Sarah Darling Releases Animated Video For New Single 'Halley's Comet' - WATCH

Singer-songwriter Sarah Darling has premiered the video for her new single, ‘Halley’s Comet’.

The lead single from Sarah’s forthcoming album, Dream Country, - due out February 10th on Be Darling records - ‘Halley’s Comet’ is one of seven she wrote or co-wrote among the 10 album tracks and is “just a really personal story about a dreamer and that key figure in one’s life who encourages you to do what you love.”

Sarah worked with Nashville based production company Magnetic Dreams over a six month period. “I said I wanted it to be wide open spaces. It reminds me of being home back in Iowa and, of course, there’s a ton of stars,” she says. "As you grow up, fear can change the way you dream, and it’s easy to forget why you do what you love. I think it’s one of those videos that I hope when people see it, it will relate to kids but adults, too. It’s sort of for everyone.”

Produced by Nashville multi-instrumentalist-composer-arranger Larissa Maestro, Dream Country, “a cinematic, dreamy album with strings on it” showcases Sarah’s smooth, escapist song-writing style that crosses country, Americana and contemporary pop. As Sarah explains, “this has been an opportunity to make a record with everything I’ve ever imagined, top to bottom.”

An experienced player in the Nashville scene, Sarah has also supported stadium fillers Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves, Vince Gill and Tim McGraw, and performed at the Grand Ole Opry more than 80 times. Recently she toured the UK with Jenn Bostic and Kyshona Armstrong, selling out each night. Sarah returned in October supporting British chart-topping duo Ward Thomas and will be performing at Country To Country in London in March 2017.

Sarah first made her name in America in 2003 as a top-three finalist on E! Network reality show, The Entertainer. She went on to release two successful full-length US albums, Every Monday Morning and Something to Do With Your Hands. Sarah is now preparing for the worldwide release of Dream Country, her first UK album. From wishing on wandering stars, to never giving up, the new material really captures the spirit of the ones who love to dream.  Sarah Darling is sure to take you on whimsical ride through songs about stars, and when cowboys used to ride away into the West, with her new sound that she calls Dream Country.

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Dream Country is out on February 10th and can be preordered here. For more information about Sarah, visit SarahDarling.com.

ANTI- Signs Jade Jackson

Anti- is thrilled to announce the signing of Jade Jackson.

A highly prolific and supremely talented young singer-songwriter, Jackson creates a sound that is simultaneously new and old, merging a youthful spiritedness with a weary storyteller’s perspective usually reserved for veteran artists. Stylistically the sound is unapologetically country rock. It merges the heartbreak and resilience of Lucinda Williams with the melodic confidence of Emmylou Harris, yet contains the emotional presence of a young musician who cherished albums by The Gun Club and Smiths alongside the works of George Jones and Hank Williams.

Hailing from the tiny town of Santa Margarita in central California, Jackson began playing guitar and writing songs at 13. By the time she had entered high school she had attracted a growing fan base with local performances and estimates that she had written over 300 songs before she graduated.

Since then Jackson formed a tight knit band and together they have shared stages with such iconic artists as Merle Haggard, Rosie Flores and Dwight Yoakam. Along the way, Jade attracted the admiration of renowned Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness, who produced her debut album.

The collaboration between the two really began years back. As Jackson explains, “I went to see Social Distortion play when I was thirteen. I was really into punk. They are one of my favorites. After the show I picked up the guitar and began writing songs. That night I believe started a ripple effect inside of me that influenced my musical career. That day forward I tailored my life around wanting to be a musician."

Several years after that, Mike’s son and wife caught a small show at a coffee shop and told the Social Distortion frontman about the young singer-songwriter. When Ness heard her self-recorded demo he invited her to his studio in Orange County where he told her he wanted to produce an album for her. “I remember driving up to meet him for the first time, freaking out,” she says. “It was crazy because watching him that night back when I was thirteen put the dream in my heart so I find it very serendipitous to now be working with him.”

Mike Ness says of the ensuring session, “I wouldn't have done the Jade Jackson record if I didn't believe in her and her potential. The songs were amazing and came to life each week we worked on them. She is an old soul and it comes through in her songwriting and performing. She truly is one of a kind, raw and unique. She put her trust in me and I trusted she'd deliver. And she did! Here is a bad ass record delivered to you from us! Listen and enjoy."

Now Jackson has just released a video for the track “Motorcycle,” a song that channels a tough girl swagger and reluctant vulnerability set to a haunting post-punk Western sound. “I was driving and it was dark and I just started singing the lyrics," Jackson says. “It’s about feeling independent and capable and restless. I pulled the car over and recorded myself singing. When I got home I picked up my guitar and already knew the chords. At first it was this intricate finger picking and then Mike envisioned it more as a western ballad. He put a spin on it for sure and I think it sounds awesome.”

Jade Jackson will be touring with Social Distortion in the US in March and April this year.

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For further information on Jade Jackson, visit jadejackson.com.

EP Review: 'South Texas Suite' - Whitney Rose

After releasing her last album, Heartbreaker of the Year in 2015, Whitney Rose is back with an EP that could very well be Record of the Year.

South Texas Suite is a short, but sweet, set of songs that instantly catapults you to Texas. Rose is Canadian but a piece of her heart most definitely belongs to the Lone Star state with honky-tonks, Tex-Mex flair and Luckenback all on the agenda here. This EP is a six track love letter to the state that captured her heart after a two month residency there.

Opening number 'Three Minute Love Affair' has an apt cha-cha rhythm as Rose sings (/warns, depending on your situation) about how it can only take three minutes on the dance floor with someone to fall in love.

'Analog' has sass, swagger and a desire to return to a simpler time, a time in which our lives weren't ruled by technology. Her style of traditional country gives off a very classic-sounding vibe as she addresses a very modern day problem.

An ode to a staple of the country lifestyle, 'My Boots' is a foot-stomper, sassy and utterly charming. This one will be fun to hear live and it's easy to imagine that it will become a fan favorite.

'Bluebonnets For My Baby' is this reviewer's personal favorite on this release. This gorgeous romantic ballad is a joy to listen to, a throwback to the 50s/60s country sound (I was instantly reminded of the great Patsy Cline on my first listen) and Rose's voice here is faultless.

The nostalgia continues in a very literal sense on 'Lookin' Back on Luckenbach'. This is more classic country and the more I hear of it, the more I want to hear. Rose's sound is traditional, yes, but it relates and leaves a much more profound mark on myself than the very often generic-sounding slew of "party anthems" that continue to dominate the country charts today. I long for a resurgence of well-crafted, heartfelt songs and South Texas Suite solidifies Rose's potential to be one of those artists to lead any looming revival. She's a strong and assured singer-songwriter, who's also gracious enough to dedicate the last track of her EP ('How 'Bout A Hand For The Band') to the talented musicians who helped her bring this project to life.

Rose makes the trip across the pond this May, playing Nottingham, Sheffield, Newcastle and London. With South Texas Suite in her repertoire, these shows will simply be unmissable. So if you haven't, go grab your tickets to go accompany this fine release.

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South Texas Suite is released today (January 27th). For more information on Whitney Rose, her album and her UK dates, visit whitneyrosemusic.com.

Jim Lauderdale Announces New Album 'London Southern' + Shares New Track 'If I Can't Resist' - LISTEN

Award winning singer and master songwriter Jim Lauderdale releases a striking new studio album London Southern on February 3 2017 and will take part in the hugely popular Transatlantic Sessions tour in February, starting in Glasgow at Celtic Connections and then touring the UK.

He will play the following dates:

3rd February - Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
5th February - Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
6th February - Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
7th February - Corn Exchange, Cambridge
8th February - The Sage, Gateshead
9th February - Symphony Hall, Birmingham
10th February - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Himself recipient of the Wagonmaster Award at this year’s US Americana Honors & Awards, a special lifetime achievement honour reserved for the most valuable contributors to the course and history of the format, presented to him by George Strait, Jim has been invited to present an award at the second UK Americana Awards in London next February.

Listen to Jim's new single, 'If I Can't Resist' below.

Recorded in London at Goldtop studios and produced by Neil Brockbank and Robert Trehern, London Southern features co-writes with Dan Penn, Joan Oates, Odie Blackmon and Kendell Marvell alongside six Lauderdale solo compositions and a host of celebrated guest musicians.

About the album, Jim says: 'Making London Southern was my first time recording in the London area. It’s something I had wanted to do for a long time, but more important was getting to work with Nick Lowe's band and with his co- producers Neil Brockbank and Bobby Irwin.  I had been such a huge fan of Nicks and was able to be his support act back at different times in ‘94 and ‘95 which was a huge break for me. So fast forward 20 years later and this record came together. We recorded over several sessions at the Goldstar Studios in Balham. In my opinion Neil Brockbank is one of the best producers, engineers, and mixers out there. Period.  Tragically, Bobby Irwin has passed away and I dedicate this record to his memory. He was well loved by his friends and family and is terribly missed.

Some of the songs for the first session were written or started in Glasgow, Liverpool, or London after gigs in the few days before starting. Back in the States, before going back for second rounds of sessions, I wrote with new co writers John Oates (If I Can't Resist, Different Kind Of Groove) and Dan Penn (Don't Shut Me Down, What Have You Got To Lose). Neil got me to add strings to "I Love You More" which I had never tried before. He had great ideas and made this a different sounding record than I had ever gotten to make.  It was a real pleasure and inspiration to play with the musicians and some of the songs were written during the recording. Ready for more.'  

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For more information on Jim, the new album and his UK dates, visit jimlauderdale.com.

Brent Cobb Announces UK Release of Album 'Shine On Rainy Day' Ahead of UK Shows

Brent Cobb has announced the UK release of his critically acclaimed debut album Shine On Rainy Day, which will be released March 24th through Atlantic Records.

To coincide with the announcement, The Independent premiered a heart-rending new performance of the title track which was filmed at the legendary Sam Phillips Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.

The video gives a taste of what’s to come from the Georgia native who this week hits the UK for a number of shows. These dates follow Brent’s US tour with Anderson East and a recent support slot with country music giant Chris Stapleton.

Brent will play the following dates in the UK:

26th January - The Slaughtered Lamb, London
27th January - Castle Hotel, Manchester
29th January - Celtic Connections at O2 ABC, Glasgow

About Shine on Rainy Day

Released in the US last year to widespread critical acclaim, Shine On Rainy Day made number 11 in Rolling Stone Country’s Top 40 Albums of 2016. The album saw him enlist the help of his cousin and fellow Georgian, Dave Cobb, the Grammy Award-winning producer who has worked with Chris Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell

Brent wanted to record an album that felt drenched in the spirit of the South, but is neither conventional Southern rock nor mainstream country. Instead Shine On Rainy Day sits somewhere on the wide bandwidth that exists between the two.

Working with cousin Dave they discovered the perfect vibe for the album, from the blue-eyed soul evident on album opener ‘Solving Problems’, through the country funk of ‘Diggin’ Holes’, to the swamp boogie sounds of the 1960s and early 1970s which resonate on album closer ‘Black Crow’, featuring blistering slide guitar work by Grammy Award winner Jason Isbell.

Lyrically the album carries something of a Southern Gothic narrative, channeling the influences of Brent’s rural life. It alternates between dark visions and those self-deprecating scenes of black humour which bubble up in laugh-or-cry moments. He chose the album’s title after a friend heard ‘Shine On Rainy Day’ following a family tragedy and mentioned how powerful it was to him.

“When you have a bad storm that hits, the next day the trees are in full bloom and the grass is greener and lightning cleans the air up,” Brent says. “My friend called me up out of the blue and said that song hit him so hard. It’s talking about a rainy day, and they’re going through a real life rainy day.”


2017 is set to be a busy year for Brent. As well as his UK dates, he’ll be out on the road across the US supporting the likes of Chris Stapleton, The Cadillac Three, Little Big Town, Nikki Lane and playing California’s Stagecoach Festival.

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For more information about Brent, visit brentcobbmusic.com.

Southern Halo Announce UK Tour Dates

Following the success of their current single ‘Living Like That’ and their self-titled debut album, Southern Halo - the country-pop trio of sisters from Mississippi - will set out on their first tour of the UK at the end of March, with dates in London, Nottingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle.

Tickets are on sale now and the dates are, as follows:

18th March - The Garage, London
19th March - Bodega, Nottingham
20th March - Gullivers, Manchester
21st March - Hug & Pint, Glasgow
22nd March - Jumpin' Jacks, Newcastle

About Southern Halo

The Mississippi Delta is revered as the birthplace of the Blues and Rock & Roll. Soon, it will also be recognized as the home of Southern Halo, a soulful sister trio hailing from the small town of Cleveland, Mississippi. Growing up in an area so rich in musical history had its benefits for Natalia, Christina and Hannah Morris: a close-knit family nurtured the girls love of music and community support helped boost the siblings’ confidence. Their first live performance was in Cleveland - at a local restaurant - when Hannah, the youngest, was just nine years old.

In the years since that performance, Southern Halo has crafted a signature sound that is a blend of classic Country and ‘Pop Country’ with a dash of Southern Rock. It’s youthful, energetic music - made immediately recognizable by the sweet sibling harmonies that have become Southern Halo’s trademark. The girls lay it all out on the line during their high-energy stage shows, honing their chops as openers for top-tier acts Brantley Gilbert, Eric Paslay, Maren Morris, Love and Theft, Tyler Farr, Randy Houser, John Michael Montgomery, Parmalee, Old Dominion, Jamie Lynn Spears, Craig Campbell, Uncle Kracker, Julie Roberts, American Young and B.B. King.

The stars aligned for the three sisters in 2014 when Southern Halo made the National finals of the Texaco Country Showdown at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and recorded their first EP with Alabama’s Jeff Cook. Their current album, ’Southern Halo’, was produced by SESAC's 2012 Writer of the Year Catt Gravitt (Kelly Clarkson, Jake Owen) and Gerald O'Brien (Martina McBride, Trace Adkins).

With the release of Southern Halo, the band’s career took off – and the trio’s popularity continues to grow exponentially. Last year they made their CMA Music Festival debut with appearances on two separate stages; were named Nashville Universe’s Vocal Group of the Year 2016; performed at an elite pre-GRAMMY Awards show on the rooftop terrace of the GRAMMY Museum at LA Live in Los Angeles; launched Townsquare Media's ’Say It With Pepsi’ Concert Series; and performed during the 63rd Annual Nashville Christmas Parade television show. Brand partnerships were forged with Gibson Guitar, Claire’s, and Radio Disney Country, and the siblings now host a weekly radio show, ’Hangin’ With Halo’, stateside on powerhouse WDMS-FM and globally on CMR Nashville. Their music videos can be seen on Radio Country Disney, CMT, MTV and The Country Network.

The band’s hypnotically-upbeat Country radio debut, ‘Little White Dress’, caught the attention of U.S. radio and press and gained them early recognition in Europe; the track spent an incredible eight weeks at #1 on the International Hotdisc Chart. Their sophomore single, ‘Rewind’, was a U.S. Top 40 MusicRow CountryBreakout™ Chart hit that also held the #1 spot on the Hotdisc Chart for two weeks.

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For more information about the band and their UK tour, visit southernhalo.net.

WATCH - Two Ways Home Release Session Video For New Single 'Take My Hand'

London based alt-country duo Two Ways Home have revealed an Oak Sessions video for their brand new song 'Take My Hand' and announced that it will be released as a single to stream and download on 27th January 2017.

In their own words: “'Take My Hand' is about the fact that we’ve all been lonely at times, woken up in the morning and struggled to get out of bed. This song encourages us to hang in there because for every lonely lover there is another out there who is feeling the same."

The duo will also be hosting a brand new Nashville-style monthly songwriter's night 'The Round Up' in London, starting on February 3rd 2017. The first event features Warner Music signing Catherine McGrath, Ann Bailey (Ward Thomas, Jess and the Bandits), and Katy Hurt. More information can be found here.

About Two Ways Home

Two Ways Home are the songwriters and alt-country duo Isabella Mariee - originally from Vienna - and Lewis Fowler, who grew up in Gloucestershire. Now based in London, the pair have gone from strength to strength since a trip to Nashville inspired a new name and direction for their musical partnership.

In the two years that have passed since the release of their debut EP Wood For Trees (March 2015), the band have enjoyed radio play across the UK & Europe, toured nationally - sharing stages with artists across the country/Americana spectrum from Phil Vassar to Red Sky July - and have been featured extensively in print publications including Maverick Magazine, Record Collector and The Sun, with the latter describing their sound as “...crystal clear harmonies tinged with melancholy”. Although their live setup is sometimes an acoustic duo or trio, Two Ways Home often play as a five-piece band with Chris Brice (drums), Michael Clancy (electric guitar) and Dominik Told (bass).

The acclaimed follow up EP, Better Days (Dec 2015) - highlighted as “a stunning piece of art” by One on One Music - secured their reputation as a key player in the UK country & folk scene, with single ‘Just For Now’ played across BBC Regional Radio, Amazing Radio and on Chris Country among others. Described by The Upcoming as ”unique, unexpected and brilliant”, interest in their music has also led to increasing demand for Two Ways Home as a songwriting team, with other artists turning to the duo to bring their distinctive sound to collaborations and co-writes. The pair recently returned to Music City for an extended trip to write with fellow artists and friends, and are currently in the studio recording their third EP for release in April 2017

For more information on Two Ways Home, visit twowayshome.com.

Whitney Rose To Release New EP 'South Texas Suite' Ahead Of UK Tour

Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Whitney Rose has announced the release of new EP South Texas Suite on January 27th 2017,plus a UK tour headlining London's Green Note on May 27th.

The six song EP follows Rose's 2015 critically acclaimed record Heartbreaker of the Year, produced by Raul Malo of the Mavericks; which was awarded Country Recording of the Year in 2016 at the East Coast Music Awards in Canada. The breakout album presented Rose's vintage country-pop influences, converting critics with its beguiling blend of then and now.

South Texas Suite, however, sees Rose go it alone.

A recent move from her native Canada to Texas for a two month residency at Austin's famed Americana bastion, the Continental Club, Rose describes as 'lighting a fire in her' and she felt compelled to stay. Quickly becoming smitten with Texas and fascinated by the two-step dance culture, Rose found herself writing non-stop leading to the creation of the self-produced EP. South Texas Suite became a good old fashioned love letter to the lone star state; a touch nostalgic, deeply romantic and defiantly personal.

South Texas Suite is a meticulous study of sound and place; the work of an artist who is both an insider and an outsider, an observer and a maker, a listener and a storyteller.

The year also saw Rose tour extensively throughout North America, make her European debut, plus tour with Sam Outlaw; and a UK tour awaits for spring of 2017. The dates are, as follows:

23rd May - The Maze, Nottingham
24th May - The Greystones, Sheffield
26th May - Cluny 2, Newcastle
27th May - Green Note, London

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For more information on Whitney, including full details about her tour, visit whitneyrosemusic.com.