals), James Bird (lead guitar), Marc Montgomery (guitar), Matthew Ward (bass), Craig McFetridge (drums)
Scott Taylor (lead vocals), James Bird (lead guitar), Marc Montgomery (guitar), Matthew Ward (bass), Craig McFetridge (drums)
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Sweet have released a new single Set Me Free from the band’s new lockdown album Isolation Boulevard.
You can stream or download the album, as well as pre-order the CD here: https://thesweet.com/
Isolation Boulevard features all the Sweet’s classic hit singles plus a couple of newer numbers; it was recorded during lockdown periods, between September and October 2020.
Set Me Free is a reworking of what is a true hard rock classic; it first appeared on the band’s Sweet Fanny Adams album in 1974.
One of the most covered songs in Sweet's repertoire (including by Vince Neil of Motley Crue, Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) and Saxon) this marks the first time the band has released it as an official single.
You can stream or download the album, as well as pre-order the CD here: https://thesweet.com/
Isolation Boulevard features all the Sweet’s classic hit singles plus a couple of newer numbers; it was recorded during lockdown periods, between September and October 2020.
Set Me Free is a reworking of what is a true hard rock classic; it first appeared on the band’s Sweet Fanny Adams album in 1974.
One of the most covered songs in Sweet's repertoire (including by Vince Neil of Motley Crue, Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) and Saxon) this marks the first time the band has released it as an official single.
Of the album and its recording, guitarist Andy Scott, the only surviving member of the classic era and line-up, says: Sweet would usually record all together in the studio with a performance rather than individually but the pandemic dictated the ways and means. The result is a mind-blowing set of tracks, all the hits and a barrage of heavy-duty glam rock!”
Isolation Boulevard track listing:
Fox on the Run; Still Got the Rock; Action; Love Is Like Oxygen; Hell Raiser; The Six Teens; Blockbuster; Set Me Free; Teenage Rampage; Turn It Down; New York Groove; Ballroom Blitz
Sweet will also be back out on the road at the end of the year on their rescheduled UK tour with Special Guests Limehouse Lizzy.
Tickets are on sale via www.thegigcartel.com and the 24 HR Box Office on 08444 780 898
Brighton, Chalk - Thursday 25th November
Southampton, 1865 - Friday 26th November
Frome, Cheese & Grain - Saturday 27th Nov.
London, Islington Assembly - Sunday 28th Nov.
Birmingham, Town Hall - Thursday 2nd Nov.
Shrewsbury, The Buttermarket - Friday 3rd Dec.
Bexhill, De La Warr Pavilion - Saturday 4th Dec.
Norwich, The Waterfront - Sunday 5th December
Newcastle, Boiler Shop - Wednesday 8th Dec.
Glasgow, The Garage - Thursday 9th December
Edinburgh, Queen’s Hall - Friday 10th December Holmfirth, Picturedrome - Saturday 11th December
Cardiff, University SU - Friday 17th December Manchester, Academy - Saturday 18th December
Nottingham, Rock City - Sunday 19th December Bury St Edmunds, Apex - Monday 20th December
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Isolation Boulevard track listing:
Fox on the Run; Still Got the Rock; Action; Love Is Like Oxygen; Hell Raiser; The Six Teens; Blockbuster; Set Me Free; Teenage Rampage; Turn It Down; New York Groove; Ballroom Blitz
Sweet will also be back out on the road at the end of the year on their rescheduled UK tour with Special Guests Limehouse Lizzy.
Tickets are on sale via www.thegigcartel.com and the 24 HR Box Office on 08444 780 898
Brighton, Chalk - Thursday 25th November
Southampton, 1865 - Friday 26th November
Frome, Cheese & Grain - Saturday 27th Nov.
London, Islington Assembly - Sunday 28th Nov.
Birmingham, Town Hall - Thursday 2nd Nov.
Shrewsbury, The Buttermarket - Friday 3rd Dec.
Bexhill, De La Warr Pavilion - Saturday 4th Dec.
Norwich, The Waterfront - Sunday 5th December
Newcastle, Boiler Shop - Wednesday 8th Dec.
Glasgow, The Garage - Thursday 9th December
Edinburgh, Queen’s Hall - Friday 10th December Holmfirth, Picturedrome - Saturday 11th December
Cardiff, University SU - Friday 17th December Manchester, Academy - Saturday 18th December
Nottingham, Rock City - Sunday 19th December Bury St Edmunds, Apex - Monday 20th December
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Multi-award-winning and rootsy, genre-crossing singer Elles Bailey has released a new single, 'Love is Gonna Win,' with special self-edited video accompaniment.
The song, co-written in 2019 with Australian-born, Nashville-based award-winning singer/songwriter Tamara Stewart, is the perfect vehicle for Elles Bailey’s trademark smoky voiced timbre and style while musically blending both the Blues and Nashville.
The song, co-written in 2019 with Australian-born, Nashville-based award-winning singer/songwriter Tamara Stewart, is the perfect vehicle for Elles Bailey’s trademark smoky voiced timbre and style while musically blending both the Blues and Nashville.
"I've been thinking a lot about different songs, written in a different time that are somehow now reflecting the state of the world. Songs like Mary Gauthier's 'Mercy Now' or Elton John's ‘Border Song.'
I had this track finished for quite a while, but now I feel that the time is right to finally release it.
We have all lived through a time of isolation but I really wanted to use the video to celebrate my fans’ 'Lockdown Heroes,' and spread the message that in the end love will always win!"
- Elles Bailey
'Love is Gonna Win' is available to download or stream from all digital platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ellesbailey/love-is-gonna-win
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I had this track finished for quite a while, but now I feel that the time is right to finally release it.
We have all lived through a time of isolation but I really wanted to use the video to celebrate my fans’ 'Lockdown Heroes,' and spread the message that in the end love will always win!"
- Elles Bailey
'Love is Gonna Win' is available to download or stream from all digital platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ellesbailey/love-is-gonna-win
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Good news for Geoff Tate fans is the announcement of the return of Sweet Oblivion, the rock-metal project centred around the former Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate; second album Relentless was released on the 9th April on Frontiers Records.
Relentless is the follow-up to the project band’s well-received 2019 self-titled debut that brought Geoff Tate back to a musical landscape somewhat akin to the classic albums he released with his former band in the 1980s.
However, rather than being a mere throwback, other musical influences were thrown into the mix, allowing fans to hear Tate in both familiar and new settings, as is the case with Relentless and songs such as Another Change.
Relentless is the follow-up to the project band’s well-received 2019 self-titled debut that brought Geoff Tate back to a musical landscape somewhat akin to the classic albums he released with his former band in the 1980s.
However, rather than being a mere throwback, other musical influences were thrown into the mix, allowing fans to hear Tate in both familiar and new settings, as is the case with Relentless and songs such as Another Change.
On the Sweet Oblivion debut album the bulk of the songwriting and production was handled by Simone Mularoni of Italian prog-metal masters DGM; for Relentless his compatriot Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere, Timo Tolkki's Avalon, Archon Angel) is on production and guitar duties, as well as co-writing the bulk of the material with Geoff Tate.
The other primary musicians to feature are Luigi Andreone (bass), Antonio Agate (keys) and Michele Sanna (drums), while a number entitled 'Aria' (drafted by Aldo Lonobile at Geoff Tate’s and sung in Italian) features the guitars of Walter Cianciusi and Dario Parente, both of whom are now part of Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime live band.
In showcasing the songwriting and performing talents of Geoff Tate, Aldo Lonobile and the other musicians involved in Sweet Oblivion, Relentless marks a welcome return for Tate to a style he made famous.
"I have been spending more and more time in Italy over the last few years and the people and their culture have captured my heart. I truly enjoyed working with my Italian counterparts to create this classic metal album." – Geoff Tate
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The other primary musicians to feature are Luigi Andreone (bass), Antonio Agate (keys) and Michele Sanna (drums), while a number entitled 'Aria' (drafted by Aldo Lonobile at Geoff Tate’s and sung in Italian) features the guitars of Walter Cianciusi and Dario Parente, both of whom are now part of Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime live band.
In showcasing the songwriting and performing talents of Geoff Tate, Aldo Lonobile and the other musicians involved in Sweet Oblivion, Relentless marks a welcome return for Tate to a style he made famous.
"I have been spending more and more time in Italy over the last few years and the people and their culture have captured my heart. I truly enjoyed working with my Italian counterparts to create this classic metal album." – Geoff Tate
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British melodic rockers Iconic Eye recently released a new and topical single, 'Ghost Town.'
The track is lifted from the band’s Back From Behind the Sun EP; the 5-track offering was released at the end of 2020 and features new singer Janey Smith.
The new single, with a classic Pat Benatar-esque vibe, lyrically reflects current pandemic circumstances just as it did when first conceived & written; the accompanying video complements the song’s lyrics with its own 'ghost town' isolation...
The track is lifted from the band’s Back From Behind the Sun EP; the 5-track offering was released at the end of 2020 and features new singer Janey Smith.
The new single, with a classic Pat Benatar-esque vibe, lyrically reflects current pandemic circumstances just as it did when first conceived & written; the accompanying video complements the song’s lyrics with its own 'ghost town' isolation...
In the anticipation of a return to live music later in the year, Iconic Eye are currently booking for festivals and high-profile support slots in 2021/ 22 including a Spanish support tour with Magnum (October 2021), Hard Rock Hell (ABC) in November 2021 and various Dementia Awareness Festivals.
The band are also booked to play the main stage at Hard Rock Hell (Spring Break) in 2022.
Acclaim for Back From Behind the Sun:
"Music that the melodic rock fraternity should unhesitatingly embrace" - Fireworks Magazine
"Only complaint is that there are only 5 songs!" - Powerplay magazine
"A welcome return to the light for the new-look Iconic Eye." - FabricationsHQ
Purchase Back From Behind the Sun here: https://iconiceyemusic.com/new-ep
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The band are also booked to play the main stage at Hard Rock Hell (Spring Break) in 2022.
Acclaim for Back From Behind the Sun:
"Music that the melodic rock fraternity should unhesitatingly embrace" - Fireworks Magazine
"Only complaint is that there are only 5 songs!" - Powerplay magazine
"A welcome return to the light for the new-look Iconic Eye." - FabricationsHQ
Purchase Back From Behind the Sun here: https://iconiceyemusic.com/new-ep
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UK melodic rock veterans FM have just released a new double live album, Tough It Out Live, on Frontiers Records.
A 30th Anniversary Tour celebration of their acclaimed second album Tough It Out, the set includes the album performed in its entirety plus a selection of newer album material, including some never previously performed live.
Originally released by Epic Records in 1989, Tough It Out broke into the UK Top 40 and featured contributions from songwriting luminaries such as Desmond Child and Jesse Harms.
The album is rightly regarded as a British melodic rock/AOR classic.
A 30th Anniversary Tour celebration of their acclaimed second album Tough It Out, the set includes the album performed in its entirety plus a selection of newer album material, including some never previously performed live.
Originally released by Epic Records in 1989, Tough It Out broke into the UK Top 40 and featured contributions from songwriting luminaries such as Desmond Child and Jesse Harms.
The album is rightly regarded as a British melodic rock/AOR classic.
Tough It Out Live – Track Listing:
CD1
Intro; Tough It Out; Don't Stop; Bad Luck; Someday (You'll Come Running); Every time I Think Of You; Burning My Heart Down; The Dream That Died; Obsession; Can You Hear Me Calling?; Does It Feel Like Love; Feels So Good
CD2
Digging Up The Dirt; Tough Love; Hollow; Dangerous; Hard Day In Hell; Wildside; Breathe Fire; Only The Strong Survive; Blood And Gasoline; I Ain't The One; I Heard It Through The Grapevine
FM are: Steve Overland (lead vocals & guitar), Merv Goldsworthy – bass, backing vocals), Pete Jupp (drums), Jem Davis (keys), Jim Kirkpatrick (guitars, backing vocals)
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CD1
Intro; Tough It Out; Don't Stop; Bad Luck; Someday (You'll Come Running); Every time I Think Of You; Burning My Heart Down; The Dream That Died; Obsession; Can You Hear Me Calling?; Does It Feel Like Love; Feels So Good
CD2
Digging Up The Dirt; Tough Love; Hollow; Dangerous; Hard Day In Hell; Wildside; Breathe Fire; Only The Strong Survive; Blood And Gasoline; I Ain't The One; I Heard It Through The Grapevine
FM are: Steve Overland (lead vocals & guitar), Merv Goldsworthy – bass, backing vocals), Pete Jupp (drums), Jem Davis (keys), Jim Kirkpatrick (guitars, backing vocals)
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Power-pop rockers The Middlenight Men have just released a new single 'We All Need Help Before Tomorrow.'
The song is the fourth track to be lifted as a single from recently released debut album, Issue 1.
Of the song, which is accompanied by a fun video, main Middlenight man Nick Hughes says:
"It’s about being on tour with all the parties you could wish for, but explores the thought that tours can be a lonely place where you crave connections and every time you meet someone and have your 24 hours romance, it always follows a daily breakup.
That being said, The Middlenight Men are never ones to take themselves too seriously; our shows and our music is all about escapism from the daily troubles people may be having.
Sure, we may touch on sensitive topics at times but this band is about laughs, stupidity, over the top ideas and caring for one another. Oh. And tequila!"
The song is the fourth track to be lifted as a single from recently released debut album, Issue 1.
Of the song, which is accompanied by a fun video, main Middlenight man Nick Hughes says:
"It’s about being on tour with all the parties you could wish for, but explores the thought that tours can be a lonely place where you crave connections and every time you meet someone and have your 24 hours romance, it always follows a daily breakup.
That being said, The Middlenight Men are never ones to take themselves too seriously; our shows and our music is all about escapism from the daily troubles people may be having.
Sure, we may touch on sensitive topics at times but this band is about laughs, stupidity, over the top ideas and caring for one another. Oh. And tequila!"
The Middlenight Men were formed by Nick Hughes, who bought long-time friend Leon Cave (Status Quo) along for the ride while working with producer Andy Brook (who Hughes met whilst previously in Soho based power pop band The Role Models).
You can order Issue 1 here: www.themiddlenightmen.com/store
Or listen here: https://ditto.fm/issue-1
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You can order Issue 1 here: www.themiddlenightmen.com/store
Or listen here: https://ditto.fm/issue-1
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Shadow Bones, aka Singer/songwriter Luke Williams, who has been writing and recording songs for nearly 20 years, have just released their debut single 'Our Story.'
After years of imitating a rock star life (international chart success and music used globally, playing to audiences of over 30,000, partying with Primal Scream, being asked to have a fight with Liam Gallagher at a fashion shoot – yes, really) Luke Williams confronted his inner demons and began his path to sobriety. Celebrating six years sober, he is a passionate supporter of brands such as Rok Soba – for good times without booze.
The concept of Shadow Bones was born in lockdown, which opened the door to Luke Williams’ old demons:
“Writing songs in lockdown was cathartic, a means of therapy. It transported me back to a dark period of time I had left behind when I was battling sobriety demons.
Being in lockdown gave me that time to reflect on life, what’s been, appreciate what you do have and what you don’t. I never thought a bag of pasta would mean so much to me!”
In less than two weeks an album’s worth of material was written; one month later it was recorded.
'Our Story,' the first song to be officially released from those sessions, is "a reflection on looking back and realising what you have lost and what was important and what you should change.
It’s a commercial indie rock take on a classic southern rock feel."
After years of imitating a rock star life (international chart success and music used globally, playing to audiences of over 30,000, partying with Primal Scream, being asked to have a fight with Liam Gallagher at a fashion shoot – yes, really) Luke Williams confronted his inner demons and began his path to sobriety. Celebrating six years sober, he is a passionate supporter of brands such as Rok Soba – for good times without booze.
The concept of Shadow Bones was born in lockdown, which opened the door to Luke Williams’ old demons:
“Writing songs in lockdown was cathartic, a means of therapy. It transported me back to a dark period of time I had left behind when I was battling sobriety demons.
Being in lockdown gave me that time to reflect on life, what’s been, appreciate what you do have and what you don’t. I never thought a bag of pasta would mean so much to me!”
In less than two weeks an album’s worth of material was written; one month later it was recorded.
'Our Story,' the first song to be officially released from those sessions, is "a reflection on looking back and realising what you have lost and what was important and what you should change.
It’s a commercial indie rock take on a classic southern rock feel."
Shadow Bones will release a string of numbers in 2021, covering Luke Williams story from high life to homelessness – and that’s a story worth telling.
You can read more about Shadow Bones and check out other videos at: www.shadowbones.com
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You can read more about Shadow Bones and check out other videos at: www.shadowbones.com
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Devon based contemporary rock trio Firekind have released 'Cry For Help,' which features on the Deluxe Edition of their What I Have Found Is Already Lost album, as a 100 copies Limited Edition CD EP Single with two bonus tracks; the single is also available on all digital platforms.
Of the song, which is accompanied by a clever and captivating video, band frontman Jas Morris states:
"Nothing much stirs more emotion in me than seeing someone helping another person, especially when there isn’t anything in it for the person helping.
In times when you are at your end and you think all is lost, then that one person is brave enough to jump in to save you out of the blue. That’s what I tried to capture with this track."
Of the song, which is accompanied by a clever and captivating video, band frontman Jas Morris states:
"Nothing much stirs more emotion in me than seeing someone helping another person, especially when there isn’t anything in it for the person helping.
In times when you are at your end and you think all is lost, then that one person is brave enough to jump in to save you out of the blue. That’s what I tried to capture with this track."
Both the signed & numbered CD and Digital release boast B-Sides of an alternate, heavier version of album track 'No Stone Unturned,' and 'Have I Been Living,' also in alternative form.
Both were arranged/ recorded remotely in the current UK lockdown with friend of the band, Matthew Fisher, mixing and mastering the tracks.
The single can be purchased along with other Firekind merch here: www.firekind.com/shop
Firekind hope to be scheduling a UK tour for later this year.
"Gnarly contemporary sounds and arena-friendly oomph."
Classic Rock Magazine
"If you’re not familiar with Firekind, you should get familiar."
Kris Barras
"On What I Have Found Is Already Lost Firekind have made quite a sonic impression."
FabricationsHQ
"One of the best-kept secrets in UK rock."
Rock N Load Magazine
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Both were arranged/ recorded remotely in the current UK lockdown with friend of the band, Matthew Fisher, mixing and mastering the tracks.
The single can be purchased along with other Firekind merch here: www.firekind.com/shop
Firekind hope to be scheduling a UK tour for later this year.
"Gnarly contemporary sounds and arena-friendly oomph."
Classic Rock Magazine
"If you’re not familiar with Firekind, you should get familiar."
Kris Barras
"On What I Have Found Is Already Lost Firekind have made quite a sonic impression."
FabricationsHQ
"One of the best-kept secrets in UK rock."
Rock N Load Magazine
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Acoustic soul/ rootsy Americana singer-songwriter Brigitte DeMeyer, who spent a great deal of her music career in Nashville before returning to her home State of California, has just released her new album Seeker on BDM Music.
The album is available on CD, Digital Download and Stream.
Co-written and produced by Jano Rix (the multi-instrumentalist of roots trio, the Wood Brothers) Seeker showcases Brigitte DeMeyer’s versatility as a singer and songwriter, moving with ease from the rootsy to the ethereal.
Both luscious and sparse arrangements showcase DeMeyer’s emotive vocals within a lyrically deep set of songs that are "a mix of poetry and soul" as the singer herself puts it.
The album is available on CD, Digital Download and Stream.
Co-written and produced by Jano Rix (the multi-instrumentalist of roots trio, the Wood Brothers) Seeker showcases Brigitte DeMeyer’s versatility as a singer and songwriter, moving with ease from the rootsy to the ethereal.
Both luscious and sparse arrangements showcase DeMeyer’s emotive vocals within a lyrically deep set of songs that are "a mix of poetry and soul" as the singer herself puts it.
Photo by Gina R. Binkley
Having Jano Rix on board again (he appeared on the DeMeyer/Will Kimbrough release Mockingbird Soul and DeMeyer’s Savannah Road) points to a collaboration that works beautifully (DeMeyer’s voice and painterly lyrics, combined with Rix’s mastery of piano and rhythm, create a musical sparkle).
Or, as featured bassist Chris Woods (The Wood Brothers, Medeski Martin and Wood) says "It’s Bob Dylan meets Sly Stone."
Along with Jano Rix and Chris Woods the album features a "family of friends" including Alfreda McCrary of the McCrary Sisters (DeMeyer’s best friend and godmother to her son) on backing and harmony vocals and Oliver Wood (electric guitar, harmony vocals).
Moving back west, intermixed with personal loss, a bout of pneumonia and an equestrian accident, inspired the songs – "Often art comes from struggle" says Brigitte DeMeyer, "You write what you know about. I’m certainly not the first to find this out.
I’m thankful for what has come my way whichever way it landed.
In hindsight, it always turns in to something I can draw from creatively."
While splitting her time between San Francisco and Nashville has now become the norm for Brigitte DeMeyer, the fear of the unknown has become fuel. Her searching turned into Seeker.
www.brigittedemeyer.com
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Or, as featured bassist Chris Woods (The Wood Brothers, Medeski Martin and Wood) says "It’s Bob Dylan meets Sly Stone."
Along with Jano Rix and Chris Woods the album features a "family of friends" including Alfreda McCrary of the McCrary Sisters (DeMeyer’s best friend and godmother to her son) on backing and harmony vocals and Oliver Wood (electric guitar, harmony vocals).
Moving back west, intermixed with personal loss, a bout of pneumonia and an equestrian accident, inspired the songs – "Often art comes from struggle" says Brigitte DeMeyer, "You write what you know about. I’m certainly not the first to find this out.
I’m thankful for what has come my way whichever way it landed.
In hindsight, it always turns in to something I can draw from creatively."
While splitting her time between San Francisco and Nashville has now become the norm for Brigitte DeMeyer, the fear of the unknown has become fuel. Her searching turned into Seeker.
www.brigittedemeyer.com
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Oxfordshire based contemporary hard rock trio Molly Karloff have just released their new single 'She Said' (Romesh Remix).
All proceeds from the single will be donated to the UK mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind.
Having worked with Romesh Dodangoda (Bullet for My Valentine, Funeral For A Friend, Bring Me The Horizon) on the remix of previous single 'Do It Again' the band invited him to remix 'She Said,' which sports a big hook chorus and a guitar sound thicker than War And Peace.
"Lockdowns are bad for mental health" says Molly Karloff’s guitarist and vocalist Simon Gee.
"We’ve decided to raise money to help those people who are suffering most. Mental health is a serious issue and that’s why the band are showing their support by donating all proceeds from the new single to Oxfordshire Mind."
All proceeds from the single will be donated to the UK mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind.
Having worked with Romesh Dodangoda (Bullet for My Valentine, Funeral For A Friend, Bring Me The Horizon) on the remix of previous single 'Do It Again' the band invited him to remix 'She Said,' which sports a big hook chorus and a guitar sound thicker than War And Peace.
"Lockdowns are bad for mental health" says Molly Karloff’s guitarist and vocalist Simon Gee.
"We’ve decided to raise money to help those people who are suffering most. Mental health is a serious issue and that’s why the band are showing their support by donating all proceeds from the new single to Oxfordshire Mind."
Oxfordshire Mind provides help and support to anyone affected by mental health problems.
People can donate by pre-saving and ordering the single from https://mollykarloff.hearnow.com or donate via the band’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/molly-karloff
"We’re thrilled Molly Karloff has chosen to support Oxfordshire Mind by donating the proceeds of their new single. Covid-19 has dramatically highlighted the need for services like ours. The pandemic is changing our lives and placing huge amounts of stress on our mental health. The self-isolation and social distancing measures in place, as well as fears about the virus itself, are adding to the pressures of the current situation." Kathryn Pickup, Community Fundraiser Oxfordshire Mind.
To coincide with the new single, Molly Karloff have confirmed a recording deal with Off Yer Rocka Records, who will release the band’s next two studio albums.
Molly Karloff is Simon Gee (vocals, guitar), Dan Podbery (bass) and Jowie Adkins (drums).
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People can donate by pre-saving and ordering the single from https://mollykarloff.hearnow.com or donate via the band’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/molly-karloff
"We’re thrilled Molly Karloff has chosen to support Oxfordshire Mind by donating the proceeds of their new single. Covid-19 has dramatically highlighted the need for services like ours. The pandemic is changing our lives and placing huge amounts of stress on our mental health. The self-isolation and social distancing measures in place, as well as fears about the virus itself, are adding to the pressures of the current situation." Kathryn Pickup, Community Fundraiser Oxfordshire Mind.
To coincide with the new single, Molly Karloff have confirmed a recording deal with Off Yer Rocka Records, who will release the band’s next two studio albums.
Molly Karloff is Simon Gee (vocals, guitar), Dan Podbery (bass) and Jowie Adkins (drums).
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London based rock quartet Vambo have shown their softer musical shades via the releases of the acoustic version of Dancing With the Devil, one of many highlights to be found on last year's Vambo Deluxe (the band's debit album with a selection of bonus, acoustic and live tracks).
Covid-Pandemic situation willing, the band will be Special Guests to, first, Cats in Space on the latter's 10 date UK tour in September, then Praying Mantis in October.
Covid-Pandemic situation willing, the band will be Special Guests to, first, Cats in Space on the latter's 10 date UK tour in September, then Praying Mantis in October.
"Vambo Deluxe is a promising debut from a promising band that wear their influences on their collective sleeve while looking to expand the genre... there is absolutely no question Vambo could yet rool, OK?"
- FabricationsHQ
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- FabricationsHQ
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Midlands based, rock 'n' soul-inspired quartet Rainbreakers are returning to the fray with impressive new material that will see the light of day on their forthcoming new album, to be released later this year.
The band’s return, which follows their seriously impressive 2018 full-length debut album Face To Face, is celebrated by the new single 'Ashes,' which will be released on the 26th February.
"Ashes has been a long time coming," admits Rainbreakers frontman Ben Edwards, "and to be honest there were times last year where I wondered if it would ever see the light of day!"
Directed by Morgan Tedd at Erase Creative, the Official Music Video for 'Ashes' cuts between the band and a man literally at the end of his tether, dragging a deadweight behind him, giving the themes of the song a vivid and physical form that matches the weight of the music, lyric and performance…
The band’s return, which follows their seriously impressive 2018 full-length debut album Face To Face, is celebrated by the new single 'Ashes,' which will be released on the 26th February.
"Ashes has been a long time coming," admits Rainbreakers frontman Ben Edwards, "and to be honest there were times last year where I wondered if it would ever see the light of day!"
Directed by Morgan Tedd at Erase Creative, the Official Music Video for 'Ashes' cuts between the band and a man literally at the end of his tether, dragging a deadweight behind him, giving the themes of the song a vivid and physical form that matches the weight of the music, lyric and performance…
"Ashes is about feeling held back. Right now, the whole world is feeling that way, but this is only the beginning of the journey. Our song showcases the feelings of someone who has been thrust into a world where they are underappreciated and neglected by the system.
This song explores how it feels for someone to be disregarded by their society because they do not fit the templates imposed on them; or, at least, how those aspects of a personality can feel oppressed by a system that just doesn’t care." - Ben Edwards
Rainbreakers kept the initial roll-out of the single very special and very exclusive, as it was only released on Limited Edition 7” Vinyl, with just 500 copies being pressed and printed.
An exclusive signed photo was included with the hand-numbered and signed vinyl, making it even more collectable.
The Rainbreakers are:
Ben Edwards (vocals); Charlie Richards (guitar); Ash Milburn (bass), Sam Edwards (drums).
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This song explores how it feels for someone to be disregarded by their society because they do not fit the templates imposed on them; or, at least, how those aspects of a personality can feel oppressed by a system that just doesn’t care." - Ben Edwards
Rainbreakers kept the initial roll-out of the single very special and very exclusive, as it was only released on Limited Edition 7” Vinyl, with just 500 copies being pressed and printed.
An exclusive signed photo was included with the hand-numbered and signed vinyl, making it even more collectable.
The Rainbreakers are:
Ben Edwards (vocals); Charlie Richards (guitar); Ash Milburn (bass), Sam Edwards (drums).
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It’s a double dose of good news for acclaimed American singer-songwriter-guitarist Arielle.
Not only does she release her new album Analog Girl in a Digital World on Friday 7th May, that date coincides with the release of her new signature guitar The Arielle, manufactured by Brian May Guitars.
Queen’s legendary guitarist, a big fan of Arielle’s guitar playing, confirmed this is the first time Brian May Guitars have manufactured a signature model for another player:
"This is the first guitar Brian May Guitars has ever offered that is not based on my original Red Special. Designed by, and named after Arielle, it’s a new dimension.
To understand why this guitar was irresistible to me, you have to hold her in your hands. The guitar is light, smooth and agile. She sings like a bird."
Analog Girl in a Digital World, which will be available on CD, Vinyl & Digital can be pre-ordered from: https://smarturl.it/officialarielle and www.arielle.store
The Arielle signature guitar can also now be pre-ordered from Brian May Guitars: https://shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/products/bmg-arielle.html
The album is preceded by the Americana chime and pop charm of Arielle's new single 'Peace of Mind'...
Not only does she release her new album Analog Girl in a Digital World on Friday 7th May, that date coincides with the release of her new signature guitar The Arielle, manufactured by Brian May Guitars.
Queen’s legendary guitarist, a big fan of Arielle’s guitar playing, confirmed this is the first time Brian May Guitars have manufactured a signature model for another player:
"This is the first guitar Brian May Guitars has ever offered that is not based on my original Red Special. Designed by, and named after Arielle, it’s a new dimension.
To understand why this guitar was irresistible to me, you have to hold her in your hands. The guitar is light, smooth and agile. She sings like a bird."
Analog Girl in a Digital World, which will be available on CD, Vinyl & Digital can be pre-ordered from: https://smarturl.it/officialarielle and www.arielle.store
The Arielle signature guitar can also now be pre-ordered from Brian May Guitars: https://shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/products/bmg-arielle.html
The album is preceded by the Americana chime and pop charm of Arielle's new single 'Peace of Mind'...
Analog Girl in a Digital World features Arielle's self-built guitar Two-Tone, and her new signature guitar The Arielle (the musician will also be planting a tone-wood tree in honour of the first 24 guitars sold).
Continues Brian May: Arielle is truly phenomenal player, with an ability to produce the most beautiful tones as well technical mastery. Of course, it is in the fingers, but I was keen to discover how she had fashioned her own instrument to achieve her sound. We collaborated in making the Arielle a new mission to guitarists everywhere - to open up a new door to excellence!”
Arielle is a classic rock artist in the 21st century; a young musician born in the wrong generation.
She recorded half of the new album in digital, and the other half in tape, to try and capture the impact music of the 60’s and 70’s had on her.
"I take and protect those principles inside my music,” says the guitarist "The new album takes you on a journey through the trials, tribulations, and confusion of an old-school artist in a fast-paced world."
When Arielle produced the album, she insisted on recording each song in one take.
Additionally, recording the album in studios in Nashville and Austin, Arielle set out to capture the energy of each of those cities and their musicians.
Analog Girl in a Digital World - Track Listing
1. Dialup; 2. Digital World; 3. Peace Of Mind; 4. This Is Our Intervention; 5. Still A Man; 6. Inside & Outside;
7. I'd Rather Be In England; 8. Living in a Fortress; 9. Reimagine Redefine
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Continues Brian May: Arielle is truly phenomenal player, with an ability to produce the most beautiful tones as well technical mastery. Of course, it is in the fingers, but I was keen to discover how she had fashioned her own instrument to achieve her sound. We collaborated in making the Arielle a new mission to guitarists everywhere - to open up a new door to excellence!”
Arielle is a classic rock artist in the 21st century; a young musician born in the wrong generation.
She recorded half of the new album in digital, and the other half in tape, to try and capture the impact music of the 60’s and 70’s had on her.
"I take and protect those principles inside my music,” says the guitarist "The new album takes you on a journey through the trials, tribulations, and confusion of an old-school artist in a fast-paced world."
When Arielle produced the album, she insisted on recording each song in one take.
Additionally, recording the album in studios in Nashville and Austin, Arielle set out to capture the energy of each of those cities and their musicians.
Analog Girl in a Digital World - Track Listing
1. Dialup; 2. Digital World; 3. Peace Of Mind; 4. This Is Our Intervention; 5. Still A Man; 6. Inside & Outside;
7. I'd Rather Be In England; 8. Living in a Fortress; 9. Reimagine Redefine
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Hookers & Blow, the covers project formed by long-time Guns N' Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed and Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi, have released a new single from their forthcoming covers album to be released in 2021 via Golden Robot Records.
The new single is a cover of The Zombies classic, 'Time Of The Season,' of which Dizzy Reed says "We love the Zombies. Great band with a great name led by the incomparable Rod Argent and his keyboard wizardry. Time of the Season is an iconic song with a timeless message. To share the burden as well as the fun, the lovely Nadja Reed picks up the lead vocals on this one!"
The new single is a cover of The Zombies classic, 'Time Of The Season,' of which Dizzy Reed says "We love the Zombies. Great band with a great name led by the incomparable Rod Argent and his keyboard wizardry. Time of the Season is an iconic song with a timeless message. To share the burden as well as the fun, the lovely Nadja Reed picks up the lead vocals on this one!"
The first single from the forthcoming album was an inspired cover of Eddie Money's 'Shakin,' followed by an energetic and rambunctious version of the Rolling Stones classic 'Rocks Off,' from iconic double album Exile On Main Street.
Those were followed an emotive version of David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' that respectfully held a candle up to the original, as did their cover of Led Zeppelin's 'Trampled Underfoot,' which was dedicated to the band’s good friend and colleague, the late Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot, who played on the track (the drummer sadly passed away in August 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer).
A portion of the proceeds from the 'Trampled Underfoot' single were donated to https://www.pancan.org/
Stream/ buy 'Time of the Season' here: https://smarturl.it/HnB-TimeOfTheSeason
In addition to Dizzy Reed, Alex Grossi and Nadja Reed, Hookers & Blow’s current line-up includes drummer Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative, Danzig) and bassist Robbie Crane (Black Star Riders).
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Those were followed an emotive version of David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' that respectfully held a candle up to the original, as did their cover of Led Zeppelin's 'Trampled Underfoot,' which was dedicated to the band’s good friend and colleague, the late Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot, who played on the track (the drummer sadly passed away in August 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer).
A portion of the proceeds from the 'Trampled Underfoot' single were donated to https://www.pancan.org/
Stream/ buy 'Time of the Season' here: https://smarturl.it/HnB-TimeOfTheSeason
In addition to Dizzy Reed, Alex Grossi and Nadja Reed, Hookers & Blow’s current line-up includes drummer Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative, Danzig) and bassist Robbie Crane (Black Star Riders).
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Noted composer and musician Lyle Workman hasn’t just had a successful career – he’s had three.
As a versatile sideman and session guitarist, Lyle Workman he has toured and recorded with the likes of Beck, Sting, Todd Rundgren, Norah Jones, Bryan Adams and Tony Williams, among others.
As a film composer, his credits include the blockbusters Superbad, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Forgetting Sarah Marshall; as a songwriter and solo artist, he has penned hits, released solo albums and earned praise from such guitar luminaries as Steve Vai and Steve Lukather.
Lyle Workman now unites his various endeavours with Uncommon Measures, a stunning and stylistically diverse instrumental album featuring a 63-piece orchestra recorded live at Abbey Road.
Uncommon Measures plays like the score to an epic film from another dimension, mixing elements of progressive rock, jazz fusion, classical and choral music with gleeful abandon; the results are an extraordinary and captivating nine song cycle that scales the heights of joy and sadness, love and friendship, self-discovery and celebration, all without a single word.
"This record ties together all the different threads of who I am as an artist," explains Lyle Workman.
"It was four years in the making, but it’s really the culmination of a lifetime in music."
Painting vivid, emotional portraits with his evocative guitar and keyboard work, Workman creates an immersive, cinematic universe drawn entirely from the depths of his subconscious in spontaneous, improvised writing sessions. "Writing these songs, I tried to just go into this tabula rasa state of mind, a meditative place where I could let the music tell me where to go."
Uncommon Measures showcases not only Workman’s skilled musicianship, but also his expansive emotional vocabulary.
Tracks such as dizzying nine-minute opener 'North Star' and pulse-pounding 'All The Colors Of The World' balance breakneck guitar runs and instrumental fireworks with moments of deep calm and poignant reflection, while playful tunes such as the funky, horn-fuelled 'Unsung Hero' and 'Noble Savage' revel in the joys of creative freedom...
As a versatile sideman and session guitarist, Lyle Workman he has toured and recorded with the likes of Beck, Sting, Todd Rundgren, Norah Jones, Bryan Adams and Tony Williams, among others.
As a film composer, his credits include the blockbusters Superbad, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Forgetting Sarah Marshall; as a songwriter and solo artist, he has penned hits, released solo albums and earned praise from such guitar luminaries as Steve Vai and Steve Lukather.
Lyle Workman now unites his various endeavours with Uncommon Measures, a stunning and stylistically diverse instrumental album featuring a 63-piece orchestra recorded live at Abbey Road.
Uncommon Measures plays like the score to an epic film from another dimension, mixing elements of progressive rock, jazz fusion, classical and choral music with gleeful abandon; the results are an extraordinary and captivating nine song cycle that scales the heights of joy and sadness, love and friendship, self-discovery and celebration, all without a single word.
"This record ties together all the different threads of who I am as an artist," explains Lyle Workman.
"It was four years in the making, but it’s really the culmination of a lifetime in music."
Painting vivid, emotional portraits with his evocative guitar and keyboard work, Workman creates an immersive, cinematic universe drawn entirely from the depths of his subconscious in spontaneous, improvised writing sessions. "Writing these songs, I tried to just go into this tabula rasa state of mind, a meditative place where I could let the music tell me where to go."
Uncommon Measures showcases not only Workman’s skilled musicianship, but also his expansive emotional vocabulary.
Tracks such as dizzying nine-minute opener 'North Star' and pulse-pounding 'All The Colors Of The World' balance breakneck guitar runs and instrumental fireworks with moments of deep calm and poignant reflection, while playful tunes such as the funky, horn-fuelled 'Unsung Hero' and 'Noble Savage' revel in the joys of creative freedom...
Born and raised in California, Lyle Workman taught himself guitar as a youngster by playing along to songs by The Beatles.
His taste would expand over the years with the likes of Genesis and YES bringing him to Mahavishnu Orchestra and Miles Davis, which in turn led to Ravel and Debussy.
But he also has a love for the perfectly crafted pop song; he co-wrote the Todd Rundgren produced hit single ‘I Don’t Mind At All’ for Bourgeois Tagg, who he had joined after leaving Music College.
Workman released his first instrumental solo album, Purple Passages, in 1996.
His second solo album, Tabula Rasa, was released in 2001; it was followed eight years later by 2009’s Harmonic Crusader.
Embarking on the journey that would become Uncommon Measures, Lyle Workman shut off his mind and simply let the music flow in his LA studio.
Assembling a band to help flesh out the core material, he tapped up drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Matt Chamberlain, bassist Tim Lefebvre and pedal steel wizard Greg Leisz.
He then began collaborating on arrangements with John Ashton Thomas, the orchestrator behind films such as Black Panther and Captain Marvel.
When it came time to record the orchestra, 63 of London’s finest players gathered at Abbey Road for what turned out to be a ‘pinch me’ day for Lyle Workman, both as a kid who grew up obsessed with The Beatles and as a composer finally seeing his vision come to life.
For an artist like Lyle Workman, when the possibilities are infinite, the infinite becomes possible.
Uncommon Measures is proof of that.
Uncommon Measures was released digitally on the 19th February; it will be released on CD on 16th April on Blue Canoe Records.
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His taste would expand over the years with the likes of Genesis and YES bringing him to Mahavishnu Orchestra and Miles Davis, which in turn led to Ravel and Debussy.
But he also has a love for the perfectly crafted pop song; he co-wrote the Todd Rundgren produced hit single ‘I Don’t Mind At All’ for Bourgeois Tagg, who he had joined after leaving Music College.
Workman released his first instrumental solo album, Purple Passages, in 1996.
His second solo album, Tabula Rasa, was released in 2001; it was followed eight years later by 2009’s Harmonic Crusader.
Embarking on the journey that would become Uncommon Measures, Lyle Workman shut off his mind and simply let the music flow in his LA studio.
Assembling a band to help flesh out the core material, he tapped up drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Matt Chamberlain, bassist Tim Lefebvre and pedal steel wizard Greg Leisz.
He then began collaborating on arrangements with John Ashton Thomas, the orchestrator behind films such as Black Panther and Captain Marvel.
When it came time to record the orchestra, 63 of London’s finest players gathered at Abbey Road for what turned out to be a ‘pinch me’ day for Lyle Workman, both as a kid who grew up obsessed with The Beatles and as a composer finally seeing his vision come to life.
For an artist like Lyle Workman, when the possibilities are infinite, the infinite becomes possible.
Uncommon Measures is proof of that.
Uncommon Measures was released digitally on the 19th February; it will be released on CD on 16th April on Blue Canoe Records.
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New York blues-rock songstress Sari Schorr has created a visually accomplished, brand-new video for latest single 'Turn the Radio On,' lifted from current studio album Never Say Never.
During the past year, in a world of restrictions, lockdowns and no live gigging, Sari Schorr honed a new craft, that of shooting and editing vivid, evocative visual pieces such as her much-viewed video for her "gratitude song" Ordinary Life, which captured striking and emotive scenes of life in The Big Apple under the first lockdown.
For her latest video the critically acclaimed, New York Blues Hall of Fame singer shows what can be achieved with quality consumer media tools – a smartphone, laptop and editing software – and artistic vison.
During the past year, in a world of restrictions, lockdowns and no live gigging, Sari Schorr honed a new craft, that of shooting and editing vivid, evocative visual pieces such as her much-viewed video for her "gratitude song" Ordinary Life, which captured striking and emotive scenes of life in The Big Apple under the first lockdown.
For her latest video the critically acclaimed, New York Blues Hall of Fame singer shows what can be achieved with quality consumer media tools – a smartphone, laptop and editing software – and artistic vison.
Of the video and song, which melodically shapes itself around a lyric of regret and reflection, Sari Schorr comments: "I think a lot about the past. Life paves this beautiful road for us to roam, but it’s bumpy and narrow with twists and turns, offering up hit or miss guardrails that stand as our last defence between serenity and regret.
Creating this visual representation of my music has been a monumental challenge, first and foremost because I’m not a filmmaker and have no professional equipment at my disposal.
So, the craft of storytelling is presented through the lens of my iPhone rather than through stagecraft, but I hope the connection with the audience will be as rewarding and memorable."
"Turn the Radio On is a lovely AOR pop-blues with reflective ‘what-if’ lyric – and a song Stevie Nicks will be raging she didn’t come up with first." - FabricationsHQ
The single is now available to download & Stream from all digital platforms: http://smarturl.it/ssradioon
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Creating this visual representation of my music has been a monumental challenge, first and foremost because I’m not a filmmaker and have no professional equipment at my disposal.
So, the craft of storytelling is presented through the lens of my iPhone rather than through stagecraft, but I hope the connection with the audience will be as rewarding and memorable."
"Turn the Radio On is a lovely AOR pop-blues with reflective ‘what-if’ lyric – and a song Stevie Nicks will be raging she didn’t come up with first." - FabricationsHQ
The single is now available to download & Stream from all digital platforms: http://smarturl.it/ssradioon
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London based blues rock guitarist-singer-songwriter Jack J Hutchinson has released the first single (and video), 'World On Fire,' from his forthcoming studio album, The Hammer Falls.
You can purchase here: https://bit.ly/JJHWorldOnFire
'World On Fire,' a muscly and gritty blues rocker that mixes a Sabbath-styled riff with a sing-a-long chorus and a down-tempo change-of-pace middle 8, was recorded in Brazil and produced by Lucas Sagaz, who mixed Hutchinson’s recent live album 'Who Feeds The Lockdown?'
The song was co-written with band mates Lazarus Michaelides (bass) and Felipe Amorim (drums).
You can purchase here: https://bit.ly/JJHWorldOnFire
'World On Fire,' a muscly and gritty blues rocker that mixes a Sabbath-styled riff with a sing-a-long chorus and a down-tempo change-of-pace middle 8, was recorded in Brazil and produced by Lucas Sagaz, who mixed Hutchinson’s recent live album 'Who Feeds The Lockdown?'
The song was co-written with band mates Lazarus Michaelides (bass) and Felipe Amorim (drums).
The B-side to the single (released on both limited edition silver 'vinyl style' CD and digital), is another new track, 'Ghosts Of Yesterday.'
Written during lockdown in response to the global pandemic, the reflective acoustic-electric 'Ghosts of Yesterday' was recorded by the band in their individual home studios and mixed by Lucas Sagaz in Brazil.
Commenting on 'World On Fire,' Jack J Hutchinson says: "We wrote and recorded World On Fire in the middle of a remote forest in Brazil. It had an incredible vibe that pushed us to try new things. I actually slept on the floor of the studio whilst I was there to really soak it up.
The song was written before the pandemic, but since the events of this year it has taken on an even greater meaning. 2020 has been a kick in the teeth for everyone, but in many ways it gives us an opportunity to rip up the norm and start again. We have to remain positive."
The band are currently working on the forthcoming album at Momentum Studios in Devon.
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Written during lockdown in response to the global pandemic, the reflective acoustic-electric 'Ghosts of Yesterday' was recorded by the band in their individual home studios and mixed by Lucas Sagaz in Brazil.
Commenting on 'World On Fire,' Jack J Hutchinson says: "We wrote and recorded World On Fire in the middle of a remote forest in Brazil. It had an incredible vibe that pushed us to try new things. I actually slept on the floor of the studio whilst I was there to really soak it up.
The song was written before the pandemic, but since the events of this year it has taken on an even greater meaning. 2020 has been a kick in the teeth for everyone, but in many ways it gives us an opportunity to rip up the norm and start again. We have to remain positive."
The band are currently working on the forthcoming album at Momentum Studios in Devon.
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Quint Starkie, the Swedish based British singer-songwriter-guitarist (and member of Francis Dunnery’s It Bites), has released a third single from his forthcoming solo album.
Endless Summer, "a simple song about summer romance," follows on the melodic pop with harmonies heels of atmospheric pop-groove number 'Gotta Give it Up' (featuring Dorie Jackson on harmony & backing vocals) and 'Mr Maxwell : The Car Song,' a fun, upbeat tune written about "a Sunday drive in the country teaching my son about life signposts" (Maxwell is the name of Quint Starkie's son).
The as yet unnamed album will be the follow-up to the beautifully crafted Ghost in My Heart, which was first released in 2016 (followed by an all-digital formats re-release in 2017).
Written and produced by Quint Starkie, 'Endless Summer' features Jule Wiegand (backing/ harmony vocals), Mats Byström (Keys), Per Hansson (bass) and Kjell Gustavsson (drums).
Endless Summer, "a simple song about summer romance," follows on the melodic pop with harmonies heels of atmospheric pop-groove number 'Gotta Give it Up' (featuring Dorie Jackson on harmony & backing vocals) and 'Mr Maxwell : The Car Song,' a fun, upbeat tune written about "a Sunday drive in the country teaching my son about life signposts" (Maxwell is the name of Quint Starkie's son).
The as yet unnamed album will be the follow-up to the beautifully crafted Ghost in My Heart, which was first released in 2016 (followed by an all-digital formats re-release in 2017).
Written and produced by Quint Starkie, 'Endless Summer' features Jule Wiegand (backing/ harmony vocals), Mats Byström (Keys), Per Hansson (bass) and Kjell Gustavsson (drums).
Quint Starkie is a solo artist and a member of Francis Dunnery’s It Bites.
He has written songs for Alcazar, Lambretta, Sophie Zelmani, Shakaya, Hartmut Englar, Anna Sahlene, Amei Chang, Martin Stenmarck as well a song on the movie soundtrack My Best Friend’s Wedding starring Julia Roberts.
An accomplished guitarist, he has performed or recorded with The Supremes, Meja, Jill Johnsson, Tommy Nilsson, Bosson, Ebbot, Björn Skifs, Harpo and many more established artists.
His debut album Ghost in My Heart was FabricationsHQ’s singer-songwriter album of the Year in 2017 and had the likes of the aforementioned Francis Dunnery waxing lyrical about it.
While Ghost in My Heart was a poignant yet upbeat semi-autobiographical reminisce that musically took a country styled approach, the new album, as confirmed by Quint Starkie, "reflects more of my West Coast leanings as a guitarist and is more pop than country this time around."
Quint Starkie website: http://www.quintstarkie.net/
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He has written songs for Alcazar, Lambretta, Sophie Zelmani, Shakaya, Hartmut Englar, Anna Sahlene, Amei Chang, Martin Stenmarck as well a song on the movie soundtrack My Best Friend’s Wedding starring Julia Roberts.
An accomplished guitarist, he has performed or recorded with The Supremes, Meja, Jill Johnsson, Tommy Nilsson, Bosson, Ebbot, Björn Skifs, Harpo and many more established artists.
His debut album Ghost in My Heart was FabricationsHQ’s singer-songwriter album of the Year in 2017 and had the likes of the aforementioned Francis Dunnery waxing lyrical about it.
While Ghost in My Heart was a poignant yet upbeat semi-autobiographical reminisce that musically took a country styled approach, the new album, as confirmed by Quint Starkie, "reflects more of my West Coast leanings as a guitarist and is more pop than country this time around."
Quint Starkie website: http://www.quintstarkie.net/
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"A language works best when we have something interesting to say. Many music teachers never find out what their students have to say; we only tell them what they are supposed to say."
Victor Wooten
Victor Wooten