BAND OF BADGERS PRESENTS...MID WEEK MUSIC MIX #2

Photo from Sigur Ros Facebook page taken by Alexandre Fumeron 

Howdy music lovers. I am typing this post from the lofty heights of a fine cloud city way up in the atmosphere. Why am I up here, you may ask. You may or may not recall I had tickets to go and see a certain Icelandic band I've been a big fan of for pretty much fifteen years now (yes, that does make me feel on the old side). Sigur Ros is that band and they are responsible for me not being able to come back down to Earth just yet. In fact, their performance was so wonderfully transcendental I will be up here for the majority of the coming year I expect. At least. Perhaps well in to next year too. It is fffffreezing at this altitude though so if someone wouldn't mind throwing up an electric blanket I would be eternally grateful. Oh, I'll be needing a generator as well of course. One with a mighty long extension.

In order to at least try and reign in the lengthy blogcasts, I'm aiming to share on a more regular basis. We'll see how it works out but that Manic Music Monday post I published a few weeks ago seemed to be so well received the number of views it got has leaped so far ahead of any of the others I'm wondering what kind of magic is at play here? May there be dragons in the world helping to release this magic? Yes, more Game of Thrones there I'm afraid. I was all set to begin Big Sur by Jack Kerouac after finishing the Bob Dylan Chronicles. That made a perfect book to follow Mr Bob but I couldn't settle into it. Unlike me. Especially where Kerouac is concerned but it was not that the book itself was holding me back. Not that book anyway but something to do with the fact I'd recently watched 15 episodes of Game of Thrones and couldn't stop thinking about the jaw-dropping events from A Storm of Swords, which I finished at Christmas. So, I just jumped right in to A Feast For Crows last Sunday and am now over half way through it. I'll agree that while it isn't anywhere near as riveting as its two-part predecessor, I am still speeding through it and remain as hooked to the story. Then soon it will be time for A Dace With Dragons. I may disappear for a time when I start part one of that book.

Anyway, without much furhter ado of my rambling and babbling let's get on and share some amazing music shall we?

MARK NICHOLS 
IN THE ARMS OF ANGELS

Another stunning track for you here from Mark. Plus, it is FREE too. You seriously need to be grabbing this because the talent locked up inside this guy, which he demonstrates so aptly through his music (and now photography too no less, see that separate Facebook page >>here<<), is of the highest calibre. Please share this. With it being so good it is a crime it is free. Still, we who are on no pay rises and rubbish wages welcome these freebies and as a thanks to Mark we owe it to him to share it with everyone we can so they too can appreciate and enjoy his talent.

Mark recently finished a few live dates around the UK and is currently on a European adventure as he performs in Amsterdam and Paris before returning to London. He's so captivating I can't wait to get to a show myself.

He also released EP The Traveller back in September last year and this collection of four top tunes is available for just £3.16 via iTunes. Stop wasting any more time, click >>here< and buy them. Then Mark can get right on to his next tour and I can see him play live. This guy is going big places this year so get on board before the bus gets so crowded you can't fit. If you can catch a live show make sure you do! https://www.facebook.com/marknicholsmusic

SCHEMATA THEORY GET COMPLEX

Over the border and into much heavier territory with this band. What absolutely fantastic sounds Schemata Theory produce! This is the official video for A Complex Slate and it completely knocked me for six. It was after I'd tweeted about listening to some Funeral For A Friend that the band's drummer, Josh sent me a link to the video to check out saying if I liked Funeral, I might like it. I didn't just like it, I love it!!

This is some quality heavy rock from this metal outfit. There are guitar riffs in there that will catch you when you're falling through infinity from the awesome banging rock. This is a top tune to blow away those mangy cobwebs left over from Monday so you are awake, alive and ready to face the rest of the week. While I'm yet to grab a copy of their debut album Dry Lung Rhetoric I shall be rectifying this folly sooner rather than later. A Complex Slate has not just left me hungry for more, it's left me ravenous for more. http://www.schematatheory.com/

SOFAR....SO GOOD!

What a unique and ingenious concept this is. Bringing music lovers together in an unusual setting, most often a living room. Just wonderful. The set of videos I've had the pleasure to enjoy have barely touched the surface and this is a global movement, folks. It's one of those situations where although it was only a couple of weeks ago (if that), I've had so much on and my mind is darting here, there and everywhere, I can't even remember how I came across Sofar Sounds now. There's intimate performance then there's this. Playing in your living room. Packing in a fair number of folks to enjoy it and just letting go. I must thank them for the two below in particular though because these two guys really are something else. Mark Nichols (featured above) mentioned a gig he did on a narrowboat one time which would be another perfect location for a Sofar Sounds video.

JOSH SAVAGE UP ON HIGH

I was well and truly hit by an almighty giant-sized WOW when stumbling across this video. As part of Sofar Oxford #252, it is sublime. Take Off Your Shackles is the third track to feature on Josh's debut EP Mountains In Hurricanes. This is out on this very fine day of 12th March so get buying your copies now please. You can purchase via his bandcamp page >>here<< or via iTunes >>here<<. Physical copies are available too via the bandcamp route.The title track is beautiful by the way. Check it out, go on. Then prepare to part with a little bit of cash to own the awesome EP.

Not one to skrimp (that a word?) on the sharing I MUST also share another of Josh's videos. This one is for the Rooftop Session of the beautiful title track Mountains in Hurricanes. This is magical!

Indeed, if I had space here I would also be sharing Figure You Out filmed live at The Black Boy just a few weeks ago. This one is rather impressive too. You will be able to find it easily enough I'm sure but the link is >>here<< for you anyway. You see how nice I am? Now get buying that EP, thank you please! http://joshsavagemusic.com/

RAZOR SHARP ZANDER

Zander Sharp's is the second video from Sofar Sounds I watched, this time for Sofar Oxford #225. He mesmerized me just like Josh before him. What a stunning vocal he has. There's such a depth of emotion and yet he gets so tranquil. And that summation is based on this amazing performance alone! After seeing this I sought him out and got listening to more awesome songs on his Soundcloud Page. There's a 5 track demo up there as a set. I would pay to own this if I'm honest and that's before any tidying up for a final produced version. Where do I send the money? Send me a neat little CD. Have a listen to these demos below and see if you don't agree by the end of them. His writing is quality!

Things are busy busy busy for Zander as he gears up to release an EP recorded by none other than those Stornoway lads (who themselves released their second album, Tales From Terra Firma this week).

If you want to learn more about Zander from his own words then check out this really great interview with him for NSTV. Just click >>here<<. His outlook is endearing. There really is some great music out there but it takes time and a bit of effort to seek it out from all the dross the mass media piles upon us. He didn't say it himself but Zander's music is some of that really great stuff, even this early on. Like with Luke Jackson, Mark Nichols, Aidan Logan, Leo Stannard and Perry Hood, Zander Sharp and Josh Savage are firmly on my 'ones to watch' list so I'll be featuring lots more from them over the coming year. https://www.facebook.com/zandersharpmusic

DOUBLE A GRADE FOR SYD ARTHUR

Progressive psychedelic Canterbury collective Syd Arthur may currently be across the wide waters readying themselves for their performance at SXSW in Texas but the news needs to be shared about the latest single released from critically acclaimed debut album On An On. It is a double A-side featuring Ode To The Summer / Edge of  The Earth. Try before you buy and have a listen below. I highly recommend the album too while you're at it.

As I said in my review of the album, On An On takes the listener on an epic journey. Ode To The Summer breeds thoughts of hot cloudless days which cascade through the mind and will have you reaching for your Pimms on the porch table while you gaze up at the evening sunset. Listening again I can assure you this is true even in the current depths of wintry hell we find ourselves. If you want to forget about your freezing ice blocked feet then grab Ode To The Summer and get hot. This prepares you perfectly for the next stop on the magical musical journey. Yes, you will venture right to the Edge of The Earth. You will return but you will never be the same again.

I'm uber-excited to have recently confirmed I'll be attending this year's Wood Festival and covering it on the blog. I will therefore be seeing Syd Arthur play there. Full report in due course. More on Wood in my pre-summer festival special soon. http://sydarthur.co.uk/

Praise for debut album On An On
 
'Dorothy begins with a calmative wash of heat-have guitars, then cedes to a lazy, joined at the hip groove that's a small marvel of poise and subtlety.... Enchanting'
MOJO

‘Dizzyingly intricate… they bristle with energy and ideas’
Q
 
‘Strong compositional ideas… a careering piece’
Uncut
 
‘Absurdly talented’
Word
 
‘Syd Arthur are sons and heirs of those Canterbury musicians who did sometimes whimsical, sometimes intense things with psychedelic and progressive rock’
The Guardian.co.uk
 
‘Intricate compositions, expertly woven to make these stunning aural conversations between all of the major sensory points in your body.’
Daytrotter
 
‘Staggeringly good. It will take something exceptional to beat On An On to Prog Album Of The Year’
Classic Rock
 
‘Fleet-fingered folky flavours steeped in prime prog history’
Prog

‘Their debut album On An On has maintained the psychedelic influences and enhanced them with a modern pop sensibility. The musicianship is intricate and finds them sounding like Devendra Banhart in his softer moments’
The 405
 
‘Ornate and glassy-eyed perspectives’
Daily Mirror
 
‘A unique sound that is both full and intriguing… curious and surprisingly uplifting’
Guitar Techniques
 
 ‘Blends taut mandolin lines with fuzztone propelled jazz guitar… fresh and relevant’
Guitarist
 
Also heard on 
BBC Radio 2, (Dermot O Leary), BBC 6 Music (Gideon Coe, Cerys Matthews, Tom Robinson), XFM, Amazing Radio, BBC Scotland, NME Radio, Q Radio

IN BRIEF...

Indeed it is time to don those briefs. Oh dear. Apologies if I've just induced vomiting with that one. Tut tut!

LIGHTS AT TEN FOR IRIS **NEW SINGLE**

Lights At Ten is the latest single from this alternative rock band. They have a tremendous and big sound I'm loving right now. Hope I can get along to a show at some point.

http://www.iris.uk.com/lightsatten.php

FESTIVAL FAVOURITES TO HEADLINE CAMBRIDGE

It was announced last week that festival favourites Bellowhead and The Levellers will be headlining this year's Cambridge Folk Festival on the Friday night. This is fantastic news as this is another of the festivals featured on my 2013 festival mission list. I've potentially added a fifth one today but not quite sure I'll be able to make five. Four will be stretching my limited funds enough as it is. Great news these two awesome bands will be at Cambridge though. The Levellers are no strangers to the festival having appeared a number of times as have Bellowhead I'm sure. It's just as sweet for Saturday night with KT Tunstall and The Mavericks. There will be many more an announcement to follow over the coming weeks and months and I will also be featuring this festival in my pre-summer festival feature. It will be a warm up of sorts. Boy, do we all need warming up. Hopefully this Arctic weather is a sign for a beautiful hot festival-friendly summer for 2013. Remember, tickets tend to sell fast for this one and they do often sell out so get yours before the rush. http://www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk/

LEVELLERS **NEW VIDEO** 

ALONE IN THIS DARKNESS

Following the above announcement, it seems only fitting to share the latest video from this, one of my top most favourite bands of all time (yes indeedy). Alone In This Darkness is one of Simon Friend's songs from their most recent album Static On The Airwaves. http://www.levellers.co.uk/

While I remember too, you only have a matter of hours left to vote for this album in the Spiral Awards 2013. Please see my post on these awards and who I've voted for in a number of categories by clicking >>here<<. I don't wish to impose my choices upon you but please vote for Nick Burbridge in the Songwriter category and for The Ballad of Andy Jacobs by Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman for Best Song. They so deserve to win their respective awards. They all do I guess but these two are extra special. 

AND FINALLY...

Yes, there is an end. This has not been a bad rounded up post to be honest. I had originally planned to title it Tuesday Tune Takeaway, which I loved the sound of. However, as time ticked on and I kept typing things up and embedding things, it became apparent that possibly one or two people may get to read the published version on Tuesday itself. Thus is why I settled on my second mid-week music mix. The last one was only so many months ago I can't recall but hey, let's chill.

To close here's a funny little video I stumbled across recently. It kind of speaks for itself really and for Levellers fans particularly it should be something to make you laugh out loud*. Until next time folks, which should be very soon indeed, peace to you all. Keep warm! 

*Please note not lol

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LUKE JACKSON AT THE STABLES, MILTON KEYNES - A REVIEW

SATURDAY 9th FEBRUARY 2013

Picture taken from Luke's Facebook page

It didn’t surprise me in the slightest when Luke Jackson revealed how tickets for his solo show at The Stables in Milton Keynes had sold out in advance of the night. I felt incredibly lucky I’d grabbed mine when I did because missing out would have been wounding. Seeing the eighteen year old roots singer-songwriter play live last October was enough to ensure I’ll be snapping up tickets to any and all gigs within a reasonable-mile radius, even beyond. Having been completely blown away by the sheer power and perfection of that previous performance, this latest one far exceeded what have rightly become even loftier expectations.

He wasn’t exactly lacking any confidence beforehand but the 30 date tour supporting Martyn Joseph has managed to unlock more of it from somewhere. There was a tweak here and there with some of the songs I’d seen on that previous set. These were only minor things but the detail they added made a huge difference, culminating in a finesse that was quite frankly, spellbinding. Four months on and Luke didn’t just move things up to the next level, he skipped a dozen in between and aimed right for the sun.

It’s impossible to not be totally amazed by him, the way he commands such a presence up there on the stage. It may well just be one man and his guitar but the exuberance with which he plays and sings opens the listener’s mind up wide. When his voice is belting out a song it’s like the force of a hundred folk, all concentrated through his captivating solo vocal. Right from the off he showed he meant business with Run and Hide. It’s the perfect opener. The power packed behind it grabs your complete attention as soon as it begins. So you’ve had a terrible day and think your mind may not be in the right place to relax and enjoy a night of live music? Wrong! There’s no chance of that with Luke on the case. Whatever troubles you might have had are smashed to smithereens. The throttle is opened fully and even this early on he cements in your mind the cast iron certainty you’ll be leaving the place having been well and truly awed.

As well as many songs from acclaimed debut album More Than Boys, it was a treat to hear a few new numbers. Out of Time transported me off on a sorrowful journey of heartbreak and Luke was spot on with the emotional intensity his lyrics demanded. The music, while remaining temperate throughout, complimented the full force of the voice behind the words. It was compelling.  Likewise with Learn to Dance, written in Glasgow while at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards weekend, you can’t but feel shocked he came away empty handed. Seeing him live again reinforces that shock for me.

Just when you think you’ve been wowed to the max he pulls out another charmer by way of Dancing Gerrard, joking how this was one of his old songs. It is one that shows the cutting-edge observational skills he had even four years ago, being about a character who left a mark on him. The story behind its conception revealed something endearing about Luke himself. How thoughtful he was, and still is. This humbles you to him even more, in addition to the natural charm of his cordial showmanship.

When the entire evening is of such star quality, naturally it is hard to isolate any specific moments for fear of detracting from the whole. However the gloves came off and were launched into deep space with a cover of Sam Cook’s Change Is Gonna Come. It was just astounding! Luke proves hands down his ability to sing and play the blues with the likes of Fathers Footstep Blues among others. With this particular cover though, he showed just how strong his grasp on another genre is. He sings and plays those blues so damn good he puts musicians thrice his age to shame.

Originality and imagination are key ingredients where his covers are concerned, making sure that although you know their roots it is Luke’s versions you will be remembering from now on. His rendition of Wayfaring Stranger, the first of two songs for his encore, was breathtaking. Seriously, you will require oxygen. Starting off a cappella before bringing in a bass-heavy punch which then eased into a striking strum, the flawless vocals hit you like a gale force wind.  Closing with Hit the Road he demonstrated his inspiring creativity with a merging medley of some well-known classics from the likes of Ray Charles, Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, Lemar all wrapped in an exquisite parcel of his own unique input and style.

Luke Jackson dazzles - lyrically, musically and vocally. He excels at what he does and this night was amazing! There's a maturity to him but he never hides away from his youth. I’ve referred to him as a rising star but this show made it clear to me he is already a blazing sun lighting up the music scene. Given the current climate this is just what is needed right now. This year his sun will burn even brighter still as he goes supernova. I assure you when you've seen him once, you will not be able to keep away, just remember to take along some oxygen for when he steals away your breath. Indeed, if live music is a drug then I consider myself hopelessly addicted.
 
As the filming of any videos at The Stables is prohibited I've included ones from other sources. 
1. We Are Not The Same at The Merchants Inn, Rugby - fimed by yours truly.
2. Out of Time from his intimate in-store gig at Union in Lewes last week.
3. Wayfaring Stranger at The Merchants Inn, Rugby.  

Visit Luke's website at http://www.lukepauljackson.com/ and check out the gig dates up there. Do yourself and everyone you know a favour and book some tickets. You will have an amazing night.

You can also follow Luke on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lukepauljacksonmusic or on Twitter @lukepauljackson

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2012 MUSIC OVERVIEW: A REVIEW PART II - SONGS, SINGERS & GUITAR PLAYERS.

The inevitable has happened. I now fully appreciate Peter Jackson's directorial and productive woes which led him to the decision to split The Hobbit film adaptation into not two, but three parts. Yes, my overview/review did indeed become its own trilogy. I'm reminded of reading the Lord of the Rings parody Bored Of The Rings which my Uni friends kindly bought me as part of a birthday present almost eleven years to the very day. BOTR is not a major film. It is an utterly silly parody of one of my actual favourite books so I recommend it whether you're a Tolkien fan or not. It has gone even further however. Into the realms of the quadrilogy. So from LOTR to the Alien saga. Let's hope I don't have to split it further and take on a whole other franchise but within the same one. Yes, Predator, I may be coming to get you!

Apologies for not being a tad briefer and being able to complete this overview/review all in one post. That would have been much neater. But then of course I would have no doubt missed out even more than I already did with those top albums featured in Part I. There's just so very much to look back on and include! It actually makes me dizzy doing so. Looking back at all this and trying to consolidate it into blog posts at the same time as trying desperately (and failing miserably) to keep up with this new year's fantastic offerings. When thinking about Luke Ritchie's The Water's Edge being the first album I reviewed back in early March I'm like WTFing at this crazy time speed phenomenon. Surely there must be some kind of 'Big Bad' The Doctor needs to come and sort out. Could it be The Rani did not perish during that Last Great Time War, and is now somehow siphoning off our time? I don't recall getting the memo of how we're being sucked into some bizarro world anyway. I remember writing that Luke Ritchie review just before going to Wales for a weekend break. There, I watched the awesome Norwegian film Troll Hunter. Not sure that needs to be expressed here but if you haven't seen it yet, you should do! I must warn you though, afterwards you will want to visit Scandinavia and hunt trolls. Seriously, don't laugh just yet. You just watch it and see. I can't recall if it was last year I first saw Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, or if it was 2011. No matter, it is one of those films I can (and do) watch over and over. Again, if you've not seen it, give it a try. Oh dear. Digressing once more. And so early on too. There is no hope! 

Let's crack on before Christmas really does come to smack us in the face again. Do make yourself comfortable and put those feet up. Grab a nice cup of tea or coffee, a beer or glass of wine perhaps. Once again, the below are those that really stuck out as something special last year. However, that doesn't mean I hold any of the other bands or artists in any less esteem. As with the albums, I will undoubtedly miss some and for this I apologise in advance. What can I say? Your time will come.

SONGS

As with everything there are just so many songs from last year all worthy of mentioning but a few that really stood out include:

Follow Me Down by The Slow Readers Club

Easily one of, if not THE, very best of a great lot. Just such oomph and presence in this track. It verges on the epic, smashing through everything else you will have heard. It is also available to download for free so if you enjoy it why not grab your own copy. Be sure to share it too please.

 
Wired by The Scholars

The first of the latest set of five fantastic singles from this awesome band was released last October. This is also a FREE download so grab your copy and share your love for The Scholars.

Last of the Hobo Kings by Mary Gauthier (from the album Live At Blue Rock)

This particular song isn't exactly from 2012 but it was released in the UK late last year on Mary's latest album, Live At Blue Rock. It is a beautiful tribute to a true American character. Easily now another one of my top favourites. As is Mary, who's music I'm now following with great interest. http://www.marygauthier.com/

Paradise Lost by Syd Arthur

This tune is epic! It is anthemic. It is so off the scale marvelous there aren't words on any of the planets in the galaxy to do it justice. It is like a positive hallucinogenic experience without the need for drugs. It goes so many places it can cause motion sickness but it isn't the kind you want to avoid. Contemporary psychedelica steeped in genre history but nevertheless all its very own unique tune. Stunning!

 
High Lights by Whitemoor

The first single from the band's forthcoming second album Horizons. I reviewed this when it was released back in November (>>here<<) concluding it is a very sneaky tease of the greatness lying in store for us on the album due out this spring.

Eve by fiN

There will be more about fiN in Part III of this review. Each song they produce is so unique and often completely different to what has come before it. Eve was the second of two singles released together (its partner being Twenty Three). It was also the first song of theirs I heard and pulled me deep in to appreciating their quality. Amazing!

   
I must leave it there for now or I will list on for infinity, as you well know.

Singer-songwriters

I think most singer-songwriters aren't too at home with the label. I too, think labels should be done away with as far as possible. However, when writing up posts such as this, for award type things too, there needs to be such categories I suppose. Singer-songwriter covers a fair bit though. It must also include the art of musicianship because most, if not all, singer-songwriters have mastered at least one instrument (and most often more). Be it guitar, piano, banjo or whatever.

Luke Jackson

Luke will be featured in the Live Music post but when discussing artists that really stood out in 2012, it would be a grievous crime to omit him? Luke didn't just stand out, he jumped out with such a phenomenal force the reverberations (or reverbnations, if we wish to be droll) will still be felt come 2015, or even well beyond that I'm sure! 2012 saw him release his debut album More Than Boys, produced by Martyn Joseph with whom he also toured from October. Nominated for 2 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards this year he deserved to bag them both but naturally competition was fierce. It is safe to say those Folk Awards have not seen the last of him and I fully expect to see him pick up numerous awards in the coming years. The future is so bright for young Mr Jackson he best put on some shades to avoid the sun glare. Tonight I'm off to see him for the second time in just a few months and really cannot wait. The video below is of Wayfaring Stranger filmed live at Luke's gig at The Merchant Inn in Rugby as part of Rugby Roots. Just watch, listen and feel those goosebumps it gives you. It was even more amazing there in that room that evening. Such power and perfection! (Jump to my review of that gig >>here<<) http://www.lukepauljackson.co.uk/

Aidan Logan

Another young guy with a big bright future is Aidan Logan from Belfast. I was so humbled and appreciative to him recently when he asked for my feedback and opinion on the new song he'd produced all by himself. As his debut album has been a little delayed, Aidan wanted to share something new with his followers to thank them for their support and encouragement. I'd had a rubbish day that day and was feeling sorry for myself so being asked for my opinion on this perked me up in a huge way. Standing Next To Me is an amazing effort considering it was all done on his lonesome. His talents are showcased well and you can hear the passion he has for making music so very clearly. His album is one I'm very much looking forward to this year. Aidan is a hugely talented young singer-songwriter with an incredibly bright and long future in music ahead of him. https://www.facebook.com/aidanloganmusic



Perry Hood

I was quite taken aback when first listening to Perry Hood's debut EP, Ropes. The songwriting, vocals and everything about the songs yells 'top talent'! It yells it so loudly there's a risk of being deafened. Deafened in the best possible kind of way. The passion in his voice as he plays is so powerful it could knock down buildings. I got to hear the track Lost before he put it out on a second EP of tunes and although seemingly a demo, it blew me away. It revealed a vocal range capable of moving you. There's a brand spanking new collection of tunes on the cards for release very soon as Perry has been working with a band to produce Skin and Bone. This will be available as a download, on CD and a very limited amount of clear vinyls. I do hope I can get to see him play at some point this year too. https://www.facebook.com/perryhoodmusic

Andrew Page

Andrew's debut album, Open The Door is a breathtakingly beautiful set of original songs. Again it has been almost a whole year since I first came across him and his music. His videos are always very welcome because he demonstrates such a deeply natural ability to play and sing. He knocks me for six each and every time! I will see him play live this year! Even if that involves teleportation, time travel or whatever it takes. As good old Captain Picard oft said, 'Make it so!' One of Andrew's latest videos is one of his own songs, Happiness from Open The Door which I shared on a very recent blog post so I've picked out this beautiful cover of Augustana's Boston. There are like millions of videos on his YouTube page so get viewing and enjoying because they are amazing! http://www.theandrewpage.com/

Thomas Smith

Tom drew me in with the first song I heard from him, Moon Bird. His thought-provoking lyrics, delicate yet strong vocals and goosebump-inducing music are star quality. The follow up song Mr Carroll was even more amazing and there have been a few more posted on his Soundcloud page you need to check out.  There is much much more to come this year from Thomas who is looking to appear at a few festivals over the summer as well as gearing up to record his official debut EP. Muchosly excited about this. In the meantime you can grab FREE downloads from Tom's Soundcloud page including the latest Trouble's Got You Down. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thomas-Smith-Music/121108244685424



Nate Jones
Beyond WOW is how I described Nate's music after listening to just a few of his songs for the first time. The vocals are crisp, the lyrics heartfelt and poignant. For his young age, he has a very mature outlook while retaining what's important about youth. I've mentioned passion quite a bit and Nate has this by the planet-load. With a mutual appreciation for the legendary beat writer Jack Kerouac, this is just one of many influences I hear in his output. His performance lays his soul bare for all to soak up. If you buy songs from his website, 50% of the money goes to World Vision so as well as getting some truly wonderful music you will be donating to a very worthy cause. Go on. Get yourself some top tunes today. Perhaps start with the incredibly beautiful Autumn Road below. I'm now going to go and work on that teleportation device because as much as I would totally spend the cost of the air fare to get over and see Nate play live, I know my funds are never likely to stretch quite that far. *studies application for science funding*
http://www.natejonesmusic.com/

Sell music on Amazon at ReverbNation.com

Julie Lamb
When discussing and mentioning Julie's album Trippin' The Light before, I could not but emphasize the scale of diversity she brings to the record. There are so many styles, so many twists to the music and songs. In fact, it is so heavy from all the talent I'm surprised it didn't cost what would amount to a lottery jackpot to post it all this way across the globe to me. This is just what Julie did and is something I'm very grateful for. You can do away with your categories and pigeon-holing with this one because they just cannot apply. This is a marvelous achievement to be honest because as much as those categories can do to help there is always going to be something limiting about them. With this album, Julie manages to transcend so many she will fit into them all and more besides. I guess it is kind of like having a cake and eating it if you'll excuse me using a ridiculous saying.

I wrote as much regards this diversity back when I played Undone on podcast #9. This is a rock chic who knows her music and produces end results that torpedo her contemporaries out of the water and into deep space. Blues, jazz, rock and more. She moves effortlessly through the lot and mixes a few here and there like on the opener Tell Me Who I Am. And as deeply sad as Cold Rainy Nights is, it is such a beautiful sounding tune. The album is so tightly produced too, with layers of instruments arranged to compliment the mood of each track on an individual level. Julie also pulls no punches when it comes to her lyrics. She writes so eloquently. There's a fluidity to these words and you just know how once that spark has caught, her pen won't stop until the verses are complete. Julie Lamb was a real delight to discover last year and I'm looking forward to keeping a close eye on her continuing progress this year. She writes on her Facebook page how she wants to be doing stuff when she's 90. I can see this being a reality. http://www.julielamb.co.nz/



Angel Kelly
Listening to Angel is like literally listening to an angel! She was one of the first musicians I came across not long after I started getting more into Twitter and I have indie author Craig Stone to thank for tweeting lots about her music at the time. Otherwise I may never have had the immense pleasure of hearing her wonderful and beautiful songs. The moment she begins singing cements the fact she was born into a musical family. The collection of songs below are live recordings from a set at the Troubadour in Earls Court. After listening to these you can buy the EP Angel Song from iTunes >>here<< and the single Less Is More from >>here<<.



Okay, let's put a stop to this there before we bleed this page over into 2015. Sincerest of apologies for those I haven't got the space to mention. You will be coming up over the coming year anyway. You may well remember I did/do have a schedule for things this year. Well, I was trying one out but as usual it seems to have collapsed in the oven like a badly baked flan or something. I've never actually baked a flan. Do you even bake flans? Which reminds me, I need to go check the fresh chicken in the oven. This is for the cat you understand. Part III of the review covering bands will follow very very shortly. With any luck tomorrow, in fact.

JUMP STRAIGHT TO THE OTHER PARTS OF MY 2012 OVERVIEW/REVIEW:

PART I   >>here<<
PART III >>here<<
PART IV >>here<<

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AND THE WEDNESDAY WINNER IS...: BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS 2013

Yes, I am crazy! This is a second kind of non-scheduled blog post this week. Yes, I should be working on the final little bit of the concluding part of my overview/review of 2012. It cannot be helped. There is just too much to share. If I didn't write this one and get it out there my fragile mind would collapse under the pressure of so much great music waiting to be shared. I admit, I should have got this tagged on to the bottom of Monday's post but there was just no time. Arrrrg! Stop! Wait! Tonight is the night so I have to get a move on even now. I'm against the clock in all senses of the expression.

I am of course talking about the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Depending on what time I get to hit the publish button on this post, the awards ceremony is either in full swing (indeed it is) or possibly even already over (most likely for later readers). I regret I won't have time to go over it and share the winners before next week but you don't need me to do that. If you've not even watched the show or perhaps even heard about it (what secluded isle do you live on I'd like to know?) then at least now you will have. You should check out some more about it because it is a seminal night of recognition for British Folk music. There is always the added fact that when you watch or listen to such events you will come across a song or artist that bowls you over. Something new will enter you sphere of musicality. Not sure if that last sentence makes grammatical sense but it sounded good so get over it. Ha!

BBC FOLK AWARDS 2013

COMPILATION ALBUM

It isn't all just hard traditional type stuff either so don't be scared away by that. Not that such style should scare you. Unless it's about some mad axe-murdering ghost who tortures his victims to a painfully slow and grisly death using obscure musical instruments that....I think I best stop there before I get closed down. There is so much range to the music covered by all the categories and in turn, the nominees. From traditional to instrumental, progressive to contemporary and beyond. Something for everyone. One particular thing that draws me to most, if not all, forms of folk is how far back into our histories it stretches. Furthermore, how it is often about passing on ancient stories and lore to each generation. It is something inclusive and as a society of music fans, something we can take great pleasure from and indeed, learn from too. I'd not heard of the interesting Doctor James Katriona Gilmore sings about. An important character seemingly wiped from history. 

Check out the sample of 5 tracks above that all feature on this wonderful broad compilation album. It is just £9.48 for 3 CDs filled with songs from the nominees of this year's awards. 

1. Bellowhead with Roll The Woodpile Down, a song that cannot but get you jigging about like a loon. A happy loon and music-induced so fear not, it is a natural thing. The power of that music. These guys are a juggernaut of talent and are up for Best Album (public vote) with their recently released Broadside. It doesn't stop there for them as they are also nominated for Best Group.
2. Second is Dr James from the more youthful duo Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts. Personally I think their latest album, The Innocent Left should have been nominated in the Best Album category but then you have seen how difficult it is for me to narrow these things down. It is a cracking album though, full of originality but with a foot of each of them remaining within the traditional camp. Anyways, they are up for Best Duo.
3. Third is King of Birds from talented singer-songwriter Karine Polwart who has no less than three nominations. Her 2012 album, Traces, is up for Best Album while King of Birds is up for Best Original Song and Karine is nominated for Folk Singer of the Year.
4. Fourth is the very moving and personal The Ballad of Andy Jacobs from Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman. This duo (Kathryn being the sister of Jamie Roberts, if you didn't know) are up for Best Duo as well as this wonderful song being nominated to Best Original Song. Competition in these things is always tough, as it should be, but I sincerely hope Kathryn is recognized for this song. 
5. Fifth and finally is Sea of Okhotsk from Treacherous Orchestra, which I must admit I absolutely love! It is such an interesting and innovative mix of sounds. There's electronica in there amongst so much else. It sounds superb! Treacherous Orchestra are up for Best Group and I wish them well.

As great as the above are and I think these samples showcase the kind of stuff on the album very well, they can barely hope to scratch the surface. With your appetite duly whetted and to prevent further salivations (and with them the risk of severe flood warnings - do be considerate about all the recent melting snow and rains we've been having), you should go buy the album and enjoy the lot at your leisure.

There are 3 CDs full of wonderment, I did mention that didn't I? 3 disks! Yes three! 3! Go get it for a bargain price of £9.48. Or if you're more in to your digital tunes these days you can buy it from iTunes instead >>here<<. For those who still like to do things the old fashioned way (can you believe I'm saying that about CDs? Anyone remember mini-disks? Ha!), check out the ProperMusic website via this link >>here<<, which will take you directly to the album page.

I wish all nominees my sincerest best wishes but it will come as no surprise I'm rooting for the very awesome Luke Jackson to win the Young Folk Award. Rura have bowled me over too, with their song Mary, which is on the album (disk 1) so go get it and enjoy some fantastic music spanning the entire folk genre. And Lau with The Bird That Winds The Spring - just so sublime. There's too much for me to list so just go buy it. You won't regret it. Full tracklisting below.

NEWS JUST IN......

Okay, I am actually watching the awards stream live via the Radio 2 website as I write this so it is hard not to share what's coming as it comes. Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman scooped the first award for Best Duo. So well-deserved and Sean thanked all those fans who keep attending the gigs because that's what makes it for them! So, please keep at it and get yourself along to wonderful live music. There really is nothing quite like it. Next up is The Horizon Award.....which has gone to Blair Dunlop! A very worthy winner indeed! Well done Blair. If you like what you hear from Blair on the compilation CD make sure you go and buy his awesome debut album Blight & Blossom.

CD 1: Bellowhead - Roll The Woodpile Down / Hannah James & Sam Sweeney - The Farmer's Cursed Wife / Anaïs Mitchell - Tailor / Duncan Chisholm - Unknown Air / Kathleen Macinnes - Tha Sneach'd Air Druim Uachdair / Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts - Doctor James / Nic Jones  - Texas Girl's Lament At The Funeral Of Her Father / Emily Portman - Hatchlings / Rura - Mary / Kathryn Tickell - Small Coals

CD 2: Lau - The Bird That Winds The Spring / Maz O'connor - Caw The Yowes / Ross Ainslie -- Lullaby For Mel / O'hooley & Tidow - Gentleman Jack / Luke Jackson - Last Train / Karine Polwart - King Of Birds / Blair Dunlop - Billy In The Lowground / Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman - The Ballad Of Andy Jacobs / The Unthanks - Black Trade / Sam Lee - Wild Wood Amber / Treacherous Orchestra - Sea Of Okhotsk

CD 3: Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar - Working On The New Railroad / Thalla - St. Andrew's Flight / Last Tango In Harris / Luke Jackson - More Than Boys / Graham Mackenzie & Ciorstaidh Beaton - Father Eugene's Welcome To Cape North; St Kilda's Wedding / Mae Bradbury - Shiver / Jack Pout - Breaking Of Old Branches / Matt Tighe - Were You At The Rock?;  The College Groves / Rosie Hodgson - Liverpool Lullaby / The Crosstown Trio - My Heart Is Holding Up A Shield / Hugh Sheehan & Jack Mccaugherty - The Night Before

I must apologize for having to love you and leave you now as I need to sit back and enjoy the rest of this awards show. But, before I do so please enjoy the video below from a US indie folk band I only stumbled across yesterday, thanks to them following me on Twitter first. The song is Don't Give Up On Me and I think WOW sums it up perfectly, in brief. Much more from Harvest Breed to come soon! So delightful.

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THE SPIRAL AWARDS 2013 - WHO WINS? YOU DECIDE!

Howdy folks. While I'm working away hard at part 2 of my 2012 overview/review, I thought I'd take a break to write up a wee little post about the The Spiral Awards 2013. Mostly because it is one big public vote. Well, many public votes I suppose as all categories are open for fans of the artists and bands and of the online magazine to vote as they please. And just about anyone else who cares to pass by and vote I suppose.

Now, compiling my own list of favourites has proven difficult enough so I can fully sympathize with the guys and gals at Spiral as they have put together these nominations. It's totally understandable why they now want to let the public decide on the ultimate winners. Being nominated, however is a win in itself and with it brings exposure and promotion of a kind. As is to be expected, competition is fierce. I don't wish to command you who to vote for but I am going to share with you my own choices for a few of the categories. Please feel free to follow me with some or all but most importantly vote for who you believe deserves to win based on your experiences of them. There are some categories where I'm a fan of several nominees and others where I may only know the one. I don't think there's anything wrong with voting for the one you know and like either, by the way. I come to music via so many different ways and this will be just another. I will likely look up and listen to a number of the other nominees in categories I'm voting. So whereas they may not get my vote this time round, they may well get my listenership.

Public voting closes at noon 14th March so you do have plenty of time to check out the nominees before voting if you'd like to learn more about each. Please do contribute as being chosen by the public and fans will of course mean a lot to these talented folk.

Static on the Airwaves Levellers

The Ornate Lie Kim Edgar

Contraband Kirsty Mcgee

Skulk Jim Moray

Anyone who's kept up with the blog over the past year will know how much of a Levellers fan I am. So, it will come as little surprise I'm voting for Static On The Airwaves for Best Album. Following 2008's magnificent Letters From The Underground was always going to be difficult. With Static, I think the band have managed to do so with something that harks back to a lot of early days kind of stuff. With their added experience and it is far from any simple rehash of that older work, of course. It just has some wicked fiddle on most of the tracks and some wonderful hook-laden choruses that you really can't help but get your feet moving along to. When it is hard to pick standout songs because all are so good you know a band has done its job well. If pushed, I'd have to single out We Are All Gunmen, Truth Is, After The Hurricane and Mutiny but as you can tell I'm in danger of listing them all.

Orfeo Fay Hield and the Hurricane Party

Northumbrian Voices Kathryn Tickell

The Seas Are Deep Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker

Another Day Another Story James Findlay

I saw James Findlay perform when he was supporting Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman last February. While I admit I am more a fan of the more contemporary folk stuff, including the reworked and updated traditional songs, James really impressed me. So much so I bought two of his albums at the gig on the night. I loved how he spontaneously warmed up his voice with a song acapella before warming up the crowd with a host of traditional tunes.

In Time Alister Atkin

The Wild Wild Berry Stephanie Hladowski & C. Joynes

Vice of the People Albion Band

Blight & Blossom Blair Dunlop

 
Now this category presents the first issue. I'm coming down on the side of Blair Dunlop because his debut Blight & Blossom is the album I've heard most. I'm afraid I didn't have time enough to get into Vice Of The People by The Albion Band. This of course is the next generation of The Albion Band and what a damn fine generation it is. Including Blair Dunlop himself, together with Katriona Gilmore and a number of other hugely talented young folk musicians. So why am I not choosing their album then? If I had have been able to hear it more than I have, I may well have chosen it but sadly time, as is always the way, conspires against me. It is a great album though and I highly recommend it.

Blair's Blight & Blossom is also fantastic, which is why I'm selecting that one as my winner in this category. I was supposed to go see him play in Milton Keynes but sadly it was during the Great Manflu attack of 2012. That pesky virus lingered on for weeks and weeks and I was coughing so much I didn't want to ruin it for other folk. Next time, Blair, I shall be there!

Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman

Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin

Gilmore & Roberts

O'Hooley & Tidow

On my latest podcast (#12) I expressed how much of a difficult time this category would give me when mentioning two acts in particular, going head to head for the Best Duo at the BBC2 Radio 2 Folk Awards this year. To now be faced with just such a decision for these awards means this post is now a day later than I'd planned. Seriously, how does one possibly choose one over the other when both acts mean quite a fair bit to me? This is the very case whereby it needs to be possible to vote for two. I feel queasy having to actually make a firmer decision. I came to Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman thanks to randomly buying their second album at the first Seth Lakeman gig I attended a few years back (I'd already got all of Seth's at this point). I absolutely loved it! Rule & Bant from that album is one of my favourite songs (and was played on podcast #12). Their long-awaited return as a duo on the music circuit was cemented in the summer with the release of their third album, Hidden People. I reviewed it >>here<< and have seen them live three times now. As the shows I'd seen before the latest album proved, they are a world class musical pairing who have perhaps been underrated due to their absence from centre stage for a number of years.

I bet there's no sibling rivalry in real life (these folk are just too lovely) as Kathryn's brother Jamie makes up the Roberts component of Gilmore & Roberts. Katriona Gilmore is every bit as humble and personable as Kathryn, as she talks the audience through stories about the songs they played at the gig I went to in October. They had been on my radar already but as you will be aware I get so much music these days sometimes I miss out on amazing things. I count these guys amongst those amazing things! I am just grateful that as a part of doing all this music stuff I was asked if I wanted to review their latest album The Innocent Left. Is a cat one of the laziest domestic animals in existence? So I snapped that one up and my review can be read >>here<<. It is partly me reviewing the album as to why I didn't get a write up about the gig shortly after that evening of magical entertainment. I have however written up a review of it for part 2 of the overview/review.

So....yes....I can ramble on as much as I'd like but I still have to choose who I'm voting for don't I? Right! Well.....do I have to choose? You see why I sometimes have issues selecting the individual songs for the podcast. Okay then. I have to do it. I'm going to go for Gilmore & Roberts! I'm saying nothing further on the matter. I feel bad enough as it is. Not for choosing Gilmore & Roberts because they so deserve to win with their wonderful combination (both live & recorded) but I sincerely love Kathryn & Sean's work. I would be useless on an award committee wouldn't I?



 

Because Of You Nicky Swann

Cosmonaut Nick Cave ft. Emmylou Harris

The Ballad Of Andy Jacobs Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman

Young Man In America Anais Mitchell

I can go some way to redeeming myself and feeling less upset at not being able to select Kathryn & Sean for the Best Duo category as well by voting for Kathryn's heartbreaking and thoroughly moving original song, The Ballad of Andy Jacobs. It's one of those where just a few presses down on the piano keys is enough to make you well up. It is striking in the imagery she paints for you with both music and words so that you really get inside Andy's life and feel for what things must have been like for these folk during those times. You can smell the coal and the burning as that fire takes hold towards the end. This is one remarkable achievement and needs to be recognized accordingly. It better win at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards too, as it is nominated in the same category there.

Nick Burbridge

Anais Mitchell

Ewan McLennan

Karine Polwart

This is another category that threatened to prove a tough choosing challenge. Ewan McLennan has written some really great stuff that I enjoy. Karine Polwart released her most recent album last year too, proving she has a remarkable songwriting talent. At the risk of over-promoting my own reviews and stuff (I'm going to anyway), I did review Traces >>here<<. It is one stunning album of songs! Even so, the winner hands down for me cannot but be the master storyteller, poet, songwriter, musician and all-round talented Mr Nick Burbridge!

Given his hugely busy schedule thanks to just how many different diverse and wonderful projects he works on, he's not exactly had chance to get out on the road in support of his most recent music collaboration with Tim Cotterell. Gathered was released earlier last year and in my last blog post I described why it was one of my top favourite albums of 2012. Anything from Nick stands out so far ahead of pretty much anything else. Its scope, its quality, its production and most importantly (and the reason he gets my vote as Best Songwriter, without any doubt) the structure and content of the songwriting is just unparalleled! I stand by what I wrote at the end of my bit on Gathered in that last post, 'Nick Burbridge is one of the UK's, even the world's, greatest artistic talents!' Make sure you vote for his efforts and if you've never heard much of his stuff before then get yourself to http://www.burbridgearts.org/ where you will find so much greatness you will be back to vote for him before too long. You can check out Gathered below and then please submit your vote.

Beautiful Days

Sark Folk Festival

Maverick

Cambridge Folk Festival

Again, regular readers and/or listeners will understand why I'm voting for Beautiful Days for the Festival Award. I've been several times myself and it was with great sadness I was unable to make it last year. It is one huge family who all come together to celebrate good independent music and something that feels on the right side of freedom. With any luck I'll be able to get in this year thanks to all the writing I'm doing and so cover some/all of the festival. That is much harder than it sounds to be honest as I found when writing up about last year's Truck Festival. It was an incredible amount of fun though and something I would absolutely without a shadow of a doubt, want to repeat this year. Perhaps I'll hit the jackpot and get to cover Cambridge Folk Festival, Truck Festival and Beautiful Days. That would make one magical mountainous musical summer. Bring it on please!!

Here's the link again for you to submit your own votes: http://www.spiralearth.co.uk/spiralawards2013/

While on the subject of festivals and to bring this wee little (little?? well for me, it is) post to a close I want to share the exciting news that tickets for this year's Truck Festival will be going on sale from 7pm on Monday 4th February. This will start with the final batch of very limited early bird tickets held at 2012 prices. Set reminders or alarms! Make notes with those little magnetic words you have on your fridges (perhaps just the students on that one - I miss those to be fair). Stick up post it notes above the loo and in the shower. Just make sure you get your tickets for one amazing weekend!

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