Silverado Records Signs Crossover Artist HISH

Country music record label Silverado Records is proud to announce the addition of country/EDM crossover artist HISH to their roster.

HISH joins recording artists Melissa Mickelson and Zack Dyer on Silverado’s steadily growing list of performers. 'HISH is a pioneer, a visionary taking risks on a genre that has fans embracing his unique take on Country. I am so stoked to have a groundbreaking artist like HISH on the Silverado team' says A&R Director Aaron Chesling, Silverado Records.

On signing, HISH says, 'What I'm doing with Country Music in the EDM realm is something that breaks down a lot of Nashville barriers. I'm so excited to work with the energizing team at Silverado Records to do just that. They understand and fully support my brand and my vision. Be ready for things to heat up in 2017'

About HISH

Originally from Pennsylvania, HISH moved to Nashville in 2011 and began writing songs and DJ’ing at some of the biggest private events in Music City. The songwriter-turned-artist/producer quickly began to make a name for himself with his electro-infused spin on Country Music. Having heard his remix of 'Bottoms Up', HISH was invited by Brantley Gilbert on his 'Let It Ride' Arena tour in 2014, further exposing his unique sound to thousands of fans. In Spring 2015, HISH toured as direct support to Chase Bryant on his 'Take It On Back' tour. In 2016 he has toured with Dustin Lynch on the 'Hell Of A Night' Tour. He also held several successful performance slots at country music’s biggest festivals, including Stagecoach and Country Thunder.

HISH signed with Silverado Records in 2016, and is currently in studio working on a groundbreaking EDM-meets-Country experience. His incredible take on the collision of Country and Dance music is unlike anything done before, and is sure to be a game-changer.

About Silverado Records

Launched earlier this year, Silverado Records hosts offices in Nashville and Las Vegas and has become a haven for established and rising country artists hoping to carve their own path in the music industry. Founder and CEO Scott Thomas, a serial entrepreneur and entertainment industry veteran, is also the CEO of Silverado’s parent company, Exegan Music Group, which owns or controls more than a dozen other record label catalogs. The first half of his career was rooted in the radio business, as a radio DJ, production manager, and program director before co-founding Zeo Radio Networks in Denver. Thomas moved to the record side in 2008 with the launch of Jake Records. Thomas is joined on the Silverado Records team by accomplished industry professionals with storied careers at landmark labels and organizations. A&R Director Aaron Chesling formerly served as Logistics Coordinator for Big Machine Records and Heather Cramsie serves as the Marketing Director after a successful run as the Director of Southeast Promotion at Sidewalk Records. Social Media Director Tim Stewart hails from Las Vegas where he did freelance social media seminars for tech startups in Silicon Valley, now working out of the Exegan Music headquarters.

For further information on Silverado Records, visit silveradorecords.com.

ALBUM REVIEW: 'My Universe' - The Shires

The first time I saw The Shires was on their Homegrown Tour with Ward Thomas. In the two years that would follow, these two duos would go on to make history. The Shires started first, becoming the first UK country act to enter the top ten with their debut album, Brave. Ward Thomas then did one better at the start of this month, hitting the top spot with their album Cartwheels. 

Now, set to release their second album, My Universe, one can't help but wonder what record Ben and Crissie will break with this release.

A word that keeps coming to mind when thinking about this album is growth. Eighteen months separate Brave and My Universe but in those eighteen months the duo have grown a lot both as songwriters and people.

Opening the album is the powerful title track, the duo's current single. Not only is this track part of the #ItCanWait safety campaign (an incredibly important campaign which highlights the danger of  using your phone whilst driving) but it was also inspired by key moments in Ben and Crissie's lives - the birth of Ben's son and the anniversary of Crissie's father passing. It's a song about making every moment count and is the first of a number of personal songs on the record.

Tracks 'Beats To Your Rhythm', 'Not Even Drunk Right Now' and 'A Thousand Hallelujahs' look set to be real crowdpleasers on their upcoming tour which starts in November, with all three being big, energetic anthems.

Crissie takes the lead on 'Daddy's Little Girl' which is a beautiful tribute to her late father before it's Ben's turn on the equally powerful 'Everything You Never Gave', as he vows not to follow in his father's footsteps and to be there for his own child. Positioned back-to-back in the middle of the album, these songs offer an insight into the duo's lives that I feel Brave lacked and I appreciate Ben and Crissie feeling that they're able to share such personal stories with us.

More vulnerability is shared on 'Naked', 'Save Me' and 'Desperate' and you can feel the heart in each song. Never once do you feel as if it's forced emotion or like the track has just been thrown in there to make up numbers. Each and every song belongs on this release and I truthfully can't even pick out a weak song, nevermind a bad song.

As for my favorite track from My Universe, I am torn. 'Drive', a track that was written with Kip Moore is absolutely excellent. It leaves you with a sense of adventure and a kick and a chorus that is hard to get out of your head. And then there's 'Other People's Things', a song that I've heard on an earlier tour and I'm so glad that it made the album. It's a beautiful piano led track about how the little things, such as a pair of shoes or a photograph, can bring back a multitude of memories both good and bad. It's a finely written song that, for so many people, will be heartbreakingly relatable. It will leave a lasting impression on even the most resistant heart.

Brave will always hold a special place in my heart as it was an album that I watched grow from a handful of songs performed in small venues to a full album performed in front of ever-growing crowds but, in terms of quality, My Universe surpasses it. The songwriting is better, Ben and Crissie have never sounded better and the connection with us has never felt stronger. I simply can't wait to hear this album being played out on their upcoming tour!

My Universe is out on Friday. For further information and a full list of tour dates, visit theshiresmusic.com.

Single of the Week: 'Rockabilly Saturday Night' - Josh Christina

You can't pigeonhole this week's Single of the Week. With 'Rockabilly Saturday Night', up and comer Josh Christina presents us with a wonderfully fun concoction of blues, jazz and rock n'roll with a little bit of Americana thrown in for good measure.

I was sent this release a little while ago and was so intrigued by Josh's unique sound that I did a little digging. Visiting his YouTube channel unearthed a treasure trove of covers, including covers of recent pop hits from Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor. This guy is immensely talented and, at the age of just 21, surely has a long and bright future ahead of him in the music industry.

'Rockabilly Saturday Night' is further proof of this. The piano led track is feel good and catchy with strong, confident vocals. You can definitely tell that Josh loves making and playing music and the joy is contagious. I'd recommend listening to this song at any time but if you're ever in need of a little pick me up, I'd especially recommend listening to this song.

For further information on Josh, visit joshchristinamusic.com.

Uncle Lucius Reveal Video For 'Age of Reason' - WATCH

Ahead of their UK & European tour, Austin band Uncle Lucius have revealed the official music video for their single 'Age of Reason'.

Check out their tour dates and new video below:

October 31st - Greystones, Sheffield
November 1st- Fat Lils, Witney
November 2nd - Maze, Nottingham
November 3rd - Academy 2, London
November 4th - Prince Albert, Brighton
November 6th - Hug and Pint, Glasgow
November 7th - Musician, Leicester

ALBUM REVIEW: 'AKA Nobody' - Mac McAnally

His peers have voted him 'Musician of the Year' for eight consecutive years at the CMA Awards - ten times in total. He's a member of the Nashville Songwriters' Hall of Fame and he's worked with names such as Reba, George Strait and Dolly...it's easier to name who he hasn't worked with. Mac McAnally  has achieved a lot in his career and he's showing no signs of stopping any time soon.

AKA Nobody is McAnally's 13th studio album and, admittedly, the first that I have listened to...and it won't be the last.

What I gathered most from this release was that McAnally is musically very much in his own lane. There's fifteen tracks on this album and not one of them conforms to what is currently mainstream. Does this limit radio airplay? Absolutely but I think those CMA awards speak for themselves. This album provides a masterclass in storytelling.

There's a lot of variety on this offering. 'Mississippi on My Mind' and 'Zanzibar' are playful, bluegrassy tracks. 'Place Where You Belong' is piano heavy, a little reminiscent of Elton John, and 'Coast of Carolina' is a cute and charming track.

Yet, the stand-out track has to be 'With a Straight Face'. This ballad is an empathetic tale of two gay children whose parents just don't understand them. It's so incredibly refreshing to hear this sort of perspective in music and McAnally's presentation is as sensitive about an issue, as it is incredibly poignant. Truly powerful.

I could say more about this album but I'm going to leave it here. This is something you need to hear for yourself because this reviewer simply won't be able to do it justice.

AKA Nobody is out now and Mac plays The Borderline in London tomorrow (27th September). For more information, visit macmcanally.com.

Whiskey Myers Share Acoustic Video For 'Deep Down in the South' - WATCH

Following the release of their latest album Mud which entered the UK Americana Chart at #3, Whiskey Myers have shared a live acoustic video of the album track 'Deep Down in the South' which you can watch below.

The band will also be embarking on a UK headline tour this December. The dates are:
Dec 1st – London, The Dome
Dec 2nd – Birmingham, O2 Institute2
Dec 5th – Manchester, Ruby Lounge
Dec 6th – Glasgow, St Luke’s

For further information on Whiskey Myers, including details about their upcoming tour, visit whiskeymyers.com.

Jack Ingram Releases Video For New Single + Confirms Album Release

Jack Ingram has released the video for his latest single ‘I’m Drinking Through It’ and confirmed the UK/European physical release of his eighth album Midnight Motel on 14th October 2016.

Seven years on from his last record - the first since his 2009 smash Big Dreams & High Hopes - Midnight Motel features spare, stripped-down instrumental arrangements that highlight the intimacy and urgency of such new originals as ‘I'm Drinking Through It’, ‘Nothing to Fix’, ‘Can’t Get Any Better Than This’, and ‘All Over Again’. The album's organic late-night vibe is perfectly suited to the material, and brings out the emotional edge in Ingram's deeply felt vocals.

The single ‘I’m Drinking Through It’ was co-written with Lori McKenna and Liz Rose; the video is streaming now on Youtube and you can watch it below.

Midnight Motel will be released on CD in the UK & Europe on 14th October. Jack will be performing in London as part of the Texas Music Takeover, from Nov 28th - Dec 5th 2016.

For further information about Jack Ingram, the new album and his upcoming tour dates, visit jackingram.net.