Hey folks, folkesses, tweeps,
tweepesses, facebookers, facebookees, linkedInners, beboers (is that even still
going?) and all those who wish to be referred to as whatever. Manflu must have
been responsible for causing some degree of delerium as I recall one particular
dream I had where I was playing the dulcimer for Status Quo although I'd
forgotten how to play it. Actually, it felt rather more like a Sam
Beckett Quantum Leap moment where I'd leaped into the dulcimer player's
body at the precise moment the band were starting a song. But all that aside, Status
Quo? My brain needs to have a strong word with itself! Why couldn't it
have been Led Zeppelin? Jeez, brain, thanks for the memories and all. The
reason for this particular post is because I'm taking a short break from
focusing on publishing the podcasts via the blog but fear not because they will
be published and with their blogcast, to boot. I just really need to catch up
with recording them for Acoustic Spectrum. Band
of Badgers Presents...#10 is recorded and ready so if you want to
listen to it make sure you tune in to Acoustic Spectrum at
7PM (BST) Thursday.
Michele Stodart
I count myself blessed I was able
to see Michele perform some of the tracks from this debut solo album, Wide-Eyed
Crossing, when she was second up on the main stage at Truck
Festival in July. There, she proved she has more than what it takes to
make it on her own now she's resting that bass she plays for double platinum
selling band The Magic Numbers. She was always going to have a proficiency
for the music but that never automatically means what is produced as a solo
project is going to be good enough quality to carry an entire album. Michele
Stodart needn't worry on that score however, as this
offering ticks all the necessary boxes for it to be a runaway success.
Released on Monday 22n October, Wide-Eyed Crossing has already been
gathering some promising reviews from the broadsheets and interest from
national radio. Granted, some of the interest may be due to her associations
with her band, but this is far from a bad thing. Once the album is heard for
itself, it has enough merit to carry itself.
Right from the opening track Here's
To Somehow, with its rather upbeat melody it doesn't shy away from the
melancholy side of the lyrical spectrum, as you might expect. With banjo and
other added instruments it builds up a wonderful atmosphere of pure Americana to set the
mood. Michele's vocals are strong from the off too and for all the power of the
instruments on the track she holds her own above them just right.
Take Your Loving Back is a more ethereal affair, both vocally and musically. Other standout songs include the beautiful Invitation to the Blues, an evocatively emotive number which also features a guest vocalist in the form of Conor O'Brien from Villagers. The pairing, as they at first sing separately before harmoniously together, is just perfect. Recently released single Foolish Love has a rhythm that will pick you up and dance you off, refusing to put you down until it's through. When it does put you down, you'll put it on again so you can dance along yourself. You can't escape the intensity of the final killer line delivered with such delicate fragility, 'I hope you feel this same pain one day, soon.'
What comes immediately to mind on My Baby My Sweet is how very like a Carpenters song it feels in parts. This is to its credit with its harmony laden lines of , 'And is it love', which garner a force to carry you up into the clouds. Aside from the more involved yet still floaty chorus, this is probably one of the most stripped back numbers on the album. There's deception in the air when it comes to List of Don'ts but it is most welcome. Starting out as a simple keyboard lullaby, it is delicate and sounds almost like effort has been left at the door. Not that it suffers for it in any way. It fits very well and the real fun starts half way through as it gathers what sounds like a full brass orchestra.
In sum, Wide-Eyed Crossing provides a window deep into the personal soul of an individual already known for her work with a hugely successful band. There is heartbreak and anger, but also passion and love mixed perfectly with a panorama of exquisite musical sounds that really bring the songs to life. This is a collection of ten intense, personal country and
blues songs from a talented songwriter who I imagine has been
itching to step up front from behind that bass.
It has been quite the busy year for Michele and her touring band having already shared the stage in supporting Villagers, Alabama Shakes, Duke Special, and Slow Club. She also sold out residencies at London's Boogaloo and Betsey Trotwood. A few festival appearances followed throughout the summer ending with her first solo headline slot at Lodestar festival in Cambridge. In addition to releasing this stellar debut album, she is closing the year off with her first solo UK tour this November. The dates are listed below so do get along if you're local and able to because you'll have a cracking evening of top quality live music.
Boat To Row
This is another band I first heard about and saw play live at the spectacular Truck Festival. Needless to say with their musically tight, multi-instrumental sound and breathtaking performance I was an instant fan and have only not followed them relentlessly due to the ever-present lack of time issues I'm always going on about. That said, I'm now on the street team so expect to be hearing lots more about Boat To Row over the coming months. It's by no means obligatory but I am delighted they're a Midlands-based band. Homegrown talent is always great to share with the world and there is so much of it to share I dare say I could fill entire lengthy posts with it. I may well here and there, as time goes by.
In the meantime while I knock out some suitable words to do them justice please check out these two great videos. The first is the one recently released for the song Freedom, which will be featuring on their forthcoming EP, Loyal Light. The song features an army of instruments including the magnificent mandolin which adds its very own dimension by way of opening up a portal direct into your world. The footage is taken from amongst their summer festival appearances. I'm honestly rather excited to be a part of helping promote this local young indie folk band because they have such a vibrancy and wonderful energy about them. The music they offer already has me wanting more so watch this space.
The second video is of the title track from the EP recorded as part of the Croft Sessions inside a shipping container. It's a striking result and gets me thinking more about my filming bands and artists inside a Campervan at festival, idea.
Also their UK tour begins on 21st November at The Bodega in Nottingham. All the dates are below and tickets can be purchased via gigantic >>here<<.
Under A Banner
Having featured this Midlands based band a number of times on the podcast already, it is with immense pleasure I can share the fact they now have their full album available to buy digitally via their bandcamp page for just £5. That is just a fiver for 11 really well-written and superbly produced songs. This is a band who have a very indie soul indeed. Tired of the fakery, shallowness of the popular music industry and its hollow celebrity culture, they just want to be able to express their thoughts, ideas and passions through real proper salt of the earth type music. This is why real musicians, real musical artists go into the business or try and make it out there in these super tough times.
With The Ragged Rhythm of Rain, Under A Banner have something special. Many of the tunes have been floating about for some time in various forms on their Soundcloud page which is where I first began listening to them following coming across One Cure For Man way back at the start of my podcasting project. Since then I've kept in touch and up to date. I was all set to get to their gig in Wolverhampton in June before some crazy man decided to crash into the car I was driving. Thanks crazy man - not. So the resulting situation meant I missed out but I sincerely do hope I can rectify that at some point.
The songs I got used to have since all been jazzed up and, I wouldn't say dressed up is the right word but they have certainly been given a few enhancements here and there. Not that they necessarily required it I guess, as the quality of the writing and musicianship on those earlier versions was very impressive. These 'enhancements' recorded for this album have nevertheless added even more depth to that already possessed by the lyrics alone. When We Used To Dance starts off much like a forgotten Levellers song might do. I mean this as a compliment to how the fiddle has been interlaced with the existing structures producing something with an added oomph. Likewise, the violin makes a welcome, if somewhat haunting appearance on Some Stories. It is quite a haunting song though, based on a mostly true story we're told. It is on the sad side but does grab hold of you rather tightly. Some Stories are never meant to be told but missing that bullet meant this story was told. And told brilliantly it must be said. 
The penultimate track Sunburst has a violin and string section serving to lift up those clear crisp vocals.You'll need your shades on if you don't want to get too dazzled. Finally closing with Back To The Sea is an inspired choice. Beautifully atmospheric, the sounds and the lyrics are hyponotic in themselves as they entice you back to the sea demonstrating the evocative power of the oceans.This is a steal for just £5 so make sure you grab your copy now at the bandcamp page.
Gigs:
- Friday 2nd November -Acoustic set @ The Clarendon, Chapel Ash,
Wolverhampton - Tickets £3 (in aid of British Red Cross) support from
Ramblin' Pony & Nathan Kilcoyne
http://www.clarendonhotelpub.co.uk/
Friday 14th December - Full band @ The Newhampton Arts Centre Wolverhampton - Tickets £5 online at http://www.newhamptonarts.co.uk/
In Brief...
Andy Ruddy
To finish off this marvelous mix there's the wonderful talent of singer-songwriter Andy Ruddy from Bradford. I came to this chap thanks to the little Facebook ads that pop up on the side of the screen. For once, I'm grateful to these ads. Amongst all the stuff I don't need there is this. There are songs and free downloads via Soundcloud so make sure you get clicking and enjoy this lad's amazing music. There will be more to come from Andy in the future.Katie Cole
Finally, Katie Cole is celebrating the release of her alternative country pop single I Can't Wait (Out 22nd October). With hints of Shania Twain, this is a really nice light and fun song. Check out the video for the song and the Press Release below courtesy of Prescription PR.
Katie Cole’s New Single ‘I Can’t Wait’ and Video Out Now!
Acclaimed Australian
singer-songwriter Katie Cole has just released her new single ‘I
Can’t Wait’ through Beverly Martel Music. The track will be the
leadoff single from her much-anticipated album, titled Lay It All Down,
which is set for release in February 2013. The album features a guest
appearance by songwriting and screen legend Kris Kristofferson.
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia,
and now residing in Los Angeles, Cole
relocated to the United
States to begin developing her sound
with acclaimed record producer Howard Willing (Counting Crows, Ok Go,
Smashing Pumpkins, Sheryl Crow). The result of this musical partnership
was the "Lost Inside a Moment EP," which unexpectedly received two BBC Radio 2 playlist
spots. Shortly after this release, Cole received multiple awards from
organizations such as ASCAP and OurStage, and landed an illustrious Movado
watches ad campaign that ran nationally in 2011.
Cole describes the new single and
album direction as "a little bit more organic and rootsy" than her
previous work. "It's somewhere between American Country and British
Pop," she mentions. "I drew influences equally from icons
like Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac, along with newer artists
like Brandi Carlile and KT Tunstall."
"I Can't Wait" is no
stranger to the airwaves - it is already receiving several spot plays on BBC
Radio 2 and has been added to the New to Q/Q Radio playlist.
Writer Alan Harrison of No Depression magazine has praised the
new single, stating, "Katie is on the cusp of becoming the 'next big
thing' in Nu-Country."
Producer Howard
Willing enlisted the talents of A-level musicians to perform on the
record, including 2 members of John Mayer's band Aaron
Sterling (Natasha Bedingfield) and Sean Hurley (Colbie Caillat)
along with Roger Manning Jr. (Jellyfish);Tim Pierce (Faith
Hill); Lyle Workman (Beck); and Zac Rae (Jason Mraz).
Although still in the early stages
of her career, Cole has toured in multiple cities throughout the US, as well as in London, UK.
Over the years, she has shared the stage with many big names
including Anna Nalick, Jackson Browne, and Glen Campbell.
In addition, Cole was the only female vocalist to appear on Campbell's final 2011 studio release,
"Ghost On The Canvas".
For more information, please
visit: www.katiecoleofficial.com
Press Contact:
Ellie Clarke, Prescription PR / press@prescriptionpr.co.uk or
+44 (0) 1223 505 328
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