Single Review: 'Age of Reason' - Uncle Lucius (+LISTEN)

Uncle Lucius are a band who could never be pigeonholed into just one genre. This much is evident on 'Age of Reason', the latest track to be released to UK radio from their most recent album, The Light.

Americana and country combine with blues on a track which has lyrics that may never be more relevant as they are at this present time'as a call to let go of limitations' - limitations such as religion, tradition and tribe - and instead calls for unity. It is a much deeper offering than other tracks on the air at present and, in addition to making you think, the song is also a real toe-tapper.
. When discussing the song, the band's singer Kevin Galloway called the track,

About Uncle Lucius

Having shared stages with Merle Haggard, Zac Brown Band, Shooter Jennings, Ryan Bingham and Hayes Carll, Uncle Lucius will already be familiar to many who consider themselves fans of country, Americana and southern rock.

For a decade, the band built its fan base the hard way, through relentless touring and restless searching. When the time came to exit the Nashville ‘machine’ and find a new way to create and release the music they needed to make, they called on their die-hard fans for help. Hundreds of believers pledged tens of thousands of hard-earned dollars. Both humbled and exhilarated, the band hit the studio, eager to justify their fans’ love with the labor of their hearts and souls.

The resulting fourth LP, The Light, is the statement their fans have waited for, with its songs of seeking and questioning, of reaching out to others, of excavating the hidden strength within. After years spent spreading their message across Texas, here at last is the vehicle that can take them to the national - and international - level.

Much about Uncle Lucius sets them apart. Five songwriters combining forces is neither common nor easy, but what each individual loses in pride the band more than gains in power. The song itself matters more than who wrote it, more than the genre to which it belongs. “It’s not about trying to write a certain kind of song,” says Galloway, “it’s about harvesting whatever song comes.”

Despite that organic method, The Light’s 12 songs share themes of travel, movement, and quests without destinations. The album places the band in unfamiliar sonic territory, and much credit belongs to producer George Reiff (Shinyribs, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Band of Heathens) for testing their limits. Every member influences every other, and that combined filter comes close to defining what Uncle Lucius is. “We’re a five-headed beast,” Galloway insists, “and our songs speak for us. Whether we succeed depends on how well they resonate in the world.”

For further information on the band, follow them on Twitter, like them on Facebook and visit their official site.

Shovels & Rope Announce New Album - LISTEN to the First Track

Critically acclaimed husband & wife duo Shovels & Rope will release their anticipated new album Little Seeds on their new label New West Records on 7th October. Known for their honest, raw and highly distinctive sound, Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent (aka Shovels & Rope) have made their most personal and powerful album yet.

As songwriters, Hearst and Trent have earned a reputation as gifted storytellers. The main distinction between their prior work and Little Seeds, is that the stories here are true and inspired by their own experiences and observations.

Little Seeds reflects a pivotal and tumultuous time in their lives, and in our society. With song titles such as 'Botched Execution', 'Mourning Song', 'The Last Hawk' and subject matters ranging from Alzheimer’s disease ('Invisible Man') to over-medicating children ('Johnny Come Outside') to racial unity (‘BWYR'), one might think Little Seeds is a hopeless and depressing work, which would be highly inaccurate. Shovels & Rope’s penchant for writing literate, Southern Gothic infused songs that exude a dark humor, deep sentiment and the celebration of the genuine, quirky and beautiful things in life has never shined brighter than it does on Little Seeds.

Like most of their previous material, Little Seeds was recorded in the couple’s Charleston, SC home studio, and produced by Trent. Hearst and Trent wrote all the songs and played every instrument. Little Seeds is the follow up to their acclaimed 2014 release Swimmin’ Time, which debuted in the Top 20 on the Billboard 200, #5 on the rock chart and #6 on the independent chart. The duo, who were nominated in four categories at the Americana Music Awards, winning ‘Song of the Year’ (‘Birmingham’) and ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’, were the subject of a documentary ‘The Ballad of Shovels & Rope’, which chronicles the band’s humble beginnings through the release of O’ Be Joyful and premiered at the Nashville Film Festival. Featuring covers of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Johnny 99’ and Tom Waits’ ‘Bad As Me’, Shovels & Rope released a single through Jack White’s Third Man Records in 2013.

For more information on Shovels & Rope, follow them on Twitter, like them on Facebook and visit their official site. LISTEN to 'I Know', the first track from Little Seeds below.

Single of the Week: 'Battle Road' - Kelly Prescott

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.

Lineup Released for New London Based Music Festival, Nashville Meets London

London-based company, Canary Wharf Group has announced the lineup for the inaugural Nashville Meets London music festival, scheduled for August 13-14 in Canada Square Park.  The lineup for the 2-day event will showcase established artists and exciting new talent, and includes four acts representing the United States and six acts representing the United Kingdom.  From the United States are American Young, Logan Brill, Ty Herndon, and Logan Mize, and representing the United Kingdom are Yola Carter, Megan O’Neill, Pauper Kings, Hannah Rose Platt, Honey Ryder, and William the Conqueror. The event is free and open to the public.

Performances will begin at 2 p.m. each day in Canada Square Park, located in the heart of Canary Wharf and surrounded by award-winning gardens and over 300 shops, bars and restaurants.  Canary Wharf is located in the former London Docklands. For the past ten years, Canary Wharf has hosted the Canary Wharf Jazz Festival, which is largest free jazz festival in the UK, and has a long history of promoting arts and culture throughout its estate.

Nashville Meets London is co-produced by Canary Wharf Arts + Events, Peter Conway Management and Nashville-based agency, The AristoMedia Group.  Baylen Leonard, BBC Radio 2 Country DJ, is the artistic program consultant.

Holloway Road Surprise Fans With Set at Nashville Nights + Announce New Single

Last Friday (7th June) the crowd at the Nashville Nights club event in London were told a 'secret act' would be performing during the evening, and after a few hours of DJ Baylen Leonard playing a great mix of classics and chart hits, UK country duo Holloway Road took to the stage at 11:30pm for their second gig of the night, having just driven across town from a support slot for Jess & The Bandits.

With a stripped-back five piece setup led by acoustic guitar, the band opened with 'Truck' and played a half-hour set including songs from both their EPs and a cover of 'Ring of Fire'. The audience response was fantastic, with fans taking to Twitter & Instagram to post pictures and videos of the impromptu performance. As the lively set drew to a close, the rest of the band walked off leaving just Jack & Rob onstage, who went on to announce that the song they were finishing the set with would also be their next single - 'Good Thing Gone Bad'. Taken from the latest EP Roots, the song is the band's first "slow jam" on a record and shows a very different side to Holloway Road.

The guys spent the rest of the night meeting and taking selfies with fans and friends, and joining the dancefloor for the remainder of Baylen Leonard's DJ set.

Holloway Road play Buckle & Boots festival in Stockport on Friday 24th June. For more information on the band, check out www.hollowayroadmusic.com. The single 'Good Thing Gone Bad', including a new version & video, will be out in July.

The next Nashville Nights - "..bringing country music fans together to party to the music they love" -  takes place on Friday 5th August at Under The Bridge, London. For details and tickets, visit www.nashvillenights.uk.

ABOUT HOLLOWAY ROAD

Holloway Road are Jack Cooper and Robert Gulston, both originating from sunny Southend-On-Sea. But these aren't your ordinary Essex Boys; they're creating 'free big in your face' country-pop music. Jack and Robert, being in their mid-twenties now, have had their fair share of experience writing and playing around the world. After attending the same school and working on musical projects together in the years since, Jack and Robert's ability to write and produce stems from the idea of being able to write about being real and having a good time. Their influences include Florida Georgia Line, Kacey Musgraves, The Eagles, Mumford and Sons, and drinkin' a beer!


Along with both their self-released EPs entering the Top 10 UK iTunes Country charts, the duo have spent time in Nashville, been invited to play the Martin Guitar stage at the CMA Festival, toured with #1 hit writers John & Jacob, and performed at Country to Country Festival (C2C) at the O2 Arena in London two years in a row. And they're just getting started - with a string of UK tour dates and festival appearances on the way, Holloway Road are well on their way to imprinting their own footprint in the country community.

The Cadillac Three Announce New Album 'Bury Me in My Boots'

Nashville natives The Cadillac Three have revealed their long-awaited album Bury Me in My Boots, scheduled for release on August 5th via Big Machine Records, along with a brand new headlining tour of the UK this Autumn.

The trio have been teasing the full-length project with the staggered release of new tracks including ‘Graffiti’, ‘Soundtrack To A Six Pack’ and the new single ‘Drunk Like You’.  In time-honoured tradition the album showcases their love of a hard-rockin’ good time and includes their 2015 hit single ‘White Lightning’.

Comprised of Jaren Johnston (lead vocals), Neil Mason (percussion) and Kelby Ray (lap steel), The Cadillac Three are well-known for their electric intensity and songwriting proclivity. Pals since high school, the bandmates’ musical fusion has found a ready home in the UK, where they’ve built a loyal following with multiple sold-out headline dates.

They were named as ‘Best New Band’ in the 2014 Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards and became the most played new band on Planet Rock in 2015. Rolling Stone claims, "Like Kings of Leon before them, they're poised for their first big break in the U.K. — where they've sold out every headlining show for nearly two years — before conquering their U.S. home turf.”

Jaren, whose songwriting sensibilities have garnered Academy of Country Music and Grammy-nominations, has penned chart-topping hits for Jake Owen (‘Beachin’), Frankie Ballard (‘Sunshine & Whiskey’) and Keith Urban featuring Eric Church (‘Raise ‘Em Up’), in addition to credits on the majority of TC3’s catalogue and singles for Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley. Neil’s talents are also acknowledged on cuts for Rascal Flatts and Miranda Lambert, to name a few.

Ahead of the album’s release The Cadillac Three will be performing at Ramblin’ Man Fair in Kent on July 24th and then return to the UK for a headline tour later this year. Tickets are available now through Live Nation. The dates are as follows:

Don't Forget the Whiskey Tour - November 2016

5th – Manchester, O2 Ritz
6th - London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
7th - Cambridge, Junction
9th - Glasgow, O2 ABC
10th - Birmingham, O2 Academy
11th - Bristol, O2 Academy
14th - Dublin. Whelans
15th - Berlin, Frannz Club
16th - Cologne, MTC
17th - Hamburg, Nochtspeicher
18th - Munich, Backstage Gall
20th - Amsterdam, Melkweg Sugarfactory
22nd - Madrid, Chango Club

Their raw and gritty sound has won them founds on both sides of the Atlantic with its rocking vivacity and universal appeal. Chicago Sun-Times explains it thus, “…the majority of today’s so called country rockers are simply trying to emulate what The Cadillac Three has been from their very beginning.” 

You can pre-order an exclusive UK only vinyl copy of the album here.

Single of the Week: '4th July' - Daniel Pearson

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.