Single of the Week: 'Tailspin' - Marshall

With tours with artists such as Colt Ford, Josh Thompson and Justin Moore to his name, Marshall is already somewhat of a seasoned artist within the country genre before he even releases his debut EP, Sinners & Saints, this coming June.

'Tailspin' is the lead single from his upcoming release and is a fantastic introduction to Marshall's sound which is a perfect balance of new and old country - this particular song swings that bit more to the older side of the country style. It's reminiscent of 90s country and that is by no means a criticism or a step backwards - you go listen to some Alan Jackson, some Brooks and Dunn or some Toby Keith and try to tell me that those songs don't sound just as good today as they did back then. There's just something so great about music that isn't so overly produced. A catchy melody, a twangy guitar and Marshall's soulful voice are a perfect combination in 'Tailspin', a song about falling in love and finding yourself unable to quit the feeling - quite apt, I must add, as I can't stop hitting replay on this song.


About Marshall and Sinners & Saints

Sinners & Saints was produced by two-time Grammy nominee Travis Wyrick (Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Shinedown) in Knoxville. The material on the EP flowed out of Marshall when he moved to Nashville after the brutal end of a long-time romance. Welding the gritty poetry of confessional singer-songwriter lyrics to a modern rock radio production & pop directness, Marshall’s songs combine the best of new & old country sounds with an authentic honesty & timeless ear for melody.

A passion for music has coursed through Marshall's veins since his childhood split between rural West Virginia & North Carolina. Hailing from three generations of accomplished musicians & singers, the young musician was soon crossing state lines, paying his dues & honing his craft on tours with Colt Ford, Josh Thompson, Justin Moore & David Allen Coe as a backing musician & opener. Now ready to make his mark as a talented solo artist in his own right, Sinners & Saints will be the beginning of a long career for Marshall.


Marshall & his band will be playing headline shows in support of the new single & EP this summer. For a full list of live dates, head to www.marshallrockscountry.com.

'Tailspin' is from Marshall's upcoming debut EP, Sinners & Saints which will be out June 8th - check back soon for our review of this release.

Line-Up Confirmed for Buckle & Boots 2016!

Taking place at Whitebottom Farm at Etherow Park (nr. Manchester/Stockport) between 24-26 June, Buckle & Boots Festival is set to combine some of the brightest talents in country music from the US as well as the thriving UK scene, providing a truly unique outdoor festival experience for country fans far and wide. With a variety of food, drink and camping facilities on site, Buckle & Boots is the first country festival of its kind in the UK, creating a friendly, communal atmosphere that fans are sure to embrace.

Three stages will be set up at the festival for 50 acts to perform. The Heineken Stage will host the headline acts on Friday, Saturday & Sunday night, as well as some of the established artists making an impact on the UK country scene and some of Nashville’s finest talent. The Acoustic Stage will be an opportunity for fans to catch some of the most exciting emerging artists in the genre, including home-grown talents Paris Georgia, Paul Carella, Lisa Wright and many more. The BCMA will also have their own BCMA Horizon stage, where fans will be able to catch a glimpse of some of the best songwriters and musicians in the UK including the likes of Thorne Hill, The Southern Companion and Outlander.

Headlining on Friday 24th June will be Glaswegian duo Raintown, who have established themselves as front-runners in the UK country music industry with their pop-country style and powerful stage presence. Paul Bain and Claire McArthur-Bain have stunned crowds on multiple occasions at Country to Country (C2C) in London, performing at the Brooklyn Bowl for two years running, and their most recent album Writing On The Wall received remarkable reviews. Last year they embarked on a headlining UK tour, joined by Dexeter who also feature on the Buckle & Boots line-up.

Newly signed to Sony Music UK, country duo Ward Thomas were recently announced as headliners for Saturday 25th June after a short time out of the spotlight. Twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy have been focusing on material for their next album, following the incredible success of their debut record From Where We Stand which reached #1 on the UK Country Chart in 2014. A number of their songs have been playlisted on BBC Radio 2, and they appeared as special guests on Terry Wogan’s show as well as being featured on Bob Harris Country.



Closing the festival on Sunday night (26th June) will be US chart-topper Phil Vassar. Since his debut in the late 1990s, Phil Vassar has achieved two #1 hits and an impressive eight Top 10 singles in the US, and has also established himself as one of Nashville’s most talented and in-demand songwriters. His co-writing credits include hit singles ‘For A Little While’ and ‘My Next Thirty Years’ for Tim McGraw, ‘Right On The Money’ for Alan Jackson and ‘Little Red Rodeo’ for Collin Raye. Not to mention his Top New Male Vocalist win at the 2002 ACM Awards. Phil’s unique take on country and his incisive, soulful lyrics have truly stood the test of time, and audiences won’t want to miss this charismatic showman at Buckle & Boots, particularly following the overwhelming response to his performances at C2C Festival in March. You’ll also be able to catch two stellar UK acts on the Sunday in the form of the award-winning Northern Irishman Gary Quinn and Liverpool songstress Laura Oakes.

Anyone who has been to an event at Etherow Park before will already know that the action takes place in a stunning rural setting. The site is situated next to Compstall Nature Reserve, a very special wildlife site looked after by a local conservation charity, Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Situated on the banks of the River Etherow, this beautiful reserve is made up of reed bed, open water and woodland, which provide a haven for some of the region’s most threatened wildlife. It’s a fantastic hotspot for birds such as the kingfisher and yellow wagtail, plus a whole host of dragonflies and damselflies. For every ticket sold for Buckle & Boots, a donation will be made to the Trust to support them with their vital conservation work.

Tickets are available from AXS now; priced at just £50 for a weekend ticket. Single day tickets are also on sale, priced at £20 for Friday, £25 for Saturday and £25 for Sunday. For fans planning to camp at the festival, a camping pass can also be purchased for £15 per person (includes ‘posh loos and hot showers’). You won’t get better value for money anywhere else!

For more details, tickets and the full line-up, check out buckleandboots.co.uk.

Single of the Week: Before I Knew - Kaity Rae

Our single of the week goes to another emerging UK country artist. Kaity Rae. Out today, 'Before I Knew' is the first track from her forthcoming EP, This Time Around.

'Before I Knew' is a song very much in the vein of US chart-toppers, Kelsea Ballerini and Kellie Pickler - the perfect mix of country and pop, with a strong female voice behind it all. It's also reminiscent of Taylor Swift's early discography, with the song about a girl who both learns that her boyfriend is up to no good and learns that she is also better without the cheating scoundrel in her life.

The single is very easy to listen to (in addition to being very catchy) and this is in no small part to Kaity's gorgeous voice and that fact that she does not feel the need to adopt a faux-Southern accent to sing a country song (faux-Southern accents are, admittedly, this reviewers biggest pet peeve). It feels natural, easy on the ears and it's a sign that the future of the UK country scene is only going from strength to strength.

About Kaity Rae

Kaity Rae is a singer-songwriter from North London set to take the UK Country scene by storm in 2016 following a two week song writing trip to Nashville in April and winning a place in a song writing workshop courtesy of PRS at The Americana Music Association UK awards early 2016.

Spark was Kaity's debut EP, and was released on the 5th of November 2014. This has led to radio play on Amazing Radio, BBC Gloucestershire and more recently a live session and interview on BBC Introducing Three Counties. The EP has also gained attention from top UK Country acts, including The Shires' Ben Earle who took to twitter to say that he 'Loves' the fourth and final track 'It Is'.

She has also had three songs featured on 'Folkstock Records' Compilation albums - 'It Is' on 'The F Spot: Femme Fatales' which gained a 4* review from The Telegraph, a place in their top folk albums of 2015 plus a coveted review in The Sunday Times and her song 'Red Paper Wrapping' was recorded for, and released on 'The Christmas Present which also made the Culture Magazine for The Sunday Times.  Due to her involvement with these compilations, Kaity has received mentions in various newspapers including The Evening Standard, and was playlisted in Music Week Magazine.

Kaity gigs all over southern England and has supported the likes of Sasha Mcveigh and Sonia Leigh on their 'Mind the Gap Tour', US singer/songwriters Jeffrey Foucault, Angel Snow and Dayna Kurtz. She has also played in top London venues such as the 02 Islington, The Bedford and The Roundhouse for Roundhouse Rising.

Since the release of Spark, Kaity has been developing her sound whilst studying a song writing degree at The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, and is now releasing her second EP, This Time Around on June 10th. The opening track, 'Before I Knew' is out as a single on 20th May. Produced by John Denzil Dines, recorded at Cream Room Sound Productions studio and released on Folkstock Records

'Before I Knew' is out NOW. Her second EP will be follow on June 10th - check back then for our review of it. 

Album Review: Eternal Blue - Billy Jeffrey Jnr

A few weeks back, I stood standing a few people back from the barrier at the ABC in Glasgow. It was a Saturday night which meant that the venue implemented a very strict and earlier curfew in order to clear the space for their club night that followed. This earlier curfew was a blessing as it greatly reduced the waiting time between doors opening and the time that a certain Mr Kip Moore would be taking the stage. Yet when the evening's support act took the stage, I forgot all about Kip.

The support act was Scotsman, Billy Jeffrey Jnr. and I'm not alone in saying that he was a major highlight of the night. He's also a name that some country fans will become familiar with forshould become familiar with, for he is simply an (as yet) uncovered gem.
Jeffrey will also be supporting Grammy Award winner Jason Isbell this coming August in Edinburgh. He's also a name that music fans in general

Eternal Blue is a stellar album, especially when you take into mind that it's also a debut album. It's a satisfying mix of genres - folk, country, soul, rock and strong Celtic influences to name but a few.

The album is one of tremendous depth and flows seamlessly. It's a beautiful collection of well crafted tracks but a two tracks stand head and shoulders above the rest (which is saying something as the standard of most tracks is very high). One is 'Ball and Chain', a particularly poignant track as Jeffrey sings about how the hardships and stumbling blocks of life are inescapable yet they also make you feel alive. 'Richly Blessed' is about love, how love can conquer obstacles and how the simple things in relationships can make you feel incredibly thankful for what you have. Both songs are exactly the sort of meaningful music that there never seems to be enough of these days.

My only grievance? At nine tracks, it's a little on the short side. But definitely worth the investment of both your time and money.


Billy is playing King Tuts (supporting Paul Newsome) May 27th and The Liquid Rooms (Supporting Jason Isbell) August 21st. Eternal Blue is available via digital platforms.

LISTEN: 'Back to You' - Lisa Wright

Ahead of its release on the 27th May, you can listen to Lisa Wright's brand new single 'Back to You' via her official soundcloud (see below).

ABOUT ‘BACK TO YOU’

In her own words: “Being in Nashville was surreal and I loved every second of it – I went out there completely on my own so I knew nobody! I’m quite independent and love adventure and travelling so It was a real experience for me.

However, I’m a home girl. I love England and everything about it. So, there was this one day where it was particularly tough – and when you’re on your own in a completely different country, everything you feel seems heightened! I was sitting on this porch swing and thinking about everything I had managed to do whilst I was over here, the wonderful people I’d met and wished more than anything that I had the people I loved here with me - ultimately experience means nothing if you can’t share it.

I was messing about on my guitar and half an hour later, ‘Back to You’ had been written. I don’t think I’ve ever finished a song that quickly… When I got home, I immediately got in touch with a good friend of mine, Rob Gulston (otherwise known as ½ of Holloway Road) and he produced this single.

Everyone always asks who I’m singing about in the song – all in all, it’s England. It’s home.”

Single of the Week: 'Drink It Away' - Fifth Floor

Swedish country duo, Fifth Floor, have released their debut single, 'Drink It Away' ahead of the release of their self-titled debut EP.

This catchy pop-rock tinged country song is a perfect introduction to the duo and fans of recent C2C artists Maddie & Tae should find this song right up their street. Whilst also being an addictive listen, Moa and Matilda don't try to hide their accents with any faux twang - something that some non-American acts are all too guilty of - and this adds to the uniqueness of the duo, their Swedish accented vocals effortlessly gorgeous and serving to remind us all of the global reach that country music has. This song will stand out on radio and certainly whets the appetite for their forthcoming EP that's due for release in a few weeks time.

You can listen to the song on the duo's soundcloud and follow them on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with them.

ABOUT FIFTH FLOOR

Fifth Floor is a Swedish singer/songwriter duo with modern pop, rock and country influences. After meeting at university in London, Moa and Matilda began writing songs together and eventually made the decision to form a duo in the summer of 2014.

With two lead vocalists, strong harmonies and a knack for writing country songs that stay in your head, Fifth Floor are a breath of fresh air on the London music scene. With influences from artists like Miranda Lambert, McFly and Little Big Town, they are on a mission to further push country music and strong female fronted acts into the spotlight. Since forming in 2014, the duo have built a strong set list including original songs like 'Drink it Away', landing an invite to perform outside the BBC buildings in London for BBC Music Day 2015, and being selected to perform at Yamaha Music's Soho Hoedown.

Moa is originally from Helsingborg in the South-West of Sweden, 20 minutes across the sea from Denmark. She grew up playing and listening to rock music and studied music through her upper secondary school years before moving to London in 2012. Matilda grew up on the South-East island of Öland, in small town Färjestaden (funnily enough located 20 minutes across the sea from mainland Sweden). After listening to mostly pop in her early years, she later discovered her passion for country music. Having written songs since age 11, Matilda made the decision to move to London and pursue music in 2012.

The two first met online via Twitter after a quick search for future music university classmates lead Matilda to Moa, who had her audition in London that very day. After bonding over their mutual love of pop/rock band McFly they soon became friends. During a procrastination-prone exam week, Matilda encouraged Moa to watch ABC's Nashville and the Helsingborg native was soon converted into a country music fan. One year later, Fifth Floor was formed.

The band's debut, self-titled EP will be released on June 6th 2016, with a free launch party at the Battersea Barge in London.

For more information on Fifth Floor, please check out www.fifthfloormusic.co.uk.

Two Ways Home Release Video For 'Still in Love' + Tour Dates!

Anglo / Austrian alt-country duo Two Ways Home announced the release of the new video for the track ‘Still In Love’, taken from the recently released EP Better Days. Produced by MsM (Ed
Sheeran, The Saturdays), ‘Still In Love’ continues Two Ways Home’s signature sound of country inspired harmonies mixed with pop-rock sensibility. Isabella Mariee and Lewis Fowler’s blend of infectious pop melodies with the melancholic makes ‘Still In Love’ their most intriguing single yet.

Lewis Fowler said: "The song conveys the feeling in a relationship where you are physically close but emotionally far away from one another. The video shoot was intense; we had limited time and it was freezing up in the Lake District, but we managed to capture some majestic moments." Better Days – the musically varied four track EP was produced by mixer, producer, engineer MsM (Ed Sheeran, Royksopp, The Saturdays) and recorded at The Doghouse in Henley-on-Thames, the studio owned by Jethro Tull drummer Barrie Barlow. It is famed for sessions with Amy Winehouse, Bellowhead, Coldplay and Jake Bugg just to name a few.

Growing up on a diet of Simon and Garfunkel, Prince, Lisa Stansfield, Led Zeppelin, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, the music future of Two Ways Home was never a sure thing. However as the vocal harmonies of Lewis and Isabella combined for the first time destiny took a hand. It was a desire to hone their skills as songwriters and learn from the best that led them to a career defining four-week pilgrimage to Nashville in 2013. Never before had the advice and kindness of strangers meant so much, they experienced the true spirit and support of Nashville. Two Ways Home lived the Nashville circuit and were welcomed with open arms. This inspirational journey convinced them to pursue their ambitions and they are now actively gigging around the UK.

Two Ways Home are: Isabella Mariee (Vocals, Ukulele, Autoharp), Lewis Fowler (Vocals, Guitars), Chris Brice (Drums, Percussion), Raymond Tognola (bass) and Michael Clancy (Guitars).

Two Ways Home are in the middle of a UK tour and you can catch them on the following dates:

Thu 12: Birmingham, The Roadhouse

Fri 13: Bath, St. James Wine Bar

Fri 20: Cheltenham, Frog & Fiddle

Thu 26: London, The Underbelly