Taken from upcoming album Restless Minds, Ward Thomas' latest single 'No Filter' leaves a lasting impression.
It's catchy with Catherine and Lizzy's vocals and harmonies as tight and as seamless as ever but it's the message of the track that shines, as they tackle the very real issue of the pressure to conform to society's high standards of so-called beauty and the lyrics are them taking a stand against said standards.
As Catherine explains: 'It’s all about being our true selves, and standing up for what we believe in. Instead of being shackled by the pressures to conform, the song is about having the courage to break free of them.'
'No Filter' is empowering, an anthem and yet another reason to be excited for the duo's upcoming EP.
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For more information about Ward Thomas, including details of their upcoming UK tour, visit wardthomasmusic.com
Our single of the week this week is not just a great song...it's also for a great cause.
Available to download from the end of next week, Dean Owens & The Whisky Hearts have released the poignant 'Julie's Moon'. The track was written after Dean's sister, Julie, sadly passed after fighting cancer and is now being released in aid of Marie Curie's Great Daffodil Appeal.
By purchasing this song, you'll not only have a beautiful new song in your library but will also have helped a fantastic charity. It'll be one of the best decisions that you make next week.
About Dean Owens
Dean Owens is one of Scotland’s finest singer songwriters, with fans including Bob Harris, Ricky Ross, Irvine Welsh and Russell Brand. His songs including 'Raining in Glasgow' and 'Man From Leith' have been hailed as classics of Scottish songwriting.
In September 2014 Dean’s beloved big sister Julie finally lost her battle with cancer. She was 50. Julie was a huge supporter of her brother and his music, always encouraging him, always at his gigs. Written very shortly after her death, 'Julie’s Moon' is one of Dean’s most personal songs, although it was a subject he would have preferred to avoid. But some songs insist on being written, and the final result is lyrically poignant but also characteristically musically memorable. It’s a searingly personal song, an ocean of the heart - a special song for a special girl and a special cause.
Dean: “This is a song I wouldn't have chosen to write due to the circumstances, but when it came to me I knew I had to just go with it. My sister was a big fan of my music so it seems only appropriate that she now has her own song, and I’m delighted if it can do some good in raising awareness and funds for the work of the Marie Curie charity"
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'Julie's Moon' will be released March 10th to coincide with Marie Curie's Great Daffodil Appeal. All proceeds from sales of the single will be donated to the Marie Curie charity.
Kate Ellis' new track, 'Ones You Love The Most' is our single of the week.
Kate's take on the well known adage features her moving vocals at the very forefront of this track, at times quivering with emotion, as she sings about the inevitability of hurting those closest to you. Citing some of music's greats as influences - Mary Chapin Carpenter and Leonard Cohen, to name a few - this simplicity of this single feels very much like a tribute to them. There's no overbearing production to this number, just a stirring voice, a talented band and what makes music great - heart.
Have a listen below:
About Kate Ellis
Kate Ellis is an Americana singer-songwriter, who was born in Louisiana, grew up in New York and is now based in London, England. Having performed in festivals and concerts across the USA, London and Paris, the timeless sound of her music reflects her love of classic singer-songwriters from Gram Parsons and Gillian Welch, to Mary Chapin Carpenter, Leonard Cohen and Nanci Griffith.
Kate’s southern country-folk roots come from her father, an important early musical influence who once played guitar with Hank Williams on the famous Louisiana Hayride, where Elvis and Johnny Cash started out. The story of her upbringing provides an interesting background to her musical journey - as well as being a musician, her father worked as a high-profile ‘Mad Men’-era Madison Avenue advertising executive, and her mother was a New York socialite during the sixties and seventies. Although Kate had a natural talent for classical piano and art in her early years, she found herself following a different path before pursuing music, attending law school and eventually becoming a lawyer.
Kate’s emotional and seductive vocals take you into a world of private beauty, reflection and feelings. The music is always intimate and evocative – you listen and want to be there. A journalist for the Observer commented: "Kate Ellis writes hauntingly beautiful songs and has an amazing voice, I'm a fan!" While TheMediaEye.com said: "Kate’s contemporary country-folk classic sound, and a voice best described as a cross between Emmylou Harris and Suzanne Vega, make her debut album eagerly anticipated."
Her debut single ‘Ones You Love The Most’ is released on 10th February 2017, and Kate will be playing live throughout the year - tour dates to be confirmed.
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'Ones You Love The Most' is available to stream via Soundcloud/Spotify and available to download via iTunes now. For further information on Kate, visit kateellis.com.
There's a lot about the country genre to love. The songs tell stories, the music is honest and every award show feels like one big family gathering. I'm proud to be associated with this genre and so are a lot of people, which is why there are so many songs about country pride. This sort of song risks being repetitive, and some are, but Tucker's '#Country' is a new take on this well-loved theme.
The title says it all, alluding to the new generation of music with the use of the hashtag. '#Country' is very much in the style of Aldean and Gilbert: country/rock and the desire to get a little crazy - yet this track isn't solely a party anthem. There's some depth to Tucker's voice, some definite soul and you're left in no doubt about how passionate he is about his genre - and you're also left wanting to hear more from this guy.
Listen to '#Country' below:
About Tucker
Fast-rising multi-instrumentalist and prolific songwriter Tucker has released #Country, his debut single. A sought after musician for some of Nashville’s leading stars, the talented singer-songwriter is ready to head out on his own with this new song and EP release.
Paying his dues and honing his craft in Music City over the last decade has meant that Jason Tucker has played and toured with a host of established country artists including Jason Aldean, Jimmy Wayne, James Otto and Eric Durrance. Although he’s been a highly prized musician for some of the busiest artists on the road, all of those artists would urge Tucker to record his own solo project. The thoughtful artist took his time to learn the business and to refine and develop his own songs. He cut demos, performed in and around Nashville, and continued to enhance the sound of other big names until the time was right. That time is now.
The new single celebrates everything he and his audience love about country, both as a musical experience and a lifestyle. As Tucker himself explains: '#Country is more about a state-of-mind and a down-home culture than a region. I’m from North Carolina, my wife is from Detroit. You could be from the South Bronx or Stockholm and understand what it means when we say ‘proud to be from the south’.'
With the release of #Country, Tucker steps out from the shadows into where he belongs - centre stage, with his songs making connections with audiences around the world.
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.
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.
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.
The UK country scene has never been hotter than it is right now. A little over a week ago, Ward Thomas made history by becoming the first ever UK country act to hit the top spot on the albums chart and are now set to embark on a tour that is quickly selling out. Similarly, The Shires are also set to kick off an extensive tour playing at venues such as Glasgow's O2 ABC and London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in support of new album My Universe which is set to be released next week and has already generated a huge buzz around it. And the best part about it all is there seems to be no stopping this influx of British country.
Now comes Dahlia with their fantastic first single, 'Only Human' which was written by a certain Mr Ben Earle of the aforementioned The Shires.
The trio is made up of Jess Roberts, Lisa Wright and Paris Georgia, three ladies who are already familiar to audiences over here and are talented artists in their own right. Combine their voices and you get something absolutely magical - the harmonies on this number will give you goosebumps. These harmonies shine also due to the simplicity of the song which features only an acoustic guitar as accompaniment and allows their voices to take centre stage.
Credit also must be directed to Ben Earle who, with each song he writes, proves that he is one of the country's finest songwriters and this particular track is no exception as it delves into a vulnerable, fragile side of a person with powerful results.
A few years ago, I saw Ward Thomas and The Shires playing tiny venues with only a handful of singles, between them, to their names and look at them now. I have a feeling that in a few years from now, I will be saying exactly the same about this trio.
For those unfamiliar with The Rising, they are a five piece country band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They are also a bunch of teases as they release their fantastic new single 'Last First Love' with no set release date for their upcoming sophomore album.
'Last First Love' certainly whets the appetite for the new record. The upbeat track is catchy and encapsulates the joyful feeling of falling in love. In a genre that is famed for its tales of heartbreak, it's always nice to hear a more optimistic outlook on love.
This immensely fun track is also one of the first, of hopefully very many to come, tracks with new lead singer Chantelle McAteer and her vocals shine on this single. It's an exciting time for the band and also an exciting time for the UK country scene. I have a feeling that their new album, whenever that will come, will win over a whole lot of new fans.
With an upcoming album titled Mud, it is perhaps written in the stars that Whiskey Myers's first release from said album would be a thumping, gritty track.
On 'Lightning Bugs and Rain', the band's frontman Cody Cannon tries to convince a girl he has his eye on, to escape with him to a secluded spot on the mountains with only, as the title points out, lightning bugs (perhaps better known as fireflies to us on this side of the Atlantic) and rain (something that us on this side of the Atlantic, know all so well). It's a bluesy number with some lovely guitar riffs, horns every now and then and a foot-tapping drumbeat. Despite the title, this song is made for kicking back and relaxing in the remainder of these summer months.
This was my first taste of this particular Whiskey and I'm already addicted. Have a listen to the track below.
About Whiskey Myers
Whiskey Myers, the soulful Southern rockers, will release their fourth studio album, Mud, on September 9th via Spinefarm Records, featuring the single ‘Lightning Bugs and Rain’. Helmed by Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Rival Sons, etc.), this record sees the East Texan outfit taking their easy style and sound to fresh levels, straddling a number of different genres – soul, country, classic rock, blues, etc. – in the process.
The follow-up to Early Morning Shakes (2014), Mud features ten new tracks packed with narrative vocals, emotive hooks and twin guitar strength, including ‘Frogman’ (a co-write with Rich Robinson previewed live at the Download Festival) and ‘Deep Down In The South’, a classic slice of Southern Rock celebrating a culture rich with tradition and solid values.
Through the quality of their song-writing, ability to straddle different genres, plus their undeniable power in concert and on record, the band has attracted a devoted army of home-grown fans who pack out venues, sing their praises online, and continue to make Whiskey Myers a word-of-mouth sensation… and that fervour is now spreading quickly overseas.
Whiskey Myers were recently here for Ramblin’ Man Fair and will return this December for the following dates:
December 1st - The Dome, London
December 2nd - O2 Institute, Birmingham
December 5th - Ruby Lounge, Manchester
December 6th - St Luke's, Glasgow
For further information on Whiskey Myers and their upcoming UK tour, check out their official site.
After an already stellar 2016, last year's winners of the BCMA's Horizon Act of the Year Award, Outlander, have released their latest single 'This Girl's Fire'.
The single marks an evolution in Outlander's sound. It was written just before the band performed at this year's Country to Country (C2C) Festival, but was taken to the next level after a chance encounter: "We were extremely lucky to see a bit of Old Dominion soundchecking on the BBC Radio 2 stage; it sounded incredible, and really resonated with us! With this track, we wanted to take our time, and try to capture the modern sound of Nashville that's coming through artists such as Sam Hunt, and Old Dominion". The band recorded the single entirely in-house, rather than going to a studio, so that they could give themselves more than enough time to hone the song. The track was recorded and mixed by the band's lead singer Ali Garner, who graduated from Leeds College of Music with a degree in Music Production.
Have a listen to the track below:
ABOUT OUTLANDER
Outlander is a Pop/Country-Rock band hailing from the North East of England. Forming in 2015, the band has become one of the bands leading the new wave of Country Music in England.
A year on, and the band won the coveted title of Horizon Act of the Year 2015 at the British Country Music Awards (BCMA) in October 2015, following on from the previous year's winners; The Shires. So far in 2016 the band has enjoyed playing some high profile events including two performances at this year's Country to Country Festival (C2C) at the O2 Arena in London, and in June the band were chosen to support Simply Red at The Emirates International Cricket Ground on their Big Love Summer 2016 Tour. The band also performed at the inaugural Buckle & Boots Country Music Festival, sharing the stage with artists such as Ward Thomas and Phil Vassar.
Appealing to new-wave and old-school country fans alike, Outlander's music takes cues from American acts such as Sam Hunt, Hunter Hayes, Old Dominion, and Brett Eldredge, blending pop and rock hooks with country instrumentation. The band has been praised for taking a youthful edge to British country music.
For further information on Outlander, visit the band's official site.
'How can we lose, when it's me and you, I never knew it would be so much better with two'.
Well, how can you lose when two talented singers/musicians/songwriters straight from the heart of country music decide to team up and put out good, genuine songs? You really can't lose, ever, and 'Two' from The Young Fables is one of the best songs I've heard in a really long while.
The pairing of Laurel Wright and Wesley Lunsford is a fresh breath of authenticity. The song, about how Laurel and Wesley became a duo, is fun, sweet and real. Think of Chris and Morgane Stapleton, only with the roles reserved and the lovely tones of Laurel's voice taking the lead...beautiful voices, quality lyrics and not a hint of over-production at any point. The Young Fables are a wonderful throwback to when the genre wasn't all about trucks and partying and I absolutely love it. These two are set for a big future and I'm looking forward to joining the ride.
[Side note: Immediately after writing this review, I discovered Laurel had tried out for American Idol (which was a personal favorite show of mine) and instantly remembered her after rewatching her auditions on YouTube - super talented singer in her own right and a definite case of talent slipping through the cracks of reality TV.] ABOUT THE YOUNG FABLES
The Young Fables are a country music duo composed of Laurel Wright and Wesley Lunsford, who have worked & performed with The Band Perry, Sara Evans, Randy Houser, The Henningsens, Scotty McCreery, and Joe Nichols.
Laurel Wright, originally from Maryville Tennessee, started singing in church when she was just three years old. At the age of ten, she was inspired to pick up a guitar and write her first song, and during high school, got "really serious about music". Laurel moved to Nashville, working as a restaurant hostess while pursuing her dream of a full-time music career, and since then has played shows across the country both as a solo act and since meeting Wesley, as part of the Young Fables.
According to Laurel, "Meeting Wes was a serious game-changer for me, and my music career". When her former lead guitarist backed out of a gig at the last minute, her drummer said he knew someone and called Wesley, who she describes as one of the most talented and hardworking people she's ever worked with. When she moved to Nashville, Wesley told her that he wanted to be part of anything and everything that he could be part of, and since then they haven't played a show without each other in over a year, and all the Young Fables songs have been written together.
Wesley grew up in Tallassee, East Tennessee, in a music-loving family. He started learning piano at nine years old, and picked up the guitar at fourteen when he got his first six-string for Christmas. An opportunity to live and play in China for six months with some of his closest friends found Wesley stumbling upon a love of country music, which led him back to Tennessee to play with various artists on a local independent label. It was a friend from that group who called him that night to fill in on guitar with Laurel. In his own words: "I've worked with a lot of musicians, but knew from the moment we started working and writing together, that Laurel and I had something very special."
The Young Fables are currently touring to promote their debut album Two, and are opening up for Chris Janson in September.
For further information on The Young Fables, check out their official site.
Sadly, there is not a reset switch we can flip to start this year over. 2016 has pretty much sucked and it's hard not to feel a sense of dread when we see a city or country trending on social media. It is times like these when music is needed perhaps more than ever before.
Music is an escape. Music helps heal.
Hannah White's 'I See Sky' is a song that we all need to hear right now. This bluesy-country number sings about the power of love and unity in helping us to achieve what we all want - a world we can all be proud of. And it is so true, demonstrated by the selfless acts of others in the wake of recent tragic events - blood donors after Orlando, homeowners opening their doors to offer shelter to to others to mention just a few examples of how humanity has come together after acts of hate.
This song is a beautiful, poignant reminder of what's important in life - love.
ABOUT HANNAH WHITE
The London-based singer-songwriter’s music draws from a rich well of life experiences as well as an eclectic range of genres. A single mother who’s battled her way to gaining a loyal following of fans whilst maintaining a wholly independent approach to her career, her music is influenced by country, blues, pop and soul but remains distinctly her own. With a voice that can switch from a sweet Nashville croon to a bluesy holler and production work from Roger Cotton (BB King/Paul McCartney) and Gerry Diver (Christy Moore/Tom Robinson), Hannah’s songs have been playlisted on BBC Radio 2, BBC London, BBC Kent, BBC Merseyside, BBC Introducing & Amazing Radio, and she has performed video sessions for Bob Harris and Balcony TV. She’s also wowed audiences at shows with Thea Gilmore and Ben Haenow, headlined at a sold-out Union Chapel in London, performed at major festivals and picked up press plaudits from Acoustic Magazine, R2 Magazine, Country Music People, Fatea Magazine, Blues Matters and many more.
With stellar production input from Nigel Stonier (Martha Wainwright/Joan Baez) and her most personal collection of songs yet, Whose Side Are You On? is a defining statement from a talented and versatile songwriter and vocalist. With I See Sky forming a perfect introduction, Hannah’s honest, witty and emotionally raw songs are set to gain new fans wherever they are heard.
For more information of Hannah, visit her official site.
After first appearing on Somethin' Country's radar when he supported The Shires and Ward Thomas at a packed King Tut's in 2014, Sean C Kennedy has been steadily growing a name for himself. He released a stellar debut album titled 77 last September and has been busy with shows both across the country and over in the States. The Ayrshire native is also set to support Lucie Silvas in Glasgow this coming September.
Now comes 'Legacy', out today (July 18th), which may be Sean's finest song yet. The track, featuring Mark Price, is anthemic. It is about living your life to the fullest and reaching for your dreams.
In a blog post on his site, Sean describes how the song came to be: 'On my return from NYC I started to work on a song for Mark’s show. We spoke most days conversing about the way life can change in the blink of an eye, how much we had in common, similar paths in life and just how passionate we were about making a difference, inspiring people and doing good. I would ask Mark specific questions to spark me. All I can say is it helped me to be more like myself. Talking about the things we did growing up as a kid. When we had an idea in our heads, we went ahead and did it with no fear. Why should that change when we grow up. Hence the opening lines. We don’t have to follow rules, bend them to suit yourself to fuel your desire. We are in charge of our own destiny and the path we take.'
If you find yourself in need of some motivation this Monday (or on any other day for that matter) take a listen to 'Legacy' down below and/or head over to iTunes to get this track for the bargain price of 79p and help support another fine UK talent.
For further information on Sean, check out his official site.
If you like current American chart toppers Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert, then we think you'll love Canadian Kelly Prescott.
Her latest single, 'Battle Road' is a painfully honest track about how love isn't always easy. Lyrics such as 'It's good, so good/Then it all just comes undone' and 'Who are you tonight/Fight for love or love to fight' highlight the fragility of a relationship with the eponymous 'battle road' being a tension and conflict filled path that love can take you down. The song does not romanticize the notion of love, nor does it shoot it down - it sits somewhere in between, being perfectly honest that love can sometimes just be hard.
Well-written with powerful vocals, you can listen to this gritty and moving track below.
About Kelly Prescott
Kelly Prescott hails from two musically renowned family lines, spanning three generations from Northern Ontario, Nova Scotia and the Ottawa Valley. She has naturally inherited the foundation to follow her musical heart, drawing inspiration from her great Canadian roots. Imbued with experiences gleaned from growing up in an award-winning studio, she has hit the ground running in pursuit of her own musical expression.
Kelly is a from-the-cradle country singer, influenced by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Roger Miller and Ryan Adams. When her voice is blended with steel guitars and fiddles, country music lovers from way-back-when will hear a kindred soul. When she spins the dial forward a few decades, it’s clear she’s part of a new generation of artists who are making new sounds and big waves.
Born into a family of musical enthusiasts and entertainers, Kelly’s grandpa started a family band that entertained TV audiences for 17 years; there were few doubts about the direction her life might take. Her path began with a country-folk record with her brother Kaylen Prescott, the rollicking Lakeside Sessions (2009). Songs like ‘Take That’ and ‘Carrying Coal’ quickly established Kelly as one of the finest young interpreters of country music and a powerful vocalist.
This was followed by a critically acclaimed tour playing the role of Emmylou Harris in the theatrical production, Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons. Kelly then recorded a well-received solo roots/blues album I Leave You Dreaming (2011). With a love for harmonies, her roots led her to form The Claytones, who produced two records, Lake in the Night (2012), and Reserva (2013), catching the attention of Bob Harris for his BBC Radio 2 show.
With this new EP, Hillbilly Jewels, Kelly takes the next step in her craft, with songs that speak to a new generation of lovers of country music; plenty of energy, deep passion, powerful vocals, and honest storytelling about real life today.
To keep up-to-date with Kelly, follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook or visit her site.
With July around the corner, it's fitting that Daniel Pearson today releases his infectious new single, '4th July'.
The track is about a love gone bad. The hook is simple - I told a lie on the 4th of July, I said you were the only one - but undeniably catchy as it warns the listener about the destruction nature of deceit and betrayal in a relationship. Yet rather than three minutes of melancholy, the song is quite the opposite. A toe-tapping beat, a raucous harmonica and a simply fantastic dynamic between the charming Pearson and his female back-up singer create a lively, fresh track that is absolutely perfect for the upcoming summer months. The arrangement is just as wonderful as the story that Pearson tells us.
Don't wait until the 4th of July to download this track. Have a listen below and be sure to go and get the track to support this brilliant British talent.
ABOUT DANIEL PEARSON
Americana singer-songwriter Daniel Pearson will release his new single 4th July on June 17th. The immediately infectious track is hot on the heels of his acclaimed 2015 Alone, Together album.
Daniel has released three albums to widespread critical acclaim around the world. Writers for Uncut Magazine, R2 Magazine, The Daily Mirror, Drowned In Sound, No Depression, Americana UK, PopMatters, Baeble Music & many more have been quick to praise timeless songwriting that fuses poetic lyrics to classic country & rock dynamics. His songs have been aired by influential DJs on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6Music, BBC Introducing, KROQ, Lightning 100, Amazing Radio, Triple J, Double J & more. TV has also made use of his emotive vocals & melodies, with his songs soundtracking hit shows in the UK. With albums praised for their lyrical skill & willingness to incorporate garage rock, blues, folk and gospel influences into his core country sound, '4th July' offers a more direct example of Pearson’s ability to craft nagging pop melodies within a story of betrayal & independence between two lovers.
In addition to winning over media tastemakers, Daniel has also been a word-of-mouth success story online with thousands of fans regularly sharing his songs on Twitter, YouTube, Soundcloud & Spotify. This loyal fanbase has powered him to 20,000 iTunes downloads, over 300,000 streams & successful solo tours of the USA & UK.
4th July is available to download from today. To keep up to date on Daniel, follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook and check out his site.
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.
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.
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.
2016 has already been a busy year for three-time BCMA winners, Luke & Mel with sets at this year's Country2Country and beginning on a UK wide tour with Jess and the Bandits, ahead of a festival packed summer and the release of their sophomore EP which is set to out late summer. As a little teaser of the upcoming EP, the duo have released a double A side single featuring the song, 'Bad Habit' and a reworking of their award winning - and simply fantastic - track, 'Somethin' About a Woman'.
Mel takes the lead on 'Bad Habit'. The duo showcased this song during their handful of sets at C2C and is about a love that you can't just shake, even if it's not good for you. It's an infectious track, with the chorus and the riff constantly vying it out to be the earworm left in your mind after the final note...the victor of that battle changes each time. This upbeat track looks set to go down a treat at upcoming festivals this summer. The reworked 'Somethin' About a Woman' is just as fantastic as the original version and any live performance that the duo do of it. It's a truly divine song, worthy of the BCMA award for Best Song and is, without doubt, one of the best offerings from the UK country scene.
This double A-side certainly whets the already growing appetites for Luke & Mel's next EP - and it's available to download right now!
About Luke & Mel Luke & Mel formed in 2012, having met through performing in the UK's top touring theatre show, Country Legends, the pair combine haunting harmonies and fine musicianship creating a sound that is both unique and authentic.
Luke's background as a session guitarist has seen him play on all the biggest theatre stages in the UK with shows like 'One Night of Elvis', 'Dolly The Show'. 'Country Legends' and PJ.Proby's 2010 UK Tour as well as performing on Albums such as Raintown's 'Writing on the Wall', Mike Ward's EP, Thorne Hill's 'No More Holding Back' and more.
Before meeting Luke, Melanie was busy doing her own singer/songwriter shows as well as performing in musicals up and down the UK including London's West End.
Having built a name for themselves on the live circuit, the duo released their eponymous debut EP In December 2014, which debuted at No.2 on the iTunes UK Country Album Chart, where it stayed in the top 10 for 2 weeks.
Championed by BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and Chris Country, the release was met with critical acclaim, the band found their popularity on the live circuit soared. As a result, they have supported everyone from Engelbert Humperdinck to Will Hoge and one of Mel’s personal icons Pistol Annies’ Angaleena Presley. At the end of April they take to the road once again, joining British/Texan quintet Jess and the Bandits on their headline tour.
Having delivered three sensational sets at this year’s Country2Country, they are also excited to hit the festival circuit once again this year, with performances at FSA Fest, Rock Ridge Roundup, TowerFest, Buckle and Boots and Dart Music Festival.
As they build towards a summer packed with dates, the three-time BCMA winning duo are excited to unveil their new double A-side – Bad Habit / Somethin’ About A Woman. Of the release the duo state,
‘We’re releasing a new Double-A side which will feature our brand new single “Bad Habit” and also a new mix of our award-winning song “Somethin’ About a woman” We chose these two songs because we feel they represent our sound going forward.
Bad Habit represents that age-old problem of always finding someone who treats you badly but you can never seem to let go of them - it’s also an upbeat edgy track with a catchy riff.
Somethin’ About a Woman won us the award of Song of the Year at the British Country Music Awards 2015 and we wanted to include a new mix of it in our new release as a way of honouring that.’
Follow Luke & Mel on Twitter.
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Visit Luke & Mel's Official Site For Tour Dates.
Taken from upcoming album Restless Minds, Ward Thomas' latest single 'No Filter' leaves a lasting impression.
