Yola Carter Debuts On NPR Ahead Of 'Orphan Offering' EP Release Next Month

Noted as a “breakthrough performance” artist by The Guardian at AmericanaFest 2016, Yola Carter has debuted a new song ‘Fly Away’ as an exclusive stream, alongside an interview feature on NPR this week.

With a soulful, country-gospel style voice that lives between the purity of Gene Clark and the grit of Mavis Staples in her prime, the response to this singer/songwriter among fans, critics and industry has already been overwhelming. Her debut acoustic EP Orphan Offering - out 1st November 2016 worldwide - is an introduction to Yola Carter’s vision, a revival of classic Americana.

Check our the feature here via NPR.

You can catch Yola on the following dates this December:

5th - The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol
15th - The Con Club, Lewes
16th - The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth
19th - The Borderline, London
22nd - The Sage, Gateshead

About Yola Carter

Yola Carter is a country-soul singer/songwriter from Bristol, UK, whose recent successes include a much-hyped performance at Americana Fest in Nashville, having been selected by AMA UK as a showcase artist and noted as ‘one to watch’ by publications including The Guardian, NPR, Pitchfork and Wall Street Journal. Heavily influenced from an early age by Sixties country, Stax-era soul and gospel ranging from The Staple Singers to Otis Redding, Yola was raised in a small seaside town in the South West of the England and “always wanted to be a country music artist”.

Unafraid to address difficult issues in her lyrics, Yola’s real-life story - both heartbreaking and inspirational - naturally finds its way into her songs. Coming from a poor, broken home and a parent suffering from mental illness who ‘banned’ her from making any music, Yola’s experience of growing up was one of truly living below the breadline. In a working class community in denial of its status where discrimination and even violence fuelled by racism were not unusual, writing music quickly became an outlet and a means of expression, and touring a means of escape.

From her late teens, Yola Carter (born Yolanda Quartey) worked hard to earn credibility and respect throughout the industry as one of the UK's top singers and a uniquely gifted songwriter. Realising that her soul voice was soon getting attention, Yola graduated to touring internationally straight out of school with critically acclaimed acts such as Bugz in the Attic on their world tour, and later Massive Attack, most notably headlining Glastonbury Festival's Other Stage to 60,000 people and broadcasting live on the BBC.

She began her journey into Americana music performing with her band Phantom Limb, based in her hometown of Bristol. The band self-released the eponymous debut album and the later more country-leaning effort of ‘The Pines’ produced by Marc Ford of The Black Crowes, taking to the road with acts such as Dr John, Solomon Burke and Candi Staton. Despite this success, Phantom Limb eventually disbanded, leaving Yola to focus on her own projects.

Yola Carter has since combined her two skillsets of singer-writer and writer/producer to write, record and produce her debut solo EP Orphan Offering out November 1st 2016. A set of songs that manage to be autobiographical and intensely personal while speaking to wider socio-political issues, the EP is a living example of an artist building something from nothing: In ‘Dead and Gone’ Carter sings 'there was a time when my people were product to you; if we can’t supersede that now, where on Earth am I heading to?' - an explicit reference to assumptions about the role of black female singers in the modern music industry.

Throughout the summer, Yola has been on the road, including appearances at various festivals including Canary Wharf’s ‘Nashville Meets London’, and support slots for St Paul and The Broken Bones, Sam Outlaw and Imelda Mae, along with an increasing focus on her much anticipated debut release.

For further information on Yola, including details for her upcoming dates, visit yolacarter.com.

Silverado Records Adds Country Music Icon Joe Diffie To Roster

Rising independent label Silverado Records is today proud to announce the signing of country music icon, ACM and Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum selling artist Joe Diffie to their roster.

'Working with Joe Diffie is a true honor,' said Silverado Founder and CEO, Scott Thomas. 'There isn’t a Silverado team member who isn’t already a huge Joe Diffie fan, and working with Joe on new music is something that we’re all extremely excited about.'

With thirteen albums, more than twenty top ten singles and twelve number one tracks to his name, Diffie is best known for his smash hits, 'Third Rock from The Sun', 'Ships That Don’t Come In', and 'John Deere Green'. He is a recognized artist of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and has been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry for over twenty years. Diffie has signed a multi-project deal with Silverado:

'Working with an iconic artist like Joe starts to put into perspective the mission we have here at Silverado Records to build a label that’s steeped in equal parts traditional country music, and also country music that leans new or different,' said Thomas.

Aaron Chesling, A&R Director at Silverado said: 'I am so excited for the chance to work with an artist like Joe along with the Silverado team. I am truly humbled to be a part in developing his next record.'

Diffie is currently working on his Silverado debut - slated for release in 2017 - with renowned songwriter and producer Phil “Philbilly” O’Donnell, who has myriad credits with country music mainstays like Blake Shelton, Craig Morgan, George Strait, Trace Adkins and Clint Black. 'I’ve been hanging on to some really great songs for a while, so when Scott invited me to release them on Silverado Records, it was a motivator for me to record them,' said Diffie. 'I’m looking forward to sharing them with my fans real soon.' The pair previously teamed up for Diffie’s most recent single 'Girl Ridin’ Shotgun' the video for which has amassed nearly 10 million YouTube views, and features cameo appearances from superstars like Shelton, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Lee Brice, McGraw and Keith Urban.

About Silverado Records

Launched earlier this year, Silverado Records hosts offices in Nashville and Las Vegas and is quickly becoming a haven for both established and rising country artists working 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.

Silverado's roster also contains talented singer/songwrites and creatives HISH, Zack Dyer, Ali Morgan and Melissa Mickelson.

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

Single of the Week: 'Fresh Kill' - Amanda Richards

Country music has never been short of great female artists although in recent years, it's fair to say that the genre has not been too kind to its ladies. I mean it's 2016 (!) and just last year there was that absurd 'tomato-gate' incident.

But you can't keep a good woman down as proven by the recent successes of Maren Morris, Margo Price and Aubrie Sellers, who have all been carving out quite the name for themselves this past year. Instead of adhering to country radio's apparent current formula of songs about drinking and trucks, they've done their own thing and produced some of this year's best music...and if you like those ladies, then I think you're gonna love Amanda Richards.

With her 2011 LP, Play Dead, being a zombie apocalypse-concept-performance album from the perspective of a feminist country singer who is soon to be the last person on earth, it is fair to say that Richards is the exact opposite of what's on country radio at present. I don't know Richards but I'm certain that doesn't bother her and instead she loves the freedom of being able to write and perform whatever she wants.

There may be a lack of zombies in 'Fresh Kill' but it's still just as gritty with a great message at the heart of it. The imagery is vivid in this song but it is the line 'the vultures start to circle when you're standing still' that screams the loudest. Nothing good will happen if you don't keep moving on with your life is the moral of this song and I think it's a very beautiful, and true, sentiment expressed through some haunting imagery.

Richards' new album, Tough Ones to Love, comes out November 4th. Check back soon for our review.

For more information on Amanda Richards, visit amandarichards.net.

ALBUM REVIEW: Little Seeds - Shovels & Rope

I've had Shovels & Rope's new release Little Seeds in my possession for a while but have lacked the time to be able to properly articulate my thoughts on it until now.

For those unfamiliar, the duo are comprised of husband and wife, Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst from Charleston, South Carolina. They already have a few albums to their name, both as a duo and as artists in their own right, but this is the first LP I've listened of them in full. It wouldn't be the last.

Little Seeds is an album rich with lyrical quality and emotional depth. Powerful is perhaps the best way to describe this collection of tracks as it kicks off with the thumping, grungy 'I Know' and 'Botched Execution' - the latter of the two has such incredible imagery that I couldn't help but immediately replay it a few times to fully soak it all in.

Yet, it also packs a heavy emotional punch. This album is easy to listen to, yes, but at the same time is hard to listen to. At times, you'll be brought crashing back to reality. 'Invisible Man' is about the heartbreaking effects of Alzheimer’s from the point of view of a sufferer who, as a result of the horrific disease, is lost in themselves. Another haunting track is 'BWYR', a minimalist in style, cry to stop the many number of hate fueled killings that keep happening - it's a stunning number with a message that really needs to be heard, perhaps more now than ever before.

'BWYR', a track about how precious life is, leads nicely into the beautiful 'Eric's Birthday', a song that celebrates the birth of a child before concluding with 'This Ride' which reflects on the other end of the spectrum - death. This album is a wonderful tapestry of emotion, so well crafted and so well put together.

I went into this album as a casual listener of the duo and left as a fan. Little Seeds is, quite simply, a masterclass in storytelling.

Little Seeds is out now. For more information on the band, including information on their upcoming UK dates, visit shovelsandrope.com.

Silverado Records Adds Ali Morgan to Roster

Silverado Records has signed Ali Morgan to its growing label.

The young singer-songwriter, from Chicago, joins Melissa Mickelson, Hish and Zack Dyer.

Morgan couldn't be happier to join the label, saying, 'Becoming part of the Silverado Records family is a dream come true! I haven't stopped smiling, and I can't wait to get started. They are building quite a team, and I'm so thankful they've given me a chance to be a part of it.'

As well as performing locally, Ali's first few shows in Nashville have included one-off performances at the Bluebird Cafe and a Silverado songwriter's round at the Belcourt Taps. Aaron Chesling, Silverado's head of A&R said: 'The Silverado Records team is honored and excited beyond belief to be working with this extraordinary young lady. We’re eager to begin her story, and work with her over the next few years to develop and grow her fan base.'

Signed to a multi-project, long-term deal with the label, Morgan is working on new material, and will record her debut single soon.

'There are some artists, when you meet them you know right away that they're someone you want to work with,' said Silverado Founder/CEO Scott Thomas. 'She's a special girl, she's extremely talented, and we're over the moon about working with her to build her career and share her talent with the world!'

Single of the Week: 'Anywhere With You' - Fiona Culley

Being called the 'Adele of country' is a big statement on its own. Being called the 'Adele of country' by Paul Worley? That is quite some praise and a heck of a lot of hype to live up to for a relative newcomer to Nashville.

Yet, Fiona Culley doesn't seem to crack under this sort of pressure.

'Anywhere With You' may not be a big booming Adele-esque ballad but it is a fun, catchy number reminiscent of Kelsea Ballerini and early Taylor Swift. On paper, the chorus looks incredibly repetitive consisting of just two lines - Baby, there's anywhere with you/And then there's everywhere else - repeated over and over again but it works, the repetitive nature driving the song into your head where it will linger for ages, rather than driving you into turning it off. Lyrically, it's simple and the same could be said production wise with minimum production allowing Culley's vocals to shine throughout.

Listening to this single is a nice way to spend three minutes of your day and serves as the perfect appetizer for Culley's upcoming EP. If you have more than three minutes, make sure to check out her YouTube where there's also some fantastic covers to listen to!

About Fiona Culley

Discovering her love for Country from a young age, Fiona has been penning her own songs since early 2008.

Finding inspiration from her countryside home in Staffordshire and the wandering landscapes of England, Fiona’s move to Nashville have shaped her music for good. Blending a collection of old and new influences, from the likes of Johnny Cash to Carrie Underwood, She is bringing her fresh sound to the genre.

Fiona has just completed her EP with a hit team of musicians and the legendary producer Paul Worley at the helm. Expect to go through a sea of emotions from songs such as 'What Whiskey Does' written by Brandy Clark & Bob Dipiero that is guaranteed to not only make you chuckle with its lyrical content but also make you want to bob your head to 'Better Alone' written by Fiona that cuts straight to the heart. Her powerful vocals shine throughout. Paul Worley calls her 'the 'Adele of Country.'

For more information about Fiona Culley, visit fionaculley.com.

Sean McConnell Confirms Album Launch in December

Following the announcement of The Texas Music Takeover; a seven-date UK showcase of Texas music artists throughout November and December, country/Americana singer-songwriter Sean McConnell has confirmed his album launch show.

McConnell will showcase his new album at The Garage (upstairs) in London on 2nd December 2016. Tickets will be released at 9am Friday 14th October via www.gigsandtours.com.

The songwriter, known for his work with artists including Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne and David Nail, will showcase his catalogue of new solo material. The self-titled album, his debut for Rounder Records, marks a personal and professional breakthrough - a career-defining record, with McConnell ready for prime time, yet still blessed with all the soulfulness and reflective storytelling for which he is already respected and admired. The album was released on 30th September and demonstrates exactly why this singer-songwriter has already won such a devoted audience. The single 'Holy Days' and accompanying video are now streaming online and the album is available on CD and download.

About Sean McConnell

"From a very young age, I just knew that I was gonna spend my life making music," Sean McConnell states. "I never really questioned it, so I just forged ahead and didn't let anything stop me." Although his self-titled new Rounder album will serve as his introduction to many listeners, the personable young artist is actually a seasoned, distinctive songwriter and an experienced performer with a quartet of D.I.Y. indie releases to his credit. Having built a substantial grass-roots fan base through tireless touring and old-fashioned hard work, McConnell is primed for a mainstream breakthrough.

McConnell, a Massachusetts native, comes by music naturally; his musician parents were part of Boston’s vibrant folk music community. He began writing songs at age 12, after his family relocated to Georgia, and he never looked back. In addition to accolades for his songwriting, he has earned a well-deserved reputation as a dynamic live performer, whose shows offer his fans everything from intimate acoustic ballads to foot-stomping rock and roll.

Having spent much of his life honing his craft and paying his dues, Sean McConnell is eager to launch the next chapter of his career: "I kind of feel like I've been in a really long boot camp," he concludes. "I'm really grateful for that, because I feel like I've gained enough experience to know the deal and be prepared for anything. I'm excited to see where the next part of the journey takes me."

For more information on Sean and his tour dates, visit seanmcconnell.com.

The Cadillac Three Reveal 'Drunk Like You' Live Video + Make National TV Debut

Nashville trio The Cadillac Three have revealed a live video of them performing their latest single ‘Drunk Like You’, which appears on the critically acclaimed new album Bury Me In My Boots, out now.

The session sees the band playing a stripped back version of the country rock anthem as well as featuring album tracks ‘Runnin’ Red Lights’ and ‘Ship Faced’. The beautiful acoustic performances showcase their musical and songwriting talents in these raw and unplugged performances with ‘Graffiti’ being released on October 21st and ‘White Lightning’ on November 4th.

The videos follow their highly praised US National Television debut where The Cadillac Three performed fan-favourite ‘The South’ live on NBC’s Late Night With Seth Meyers last month.

The Grammy-nominated, chart-topping frontman Jaren Johnston and his musical comrades, Neil Mason (percussion) and Kelby Ray (lap steel), have seen a wave of worldwide support since releasing Bury Me In My Boots on Big Machine Records last month. The album debuted at no.8 in the Official Album Charts on the first day of sales and dominated the Country Charts on both iTunes and Amazon.

The Cadillac Three were named ‘Best New Band’ in the 2014 UK Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards and became the most played new band on Planet Rock in 2015. The band recently brought their Southern swagger to the London’s legendary Abbey Road studios were they filmed a number of exclusive live versions of their songs.

Having established a loyal following in the UK with multiple sold-out headline dates and their recent electrifying performance at Ramblin’ Man Fair, The Cadillac Three will be returning to the UK for their Don’t Forget The Whiskey headline tour next month.

For full tour dates and further information about The Cadillac Three, visit thecadillacthree.com.

ALBUM REVIEW: 'Sean McConnell' - Sean McConnell

You might not yet know his name but there's a very good chance that you've heard some of Sean McConnell's work already.

Tim McGraw...Brad Paisley...Martina McBride...the list of names that have cut Sean's songs is as endless as it is illustrious. Now, with his self-titled album, Sean surely looks set to become a household name in his own right.

From start to finish, this album oozes class and fine lyrics. The stories he tells are vivid and his voice is soulful. For forty or so minutes, you'll be taken on the sort of journey that is rarely found in music these days.

'Holy Days' opens the album, a track that reminisces about time spent with a loved one. From the get go, Sean sets himself an alarmingly high precedent to live up to, yet manages to live up to this standard with ease and, at times, even surpasses it.

'Beautiful Rose' is the standout track from this offering of fine songs. It's a peaceful, simple song of reflection that is absolutely captivating. One of the best songs that I have heard in a while.

There's a strong personal feeling that runs throughout this release but none feel as autobiographical as 'Queen of Saint Mary's Choir'. With his father a guitar player and his mother a singer, this kicking track is the story of Sean's life and serves as a perfect introduction for those who know little about the man who proves, track after track, to be one of Nashville's finest songwriters and one of Music City's hottest talents.

When I was sent this release, I will admit that I had not heard of Sean but if I hadn't been sent this release, I am sure that I would have heard about him soon enough. A fantastic album by one of the most exciting artists that Nashville has to offer. One to watch.

This album is definitely worth a purchase and, if you can, go see him when he plays a few dates in London later this year.

The album is available now. For further information about Sean, including his London dates, visit seanmcconnell.com.